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Portrait and_ 



.-4§^ BIOGRAPHICAL 



(■tjlfej 



f RECORD^I 



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V 



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^ 



ORANGE COUNTY 

NEW YORK 

Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
J and Representative Citizens of the County. 

Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents 

of the United States. 



NEW YORK AND CHICAGO: 
CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO., ^ 

1895- 



;.o 



■it 



^ 



i PRKFACE 



<y^UE greatest of English historians. Macaulav. and one of the most brilliant writers of the 
if\ P^^^°' centurj-, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its 
Vy people." In conformity with this idea, the Portrait and Biographical Record of this 
county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking thrrefrom dr>- statistical 
matter that can be appreciated by but few. our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men 
and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none 
among those comprising this great and noble state, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles No more interesting or in.structive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. 
In this v.ilume will be found a record of many who.se lives are worthy the imitation of coming 
generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industrj- and economy have 
accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have 
become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of 
the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as state.smen, and 
whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to 
succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned their eflforts. It tells also of many, verj- 
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," 
content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They have 
done what they could." It tells hnw that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left 
the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, 
and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the 
Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every 
woman is a lesson that should not be lo.st upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a .sacred treasure, from the 
fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would 
otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and ever\- 
opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and 
the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. 
In addition to the biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this 
the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, .some refused to give 
the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasiona/.y some 
member of the family would oppose the.enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of 
the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though 
repeated calls were made at their residences or places of business. 

ChAPMA.N PrBLISHING CO. 

C-^tober, 1895. 






f 



\ 



PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES 



OF THE 



PRESIDENTS 



OF THE 



United States 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'535 



In 1732 four of the descendants, Reuben, Silas, 
Abimel and Henry, all brothers, left Long Island 
and came up the Hudson as far as Newburgh; 
thence striking across the country, they settled 
the territory between Washingtonville and Go- 
shen. Henry settled where the present Henry, 
his sixth lineal descendant, now lives. The main 
farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres which 
the present Henry inherited through his father, 
Henry Youngs (fifth), from his great-uncle, Henry 
Youngs (fourth), has never been out of the pos- 
session of the Youngses. H. Youngs (fifth) ad- 
ded some seventy -eight acres, making a total of 
three hundred acres in all. 

Two of the .sons of H. Youngs ( third ) very 
early in the pre.sent century left their Orange 
County home for New York City, and engaged 
in the dry-goods business, later becoming very 
successful merchants. These sons were Henry 
Youngs (fourth) and Hiram. Upon the death of 
his mother, Henry Youngs (fourth) returned to 
Goshen, where he died, childless, in November, 
1869, leaving the bulk of his property, and in 
particular the homestead farm, which he dearly 
loved, to his nephew, Henry Youngs (fifth), eld- 
e.st son of his brother Hiram, for life, and upon 
his death, in fee to his son, H. Youngs (sixth), 
then a child three years old. 



gEORGE N. CLEMSON. The hi.story of 
Middletown is that of its successful bu.siness 
men, tho.se who have developed its commer- 
cial activities, promoted its manufacturing inter- 
e.sts and enlarged its material resources. Such 
a one is George N. Clem.son, President of the 
National Saw Company, President of the Middle- 
town Trust and Safety Deposit Company, Vice- 
President of the Hogan Boiler Works, Vice-Pres- 
ident of the Middletown Glass Works, and mem- 
ber of the firm of Clemson Brothers. Though in 
achieving his present position he had the prestige 
of wealth and the influence of his father's name, 
it is but justice to him to say that, had he been 
obliged to begin the battle of life unaided, he 
would nevertheless have gained success, for he pos- 



sesses those traits of character that almost invari- 
ably bring pro.sperity and prominence. 

A native of Massachusetts, George N. is tlie 
son of William Clem.son, a successful saw manu- 
facturer, concerning whom mention is elsewhere 
made. He accompanied his father to Middletown, 
arriving in this city May 4, i860. In childhood 
he gained a thorough knowledge of every detail 
connected with the manufacture of saws, and at 
an early age he began making bracket-saws in a 
building on his father's place, that he had fitted 
up for the purpo.se. So well did he succeed, that 
he .soon enlarged the .shop, and after a time 
moved to larger quarters. Like his father and 
grandfather, he possesses inventive genius and 
his patents have wrought a marvelous improve- 
ment in the .saw business, increasing the speed of 
manufacture as well as the quality of the product. 

The firm of Clem.son Brothers, in which George 
N. and his brother Richard are interested, is one 
of the most complete manufacturing establish- 
ments in the country. In i8go the firm built a 
large brick structure on Cottage Street, opposite 
the National Saw Works. This is a substantial 
building, with granite front and all modern con- 
veniences for the manufacture of butchers' brack- 
ets and lock-saws. Prior to his father's death he 
and his brother Richard purchased his intere.st in 
the saw works of Wheeler, Madden & Clemson, 
and since that time he has become more largely 
interested in them. In 1891 hewasone of the in- 
corporators of the National Saw Company, into 
which the other concern was merged, and of 
which he has since been President. It is a very 
large corporation, having, besides the works at 
Middletown, manufacturing establishments in 
Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. 

The home of Mr. Clemson on Highland Ave- 
nue is one of the finest residences in the city and 
is surrounded by beautiful and well kept grounds, 
the whole presenting a most inviting appearance 
to the passer-by. Mr. Clemson and his wife have 
two children now living. For some time he was 
Vice-President of the Middletown Trust and 
Safety Deposit Company, and in May, 1895, was 
elected its President, to succeed the late Hon. 
M. D. Stivers. In the organization of the Hogan 



1536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Boiler Works he was an active factor and is now 
its Vice-President. He is also Vice-President of 
the Middletown Glass Company. No man takes 
a deeper interest in the projjress and prosperity of 
Middletown than does he, and every public-spir- 
ited enterprise receives his support and substan- 
tial aid. While his business duties are heavy 
and engrossing, he does not allow them to con- 
sume his entire time, but is fond of a drive be- 
hind a team of his fine horses, and a hunt with 
his hounds, that are the hne.st for miles around. 
In business and in society, at his office and in his 
home, he is ever the same tactful, courteous and 
affable gentleman, one with whom it is a pleasure 
to meet and associate. 



yyiOSES V. SHUMAKER. If bv .success in 
Y life we mean .securing a comfortable home 
y and the means for a good support, then is 
our subject one of the most successful men in 
Orange County. He owns and occupies a fine 
estate in the town of (ioshen, which is devoted to 
the raising of fruits and vegetables in great var- 
ietv, and also to dairy farming, which he finds to 
be ver)- profitable. 

Our subject was born in Monroe County, Pa., 
in 1839, and is the .second of the familj' born to 
John and Sarah ( \'an Cauipen) Shumaker, na- 
tives of New Jersey, within whose borders they 
were reared. John Shumaker was a well-to-do 
farmer during his lifetime and at the time of his 
decease, in 1893, was the possessor of a good es- 
tate. His wife preceded him to the land beyond 
by many years, her death occurring in i860. 

Although he attended the common .schools. 
Moses \'. received .special training in farm work. 
It was not strange, then, that, when ready to em- 
bark in life for him.self he should choose that vo- 
cation. Since his twenty -fifth year he has been 
carrying on farm pursuits. In October, 1891, he 
located on his present estate, and, as before stat- 
ed, he gives his attention to raising fruits and 
vegetables and to dairying. 

Mr. Shumaker was married, in 1870, to Miss 
Martha, daughter of John W. and Eleanor (Phil- 



lips) Beemer, all of whom were natives of Sussex 
County, X. J. By her marriage with our sub- 
ject, Mrs. Shumaker became the mother of eight 
children, one of whom is now deceased. Those 
living are: Lillie A., the wife of Frederick North- 
up, of Newburgh; Fannie O., Charles W., Al- 
bert L., Willard J., Lizzie M. and -Florence L. 
Although not members of any religious body, 
both our subject and his wife are inclined toward 
the faith of the Presbyterian Church, which thev 
attend. In politics he has abiding faith in the 
teachings of the Republican party, whose candi- 
dates always receive his vote and influence. 

When the tocsin of war was sounded through- 
out the country in 1861, Mr. Shumaker donned 
the blue, enlisting in Company D, Thirtieth New 
Jersey Infantry, being mustered in at Fleming- 
ton, that state. He was in active sers-ice for ten 
months, participating in all of the engagements 
in which his regiment was engaged, and was 
mu.steredout as Corporal of his compan\-. He is 
now a member of Chaplain Haines Post, G. A. R.. 
at Deckertown, N. J. 

0ANIEL THOMPSON. Among the many 
fine farms that attract the stranger's eye in 
this part of Orange County, the one be- 
longing to the subject of this sketch deserves 
special mention. The owner of this valuable 
piece of ground was born in the town of Craw- 
ford, this county, October 8, 1819. He was the 
seventh in order of birth in a family often chil- 
dren comprising the household of Alexander and 
Hannah (Bull) Thompson. 

The following is a brief mention of the brothers 
and sisters of our subject: Jane married Archi- 
bald P. Nevins, of Monticello, and died when 
about seventy-four years of age. Catherine be- 
came the wife of John Moore, and on his death 
married A. W. Jackson, of Middletown: .she died 
when in her eighty-ninth year. Albert was a 
physician of Ontario, N. Y., and died after 
reaching his seventy-fourth year. Mary became 
the wife of Hiram Phillips, and died when about 
thirtv-eight vears old. Sarah, Mrs. E. Sherman, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1537 



was eighty-three years of age at the time of her 
death. Harriet married William H. .Smith, and 
died ill New York City when sixty-eight years 
old. Augustus was a farmer in this town, and died 
at the age of sixty-seven years. Martha married 
.Samuel C. Brush, and her death occurred when 
in her sixty-eighth year; and John A. is a resident 
of Middletown. 

The father of this family was born in the town 
of Crawford, where he spent his entire life, suc- 
cessfully engaged in farm pursuits. He lived to 
be eighty-.six years old. For a period of nine 
years he was Supervisor, and during that time 
gave satisfaction to all concerned. In religious 
affairs he was a prominent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. He was in turn the son of 
Alexander and Jane Thompson, natives of Coun- 
ty Longford, Ireland. The former came to Am- 
erica many years ago, in company with two of 
his brothers, Robert and Andrew. They were 
among the very earliest settlers of this town, 
where they took up Government land, which is 
-Still in the possession of the family. 

The subject of this .sketch lived with his par- 
ents until his marriage. He then located on his 
present place, which property was given him by 
his honored father, and here he has made his 
home ever since. The tract comprises one hun- 
dred and thirty acres, finely improved in every 
, particular and cultivated in such a manner that 
it yields its owner a handsome income. 

The marriage of Mr. Thompson with Miss 
Mary E. Hunter occurred October ,^, 1850. The 
lady was born in this town January 7, 1830, and 
is the daughter of George and Sarah (Crawford ) 
Hunter. Her father was born in the to'vn of 
Montgomery, and was a well-to-do physician. 
He went to Searsville in 1823, when a young 
man, and was there engaged in a lucrative prac- 
tice until the time of his death, in 1870, when 
threesore and ten years of age. 

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson Frank H., bom February 8, 1853, 
is now engaged as an engineer at Akron, Ohio; 
Anna, born March 21, 1856, is at home; George, 
who was born August 14, 1858, died August 4, 
1893: and the fourth child died in infancy. 



Our .subject is an old-time Democrat in his 
political views. For twenty-seven years he held 
the office of Supervisor, for a munl)er of terms 
was Commissioner of Highways, at one time was 
President of the Middletown and Pine Bush Rail- 
road Company, and from 1876 to 1882 was Sup- 
erintendent of the same. 

Socially Mr. Thomp.son is a Mason of high 
standing, belonging to Hoffman Lodge No. 112 
of Middletown. With his wife he is a devoted 
inember of the Presbyterian Church, to the sup- 
port of which they give liberally, and are always 
ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. Al- 
though Mr. Thomp.son is well advanced in years, 
he is hale and hearty and is still able to person- 
ally .superintend his excellent farm. He is one 
of the leading citizens of the county, and as such\ 
we are pleased to be able to place this brief out- 
line of his life Ijefore our readers. 



IILLIAM E. DOUGLAS, M. I)., began 
practice in Middletown in 1881. He was 
born in Franklin, Delaware County. N. Y., 
July 14, 1853, and is of good old Revolutionary 
stock, his great-grandfather, Asa Douglas, serv- 
ing as Captain during that struggle. For his 
services he was granted a tract of land, supposed 
to have been in Massachusetts, but on surveying it 
was found between the two .states, now in Rensse- 
laer County, N. Y. He was born in Franklin, Del- 
aware County. Judge Amos Douglas, the grand- 
father, was born in Stephentown, in Rensselaer 
County, and in early life moved to Franklin, 
Delaware County, where he was one of the first 
attorneys. He was subsequently County Judge 
there, which office he held for many years. The 
father of our subject, who was also named Amos, 
was a native of Franklin, and for twenty -five 
years was engaged in the mercantile business, 
and later in the banking business. He was one 
of the organizers of the First National Bank of 
Franklin, and was President of the .same for more 
than twenty-five years. He married Mi.ss Mar- 
riette Hine, who was also a native of Franklin, 
and was a daughter of William Hine, a native 



i.V^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Woodbridge, now New Milford, Conn. He 
was, however, an early settler in Franklin, 
and was by occupation a fanner. His grand- 
father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Douglas, 
who was named Stephen Hine, served in the 
Revolutionary War, and died in Connecticut. 
Her father was a Deacon in the Congregational 
Church for man\ years- Amos Douglas, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was a strong Republican, but 
one who never a.spired to official position. He 
was Clerk in the Congregational Church for many 
years, or until he gave it up on account of ill- 
health. He died in Franklin in 1888, and his 
wife died in 18S6. They were the parents of 
four children, three of whom g^ew to maturity, 
and two are yet living: Amos Stanley, who re- 
sides in Middletown. and who is a .special insur- 
ance adjustor: and Dr. William E.. the subject 
of this sketch. Charles A. grew to manhood 
and was Cashier of the First National Bank of 
Middletown, but resigned, and has since died. 

The subject of this notice was reared in Frank- 
lin, and receiver! his e<lucation in the literary in- 
stitute at that place, from which he graduated. 
At the age of sixteen he began reading medicine 
in the office of Dr. Ira Wilcox, and suhsequentlv 
entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New- 
York City, where he remained four and a-half 
\ears. taking his degree of Nf. D. in 1876. On 
graduating, he removed to Lisle. Broome Coun- 
ty, where he opened an office and commenced 
the practice of his profession. He remained 
thereuntil 1S81. when, as already stated, he lo- 
cate<l in Middletown, where he has since resided, 
and where he has built up an extensive practice, 
lieing recognized as one of the leading physicians 
of the county. Since the institution was started 
he has been on the medical staff of Thrall Hos- 
pital. He is a member of the State Medical So- 
ciety, is ex- President of the Orange Countv 
Medical Society, and is Examiner for several life- 
insurance companies, besides being a Director of 
the First National Bank of Middletown. and a 
member of the Board of Water Commissioners. 

Dr. Douglas was marrietl, in Broome County, 
to Miss Katharine Whitney, a native of that 
county, and they have one child, Amos Stanlev. 



Jr. Fraternally the Doctor holds membership 
with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, 
and politically is a Republican. He is a member 
of the Congregational Church of Middletown, 
and is Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Per- 
sonally he is very popular, and is held in high 
esteem hv those who know him. 



30HN H. CHAPMAN. While this gentle- 
man has gained success in business, his at- 
tention has not been so engrossed by per- 
sonal affairs as to exclude participation in matters 
of public importance. At the present time he is 
rendering efficient service as a member of the 
Board of Health of Newburgh. and at different 
times he has held other responsible positions. In 
Masonn.- he has attained a high rank, and is well 
known among the members of that order in the 
Hudson River Valley. 

The Chapman family is one of the oldest and 
mo.st honorable in Orange County. The father 
of our subject. Isaac C. Chapman, is the well 
known wholesale and retail druggist of New- 
burgh, and to his sketch on another page the 
reader is referred for particulars conceniing the 
family history. John H. was born in thi.s city 
February i, i860, being an only son. He was 
reared in the home ot his parents, and under 
their wise guidance was prepared Jor a useful and 
honorable career in the business world. After 
having graduated from the grammar school, he 
entered the free academy, and completed the 
course there in 1877. He then wetit to New- 
York City, where he entered the New York Col- 
lege of Phannacy. and for a time was connectetl 
with the wholesale drug house of R. W. Robin- 
son & Son. 

After about two years iii New York. Mr. Chap 
man returned to New-burgh, establi-shing in busi- 
ness with his father, with whom he remained un- 
til 1S90, when he took the stand formerly occu- 
pie<i by F. W. Renter. This he has since conduct- 
ed, and has met with the most flattering success in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1539 



the enterprise. His location first \v:is on the 
corner of, South and Liberty vStreets, Init in Ma> , 
1895, he removed to South and Chambers Streets, 
where he occupies a new building, and has a 
large and well equipped pharmacy. 

In addition to his business interests, Mr. Chap- 
man is agent for the Northwestern Masonic Aid 
Association, which has its headquarters in Chi- 
cago, 111. In 1893, under the administration of 
Ma\or Law.son, he was appointed a member of 
the City Board of Health, and in 1895 he was 
again appointed to that position by Mayor Odell. 
He occupies a pleasant residence at No. 164 
Grand Street. 

vSocially Mr. Chapman is identified with Hud- 
son River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M.; High- 
land Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; and Hudson 
River Commandery No. 35, K. T., in which he 
has been Generalissimo, and since May, 1895, 
has held the rank of Commander. He also be- 
longs to Mecca Temple, New York City, and the 
Noble and Mystic Shrine. He is an honorary 
member of the Newlnirgh Fire Department, and 
.served for six years in the Ringgold Hose Com- 
pany. With the City Club, of which he was a 
charter member, he is still actively connected. 
He is connected with the Veterans' As.sociation 
of the Tenth Separate Company, National Guard 
of New York, and for six years served as Cor- 
poral of the old Tenth Separate Company. In 
politics he is active and enthusia.stic in support 
of Democratic principles, and never fails to cast 
his ballot for the candidates of that part>-. 

■ £D^ P 



GILFRED BRIDGEMAN. While his busi- 
/ 1 ness interests have required his presence in 
/ I New York City at intervals for many years, 
Mr. Bridgeman has gained a large acquaintance 
in Orange County, especially in the city and 
town of Newburgh, where he has made his home 
for a long time. The enterprise with which he has 
been connected throughout his entire active life 
is one of the oldest of the kind in the metropolis, 
having been established in 1824. The first loca- 
tion of the house was at No. 876 Broadway, from 



which place it was removed, in 1872, to No. 37 
East Nineteenth Street, near Broadway. Here 
a large and remunerative business is carried on 
both in the importing and sale of vegetable, 
farm and flower seeds, etc. The premises occu- 
pied are of modern and substantial construction, 
and are finished artistically and in a most pleas- 
ing manner. The trade is large, not being lim- 
ited to the city or state, but extending through- 
out the entire country, and from all points are 
received orders for the many varieties of goods 
carried. 

The Bridgeman family originated in Englai d, 
where the parents of our subject, Thomas and 
Hannah (Eastmond) Bridgeman, were born, the 
former in Abingdon, March 29, 1786, and the 
latter in Kintbury, May 16, 1787. Of their 
marriage, which took place in their native land 
May 23, 1807, nine children were born, of whom 
Alfred and two .sisters are the sole survivors. 
The father, who was a horticulturist, seed-mer- 
chant and horticultural writer, brought his fam- 
ily to America and settled in New York City, 
where he engaged in business until his death, at 
the age of sixty -four. He was a man of indus- 
trious, persevering disposition, and held many 
positions of honor. 

During the residence of his parents in New 
bury, England, the .subject of this sketch was 
born, June 6, 18 18. He was brought by his fa- 
ther to America, where he completed his educa- 
tion in the Lafayette Institute of New York City. 
Posses.sing an aptitude for the business in which 
he is now engaged, he early turned his attention 
to it, gaining a familiarity with every department 
of the work. To it he has given his entire active 
life, and by managing his affairs in a .sy.stematic 
and business- like manner he has built up the rep- 
utation of the hou.se. In addition to the bu.sine.ss 
in New York City, he is proprietor of a nur.sery 
at Astoria, now Long Island City, N. Y. 

In Brooklyn, N. Y., February 25, 1846, Mr. 
Bridgeman married Martha M. King, whose fa- 
ther, Gamaliel King, a noted architect of Brook- 
lyn, was at one time a member of the State Leg- 
islature, and often held positions of public trust 
and honor. P'ive children comprised their fam- 



I540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ily, but two have been called from earth, the sur- 
vivors being Alfred T. , Catherine H. and Ella 
M. Alfred T. married Jennie Adams, and they 
have one son. Catherine H. is the wife of Mun- 
son G. Muir, and the mother of a son and daugh- 
ter. Ella M. is the wife of Augustus \V . Bell, of 
Morristown, N. J., and is also the mother of one 
son and one daughter. 

Mr. Bridgeman has been an extensive traveler 
through this countrj-, and he has also visited Eu- 
rope four times, having in that way gained famil- 
iarity with the customs of the people in this and 
other lands. To his children he gave the best 
educational advantages, both at home and abroad, 
and fitted them for positions of honor in social or 
business circles. February 4, 1850, he received 
from William H. Seward, Governor of the state 
of New York, the appointment of Second Lieu- 
tenant of the Third Regiment of Artillery, and he 
served as a commissioned officer in the same up- 
wards of six vears. 



0EWITT C. DOMINICK is the energetic 
and progressive Superintendent of the pub- 
lic schools of Walden, N. Y. Himself a 
man of finished education, he is able to appreciate 
the benefits to be derived from a thorough knowl- 
edge of men and things, and has ever striven to 
instill into the young people under his charge a 
love for learning and perseverance in the pursuit 
of that knowledge which is power. His life has 
been devoted to school work, and in every posi- 
tion to which he has been called he has shown 
his executive ability in organization and his 
power to present puzzling and intricate truths in 
a simple and lucid manner. 

The birth of Mr. Dominick occurred in Gallup- 
ville, Schoharie County, N. Y., on the 19th of 
September, 1851, and he was the .son of Weid- 
man Dominick, a native of Herkimer County. 
He is still living, making his home in his native 
county, where he is a prominent attorney He 
has always been a very popular man and has 
been called to fill many positions of honor and 
public trust, performing the duties devolving 
upon him with ability and faithfulness. 



Professor Dominick received the rudiments of 
his education in the public schools, and from the 
age of eighteen until twenty-one years of age was 
in the employ of his father. At that time he en- 
tered the Delaware City In.stitute, and later be- 
came a student at the Albany State Normal, 
from which he graduated in January, 1876. He 
.spent the following year teaching in the public 
school of his native town, and during the sum- 
mer was instructor in the Schoharie Academy, in 
his spare moments studying languages under the 
Superintendent of the academy. 

In the year 1877 our subject entered Cornell 
University at Ithaca, N. Y., taking the scientific 
course, and graduated in 1881, although during 
his junior year he was obliged to teach for six 
months to defray his expenses. He paid his own 
way through college, and upon the completion of 
his course received the degree of Bachelor of 
Sciences. He was always very active in his 
class work, maintaining a high standing as a 
-Student and being a leader in his class. To per- 
haps unusual ability he added a genius for study 
and close application, and in the success which 
has come to him he has no cause for regret for 
the hard .struggles of his early life. 

In the autumn of 188 1 he accepted the Princi- 
palship of the schools at Schaghticoke, N. Y., re- 
maining there two years. He had engaged for a 
third year, but being released he accepted a more 
lucrative position at Greenport, L. I., which he 
held for two years. He then went to Gallupville, 
where for a similar length of time he dealt in 
hardware and drugs. For the succeeding two 
years he was employed as traveling salesman for 
the firm of E. L. Kellogg & Co., publishers of 
New York, canvassing teachers' institutes in 
New York and Illinois. 

The Professor next came to Walden, where he 
has been connected with the .schools for six years. 
During this time the educational interests of this 
locality ha\e made great strides. The enrollment 
and average attendance have increa.sed fifty per 
cent, and the corps of teachers has been advanced 
in number from .six to ten. The school has been 
placed under the supervision of the Regents of 
the State University and carries a regular high- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1541 



school course. The school ranks among the first 
in the county, and in several competitive exam- 
inations has taken first place. Its pupils took 
examinations with those of the Newburgh High 
School and the New Paltz .State Normal, and in 
both cases carried off honors. 

In county-institute work our subject has served 
two years as instructor, and is prominently iden- 
tified with all educational associations, both state 
and national, and has been President of the coun- 
ty association, in which he is very active and in- 
fluential. He is a Republican in politics, and is 
in demand as a public .speaker. He is also one 
of the proprietors of the Walden O'/hrii, and as- 
sists in its management, although not on its edi- 
torial staff. 

December 26, 1883, our .subject married Miss 
Mabel F. Field. She is also a native of New 
York, and was born in Mt. Vi.sion, Otsego Coun- 
ty. To this union were born three children, two 
of whom survive, namely: Dewitt C, Jr., and 
Elma C. Field H. died aged five >ears. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dominick ^re valued members of the Meth- 
odist Ivpiscopal Church, and the former has been 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school for two 
years. He is a Steward in the congregation and 
was Secretary of the Building Committee which 
had in charge the erection of the new church, 
completed in 1894. Socially he is a Mason, hav- 
ing belonged to that fraternity since 1882. Ju- 
dicious and enterprising in public affairs, pro- 
gressive and interesting in the schoolroom, an*l 
genial and hospitable in his home, he is a man 
whom to know is to honor. 



^>-^<^=^ 



HOSEPH RAKE occupies a prominent place 
I among the substantial and progressive busi- 
(2) ness men of Turner, and is at present carry- 
ing on an extensive trade in the lumber and coal 
bu.siness, handling akso lime, cenient, etc. He is 
a native of Orange County and was born in the 
town of Monroe December 27, 1830. He attend- 
ed the district schools until eighteen years of age, 
when he left home and apprenticed himself to a 



carpenter in order to become fully acquainted 
with the trade. He worked for three years under 
Peter Rose, of Chester, and after completing his 
trade was in the employ of a Mr. Thompson, of 
that place, for seven or eight years. Later he 
began contracting, which he .still follows to some 
extent in conjunction with his other business. 

In the year 1868 our subject purchased the in- 
terest of Isaac Thomp.soii, of the firm of Brown 
& Thompson, in his present business, and four 
years later Mr. Brown withdrew, leaving him the 
sole proprietor of the business. He has had the 
a.ssislance of his son William ever since the latter 
was old enough and together they manage an 
extensive enterprise, dealing in the various build- 
ing materials and coal. 

Our subject is a son of John and Mary Ann 
(Brooks) Rake, natives of London, England. 
Prior to his emigration to America, in 1828, the 
father was a teacher, but after making his home 
in the New World he gave his attention to farm 
pursuits. He died in 1863. 

The parental household included ten sons and 
daughters, of whom three died in infancy. Those 
who grew to mature years were Jane; George, 
living in Monroe; Joseph, of this sketch; Rachel, 
who is the widow of Josiah Bull and makes her 
home in Oxford, this county; I'^izabeth, who 
married John E. Ewery, of Monroe; William, 
who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness in 
the late war; and Agnes. 

Our subject was married, December 23, 1856, 
to Miss Hannah Case, who was born in the town 
of Monroe and who was the daughter of Benja- 
min W. and Mary (Solomon) Case, natives of 
this county, although the family came originally 
from Long Island. They were the parents of 
eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Rake had a fam- 
ily of six sons and daughters, of whom four sur- 
vive, namely: Carrie, who married Arthur P. 
Carey, of Newburgh; William, who is in business 
with his father, and who married Miss Bertha 
Coffee; Mary, the wife of Frank Griffin, of the 
village of Monroe; and Hannah, Mrs. William 
L. Dolly, of Jersey City. Mrs. Rake is a consist- 
ent member of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church. 
In politics our subject is a Republican, having 



1542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



always voted that ticket. He was first elected 
Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1875, and 
has continued to hold that position since, a period 
of twenty years. His interest in schools has led 
him to be placed on the Board of Trustees, and 
he has also been Supervisor of the town of Mon- 



roe and Justice of Sessions. Socially he belongs 
to Standard League No. 711, of Monroe, and is 
a Chapter and Commandery Mason. He is a 
member of Central \'alley Lodge No. 502, I. O. 
O. F., and takes great intere.st in the work of 
these various orders. 






Al)l 



TIlc 



!!.. 



234 



Abiial. Stepheu 561 

Ackerman. David I iijj 

Atlams. Henry 1 1290 

Adams, Johu 23 

Adams, JohuK 1012 

Adams, John Q 39 

Adolph, Joseph H 440 

Atieni, Rev. Philip E 1331 

Akiiis, I.cRoy 563 

Alexander, George B 104S 

Alexander, Harvey 1391 

Alexander. Joseph K io6i 

Allan, Ur. Charles F su 

Aloysins, Hrother .331 

Andrea, Otto , 874 

Appleton, Dr. O. J 1433 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Austin. M. B 974 

Austin, William A 492 

Aj'ers. Kdward 1302 

Ayers, Gabriel IJ 1304 

Ayres, David 1' 1002 



liahcock, Charles H 1304 

liacou. Hon. Henry 746 

Uahrman, Krust M 2S1 

Uailcy, Hon. Daniel H 1459 

liailey, William II 739 

liailie, William J 271 

Main, Krancis N 572 

Baker, J Kdward 867 

Baker, William H 51T 

Baldwin, Charles C, 1392 

Hauker, Isaac 1453 

Banker, Thomas E 20,=; 

Banks, Charles W., M. D...923 

Barber, George .354 

Barber, I.uther 1121 

Barker, Theodore D 626 



Barnes, Isaac, S27 

Barnes. J. Milton 1316 

Barnes, William 809 

Barnes, William K 755 

Barns, William D 513 

Barratt. Rnfus 492 

IJartle, tieorge 1376 

Ba.ss. Col. Kdgar W 731 

Bastiau, William C. F 1227 

Bauer, Louis V .'. . . 1 144 

Beakes. Adam W ... 1065 

Beakes. George K 1156 

Beakes, George W 1067 

Beakes, Henry 1 1339 

Beakes. James A 1466 

Beakes. William B 1528 

Beattie, Alexander 222 

Beckerle, Peter 17.^ 

Beckman. Horatio B 379 

Bell, Andrew J 1216 

Benedict, Henry A .-773 

Benedict. Capt. James W. . ^^03 1 

Benuet, William H 7,';- 

Beuuet, Wilton (S32 

Bennett, Peter H 520 

Berard, Robert A 401 

Bergen. George 1140 

Berry, Dwight W 141.1 

Bigler, James 1007 

Bird, Clarkson 944 

Birdsall, Reuben G 929 ■* 

Birdsall, Thomas W .S94 

Birdsley, Isaac H 46.1 

Blauchard, Hiland H i,?2o 

Bloodgood, Foster 142 

Boak, A. V 132S 

Boak, Robert N :o6o 

Board, J. Hudson 191 

Board. Joseph 1403 

Board, Joseph K 5'6 

Bodine, Hon. Frederic 729 

Bookstaver, Abner 715 

Booth, Fred 503 , 

Bowne, Cyrus A 622 

Boyd, Charles J 1368 

Boyd, John C, M. D 29.'; 

Bradley, Frank J 553 , 

Bradley, John 1 1334 



Bradley, Thomas ,S6i 

Bradner, John B 858 

Brady, Rev. Patrick 285 

Brazee, James F^ 1134 

Brennan. Lawrence C 313 

Brewster, William 496 

Bridgeman, Alfred 1539' 

Brill, Jacobs 211 

Briuk, Charles H 13.S2 

Brink. Leander 1409 

Broadhead, Joseph 431 

Brooks, Chauucey 240 

Brooks, f;. F.. M D 2i6 

Brooks, Harvey 777 

Brooks, Noah H 768 

Brooks. Samuel 911 

Brooks, Thomas 1 473 

Brooks William 500 

Brooks, William H 579 

Brooks, William R ,■540 

Bross, John J S85 

Brotherhood Wine Co 710 

Brown, Andrew 1 180 

Brown, Col. Charles L 565 

Brown, Cornelius M 575 

Brown, Daniel T., M. I) 196 

Brown, Eber Lain 1221 

Brown, James M.' 9,s2 

Brown. James W 245 

Brown, Jesse O 797 

Brown, Nathaniel M 461 

Brown, Robert 456 

Browncll, John D., M. D....699 

Brox, Charles 921 

Bryant, John J 641 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buckley, Wade 629 

Buckhout, Charles B 1174 

Budd, Daniel C 788 

Bull, Charles I 234 

Bull, Jesse 1002 

Bull, John Nelson 302 

B>dl, John T 957 

Bull, Stephen M 391 

Bullis, Ephraim 334 

Buraut, Charles 404 

Burke, Thomas 894 

Burke, William ii88 



Burnet, .\ugustns D 61 < 

Burnet. Joseph B .s 

Burnett, James R. . . » .72^^ 

Burns, Charles J... .Ss^... 481 " 

Burrows, Prof. Johu H 1301 

Burton, William H 430 

Bush, J Wallace 764 



Cairns, Robert 662 

Campbell, George W 933 

Campbell, Hoik D tcH^ 

Campbell, James W .N2o 

Cantine. Col. George A. ...199 

Carpenter. Chauncey 84S 

Carpenter. Daniel F 737 

Carpenter. James I Ori 

Carpenter. John D ^70 

Carpenter, O O 1205 

Carpenter. William H .S41 

Carpenter, William H 1197 

Carpenter, William S 1222 

Carpenter,'William W 676 

Carroll, Miss Mary 571 

Carver, Howell H 215 

Case, Horatio N 1086 

Case. Ira L.. 1369 

Case, James H 576 

Case. William N 872 

Caskey, Cornelius 1416 

Cassedy, Hon. Abram S 453 

Cassell, Isaac L 130S 

Chadwick, James 2->';- 

Chamberlain. Roswell W...210 

Chambers. James P 148$ 

Chandler, Daniel C 261 

Chapman, Isaac C 152. 

Chapman, Johu H 15.5s 

Chardavoync. H, S 266 

Chase, Capt James T 142 

Clark. Abraham S 48.'S 

Clark. Addison 739 

Clark. Charles 795 

Clark, David R 1043 



\ 



'544 



IXDEX. 



Clark. Edson L 889 

Clark. Hon. George 117 

Clark. Hugh E 506 

Clark. HuletD 1179 

Clark. James. 744 

Clark. James A 13,9 

Clark. James H 1199 

Clark. James Van Kleet — 1017 

Clark. Joseph H loox 

Clark. Justus KJ3 

Clark. Capt. Leander 137 

Clark. Leander. Jr. 169 

Clark. Leonard P 365 

Clark. Moses M 14S0 

Clark. Reuben 4S3 

Clark. Rev. Robert B 1351 

Clark, Capt. Roberts. 586 

Clark. WillardM 640 

Clemeuce. John 423 

Clemson. George N 1535 

Clemson. WilUam 6S4 

Cleveland. SL Grover ..loj 

Cliff. Benjamin 319 

Cochran. Isaac 1S5 

Cocks. Charles E 903 

Colialao. Timothy J J032 

Coldwell-Wilcox Co fis^ 

Cole. Georgre W 251 

Coleman, John T 736 

Colemau. I,. Edson 575 

Coleman. RotsweU C 1135 

Coleman. Capt. William.,, 449 

Collier, WDIiam J., S.?j 

Collins, Prof, Isaac ,^^5 

Collins. William W ;*.; 

Comfort. Theodore 930 

C nipton. Harrison 763 

\J'..';f.>rt. Samuel A 1074 

C via. Joseph W 1530 

C f'O RestcomcP 83S 

C . .-.ing. Edward E 1454 

Coukl:ngr. James H 1358 

Conk ■ ing. Dr. John 1071 

Con u. William 1146 

Conner. Milton CM. D...1369 

Constable.' David 694 

Convery. John P 592 

Conveiy. John R 373 

Cook. A. M 373 

Cook. W. Scott.....". H57 

Cooley. .\sahel H 613 

Corey. Horace W. 1391 

Corkedale. John 4^ 

Cornell. Sidney B S3S 

Cornell. William M 1393 

Corwin. Silas G S15 

Corw-in. J. W 719 

Cox. Virgil 1333 

Crabtree. William 616 

•v~aig. Hector -•-503 

Crandall. Rev. O. P. 1055 

Crane. James M 399 

Crawford. C, Emmet.. ..1506 

Crawford. Emmet 6.>i 

Crawford. Geor^ tjlS 

Crawford. John .\ . - 1049 

Crawford. Robert 1 1447 

Crawford. Theron 1339 

Crawford. William 314 

Creegan. James 864 

Crevling. WhitlieM '"i 



Crissey . Joel H -v6 

Cromwell. George 799 

Cromwell. Henrj- T So* 

Cromwell. Henry W S35 

Cross. John .\ 1167 

Cuddeback. .\braham J. . .903 
Cuddeback. .Abraham W. .1431 

Cuddeback Benjamin 9S1 

Cuddeback. Cornelius E.. .13S2 

Ctiddeback. Elting 1465 

Cuddeback. Henry G 966 

Cuddeback. W. L., M. D..1149 

Cummings. John 1296 

Cummings. Peter, 1333 

Cunningham, Heniy C. . . - 1133 
Cunningham. James 343 



Dales, John 239 

Davidson. Capt. E 460 

Da%-idsou, Hugh . . 569 

Davis. Charles 1 145 

Dans. Edward 1:^ 

Davis, George E 1 2j 

Davis. Joseph V 70c 

Dayton. Byrou S 1315 

Dean. Hon. Joseph 735 

Decker. Cornelius J 231 

Decker. George H 1508 

Decker. George W 1479 

DeGamio. Peter H 583 

Delancy. John 136 

Delauy. John 515 

Ddany. Patrick 556 

Dell, .\ndrew 361 

Demarest. Rev. W. H. S. . . 383 

Demerest. Nicholas 212 

Demerest. Thomas H 665 

Denua. Prof. Jerome 415 

Dennis. Frank W.. M. D..1143 

Denniston. Hon. .\ 309 

Dennistou. W. Henrj' 536 

Denton. Edwartl S. 53a 

Denton. John 453 

Depuy. Moses. oox 

Derr. William I. 1191; 

Desmond, Thomas H 115S 

Dewitt. Eben'D 1179 

Dickersou. Jacob 713 

Dickerson. John B. 363 

Dickey. Col. William D 159 

Dickinson. Silas H 1056 

Dicks. John F 1496 

Diehl, Conrad 341 

Diemer. Louis J 1397 

Dill. James 354 

Dixon. Charles .\ 4s» 

Doderer. Eciil 1S4 

Doell. Charles W < ,-.• 

Dolan. John 
Dolph. John M.. 
Dominick. Dewiu v . _. 

DoDohue. John ■- .019 

Donovan. John 1 1^4 

Doremus. David S6j 

Dorrance. Ira 1377 

Doogherty. James J 410 

I>.Miehenv Thomi^ i;.: 



Doughty. William B 135 

Douglas. W. E.. M. D 1537 

Downing. .Andrew J 1430 

Downing. Charles 1460 

Drake. Victor M 244 

Drechsler. Rev. Gustav«. . . . 186 

Drew. Jeremiah 431 

Drew. To^nsend 413 

DuBois. Charles D 7>j 

DuBois. Jonas 609 

Dum\-ille. Walter 3cx4 

Dunning. Hon. C. T 193 

Dunning. Henn.- W €61 

Dun ning. Horace 666 

Durland. Dewiti € 384 

Durland. James F 8*^ 

Durland. Thaddeus S 606 

Durland. Thomas T 1037 

Durland. Wilmot .A 353 

Duryea. Samuel C 1237 

Duryea. Wilmot 1340 

Dusenherry. Col. D. C 15x9 

Dwyer. Michael J 393 

Dwyer. Thomas J ... 405 



Eager. John L. D 633 

Earl. Charles 775 

Earl. John G 817 

Earl, Jtseph Henry 79S 

Earl. Joseph Sears. 753 

Earl. T. B>Ton 192 

Eaton. Daniel H 63i 

Edsall, Dr .Alva W 740 

Edsall. Benjamin F 375 

Edsall. William H.. M. D..431 

Egan. John 143 

Elliott. Charies G 273 

Elliott. E. Ross. M. D 1030 

Ellis. John W 551 

Ellison. Thomas 591 

Elmer. Emmet S.. M D 396 

Elseu. Prof Joseph J 330 

El.<lon. George .A 144S 

Emslie. Holland 609 

Kmslie. Samuel 560 

Estabrook. Charles 1 iS 

Estabrook. Frank E- 423 

E^•eri^t. Martin C. 1439 



Falconer. Jonathan n>jo 

Farley. Thomas 705 

Faruum. H. H 1429 

Famum. Peter E 106S 

Famum. Samuel B 961 

Faulkner. W H.. M. D 353 

Feagles. Nathaniel R 302 

Ferguson. lohn 1539 

Fickeu. Richard. 476 

Field Capt. George 584 

Field. John S73 

Fillmore. Millard. 67 

Finn. Daniel 1400 

I-i!inev:'n Tames w» 



Fimhaber. Mrs. B. tijo 

Firth. James X i,"!,; 

Fitch. Henry M 474 

Fitzgerald. Charles 7,^^ 

Fitigerald. EdwanL ijop 

Fitipatrick. Nicholas F. . . .3>j 

Flood. Geoi^e W .43.' 

Ford. Charles T io«s 

Ford. John W 392 

Forsythe. Rev. James C. .1060 

Foster. Jacob 719 

Fouquct. Louis D I3S> 

Fowler. Henry D S55 

France. Elting DuBois. ... I2>t 

Eraser. Prof. Reuben 230 

Eraser. Samtiel 561 

Friend. Hon. Joseph D. .. .Ia.^* 

Friti, Michael F ij.:;^ 

Fuller, .\bram 3.*ii 

Ftiller. Capt. Charles R. . .1155 

Fuller. George W 736 

FuUerton. Charles C 107,-, 

Fullerton. Henry B. SSi 

FuUetton. Hon. William. .. tSg 

Fulton. Thomas 1513 

Funnell. Henrv 11 1; 



Gannon. John .A 1260 

Gardner. Charles. 1363 

Gardnei.John E. S IS35 

Gardner. John M 14SS 

Gardner. John W ii6j 

Gardner. Merritt H. C Sio 

Garfield. James -A 95 

Garrison. CapL B. 374 

Gartzmann. G.. M. D 332 

Gavin. Joseph 1313 

Geam. Walter W 132 

Gedney. Herbert 151 1 

Gehrig. Prof. Theodore 399 

Git»b. David 330 

Gibsou. Samuel J 351 

Gibson. Willdie F 763 

Gidney. Jacob P 463 

-Giles, Job B H35 

Gillespie. Leander C 671 

Gillespie. I.uke F 524 

Gillespie. Renwick 263 

Gillett. Georges. 631 

Gillson. Thomas U. M. D.10S5 

Gilmau. Ernest H 349 

Glasier. James H iioi 

Glasson. Samuel 1077 

Gleason. W. S.. M. D 150 

Gogarty. Thomas 356 

Goldsmith. George B 5B3 

Goodgion. Gilbert . 1145 

Gordon. Coj^swell K 1072 

Gordon. James. M. D 166 

Gorse. Miss L. V 144 

t^oiige. George. 835 

Gould. Franklin 953 

Gouldy. Francis. 1499 

Graham. Georg« R M4 

Graham. Mrs. Ida P Sgs 

Graham, John H 255 

Graham. Martin D gs'* 



INDEX. 



1545 



Graut. riyssesS, 87 

Grestsinsrer. Ebenezer W..4X4 

Green, Oliver. 857 

Greene. George W.- 784 

Greer, Sylvanus 1242 

Grimier. Prof. Charics E- . - 174 

Groo. Hon. WtlHam J 1209 

Grosset. Alexander S. 409 

Gumaer. Andrew J S59 

Gumaer. Peter L. 852 

Gir\*er. William E- 4&* 



H 



Hadden. George H Il» 

Hafher. Benjamin ii5» 

Hagerty. Christopher Sa^ 

Haight. Henry J I<»5« 

Hainen. Joseph.. 1092 

Hall. Harlan P. SS7 

Hall. Henr>- 813 

Han. Roberts. «&« 

Hallock. Ira P 848 

HaUodc. Richard 916 

Hallock. Wimam H itSs 

Hallock. William H 316 

Hallock. William H 909 

Halstead. John R :«3 

Hamilton. Evander M 1446 

Hamilton. William 730 

Hammer$tein. Prof. Laais-.2<t3 

Hammond. William 1090 

Handerhan. Patrick. ^55 

Hanmore. Loufe E.. M. D. -533 

Hanrett>-. Lawrence M 501 

Harden. Matthias R 9:v 

Hardenbergfa. D B.. SI. D.1271 
Hardenbersh. H.. M. D... 913 

Harding. Gideon C 640 

Harris, George W ~... .543 

Harris, Injurs .\.. M. D 519 

Harrison. Benjamin 107 

Harrison. S. D.. M. D 49a 

Harrison. Steele 1513 

Harrison. William. 191 

Harrison. William H St 

Hart, John I. —i^M 

Hastings, James, 390 

Hathawav. Capt. H. F......3St 

Hawkins. Eliab 905 

Hayes, Charles J ii6 

Hayes. Vial T lop 

Hayes. Katherfbrd B 91 

Uayne. Marcus S.. M. D...i46> 

Head]e%. Hon. Russel 139 

Heard. William 366 ' 

Heater. George. 1366 

Heath. Rev. Frank A I36« 

Herbert. John E. -^ 

Herman. Fred. I^E^ 

Hes& George W 13P9 

Higby. Xewtoo sgS 

Righam. Charics fi9< 

Higham. Robert. in^ 

Hildegarde. Sister Maiy . . .656 

HilL Angnstns. pot 

HfU. Charles W 1186 

HiaMarciLiK ISB 

Hin Sel<.^n HIT 



Hill. Thomas D 692 

Hin. Wilbiir 1013 

Hilton. Samuel J 376 

Hirst. Joshua 1097 

Hoag. C>-TOS D 134 

Hock. Capt. Robert BL 1035 

Hoffinann. Peter 336 

Hogan. JohnJ 1386 

Holden. .\mos F 14S5 

Holden. William H 910 

Horton. Timothy W 636 

Hotaling. Capt. John N 434 

Houston. David D 1423 

Howell. Benton 733 

Howell. David B. 462 

Howell. John C...._. 611 

Howell. John T., U. D.... 625 

Hcwell, Rensselaer. 320 

Howell, ^muel C S49 

Hoyt. Charles W 939 

Hughes. Charles E 536 

Hnlett. Joseph B.. M. D. ..1107 

Hull. Charles W 415 

Hull. Franks. 14:9 

Bulse. Hon. Ananias B 842 ^ 

Hulse. Chanc>- ' 265' 

HuUe. Hon. Gilbert 1417 

Bulse. Courtland S 1083 

Hulse. Henry V 643 

Hulshixer. Christian S 1143 

HunL Hiland H 945 

Hunt. Isaac S. .M. D 1174 

Hunt. James H.. M. D 1173 

Hunt. William D S57 

Hunter. Capt. Eira 1 564 

Hunter. George H 552 

Hurd. Horace E 596 

Hutchison. Thomas S I4.S5 



Innis. Aaron.. 



'scksoo. Andrew 

acobs Gilbert E. ic. 

acobson. Frank A.. M. O. -313 

ayne. WDliam T 767 

'efierson. Thomas 27 

effrey. Alexander. 123 

essnp. John IJ03 

essup, Seneca. S79 

ohnson. .\lbert 352 ■ 

'ohnsoo. .\ndrew 83 ■ 

ohnson. Jacob M 1098, 

obttson. John F. 1476 

ohnson. John T- 9*7 

:ohnston. James U 9gs 

lobnston. Robert 214 

ohnston. Thomas. Jll 

ones, Charles 1026 

nes. Oscar E — 699 

ones. Judge Samuel V 90t 

ordan. Increase C. 1236 

[ordan. Joseph V 539 

ova. -\ndrew V.. M. D 6R9 



Jova. Henry J 442 

Jnne. Capt. Charles F 340 



Kadel. Jacob 017 

Kain. Frank G 1199 

Kampe. Joseph 1 475 

Kauue. Charles H 703 

Kay. William H 353 

Keams. Robert. M. D 615 

Keefe. WilliamH 499 

Keener. Charles 1397 

Kellogg. Alba H <l6 

Kelly. Bernard. 105 

Kent. George W 546 

Kemocfaan. James K. 395 

Kerr. Col. Anthony P 1139 

Kerr. Charles I_ C .156 

Ketcham. Charles C V. . . ^ 1020 

Ketcham. George 1441 

Ketcham. Isaac E 8^ 

Ketcham. John L S96 

Ketchum. D. A 1461 

Ketchum. George F >s3»5 

Kidd. Dr. David L 245 

Kidd. James 252 

Kilmer. Irving A 723 

Kilmer. Martin L 17E 

Kilmer. William A 443 

King. John D 906 

Kirby. James P .335 

Kirby. William H 1553 

Kissam . Adrian 543 

Kleitx, George L. 436 

Klemmer. John se* 

Knapp, C. .\lbert 361 

Knapp. Charles X . M. D. .922 

Knapp. Charics S 662 

Knapp. Walter H 11S7 

Knapp. W. Nelson 1091 

Knight. Chaancey B &25 

Knox. George L 125S 

.Kohl. Henry. 324 

Kortright. Aaron W 900 

:<.jrtrighL Lawrence W 645 

...'■'^^er. .August. ...i^ 



Lab^. Wtlbam 530 

Lain. David E 1321 

Lain, James 741 

Lain. RidaardA 764 

Lamb. Harrey 1253 

LaMont. Charles F 868 

Lang. Eilmund .5:5 

Larfcin. Patrick. 1367 

Lamed. CoL Charles W...t4oo 

Lanrell. Klas E. 364 

Lawrence. Robert 124& 

Lawrence William .* 7^3 

LawsoD. Hon. Charles J. . .^if* 

Lee. Alexander to:: 

Lee. Gabriel H ouo 

Lee. Lewis. 301 

Leemoa. John B loxi 



Leeraon, John E,. M. D 982 

Leeper. Col. Joseph M 369 

Leonard. -Alfred D.. M. D. .777 

Leonard. Henry M 432 

Leonard. Hiram L. 1501 

Lewis. Henry Y I<9t5 

Lewis. James H 306 

Lewis. Peter G 1422 

Lewis. R. 1412 

Likely. Kbenexer C 4.Vi 

Lincoln. Abraham 79 

Linehau. John F 470 

Lippincott. D. G.. M. D.. . . 1 120 

I jttell. Rev. Luther 639 

Litiell. Moses. 731 

Little. E. Knox 400 

Little. John H tt«j 

Little. Joseph E- 9:6 

Littleton, C<orgeJ 645 

Littleton. Thomas, . . 1019 

Livingston. Isaac H 9^4 

Loomis, Charles W 1005 

Lougfaran. Irving H 613 

Low. Benjamin F 1345 

Lowe, Frederick W i i8t 

Lodington, .\ustin £ 956 

Lnndgren. Cari J 330 

Lutes. Charles C. ti6t 

Lvnn. William l.si 



McCroskery. 1 . 
McElroy. Gevjr, 
McElroy. Jani;- 
McEnany. F..'-.^ 
McEwec. Edn 
McEweo. Ml!;.:-.. 
McGivuey. Philip. 
McOowan. William r' 
McGregor. Gavin k. . 
iJcGorgsn. Hugh.... 

Mclnnes. Willi^Ti A ; • 

McKenzie, Thomas- - 3^ 

McKinne\-. John L T~. . .9?- 

McLemon. Hngh 3>f 

McMooagle. Moses B . ioc<c- 

McXally. James J 1531 

McXeal. John 304 

McXiff. Edward 1434 

McXish. Wickham C 1473 

McWiUiams, William E.. .E410 

Macardell. Cornelias i486 

Mackic's School, Misses.. .170 

Madison. James 31 

Mag^nrty, James E 121 

Maier. George 1226 

Slaillcr. William 535 



1546 



INDEX. 



Makuen, George 742 

Mance, Charles E 1168 

Maiuiigo, Isaac F 733 

Maudigo. J. P 1492 

.Maumiig, Ephraini S37 

Mauuiug. John R 1000 

Mapes. Daniel S 242 

Mapes. George H 602 

Mapes, Robert D 1272 

Mapes, William H 355 

Marsh, Hon. I.uther R . . .6,S2 

Marsh, John 9.W 

Marsh. Thomas 935 

Marshall, John C 419 

Marshall, Willett J 13R6 

Marstou, David S69 

Martin C. W 1151 

Martin, Jame.s G 126,^ 

.Marvel, Capt. Thomas S... .406 

Mar\'in, Mrst Amelia 995 

Mar\*in, Hon, Francis 993 

Mar\'in, William A .366 

Masterson. Samuel J 940 

Mathews, Isaac T 430 

Matthews, E. W 1212 

Matthews, John W 482 

Matthews, J. Frauci.s 12*3 

.Mead, Charles H 439 

Mead, Charles L 1319 

.Mead, Ji>siah 889 

Mead, William B 603 

Merrill, E. S., A. B., B. I.. 1487 

Merrilt, Andrew H 796 

.Merrill Caleb m\ 

.'.'^rritt, l)an"-I H ! it<' 

Merritt, /osiali- "4.> 

Middletowu Pl-ess, The... i3<j- 
Middlelown Stra.'w Works. 1 1(^, 

.Milbnru, Richard fi<>4 

Miller, CliarJ** E 1241 

Miller, Da ■ -^ M •-■Vi 

.Miller. '■ . 

Millikr' 

Mills. A 

Mills. J' 11!.' 

Mills, I)r, James J 649 

Mi<ls, John G 923 

Irtills, Samnel C 509 

Mills, Samuel W., D. U 84.1 

Mills, Theodore D., M. D..1445 

Mills'paugh, Jaiues E 284 

Mil'spnugh, Theron 1 694 

MinshiiU, Philip H 663 

Mitchell, John J., M. D 169 

M. n II, John P -.V.rr734 

'•'■■" 'oe, Janvs 35 

.Montfort, k. V. K,, M. D,..I49 

Montross, John D 782 

Moore. Andrew J 851 

Moore, Harvey 1 2S6 

Moore, James F 6.=i5 

Moore, Joseph Emmet 967 

Moores, William K ,500 

Morey, Henry, Jr 124S 

Morrison, Mrs. .\un s,S3 

Morrison, David A 1523 

Morrison, Hamilton i.=i23 

Morrow, George, Jr 256 

Moscow, Prof. CharIes,E . .-■ 554 

Moss, Miss Mary A 606 

Mould, Frank 702 



Mulford, James P 117') 

Mullen, Michael F .172 

.Mulliner, Frankhn 600 

Miilock, Daniel 92S 

Murray, Hon. .\mbrose S. .761 

Mnrtfeldt, Edward M 479 

Miisbach, Cuuo 1217 

Musbach, E. G. William.. 1044 

Myer, James E 774 

Mygatt, Charles G 979 



Nelson, Moses F 443 

Nelson, Thomas 674 

Nelson, William J,, M. D..11S2 

NicoU, Charles 420 

Northup, Joel D 666 



(Jakey, I.eigh .V56 

Oakley, Lucas 771 

t)berle, Aloyse 413 

O'Conuell, Kev. Daniel ,^62 

Odell, Hon. Benjamin B. .. . 131 

Odell, Hon. B. B, Jr 209 

Odell, Hiram B 2.S9 

Ogdeu, George T 1055 

O'Hara. Thomas 459 

Oliver, Irving .-jgi 

OMalley, James E .iSo 

O'Neal. George W 1247 

O'Neal, William M 1313 

Oram, Thomas H 1361 

Orce, Frank 1 175 

Ormsbee, Addison C 326 

Ormsbee, Clarence, M. D. . .9,^1 

(.)sborn , Johti 204 

Osterhout, Hector 1223 

Ostroni, Joshua W . M. D. .803 



Paliua, Tomas^,strada ■Si,'; 

Palmer, Jr'm ,S 912 

Parker, Dr. Edwin G 2.'i3 

"..rsliall, David B 612 

Patterson, John R S92 

Peacey. William ,';74 

Peattie, Edwin m' 172 

Penny, Joseph B 1303 

Perlee, William H 1278 

Perrott, John J .309 

Peters, George W 1.^07 

Peters. Jacob li., M. D 223 

Pfaff, Augtist r 2.39 

Phillips, John E 2.33 

Piano, Prof. Elwood 4Sr 

Piatt. Charles 129S 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pierson, George 704 

Pierson, John 884 

Pillsbnry , Burke, M. D 1078 

Pitts, Thomas P 1131 



Polk, JamesK 59 

Poppino, John J 135.S 

Porritt, James.,.; 1161 

Potter, Lewis 787 

Pougli, James E 800 

PowelsOL , A, V. N. 1327 

Pratt, Albert H..... 642 

Price, George A 389 

Price, Jacob M 280 

Puff, William H 1056 



Putne 



rgeE., M, D...644 



y\iackenbos. Nicholas I. 



Rafferty. Prof James S i.;7 

Rake, Joseph 1541 

Randall, Thomas J 275 

Ray nor, Samuel 755 

Rechtsteiner, Rev. Joseph . 1089 

Reed, Alfred H 1109 

Reied. George W 1 290 

•Reeve, Daniel 11S5 

Reeve, Henry S 894 

Reeve, William H 863 

Reisler, Evan T.- 1168 

Repp. Prof. W. H. G 570 

Reppeuliagen, Ma.x E 441 

Requa, Edgar L Sh5 

Reynolds, .\rchibald C. ... 1411 

Richardson. Hon. W. P 781 

Ritchie. Samuel 1479 

Rider, James C 1152 

Ring, A. Smith 235 

Ritter, Herbert P 216 

Riveuburg, Charles 786 

Roberson. Samuel D 1005 

Roberson, Samuel 943 

Roberson. Theodore M 982 

Robinson, H. H., M. I). ,..1337 

Robinson, Morris. . . .946 

Boc'--3W>w, James H 691 

Roe, Harvey 1000 

Roe, Henry M .394 

Roe, John W 710 

Rogers, John B 614 

Ronk, Philip 1 463 

Roosa, Capt. Zach 380 

Rose, Hileud C. 425I 

Rose, John C 49[ 

Ross, George H ,^33 

Ross, Capt. George M 411 

Rowe, Matthew .716 

Roys. Edwin I, 196 

Rudolph, Henry 525 

Riimsey, William W 433 

Rupp, Prof Charles , . .339 

Russell, Edward R 1470 

Russell, W, S , M, D 868 

Kutan, John 1 305 



St. John, Hon, Charles. , . . 1469 
St. John, Stephen 141 s 



St. Patrick's Church 54,3 

.Sager, William 494 

Sallander, Bengt P 372 

Salley, Rev. Michael 1059 

Sanford, Pierson E 272 

Sargeant, A, R 1122 

Sar\'is, James H 1215 

Sayer, John P 1176 

Sayer, Robert A 1344 

Sayer, William M 1023 

Sayer, William S 946 

Schaad, .^dam 3S3 

Schaefer, F. J. A 324 

Schoudel, William 4S5 

Schwartz, J, Charles.. .... . j2iH 

Scott, Frank A ,38., 

Scott, James 226 

Seacord, Henry. 720 

Seaman , Edward H S04 

Sears. Mrs, Mary A 693 

Sebriug, W. C, M. I) 643 

Seeger, .Mbert H. F 3.10 

Seeholzer, William 1110 

Seely, Fred B 696 

^ Seely, William 1119., 

Senior, George \ 231 

Senior, Thomas H 622 

Senior. William H 610 

Seward, F. W., M. D 289 

Seybolt, James F 911 

Shafer, James 1350 

Shafer, Rev. Jesse F 5S9 

Shannon, William 1096 

Shaw, Charles B 162 

Shaw. Elkauah K 345 

Shaw, George W 332 

Shaw, Robert W 969 

Shelley, H. J., M. D 973 

Shephard, Col. Charles H. .975 

Shipp. Samuel E 555 

Shuit. Hon. Morgan 953 

Shumaker. ISIoses V 1536 

Sinsabaugh, Levi V 1276 

Sirrine. William 403 

\ Skinner. C. N.. M. D 9i,s 

"Skinner, John N 924 

^Slaughter, Alanson, : 682 

Slauson, John W 1,503 

Slawson, John B 934 

Sloan, MOses 139 

Sloat, Alexander C 964 

Sly, William J 799 

Smith, Dr, Charles 684 

Smith, Charles H 1399 

Smith, Charles H.J 496 

Smith, Edgar .i.,'S2 

Smith, Emniett A 664 

Smith, Eugene 686 

Smith, George 902 

Smith, (ieorge 1475 

Smith, Henry C 476 

Smith, Henry E 743 

Smith, Henry W ^.. ... 1227 

Smith, Capt. Isaac 775 

Smith, jaiiies 712- 

Smitli, James F 1.327 

Smith, James H 944* 

Smith, James M 471 ' 

Smith, John 1514 

Smith, Lewis M 333 

Smith, S. FMgar 6.so 



INDEX. 



1547 



Smitli, Stephen A 962 

Smith. Thomas 154 

Smith. I'zell 141 

Smith. William C 639 

Smith. Capt. William H 570 

Smith. William K 794 

Siieecl. Joseph ,\ 249 

Siiiffiii. Joseph 1127 

Soare. Robert F 246 

Sbare. William H 1.^67 

Spiegel, James C. M. U...1192 
Spragiie. David H.,M. D..1200 

Stage, John U 77** 

Stage. Joseph D 986 

Stanton . Cnrtis 563 

Steward. Daniel J .5S3 

Stewart. James 47^ 

Stewart. Joseph .\ 1520 

Stewart, Lachlan 206 

Stickney. Hon. F.rastns 7S3 

Stivers. John D 1302 

Stivers. Lewis S 1270 

Stivers, Hon. Moses D (373 

St John, Stephen 141^ 

Stocker, Kdward 145 

Stokeni, Eugene D 81ft 

Storch. George 1206 

Stratton, Frank M 1405 

Stratton, William D 124.1 

Strong, Robert S .S40 

Strong, William H 276 

Straw, Dr. I,endon S 436 

Struble, H. McD., M, D....1103 

Stiibley. Ingham 165 

S'vartwout. H. B.. M. D .. .669 

Swartwont, Peter V 1026 

Swarlwcnt. Col. Peter P. , .996 
Sweenev. Daniel B 1204 



Taft. Nathaniel 1197 

Taggart, William f. 1364 

Talcott, Selden II.. M. D..1233 

Talmadge. John M 6S2 

Tate. Hiram 776 

Taylor. Charles Z 1 297 

Taylor, Hon. Grant H 213 

Taylor, John S f>34 

Taylor. Nathan S 599 

Taylor. Zachary 63 

Teller, James 1 350 

Templetou. James F 15? 

TerwiUiger. Oscar M 1252 

Terwilliger, William W... 3.S0 

Thayer, Klijah C 674 

Thomas, W. R. D. I) 14.VS 

Thompson. Alexander Sjjs 

Thompson, Dr. A. J i.s^3 

Thompson, Daniel 153*^ 

Thompson, George W .%3 

Thompson. Horace D 714 

Thompson. Isaac H 294 

Thompson, Jeremiah H. . . .K2(i 
Thompson. J. H., M. I), .nni 
Thompson, Samnel H -''•.; 



Thoru, Towusend 806 

Thornton. Hon. Howard. . .402 

Thrall. Mrs. S. Maretta 963 

Tieruey, Charles 1270* 

Todd. James ,S2I 4 

Toleman. William 445 V 

Tooker, Samnel S 1453 \ 

Town.send. Charles H 871 

Townsend. James A 219 

Trapllagen, William D 7cxj 

Tremper, Capt. Andrew J . .4.s,s 

Trimble, William C 132.S 

Tnnia. Frank M 3.S5 

Tnruer, Amzy A 1259 

Turner, Charles 101 s 

Turner, Gilbert S29 

Turner, Joseph N 1128 

Tnthill, Alsop P 4*9 

Tuthill, FredD ,'ii2 

Tuthill, Prof. James F 675 

Tuthill, Nathaniel 620 

Tnthill, Townsend D 1041 

Tweed, William 395 

Tyler. John S.1 

Tyndall. William 641 

Tvrrell. Oliver B S36 



Ulrich, William 
I'ral. James — 
Usher, George. 



Valentine. Charles H 469 

Valentine, John 2ft2 

Van Alst, Charles J ..232 

Van Alst, Daniel 71.S 

Van Alst, Ebeuezer 2^6 

Vauamee, William 1251 

Van Buren, Aymar 489 

Van Bnren, Martin 47 

^ an Cleft. Joseph 124 

Vanderoef. James iigi 

Vauderoef, John J 691 

Van Dewater, Harry 969 

Van Duzer. Henry T 304 

Van Duzer. Joseph B 290 

>Van Etten. Alva S90 

Van p;tten, Levi 9S8 

Van Etteu. Hon. Thomas. .910 

Van Fleet. Benjamin S93 

Van Fleet, Benjamin F — 1024 

Vau Fleet, Charle.s 765 

A'au Fleet. Solomon 921 

Vau Inwegen, Chara^ — 1014 
Vau Inwegen, EH..^. ■ . 149S 

Van Inwegen. Job S93\ 

Van Keureu, J., M. D 529 

Van Keureu, John J 903 

Van Keureu, Nelson 672 

Van Ness, Joseph P 985 

\'an Saun. Samuel S 281 



Vau Sickle. Nathaniel 602 

Vau Steenbergh. B 1.312 

Van Vliet. Samuel C. Jr.. .1343 
Vau Wormer, Azariah R. . .671 
Van Wormer. William J .. 93^ 

Varcoe. Dr. Edwin R 1401 

Veunema. Rev. .\me 143,3 

Vo,gel. William 1 104 



VVaddington, John S .l^i. 

Wade. Andrew K 704 

Wade, Daniel M 724 

Wager, David P 1204 

Wait, Thomas 733 

Walker, Capt. J. Alfred. . . .549 

Walker, Samuel S.^. S91 

Wallace. Aaron Van D 772 

Wallace, James H 6S3 

Wallace. John A 13S0 

Wallace. William T 664 

Walsh. George Albert 7K7 

Wands. William S 133 

Ward, David H 138 

Ward. James 99.S 

Ward. Josiah M.. M. D 601 

Ward, William .331 

Warford, John H 223 

Waring, Harry M 1349 

Warwick. David G 506 

Washington. George 19 

Washington. Mrs. L. H 899 

Wasliiugtou, Rev. S 899 

Wasuick. Joseph 731 

Webb, Stephen I 221 

Weed. Charles W 163 I 

Weed, Daniel T 1293 

Weed. Samuel 432 

Weeks. Charles 766 

Wcller. Alanson Y 373 

Weller. George 721 

Weller, George S 346 

Wells, AbnerS 1263!- 

Wells, James E 624 '^ 

West , George W ^. . 1 440 

West. Heury F 999 

Weston. Maj . Wilbnr H. . . .446 

Weyant. Charles H 744 

Weyaut. John 736 

Weyant. Peter J 741 

Weyant, Wilbur F 376 

Weyant. Col. Charles H. ... 179 

Weygaut. Theodore 797 

Wheeler, A. B 1332 

Wheeler, Ellsworth A 1447 

Wheeler, Isaac B 481 

Wheeler, William F [074 

White. Henry 412 

White. Rev. Stephen F 202 

Whitehead, Edward 233 

Whitlock, Aaron 633 

Whitlock, John ■ . -973 

Wickhani. George .654 

Wiggins. John >4IJ^ 

Wiggins, John 1 1423 . 

Wilcox. Gavin R. M 393 



Wilcox. Nelson H 706 

Wilcox, Samuel H 11 16 

Wilcoxsou.' James S S61 

Wilkes. C. B 107S 

Wilkin. Joseph M 813 

Wilkin. Theodore C 9S6 

Willard. Francis A 1317 

Willcox, John S06 

Willcox, William H 294 

Williams. Alouzo J 758 

Williams. Benjamin B 1344 _ 

Williams, Charles E 818 - 

Williams, Fred R 1442 

WiLsou, John M 372 

Wilson. Jonathan D 393 

Wilson, Lewis G 1310 

Wilson. Robert 339 

Wilson. Tilden H 5.36 

Wilson. William 839 

Wiuaus, H E,. M. U 493 

Winchester, Rev C, M 680 

Wisuer, Hon. Clinton W. . . .279 

Wisner. George T 731 

Wisner. James! 10,33 

Wisner. Capt. Lewis S. . . . 1084 

Wisner, Richard .272 

Wisuer, William H 291 

Wolf B. V 1362 

Wolff, Charles 1023 

Wood. Maj. Charles B. .... 1 1 14 

Wood. Einmett E 974 

Wood, George R 2S6 

Wood, H. Wisner 263 

Wood. Jacob 1109 

Wood. John 1092 

Wood, Col. JohnD 646 

Wood. John D 673 

Wood. John F 1230 

Wood, Nelson W«ls 1037 

Wood, Thomas J 466 

Wood, William H 1030 

Wood, William H 1008 

Woodruff, aleb W 403 

Woodruff, W, H,. M I). ...1047 

Woods. Johu;H 631 

Woods. Dr. Leouard B ,^63 

WooUey , C. N,. M. D 429 

• Woolsey. Capt. George I).. ,559 

Wright, .\lexander 2,39 

Wright. Col. Charles J 949 

Writer. Theodore. M. D. . 9S7 
Wvker, William II 271 



Voumaus, George E 8<»7 

Young, Alexander 4.36 

Youug, Charles A 660 

Vouiigs, Henry 1.33, 



I ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Ackerinau. David I, ii 12 

Adams. John 27 

Adams. John g jS 

.\heru. Rev. Philip K 13.^0 

Alexander. Har\*ey 1390 

.\ppleton. Dr. G. J 1432 

.\rthur. ChesterA 98 

Bailey. Hou. Daniel H 14.S8 

Baker. J. Edward .S66 

Banker. Isaac 1450 

Hanker. Mrs. Isaac 1451 

Beakes. Adam W* 1064 

Beckmau. Horatio B 378 

Uergeu. George 1141 

Berry. Dwight W 1414 

Board, Joseph 1402 

Bodiue. Hou. Frederic 728 

Bradner, John B 859 

Brink. I.eander 1408 

Browu. Eber L 1228 

Brown. Robert." 457 

Brox, Charles 920 

Buchanan. James 74 

Burrows. Prof. John H. . . . 1300 

Cautiue. Col. George A 198 

Carpenter. William H 1 19O 

Chadwick. James 22S 

Clark, Edsou L 8SS 

Clark. Hou. George 116 

Clark. Hulet U 1178 

Clark. James'A 137S 

Clark. James Van Fleet . . . 1016 

Clark. Leander, J r 268 

Cleveland. S. Grover 102 

Cliff, Benjamin 318 

Coldwell-Wilcox Co 657 

Coleman. Roswell C 1123 

Coleman. Mrs. R. C 11 24 

Coleman. Capl. William — 44S 
Conkliug. Dr. John. .. .. . 1070 

Conner. Milton C, M. D.. .1268 

Crane. James M 298 

Crawford. Thcrou 123S 

Cuddeback. Abraham W. .1420 

Cnddeback, EUiug 1464 

Cuddeback. W. I,.. M. 1).. .114S 

Dales. John 238 

Davidson. Hugh .i68 

Dickey. Col. William I) i.sK 

Diemer, Louis J 1396 

Douohue, John 61S 

Dur>'ea, Samuel C 1256 

Everitt. Martin C 14.^8 

Farnum. Peter K 106'* 



Farnum, Samuel B 960 

Fillmore. Millard 66 

Fitzpatrick, Nicholas F 328 

Ford, Charles T 1094 

Foster. Jacob 718 

Fowler. Henry D S,>j 

Fuller. Capt. Charles R... .1154 

Fuller. George W 737 

Fullertou. Hon. William. .. 18S 

Garfield. James A 94 

(iavin, Joseph 1312 

Geduey. Herbert 1510 

Gehrig. Prof. Theodore 398 

Oilman, Ernest H 348 

Gouge. George 832 

Gouge. Mrs. George 833 

Gouldy, Francis 1498 

Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Groo. Hou. William J. ... 1208 

Grosset. Alexander S 408 

Hallock. William H 1 184 

Hallock. William H 908 

Hardeubergh. H., M. D....914 

Harris. Louis A.. M. D srS 

Harrison. Beujamin 106 

Harrison, William H 50 

Hayes. Rutherford B 90 

Herman. Fred 1384 

Hock, Capt. Robert B 1034 

Holdeu. Amos F 1484 

Hulett. J. B, M. D 1106 

■Hull, Franks 1478 

Hulse, Courtland S 1082 

Hulse, Hou. Gilbert 1426 

Hunt, James H,, M. D 1172 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jeffersou. Thomas 26 

Jessup, John 1202 

Johusou. Audrew 82 

Johuson. John T 926 

Jones. Charles 1027 

Jordan. Joseph V ^38 

Jova, Andrew V., M. D 688 

Keefe. William H 498 

Lawrence, William A 792 

Lee, Alexander 1010 

Leeper, Col. Joseph M 36S 

Lincoln. Abraham..... 78 

Littell. Rev. Luther 638 

McCaiu, Charles Thomas.. 877 

McCain, John Edsall 876 

McCamly, David 1 136 

Mccormick, Hour W. E. . . .678 
McNish. Wickham C 1472 



Madison. James. .• 30 

Marshall. John C 418 

Marvin, Mrs. A. St. John.. .991 

Marvin, Hon. Francis 990 

Matthews. J. Francis 1282 

Mead, Charles H 43S 

Mead, Charles L 1318 

Miller. David R 1 2S8 

Mills. Dr. James J 64S 

Mills, Samuel C 50.S 

Mills, Samuel W.. D. D 844 

Mills. T. D.. M. D 1444 

Mitchell. John J.. M. D 16S 

Monroe. James 34 

Montfort, R. V. K.. M. D.. .14S 

Moore, Andrew J S51 

Moore. Joseph Enimet 966 

Morrisou, David A 1.S22" 

Morrisou. George H 1.S22 

Morrison. Hamilton 1,S22 

Morrison, John G 1522 

Morrison, Jouathan M. . . . 1.S22 
Morrison, William H. H..1S22- 

^Mt. St. Marj-'s Academy. . .657 

Murray. Hou. A. S 760 

Murtfeldt. Edward M 47S 

Mygatt. Charles G 978 

Oakley. Lucas 770 

Odell. Hou. Beujamin B 130 

Odell, Hon. B. B, Jr 208 

Odell, Hiram D 258 

Oram. Thomas H 1360 

Ormsbee. Clarence, M. D...932 
Ostroni. Joshua W.. M. D. .802 

Perrott. John J 308 

Peters. George W 1306 

Pierce. Franklin 70 

Polk. James K 58 

Poppino, John J i,3,S4 

Porritt, James 1160 

Price. George A 3S8 

Rechtsteiner. Rev. J 10S8 

Richardson, Hou. W. P 780 

'-Ritchie. Samuel 1478 

Roberson. Samuel 942 

Robersou. Samuel D 1004 

Robinson. H. H . M. D 13,16 

Rupp. Prof. Charles .Vv8 

St. John. Hon. Charles i4f>8 

Salley. Rev. Michael 105S 

Sarvis. James H 1214 

Sayer. William M 1022 

Seely, Fred B 697 

Seel V, William m .S 



Seward, F. W . M. I) 288 

Shafer. Rev. Jesse F 5&S 

Shephard. Col. C. H.. .975 

Shuit. Hou. Morgan 954 

Slausou, John W 1504 

Smith, Henrj' W 1226 

Smith. William C 628 

Sueed. Joseph A 248 

Soare. William H 1366 

Stivers. Hon. Moses D 1372 

Strattou, William D 1244 

Swartwout, H. B., M. D . . 668 

Talcott. S. H, M. D 1232 

Taylor. Nathan S ,,98 

Taylor, Zachary. , 62 

Thompsou, J. H., M. D. ..1 100 

Townsend James A 218 

Traphageu. WD 708 

Trimble. William C '.1324 

Tuthill. Townsend D 1040 

Tyler. John 54 

Valentine. Charles H 46S 

Vanamee. William 1250 

Van Bureu. Aymar 488 

Van Bureu. Martin 46 

Vauderoef. James 1190 

Van Inwegen, Eli 1494 

Van Keiireu, J.. M. D 528 

Van Ness, Joseph P 984 

Van Vliet. Samuel C Jr.. . 1.542 

Varcoe. Dr. Edwin R 1490 

Walker. Capt. J. Alfred 548 

Waring. Harr^' M 1348 

Washiuglou, George 18 

Washiugtou, Mrs. L H 898 

Weed. Daniel T 1294 

Wells. Abner S 1262 

West, Henry F 998 

Weyaut. Wilbur F 5;/ 

Weygaut. Col. Charles H.. .178 

Wheeler, William F 107.5 

Whitlock, John 972 

Wilkin. Joseph M 812 

Willard. Francis A i.<;i6 

Wilson . Robert .\sS 

Wisuer, Hon. Clinton W . .278 

Wisner. George T 748 

Wisuer. James 1052 

Woodruff. W. H. M. D 1046 

Woolley. C. N.. M. D 428 

■ Woolsey. Capt. George D.. ..S5S 
Wright. Col. Charles J 94>i 



Lr.My'll 



f.9l 



w 




GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



^r HE Father of our Country was bom in West- 
f C moreland County, Va., February 22, 1732. 
vJ/ Hisparents were Augustine and Mar>'(Ball) 
Washington. The family to which he belonged 
has not been satisfactorily traced in England. 
His great-grandfather, John Washington, emi- 
grated to Virginia about 1657, and became a 
prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence 
and John. The former married Mildred Warner, 
and had three children, John, Augustine and 
Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, 
two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, the others being 
Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and 
Mildred. 

Augustine Washington, the father of George, 
died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. 
To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an 
estate on the Potomac, afterwards known as Mt. 
Vernon, and to George he left the parental resi- 
dence. George received only such education as 
the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a 
short time after he left school, when he received 
private instruction in mathematics. His spelling 
was rather defective. Remarkable stories are 
told of his great physical strength and develop- 
ment at an early age. He was an acknowledged 
\eader among his companions, and was early 
QOted for that nobleness of character, fairness and 
ieracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was fourteen years old he had a 
desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant 
was secured for him, but through the opposition 
of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two 



years later he was appointed surveyor to the im- 
mense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business 
he spent three years in a rough frontier life, 
gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only nineteen 
years of age, he was appointed Adjutant, with the 
rank of Major, in the Virginia militia, then being 
trained for active service against the French and 
Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West 
Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there 
to restore his health. They soon returned, and 
in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a 
large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not 
long survive him. On her demise the estate of 
Mt. Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia 
was reorganized, and the province divided into 
four military districts, of which the northern was 
assigned to Washington as Adjutant-General. 
Shortly after this a verj' perilous mission, which 
others had refused, was assigned him and ac- 
cepted. This was to proceed to the French post 
near Lake Erie, in northwestern Pennsjdvania. 
The distance to be traversed was about six hun- 
dred miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey 
was to be made without military escort, through 
a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a 
perilous one, and several times he nearly lost his 
life, but he returned in safety and furnished a full 
and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of three hundred men was raised in Virginia and 
put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Maj. 
Washington was commis-sioned Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel. Active war was then begun against the 
French and Indians, in which Washington took 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



a most important part. In the memorable event 
of July 9, 1755, known as "Braddock's defeat," 
Washington was almost the onlj' officer of dis- 
tinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. 

Having been for five years in the military serv- 
ice, and having vainlj- sought promotion in the 
royal army, he took advantage of the fall of Ft. Du- 
quesne and the expulsion of the French from the 
valley of the Ohio to resign his commission. Soon 
after he entered the Legislature, where, although 
not a leader, he took an active and important 
part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha 
(Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John 
Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the 
port of Boston, the cry went up throughout the 
provinces, ' ' The cause ot Boston is the cause of 
us all! " It was then, at the suggestion of Vir- 
ginia, that a congress of all the colonies was 
called to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 
1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably 
if possible. To this congress Col. Washington 
was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
congress re-assembled, when the hostile inten- 
tions of England were plainly apparent. The 
battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought, 
and among the first acts of this congress was the 
election of a commander-in-chief of the Colonial 
forces. This high and responsible office was con- 
ferr-ed upon Washington, who was still a member 
of the congress. He accepted it on June ig, but 
upon the express condition that he receive no sal- 
ary. He would keep an exact accouut of ex- 
penses, and expect congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch 
to trace the military acts of Washington, to whom 
the fortunes and liberties of the people of this 
country were so long confided. The war was 
conducted by him under every possible disadvan- 
tage; and while his forces often met with reverses, 
yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven 
years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he 
gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. 
On December 23, 1783, Washington, in a parting 
address of surpa.ssing beauty, resigned his com- 
mission as Commander-in-Chief of the army to the 



Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mt. Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning 
all connection with public life. 

In Februar)-, 1789, Washington was unani- 
mously elected President, and at the expiration 
of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. 
At the end of this term many were anxious that he 
be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third 
nomination. On March 4, 1797, at the expiration 
of his second term as President, he returned to his 
home, hoping to pass there his few remaining 
years free from the annoyances of public life. 
Later in the year, however, his repose seemed 
likely to be interrupted by war with France. At 
the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the army, but he chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command, he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these prepara- 
tions his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2 
he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, 
which, settling in his throat, produced inflamma- 
tion, and terminated fatally on the night of the 
14th. On the iSth his bodj^ was borne with mili- 
tary honors to its final resting place, and interred 
in the family vault at Mt. Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible 
to speak but in terms of the highest respect and 
admiration. The more we see of the operations 
of our government, and the more deeply we feel 
the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common 
Interest, the more highh' we must estimate the 
force of his talent and character, which have been 
able tu challenge the reverence of all parties, 
and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as 
extended as the limits of the globe, and which we 
cannot but believe >vill be as lasting as the exist- 
ence of man. 

In person, Washington was unusually tall, erect 
and well proportioned, and his nuscular strength 
was great. His features were of a beausiful sym- 
metry. He commanded respect without any ap- 
pearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious 
without being dull. 




JOHN ADAMS. 



JOHN ADAMS. 



(John ADAMS, the second President and the 
I first Vice-President of the United States, was 
Q) born in Braintree (now Quincy) Mass., and 
about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735. 
His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated 
from England about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of 
John were John and Susannah (Boylston) 
Adams. His father, who was a farmer of limited 
means, also engaged in the business of shoe- 
making. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical 
education at Harvard College. John graduated 
in 1755, and at once took charge of the school at 
Worcester, Mass. This he found but a ' ' school 
of affliction, ' ' from which he endeavored to gain 
relief by devoting himself, in addition, tc the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only law3er in the town. 
He had thought seriously of the clerical profes- 
sion, but seems to have been turned from this by 
what he termed " the frightful engines of ecclesi- 
astical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvin- 
istic good nature, ' ' of the operations of which he 
had been a witness in his native town. He was 
well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a 
clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of 
speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He 
gradually gained a practice, and in 1764 married 
Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a 
lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, in 1765, the attempt at parliamentary- 
taxation turned him from law to politics. He 
took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, 
and the resolutions he offered on the subject be- 
came ver>' popular throughout the province, and 
were adopted word for word by over forty differ- 
ent towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and 
became one of the most courageous and promi- 
nent advocates of the popular cause, and was 
chosen a member of the General Court (the L,eg- 
islature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first dele- 



gates from Massachusetts to the first Continent- 
al Congress, which met m 1774. Here he dis- 
tinguished himself by his capacity for business 
and for debate, and advocated the movement for 
independence against the majority of the mem- 
bers. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a res- 
olution in Congress that the Colonies should 
assume the duties of self-government. He was a 
prominent member of the committee of five ap- 
pointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, 
but on Adams devolved the task of battling it 
through Congress in a three-days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence was passed, while his soul was yet warm 
with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter 
to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to 
have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. 
"Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question 
was decided that ever was debated in America; 
and greater, perhaps, never was or will be de- 
cided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, 'that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and in- 
dependent states.' The day is passed. The 
Fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch 
in the history of America. I am apt to believe it 
will be celebrated by succeeding generations as 
the great anniversary festival. It ought to be 
commemorated as the day of deliverance by 
solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It 
ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, 
sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from 
this time forward forever. You will think me 
transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I 
am well aware of the toil and blood and treas- 
ure that it will cost to maintain this declaration 
and support and defend these States; yet, through 
all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and 
glory. I can see that the end is worth more than 
all the means, and that posterity will triumph. 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



although you and I may rue, which I hope we 
shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed 
a delegate to France, and to co-operate with Ben- 
jamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then 
in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in 
arms and money from the French government. 
This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it 
separated him from his home, compelled hirn to 
cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to 
great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who 
were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In vSeptember of the same year he was 
again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold him- 
self in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and 
of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the 
British cabinet might be found willing to listen 
to such proposals. He sailed for France in No- 
vember, and from there he went to Holland, where 
he negotiated important loans and formed im- 
portant commercial treaties. 

Finally, a treaty of peace with England was 
signed, Januar>- 21 , 1783. The re-action from the 
excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. 
Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After 
suffering from a continued fever and becoming 
feeble and emaciated, he was advised to go to 
England to drink the waters of Bath. While in 
England, still drooping and desponding, he re- 
ceived dispatches from his own govenmient urg- 
ing the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health 
was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and 
through stonn, on sea, on horseback and foot, he 
made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. 
Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here 
he met face to face the King of England, who 
had so long regarded him as a traitor. As Eng- 
land did not condescend to appoint a minister to 
the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he 
was accomplishing but little, he sought permis- 
sion to return to his own countrj^ where he ar- 
rived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, 
John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal 
services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice- 



President. Again, at the second election of Wash- 
ington as President, Adams was chosen Vice- 
President. In 1796, Washington retired from 
public life, and Mr. Adams was elected President, 
though not without much opposition. Serving 
in this ofRce four years, he was succeeded by Mr. 
Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice-President the 
great French Revolution shook the continent of 
Europe, and it was upon this point that he was 
at issue with the majority of his countrymen, led 
by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy 
with the French people in their struggle, for he 
had no confidence in their power of self-govern- 
ment, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist 
philosophers who, he claimed, caused it. On the 
other hand, Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence 
originated the alienation between these distin- 
tinguished men, and the two powerful parties were 
thus soon organized, with Adams at the head of 
the one whose sympathies were with England, 
and Jefferson leading the other in sympathj' with 
France. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, which completed the 
half-century since the signing of the Declaration 
of Independence, arrived, and there were but 
three of the signers of that immortal instrument 
left upon the earth to hail its morning light. 
And, as it is well known, on that day two of 
these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coinci- 
dence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For 
a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly 
failing, and on the morning of the Fourth he 
found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On 
being requested to name a toast for the cus- 
tomary celebration of the day, he exclaimed 
"Independence forever!" When the day was 
ushered in bj- the ringing of bells and the firing 
of cannons, he was asked b}' one of his attend- 
ants if he knew what da)' it was? He replied, 
"O yes, it is the glorious Fourth of July — God 
bless it — God bless you all!" Tn the course of 
the day he said, "It is a great and glorious 
day." The last words he uttered were, "Jeffe;,' 
son survives." But he had, at one o'clock, 
resigned his spirit into the hands of his God. 




THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON 



C^HOMAS JEFFERSON was born April 2, 
I C 1743, at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Va. 
VJy His parents were Peter and Jane (Ran- 
dolph) Jefferson, the fonner a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in lyondon. To them were 
born six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas 
was the elder. When fourteen years of age his 
father died. He received a most liberal educa- 
tion, having been kept diligently at school from 
the time he was five years of age. In 1760 he 
entered William and Mary College. Williams- 
burg was then the seat of the Colonial court, and 
it was the abode of fashion and splendor. Young 
Jefferson, who was then .seventeen years old, lived 
somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and 
going much into gay society; yet he was ear- 
nestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachable in 
his morals. In the second year of his college 
course, moved by some unexplained impulse, he 
discarded his old companions and pursuits, and 
often devoted fifteen hours a day to hard stud>-. 
He thus attained very high intellectual culture, 
and a like excellence in philosophy and the lan- 
guages. 

Immediatelj' upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued 
in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly, 
and distinguished himself bj' his energy and 
acuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for 
greater action. The policy of England had awak- 
ened the spirit of resistance in the American Col- 
onies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had 
ever entertained soon led him into active politi- 
cal life. In 1769 he was cho.sen a member of the 
Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he mar- 



ried Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, 
wealthy, and highly accomplished young widow. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important com- 
mittees, and was chairman of the one appointed 
for the drawing up of a declaration of independ- 
ence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jef- 
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger 
Sherman and R^obert R. Livingston. Jefferson, 
as chairman, was appointed to draw up the paper. 
Franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal 
changes before it was submitted to Congress. On 
June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by 
Congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 
1776. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia. At one 
time the British officer Tarleton sent a secret 
expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. 
Scarcely five minutes elapsed after the hurried 
escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family ere his 
mansion was in possession of the British troops. 
His wife's health, never very good, was much 
injured by this excitement, and in the summer 
of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1785. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to France. Returning to the United 
States in September, 1 789, he became Secretarj' 
of State in Washington's cabinet. This position 
he resigned January i, 1794. In 1797, he was 
chosen Vice-President, and four years later was 
elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



Burr as Vice-President. In 1804 he was re- 
elected with wouderful unaniinit}-, George CHn- 
ton being elected Vice-President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second ad- 
ministration was disturbed by an event which 
threatened the tranquiUity and peace of the Union; 
this was the conspiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated 
in the late election to the Vice-Presidency, and 
led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraor- 
dinary man formed the plan of a military' ex- 
pedition into the Spanish territories on our south- 
western frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This was generally supposed 
to have been a mere pretext; and although it has 
not been generally known what his real plans 
were, there is no doubt that thej- were of a far 
more dangerous character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term 
for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he de- 
termined to retire from political life. For a period 
of nearlj' fortj- jears he had been continually be- 
fore the public, and all that time had been em- 
ployed in offices of the greatest trust and respon • 
sibility. Having thus devoted the best part of 
his life to the ser\uce of his countrj-, he now felt 
desirous of that rest which his declining j-ears re- 
quired, and upon the organization of the new ad- 
ministration, in March, 1809, he bade farewell for- 
tver to public life and retired to Monticello, his 
famous countrj- home, which, next to Mt. Vernon, 
was the most distinguished residence in the land. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth an- 
niversary of the Declaration of American Inde- 
pendence, great preparations were made in ever}- 
part of the Union for its celebration as the nation's 
jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to 
the solemnit)' of the occasion, invited Mr. Jeffer- 
son, as the framer and one of the few sun-iving 
signers of the Declaration, to participate in their 
festivities. But an illness, which had been of 
several weeks' duration and had been continually 
increasing, compelled him to decline the invita- 
tion. 

On the 2d of July the disease under which he 
was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was 



perfectlj- sensible that his last hour was at hand. 
On the next day, which was Monday, he asked 
of those around him the day of the month, and 
on being told it was the 3d of July, he ex- 
pressed the earnest wish that he might be per- 
mitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniver- 
sary-. His prayer was heard — that day whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our 
land burst upon his eyes, and then they were 
closed forever. And what a noble consummation 
of a noble life! To die on that day — the birth- 
day of a nation — the day v.-hich his own name 
and his own act had rendered glorious, to die 
amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole 
nation, who looked up to him as the author, un- 
der God, of their greatest blessings, was aU that 
was wanting to fill up the record of his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand thej- had stood forth, the cham- 
pions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark 
and desperate struggle of the Revolution, they 
had cheered and animated their desponding coun- 
trvmen; for half a century thej^ had labored to- 
gether for the good of the countrj^, and now hand 
in hand they departed. In their lives they had 
been united in the same great cause of hberty, 
and in their deaths the}- were not divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair, originally red, in after life be- 
came white and silver}-, his complexion was fair, 
his forehead broad, and his whole countenance 
intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great 
fortitude of mind as well as personal courage, and 
his command of temper was such that his oldest 
and most intimate friends never recollected to 
have seen him in a passion. His manners, though 
dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his 
hospitalit}^ was so unbounded that all found at 
his house a ready welcome. In conversation he 
was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic, and his 
language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished cia.ssical scholar, and in his writ- 
ings is discernible the care with which iie lormed 
his st}-le upon the best models of antiquity. 




JAMES MADISON. 



JAMES MADISON. 



(Tames MADISON, "Father of the Consti- 

I tutiou," and fourth President of the United 
(2/ States, was born March i6, 1757, and died 
at his home in Virginia June 28, 1836. The 
name of James Madison is inseparably connected 
with most of the important events in that heroic 
period of our country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubhc were laid. He was 
the last of the founders of the Constitution of the 
United States to be called to his eternal reward. 

The Madison family were among the early emi- 
grants to the New World, landing upon the shores 
of the Chesapeake but fifteen years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison 
was an opulent planter, residing upon a very fine 
estate called Montpelier, in Orange County, Va. 
It was but twenty-five miles from the home of Jef- 
ferson at Monticello, and the closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illu-stri- 
ous men from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was con- 
ducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At 
the age of eighteen he was sent to Princeton Col- 
lege, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to 
study with the most imprudent zeal, allowing him- 
self for months but three hours' sleep out of the 
twenty-four. His health thus became so seriou.sly 
impaired that he never recovered any vigor of 
constitution. He graduated in 1 77 1 , with a feeble 
body, but with a character of utmost purity, and 
a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with 
learning, which embellished and gave efficiency 
to his subsequent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study 
of law and a course of extensive and systematic 
reading. This educational course, the spirit of 
the times in which he lived, and the .society with 
which he associated, all combined to inspire him 
with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for 
his life-work as a statesman. 

In the spring of 1776, when twenty-six years of 1 



age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Con- 
vention to frame the constitution of the State. The 
next year (1777), he was a candidate for the Gen- 
eral Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lov- 
ing voters, and consequently lost his election; but 
those who had witnessed the talent, energy and 
pubhc spirit of the modest young man enlisted 
themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to 
the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison re- 
mained member of the Council, and their apprecia- 
tion of his intellectual, social and moral worth 
contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. 
In the year 1780 he was elected a member of the 
Continental Congress. Here he met the most il- 
lustrious men in our land, and he was immediately 
assigned to one ot the most conspicuous positions 
among them. For three years he continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential mem- 
bers. In 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no 
national government, and no power to form trea- 
ties which would be binding, or to enforce law. 
There was not any State more prominent than 
Virginia in the declaration that an efficient na- 
tional government must be formed. In January, 
1786, Mr. Madi.son carried a resolution through 
the General Assembly of Virginia, inviting the 
other States to appoint commissioners to meet in 
convention at Annapolis to discuss this subject. 
Five States only were represented. The conven- 
tion, however, i.ssued another call, drawn up by 
Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the 
place of the Confederate League. The delegates 
met at the time appointed. Every State but 
Rhode Island was represented. George Washing- 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



ton was chosen president of the convention, and the 
present Constitution of the United States was then 
and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind 
and no pen more active in framing this immortal 
document than the mind and the pen of James 
Madison. 
The Constitution, adopted by a vote of eight3--one 
to seventy-nine, was to be presented to the several 
States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was 
felt. Should it be rejected, we should be left but a 
.'onglomeration of independent States, with but 
little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr. 
Madison was elected by the convention to draw up 
an address to the people of the United States, ex- 
pounding the principles of the Constitution, and 
urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but at length it triumphed over all, 
and went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became 
the avowed leader of the Republican party. \\^hile 
in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. 
Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fas- 
cination, whom he married. She was in person 
and character queenly, and probaby no lady has 
thus far occupied so prominent a position in the 
very peculiar societ\- which has constituted our 
republican court as did Mis. Madison. 

Mr. Madison sen-ed as Secretary' of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of 
war. British orders in council destroyed our com- 
merce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. 
Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in 
his taste, retiring in his disposition, war had no 
charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be 
roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to 
think of an American ship brought to upon the 
ocean by the guns of at Snglish cruise.'' -A 
young lieutenant steps on boa'"'? and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great non- 
chalance he selects any number whom he may 
please to designate as British subjects, orders them 
down the ship's side into his boat, and places them 
on the gtindeck of his man-of-war, to fight, by 
compulsion, the battles of England. This right 



of search and impressment no efforts of our Gov- 
erinnent could induce the British cabinet to re- 
linquish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison 
gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring 
war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the 
bitter hostilitj' of the Federal party to the war, the 
country in general approved; and Mr. Madison, 
on the 4th of March, 18 13, was re-elected by a 
large majority, and entered upon his second term 
of office. This is not the place to describe the 
various adventures of this war on the land and on 
the water. Our infant navy then laid the found- 
ations of its renown in grappling with the most 
formidable power which ever swept the seas. The 
contest commenced in earnest by the appearance 
of a British fleet, early in Februarj^ 1813, in 
Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast 
of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as 
mediator. America accepted; England refused. 
A British force of five thousand men landed on the 
banks of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into 
Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidly, bj- way of 
Bladensburg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was 
thrown into consternation. The cannon of the 
brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the 
streets of the metropolis. The whole population 
fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs. 
Madison in the White House, with her carriage 
drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, 
hurried to meet the ofiicers in a council of war. 
He met our troops utterh- routed, and he could not 
go back without danger of being captured. But 
few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion, 
the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Wash- 
ington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and 
on February 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was 
signed at Ghent. On the 4th of March, 18 17, his 
second term of office expired, and he resigned the 
Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. 
He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and 
there passed the remainder of his days. On June 
28, 1836, at the age of eighty-five years, he fell 
asleep in death. Mrs Madison died July 12, 1849. 




TAMES MONROE. 



JAMES MONROE. 



n AM^S MONROE, the fifth President of the 
I United States, was born in Westmoreland 
Qj County, Va., April 28, 1758. His early life 
was passed at the place of his nativity. His an- 
cestors had for many years resided in the province 
in which he was born. When he was seventeen 
years old, and in process of completing his educa- 
tion at William and Mary College, the Colonial 
Congress, assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate 
upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of Great 
Britain, declared the separation of the Colonies, 
and promulgated the Declaration of Independence. 
Had he been born ten years before, it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the 
signers of that celebrated instrument. At this 
time he left school and enlisted among the pa- 
triots. 

He joined the army when everything looked 
hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters 
increased from day to day. The invading armies 
came pouring in, and the Tories not only favored 
the cause of the mother country, but disheartened 
the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified 
at the prospect of contending with an enemy 
whom they had been taught to deem invincible. 
To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went 
right onward undismayed through difficulty and 
danger, the United States owe their political 
emancipation. The young cadet joined the ranks 
and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die in her 
strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadly, he shared in 
the melancholy retreat from Harlem Heights 
and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited 
army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. 
In four months after the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the patriots had been beaten in seven 
battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the van- 
guard, and in the act of charging upon the enemy 
he received a wound in the left shoulder. 



As a reward for his braven,-, Mr. Monroe was 
promoted to be captain of infantry, and, having re- 
covered from his wounds, he rejoined the army. 
He, however, receded from the line of promotion 
by becoming an officer on the staff of I,ord Ster- 
ling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, 
in the actions of Brandywine, Germantown and 
Monmouth, he continued aide-de-camp; but be- 
coming desirous to regain his position in the 
army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for 
the Virginia line. This .scheme failed, owing to 
the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this 
failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued with consid- 
erable ardor the study of common law. He did 
not, however, entirely lay a.side the knapsack for 
the green bag, but on the invasion of the enemy 
ser\'ed as a volunteer during the two years of his 
legal pursuits. 

In 1782 he was elected from King George 
County a member of the Legislature of Virginia, 
and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the 
Executive Council. He was thus honored with 
the confidence of his fellow-citizens at twenty- 
three years of age, and having at this early period 
displayed some of that ability and aptitude foi 
legislation which were afterward employed with 
unremitting energy for the public good, he was 
in the succeeding year chosen a member of the 
Congress of the United States. 

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of 
the old Confederacy, he was opposed to the new 
Constitution, thinking, with many others of the 
Republican party, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enough to the 
individual States. Still he retained the esteem 
of his friends who were its warm supporters, and 
who, notwithstanding his opposition, secured its 
adoption. In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held for 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



four j-ears. Every month the line of distinction 
between the two great parties which divided the 
nation, the Federal and the Republican, was 
growing more distinct. The differences which 
now separated them lay in the fact that the Repub- 
lican part}^ was in sympathy with France, and 
also in favor of such a strict construction of the 
Constitution as to give the Central Government as 
little power, and the State Goveramtnts as much 
power, as the Constitution would warrant; while 
the Federalists sympathized with England, and 
were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could pos- 
sibly authorize. 

Washington was then President. England had 
espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the 
principles of the French Revolution. All Europe 
was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and 
far away. Washington issued a proclamation of 
neutrality between these contending powers. 
France had helped us in the struggles for our 
liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now 
combined to pre\-ent the French from escaping 
from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that 
which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more mag- 
nanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremit>'. It was the impulse of a gener- 
ous and noble nature, and Washington, who could 
appreciate such a character, showed his calm, se- 
rene, almost divine, greatness, by appointing that 
very James Monroe who was denouncing the pol- 
icy of the Government, as the minister of that 
Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Conven- 
tion in France with the most enthusiastic dem- 
onstration. 

Shortly after his return to this countr>', Mr. 
Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and 
held the oflBce for three years. He was again 
sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Liv- 
ingston in obtaining the vast territorj' then known 
as the province of Louisiana, which France had 
but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their 
united efforts were successful. For the compara- 
tively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the 



entire territory of Orleans and district of Loui- 
siana were added to the United States. This was 
probably. the largest transfer of real estate which 
was ever made in all the historj- of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to 
obtain from that countrj' some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against 
those odious impressments of our seamen. But 
England was unrelenting. He again returned to 
England on the same mission, but could receive 
no redress. He returned to his home and was 
again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon 
resigned to accept the position of Secretary' of 
State under Madison. While in this office war 
with England was declared, the Secretary of War 
resigned, and during these trying times the 
duties of the War Department were also put upon 
him. He was truh' the annor-bearer of President 
Madison, and the most efficient business man in . 
his cabinet. Upon the return of peace he re- 
signed the Department of War, but continued in 
the office of Secretary- of State until the expira- 
tion of Mr. Madison's administration. At the 
election held the previous autumn, Mr. Monroe 
himself had been chosen President with but little 
opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, he was in- 
augurated. Four 3'ears later he was elected for 
a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presi- 
dency were the cession of Florida to the United 
States, the Missouri Compromise, and the famous 
" Monroe doctrine." This doctrine was enun- 
ciated by him in 1823, and was as follows: " That 
we should consider any attempt on the part of 
European powers to extend their system to any 
portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our 
peace and safety," and that " we could not view 
any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or 
controlling American governments or provinces 
in any other light than as a manifestation by 
European powers of an unfriendly disposition 
toward the United States. ' ' 

At the end of his second term, Mr. Monroe re- 
tired to his home in Virginia, where he lived un- 
til 1830, when he went to New York to live with 
his son-in-law. In that cit>- he died, on the 4th 
of July, 1831. 







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JOHN OUINCY ADAMS. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



QOHN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President 

I of the United States, was born in the rural 
C2/ home of his honored father, John Adams, in 
Quiucy, Mass., on the nth of July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over 
his childhood during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but eight years of 
age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, 
listening to the booming of the great battle on 
Bunker's Hill, and gazing out upon the smoke 
and flames billowing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven j'ears old he took a tearful 
adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Eu- 
rope, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. 
The bright, animated boj' spent a year and a-half 
in Paris, where his father was associated with 
Franklin and Lee as Minister Plenipotentiary. 
His intelligence attracted the notice of these dis- 
tinguished men, and he received from them flat- 
tering marks of attention. 

John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. 
Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At 
Paris he applied himself to study with great dil- 
igence for six months, and then accompanied his 
father to Holland, where he entered first a school 
in Amsterdam, then the University at Leyden. 
About a year from this time, in 1781, when the 
manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was 
selected by Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Rus- 
sian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of einiobl- 
ing culture he spent fourteen months, and then 
returned to Holland, through Sweden, Denmark, 
Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he 
took alone in the winter, when in his sixteenth 
year. Again he resumed his studies, under a pri- 
vate tutor, at The Hague. Then, in the spring of 
1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, travel- 
ing leisurely, and forming acquaintances with the 
most distinguished men on the continent, examin- 



ing architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he 
again became associated with the most illustrioua 
men of all lands in the contemplation of the 
loftiest temporal themes which can engross the 
human mind. After a short visit to England he 
returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies 
to study until May, 1785, when he returned to 
America to finish his education. 

Upon leaving Harvard College at the age ot 
twenty, he studied law for three years. In Jmuc, 
1794, being then but twentj'-seven years of age, 
he was appointed by Washington Resident Min- 
ister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in 
July, he leached Eondon in October, where he 
was immediately admitted to the deliberations oi 
Messrs. Jay & Pinckney, assisting them in ni^go- 
tiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain. 
After thus spending a fortnight in London, he 
proceeded to The Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Por- 
tugal as Minister PlenipotentiarJ^ On his way to 
Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with 
despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but 
requesting him to remain in London until he 
should receive his instructions. While waiting 
he was married to an American lady, to whom he 
had been previousl;. engaged — Miss Louisa Cath- 
erine Johnson, a daughter of Joshua Johnson, 
American Consul in London, and a lady en- 
dowed with that beauty and those accomplish- 
ments which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. He 
reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797, 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, hav- 
ing fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he so 
licited his recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen 
to the Senate of Mas.sachu.setts from Boston, and 
then was elected Senator of the United States for 
six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His rep- 
utation, his ability and his experience placed 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



him immediately among the most prominent and 
influential members of that body. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded JeSerson in the 
Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated 
John Quincy Adams Minister to St. Petersburgh. 
Resigning his professorship in Harvard Col- 
lege, he embarked at Boston in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense 
student. He devoted his attention to the lan- 
guage and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; 
to the European system of weights, measures and 
coins; to the climate and astronomical obser^'a- 
tions; while he kept up a familiar acquaintance 
■with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the 
universities of Europe, a more accomplished 
scholar could scarcely be found. All through 
life the Bible constituted an important part of his 
studies. It was his rule to read five chapters 
ever>- day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took 
the Presidential chair, and immediately appointed 
Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of 
his numerous friends in public and private life in 
Europe, he sailed in June, 18 19, for the United 
States. On the i8th of August, he again crossed 
the threshold of his home in Quincy. During the 
eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr. 
Adams continued Secretary of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's 
second term of office, new candidates began to be 
presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. 
Adams brought forward his name. It was an 
exciting campaign, and party spirit was never 
more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral 
votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninety- 
nine; John Quincy Adams eighty-four; William 
H. Cravs*>rd forty-one; and Henry Clay thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, 
the question went to the House of Representa- 
tives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to 
Mr. Adams, and he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous and persistent as- 
sault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more 
disgraceful in the past history- of our country than 
the abuse which was poured in one uninterrupted 
stream upon this high-minded, upright and pa- 



triotic man. There never was an administration 
more pure in principles, more conscientiously de- 
voted to the best interests of the countr.-, than 
that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more unscrupulously 
and outrageously assailed. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected 
Vice-President. The slavery question now be- 
gan to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams 
returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he 
pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not 
long permitted to remain in retirement. In No- 
vember, 1830, he was elected Representative in 
Congress. For seventeen years, or until his death, 
he occupied the post as Representative, towering 
above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle 
for freedom, and winning the title of "the Old 
Man Eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the 
House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never 
was a member more devoted to his duties. He 
was usually the first in his place in the morning, 
and the last to leave his seat in the evening. 
Not a measure could be brought forward and es- 
cape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams 
fought, almost singly, against the pro-slaver>- 
party in the Government was sublime in its 
moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery-, 
he was threatened with indictment by the grand 
jury, with expulsion from the House, with assas- 
sination; but no threats could intimidate him, and 
his final triumph was complete. 

On the 2ist of February-, 1848, he rose on the 
floor of Congress with a paper in his hand, to 
address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again 
stricken by paralysis, and was caught in the arms 
of those around him. For a time he was sense- 
less, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the ro- 
tunda. With reviving consciousness, he opened 
his eyes, looked calmly around and said " This 
is the end of earth;" then after a moment's pause 
he added, " I am content." These were the last 
words of the grand ' ' Old Man Eloquent. ' ' 




ANDREW JACKSON. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



GJNDREW JACKSON, the seventh President 
LA of the United States, was born in Waxhaw 
/ I settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few 
days after his father's death. His parents were 
poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their 
abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived 
in deepest poverty. 

Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, 
grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form ungainl\-, and there 
was but very little in his character made visible 
which was attractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the 
volunteers of Carolina against the British invasion. 
In 1 78 1 , he and his brother Robert were captured 
and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British 
officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered 
boots. "lam a prisoner of war, not your serv- 
ant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. 

Andrew supported himselfin various ways, such 
as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school, 
and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when 
he entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, 
liowever, gave more attention to the wild amuse- 
ments of the times than to his studies. In 1788, 
he was appointed solicitor for the Western District 
of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then 
a part. This involved many long journeys amid 
dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never 
knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to re- 
peat a skirmish with "Sharp Knife." 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman 
who supposed herself divorced from her former 
husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, 
two years later, to find that the conditions of the 
divorce had just been definitely settled by the 
first husband. The marriage ceremony was per- 
formed a second time, but the occurrence was 
often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson 
into disfavor. 



In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee 
then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabi- 
tants, the people met in convention at Knoxville 
to frame a constitution. Five were sent from 
each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson 
was one of the delegates. The new State was 
entitled to but one member in the National House 
of Representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen 
that member. Mounting his horse, he rode to 
Philadelphia, where Congress then held its ses- 
sions, a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party, and Jefferson was his idol. He ad- 
mired Bonaparte, loved France, and hated Eng- 
land. As Mr. Jackson took his seat. Gen. Wash- 
ington, whose second term of office was then 
expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. 
A committee drew up a complimentary address in 
reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the 
address, and was one of the twelve who voted 
against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. 
Washington's administration had been "wise, 
firm and patriotic. ' ' 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1 797 , but soon resigned and returned 
home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the 
Supreme Court of his State, which position he 
held for six years. 

When the War of 181 2 with Great Britain com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there 
was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jack- 
son, who would do credit to a commission if one 
were conferred upon him. Ju.st at that time Gen. 
Jackson offered his services and those of twenty- 
five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, 
and the troops were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make 
an attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wil- 
kinson was in command, he was ordered to de- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



44_ 

scend the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid 
Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez, 
and after a delay of several weeks there without 
accomplishing anything, the men were ordered 
back to their homes. But the energy- Gen. Jack- 
son had displayed, and his entire devotion to the 
comfort of his soldiers, won for him golden opin- 
ions, and he became the most popular man in the 
State. It was in this expedition that his tough- 
ness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickorj'." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip 
Col. Thomas Benton for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking part as second in a duel 
in which a younger brother of Benton's was en- 
gaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. 
While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering, 
news came that the Indians, who had combined 
under Tecumseh from Florida to the Lakes to ex- 
terminate the white settlers, were committing the 
most awful ravages. Decisive action became nec- 
essary'. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone 
just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and 
unable to mount his horse without assistance, 
gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Ala. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong 
fort on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, 
near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles be- 
low Ft. Strother. With an army of two thousand 
men, Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilder- 
ness 'in a march of eleven days. He reached their 
fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th 
of March, 1814. The bend of the river enclosed 
nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and 
wild ra\-ine. Across the narrow neck the Indians 
had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs 
and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with 
an ample supply of arms, were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly 
desperate. Not an Indian would accept quarter. 
When bleeding and dying, they would fight those 
who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten 
in the morning until dark the battle raged. The 
carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw 
themselves into the river; but the unerring bul- 
lets struck their heads as they swam. Nearly 
every one of the nine hundred warriors was 1 



killed. A few, probably, in the night swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. 

This closing of the Creek War enabled us to 
concentrate all our militia upon the British, who 
were the allies of the Indians. No man of less 
resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have con- 
ducted this Indian campaign to so successful an 
issue. Immediately he was appointed Major- 
General. 

Late in August, with an anny of two thousand 
men on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson went to 
Mobile. A British fleet went from Pensacola, 
landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the 
little fort, and from both ship and shore com- 
menced a furious assault. The battle was long 
and doubtful. At length one of the ships was 
blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his 
little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
and the battle of New Orleans, which soon ensued, 
was in reality a ver>- arduous campaign. This 
won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. 
Here his troops, which numbered about four 
thousand men, won a signal victory over the 
British army of about nine thousand. His loss 
was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was 
twenty-six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be 
mentioned in connection with the Presidencj-, 
but in 1S24 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. 
He was, however, successful in the election of 
1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 
1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins 
of government, he met with the most terrible 
affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom 
he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps 
never been surpassed. From the shock of her 
death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most mem- 
orable in the annals of our country — applauded 
by one party, condemned by the other. No man 
had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At 
the expiration of his two terms of office he retired 
to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The 
last years of Mr. Jackson's life were those of a de- 
voted Christian man. 




MARTIN VAX lU'REN. 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



y^ARTlN VAN BUREN, the eighth Presi- 

y dent of the United States, was born at Kin- 
C9 derhook, N. Y. , December 5, 1782. He 
died at the same place, July 24, 1862. His body 
rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft, fifteen feet high, bearing a 
simple inscription about half-way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded 
by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van 
Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, 
engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life 
was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, 
and he gained many signal victories, his days 
passed uneventful in those incidents which give 
zest to biography. His ancestors, as his name indi- 
cates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the 
earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of 
the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing 
in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also 
of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing 
unusual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At 
the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic 
studies in his native village, and commenced the 
study of law. As he had not a collegiate educa- 
tion, seven years of study in a law-ofEce were re- 
quired of him before he could be admitted to the 
Bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and con- 
scious of his powers, he pursued his studies with 
indefatigable industn-. After spending six years 
in an oSice in his native village, he went to the city 
of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the 
seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years 



of age, commenced the practice of law in his na- 
tive village. The great conflict between the Federal 
and Republican parties was then at its height. 
Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politi- 
cian. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while 
listening to the many discussions which had been 
carried on in his father's hotel. He was in cordial 
sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and elo- 
quently espoused the cause of State Rights, though 
at that time the Federal party held the supremacy 
both in his town and State. 

His success and increasing reputation led him 
after six years of practice to remove to Hudson, 
the county seat of his county. Here he spent 
seven years, constantly gaining strength by con- 
tending in the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the Bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, a victim of con- 
sumption, leaving her husband and four sons to 
weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. 
Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous 
lawyer. The record of those years is barren in 
items of public interest. In 1812, when thirty 
years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate, 
and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's 
administration. In 181 5, he was appointed At- 
torney-General, and the next year moved to Al- 
bany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that "universal suffrage' ' which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the righi 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



of governing the State. In true consistency with 
his democratic principles, he contended that, while 
the path leading to the privilege of voting should 
be open to every man without distinction, no one 
should be invested with that sacred prerogative 
unless he were in some degree qualified for it by 
intelligence, virtue, and some property interests in 
the welfare of the State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate, and in the same year he took a 
seat in the convention to revise the Constitution of 
his native State. His course in this convention 
secured the approval of men of all parties. No 
one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to 
promote the interests of all classes in the com- 
munity. In the Senate of the United States, he 
rose at once to a conspicuous position as an active 
and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected 
to the Senate. He had been from the beginning 
a determined opposer of the administration, adopt- 
uig the "State Rights" view in opposition to what 
was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governor 
of the State of New York, and accordingly resigned 
his seat in the Senate. Probablj- no one in the 
United States contributed so much towards eject- 
ing John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair, 
and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin 
Vari -Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation 
or not, he certainly was regarded throughout the 
United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious 
and cunning of politicians. It was supposed that 
no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret 
springs of action, how to pull all the wires to 
put his machinery in motion, and how to organize 
a political army which would secretly and stealth- 
ily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these 
powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr. 
Clay, and Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
ew then thought could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President 
he appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. 
This position he resigned in 1831, and was im- 
mediately appointed Minister to England, where 
he went the same autumn. The Senate, however, 



when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and 
he returned home, apparently untroubled. Later 
he was nominated Vice-President in the place of 
Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson, 
and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he 
took his place at the head of that Senate which had 
refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal 
of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated 
favorite; and this, probably, more than any other 
cause secured his elevation to the chair of the 
Chief Executive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. 
Van Buren received the Democratic nomination 
to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United 
States. He was elected by a handsome majority-, 
to the delight of the retiring President. ' 'Leaving 
New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton, 
"the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency 
was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though 
the Constitution had conferred up)on him the power 
to appoint a successor. ' ' 

His administration was filled with exciting 
events. The insurrection in Canada, which 
threatened to involve this countrj' in war with 
England, the agitation of the slavery' question, 
and finally the great commercial panic which 
spread over the country', all were trials of his wis- 
dom. The financial distress was attributed to 
the management of the Democratic party, and 
brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election, and on the 4th of March, 
1 84 1, he retired from the presidency. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidenc}^ by the "Free Soil" Democrats in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of 
frugal habits, and, living within his income, had 
now fortunately a competence for his declining 
years. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he 
still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country-. From this time until his death, 
on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eightv 
years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of 
leisure, of culture and wealth, enjoying in a 
healthy old age probably far more happiness than 
he had before experienced amid the storm}- scenes 
of his active life. 




WILLIAM H. HARRISON. 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



fD6|lLLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth 
\ A / President of the United States, was born 
V Y at Berkeley, Va., February 9, 1773. His 
father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively 
opulent circumstances, and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his day. He was an inti- 
mate friend of George Washington, was early 
elected a member of the Continental Congre.ss, 
and was conspicuous among the patriots of Vir- 
ginia in resisting the encroachments of the British 
crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Ben- 
jamin Harrison and John Hancock were both 
candidates for the office of Speaker. 

Mr. Harrison was subsequentlj' chosen Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His 
son William Henry, of course, enjoyed in child- 
hood aO the advantages which wealth and intel- 
lectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common -.school educa- 
tion, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where 
he graduated with honor soon after the death of 
his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to 
study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush 
and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of 
whom were, with his father, signers of the Dec- 
laration of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and 
notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, 
he abandoned his medical studies and entered the 
army, having obtained a commission as Ensign 
from President Washington. He was then but 
nineteen years old. From that time he passed 
gradually upward in rank until he became aide 
to Gen. Wayne, after whose death he resigned 
his commission. He was then appointed Secre- 
tary of the Northwestern Territory. This Terri- 
tory was then entitled to but one member in Con- 



gress, and Harrison was chosen to fill that position 
In the spring of 1800 the Northwestern Terri- 
tory was divided by Congress into two portions. 
The eastern portion, comprising the region now 
embraced in the State of Ohio, was called ' ' The 
Territory northwest of the Ohio." The western 
portion, which included what is now called Indi- 
ana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called "the Indi- 
ana Territory." William Henry Harrison, then 
twenty -seven years of age, was appointed by John 
Adams Governor of the Indiana Territorj-, and 
immediately after also Governor of Upper Loui- 
siana. He was thus ruler over almost as exten- 
sive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. 
He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and 
was nivested with powers nearly dictatorial over 
the then rapidly increasing white population. The 
ability and fidelity with which he discharged 
these responsible duties may be inferred from the 
fact that he was four times appointed to this 
office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas 
Jefferson, and afterwards by President Madison. 

When he began his administration there were 
but three white settlements in that almost bound- 
less region, now crowded with cities and resound- 
ing W'ith all the tumult of wealth and traffic. 
One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly 
opposite lyouisville; one at Vincennes, on the 
Wabash; and the third was a French settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. 
About the year 1806, two extraordinary men, 
twin brothers of the Shawnee tribe, rose among 
them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or 
"the Crouching Panther;" the other Olliwa- 
checa, or "the Prophet." Tecum,seh was not 
only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagac- 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



ity, far-reaching foresight and indomitable perse- 
verance in an3' enterprise in which he might en- 
gage. His brother, the Prophet, was an orator, 
who could sway the feelings of the untutored In- 
dians as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath 
which they dwelt. With an enthusiasm unsur- 
passed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the 
crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming 
that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to con- 
ciliate the Indians, but at last war came, and at 
Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great 
slaughter. October 28, 1812, his army began its 
march. When near the Prophet's town, three 
Indians of rank made their appearance and in- 
quired whj' Gov. Harrison was approaching them 
in so hostile an attitude. After a short confer- 
ence, arrangements were made for a meeting the 
next daj' to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted 
with the Indian character to be decei^'ed by such 
protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his 
night's encampment, he took everj' precaution 
against surprise. His troops were posted in a 
hollow square and slept upon their arms. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o' clock 
in the morning, had risen, and was sitting 
in conversation with his aides by the embers 
of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning, 
with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the In- 
dian^ had crept as near as possible, and just then, 
with a savage yell, rushed, with all the despera- 
tion which superstition and passion most highh- 
inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply pro- 
vided with guns and ammunition by the English, 
and their war-whoop was accompanied by a 
shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as 
the light aided the Indians in their aim, and 
Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as 
the rocks around them until day dawned, when 
they made a simultaneous charge with the bayo- 
net and swept everything before them, completely 
routing the foe. 

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British, descending from the 



Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable 
force, but with their savage allies rushing like 
wolves from the forest, burning, plundering, scalp- 
ing, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into 
a state of consternation which even the most vivid 
imagination can but faintly conceive. Gen. Hull 
had made an ignominious surrender of his forces at 
Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances. 
Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madi- 
son Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern 
Army, with orders to retake Detroit and to protect 
the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man 
in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity 
and courage, but he was found equal to the 
position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet 
all the responsibilities. 

In 1S16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member 
of the Natianal House of Representatives, to rep- 
resent the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved 
an active member, and whenever he spoke it was 
with a force of reason and power of eloquence 
which arrested the attention of all the members. 

In 1 8 19, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presidential Elec- 
tors of that State, he gave his vote for Henr\- 
Clay. The same year he was chosen to the Uni- 
ted States Senate. In 1836 his friends brought 
him forward as a candidate for the Presidency 
against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the 
close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nom- 
inated by his party, and Mr. Harrison was unani- 
mously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler 
for the Vice- Presidency. The contest was very 
animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to 
prevent Harrison's election, but his triumph was 
signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Web- 
ster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of 
the most brilliant with which any President had 
ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects 
of an administration more flattering, or the hopes 
of the country more sanguine. In the midst of 
these bright and joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison 
was seized by a pleurisy-fever, and after a few 
days of violent sickness died, on the 4th of April, 
just one month after his inauguration as President 
of the United States. 




JOHN TVI.ER. 



JOHN TYLER. 



(TOHN TYLER, the tenth President of the 
I United States, and was born in Charles 
V2/ City County, Va., March 29, 1790. He was 
the favored child of affluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered 
William and Mary College, and graduated with 
much honor when but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted himself with great assi- 
duity to the study of law, partly with his father 
and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the 
most distinguished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, he commenced the 
practice of law. His success was rapid and as- 
tonishing. It is said that three months had not 
elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the 
docket of the court in which he was not retained. 
When but twenty-one years of age, he was almost 
unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legis- 
lature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures 
of Jefferson and Madison. For 6ve successive 
years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving 
nearly the unanimous vote of his countj'. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was 
elected a Member of Congress. Here he acted ear- 
nestly and ably with the Democratic party, oppos- 
ing a national bank, internal improvements by 
the General Government, and a protective tariff; 
advocating a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over State 
rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous 
that before the close of his second term he found 
it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in 
Charles City County to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in 
the State Legislature, where his influence was 
powerful in promoting public works of great 
utility. With a reputation thus constantly in- 
creasing, he was chosen by a very large majority 
of votes Governor of his native State. His ad- 
ministration was a signally successful one, and his 
popularity secured his re-election. 



John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of 
the United States. A portion of the Democratic 
party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way- 
ward course, and brought forward John Tyler as 
his opponent, considering him the only man in 
Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed 
against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. 
Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate he joined the ranks of 
the opposition. He opposed the tariff, and spoke 
against and voted against the bank as unconsti- 
tutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal im- 
provements by the General Government, and 
avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view 
of nullification; he declared that Gen. Jackson, 
by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned 
the principles of the Democratic party. Such 
was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress — a record in 
perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice 
of his profession. There was a split in the Demo- 
cratic party. His friends still regarded him as a 
true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and show- 
ered compliments upon him. He had now at- 
tained the age of forty-six, and tiis career had been 
very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to 
public business, his private affairs had fallen into 
.some disorder, and it was not without satisfac- 
tion that he resumed the practice of law, and de- 
voted himself to the cultivation of his plantation. 
Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for 
the better education of his children, and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the southern Whigs he was sent to the 
national convention at Harrisburg in 1839 to nom- 
inate a President. The majority of votes were 
given to Gen Harrison, a genuine Whig, much 
to the disappointment of the South, which wished 



56 



JOHN TYLER. 



for Henrj' Clay. To conciliate the southern 
Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention 
then nominated John T^ler for Vice-President. 
It was well known that he was not in sympathy 
with the Whig party in the North; but the Vice- 
President has very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to 
preside over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it 
happened that a Whig President and, in realit}', 
a Democratic Vice-President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice- 
President of the United States. In one short 
month from that time, President Harri.so!i died, 
and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own 
surprise and that of the whole nation, an occu- 
pant of the Presidential chair. Hastening from 
Williamsburg to Washington, on the 6th of 
April he was inaugurated to the high and re- 
sponsible office. He was placed in a position of 
exceeding delicacj' and difficulty. All his long 
life he had been opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into power. 
He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with 
an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had se- 
lected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, 
and thus surround himself with counselors whose 
views were antagonistic to his own ? or, on the 
other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself, and which would oppose 
all those views which the Whigs deemed essen- 
tial to the public welfare ? This was his fearful 
dilemma. He invited the cabinet which Presi- 
dent Harrison had selected to retain their seats, 
and recommended a day of fasting and prayer, 
that God would guide and bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for 
the incorporation of a fiscal bank of ;he United 
States. The President, after ten dajs' delay, re- 
turned it with his veto. He suggested, however, 
that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon 
such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was ac- 
cordingly prepared, and privately submitted to 
him. He gave it his approval. It was passed 
without alteration, and he sent it back with his 
veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is 
said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 



ure by a published letter from the Hon, John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who se- 
vereh- touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the 
President into their arms. The partj' which 
elected him denounced him bitterly. All the 
members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, 
resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the 
Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued 
an address to the people of the United States, 
proclaiming that all political alliance between the 
Whigs and President Tyler was at an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs 
and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong 
party men. Mr. Webster soon found it neccssarj' 
to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig 
friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's un- 
fortunate administration passed sadly awav. No 
one was satisfied. The land was filled with mur- 
murs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats 
alike assailed him. More and more, however, he 
brought himself into sympathy with his old 
friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his 
term he gave his whole influence to the support 
of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his 
successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, President Tyler re- 
tired from the harassments of office, to the regret 
of neither party, and probably to his own unspeak- 
able relief The remainder of his days were 
passed mainly in the retirement of his beautiful 
home — Sherwood Forest, Charles City County, 
Va. His first wife. Miss Letitia Christian, died 
in Wa.shington in 1842; and in June, 1844, 
he was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia 
Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and 
intellectual accomplishments. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the 
State Rights and nullifying doctrines of John C. 
Calhoun had inaugurated. President Tyler re- 
nounced his allegiance to the United States, and 
joined the Confederates. He was chosen a mem- 
ber of their Congress, and while engaged in 
active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the 
Government over which he had once presided, he 
was taken sick and soon died. 




JAMES K. PO],K. 



JAMES K. POLK. 



(Tames K. polk, the eleventh President of 
I the United States, was born in Mecklenburgh 
Q) County, N. C, November 2, 1795. His 
parents were Samuel and Jane (Knoxj Polk, the 
former a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 
1735. In 1806, with his wife and children, and 
soon after followed by most of the members of the 
Polk family , Samuel Polk emigrated some two or 
three hundred miles farther west, to the rich val- 
ley of the Duck River. Here, in the midst of the 
wilderness, in a region which was .subsequently 
called Maurj' County, they erected their log huts 
and established their homes. In the hard toil of 
a new fann in the wilderness, James K. Polk 
spent the early years of his childhood and youth. 
His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to 
that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth, 
until he became one of the leading men of the 
region. His mother was a superior woman, of 
strong common sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life James developed a taste for 
reading, and expressed the strongest desire to ob- 
tain a liberal education. His mother's training 
had made him methodical in his habits, had taught 
him punctuality and industr\^ and had inspired 
him with lofty principles of morality. His health 
was frail, and his father, fearing that he might not 
be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation 
for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for 
commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his aauy rasKS 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few w°eks, when, 
at his earnest solicitation, his fanner removed 
him and made arrangements for him to pros- 
ecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Mur- 
freesboro Academy. With ardor which could 
scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his 



studies, and in less than two and a-half yeirs, in 
the autumn of 18 15, entered the sophomore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allow- 
ing himself to be absent from a recitation or a 
religious service. 

Mr. Polk graduated in 1818, with the highest 
honors, being deemed the best scholar of his class, 
both in mathematics and the cla.ssics. He was 
then twenty-three years of age. His health was 
at this time much impaired by the assiduity with 
which he had prosecuted his studies. After a 
short season of relaxation, he went to Nashville, 
and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to .study 
law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance 
with Andrew Jackson, who resided on his planta- 
tion, the "Hermitage," but a few miles from 
Nashville. They had probably been slightly ac- 
quainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican 
and James K. adhered to the same political faith. 
He was a popular public speaker, and was con- 
stantl}' called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such 
that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the 
stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, 
genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that 
sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of oth- 
ers which gave him ho.sts of friends. In 1823, 
he was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee, 
and gave his strong influence toward the election 
of his friend, Mr. Jack.son, to the Presidency of 
the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford County, Tenn. His 
bride was altogether worthy of him — a lady .of 
beauty and culture. In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk 
was chosen a member of Congress, and the satis- 
faction he gave his constituents may be inferred 



6o 



JAMES K. POLK. 



from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, 
or until 1839, he was continued in that of&ce. He 
then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might 
accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In 
Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent 
and a popular speaker. He was always in his 
seat, always courteous, and whenever he spoke 
it was always to the point, without any ambitious 
rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were 
roused and stormy scenes were witnessed, but he 
performed his arduous duties to a very general 
satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to 
him was passed by the House as he withdrew on 
the 4th of March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, 
as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. 
He was elected by a large majority, and on Octo- 
ber 14, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. 
In 1 841 his term of office expired, and he was 
again the candidate of the Democratic part}-, but 
was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was in- 
augurated President of the United States. The 
verdict of the country in favor of the annexation 
of Texas exerted its influence upon Congress, 
and the last act of the administration of President 
Tyler was to affix his signature to a joint resolu- 
tion of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, ap- 
proving of the annexation of Texas to the Union. 
As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her 
provinces, the Mexican Minister, Almonte, im- 
mediately demanded his passports and left the 
country, declaring the act of the annexation to be 
an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be 
received into the Union on the same footing with 
the other States. In the mean time. Gen. Taylor 
was sent with an army into Texas to hold the 
country. He was first sent to Nueces, which the 
Mexicans said was the western boundarj' of Tex- 
as. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles 
further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected 
batteries which commanded the Mexican city of 
Matamoras, which was situated on the western 



banks. The anticipated collision soon took place, 
and war was declared against Mexico by President 
Polk. The war was pushed forward by his ad- 
ministration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, 
whose armj' was first called one of ' ' obsen'ation, ' ' 
then of "occupation," then of "invasion," was 
sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans 
in every encounter were hopelessly slaughtered 
The day of judgment alone can reveal the misery- 
which this war caused. It was by the ingenuity 
of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was 
brought on. 

' ' To the victors belong the spoils. ' ' Mexico 
was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our 
hands. We now consented to peace upon the 
condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in 
addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of 
Upper and Lower California. This new demand 
embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred 
thousand square miles. This was an extent of 
territory equal to nine States of the size of New 
York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen ma- 
jestic States to be added to the Union. There 
were some Americans who thought it all right; 
there were others who thought it all wrong. In 
the prosecution of this war we expended twentj' 
thousand lives and more than $100,000,000. Of 
this money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired 
from office, having ser\fed one term. The next 
day was Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was 
inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to 
the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Tay- 
lor, and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he 
commenced his return to Tennessee. He was-, 
then but fiftj'-four 5'ears of age. He had always 
been strictly temperate in all his habits, and his 
health was good. With an ample fortune, a 
choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic 
ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though 
long years of tranquillity and happiness were be- 
fore him. But the cholera — that fearful scourge 
— was then sweeping up the Valley of the Missis- 
sippi, and he contracted the disease, dying on the 
15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth .\ear of his 
age, greatlj- mounied by his countrj-men. 




ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



^ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth President of 
1. the United States, was born on the 24th of 
/^ November, 1784, in Orange County, Va. 
His father, Col. Ta3-lor, was a Yirginian of 
nott:, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, 
his father, with his wife and two children, emi- 
grated to Kentucky, where he settled in thepath- 
les.s wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In 
thi.4 frontier home, away from civilization and all 
its refinements, young Zacharj- could enjoy but 
few social and educational advantages. When 
six years of age he attended a common school, 
and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of 
character. He was strong, fearless and self-reli- 
ant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the 
army to fight the Indians, who were ravaging the 
frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the 
uneventful years of his childhood on his father's 
large but lonely plantation. 

In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for 
him a commission as Lieutenant in the United 
States army, and hejomed the troops which were 
stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. 
Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, 
a young lady from one of the first families of 
Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with 
England, in 181 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then 
been promoted to that rank) was put in command 
of Ft. Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles 
above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the 
wilderness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to 
Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of at- 
tack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garri- 
son con.sisted of a broken company of ii'fantry, 
numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, 
stealthily, and in large numbers, moved upon the 



fort. Their approach was first indicated by thfe 
murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. 
Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to 
meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of Sep- 
tember, a band of forty painted and plumed sav- 
ages c&me to the fort, waving a white flag, and 
informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their 
chief would come to have a talk with him. It 
was evident that their object was mereh' to ascer- 
tain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, 
kept them at a distance. 

Tlie sun went down; rhe savages disappeared; 
th'j garrison slept upon their arms. One hour 
before midnight the war-whoop burst from a 
thousand lips in the forest around, followed by 
the discharge of musketry and the rush of the 
foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his 
post. Every man knew that defeat was not 
merely death, but. in the case of capture, death by 
the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No 
pen can describe,' no imagination can conceive, the 
.scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in 
setting fire to one of the block-houses. Until six 
o'clock in the morning this awful conflict con- 
tinued, when the savages, bafBed at every point 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. 
Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defense, was pro- 
moted to the rank of Major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, Maj. Taylor was 
placed in such situations that he saw but little 
more of active service. He was sent far away 
into the depths of the wilderness to Ft. Craw- 
ford, on Fox River, which empties into Green 
Bay. Here there was little to be done but to 
wear away the tedious hours as one best could. 
There were no books, no society, no intellectual 
stinuilus. Thus with him the uneventful years 
rolled on. Gradually he rose to the rank of 
Colonel. In the Black Hawk War, which re- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



suited in the capture of that renowned chieftain, 
Col. Taylor took a subordinate, but a brave and 
efficient, part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged 
in the defense of the frontiers, in scenes so re- 
mote, and in emplo}ments so obscure, that his 
name was unknown beyond the limits of his own 
immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he 
was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indi- 
ans to vacate that region, and retire beyond the 
Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty had prom- 
ised they should do. The services rendered here 
secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government, and as a reward he was ele- 
vated to the high rank of Brigadier- General by 
brevet, and soon after, in May, 1838, was ap- 
pointed to the chief command of the United 
States troops in Florida. 

After two j'ears of wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the Peninsula, Gen. Tay- 
lor obtained, at his own request, a change of 
command, and was stationed over the Department 
of the Southwest. This field embraced Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing 
his headquarters at Ft. Jessup, in Louisiana, he 
removed his family to a plantation which he pur- 
chased near Baton Rouge. Here he remained 
for five years, buried, as it were, from the world, 
but faithfully discharging every duty imposed 
upon him. 

I-n 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the 
land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the 
latter river being the boundary' of Texas, which 
was then claimed bj' the United States. Soon 
the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won 
brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank 
of Major- General by brevet was then conferred 
upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received 
with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the na- 
tion. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista, in which he won signal victories 
over forces much larger than he commanded. 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena 
Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the 
country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on 
every one's lips. The Whig party decided to 



take advantage of this wonderful popularity in 
bringing forward the unpolished, unlettered, hon- 
est soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. 
Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announce- 
ment, and for a time would not listen to it, de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such 
an office. So little interest had he taken in poU- 
tics, that for forty years he had not cast a vote. 
It was not without chagrin that several distin- 
guished statesmen, who had been long years in 
the public service, found their claims set aside in 
behalf of one whose name had never been heard 
of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de 
la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said 
that Daniel Webster, in his haste, remarked, " It 
is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a 
fine writer. His ftiends took possession of him, 
and prepared such few communications as it was 
needful should be presented to the public. The 
popularity of the successful warrior swept the 
land. He was triumphantly elected over two 
opposing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-Presi- 
dent Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an 
excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself 
in a very uncongenial position, and was at times 
sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental suf- 
ferings were very severe, and probably tended to 
hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was 
pushing its claims with tireless energy; expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California 
was pleading for admission to the Union, while 
slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. 
Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington 
to be far more trjing to the nerves than battles 
with Mexicans or Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but 
little over a year, took cold, and after a brief 
sickness of but little over five days, died, on the 
9th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am 
not afraid to die. I am read)'. I have endeav- 
ored to do my dut}-." He died universally re- 
spected and beloved. An honest, unpretending 
man, he had been steadily growing in the affec- 
tions of the people, and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 




Mli.U\Rl> i-;i.i^O£.i:^ 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



\A ILLARD FILLMORE, thirteenth President 
y of the United States, was bora at Summer 
(si Hill. Cayuga Covuty. N. Y.. on the 7th of 
Januarv-. iSoo. His father was a farmer, and, owing 
to misfortune, in himible circumstances. Of his 
mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of 
Pittsfield. Mass.. it has been said that she pos- 
sessed an intellect of a high order, united with 
much personal loveliness, sweetness of disposi- 
tion, graceful mamiers and exquisite sensibihties. 
She died in 1S31. having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished promise, though she 
was not permitted to witness the high dignity 
which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father. Millard enjoyed but slender 
advantages for education iu his early years. The 
common schools, which he occasionally attended, 
were ver>- imperfect institutions, and books were 
scarce and expensive. There was nothing then 
in his character to indicate the brilUant career 
upon which he was about to enter. He was a 
plain fanner's boy — intelligent, good-looking, 
kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home 
had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid 
the foundations of an upright character. When 
fourteen years of age. his father sent him some 
hundred miles from home to the then wilds of 
Li'vingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small ^nllage. where 
some enterprising man had commenced the col- 
lection of a \"illage library. This proved an in- 
estimable blessing to young Fillmore. His even- 
ings were spent in reading. Soon every leisure 
moment was occupied with books. His thirst for 
knowledge became insatiate, and the selections 
which he made were continually more elevating 
and instructive. He read historj-. biograph>-. 
oratorj-, and thus gradually there was enkindled 



in his heart a desire to be something more than a 
mere worker with his hands. 

The young clothier had now attained the age 
of nineteen years, and was of fine personal appear- 
ance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hap- 
pened that there was a gentleman in the neigh- 
borhood of ample pecuniarN- means and of benev- 
olence. — Judge \\'alter Wood, — who was struck 
with the prepossessing appearance of young Fill- 
more. He made his acquaintance, and was so 
much impressed with his abilit\- and attaiimients 
that he ad\-ised him to abandon his trade and de- 
vote himself to the study of the law. The voung 
man replied that he had no means of his own. 
no friends to help him. and that his pre\-ious edu- 
cation had been ven.- impertect. But Judge Wood 
had so much confidence in him that he kindly 
ofiered to take him into his own office, and to 
lend him such money as he needed. Most grate- 
fully the generous ofier was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion 
about a collegiate education. A young man is 
suppKjsed to be liberaUj- educated if he has gradu- 
ated at some college. But many a boy who loi- 
ters through uni\-ersit>- halls and then enters z. 
law office is by no means as well prepared to 
prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fill- 
more when he graduated at the clothing-miU at 
the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which ever\- leisure moment had been devoted tc 
intense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he 
was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. 
He then went to the \-illage of Aurora, and com- 
menced the practice of law. In this secluded, 
quiet region, his practice, of course, was limited, 
and there was no opportunit\- for a sudden rise in 
fortune or in fame. Here, in 1826. he married 3 
ladj- of great moral worth, and one capable of 



68 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



adorning anj- station she miglit be called to fill, — 
Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industrj-, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advo- 
cate, gradually attracted attention, and he was 
invited to enter into partnership, under highly ad- 
\-antageous circumstances, with an elder member 
of the Bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to 
Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of 
Assembly of the State of New York, as a Repre- 
sentative from Erie County. Though he had 
never taken a verj- active part in politics, his vote 
and sympathies were with the Whig party. The 
State was then Democratic, and he found himself 
in a helpless minority in the Legislature; still the 
testimony comes from all parties that his courtesy, 
ability and integrity won, to a verj- unusual de- 
gree, the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a 
seat in the United States Congress. He entered 
that troubled arena in the most tumultuous hours 
of our national history-, when the great conflict 
respecting the national bank and the removal of 
the deposits was raging. 

His term of two j-ears closed, and he returned 
to his profession, which he pursued with increas- 
ing reputation and success. After a lapse of two 
years he again became a candidate for Congress; 
was re-elected, and took his seat in 1837. His 
past experience as a Representative gave him 
strength and confidence. The first tenn of service 
in Congress to any man can be but little more 
than an introduction. He was now prepared for 
active duty. All his energies were brought to 
bear upon the public good. Ever\- measure re- 
ceived his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, 
and his popularity filled the State. In the year 
1847, when he had attained the age of forty- 
seven years, he was elected Comptroller of the 
State. His labors at the Bar, in the Legisla- 
ture, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given 
him ver>' considerable fame. The Whigs were 
casting about to find suitable candidates for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President at the approaching elec- 
tion. Far away on the waters of the Rio Grande, 
there was a rough old soldier, who had fought 



one or two successful battles with the Mexicans, 
which had caused his name to be proclaimed in 
trumpet-tones all over the land as a candidate for 
the presidencj-. But it was necessar\- to associate 
with him on the same ticket some man of repu- 
tation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
names of Zachan' Taylor and Millard Fillmore 
became the rallying-cn,- of the Whigs, as their 
candidates for President and Vice-President. The 
Whig ticket was sig^allj- triumphant. On the 
4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taj-lor was inaugurated 
President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, 
of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. Bj' the 
Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus be- 
came President. He appointed a very able cabi- 
net, of which the illustrious Daniel Webster was 
Secretary- of State; nevertheless, he had serious 
difficulties to contend with, since the opposition 
had a majority in both Houses. He did all in his 
power to conciliate the South; but the pro-slaven,- 
party in the South felt the inadequacy of all 
measures of transient conciliation. The popula- 
tion of the free States was so rapidly increasing 
over that of the slave States, that it was ine\itable 
that the power of the Government should soon 
pass into the hands of the free States. The fa- 
mous compromise measures were adopted under 
Mr. Fillmore's administration, and the Japan ex- 
pedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 
1833, he, having ser\-ed one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the 
Presidency bj- the "Know-Nothing'" parb,-, but 
was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. 
Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terri- 
ble conflict of civil war, he was mostly silent. It 
was generally supposed that his sympathies were 
rather with those who were endeavoring to over- 
throw our institutions. President Fillmore kept 
aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words 
of cheer to one party or the other. He was thus 
forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old ape, 
and died in Buffalo, N. Y., March 8, 1874. 




FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



r"RANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth Presi- 
r3 dent of the United States, was born in Hills- 
I ^ borough, N. H., November 23, 1804. His 
father was a Revolutionary soldier, who with his 
own strong arm hewed out a home in the wilder- 
ness. He was a man of inflexible integrity, of 
strong, though uncultivated, mind, and was an un- 
compromising Democrat. The mother of Fra:ik- 
lin Pierce was all that a son could desire — an in- 
telligent, prudent, affectionate, Christian woman. 

Franklin, who was the sixth of eight children, 
was a remarkably bright and handsome boy, 
generous, warm-hearted and brave. He won 
alike the love of old and young. The boys on 
the play-gjound loved him. His teachers loved 
him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride 
and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman, 
always speaking kind words, and doing kind 
deeds, with a peculiar, unstudied tact which 
taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar, and in 
body and mind a finely developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, 
he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. 
He was one of the most popular young men in 
the college. The purity of his moral character, 
the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank 
as a scholar, and genial nature, rendered him a 
universal favorite. There was something pe- 
culiarly winning in his address, and it was evi- 
dently not in the slightest degree studied — it was 
the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous 
and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin 
Pierce commenced the study of law in the office 
of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished 



lawyers of the State, and a man of great private 
Worth. The eminent social qualities of the young 
lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, 
and the brilliant political career into which Judge 
Woodbury was entering, all tended to entice Mr. 
Pierce into the fascinating yet perilous path of 
political life. With all the ardor of his nature he 
espoused the cau-se of Gen. Jackson for the Presi- 
dency. He commenced the practice of law in 
Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent 
the town in the State Legislature. Here he 
served for four years. The last two years he was 
chosen Speaker of the House by a very large 
vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was 
elected a member of Congress. In 1837, being 
then but thirty-three years old, he was elected to 
the Senate, taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren 
commenced his administration. He was the 
youngest member in the Senate. In the year 
1834, he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a 
lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one 
admirably fitted to adorn every station with which 
her husband was honored. Of the three sons who 
were born to them, all now sleep with their par- 
ents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing 
fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up 
his residence in Concord, the capital of New 
Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession 
to office, appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-General 
of the United States; but the offer was declined 
in consequence of numerous professional engage- 
ments at home, and the precarious state of Mrs. 
Pierce's health. He also, about the same time, 
declined the nomination for Governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called 



7* 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



Mr. Pierce into the army. Recei\-ing the appoint- 
ment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport, R. I., on the 
27th of May, 1847. He took an important part 
in this war, proving himself a brave and true sol- 
dier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his na- 
tive State, he was received enthusiastically by the 
advocates of the Mexican War, and coldly bj' his 
opponents. He resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, verj- frequently taking an active part in 
political questions, giving his cordial supjxjrt to 
the pro-slaver\- wing of the Democratic party. 
The compromise measures met cordially \\'ith his 
approval, and he strenuously advocated the en- 
forcement of the infamous Fugitive Slave Law, 
which so shocked the religious sensibilities of tlie 
North. He thus became distinguished as a 
" Northern man with Southern principles." The 
strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in ofBce to carry out their plans. 

On the 12th of June. 1852, the Democratic con- 
vention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidencj-. For four days they contin- 
ued in session, and in thirty -five ballotings no one 
had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus 
far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the 
Virginia delegation brought forward his name. 
There were fourteen more ballotings, during which 
Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at 
the fort^'-ninth ballot, he received two hundred 
and eight\--two votes, and all other candidates 
eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig can- 
didate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great una- 
nimity. Onlj- four States — Vermont, Massachu- 
setts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their elec- 
toral votes against him. Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugtirated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 

His administration proved one of the most 
stormy our countr>- had ever experienced. The 
controversy between slavery- and freedom was 
then approaching its culminating point. It be- 
came e\-ident that there was to be an irrepressible 
conflict between them, and that this nation 
could not long exist " half slave and half fi-ee." 



President Pierce, during the whole of his admin- 
istration, did everj^thing he could to conciliate the 
South; but it was all in vain. The conflict ever\- 
year grew more violent, and threats of the disso- 
lution of the Union were borne to the North on 
ever\- Southern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when Presi- 
dent Pierce approached the close of his four- 
years term of office. The North had become 
thoroughly alienated from him. The anti-slavery 
sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been 
rapidly increasing; all the intellectual abilit)- and 
social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in 
deep reprehension of his administrative acts. The 
slaveholders of the South also, unmindful of the 
fidelity with which he had advocated those meas- 
ures of Government which they approved, and 
perhaps feeling that he had rendered himself 
so unpopular as no longer to be able to accepta- 
bly ser%-e them, ungratefulh' dropped him. and 
nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
turned to his home in Concord. His three chil- 
dren were all dead, his last sur\-iving child hav- 
ing been killed before his eyes in a railroad acci- 
dent; and his wife, one of the most estimable and 
accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in 
consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon 
came, and he was left alone in the world without 
wife or child. 

When the terrible RebelUon burst forth which 
di^-ided our country- into two parties, and two 
only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the prin- 
ciples which he had always cherished, and gave 
his sympathies to that pro-sla\-ery party with 
which he had ever been allied. He declined to 
do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen 
the hand of the National Govenmient. He con- 
tinued to reside in Concord until the time of his 
death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was 
one of the most genial and social of men, an hon- 
ored communicant of the Episcopal Church, and 
one of the kindest of neighbors. Generous to a 
fault, he contributed liberalh- toward the allevia- 
tion of suffering and want, and many of his 
towns-people were often gladdened b\- his material 
bounty. 




JAMES lUCHANAN. 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



QAMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth President \ 

I of the United States, was bom in a small 
(2/ frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge 
of the Alleghanies, in Franklin County, Pa., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the 
humble cabin home stood was called Stony Bat- 
ter. His father was a native of the north of Ire- 
land, who had emigrated in 1783, with little prop- 
erty- save his own strong arms. Fi\e years after- 
ward he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter 
of a respectable fanner, and, with his young bride, 
plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim, 
reared his log hut, opened a clearing with his 
axe, and settled down there to perform his obscure 
part in the drama of life. When James was eight 
years of age, his father removed to the village of 
Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, 
and commenced a course of study in English, 
Latin and Greek. His progress was rapid, and 
at the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Col- 
lege, at Carlisle. Here he developed remarkable 
talent, and took his stand among the first scholars 
in the institution. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the high- 
est honors of his class. He was then eighteen 
years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, 
fond of athletic sports, an unerring shot, and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. 
He immediatel}- commenced the study of law in 
the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the 
Bar in 1812, when he was but twenty-one years 
of age. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower 
House. During the vacations of Congress, he 1 



occasionally tried some important case. In 1831 
he retired altogether fi-om the toils of his profes- 
sion, having acquired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presi- 
dency, appointed Mr. Buchanan Minister to Rus- 
sia. The duties of his mission he performed 
with ability, and gave satisfaction to all parties. 
Upon his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seat 
in the United States Senate. He there met as 
his associates Webster, Clay, Wright and Cal- 
houn. He advocated the measures proposed bj- 
President Jackson, of making reprisals against 
France to enforce the payment of our claims 
against that countn,-, and defended the course of 
the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from oflnce of those who were not the 
supporters of his administration. Upon this 
question he was brought into direct collision with 
Henr\- Clay. He also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging firom the journal of the Senate 
the vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for re- 
mo\ing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the 
abolition of slaver>- in the District of Columbia, 
and urged the prohibition of the circulation of 
anti-slaver\- documents by the United States 
mails. As to petitions on the subject of slavery, 
he advocated that the}- should be respectfully re- 
ceived, and that the reply should be returned 
that Congress had no power to legislate upon the 
subject. ■■ Congress." said he, "might as well 
undertake to interfere with slavery- under a for- 
eign go\-emment as in any of the States where it 
now exists. ' ' 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, 
Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and aa 
such took his share of the responsibility in the 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed 
that crossing the Nueces by the American 
troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, 
but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio Grande 
into Texas was a declaration of war. No candid 
man can read with pleasure the account of the 
course our Government pursued in that movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly 
with the part}- devoted to the perpetuation and 
extension of slavery-, and brought all the energies 
of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. 
He gave his cordial approval to the compromise 
measures of 1850, which included the Fugitive 
Slave Law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidenc}-, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mis- 
sion to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic Con- 
vention nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presi- 
dency. The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever engaged. 
All the friends jof slavery- were on one side; all 
the advocates of its restriction and final abolition 
on the other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the 
enemies of slavery, received one hundred and 
fourteen electoral \-otes. Mr. Buchanan received 
one hundred and se\enty-four, and was elected. 
The popular vote stood 1,340,618 for Fremont, 
1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4, 1S57, 
the latter was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Onlj' 
four years were wanting to fill up his three-score 
years and ten. His own friends, those with 
whom he had been allied in political principles 
and action for j-ears, were seeking the destruc- 
tion of the Government, that they might rear 
upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation 
whose corner-stone should be human slavery-. In 
this emergenc}-, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly 
bewildered. He could not, with his long-avowed 
principles, consistently oppose the State Rights 
party in their assumptions. As President of the 
United States, bound by his oath faithfiiUy to 
administer the laws, he could not, without per- 
jury of the grossest kind, unite with those en- 
deavoring to overthrow the Republic. He there- 
fore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administra- 



tion nominated Abraham Lincoln as their stand- 
ard-bearer in the next Presidential canvass. 
The pro-slavery part}- declared that if he were 
elected and the control of the Government were 
thus taken from their hands, they would .secede 
from the Union, taking with them as they retired 
the National Capitol at Washington and the 
lion's share of the territon,- of the United States. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. 
Buchanan avowing that Congress had no power 
to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions 
of governmental imbecility was exhibited that the 
world has ever seen. He declared that Congress 
had no power to enforce its laws in any State 
which had withdrawn, or which was attempting 
to withdraw, from the Union. This was not the 
doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand 
upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed: "The Union 
must and shall be preser\ed ! ' ' 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860, 
nearly three months before the inauguration of 
President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in 
listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in 
Charleston; Ft. Sumter was besieged; our forts, 
na\-}'-yards and arsenals were seized; our depots 
of military stores were plundered, and our cus- 
tom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by 
the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels and the mibecility of 
our Executive were alike mar\-elous. The na- 
tion looked on in agon}-, waiting for the slow 
weeks to glide away and close the administration, 
so terrible in its weakness. At length the long- 
looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abra- 
ham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends can not recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled 
its billows of flame and blood over our whole 
land, no word came from his lips to indicate his 
wish that our countr}'s banner should triumph 
over the flag of the Rebellion. He died at his 
WTieatland retreat, June i, 1868. 




AHRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Gl BRAHAM LINCOLN, the sixteenth Presi- 
L\ dent of the United States, was born in Hardin 
/ I County, Ky., February 12, 1809. About 
the year 1780, a man by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his family and moved 
into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, and while still a young man, 
he was working one day in a field, when an Indian 
stealthily approached and killed him. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five little chil- 
dren, three boys and two girls. Thomas, the 
youngest of the boys, and the father of President 
Abraham Lincoln, was four years of age at his 
father's death. 

When twenty-eight years old, Thomas Lincoln 
built a log cabin, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky 
emigrants, who had also come from Virginia. 
Their .second child was Abraham Lincoln, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was 
a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created 
to adorn a palace, but doomed to toil and pine, and 
die in a hovel. " All that I am, or hope to be,'' 
exclaimed the grateful son, " I owe to my angel- 
mother. ' ' When he was eight years oi age, his 
father sold his cabin and small farm and moved 
to Indiana, where two years later his mother died. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly 
family was the usual lot of humanity. There 
were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals. 
Abraham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly 
attached, was married when a child of but four- 
teen years of age, and soon died. The family 
was gradually scattered, and Thomas Lincoln 
.sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, and emi- 
grated to Macon County, 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years 
of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father 
in rearing another log cabin, and worked quite 
diligently at this until he saw the family com- 
fortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed 
prairie planted with corn, when he announced to 



his father his intention to leave home, and to gc 
out into the world and seek his fortune. Littk 
did he or his friends imagine how brilliant that 
fortune was to be. He saw the value of educa- 
tion and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. Religion he 
revered. His morals were pure, and he was un- 
contaminated by a single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired 
laborer among the farmers. Then he went to 
Springfield, where he was employed in building 
a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine, 
floated them down the Sangamon to Illinois, and 
thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. What- 
ever Abraham Lincoln undertook, he performed 
so faithfully as to give great satisfaction to his 
employers. In this adventure the latter were 
so well pleased, that upon his return they placed 
a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk 
War, he enlisted and was chosen Captain of a 
company. He returned to Sangamon County, 
and, although only twenty-three years of age, was 
a candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated. 
He soon after received from Andrew Jackson the 
appointment of Postmaster of New Salem. His 
only post-ofiice was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there, readj' to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied sur\-eying, and 
soon made this his business. In 1834 he again 
became a candidate for the Legislature and was 
elected. Mr. Stuart, of Springfield, advised him 
to study law. He walked from New Salem to 
Springfield, borrowed of Mr. Stuart a load o) 
books, carried them back, and began his legal 
studies. When the Legislature assembled, he 
trudged on foot with his pack on his back one 
hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here 
it was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 
he removed to vSpringfield and began the practice 
of law. His success with the jury was so great 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



that he was soon engaged in almost even- noted 
case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas on the slaverj- ques- 
tion. In the organization of the Republican party 
in Illinois, in 1856, he took an active part, and at 
once became one of the leaders in that party. 
Mr. Lincoln's speeches in opposition to Senator 
Douglas in the contest in 1858 for a seat in the 
Senate, form a most notable part of his history. 
■ The issue was on the slavery- question, and he 
took the broad ground of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, that all men are created equal. Mr. 
Lincoln was defeated in this contest, but won a 
far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chi- 
cago on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates 
and strangers who crowded the city amounted to 
twenty-five thousand. An immense building 
called " The Wigwam," was reared to accommo- 
date the convention. There were eleven candi- 
dates for whom votes were thrown. William H. 
Seward, a man whose fame as a statesman had 
long filled the land, was the most prominent. It 
was generally supposed he would be the nomi- 
nee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received the 
nomination on the third ballot. 

Election da}- came, and Mr. Lincoln received 
one hundred and eighty electoral votes out of two 
hundred and three cast, and was, therefore, con- 
stitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this 
good and merciful man, especially by the slave- 
holders, was greater than upon any other man 
ever elected to this high position. In February, 
1861, Mr. Lincoln started for Washington, stop- 
ping in all the large cities on his way, making 
speeches. The whole journey was fraught with 
much, danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassi- 
nation were afterward brought to light. A gang 
in Baltimore had arranged upon his arrival to 
"get up a row," and in the confusion 10 make 
sure of his death with revolvers and hand-gren- 
ades. A detective unravelled the plot. A secret 
and special train was provided to take him from 
Harri.sburg, through Baltimore, at an unexpected 



hour of the night. The tram started at half-past 
ten, and to prevent any possible communication 
on the part of the Seces.sionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train 
had started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. 
Lincoln reached Washington in safety and was 
inaugurated, although great anxiety was felt by 
all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to 
other prominent opponents before the conventicm 
he gave important positions; but during no other 
administration had the duties devolving upon the 
President been so manifold, and the responsibiUties 
.so great, as those which fell to his lot. Knowing 
this, and feeling his own weakness and inability 
to meet, and in his own strength to cope with, 
the difficulties, he learned early to seek Divine 
wisdom and guidance in determining his plans, 
and Divine comfort in all his trials, both personal 
and national. Contrary to his own estimate of 
himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the most cour- 
ageous of men. He went directly into the rebel 
capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, with 
no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had 
been made for his assassination, and he at last 
fell a victim to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, 
with Gen. Grant, was urgently invited to attend 
Ford's Theatre. It was announced that they 
would be present. Gen. Grant, however, left the 
city. President Lincoln, feeling, with his char- 
acteristic kindliness of heart, that it would be a 
disappointment if he should fail them, very re- 
luctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play, an actor by the name of John Wilkes 
Booth entered the box where the President and 
family were seated, and fired a bullet into his 
brain. He died the next morning at seven 
o'clock. 

Never before in the history of the world was 
a nation plunged into such deep grief by the death 
of its ruler Strong men met in the streets and 
wept in speechless angmsh. His was a life which 
will fitly become a model. His name as the 
Savior of his country will live with that of Wash- 
ington's, its Father. 




ANDREW TOHNSON. 



ANDREW JOHXSON. 



Gl XDREW JOHXSON, seventeeuth President 
LI of the United States. The early life of An - 
/ I drew Johnson contains but the record of pov- 
erty, destitution and friendlessuess. He was bom 
December 29, 180S, in Raleigh, N. C. His par- 
ents, belonging to the class of "'pocr whites" 
of the South, were in such circumstances that the\- 
could not confer even the slightest advantages of 
education upon their child. When Andrew was 
five >ears of age, his father accidentally lost his 
life, while heroicaLl\- endeavoring to save a friend 
from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by 
the labor of his mother, who obtained her li\ing 
with her own hands. 

He then, ha\-ing never attended a school one 
day, and being unable either to read or write, was ' 
apprenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gen- 
tleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's 
shop occasionalh", and reading to the boys at 
work there. He often read from the speeches of ' 
distinguished British statesmen. Andrew, who 
was endowed with a mind of more than ordinary' 
abilits^, became much interested in these speeches; 
his ambition was roused, and he was inspired with 
a strong desire to learn to read. 

He according!}- applied himself to the alphabet, 
and with the assistance of some of his fellow- 
workmen learned his letters. He then called upon 
the gentleman to borrow the book of speeches. 
The owner, pleased with his zeal, not only gave 
him the book, but assisted him in learning to com- 
bine the letters into words. Under such difficul- 
ties he pressed onward laboriou.sly, sp>ending usu- 
ally ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and 
then robbing him.self of rest and recreation to de- 
vote such time as he could to reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1S26, and located at 



Greenville, where he married a young lady who 
possessed some education . Under her instructions 
he learned to write and cipher. He became 
prominent in the \411age debating society, and a 
favorite with the students of Greenville College. 
In I S 28. he organized a working man's part\-, 
which elected hiiii Alderman, and in 1830 elected 
him Mayor, which position he held three years. 

He now began to take a liveh' interest in 
political affairs, identifying liimself with the work- 
ing-class, to which he belonged. In 1S35, he 
was elected a member of the House of Represent- 
atives of Tennessee. He was then just twenty - 
seven years of age. He became a verj- active 
member of the Legislature, gave his support tc 
the Democratic party, and in 1840 "stump)ed the 
State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to 
the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen. 
Harrison. In this campaig^i he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1 84 1, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, 
he was elected a Member of Congress, and b\- suc- 
cessive elections held that important post for ten 
years. In 1 853. he was elected Governor of Tenn- 
essee, and was re-elected in 1855. In all these 
responsible positions, he discharged his duties 
with distinguished ability, and proved himself the 
warm friend of the working classes. In 1857, Mr. 
Johnson was elected United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had wannl\- advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating, however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would 
probably prove "to be the gateway out of which 
the sable sons of Afirica are to pass from bor.dage 
to freedom, and become merged in a population 
congenial to them.selves." In 1830, he r.lso sup- 
ported the compromise measures, the two essen- 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



tial features of which wer^, that the white people 
of the Territories should be permitted to decide 
for themselves whether they would enslave the 
colored people or not, and that the free States of 
the North should return to the South persons who 
attempted to escape from slaverj-. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly 
origin: on the contrarj-, he often took pride in 
avowing that he owed his distinction to his own 
exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of the 
Senate, "I do not forget that I am a mechanic; 
neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and 
sewed fig-leaves, and that our Savior was the son 
of a carpenter. ' ' 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, 
he was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for 
the Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of 
the Southern Democracy became apparent, he took 
a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held 
that "slaverj- must be held subordinate to the 
Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tenn- 
essee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to 
protect the Unionists of that State. Tennessee 
having seceded from the Union, President Lincoln, 
on March 4, 1S62, appointed him Military Gov- 
ernor of the State, and he established the most 
stringent military rule. His numerous proclama- 
tions attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was 
elected Vice-President of the United States, and 
upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 1865, 
became President. In a speech two days later he 
said, "The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime 
and must be punished; that the Government will 
not always bear with its enemies; that it is strong 
not only to protect, but to punish. * * The 
people must understand that it (treason) is the 
blackest of crimes, and will surelj' be punished. ' ' 
Yet his whole administration, the historj' of which 
is so well known, was in utter inconsistency- with, 
and in the most violent opposition to, the princi- 
ples laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policj- of reconstruction and general 
amnest%\ he was opposed bj- Congress, and he 
characterized Congress as a new rebellion, and 
lawlessly defied it in ever\'thing possible to the ut- 
most. In the beginning of 1868, on account of 



"High crimes and misdemeanors," the principal 
of which was the removal of Secretarj' Stanton in 
violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of 
impeachment were preferred against him, and the 
trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearlj- three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was 
at length submitted to the court for its action. It 
was certain that as the court voted upon that ar- 
ticle so would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices 
pronounced the President guilt}-. As a two-thirds 
vote was necessary- to his condemnation, he was 
pronounced acquitted, notwithstanding the great 
majority against him. The change of one vote 
from the not guilty side would have sustained the 
impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, 
was but little regarded. He continued, though 
impotentlj^ his conflict with Congress. His own 
party did not think it expedient to renominate 
him for the Presidencj-. The Nation rallied with 
enthusiasm, unparalleled since the days of Wash- 
mgton, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew 
Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin 
introduced him to the President's chair. Not- 
withstanding this, never was there presented to a 
man a better opportunity to immortalize his name, 
and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed 
utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, 
Tenn., taking no ven.- active part in politics until 
1875. On Januan- 26, after an exciting struggle, 
he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee 
United States Senator in the Forty-fourth Congess, 
and took his seat in that body, at the special ses- 
sion convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27tliof July, 1875, the ex-Presi- 
dent made a visit to his daughter's home, near 
Carter Station, Tenn. WTien he started on his 
journey, he was apparently in his usual \4gorous 
health, but on reaching the residence of his child 
the following daj-. he was stricken with paralysis, 
which rendered him unconscious. He rallied oc- 
casionally, but finally passed away at 2 a. m., 
July 31 , aged sixty-seven years. His ftineral was 
held at Greenville, on the 3d of August, with 
every demonstration of respect. 




V. S. C.RAXT. 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



HLYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born on the 
29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in 
a humble home at Point Pleasant, on the banks 
of the Ohio. Shortly after, his father moved to 
Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulys.ses received a common- 
school education. At the age of seventeen, in 
the year 1839, he entered the Military Academy 
at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid, 
sensible young man, of fair abihty, and of sturdy, 
honest character. He took respectable rank as a 
scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as Lieutenant of 
Infantrj' to one of the distant military posts in the 
Missouri Territory. Two years he passed in these 
dreary solitudes, watching the vagabond Indians. 
The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His 
first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no 
chance here for the exhibition of either skill or 
heroism, nor at Resaca de la Palma, his second 
battle. At the battle of Monterey, his third en- 
gagement, it is said that he performed a signal 
service of daring and skillful hor.seman.ship. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant 
returned with his regiment to New York, and 
was again sent to one of the military posts on the 
frontier. The discoverj' of gold in California 
causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to 
the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a 
battalion to Ft. Dallas, in Oregon, for the protec- 
tion of the interests of the immigrants. But life 
was wearisome in those wilds, and he resigned 
his commission and returned to the vStates. Hav- 
ing married, he entered upon the cultivation of a 
small farm near St. Louis, Mo., but having little 



skill as a farmer, and finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering 
into the leather business, with a younger brother 
at Galena, 111. This was in the year i860. As 
the tidings of the rebels firing on Ft. Sumter 
reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting- 
room, he said: "Uncle Sam has educated me 
for the army; though I have served him through 
one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid tliL- 
debt. I am still ready to discharge my obliga- 
tions. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and 
see Uncle Sam through this war too. ' ' 

He went into the streets, raised a company of 
volunteers, and led them as their Captain to 
Springfield, the capital of the State, where their 
services were offered to Gov. Yates. The Gov- 
ernor, impres.sed by the zeal and straightforward 
executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a de.sk 
in his office to as.sist in the volunteer organiza- 
tion that was being formed in the State in behalf 
of the Government. On the 15th of June, 1861, 
Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of 
the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. 
His merits as a West Point graduate, who had 
served for fifteen years in the regular army, were 
such that he was soon promoted to the rank of 
Brigadier-General, and was placed in command at 
Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Padu- 
cah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River. 
Scarcely had its folds appeared in the breeze ere 
Gen, Grant was there. The rebels fled, their 
banner fell, and the Stars and Stripes were un- 
furled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determina- 
tion and immediately began active duty. This 
was the beginning, and until the surrender of 
Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing the enemy 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



with great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont, 
a few days later, he surprised and routed the 
rebels, then at Ft. Henry won another victor\-. 
Then came the brilliant fight at Ft. Donelson. 
The nation was electrified by the victorv, and the 
brave leader of the boys in blue was immediatel\- 
made a Major-General, and the military district 
of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well 
how to secure the results of victorj-. He imme- 
diately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then 
came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing. 
Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. 
Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of 
the city with over thirty- thousand men and one 
hundred and seventy-two cannon. The fall of 
\'icksburg was by far the most severe blow which 
the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened 
up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown 
ft-om his horse, and received severe injuries, from 
which he was laid up for months. He then 
rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas 
at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of 
strategic and technical measures put the Union 
army in fighting condition. Then followed the 
bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Missionan,- Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him 
unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of 
Februarj-, 1^64, Congress revived the grade of 
lieutenant-general, and the rank was conferred 
on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to 
receive his credentials and enter upon the duties 
of his new office. 

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge 
of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed 
National troops for an attack upon Richmond, 
the nominal capital of the rebellion, and endeavor 
there to destroy the rebel armies which would be 
promptly assembled from all quarters for its de- 
fense. The whole continent seemed to tremble 
under the tramp of these majestic armies, rushing 
to the decisive battle-field. vSteamers were crowd- 
ed with troops. Railway trains were burdened 



with closely -packed thousands. His plans were 
comprehensive, and involved a series of cam- 
paigns, which were executed with remarkable 
energy and ability, and were consummated at the 
surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. 
The almost unanimous voice of the nation de- 
clared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent in- 
strument in its salvation. The eminent ser\-ices 
he had thus rendered the countn- brought him 
conspicuously forward as the Republican candi- 
date for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated 
for the Presiden^iy, and at the autumn election 
received a majoritj- of the popular vote, and two 
hundred and fourteen out of two hundred and 
ninetj^-four electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican 
party, which met at Philadelphia on the 5th 01 
June, 1 87 2, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for 
a second term by a unanimous vote. The selec- 
tion was emphatically indorsed by the people five 
months later, two hundred and ninety-two elect- 
oral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. 
Grant started upon his famous trip around the 
world. He visited almost everj' country of the 
civilized world, and was everywhere received 
with such ovations and demonstrations of respect 
and honor, private as well as public and ofiicial, 
as were ne\'er before bestowed upon any citizen 
of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before 
the Republican National Convention in 1880 for 
a renomination for President. He went to New 
York and embarked in the brokerage business 
under the firm name of Grant & Ward. The 
latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune, 
and for larceu}' was sent to the penitentiary-. 
The General was attacked with cancer in the 
throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never 
complaining. He was re-instated as General of 
the Army, and retired by Congress. The cancer 
soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885, 
the nation went in mourning over the death 01 
the illustrious General. 




RUTHHRKORI) K. IIAYKS. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth 
President of the United States, was born in 
Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822, almost 
three months after the death of his father, Ruther- 
ford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and 
maternal sides was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 
1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two 
Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both 
families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive 
estates, and had a large following. Misfortune 
overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland 
in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His .son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, 
married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of 
his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. 
Ezekiel, .son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was 
a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. 
Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather 
of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in 
Augu.st, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and 
tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an 
unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he 
established a hotel. Here his son, Rutherford 
Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was born. 
He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt. , whose ancestors 
emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having 
been among the wealthiest and best families of 
Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side is 
traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the 
principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grand- 
fathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industri- 
ous, frugal, yet open-hearted man. He was of a 



mechanical turn of mind, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that 
he chose to undertake. He was a member of the 
church, active in all the benevolent enterprises 
of the town, and conducted his business on Chris- 
tian principles. After the close of the War of 
1812, for reasons inexi)licable to his neighbors, he 
resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, or rail- 
ways, was a very serious affair. A tour of in- 
spection was first made, occupying four months. 
Mr. Hayes decided to move to Delaware, where 
the family arrived in 1817. He died July 22, 
1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three 
months before the birth of the son of whom we 
write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, 
found the support she so much needed in her 
brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from 
Vermont, and in an orphan girl, whom she had 
adopted some time before as an act of charity. 

Rutherford was seven years old before he went 
to school. His education, however, was not neg- 
lected. He probably learned as much from his 
mother and sister as he would have done at 
school. His sports were almost wholly within 
doors, his playmates being his sister and her asso- 
ciates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to 
foster that gentleness of disposition and that del- 
icate consideration for the feelings of others which 
were marked traits of his character. 

His uncle, Sardis Birchard, took the deepest 
interest in his education; and as the boy's health 
had improved, and he was making good progress 
in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. 
His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; 



92 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



but lie was afterwards sent for one year to a pro- 
fessor in the Wesleyan University in Middletown, 
Conn. He entered Kenyon College in 1838, at 
the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head 
of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, 
Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities 
for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he de- 
termined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, 
Mass., where he remained two years. 

In 1S45, after graduating at the Law School, he 
was admitted to the Bar at Marietta, Ohio, and 
shortly afterward went into practice as an at- 
torney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fre- 
mont. Here he remained three years, acquiring 
but a limited practice, and apparently unambitious 
of distinction in his profession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his am- 
bition found a new stimulus. For several years, 
however, his progress was slow. Two events 
occurring at this period had a powerful influence 
upon his subsequent life. One of these was his 
marriage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter 
of Dr. James Webb, of Chillicothe; the other was 
his introduction to the Cincinnati Literarj- Club, 
a body embracing among its members such men 
as Chief Ju.stice Salmon P. Chase, Gen. John 
Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and manj^ others 
hardly less di.stniguished in after life. The mar- 
riage was a fortunate one in everj^ respect, as 
e^•erybody knows. Not one of all the wives of 
our Presidents was more universally admired, 
reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and 
no one did more than she to reflect honor upon 
American womanhood. The LiterarjClub brought 
Mr. Hayes into constant association with young 
men of high character and noble aims, and lured 
him to display the qualities so long hidden by his 
bashfulness and modest3\ 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge 
of the Court of Common Picas, but he declined to 
accept the nomination. Two years later, the of- 
fice of City Solicitor becoming vacant, the City 
Council elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 186 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was 
at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at 



the Bar was among the first. But the news of 
the attack on Ft. Sumter found him eager to 
take up arms for the defense of his country. 

His militarj' record was bright and illustrious. 
In October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of 
the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but he refused 
to leave his old comrades and go among strangers. 
Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of 
his old regiment At the battle of South Moun- 
tain he received a wound, and while faint and 
bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that 
won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, 
after his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, 
and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha 
division, and for gallant and meritorious services 
in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and 
Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General. 
He was also breveted Major- General, "for gallant 
and distinguished ser\-ices during the campaigns 
of 1 864, in West Virginia. " In the course of his 
arduous ser\nces, four horses were shot from un- 
der him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress 
from the Second Ohio District, which had long 
been Democratic. He was not present during the 
campaign, and after the election was importuned 
to resign his commission in the army ; but he fi- 
nally declared, ' ' I shall never come to Washing- 
ton until I can come by way of Richmond. ' ' He 
was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen. Haj'es was elected Governor of 
Ohio, over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular 
Democrat, and in 1869 was re-elected over George 
H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the 
third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard-bearer of the Re- 
publican party in the Presidential contest, and 
after a hard, long contest was chosen President, 
and was inaugurated Monday, March 5, 1877. 
He served his full tenn, not, however, with satis- 
faction to his party, but his administration was an 
average one. The remaining years of his life 
were passed quietly in his Ohio home, where he 
pa.ssed away January 17, 1893. 




JAMES A. GARFIELD 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



HAMES a. GARFIELD, twentieth President 
I of the United States, was born November 19, 
(2/ 1 83 1, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio. His parents were Abram and 
Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, both of New England 
ancestry, and from families well kiiown in the 
early history of that section of our countrj', but 
who had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, 
early in its settlement. 

The house in which James A. was born was 
not unlike the houses of poor Ohio fanners of 
that day. It was about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, 
with the spaces between the logs filled with clay. 
His father was a hard-working farmer, and he 
soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted, 
and a log barn built. The household comprised 
the father and mother and their four children, 
Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and James. In May, 
1823, the father died from a cold contracted in 
helping to put out a forest fire. At this time 
James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, 
can tell how much James was indebted to Iris 
brother's toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty 
years succeeding his father's death. He now 
lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Gar- 
field enjoj-ed were very limited, yet he made the 
most of them. He labored at farm work for 
others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did 
anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid 
his widowed mother in her struggles to keep the 
little family together. Nor was Gen. Garfield 
ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot 
the friends of his struggling childhood, youth and 
manhood; neither did they ever forget him. 
When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest 
friend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as 
ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the sym- 
pathy of one who had known all the bitterness of 



want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, 
plain, modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until 
he was about sixteen 3- ears old was to be cap- 
tain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious 
to go aboard a vessel, but this his mother strongly 
opposed. She finally consented to his going to 
Cleveland, with the understanding, however, th'kt 
he should try .to obtain some other kind of em- 
ployment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. 
This was his first visit to the city. After making 
many applications for work, and trying to get 
aboard a lake vessel and not meeting with suc- 
cess, he engaged as a driver for his cou.sin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. 
He remained at this work but a short time, when 
he went home, and attended the seminary at 
Chester for about three years. He then entered 
Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few 
terms of school in the mean time, and doing other 
work. This school was started by the Disciples 
of Christ in 1850, of which body he was then a 
member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in 
order to help pay his way. He then became both 
teacher and pupil. Soon " exhausting Hiram," 
and needing a higher education, in the fall of 1854 
he entered Williams College, from which he grad- 
uated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of 
his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram Col- 
lege as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian, or Disciples, Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous 
member, often preaching in its pulpit and places 
where he happened to be. 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage, Novem- 
ber II, 1858, with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who 
proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom 
all the world loved. To them were born sever- 
children, five of whom are still living, four boys 
and one girl. 



96 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 
1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and 
three years later he began to speak at county 
mass-meetings, and became the favorite speaker 
wherever he was. During this year he was 
elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to 
study law at Cleveland, and in 1861 was admitted 
to the Bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the 
early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once 
resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to 
;lefend the Old Flag. lie received his commission 
as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Forty-second Regi- 
ment of Ohio Infantry August 14, 1861. He 
was immediately put into active sen'ice, and be- 
fore he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was 
placed in command of four regiments of infantr}- 
and eight companies of cavalr\-, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the able 
rebel officer, Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky. 
This work was braveh- and speedih- accomplished, 
although again-st great odds, and President Lin- 
coln commissioned him Brigadier-General. Janu- 
arj- 10, 1862; and "as he had bee., the youngest 
man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army." He 
was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its 
operations around Corinth and its march through 
.■\labama. He was then detailed as a member of 
tlie general court martial for the trial of Gen. 
Fitz-John Porter. He was next ordered to re- 
port to Gen. Rosecrans, and was assigned to the 
•• Chief of Staff." The military history- of Gen. 
Garfield closed with his brilliant services at Chick- 
aniauga, wliere he won the rank of Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part. Gen. Garfield 
was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862, firom 
the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of 
Ohio had been represented in Congress for sixty 
years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and 
Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a strug- 
gle that he resigned his place in the army. At 
the time he entered Congress he was the youngest 
member in that body. There he remained by 
successive re-elections until he was elected Presi- 
dent, in 1880. Of his labors in Congress, Senator 
Hoar says: "Since the year 1864 you cannot 
think of a question which has been debated in 



Congress, or discussed before a tribunal of the 
American people, in regard to which you will not 
find, if \ou wish instruction, the argument on 
one side stated, in almost every instance better 
than bj- anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings 
by Mr. Garfield." 

Upon January 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elect- 
ed to the United States Senate, and on the 8th of 
June, of the same year, was nominated as the 
candidate of his party for President at the great 
Chicago Convention. He was elected in the fol- 
lowing November, and on March 4, i88i, was 
inaugurated. Probably no administration ever 
opened its existence under brighter auspices than 
that of President Garfield, and ever>' day it grew 
in favor with the people. By the ist of July 
he had completed all the initiatory and prelimi- 
narv woric of his administration, and was^prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Will- 
iams College. While on his way and at the 
depot, in company w4th Secretary- Blaine, a man 
stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired 
directly at his back. The President tottered and 
fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second 
.shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his 
victim, but inflicting no further injury. It has 
been \er\- truthfully said that this was ' ' the shot 
that wa.5 heard around the world. ' ' Never before 
in the histor\' of the nation had aiuthing occur- 
red which so nearh- froze the blood of the people 
for the moment as this awful deed. He was 
smitten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his 
life, at the summit of his power and hope. For 
eighty days, all during the hot months of July 
and August, he lingered and suffered. He, how- 
ever, remained master of himself till the last, and 
by his magnificent bearing taught the countrs 
and the world one of the noblest of human les- 
-sons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of 
death. Great in life, he was surpassingly great 
in death. He passed serenely awa\' September 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank ot 
the ocean, where he had been taken shorth- be- 
fore. The world wept at his death, as it rarely 
ever had done on the death of any other great 
and noble man. 




CHESTER A. ARTHTR. 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



g HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in Frank- 
lin County, Vt., on the 5th day of October, 
1830, and was the eldest of a family of two sons 
and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. 
William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who emi- 
grated to this country from County Antrim, Ire- 
land, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtonville, near Albany, after a long and suc- 
cessful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at Union College, 
Schenectady, where he excelled in all his studies. 
After his graduation he taught school in Ver- 
mont for two years, and at the expiration of that 
time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex -Judge E. D. Culver 
as a student. After being admitted to the Bar, he 
formed a partnership with his intimate friend and 
room-mate, Henry D. Gardiner, with the inten- 
tion of practicing in the West, and for three 
months the\- roamed about in the Western States 
in search of an eligible site, but in the end re- 
turned to New York, where ttiey hung out their 
.shingle, and entered upon a successful career al- 
most from the start. Gen. Arthur soon after mar- 
ried the daughter of Tieut. Herndon, of the 
United States Navy, who was lo.st at sea. Con- 
gress voted a gold medal to his widow in recog- 
nition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. 
Arthur's nomination to the Vice- Presidency, leav- 
ing two children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celeb- 
rity in his first great case, ^the famous Lemmon 
suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves 
who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of 
the Superior Court of New York City. It was in 



1852 that Jonathan Temnion, of Virginia, went 10 
New York with his slaves, intending to ship them 
to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. 
The Judge decided that they could not be held by 
the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl 
of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia 
Legislature authorized the Attorney -General ol 
that State to assist in an appeal. William M. 
Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to 
represent the people, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the 
United States. Charles O" Conor here espoused 
the cause of the slaveholders, but he, too, w<s 
beaten by Mcs.srs. Evarts and Arthur, and a long 
step was taken ti.ward the emancipation of the 
black race. 

Another great service was rendered by Gen. 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jen- 
nings, a respectable colored woman, was put off 
a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had 
paid her fare. Gen. Arthur sued on her behalf, 
and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next 
day the company Lssued an order to admit colored 
persons to ride on their cars, and the other car 
companies quickly followed their example. Be- 
fore that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few 
special cars for colored persons, and the other lines 
refused to let them ride at all. 

Gen. Arthur was a delegate to the convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of 
the vSecond Brigade of the State of New York, 
and Gov. Morgan, of that State, appointed hnn 
Engineer-in-Chief of his .staff. In 1861, he was 
made In.spector-General, and soon afterward be- 
came Quartermaster-General. In each of these 
offices he rendered great service to the Govern- 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



ment during the war. At the end of Gov. Mor- 
gan's tenu he resumed the practice of law, form- 
ing a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then 
Mr. Phelps, the District Attorne>- of New York, 
ivas added to the firm. The legal practice of this 
well-known firm was ver>- large and lucrative, 
as each of the gentlemen composing it was an able 
lawyer, and possessed a splendid local reputa- 
tion, if not, indeed, one of national extent. 

Mr. Arthur always took a leading part in State 
and city politics. He was appointed Collector of 
the Port of New York b\- President Grant, No- 
vember 21, 1872, to succeed Thomas Murphy, 
and he held the ofiice until July 20, 187S, when 
he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the 
famous National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880. This was perhaps the 
greatest political convention that ever assembled 
on the continent. It was composed of the lead- 
ing politicians of the Republican party, all able 
men, and each stood firm and fought vigoroush- 
and with signal tenacity for his respective can- 
iidate that was before the convention for the 
domination. Finally Gen. Garfield received the 
'lomination for President, and Gen. Arthur for 
Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the his- 
tory of our country. Gen. Hancock, the stand- 
ard-bearer of the Democratic part\-. was a popular 
man, and his party made a valiant fight for his 
election. 

Finally the election came, and the countr>-'s 
choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were in- 
augurated March 4, 1881, as President and Vice- 
President. A few months only had passed ere 
the newly-chosen President was the victim of the 
assassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of 
suffering — those moments of anxious suspense, 
when the hearts of all civilized nations were 
throbbing in unison, longing for the recovery of 
the noble, the good President. The remarkable 
patience that he manifested during those hours 
und weeks, and even months, of the most terrible 
suffering man has ever been called upon to en- 
dure, was seemingly more than human. It was 



certainly godlike. During all this period of 
deepest anxiety' Mr. Arthur's ever\' move was 
watched, and, be it said to his credit, that his ever\- 
action displayed only an earnest desire that the 
suffering Garfield might recover to serve the re- 
mainder of the term he had so auspiciously be- 
■gun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in 
deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his merc}- relieved President 
Garfield from further suffering, and the world, as 
never before in its history over the death of any 
other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the 
duty of the Vice-President to assume the respon- 
sibilities of the high office, and he took the oath 
in New York, September 20, 1881. The position 
was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so 
from the fact that all eyes were on him, anxious 
to know what he would do, what policy he would 
pursue, and whom he would select as advisers. 
The duties of the ofiBce had been greatly neglected 
during the President's long illness, and many im- 
portant measures were to be immediately decided 
by him ; and to still further embarass him he did 
not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of manj- 
on this point. Under these trying circumstances. 
President Arthur took the reins of the Govern- 
ment in his own hands, and, as embarrassing as 
was the condition of affairs, he happily surprised 
the nation, acting so wi.sely that but few criticized 
his administration. He ser\-ed the nation well 
and faithfully until the close of his administra- 
tion, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate 
before his party for a second term. His name 
was ably presented before the convention at Chi- 
cago, and was recei\ed with great favor, and 
doubtless but for the personal popularity of one 
of the opposing candidates, he would have been 
selected as the standard-bearer of his party for 
another campaign. He retired to private life, car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American 
people, whom he had ser\-ed in a manner satisfac- 
torv to them and with credit to himself One 
vear later he was called to his final rest. 




GROVER CLEVIvLANI) 



STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND. 



(Stephen grover Cleveland, the 

/\ twenty -second President of the United States, 
v*y was born in 1837, in tlie obscure town of 
Caldwell, Essex County, N. J., and in a little 
two-and-a-half-story white house, which is still 
standing to characteristically mark the humble 
birthplace of one of America's great men, in 
striking contrast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in origin and 
born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject 
of this sketch was three years of age, his father, 
who was a Presbyterian minister with a large 
family and a small salary, moved, by way of the 
Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, N. 
Y., in search of an increased income and a larger 
field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles 
from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour 
was born. 

At the last-mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the good, old-fashioned 
way, and presumably distingui.shed himself after 
the manner of all village boys — in doing the 
things he ought not to do. Such is the dis- 
tinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent 
thinkers. When he arrived at the age of four- 
teen years, he had outgrown the capacity of the 
village school, and expressed a mo.st emphatic de- 
sire to be sent to an academy. To this his fa- 
ther decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days coiit money; besides, his father wanted him 
to become self-supporting by the quickest pos- 
sible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville 
seemed to be a position in a country store, where 
his father and the large family on his hands had 



considerable influence. Grover was to be paid 
$50 for his services the first year, and if he proved 
trustworthy he was to receive $100 the second 
year. Here the lad commenced his care'er as 
salesman, and in two years he had earned so good 
a reputation for trustworthine.ss that his employ- 
ers desired to retain him for an indefinite length 
of time. 

But instead of remaining with this firm in 
Fayetteville, he went with the family in their re- 
moval to Clinton, where he had an opportunity 
of attending a High School. Here he industri- 
ously pursued his studies until the family re- 
moved with him to a point on Black River known 
as the "Holland Patent," a village of five or six 
hundred people, fifteen miles north of Utica, N. Y, 
At this place his father died, after preaching but 
three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City t ) accept, 
at a small salary, the position of under- teacher 
in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully 
for two years, and although he obtained a good 
reputation in this capacity, he concluded that 
teaching was not his calling in life, and, revers- 
ing the traditional order, he left the city to seek 
his fortune, instead of going to the city. He first 
thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some 
charm in that name for him; but before proceed- 
ing to that place he went to Buffalo to ask advicr 
of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock- 
breeder of that place. The latter did not speak 
enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman; " do you, indeed? Whatever 



I04 



STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND. 



put that into your head ? How much money 
have you got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I 
haven't got any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him 
a place temporarih- as assistant herd-keeper, at 
$50 a year, while he could look around. One 
day soon afterward he boldl)- walked into the of- 
fice of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and 
told them what he wanted. A number of young 
men were already engaged in the office, but Gro- 
ver's persistency won, and he was finally per- 
mitted to come as an office boy and have the use 
of the law library, receiving as wages the sum of 
;53 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his 
board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair, and as for his overcoat he 
had none; yet he was, nevertheless, prompt and 
regular. On the first daj- of his serv-ice there, his 
senior employer threw down a copy of Black- 
stone before him, with a bang that made the dust 
fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A 
titter ran around the little circle of clerks and 
students, as they thought that was enough to 
scare young Gro\er out of his plans; but in due 
time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, howe\er, Mr. Cleve- 
land exhibited a talent for executiveness rather 
than for chasing principles through all their 
metaphysical possibilities. "Let us quit talking 
and go and do it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland 
was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie County, 
N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such 
capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punish- 
ment upon two criminals. In 18S1 he was 
elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the 
Democratic ticket, with especial reference to bring- 
ing about certain reforms in the administration 
of the municipal affairs of that city. In this of- 
fice, as well as in that of Sheriff, his performance 
of duty has generally been considered fair, "with 
possibly a few exceptions, which were ferreted 
out and magnified during his ^^residential cam- 
paign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an 



iniquitous street-cleaning contract; "This is a 
time for plain speech, and my objection to your 
action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the 
culmination of a most bare-faced, impudent and 
shameless scheme to betray the interests of the 
people and to worse than squander the people's 
monew ' ' The New York Sun afterward very 
highly commended Mr. Cleveland's administra- 
tion as Mayor of Buffalo, and thereupon recom- 
mended him for Governor of the Empire State. 
To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and 
his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, 
if any, were made ver\^ public throughout the na- 
tion after he was nominated for President of the 
United States. For this high office he was 
nominated July 11, 1884, by the National Demo- 
cratic Convention at Chicago, when other com- 
petitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell F 
Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. 
Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he was 
elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Re- 
publican .statesman, James G. Blaine. President 
Cle\-eland resigned his office as Governor of New 
York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for 
his duties as the Chief Executive of the United 
States, in which capacity his term commenced at 
noon on the 4th of March, 1S85. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy- 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were op- 
posed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, 
even before his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend. and part- 
ner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of two daugh- 
ters. In the campaign of 1888, President Cleve- 
land was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nomination^ of 1892 
these two candidates for the highest position in 
the gift of the people were again pitted against 
each other, and in the ensuing election President 
Cleveland was victorious by an overw'helming 
majority. 




BENJAMIN HARRISUN. 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third 
President, is the desceudaiit of one of the 
historical families of this country. The first 
known head of the family was Maj.-Gen. Harrison, 
one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted followers and 
fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell's power it be- 
came the duty of this Harrison to participate in 
the trial of Charles I., and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subsequently 
paid for this with his life, being hung October 13, 
t66o. His descendants came to America, and 
the next of the family that appears in history is 
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, great-grandfa- 
ther of the subject of this sketch, and after whom 
he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a mem- 
ber of the Continental Congress during the years 
'774, 1775 and 1776, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 

Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 
distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a 
.successful career as a soldier during the War of 
1 8 1 2 , and with a clean record as Governor of the 
Northwestern Territory, was elected President of 
the United States in 1840. His career was cut 
short by death within one month after his in- 
auguration. 

President Harrison was born at North Bend, 



Hamilton County, Ohio, August 20, 1^33. His 
life up to the time of his graduation from Miami 
University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful 
one of a countrj' lad of a family of small means. 
His father was able to give him a good education, 
and nothing more. He became engaged while at 
college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of 
a female school at Oxford, After graduating, he 
determined to enter upon the stud}' of law. He 
went to Cincinnati and there read law for two 
years. At the expiration of that time young Har- 
rison received the only inheritance of his life — his 
aunt, dying, left him a lot valued at $800. He 
regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided to 
get married at once, take this money and go to 
some Eastern town and begin the practice of law. 
He sold his lot, and, with the money in his pocket, 
he started out with his young wife to fight for a 
place in the world. He decided to go to Indian- 
apolis, which was even at that time a town of 
promise. He met with slight encouragement at 
first, making scarcely anything the first year. 
He worked diligently, applying himself closely to 
his calling, built up an extensive practice and 
took a leading rank in the legal profession. 

In i860, Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- 



to8 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by 
a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 
Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its 
Colonel. His regiment was composed of the raw- 
est material, but Col. Harrison employed all his 
time at first in mastering military tactics and drill- 
ing his men, and when he came to move toward 
the East witli Sherman, his regiment was one of 
the be.st drilled and organized in the army. At 
Resaca he especially distinguished himself, and 
(br his braver\- at Peachtree Creek he was made 
a Brigadier-General, Gen. Hooker speaking of 
him in the most coniplimeiitar\" terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the 
field, the Supreme Court declared the ofiice of 
Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another 
person was elected to the position. From the 
time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until 
the fall of 1 864 he had taken no lea\e of absence, 
but having been nominated that year for the same 
office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and 
during that time made a brilliant canvass of the 
State, and was elected for another term. He then 
started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was 
stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most 
crying attack made his way to the front in time to 
participate in the closing incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election 
as Reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 
1876 he was a candidate for Governor. Although 
defeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for 
him a national reputation, and he was much sought 
after, especially in the East, to make speeches. 
In 18S0, as usual, he took an active part in the 
campaign, and was elected to the United States 
Senate. Here he ser\-ed for six \ears, and was 
known as one of the ablest men, best lawyers and 
strongest debaters in that body. With the ex- 
piration of his senatorial term he returned to the 
practice of his profession, becoming the head of 
one of the strongest firms in the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. 
The convention which assembled in Chicago in 
June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief stmd- 
ard-bearer of the Republican party was gjeat in 
every particular, and on tiis account, and the at- 



titude it assumed upon the vital questions of the 
day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a 
deep interest in the campaign throughout the 
nation. Shortly after the nomination, delegations 
began to \4sit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his 
home. This movement became popular, and from 
all sections of the country societies, clubs and 
delegations journeyed thither to pay their re- 
spects to the distinguished statesman. 

Mr. Harrison spoke daily all through the sum- 
mer and autumn to these visiting delegations, 
and so varied, masterly, and eloquent were his 
speeclies that they at once placed him in the fore- 
most rank of American orators and statesmen. 
Elected by a handsome majorit}-, he ser\-ed his 
countn- faithfully and well, and in 1S92 was nom- 
inated for re-election; but the people demanded a 
change and he was defeated b\- his predecessor 
in office, Grover Cleveland. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and 
his power as a debater. Gen. Harrison was called 
upon at an early age to take part in the dis- 
cussion of the great questions that then began to 
agitate the country. He was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and was matched against some 
of the most eminent Democratic speakers of his 
State. No man who felt the touch of his blade 
desired to be pitted with him again. With all 
his eloquence as an orator he never spoke for ora- 
torical effect, -but his words always went like bul 
lets to the mark. He is purely American in his 
ideas, and is a splendid type of the American 
statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logi- 
cal mind and a read\- tongue, he is one of the 
most distinguished impromptu speakers in the 
nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the 
rarest eloquence and contained arguments of great 
weight, ancj many of his terse statements have 
already become aphorisms. Original in thought, 
precise in logic, terse in statement, jet withal 
faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the 
sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day. 
During the last days of his admini.stration Presi- 
dent Harrison suffered an irreparable loss in the 
death of his devoted wife, Caroline (Scott) Har- 
rison, a lad\- of many womanly charms and vir- 
tues. They were the parents of two children. 




I 



ORANGE COIINTA 



NEW YORK 



T 




pa jii w{ 







^Pn" 



INTRODUCTORY 



^/' HE time has arrived when it becomes the duty of the people of this county to perpetuate the 
f C names of their pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and relate the story of 
Vy their progress. The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and the duty that 
men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, demand that a 
record of their lives and deeds should be made. In biographical history is found a power to instruct 
man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the great and aged men, who in their prime 
entered the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their graves. 
The number remaining who can relate the incidents of the first days of settlement is becoming small 
indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of events without delay, 
before all the early settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgotten 
soon enough, in spite of their be.st works and the most earnest efforts of their friends to preserve the 
memory of their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their memory 
have been in proportion to the amount of intelligence they po.ssessed. The pyramids of Egypt were 
built to perpetuate the names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhumations made by the 
archaeologists of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people to perpetuate the 
memory of their achievements. The erection of the great obelisks was for the same purpose. 
Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and 
monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements and carry them down the 
ages. It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but 
this idea — to leave .something to show that they had lived. All these works, though many of them 
costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and character of those who.se memory they 
were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that then lived. The 
great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; the mausoleums, 
monuments and statues are crumbling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an- intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of 
perpetuating a full history — immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent and perpetual in its 
action; and this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are indebted for the introduction of the admirable 
sy.stem of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world 
calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his hi.story, through the coming ages. 

The .scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which 
his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass 
away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwi.se would be 
forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their portraits; for the .same reason 
we collect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only 
truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone; to do this we 
are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public 
record. 




HUN. c;kcik(;i-: ci.akk. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



HON. GEORGK CLARK, win. was the first 
Maj'or of Newburgh, was a native of this 
cit}-, and with its best interests he was close- 
ly identified. No measure which he believed 
would advance the welfare of the city ever failed 
to receive his support, and his zealous interest in 
such enterprises was always assured. He held 
the office of Mayor from March, 1866, until 
March, 1870, when he was succeeded by his 
brother-in-law, Robert Sterling. In 1868 he was 
a delegate from his congressional district to the 
Republican convention at Chicago, which nomin- 
ated General Gratit for the Presidency. The 
General was one of his sincere friends, and upon 
the occasion of the President's visit to Newburgh, 
August 7, 1869, he was the honored gue.st of 
Mayor Clark, who entertained him royally at his 
hospitable home, and delivered the address of 
welcome at Washington's old headquarters. 

At the time of Mr. Clark's death, which oc- 
curred in 1 87 1, he was President of the Board of 
Water Commissioners, President of the New- 
burgh & Midland Railroad Company, a member 
of the Board of Managers of the Hudson River 
State Hospital, and also held other positions of 
honor and trust. His death was felt to be a pub- 
lic loss, and the Common Council and various 
other bodies to which he belonged passed resolu- 
tions of sincere regret. In all his public and pri- 
vate relations he endeavored to do his duty with- 
out fear or favor, and at all times he bore himself 
with dignity and self-respect. 

The birth of Hon. George Clark occurred Au- 
gust 6, 181 7, his parents being William and 
Mary Clark, the former of whom emigrated to 
the United States from the northern part of Ire- 



lanil in earh- life, and thenceforward lived in 
Newburgh. The only one of his ten children 
now living is Mrs. Anna E. Copeland, whose 
husband was formerly Mayor of Brooklyn. The 
education of our subject was acquired in the com- 
mon schools and at Goodsell's Academy in this 
city. 

When he was in his seventeenth year, he 
commenced serving an apprenticeship to tlie 
painter's trade, and at the end of two years em- 
barked in business on his own account in part- 
nership with James S. Young. Two or tlnee 
years later this connection was dissolved, and in 
1 84 1 Mr. Clark moved to New York City, where 
for fifteen years he very successfully carried on 
an extensive business. At the expiration of that 
time, having accumulated a competency, he re- 
turned to his native city, and from that time on- 
ward gave much of his time and attention to pub- 
lic affairs and to his various financial investments. 
In 185 1 he was elected as a member of the As- 
sembly from the Fourteenth District of New 
York City, and was also elected as a member of 
the Common Council of the metropolis on the Re- 
publican ticket. After coming to Newburgh, he 
became a member of the Board of Education, a 
Trustee in a savings bank, and a Director of the 
Quassaick Bank. He was virtually the founder 
of Woodlawn Cemetery, as he selected the site, 
and purcha.sed and beautified the land, and at 
the time of his demise still owned a large share. 
It was most fitting that when death released him 
from his labors, he was placed to rest upon a 
beautiful knoll in this lovely park, where nature 
has been but assisted by art. Formerly a mem- 
ber of the Twentv-third Street Presbvterian 



Ii8 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Church of New York Citj-, he aften\-ard united 
with the First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh, 
of whicli he was a devoted supporter until death. 

Januarj- 27, 1840, Mr. Clark married Augusta, 
daughter of Jason W. and Martha (Griffith) 
Rogers, of Montgomery. She was born on the 
banks of the Wallkill, in the town of that name, 
and in the same house in which the birth of her 
father had occurred. Her paternal grandfather, 
Daniel Rogers, who was a farmer by occupation 
and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. lived to 
the extreme old age of ninety-five years. His 
wife was a daughter of Judge Wilkin, one of the 
old settlers of that region. Jason W. Rogers 
won his title of Captain in the War of 18 12, and 
wa.s the owner of a beautiful farm of over two 
hundred and twenty -five acres on the banks of 
the Wallkill. His death occurred when in the 
prime of life, as he was only forty-two years of 
age when the summons came. His wife, who 
■was a native of New Windsor, was a granddaugh- 
ter of Robert Griffith, a sea-captain and a native 
of Wales. He married a Miss Peck, daughter of 
the gentleman after whom Peck Slip was named. 
He had a daughter Criss}', who became the wife 
of Cadwallader Colden, and his son Robert set- 
tled near Walden about 1795. The latter was 
twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Barnes, 
by whom he had six children, among whom was 
.Martha, who married Jason W. Rogers. The 
Griffiths came from a noble family in Wales, and 
William, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Clark, 
left his native land in 1717 with a Welsh colony, 
which located in America. The family came 
from hardy stock, and both the grandfather and 
grandmother of Mrs. Clark lived to be over 
eight}--five years of age. The former was an 
officer in the Revolution. The marriage of Capt. 
J. W. and Martha Rogers was blessed with 
seven children. Lewellin, Ednuind G. and Jason 
W., Jr., died in Ann Arbor. Mich. Horatio 
died on the Pacific Coast. Maria L. , who was the 
wife of ex-Mayor Sterling, of Xewburgh, died in 
this city, as did also Mrs. Martha J. Ostrander. 

The girlhood of Mrs. Clark passed quieth- in 
Montgomery, and in the academy of that place 
she obtained her higher education. Bv her mar- 



riage with Mr. Clark she became the mother ot 
four children. Mary Augusta is the wife of T. 
Powell Townsend. of Newburgh: George H., 
who was a graduate from Princeton College and 
the Albam- Law School, practiced here until his 
death, which occurred in 188S: Martha L., who 
graduated from Xewburgh Academy, married 
Jonas Williams, and her death occurred in 1S79: 
Robert Sterling, also a graduate of Princeton Col- 
lege and the Albany Law School, died in 1S76. 
Both of the sons possessed marked talents, and the 
elder had gained an enviable position as a member 
of the Orange County Bar when his labors were 
cut short. Mr. Clark was long identified with 
the First Presbyterian Church in its various lines 
of usefulness, and Mrs. Clark still takes her share 
in its enterprises. 



•♦>K' 



®^»- 



EHARLES ESTABROOK, the popular and 
well informed Librarian of the Xewburgh 
Free Library, is eminently qualified for the po- 
sition by his liberal education and wide experience. 
He has been connected with the institution for 
the past eighteen years, and is the author of many 
improvements in its system. He has also been 
an active member of the Historical Society of 
Xewburgh Bay and the Highlands, of which or- 
ganization he is Secretan.-. He is particularly 
well posted in local histon.-. and has written many 
articles on the subject for publication. 

The grandfather of Charles Estabrook, Will- 
iam, was born about 1765, and came from Dev- 
onshire, England, to take up his abode in Mid- 
dletown. Conn., about 1796. His bachelor broth- 
er, Richard, was in the hardware business at 
Tiverton, England, as late as 1830. William Es- 
tabrook was a ship carpenter by trade, and was 
employed by Jonas Wright, who about 1798 com- 
menced building for the United States Xav>- the 
war frigate "Connecticut," which was launched 
Thursday, June 6, 1799. and was placed in com- 
mand of Capt. Moses Tryon, and ordered to the 
West Indies with other armed vessels to protect 
our merchantmen from the French and English 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



privateers. During her cruise she captured three 
French vessels, and finallj- was sold by the Gov- 
ernment in 1801, along with twenty-eight other 
gunboats, to reduce the expense of the navj'. Mr. 
Wright's shipyard was at Chatham, now Port- 
land, on the east side of the Connecticut River. 
William Estabrook married Sarah, widow of 
James McCleve, and daughter of Jonas Wright, 
their marriage being celebrated in Middletown, 
Conn., in January, 1797. Afterwards they moved 
to Middle Haddam, then again to Middletown, 
thence to Tarrytown and Lansingburg, N. Y. 
Their family comprised four children. The fa- 
ther died in Brooklyn, in 1810, and about 1812 
his widow married Frederick Schaefer, who died 
in 1820, leaving two daughters, who were born 
in Lansingburg. The widow then lived with her 
son William until her death, which occurred Feb- 
ruary 1 1, 1848. 

Our subject's father, William Estabrook, Jr., 
was born in Middle Haddam, Conn., November 
27, 1797, and in company with his brothers, John 
and Thomas, .served an apprenticeship to parties 
in Rhinebeck. Suppo.sing that the two S}'llables, 
Esta, formed a middle name, the boys were taught 
to call them.selves William E., John E. and 
Thomas E. Brooks. It is suppo.sed that the origi- 
nal spelling of the name was Easterbrook. In 
1840 all of the members of the family, with the 
exception of the two .sons of John, Fletcher and 
John S., resumed the old spelling, Estabrook. 
Having comple'ted his apprenticeship in 18 19, 
our subject's father removed to Oswego, N. Y., 
and in June, 1822, married Laura, daughter of 
John and Esther (Davis) Gray, natives and resi- 
dents of Redding, Conn. The former died in 
Newburgh, but the latter, who was a daughter 
of John and F^unice Davis, died at Redding. In 
1823 William Estabrook moved to Rochester, 
N. Y., and afterwards embarked in the shoe busi- 
ness in Rhinebeck. In 1828 he located on Cherry 
Street, New York Cit)-, opposite the Brooklyn 
Navy-yard, and was there at the time the steam- 
ship "Fulton" was blown up, in the fall of 1829. 
Soon afterwards he was employed by E)lisha Hale, 
of Hyde Park, in the manufacture of his rotary 
pumps, and in 1835 moved with him to New- 



burgh. Afterwards, in 1844, he went to Newark, 
N. J., and succeeded Mr. Hale in business, but, 
on account of severe losses by fire, then engaged 
in other enterprises. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., 
July 13, 1884, and was buried at Poughkeepsie. 
His wife, Laura, born April i, 1794, died De- 
cember 24, 1847. Mr. Estabrook married for his 
second wife Mrs. Hester ( Wyman) Taft, by whom 
he had two children: Albert, who died in the 
West; and Emma, who died in Jersey City. 

The own brothers and sisters of our subject 
were seven in number. Helen M. married Mathias 
Smith, and died in Jersey City. Sarah Jane, a 
resident of that city, married C. Perry Stevens. 
J. Martin, who died in 1878, was a member of 
the Second New York Regiment, having enlisted 
in 1861; he .served until the close of the war, and 
was twice wounded, once in the arm, from the 
effects of which injury paralysis resulted in 1877. 
William Augustin, the third son, lives in New- 
ark, N. J. Horatio J. enlisted August 15, 1862, 
in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New 
York Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Chan- 
cellorsville, but, being wounded, was returned to 
the Union lines: on his recovery he served until 
the clo.se of hostilities as a Sergeant, and now 
lives in Jersey City. Sanford T. enlisted in the 
same company and regiment as did his brother 
Horatio. Of him Col. Charles H. Weygant, who 
was the last commander of the gallant One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fourth, or the "Orange Blos- 
soms, ' ' as they were facetiou.sly termed, says in re- 
gard to his conduct at Chancellorsville: "When 
at length the order to fall back was given, all our 
able-bodied men, save one, moved rapidly off to a 
place of safety, followed by a terrific shower of 
bullets, shot and shell. Among the wounded 
left upon the line where we had stood lay the 
bleeding form of Sergeant Horatio J. Estabrook, 
and when we began to retreat his brother. Cor- 
poral Sanford T. , instead of hastening back with 
the rest out of the range of the death-dealing 
messengers, rushed to the side of the suffering 
Sergeant, resolved to save him if he could, and 
if not to die by his side, or go with him to the 
dreaded rebel prison. On hastening from the 
field, several who looked back toward the scene 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of our bloody conflicts saw one of the grandest 
sights ever witnessed; there amid falling shells, 
fire and smoke, loomed up the forms of these two 
brothers, the one carr\-ing the other on his back; 
but the foe closed upon them and they were both 
captured, the wounded one being sent back to 
our lines and the other one to prison. But a year 
later, at the opening of the Wilderness campaign, 
Sanford T., having been exchanged, was again 
with us, and in the ver\- front of the advancing 
army was shot in the head, which wound, three 
months after, caused his death." Samuel W., 
the youngest brother of our subject, died in in- 
fancy. 

Charles Estabrook was born in Rochester, 
N. Y., October 18, 1S23, and with his parents 
came to Newburgh in 1835. Five years later he 
became a teacher in the cit3- high school, and two 
or three j-ears later was made bookkeeper and 
cashier of the freighting establishment of Ward- 
rop, Smith & Co., holding that position for 
twelve years, and afterwards, for about fifteen 
years, was in the book and stationer5- business. 
From 1864 to 1867 he was a member of the Board 
of Education, and Chairman of the Teachers' 
Committee. Since 1865 he has served on the 
Board of Counselors of the Home for the Friend- 
less, of which he is Secretary, and also holds a 
like position with the Newburgh Cemetery Asso- 
ciation. He is a man of keen perception, varied 
learning and accomplishments, has always been 
prominent in temperance work, and has filled the 
highest offices in nearh- all of the local temperance 
societies of the past. For many 3'ears he has 
been a member of the Masonic fraternity, having 
been initiated into the order in Newburgh Lodge 
No. 309 in 1854. He was one of the charter 
members of Hudson Ri\er Lodge No. 607, and 
was its first Treasurer. For ten years he was 
High Priest of Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. 
M., with which he has been connected since 1864. 
For some twenty years he has been Prelate in 
Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T. He 
united with the Second Presb>'terian Church of 
Newburgh in 1842, and with many of its mem- 
bers joined its successor, the Second Methodist 
(now St. John's) Church in 1852. He was its 



first organist, and for more than a quarter of a 
centur)- was a member of the Board of Trustees. 
During a period of twenty-five years he has been 
a local preacher, was the first Secretarj' of the 
Sunday-school of St. John's, and for man}- years 
was Superintendent. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 

In 1848 Charles Estabrook married . Susan E. 
Marshall, who was born in this county, and of 
the eight children born to them but three sur- 
vive, namely: Frank E., who is an architect, 
and who is represented elsewhere in this work; 
LillieO., Assistant Librarian; and Hattie C, wife 
of Clarence W. Deyo, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. 
Mrs. Estabrook departed this life December 27, 
1890. 

The parents of Mrs. Estabrook were .Moses 
and Lj'dia (Sands) Mar.shall, both nati\es of 
Orange County, and the latter a daughter of 
Eleazer Sands, also of this county. The grand- 
father of Mrs. Marshall was Samuel Sands, who 
was bom in Sands Point, L. I., in 1723, and died 
June 20, 1792, having been a participant in the 
Revolutionary War. He married Merc\- Gedney, 
of Mamaroneck, Westche.ster County, N. Y.. and 
located in Newburgh in 1750, purchasing the lot 
on which the First Presbyterian Church no\\- 
stands, and in 1755 bought a two-hundred-acre 
farm two miles west of this city. In 1763 he 
was Clerk of the town. In 1773 he was First 
Lieutenant of a militia companj-, and January 20, 
1775, was placed on the Committee of Safety. 
As he was over age for service in the Revolution, 
he was a member of a company of reserves. His 
father, Samuel, was born in 1690, and died in 
1764, at Newburgh. He married Miss Mary, 
daughter of Thomas and Anna Pell, of Pell's 
Manor. His father, also named Samuel, was 
born in 1666. and died in 1716. The mother, 
Doroth\-, was a daughter of Simon and Marj' 
(Thomas) Ray. Samuel was a son of James, 
who was born in England in 1622, and came to 
the United States about 1638, his death occurring 
on Block Island, March 13, 1695. He assi.sted 
in building a house in 1642 for Ann Hutchison, 
the noted Quakeress, and the following year was 
given a grant of land in Portsmouth, R. I. There 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he married Miss Sara, daughter of John and 
Katharine Walker. She was a skillful phy.sician, 
the only one on the island, and after her death, 
in 1709, it was found that she had made provis- 
ions in her will for the emancipation of her slaves, 
the first occurrence of the kind in America. Capt. 
James Sands, as he was known, was one of the 
original owners of Block Island, and his tomb- 
stone can .still be .seen there. The Sands family 
can be traced back to the eleventh century, when 
they were of the nobilitj- in England, and had a 
coat of arms, bearing the motto, ' 'We repent not 
' if what is right, ' ' One Edwin Sands, Archbishop 
■if York, was born in 1519, and his son George 
was Colonial Governor and Treasurer of Vir- 
ginia about 1 62 1. He built the first water-mills, 
the fir.st iron works and the first bridge in that 
-late, and succeeded his brt)ther Edwin as Colo- 
nial Governor. 



3 AMES E. MAGOURTY is agent for Chris- 
tian Feigenspan's Brewery in Newburgh, 
and also conducts branches in Poughkeepsie, 
Fishkill, Wappinger Falls, Highland Mills, Cen- 
tral Valley, Craustons, Marlboro, Walden, Rose- 
dale, and other places. The warehouse is situ- 
ated near Bridge Street, and is a building two 
stories in height, 22x90 feet, with a capacity of 
two hundred and fift)- barrels. .4 wholesale bus- 
iness is transacted, shipments of goods being made 
by rail, a switch from the Erie Road running to 
the rear of the .storehouse. Our subject is a man 
who thoroughly understands the business, and 
under his able management is greatly increasing 
the trade of his employer. 

Mr. Magourty was born in LaGrauge, Dutche.ss 
County, in December, 1857. His father, Owen, 
was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and his 
grandfather, Owen, Sr., was a well-to-do Irish 
farmer. The junior Owen came to America 
in early manhood, locating in Ulster County, 
whence he went to Dutchess County, where for 
a year he engaged in farming in LaGrange. 
From there he went to New Paltz, in Ulster Comi- 
ty, where he conducted a farm. From 1865 to 



1867 he lived in the vicinity of Boston, but pas.sed 
his last years in Ulster County. His death oc- 
curred in 1875, as the result of injuries received 
in falling from a haymow. He was then in the 
prime of life, being but forty years of age. Po- 
litically he was a stanch supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party. His wife, Catherine, was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, and was a daughter of 
Patrick McGnire, who was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. Mr. McGuire came to America, .settling 
near Boston, but remained only a few years, then 
returning to his native land, where his death took 
place. Mrs. Catherine Magourty died in 1865, 
leaving but one child, our subject. The father 
subsequently married again, and the only child 
of that union, Sarah A., is now living iii New 
York City. 

The boyhood of J. E. Magourty passed une- 
ventfully in Ulster County until he was in his 
eighteenth year. After completing tlie public- 
school .studies he entered Highland Academy, un- 
der Prof. Peter N. Mitchell. In 1875 he came 
to Newburgh, and for nearly five \ears clerked 
for Patrick Cleary, a grocer, after which he en- 
tered the employ of Quail Bros., grocers, on 
Water Street. A year later he opened a grocery 
of his own at the corner of Broadway and South 
Miller Streets, and conducted the same for nearly 
.seven \ ears. In September, 18S7, he became 
agent for the Anchor Brewing Company in New- 
burgh and continued with that firm until May i, 
1889, when he resigned. Soon afterward he as- 
sumed the duties of his present office, and has 
since represented Feigenspan's Brewery of New- 
ark, N. J. This plant is run on modern plans, 
and the bottling establishment of the brewery is 
the most complete of any in the country-. They 
keep a full line of lager beers, the celebrated In- 
dian Pale Ale, "Half and Half," and many other 
brands of ale and porter. In the fall of 1894 an 
addition for ale was built to the old brewery, at a 
cost of $80,000. This is to be cooled by ice ma- 
chines, in order that during the summer months 
ale can be brewed in a temperature of fifty-eight 
degrees. .\t Poughkeepsie three men are em- 
ploved the year round, and a warehouse, 30x75 
feet, having a capacity of one hundred and fifty 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



barrels, is used for storage, a siding from the ad- 
jacent railroad offering easy means of transporta- 
tion. At the Newburgh agenc\' three employes 
are kept during the year to deliver goods, and two 
men are kept busy in the office. 

In October, 1889, Mr. Magourty was married, 
in Newburgh, to Mrs. Julia A. Leonard, who 
was born in Ulster County, N. Y., and is the 
daughter of Lawrence Butler, who was an agri- 
culturist. Mr. Magourty is a member of the Be- 
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the For- 
esters and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He 
and his good wife are members of St. Patrick's 
Church, and possess the good-will and friendship 
of all who know them. 



QQ ALTER W. GEARX is one of the very 
I A/ '^''^^^^' business men of Newburgh, and 
V Y for nearly a quarter of a century- has been 
superintendent in the factory of D. Powers & 
Son, maiuifacturers of oilcloths, where upwards 
of forty-five men are .steadily employed. He 
takes just pride in his home at No. 290 Broad- 
way, where he owns two or three acres of ground. 
The land, which was in a wild state when he 
took possession of the place, he proceeded to lay 
out in gardens and to improve in various ways, 
planting shade and fruit trees to increase its 
beauty. He has always been interested in horti- 
culture, and has been a member of the Fair As- 
sociation. His garden is certainly the finest in 
the city, and the neatly kept walks are macadam- 
ized. Of late he has given some attention to the 
raising of brown Leghorns and Plymouth Rock 
poultry. 

Mr. Gearn was born in Wilton, Saratoga Coun- 
ty, August 24, 1824, being a son of William and 
Elizabeth (Laing') Gearn. The father was born 
in Inveniess-shire, Scotland, and when eighteen 
years of age emigrated to America, .settling in 
Halifax, Nova Scotia. Later he moved to Sara- 
toga County, N. Y., and started in business, but 
subsequently disposed of his interests and gave 
his attention to farming until he retired. He 



died at the home of our subject, in his eighty- 
fourth year. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and politically was a Jack- 
sonian Democrat. His wife's father, Walter 
Laing, a native of Saratoga County, was a farmer, 
whose father, William, came from Scotland and 
was one of the pioneers of Saratoga County. 
Mrs. Gearn died at the good old age of seventy- 
three years. But three of her ten children are 
now living. 

The .subject of this sketch lived on a farm un- 
til twenty-three years old, receiving a district- 
school education. In 1847 he came to New- 
burgh with his uncle, George Gearn, who had 
established an oilcloth factory here, his first lo- 
cation being on the site of the West Shore Depot. 
Young Gearn entered into business arrangements 
with his uncle, with the understanding that he 
should manage the plant, the liabilities of which 
were $3,150 at the time, and as soon as possible 
pay back all the money which had been invested 
in the concern by the uncle. At the end of four 
years, in.stead of improving, the business had de- 
teriorated, and the liabilities now stood $3,500, 
but Mr. Gearn was of a plucky disposition and 
gave notes for twelve years, though he was then 
worth but ten cents. He pursued his onward 
course and in a few months had things on a paying 
basis. Later he built a part of the present factory 
and paid his indebtedness in full. The panic of 
1857 came at an untimely period, but he managed 
to pull through and continued to build up the 
trade, adding two large new factories, which ex- 
tended from Broadway to First Avenue, a distance 
of seven hundred and fifty feet. In 1872 he sold 
out to the present proprietor, and has since been 
superintendent of the business, his son, George 
F. , being his assistant. Two grades of oilcloth are 
manufactured, and the works have a capacit3- of 
two hundred and fifty thousand j-ards per an- 
num. Mr. Gearn has made many improve- 
ments, and originated a machine for steam sizing, 
but as he did not have the capital to carry out 
his idea, it was neglected, and years afterward 
some one else took out a patent on it. 

The first marriage of Mr. Gearn took place in 
this citj- in 1852, his wife being Mary C. Fowler, 



PORTRAIT 'AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



123 



who was bom in Alabama, and whose father was 
a physician. Her death occurred in this city, in 

1886. Five of her seven children grew to ma- 
turity, and of these Walter R. is deceased; George 
F. is assistant in the factory, as previously stated; 
Fred A. is a carpenter in Pasadena, Cal.; Frank 
F. is a clerk in New York City; and Charles is 
employed with D. Powers & Son. In October, 

1887, Mr. Gearn married Sarah L,., daughter of 
Edward Mapes, who was a farmer near Salis- 
bury Mills and a merchant tailor by trade. He 
retired from business when eight3'-one years of 
age, having previously conducted a merchant- 
tailoring establishment on Water Street. His 
death occurred when in his eighty-third year. 
Religiously he was a Presbyterian, and in his 
political views was a Democrat. His wife, Deb- 
orah A., a native of Goshen, N. Y., was a daugh- 
ter of Josiah and Nancy Wood. Mr. and Mrs. 
Edward Mapes celebrated their golden wedding 
anniversary, which they survived for some years, 
the former dying in 1887, and the latter in 1882. 
Mr. Gearn was a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation for four years, during which time the li- 
brary was built. He assisted in the organization 
of Grace Methodist Epi.scopal Church of West 
Newburgh, and was Trustee of the same for some 
time, but is now a member of the Union Presbj'- 
terian Church, which he has served in the ca- 
pacity of Elder. Since the formation of the Re- 
publican party he has rendered it liis unswerving 
allegiance. 

G\ LEXANDER JEFFREY is a practical black- 
lJ smith and horse-shoer, and for thirty-two 
I I years has been recognized as an expert in 
the last-named branch of his business. His shop 
is at No. 3 Front Street, Newburgh, and two 
fires are kept constantly running in the same. 
He has been a resident of Newburgh since 1878, 
and has taken great interest in the city's pro.sper- 
ity and welfare, being prominent in the local fra- 
ternities, and ranking as one of our best citizens. 
He is a .son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Rocigers) 
Jeffrey, natives of Scotland and the northern 



part of Ireland, respectively. The former was 
for some years engaged in the grain business in 
County Down, Ireland, but later in life operated 
a farm, on which his death occurred when he was 
seventy -four years of age. His wife is still living 
on the old homestead, and of her six sons and 
two daughters our subject is the only one in 
America. 

The birth of Alexander Jeffrey occurred in 
County Down, Ireland, in 1849. He was reared 
on his father's farm until he was fourteen years 
of age, when he commenced serving an appren- 
ticeship at general blacksmithing near St. Field. 
On the expiration of five years, or in 1868, he 
concluded to try his fortunes in the New World, 
and, going to Liverpool, took passage in a vessel 
bound for New York City. From there he pro- 
ceeded to Cold Spring, N. Y., where he continued 
to work at his trade .several years. In 1872 he 
entered into partnership with a Mr. Post, the firm 
being known as Post & Jeffrey. Two years later, 
on account of failing health, he sold out his inter- 
est in the shop and took a trip to his native land, 
visiting his old friends and spending nearly a year 
in traveling in Scotland, England and Ireland. In 
June, 1876, he returned to America, and, as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Jeffrey & Jaycox, ran a black- 
smith shop at Garrison for a little less than two 
years. A good opportunity occurring, he .sold out, 
and in 1878 settled permanently in Newburgh. 
He bought out Joseph Whispell, a horse-.shoer, 
and has .since given his attention to the same line 
of work with good success. 

Socially Mr. Jeffrey belongs to Newburgh 
Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., and Highland Chap- 
ter No. 52, R A. M. He is also an active mem- 
ber of Acme Lodge No. 469, I. O. O. F. , having 
passed all the chairs and acted as representative 
to the Grand Lodge. With the Knights of 
Pythias he holds membership, in Storm King 
Lodge No. 1 1 , where he has held various offices. 
At pre.sent he is an honorary member, and for- 
merly was an active one, in the Ringgold Hose 
Compan}-, and belongs to C. M. Leonard Council 
No. 7, Order of American Firemen, in which he 
has at different times held office. He u.ses his 
right of franchi.se in favor of the Democratic party. 



124 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hut has never been an aspirant for public offices. 
In the Young Men's Christian Association he 
takes great interest, and in short is alwajs readj' 
to do his share in everything which tends to the 
tietterment of his tehow men. 



■:^^^*>^$;;s-««s^>^e»si&^ 



gEORGE E. DAVIS. In this sketch we pre- 
sent to the attention of our readers a short 
record of the Ufe history of a man who is 
w-ell known in the city of Newburgh. He was 
born here Augu.st 2, 1863, and for several years 
past has been engaged in carrying on a thriving 
business as grocer. 

Thomas H. Davis, the father of our subject, 
was a iiative of Dutchess County-, his birth occur- 
ring in 1 84 1, near Fishkill. His father, who also 
bore the name of Thomas, was a native of Wales, 
and came to America when a young man, choos- 
ing as his future home a good tract of land in 
Dutchess County, where he carried on farming. 
He later came to Newburgh, where he was living 
at the time of his decease. The father of our sub- 
ject, w'ho died in February, 1895, was an expert 
in the use of tools, and for thirty-seven years was 
in the employ of Thomas Shaw's Sons in the ca- 
pacity of carpenter. For a number of years he 
was foreman of their shops, and was thoroughly 
reliable in all that he did. The mother of our 
.subject, Mrs. Mary (Hanly) Davis, was born in 
New York City in 1S43, ^"^ was the daughter of 
William H. Hanly. She was orphaned by the 
death of both parents when quite young, but was 
well cared for by others, and given the opportun- 
ities for gaining a good education. She is still 
living and makes her home with our subject, who 
is her only child. 

George E. , of this sketch, attended the public 
schools until a lad of sixteen years, \vhen he be- 
gan clerking in a grocery store, working for L. W. 
Collis for two years. He afterward learned the 
art of telegraphy, and was in the employ of the 
Western Union for a period of seven years, during 
that time giving entire satisfaction by the faithful 
manner in which he discharged his duties. In 
September, 1888, he began in business on his own 



account, purchasing his present location at No. 
188 Broadway, corner of Dubois. He carries a 
large and varied stock of both staple and fanc\ 
groceries, also vegetables and fruits in their sea- 
.son. He has a very large trade, and by courte- 
ous treatment and fair dealing has secured the 
confidence and high regard of their many patrons. 
Mr. Davis inherited in no small degree the tal- 
ent of his father in the use and knowledge of tools, 
and during the building of his three-story flat he 
superintended the construction. This building 
is located on the corner of Dubois and \'anNess 
Streets, and is finished in such a manner as to 
make it very desirable and easy to rent. Mr. 
Davis is enterprising and progressive, and is well 
deserving of the prosperity which has crowned 
his efforts. 



30SEPH VAN CLEFT, of Newburgh, is \'ice 
President of the Columbus Trust Company, 
and is the most extensive wholesale dealer 
in agricultural implements and general hardware 
in the city. In 1887 his brother, L. A., be- 
came a member of the firm, which is known as 
Joseph \'an Cleft & Co. The firm is well kninvn 
in all parts of the East, as their salesmen repre- 
sent them constantly on the road. Our .subject 
has large real-estate interests in the city, and the 
Van Cleft Building, at Nos. 77 and 79 Broadway, 
has a frontage of fifty-six feet, and a depth of 
ninety feet on Grand Street. The basement, 
second and third floors and one-half of the first 
floor are utilized in the business. The entire 
fourth floor v^-as fitted up expressly for and is 
used by the Spencerian Commercial College. 

The Van Clefts, as the name implies, are of 
Holland-Dutch descent, the founders in the 
United States having been earlj- settlers of New 
York and Long Island. Our subject's great- 
grandfather. John, left Long Island, it is believed, 
and settled in Minisink, this county, some time 
prior to 1750. Joseph, the grandfather, was born 
in that vicinity, and by trade was a millwright. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



He purchased the old mill at Garnerville, which he 
operated in addition to running a farm on the 
west bank of Rutger's Creek. He married Eliz- 
abeth Dunning, whose family can be traced back 
many generations, some of its members being 
heroes of the Revolutiotiary War. Some of the 
\'an Clefts also were enrolled in the old guards. 
Joseph Van Cleft died in the neighborhood of 
Minisink, about 1S13. His wife, whose death oc- 
curred about 1850, and who was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, was buried in Mid- 
dletown. 

The parents of our subject were L,ewis and 
Henrietta (Cooper) Van Cleft, the former of 
whom was born in Minisink in 1805, and in his 
youth learned the manufacture of woolen goods. 
Finst he was at New Hampton for nine years 
with a Mr. Phillips, who operated large mills at 
Phillipsburg. Then, going to Hamptonburg, he 
worked for a Mr. Decker for another nine years. 
It had been his intention to engage in the busi- 
ness for himself, but the financial outlook w^as 
not promising, and at length he purchased a 
farm from his father-in-law, the place being .situ- 
ated a mile north of Bethlehem Church, in New 
Wind.sor Town. His last years were devoted to 
the cultivation of his farm, and his death oc- 
curred in July, 1870. During the war he was very 
active in support of the Union, giving money 
liberally to the cause, and for several years he 
was a stanch Republican. In his religious faith 
he was liberal, and was identified with the Con- 
gregational denomination. His wife was born in 
Cornwall, being a daughter of Shadrach Cooper, 
who was a blacksmith by trade. Subsequenth' 
he moved to Blooming Grove, and at one time 
owned a farm where the village of Washington- 
ville now stands. His death occurred at Bloom- 
ing Grove. When he was engaged in running 
a blacksmith shop in Cornwall, one Charles New- 
bold, who invented the first cast-iron plow, often 
joked with him, saying that with his discovery 
the blacksmith's trade would be done awaj' with, 
plowshares and mould-boards then being of 
wrought iron and forged by the blacksmith. 
Mr. Newbold was a very eccentric man, and 
though he invented the cast-iron plow and spent 



a fortune trying to get the farmers to use it, 
was unsuccessful, as the simple-minded country- 
men believed it would poison their land, and had 
other queer notions in regard to it. He was a 
man of considerable means, and having purchased 
several hundred acres near Cornwall, laid out a 
city, which he named the "City of Faith." He 
advocated the doctrine of living from the prod- 
ucts of this country, and was averse to the system 
of imports. To those of his family who would 
use herbs of certain kinds instead of tea he wotild 
give a lot in his city. Mrs. Van Cleft died about 
the same time as did her hu.sband, and left four 
children, of whom Henry is a .stock-dealer at Vail 
Gate; Lewis A. is in partnership with our sub 
ject; and Sarah E. resides'in New York City. 

Joseph Van Cleft was born near Bethlehem 
Church, Orange Count)-, in June, 1S36, and at- 
tended the common schools there until 1852, 
when he commenced clerking in a hardware store 
in Middletown. Three years later we find him 
in New York City, where he ^'as engaged in the 
wholesale hardware busines.^ until 1^0, when he 
went to Kansas City and engaged in the same 
business. Tho.se were wild days in the West, 
when Quantrell and his guerrilla bands were en- 
gaged in their acts of lawlessness. In the fall of 
1861 Mr. Van Cleft returned to Newburgh. an|l 
in the spring of 1862 began clerking for J. C. vS. 
Hardenburg. In February, 1863. Mr. \'an Cleft 
entered into partnership with the latter gentle- 
man, and three years later he bought out the 
other's interest, and continued the business at 
No. 99 Water Street until May, 1877, when he 
moved to No. 102 Water vStreet, which building 
he purchased in May, r88o, and remained there 
until New Year's Day, 1888, when he moved to 
his present location. In February, 1881, Mr. Van 
Cleft purchased the building at Nos. 77 and 79 
Front Street, and in May, 1882, bought the adjoin- 
ing building at Nos. 73 and 75. In Januan,-, 
1893, it W.1S more thoroughly remodeled and bet- 
ter equipped in every way. When the West 
Shore Railroad obtained a right of way, it took 
off the rear of these buildings, and in part com 
pen.sation the railroad company constructed a 
twelve-foot-wide tunnel under the road running 



126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from his property on Front Street to his other 
buildings on Water Street. At present it is rented 
by the New York Fnrniture Store. 

One of the originators and stockholders of the 
Columbus Trust Company, Mr. Van Cleft has 
been its Vice-President from the start, and is also 
a Director. He is also a Director of the Palatine 
Hotel Company, and a charter member of the 
Board of Trade. Politically he is an unswerving 
Republican, and once filled a vacancy- as Alder- 
man, being appointed by Colonel Weygant. 

In 1870 Mr. \^an Cleft married Edwiua S. 
Smith, a native of this city. Her father, Or\-ille M. 
Smith, was a school teacher here, and her mother 
was a daughter of Jonas Storey, an old attorney 
of Newburgh. Our subject and his wife became 
the parents of five children: Josephine S., who is 
a graduate of Newburgh Academy : Edwin L. , a 
clerk in his father's store; Augusta, Alberta and 
Barclay. The faithful wife and mother died in 
1891. The home of the family is a pleasant one 
at No. 72 Grand Street, and is fitted out in a com- 
fortable and refined manner. Mr. Van Cleft is a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church. 



QHARLES J. HAVES, foreman in P. Delany 
I ( & Co. 's boiler works of Newburgh, is a prac- 
\J tical business man and thoroughly nnder- 
' stands every department of boiler-making. He 
was only sixteen years of age when he commenced 
serving an apprenticeship under Patrick Delany, 
and made such rapid progress that he was soon 
given a responsible position in laying ont work, 
and in 1892 was made foreman. He has super\-i- 
sion of everj-thing about the plant, especiallj' of 
the mechanical part, and has from seventy-five to 
one hundred and fifty men under his direction. 
Considering the fact of his youth, his success is 
truly remarkable, but it is doubtless owing to his 
faithfulness to the company ' s interests and his in- 
dustrious, enterprising characteristics. 

Our subject's grandfather, Charles Hayes, was 
born in County Tipperary, Ireland, where he 
was proprietor of a farm. His son William, the 
father of Charles Hayes, was bom in the same lo- 



calit}', and married Miss Mary M. Bowe, also of 
that vicinity. The father emigrated to America 
about 1861, and learned boiler-making in the 
Wa.shington Iron Works of Newburgh, under the 
direction of Mr. Rantan. In 1870 he became an 
emplo3-e of Delany & Bolen and for twenty years 
gave them his faithful service. He was made 
foreman in 1890, but was not long able to hold 
that ofiSce, for, on account of failing health, he 
was obliged to tender his resignation. His death 
occurred soon afterward, August 16, 1892, while 
he was still in the prime of life, being but five 
months over forty-six years of age. He was 
known as one of the pioneer boiler-makers ot 
Newburgh, and possessed the respect of his ac- 
quaintances. Politicall}- he was a Democrat, 
though he was never in any sense an ofiice-seeker. 
In 1866 he was married, in this city, to a daughter 
of the Emerald Isle, Miss Mars' Bowe, a native 
of County Tipperary. Her father, James Bowe, 
was a farmer in his native land until 1854, when 
he emigrated to America and settled on a farm in 
Cook County, 111. His last years were passed in 
Newburgh, his death occurring when he was 
nearlj- seventj^-six. His wife, Bridget Callau 
Bowe, was born in Cook County, where also her 
death occurred. Her family comprised three chil- 
dren, two daughters and one son, the latter now 
deceased. 

Charles J. Hayes is the eldest of eight children, 
the others being Bridget, Mrs. Knowlden, who 
makes her home with him, as do also James and 
William, who are both employed in the boiler 
works. The others are Man,-, Catherine, Nora 
and Alice. The mother of these children holds 
membership with St. Patrick's Church. 

The birth of C. J. Hayes occurred July 28, 
1867, in Newburgh, and his early education was 
obtained in the primary and grammar schools, 
from which he graduated. In 1894 he built a 
pleasant home at No. 91 Carson Avenue. Three 
years previously, December 28, 1891, he was 
married to Eliza Dale, who was born in Rondout, 
N. V. Her father, Peter Dale, is a retired busi- 
ness man of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes 
have one child, a little daughter, Marie by name. 
They are members of St. Patrick's Church, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



are most estimable people, possessing hosts of 
friends. Mr. Hayes is a member of Brewster 
Hook and L,adder Company No. i, and uses his 
ballot in favor of the Democracy. 



EAPT. I.EANDER CLARK, of Newburgh, 
is considered an authorit)- on all matters re- 
lating to horses, and has been the owner of 
many famous trotters. For the past twenty years 
he has been the proprietor of the large livery 
stables at Nos. 65, 67 and 69 Chambers Street, 
the present building having been erected by him 
in 1883. He has been verj' successful as a vet- 
erinarj' surgeon, and has invested his means in 
city property and in a farm near Middle Hope. 
In fraternal circles he is very popular and promi- 
nent, being Past Commander of Ellis Post, 
G. A. R., a member of the Third Corps Union, 
and in 1882 he helped to organize the Veterans' 
Rights Union. He is one of the oldest Freema- 
sons in the city, in 1857 having been initiated in 
Newburgh Lodge, with which and with Highland 
Chapter he is still connected. He is also identi- 
fied with Hudson River Commandery and King 
Solomon's Council. In former years he was an 
old-line Whig, but afterward became a member 
of the Republican party. For some four years he 
represented the Second 'Ward in the City Coun- 
cil, and was President of the .same one year. 

The first of the family to settle in America was 
one 'William Clark, who was born in Plymouth, 
•Devonshire, England, in 1609. Coming to the 
United States in 1630, in the ship "Mary and 
John," he settled in Dorchester, Mass., and in 
1659 located in Northampton, that state. In 
1632 he was chosen one of the Selectmen, and 
in 1660 was placed on record as one of the seven 
members of the first church of Northampton. 
He occupied the office of Selectman for nineteen 
years, and had the title of "Most Worshipful." 
For years he was one of the Judges of the County 
Court. In 1 66 1 he organized a military com- 
pany of sixty men, and was chosen Lieutenant, 
that being the highest office in the communit)'. 



One of his nine children, Phineas, was taken pris- 
oner at Shay's Insurrection, and was held for eight 
days. He lived at Northampton, and there his 
son John, and grandson John, Jr., also resided in 
turn. The latter's .son, Eliakim, was the great- 
great-grandfather of our subject. He served 
throughout the War for Independence, and was 
in his declining days when he removed to East- 
hampton, Mass. By occupation he was a farmer. 
One of his three .sons, Asahel, was in the Conti- 
nental Guards, and later served in the War of the 
Revolution, being promoted from Corporal to First 
Lieutenant. He was in the first, or Lexington, 
call, and took part in the battle of Lake George. 
In 1788 he was in command of the arsenal at 
Springfield, Ma.ss. His son Eleazer also re- 
sponded to the call for troops at Lexington, and 
in May, 1778, was commissioned Ensign in the 
Sixth Company of the Fifth Regiment of Con- 
necticut Colonists. 

Lucas, son of Eleazer Clark, was the father of 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
He was born in Easthampton, Mass., October 
22, 1778, and died in Bloomingburg, N. Y., in 
1828. He was a millwright by trade, and set- 
tled in Sullivan County, N. Y., at an early day. 
November 16, 1809, he married Phila, daughter 
of Abner Avery, who was also a soldier of the 
Revolution. Mrs. Clark died in Newburgh, in 
1879, having arrived at very advanced years. 

Capt. Leander Clark was born in Blooming- 
burg, N. Y., May 13, 1828, and was only three 
months old when his father died. He was the 
j-oungest of seven children, and when seven 
}-ears old commenced working on a farm for rela- 
tives at Ea.sthampton. At the end of two years 
he returned to his native county, and for one .sea- 
son was employed as a tow-boy on the Delaware 
& Hudson Canal. It was in 1839 that he came 
to Newburgh and worked for William Stott, a cab- 
inet-maker. He remained in his employ one 
year, and in 1840 went to Buffalo, where he 
finished learning his trade, and later followed the 
same in Warren, Pa. He also rafted lumber to 
Pittsburg and down the Ohio River. In 1850 he 
returned to this cit}-, and worked in the old piano 
factory owned by Peter Stanbrough. In 1853 he 



128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was appointed the first Police Ofiicer of the citj', 
and continued to hold that office until August, 
1S62, when, with the a.ssistance of John Stan- 
brough and Isaac Martin, he raised Company I. 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment of 
New York Infantry, and went to the front as its 
Captain. The following October he was appoint- 
ed Provo-sl- Marshal of Whipple's division of the 
Third Army Corps, and served ns such until a few 
days before the battle of Fredericksburg, and 
there and at Ch:\ticellorsville he did gallant serv- 
ice. Upon a surgeon's certificate of disability 
he was honorably discharged. May 13, 1S63. 

Returning from the South, Mr. Clark bought 
the livery business of James Roe, and in Febru- 
ary, 1S65, acted as the agent of Edwin Thome, 
a wealthy retired New York business man, and 
purchased a fine farm of one hundred and sixty- 
acres in the western part of the city, pay- 
ing therefor $16,000. They erected extensive 
buildings, and the farm acquired a national repu- 
tation, the Captain being the inanager of the 
])lace. He has handled the reins over such 
honses as "Hamlet." "Thorndale," "Marks- 
man," "Dais_\' Dale," "Enigma." and many- 
other favorites. When the farm was sold and 
the stock removed to Dutche.ss County, the Cap- 
tain remained with Mr. Thome for al)out six 
months, or until things were in good running 
i)rder. when he resigned and came back to New- 
burgh. An important part of his business is 
breaking and training young trotters, in which 
he is an acknowledged expert. In 1857, while 
he was assisting the Sheriff of Orange County to 
arrest a colored man. he was shot and severely 
injured in the face. 

In Warren, Pa., the Captain married Mary J. 
Olney, July 15, 1S48. vSlie also came from a 
very old and distinguished family, Thomas Ol- 
ney having been the first of the name to locate 
in the l"nited States. He was born in Hertford, 
Hertfordshire, England and in 1635 came to 
America in the ship "Planter," .settling in Sa- 
lem, Mass. A year later, January 16. 1636, he 
was made Local Surveyor, and the same year was 
styled a Freeman. He was a follower of Roger 
Williams, who was his brother-in-law, and with 



him, March 12, 1638, wasexcluded from the stem 
old Pilgrim colony on account of holding dififer- 
ent religious views from those of the colony. He 
had, however, previoush- concluded to locate 
elsewhere, and, in compan\- with eleven others, 
settled at Providence, R. I. Settlement was 
made at Providence in 1638, and he was made 
the first Treasurer of that colony . In 1647 he was 
on the committee to institute a town goveriunent; 
in 1648 was chosen Assistant for Providence, which 
office he held until 1663, and in 1665 became Judge 
of the Justice Court. In 1656 he was commis- 
sioned to treat with the Massachusetts Bay Col- 
ony about the land at Pawtucket, in 1663 was a 
grantee of the royal charter made by Charles II., 
and the same year was chosen A.ssistant under the 
new charter. He was one of the founders of the 
first Baptist Church in Providence, often acting in 
the capacity of pastor, and was very prominent in 
secular affairs as well. He was bom in 1600, and 
died in 1682. His marriage to Maria Small took 
place in 1631, and their second son, Epenetus, 
who was born in England in 1634, became one of 
the leading men of Rhode Island. He was a 
member of the Common Council, and belonged to 
the Colonial As.sembly. By his marriage he had 
eight children, of whom the fifth, John, was bom 
October 24, 1678, and lived at Smithfield. R. I. 
Of his nine children, the seventh, Stephen, born 
August 25, 17 1 7, was also a re.sident of Smith- 
field, and his son Stephen, born December 22. 
1752, departed this life December 12, 1841. The 
latter enli.sted when twenty years of age in the 
Revolutionary W'ar, was soon promoted to the 
captaincy, and was afterwards breveted Colonel 
He was in all the battles from Long Island to 
Yorktown, and led the charge on that siege 
Subsequently, he was granted a pension by the 
Government for meritorious service. He was a 
warm personal friend of La Fayette, who visited 
him on his second trip to America. The Captain 
died in Providence. His sixth child, Stephen 
born November 5, 1789, married Nancy, daugh- 
ter of Capt. James Green, who also ser\ed in the 
War for Independence. Stephen Olney was a 
baker by trade, and first plied his vocation in 
Connecticut, then in New York State, and lastly 




HON. H. B. ODELL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



131 



ill Warren, Pa., where he died. His daughter 
Mary J., born October 15, 1831, is the wife of 
Captain Clark, of this sketch. 

To our subject and his estimable wife were 
born four children: Eliza J., who is now Mrs. 
William N Owen, of Newburgh; Chauncy L-, 
of the firm of C. L. Clark & Co., who lives in 
Newark, N. J.: Mary, the wife of Warren S. 
Herman, a Professor, in Eastman's Business Col- 
lege of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; and Martha W., 
at home. Politically Mr. Clark has always been 
a stanch Republican. 



HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL. In New- 
burgh there is no man who in a higher de- 
cree enjoys the confidence of the people than 
the subject of this sketch, who is serving his 
fourth term as Mayor of the city, and is also en- 
] gaged in the ice business. By his energy and 
I resolute character, coupled with a genial disposi- 
I tion, he has not only advanced his own success, 
] but has given an impetus to the growth of the 
I locality, and is now activel)' forwarding various 
' enterprises for its advancement in important di- 
1 rections 

Before presenting in detail the principal events 
in the life of Mr. Odell, a few words regarding 
his ancestors will not be ami,ss. The family is of 
P'rench and English descent, but has been repre- 
sented in America for many generations. Grand- 
father William Odell was born in New York City, 
and there for some years he was proprietor of the 
Bull's Head Tavern, which still stands. In 1835 
he went to Orleans County, N. Y., where he 
bought a tract of land and with the a.ssistance of 
two sons improved a valuable farm. His death 
occurred there at the agje of more than ninety 
years. 

The father of our subject, I.saac Odell, was born 
in Tarrytown, Westchester County, N. Y., and 
was reared in New York City, whence about 1820 
he and his brothers, Abrani and Jonathan, caine 
to Little Britain, .settling on the DeWitt Clinton 



Farm. For a few years he engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits, but in 1827 came to Newburgh, his 
brother Abram about the same time removing to 
the West. Jonathan was for years Crier of the 
Superior Court of New York City, where he died. 
After being in the employ of D. Crawford & Co. 
in the freighting business for some time, Isaac 
Odell entered the employ of the firm of Powell, 
Wardrop & Johnson, freighters, with whom he 
remained until his retirement from business. He 
died at the age of sixty-five. 

Mary A., the mother of our subject, was born 
in Westchester County, where her father was a 
laniier; she died in New York Citj^, at eighty-one 
years of age. Her family consisted of two sons 
and two daughters, of whom Benjamin B. was the 
second in order of birth. He was born in Little 
Britain, New Windsor Town, September 10, 1825, 
and was reared in Newburgh, attending the pub- 
lic schools of this city. His parents being poor, 
he was obliged to become self-supporting at an 
age when the majority of boys have no thought 
beyond their books or sports. At the age of thir- 
teen he began to work on a farm in Montgomery 
Town, remaining there for three years. Oji his 
return to Newburgh in 1843, he entered the em- 
ploy of B. W. Van Nort in the restaurant and hotel 
bu.siness, spending four j-ears with that gentleman. 

Embarking in business for himselfin 1847, Mr. 
Odell opened a restaurant on Third Street, but 
eighteen months later he disposed of the concern, 
and then entered into partnership with a Mr. 
Clark in the restaurant business on Second Street, 
the firm name being Clark & Odell. Two years 
later the connection was dissolved, and Mr. Odell 
continued alone until 1867, when he sold and 
abandoned the business permanently. 

The keen and sagacious foresight which has 
always been a distinguishing trait in Mr. Odell's 
character enabled him to uiscern a promising field 
in the ice business. In 1863 he purchased from 
James R. Dixon the ice propert}- now known as 
Muchattoes Lake, and conducted the business per- 
sonally until 1886, when he organized the Mu- 
chattoes Lake Ice Company. Of this concern he 
was the first and has been the ohlj' President. 
The enterprise was gradually increased, and at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the time of the incorporation in 1886 there was a 
capital stock of $110,000. The capacity, which 
has been trebled since 1873, is now twenty-five 
thonsand tons. The ice honse on Muchattoes 
Lake is 136x200 feet in dimensions and thirty feet 
deep, and there is also a honse on Cry.stal Lake 
with a capacity of five thonsand tons. Mnchat- 
toes Lake, of twenty acres, with three acres of 
land snrrounding, and Crystal Lake, of eight 
acres, with seven acres of land adjoining, are 
owned by the company. The ice, which is ex- 
ceedingly clear and beautifnl, is sold both at 
wholesale and retail, the prodncts being conveyed 
to consumers over a branch of the Erie Railroad. 
The city office of the company is at No. 14 Water 
Street, Newburgh. 

In addition to the above tiained enterprise Mr. 
Odell was one of the organizers and stockholders 
in the Columbus Trust Company, and for one 
year was President. He was largely instrumental 
in its organization in 1892 and was elected Pre.-^i- 
dent, but resigned after one year in office. His 
marriage, which occurred in Newburgh in 1850, 
united him with Mi.ss Ophelia Bookstaver, a 
native of Montgomery Town, and daughter of 
Hiram Bookstaver, a successful agriculturist of 
Orange County. Eleven children were born of 
their union, of whom five are living. B. B., Jr., 
the eldest, is one of the most prominent young 
business men of Newburgh, and is President of 
the Electric Light Company, and Secretary- and 
Treasurer of the JIuchattoes Lake Ice Company. 
He is an active worker in the Republican party, 
and in the fall of 1894 was elected to Congress. 
Hiram B., the second son, is interested in the 
electric-light business and is Superintendent of 
•the Muchattoes Lake Ice Company; he is also 
prominent in public aff"airs and at the present 
time fills the position of Alderman. George C. 
D., the youngest son, is a graduate of Columbia 
College, New York City, in which institution he 
is now a professor. The two daughters, Clara 
and Ophelia, accomplished and popular young 
ladies, are at home with their parents. 

Any sketch of the life of Mr. Odell that failed 
to make conspicuous mention of his public service 
would be very incomplete. Prior to the war he 



was a Democrat, but the turn of events at that 
time caused him to transfer his allegiance to the 
Republican party, which he has since loyally sup- 
ported. In 1863 he was a Trustee of the village, 
in 1865 represented the Third Ward in the Coun- 
cil, and in 1879 was elected Supervisor of New- 
Windsor Town. From January, 18S0, until Jan- 
uary, 1883, he held the office of Sheriff", his son, 
H. B., being Under Sheriff". The duties of the 
office neces.sitated the removal of the latter to 
Goshen, the county seat, but upon the expiration 
of his term he returned to Newburgh, where he 
has since resided. 

The fir-st election of Mr. Odell to the office of 
Mayor was in 1884, and for the two succeeding 
tenns he was re-elected, after which, in 1890, he 
retired from the office, refusing to longer serve in 
that capacity. Four years later, however, he ac- 
ceded to the wishes of his friends and became the 
Republican candidate for the office. As before, 
success crowned the campaign, his majority being 
eighteen hundred and twenty-one, which was 
much larger than the remainder of the ticket. 
His increasing popularity is shown by the fact 
that at his first three elections his majorities were 
three hundred, seven hundred and three hundred, 
respectively, while at the last election it was 
nearly two thousand. The responsible and im- 
portant duties of the office he has discharged with 
dignity and faithfulness, and he has retained the 
entire confidence of the people, including even the 
strongest of his political opponents. While serv- 
ing in this capacity many important improvements 
have been introduced, and it has been an era of 
great progress for the city. Many municipal re- 
forms have been carried out and a large number 
of plans have been projected which will undoubt- 
edh still further enhance the commercial import- 
ance of Newburgh. 

Amid the nniltiplicity of his public and private 
duties, Mr. Odell has never allowed his religious 
duties to be neglected. In the American Re- 
fonned Church he has been an official, serv'ing at 
different times as Elder and Deacon. He carries 
his religious belief into the practical aff"airsoflife, 
thereby gaining a reputation for probity, honor 
and uprightness which is far too seldom seen 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



133 



among business men. He is an honorary mem- 
ber of the fire department, and was identified with 
the old company. 

Such, in brief, is a sketch of the hfe of one of 
Newburgh's most influential men, one who has 
here gained a large measure of financial success, 
and who has at the same time promoted the pros- 
perity of the city by his progressive spirit and 
large enterprise. 



G^HOMAS LITTLETON, formerly one of the 
IQ Almshou.se Commissioners, owns a good 
Viy business location at No. 274 Washington 
Street, Newburgh, and enjoys a large retail trade 
in staple and fancy groceries and liquors. He has 
taken a very active part in Democratic campaigns, 
and for twenty years he represented the Fir.st 
Ward as County Commissioner. In 1883 he was 
elected Almshouse Commissioner from the same 
ward, and on the expiration of his term, in 1886, 
was re-elected. During the six years of his office 
he was Chairman of the Supply and Auditing 
Committees, and in the mean time the northern 
wing of the Alm.shou.se was erected. 

Mr. Littleton was born in Manchester, Eng- 
land, March 26, 1839, but his father, George, 
was a native of Ireland. The family, however, 
originated in England, and George Littleton be- 
came a resident of Manchester in order to pursue 
to better advantage his trade as a contractor and 
builder. His wife, Bridget, was a daughter of 
Patrick Whalen, a farmer. She was born in 
County Kings, Ireland, and passed her last years 
in Newburgh, dying at the age of sixtj'-three 
years. Of her two sons and three daughters who 
.survive, Thomas Littleton is the eldest. He was 
reared in County Kings, Ireland, and was de- 
prived of his father's care and protection when he 
was but twelve jears of age. In order to assist 
his mother, he clerked in a store, and in 1857, 
when eighteen years of age, emigrated with the 
family from Liverpool to New York City, the 
three-weeks voyage being made in the sailing- 
vessel "Advance." Entering the family' of Mrs. 
(Col. ) Elli.son, young Littleton was employed as 



coachman for three years, and afterwards was 
with Major Morton. In 1862 he went to New 
York and served as coachman for Mrs. Lawrence 
on Fifth Avenue, remaining there for two years, 
after which he ran as conductor on the old horse-car 
line for three years. Returning to Newburgh, 
he started in business for himself and conducted 
a store in New Windsor for two years. In 1870 
he opened an establishment in the building which 
he owns at the corner of Mill and Washington 
Streets. 

In New York City in 1863 Mr. Littleton was 
married to Margaret T. Smith, who was born in 
the Emerald Isle, and who departed this life in 
October, 1894, lea\ ing seven children. They 
are as follows: Henrj- C, who owns a gentlemen's 
furnishing-goods store on Broadway, Newburgh; 
George A., who is agent for the Anchor Brew- 
ing Compan}-; Christopher, who is in business 
with his father; Frank, now clerking for his elder 
brother, George; and Maggie and Thomas. Jr.. 
who are at home. The family are members of 
St. Patrick's Church. 

pCJlLLIAM S. WANDS, one of the honored 
\ A / and respected citizens of Newburgh, N. Y., 
V V is now living retired, resting in the enjoy- 
ment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born 
at Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Canada, February 
4, 1839. His father, James Wands, was a native 
of Scotland, born in the historical old shire of 
Stirling, not far from the battlefield of Preston 
Pans, and was a son of John Wands, a school 
teacher of Scotland, where he spent his entire life. 
At the age of nineteen years the father came to 
the New World, locating in the province of New 
Brunswick, Canada, where he taught .school, and 
was there married, Miss Margaret Mcintosh be- 
coming his wife. She was a daughter of James 
and Margaret (Burns) Mcintosh, and died in 
Newburgh, in 1875. In 1852 the father brought 
his family to the United States, making a location 
at Newburgh, N. Y., where his death occurred 
in 1875, at the age of .seventy-five years. The 
parents were both faithful members of the Pres- 



134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



byterian Church. Our .subject is the eldest son 
in their family of six children, two sons and four 
daughters, but three of the latter are now de- 
ceased. 

At the age of thirteen years William S. Wands 
became a resident of Newburgh, where in the 
conunon schools he received most of his educa- 
tion. Three years he spent at woodwork in a 
cabinet-shop, but in 1857 began learning pattern- 
making in the old Washington Iron Works, and 
there remained until 1870, becoming a practical 
workman. He then secured employment in the 
West Point Foundry at Cold Springs, Putnam 
County, where he remained as pattern-maker un- 
til 1880. Returning to Newburgh in that year, 
he became Superintendent of the pattern depart- 
ment of the William Wright Engine Works, 
where he continued until thej- were shut down in 
1893, since which time he has lived retired. 

In Newburgh Mr. Wands was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Anna Darby, who was born in 
this city, and is a daughter of Capt. Andrew 
Darby. Her father was Captain on the river for 
many years, and his death occurred in 1859. To 
our subject and his estimable wife have been born 
two children. George M. is a resident of New- 
burgh; and Su.sie E. is the wife of William R. 
Perkins, who is engaged in the wholesale and re- 
tail flour and feed business on Broadwaj', and 
represents the Second Ward as Alderman in the 
City Council, where he is serving as Chairman of 
the Auditing Committee. 

In 1888 Mr. Wands was elected a member of 
the Board of Education on the Republican ticket, 
and was re-elected in 1892. He is serving on the 
Teachers' and Manual Training Committees, and 
is Chairman of the Library Committee and the 
committee on Compulsory Education. He has 
ever taken a deep and abiding interest in educa- 
tional work, and during his term School No. 6 
was built. Mr. Wands is a valued member of St. 
John's Methodist Episcopal Church, and has a 
wide influence in religious circles. He has served 
as President of the Board of Trustees and has 
filled many positions in the church. As early as 
1859 he was made Assistant Superintendent of 
the Sunday-school, and is now, and has been for 



many years, vSuperintendent. He is ever found 
on the side of right and justice, and is a citizen 
whom any community might feel jiroud to claim. 
He is a pleasing conversationalist, being a well 
informed and well read man. 



EYRL'S D. HOAG. The old saying that in- 
dustry brings reward as surely as does vir- 
tue is proven in the life of the young gen- 
tleman whose name opens this sketch, and who 
is one of the prominent and successful bu.sines^ 
men of Newburgh. His ancestors were among 
the wealthy land-owners of the state, liis maternal 
great-grandfather being the possessor of over one 
thousand acres of land. 

Our .subject was born in Schenectady County, 
N. v., September 21, 1861. His father, Milton 
R. Hoag, was a native of the same place, as was 
also his grandfather, Sheldon Hoag, who was a 
well-to-do farmer and a Quaker of Plnglish de- 
scent. 

Upon embarking in life for himself, Milton R. 
Hoag established a dry-goods business at Middle- 
burg, Schoharie County, where he was successful, 
but in his later years retired, and now makes his 
home with his son, our subject, though past the 
age of threescore years and ten. His wife, for- 
merly Miss Ruth Briggs, was also born in Sche- 
nectady County, and is the daughter of Walter 
Briggs, a large farmer of that locality. As before 
-Stated, the great-grandfather owned over one thou- 
sand acres of land in a fertile portion of the state, 
and became ver>- wealthy. Mrs. Ruth Hoag is 
also a member of our subject's household. 

The parental family included seven children, 
of whom Cyrus D. was the fourth-born. He was 
graduated from the high school of Middleburg, 
after which he began clerking in his father's 
store, and later settled for a time on the home 
farm. He then went to Glover.sville, and ob- 
tained employment in the glove factory at that 
place, where he remained for two years. After 
his next move we find him in Schenectady, 
where he hired out to the Gilbert Car Company, 
being assigned to the paint department of this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



135 



large concern. Upon abandoning that occupa- 
tion he became an emplo^'e in the Edison Electric 
Company, remaining with them until 18S9, the 
year in which he came to Newburgh. Here he 
at once engaged in the grocery bu.siness, opera- 
ting for two yeans on Broadway, when he located 
at his present stand at the corner of Lander Street 
and Overlook Place. In addition to the stock of 
groceries which he carries may be found a neat 
and orderly meat-market, where the purchaser is 
sure to find what he wants and at popular prices, 
Mr. Hoag and Miss Marion Miller were mar- 
ried in this city, June 6, 1895. The lady was 
born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a well educated 
and accomplished lad}-. Socially our subject is 
a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & 
A. M.; Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., and 
Hudson River Coramandery No. 35, K. T. He 
was one of the charter members of Washington 
Heights Hose Company No. 3, of which he has 
been foreman, and he is at present a member of 
its Board of Trustees, of which he has been Pres- 
ident. 

Mr. Hoag believes in the principles of the Dem- 
ocratic party, and gives his vote for the candidates 
selected b}' it. A prominent and influential citi- 
zen, he is widely and favorably known, and his 
sterling worth and strict integrity have won him 
the confidence and high regard of all with whom 
.he has been brought in contact. 



H^Z 



^-^ 



[ILLIAM B. DOUGHTY. The prosperity 
of a city is due to its business men, those 
who develop its commercial interests and 
increase the magnitude of its enterprises. As 
one of this class we present the name and sketch 
of William B. Doughty, successor in business to 
his father, the late Charles H. Doughty. The 
building occupied by him stands at No. 112 Wa- 
ter .Street, and is 18x80 feet in dimensions, mid 
two and one-half .stories in height. Here maj' 
be found a complete assortment of stoves, ranges, 
hot-air furnaces, hot-water and steam-heating ap- 
paratus, and everything that belongs to a model 



hardware store. At the rear of the second floor 
there is a workshop in which ironware is manu- 
factured. 

The projector of this enterprise, which has long 
been one of the mo.st solid of Newburgh, was 
Charles H. Doughty, who was born in the town 
of Fishkill, Dutchess County, in 1819, being the 
descendant of one of the nine partners who owned 
a large tract of land on which later on the village 
of Poughkeepsie was built. At the age of fifteen 
he came to Newburgh and learned the tinsmith's 
trade under Phillips, Lomas & Randall. Upon 
the completion of his apprenticeship, he returned 
to Fishkill on the Hudson, in 1840, and started a 
tinware and stove business, which he conducted 
for three years. In 1844 he opened a store at 
No. 112 Water Street, Newburgh, forming a part- 
nership with John Gordon. 

During the California mining "epidemic," 
when thousands were going to the Pacific Coast, 
Mr. Gordon opened a branch house in that state, 
and Mr. Doughty, who remained in Nevvburgh, 
shipped him stoves and tinware in large quanti- 
ties, sometimes $20,000 worth in a single .ship- 
ment. The partnership continued for twelve 
j^ears, when it was dissolved, Mr. Doughty tak- 
ing the Newburgh bu.siness, and Mr. Gordon that 
in California. After becoming the sole proprietor 
of the business, .Mr. Doughty continued at the 
old stand, conducting business until his death. 
May 13, 1894. Among the public offices held by 
him were those of member of the Board of Health 
and Board of Village Trustees. He was a char- 
ter member of Highland Lodge, I. O. O. F., and 
Evergreen Lodge of Fishkill, in which he passed 
the various chairs and also .served as Deputy De- 
gree Master for the district. For thirty years or 
more he held membership in Newburgh Lodge, 
F. & A. M. For sixteen years he was Secre- 
tary of the Board of Trustees of Trinity Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject, Sarah E. Gubbins, 
was born in the town of Newburgh, and is now 
(1895) seventy -four years old. Three of her four 
children are living, namely: W. B., Mary L. 
and Elizabeth. Our subject was reared in New- 
burgh, and received a good education in Chester 



136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Academy. From boj'hood he was familiar with 
the business in which his father engaged, and at 
the death of the latter he succeeded to the pro- 
prietorship of the concern, which he has since 
carried on successfully. Socially he is identified 
with Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. 
For fifteen years he was coiuiected with the Na- 
tional Guard of New York, belonging fir.st to 
Company E of the Seventeenth Battalion, and 
later to the Tenth Separate Company, in which 
he was Sergeant. He is a member of the Veter- 
ans' Association of the Fifteenth Separate Com- 
pany. By the people among whom he has passed 
his entire life he enjoys an enviable reputation 
as a keen, sagacious business man, whose com- 
mercial success and agreeable social attributes 
alike commend him to public favor. 

■ • ^P • 



r\HILIP McGIVNEV. In the.se days of 
L/' modern improvements, sanitarj- plumbing is 
fS looked upon as of more importance than all 
others, as on it hangs the health of the communi- 
ty at large. Mr. McGivney has not lost sight of 
this fact, and by his conscientious and practical 
work has established a lasting reputation in New- 
burgh as a good workman. 

Born in Comity Longford, Ireland, about 1840, 
our subject came with his parents to "America on 
the sailing-vessel*." Columbia," in 1850, coming 
direct to Newburgh. The parents, Patrick and 
Catherine ( Masterson ) McGivney, were natives 
of Ireland, where the former was an agriculturist. 
They had a family of six children, three sons 
and three daughters, of whom Philip was the 
next to the eldest. 

Our subject lived in his native land until he 
was ten years old, when his parents set sail from 
Dublin, spending more than five weeks on the 
voyage. After attending St. Patrick's School 
for two years, Philip entered the cotton-mills, re- 
maining there until i86o. In that year, however, 
he decided to learn the plumbing business, and 
was apprenticed to John Flannagan, underwho.se 
instruction he continued for five years. Later he 
entered the employ of McCan & Hays, and after 



twenty-five years of faithful service decided to 
embark in business for himself Forming a part- 
nership with Mr. I)ri.sgill in 1891, under the firm 
name of McGivney & Drisgill, business was car- 
ried on at No. 159 Water Street for one year, 
when our subject bought out his partner's inter- 
est and conducted the business alone. 

In 1893 Mr. McGivney changed his location to 
his present commodious quarters. No. 146 Water 
Street, and here he conducts a remunerative bus- 
iness. Among the buildings in which he filled 
the contracts for the plumbing may be mentioned 
the following: Riverside Flats, Lynch House and 
the Blackburn and Miller residences. His repu- 
tation for reliability and thoroughness is wide- 
spread, as is evidenced by the number of contracts 
he has received from adjoining towns. 

The marriage of Mr. McGivney occurred in 
Newburgh, May 9, 1871, with Miss Catherine 
Keenan, who was born in the same countrj' as 
was her husband, Ireland. Two children were 
born of their marriage: Mary, who is engaged as 
bookkeeper by her father; and John, a plumber, 
also employed by his father. 

Politically Mr. McGivney is a Democrat. For 
two terms of five years he has served as a mem- 
ber of Neptune Hose Company, Engine No. 2. • 
Religiously he is indentified with St. Patrick's \ 
Catholic Church. 



rtOHN DELANCY enjoys the distinction of 
I being the oldest manufacturer in the city of 
(2) Newburgh, and has certainly been the long- 
est located on Front Street, where he has a large 
general black.smith and carriage factor)'. He 
also builds sleighs and trucks, brick carts, etc., 
and year by year his business is increasing, as 
the merits of work turned out from his shop be- 
come known. 

The parents of our subject were Michael and 
Mary (McNamara) Delancy, both natives of Ire- 
land. The former was a gardener by occupa- 
tion, and followed that calling after emigrating 
to Goshen, N. Y., in which place his death oc- 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



137 



curred. His famih- comprised eight children, 
five of whom are still living. John Delancj- was 
born in Goshen, Orange County, July 9, 1834, 
and was educated in the district school and in 
Farmer Hall Academy. March i, 1852, he com- 
menced an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's 
trade under James Degroff, of Newburgh, and 
remained with him for four years. At the end 
of that time he became a partner of his former 
employer, under the firm name of Degroff & 
Delancy, and this connection exi.sted until the 
death of the first-named gentleman. Afterward 
John Martin became a partner in the firm, and 
in 1879 they moved to Nos. 7 and 9 Front Street, 
where they are to-day. In 1880 Mr. Martin re- 
tired, and our subject's son, Charles H., for a 
time was a member of the firm, but when he 
took up medical study Mr. Colvill was admit- 
ted, the style being as at present, Delancy & Col- 
vill. The building occupied by them is 40x50 
feet in dimensions and four stories in height. 
The first floor is utilized for general blacksmith- 
ing, the second for the wood-working department, 
and the third and fourth for turning and paint- 
ing rooms. Large numbers of carts and brick 
wagons are disposed of along the river, and the 
concern probably has the largest trade in trucks 
in the country. 

In 1856 Mr. Delancy married Cornelia V. 
Carmon, who was born in Ulster County. The 
family residence is at No. 10 Grand Street, and 
is a pleasant and commodious dwelling. The 
four children of our subject and his wife are Ira 
J., who graduated from the Newburgh Academy, 
and is now in business with his father; Dr. 
Charles H., likewise a graduate of the academy, 
who obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine 
from the Bellevue Hospital and College of Ph)-- 
sicians and Surgeons in New York City ; May E. , 
who is a teacher in the Third Ward School; and 
Clara E., a teacher in the First Ward Gram- 
mar School. The daughters are both graduates 
of the Newburgh Academy, and from the State 
Normal School at Albany, N. Y. 

Mr. Delancy is one of the oldest members of 
Highland Lodge No. 65, I. O. O. F., of which 
he has been an official, and has represented it 



in the Grand Lodge of the state. He is also 
Grand Patriarch and Past District Deputy of Mt. 
Olive Encampment No. 65. Moreover, he belongs 
to the Masonic Veteran Association and to Hud- 
son River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M. For many 
years he served with Old Cataract Engine Com- 
pany No. 3, was Assistant Fireman, and was 
First Assistant Engineer for three years under 
Chief C. M. Leonard. He is a member of the 
Order of American Firemen, and belongs to C. 
M. Leonard Council No. 7. In politics he has 
been quite active, giving his allegiance to the 
Democracy. In his religious faith he is a Meth- 
odist, and is an honored member of Trinity 
Church. 

QROF. JAMES S. RAFFERTY, organist of 
y/^ St. Mary's Catholic Church, Newburgh, and 
fZ) an efficient instructor in vocal and instrument- 
al music, was born in this city, February 3, 1859. 
His parents, James and Bridget (McGuire) Raf- 
ferty, were residents of Newburgh for many 
years, and here the father, who was a shipwright 
by trade, pa.ssed away. The mother still makes 
her home at this place. 

The youngest of seven children comprising the 
parental family, Profes.sor Rafferty passed his 
boyhood years in an uneventful manner, much 
of liis time being devoted to study in the pa- 
rochial schools. Evincing a fondness for music at 
an early age, he was given the best advantages 
for the cultivation of the talent for that art which 
he so decidedly displayed. For many years his 
.studies were conducted under the personal direc- 
tion of Prof Henry Brinig, after which for three 
years he was a student under Professor Francke, 
of New York. 

Becoming an instructor on the piano and organ, 
Professor Rafferty opened a music studio in 
Poughkeepsie, but after a short sojourn in that 
place he returned to Newburgh, where he has 
made his home since 1884. During this time he 
has held the position of organist of St. Mary's 
Catholic Church, and prior to his return to this 
city was organist of vSt. Peter's Church, Pough- 
keepsie. . In the composition and compilation of 



138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



music he has displayed ingenuity and originality, 

and his work in that line has brought him into 
prominence among other musicians. He has 
written and published an Ave Maria in H flat, 
and one mass in C. For one year he resided in 
Wilmington, N. C, where he was organist of St. 
Thomas' Catholic Church, but Father Henry, 
priest at St. Mary's, wrote urging him to accept 
the position of orgaui.st in his church, and he re- 
turned to Newburgh in response to the urgent 
appeal of that gentleman. He has charge of St. 
Mary's choir of thirty-five members, conceded to 
be one of the best in the city. While he has 
made a specialty of teaching vocal culture, and 
has a large number of scholars in it, he also gives 
considerable attention to instrumental music, in 
which he is a competent and thorough instructor. 
Miss Mary T. Hawkins, who was born in 
Brooklyn, became the wife of Profes.sor RafiFerty 
in April, 1890. Two children, Sebastina Marie 
and Gertrude, bless the marriage. Professor Raf- 
fertj- is identified with the Musical Society of 
Newburgh, and is interested in everything per- 
taining to his profession. He was reared in the 
faith of the Catholic Church, and worships with 
St. Mary's congregation. 

0A\-ID HENRY WARD was for long years 
numbered among the enterprising and pub- 
lic-spirited citizens of Newburgh. His death, 
which occurred in April, 1895, ^"^s felt by his 
associates and hosts of friends to be a great gen- 
eral loss, and his memory is kept by them in all 
tenderness. His widow is now in charge of the 
grocery business in which he was formerh- inter- 
ested at No. 3 Water Street, and has been a 
prominent factor in its success, having kept the 
books for fourteen years. She is a lady of great 
executive ability, and is thoroughly competent to 
undertake and carry commercial enterpri.ses to a 
successful issue. 

Mr. Ward was born in Newburgh. in June, 
1858, being a son of Samuel, and grand,son of 
Stephen Ward. The latter owned and carried on 
a farm at Middle Hope, Orange County, and 



lived to a good old age. Samuel Ward from his 

boyhood was a sailor, and for years ran on a 
sloop. In later life he engaged in buying and 
selling wood in Newburgh, and then started a 
grocery on Lander Street, subsequentl}- removing 
his location to Water Street. He died in May, 
1887. His faithful wife, who before their mar- 
riage was Mary J. Edmonson, was a native of 
Newburgh, and she also has been .summoned to 
the silent land. 

The elder of two children, D. H. Ward re- 
ceived good advantages in the way of an educa- 
tion, attending both the public schools and tlii- 
acadenn- at Newburgh. Believing that the 
printer's trade would be most in accord with his 
tastes, he worked for Ji. M. Ruttenber until he 
was obliged to abandon the calling on account of 
poor health. His father then took him into busi- 
ness with him, and after the senior's death Mr. 
Ward became sole proprietor. He improved the 
property, introducing modern appliances, elevator 
service, etc., and enlarged the trade. He did 
both a wholesale and retail business, and occu- 
pied the whole building, 22x90 feet, four stories 
and basement, on Water Street. He was always 
anxious to meet the wants of his customers, and 
never failed to secure their respect and friendship. 
He was a member of Washington Steamer Com- 
pany No. 4. and always used his ballot in sup- 
port of the platform and nominees of the Repub- 
lican party. 

In July, 1 88 1, the marriage of Mr. Ward and 
Emma L. King took place in this city. Mrs. 
Ward was born in Newburgh and was a daugh- 
ter of John King, also one of this city's native- 
sons. By trade he was a pattern-maker, and for 
many years he was superintendent of John Has- 
kins' oilcloth works on Broadway. Since the 
death of his employer, Mr. King has been retired, 
though still living in this city. His wife, Mar- 
garet, was a daughter of John McCloy, a pioneer 
farmer of this locality and of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. Mrs. King, who was born in Newburgh, 
departed this life in 1890, aged sixty-eight years. 
Mrs. Emma Ward is the third in a family of 
seven children, four of whcmi are living. She 
was reared and educated here, and graduated 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



from the academy when onl}- fifteen years of age. 
Then, passing an examination, she obtained a 
teacher's certificate and was employed in the 
Newburgh schools for a year, afterwards teach- 
ing in New Windsor Town for six successive 
years. She is a member of Trinity Methodist 
Epi.scopal Church, and has been a worker in the 
primary department of the Sunday-school for sev- 
eral years. 



OSES SLOAN. Probably no man in New- 
burgh is better known to its residents than 
the gentleman whose name opens this sketch 
and who is engaged in the grocery business. He 
has been remarkably successful in this business, 
and owns one of the largest and best stocked es- 
tablishments in the cit}'. 

Mr. Sloan is a native of this city, and was born 
August 22, 1855, to John and Martha (Caulfield ) 
Sloan. Thev were both natives of Ireland, l)orn, 
respective!}', in Counties Down and Antrim. The 
father followed farm pursuits until he came to 
America, in 1853. He located immediately at 
Newburgh, where he was employed as truckman 
until his decease, in 1893, when seventy-six years 
of age. He was a Republican in politics and a 
member in good standing of the United Presb}'- 
terian Church. The mother came to America 
when a j'oung lady with her parents, and here 
passed the remaining years of her life, dying in 
Newburgh. John Sloan was married, previous 
to his union with the mother of our .subject, to 
Miss Jane Gabby, and after the death of his .sec- 
ond wife he was united with Miss Isabella J. 
Carse, who survives him. 

Our subject has one si.ster living, Sarah, who 
makes her home in this city. Jennie, the daugh- 
ter of the third marriage, is likewise a resident of 
Newburgh. Moses, of this sketch, was educated 
in the public schools of this city, and also attend- 
ed the academy here until fifteen years of age. 
He then began clerking for Alexander Leslie, a 
grocer of this city, remaining in his employ for 
seven years. He was very industrious and eco- 



nomical, and in 1878 established in business for 
him.self, opening a store in the Opera House 
Building. For fifteen years he carried on a very 
successful business at this stand, and then erected 
a brick building almost opposite, at No. 69 Sec- 
ond Street. This was completed and ready for 
occupancy in 1893. It is three stories in height, 
is stocked with staple and fancy groceries, and 
contains every delicacy in the way of fruits in their 
sea.son. He hires three men to assist him, and 
takes and delivers orders all over this city and 
the surrounding countrj-. His prices are popu- 
lar, and the courteous treatment and prompt at- 
tention given to all customers result in securing 
their .steady patronage. 

Moses Sloan and Miss Carrie Blair were mar- 
ried in this city, July 12, 1890. The lady was 
born here and is the daughter of vSamuel H. Blair, 
formerly a grocer on Broadway, but who is now 
living retired. To them has been born a daugh- 
ter, Ethlyn. Mr. Sloan has been Trustee and is 
now Steward of St. John's Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and takes great interest in the work of 
the same. He is a Republican in politics, and 
socially is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He 
owns much valuable real estate in the city, and 
is. regarded as one of the most influential and 
substantial residents of the place. 



^i#ll|-^i"i^ll^#i€ 



HON. RUSSEL HEADLEY started out in 
life under the fostering care of a brilliant, 
cultured and literary ancestor. His father, 
having traveled extensively in Europe, and pos- 
sessing broad knowledge, also by merited suc- 
ce.ss having acquired fame as an author, could by 
these influences place his .son upon a brilliant ped- 
estal, which he has utilized as a stepping-stone 
to his pre.sent prominence. 

Before presenting in detail the e\-ents in the 
life of the subject of this article, it is fitting and 
appropriate that mention should be made of his 
father, Hon. Joel T. Headley, whose writings 
have brought him into prominence and secured 
the warmest praises of the press of this country 
and Europe as well. His life began December 



142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



year as Treasurer of the organization. Politically 
he advocates Democratic principles. His wife 
holds membership in St. George's Episcopal 
Church, and he is an attendant at the .services of 
St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church. 



Gb 



LT- 






-o, 



=0 



r"OSTKR BLOODGOOD, a progressive and 
Y^ public-spirited young business man of New- 
I burgh, bears the reputation of doing the 
finest work in carriage-painting in the city. He 
was born near Ellen ville. Sullivan County, X. V., 
August 22, i86i. His father, Sanutel Bloodgood, 
is a native of New York City, and is a fine me- 
chanic in woodwork. For some time he was in 
business as a wagon-maker in Brun.swick, Ulster 
L^ounty, after which he moved to Walden, this 
county, then to Bloomingburg. He remained 
n that city for some time and next went to Cir- 
clcville, where he also followed his trade of 
wagon- maker, working at it until his advanced 
years compelled him to cease. He is now living 
with his son Foster. 

Sarah E., the mother of our subject, was born 
in Sullivan County, N. Y., and havifive children, 
one of whom is decea.sed. Ofthe.se Foster is the 
eldest. He was reared in Orange County and at- 
tended the district .schools until sixteen years old. 
when his father took him into the shops and there 
he learned the art of carriage-painting. When 
pronounced thoroughly competent to do fine work, 
he went to New York City, and afterward to 
Brooklyn, in both of which cities he held good posi- 
tions. We next find him in New Jersey, but his 
stay there was of short duration, as he was called 
home by the sickness of his father. He aided 
him in his work for a year, then took charge of 
the body-finishing department of the Watertown 
Spring Wagon Company, continuing with that 
firm for thirteen months. He next went to Woon- 
socket, R. I., having been offered the position of 
foreman of the paint department of large carriage 
shops there. From Woonsocket, in 1890, became 
to Newl)urgh and at once established in business 
for himself locating at No. 46 Chambers Street. 



He makes a specialty of carriage-painting, and 

occupies with this business two floors of his 
building, which is 25x60 feet, and is furnished 
with an elevator. In 1892 he opened a branch 
house at Garrison, and has the finest trade in ihis 
line of any house in the county. He has in his 
employ five men, but gives personal attention 
to the work, so that everything which leaves 
his shop is warranted to give satisfaction. 

Mr. Bloodgood was married, in Walden, to Miss 
Sarah N. Sloat, a native of that place and the 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Sloat. To 
them one son has been born, lilmer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bloodgood reside at No. 28 Montgomery- 
Street, where they have a pleasant and attractive 
home. They are members of Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in carrying on the good 
work in their community they take an active 
and leading part. In politics he is a Republican, 
tried and true. 

EAPT. JAMES T. CHASE, one of the old 
employes of the Peinisylvania Coal Compan\- 
in Newburgh. is also Captain of the Fifth 
Separate Company of the New York National 
Guards. He was Chief of Police of the city for 
two years under Mayor Shutse, then resigned 
from the office on account of a change in adinin- 
i.stration. Until 1880 he voted with the Repub- 
lican party, but for the past fifteen years he has 
given his allegiance to the Democracy. He en- 
joys the distinction of being one of the oldest men 
in the military service in the .state, and received a 
beautiful gold medal valued at $80 on the expira- 
tion of a quarter of a century of steady military 
dut}'. He has now been in the service for thirty- 
eight years, and in 1893 was in command of a 
battalion as acting Major at the state encamp- 
ment at Peekskill. 

James Chase, the Captain's paternal grandfa- 
ther, was of Engli.sh descent. He died at Sag 
Harbor, L. I., where he followed his trade as a 
blacksmith for many years. The Captain's fa- 
ther, George N., was born at Riverhead, L. I., 
and learned the trade of ship-carpenter. In 1835 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



143 



he came to Orange Comity and secured work in 
the New Windsor shipyards. In the spring of 
1 849 he located in Newburgh and was employed 
as a ship- carpenter, later being Captain of the 
night police for fi\-e years. Though now in his 
eightieth year, he is still hale and hearty, and as 
a matter of habit and choice is at his post of duty 
every day. His wife, Mary B. Nicholson, was 
born in New Windsor, and her death occurred in 
May, 1891 , when she was in her seventy-fifth year. 
Her father, Thomas, was a native of Orange 
County, and from the time he was nine months 
old had the great misfortune to be blind, but in 
spite of this fact was a fine workman. His wife 
was a daughter of Maj. Samuel Logan, who won 
his title in the Revolutionary War when he went 
out with the New Windsor regiment, being cap- 
tured in a fort and held a prisoner for two years 
in the New Jersey prison ship. 

Captain Chase is one of three living children, 
and is the, only son. He was born in the town of 
New Windsor, June 17, 1838, and pa.ssed his boy- 
hood in Newburgh. where he obtained a fair edu- 
cation. When he was sixteen years old he com- 
menced learning the business of calking ships 
under his father's instruction in the Newburgh 
shipyards, and has ever since followed the trade, 
being one of the oldest employes of the Pennsyl- 
vania Coal Company. September 22, 1858, our 
subject became a member of the Washington Con- 
tinental Guards under Capt. Isaac Wood, serving 
until the war came on, when most of the company 
enlisted. The Captain became a member of the 
Nineteenth New York Militia, serving for three 
months as Sergeant. When the regiment was 
reorganized into the One Hundred and Sixty- 
eighth New York, he enlisted in Company G as 
First Lieutenant, and was stationed in Virginia 
for nine months, during which time he took part 
in the battle of Walkertown. Finally the com- 
pany was attached "to the Eleventh Army Corps 
and .sent to southwestern Alabama, when, their 
term expiring, they were .sent home. 

February 23, 1865, tlie Captain re-enlisted in 
Company A, Fifty-sixth New York Veteran Vol- 
unteers, as a private, serving at Charleston, S. C, 
Abbeyville and other points until December, 



1865. He assisted in fixing up the Confederate 
treasury records and sent them to Washington. 
He was mustered out at Charleston and received 
his final pay in December. In 1866 he re-organ- 
ized the Continentals in Company D of the Nine- 
teenth Regiment of National Guards, being made 
First Lieutenant, and a year and a-half later, 
February 12, 1868, was made Captain. He con- 
tinued in that position for over ten years, or until 
the battalion was di.sbanded, May 19, 1878. On the 
loth of the following October he was appoint- 
ed Adjutant on the staff of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hayt, of the Seventeenth Battalion, and March 
17, 1881, was promoted to be Captain of Company 
A of the .same battalion, which company became 
the Fifth Separate Company. January i, 1882. 
He is well posted in military rules and now has 
his fifth system of tactics. For fourteen years he 
was a member of Washington Engine No. 4, and 
is now on the honorary list. 

In Newburgh, in 1861, Captain Chase married 
Miss Mary J. Abbott, who was born in this city 
and died in 1881, leaving two children: George 
N., who is in the employ of the Automatic 
Fire Extinguisher Company of New York; and 
Bertha, wife of C. W. Mehrer, Jr., of Berkley 
Arms, N. J. The Captain's present wife, for- 
merly Mrs. Anna Vines, was born in Utica, N. Y. 
The home of the family is at No. 61 Beacon Street, 
Washington Heights. 



^^•{••{••{•♦•^^♦♦♦•{•c 



rtOHN EGAN, one of Newburgh's successful 
I business men, was born in this town May 7, 
Q) 1847. He is of Iri.sh parentage, his father, 
James, having been a native of the Emerald Isle, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade, and after 
coming to America followed his cho.sen occupation 
for many years in the town of Newburgh. When 
advanced in years he ceased his active labor and 
came to the city of Newburgh, where he died at 
the age of about ninety-two. 

The mother of our subject, Catherine, was born 
in Newburgh, and died in this city at the age of 
fourscore years. Her father, Henry Gilmore, 
was a native of Ireland and came to America 



142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



year as Treasurer of the organization. Politically 
he advocate.^ Democratic principles. His wife 
holds membership in St. George's Episcopal 
Church, and he is an attendant at the serv-ices of 
St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church. 



r~OSTHR BLOODGOOD, a progressive and 
1^ pnUlic-spirited young business man of New- 

I burgh, bears the reputation of doing the 
finest work in carriage-painting in the city. He 
was born near Ellenville, Sullivan County, X. Y., 
August 22, iS6i. His father. Samuel Bloodgood, 
is a native of New York City, and is a fine me- 
chanic in woodwork. For some time he was in 
busine.'^s as a wagon-maker in Brun.swick, IHster 
County, after which he moved to Walden, this 
county, then to Blooniingburg. He remained 

II that city for some time and next went to Cir- 
cleville. where he also followed his trade of 
wagon- maker, working at it until his advanced 
years compelled him to cease. He is now living 
with his son Foster. 

Sarah E.. the mother of our subject, was born 
in Sullivan County. N. Y., and havlfive children, 
one of whom is decea.sed. Of these Fo.ster is the 
eldest. He was reared in Orange County and at- 
tended the district schools until sixteen years old, 
when his father took him into the .shops and there 
he learned the art of carriage-painting. When 
pronounced thoroughly competent to do fine work, 
he went to New York City, and afterward to 
Brooklyn, in lx>th of which cities he held good posi- 
tions. We next find him in New Jersey, but his 
stay there was of short duration, as he was called 
home by the sickness of his father. He aided 
him in his work for a year, then took charge of 
the body -finishing department of the Watertown 
Spring Wagon Company, continuing with that 
firm for thirteen months. He next went to Woon- 
socket, R. I., having been offered the position of 
foreman of the paint department of large carriage 
shops there. From Woonsocket, in 1890, became 
to Xewburgh and at once established in business 
for himself locating at No. 46 Chambers Street. 



He makes a specialtj' of carriage-painting, and 
occupies with this business two floors of his 
building, which is 23x60 feet, and is furnished 
with an elevator. In 1892 he opened a branch 
house at Garrison, and has the finest trade in ihis 
line of any hou.se in the county. He has in his 
employ five men. but gives personal attention 
to the work, so that evervthing which leaves 
his shop is warranted to give satisfaction. 

Mr. Bloodgood was married, in Walden, to Miss 
Sarah N. Sloat, a native of that place and the 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Sloat. To 
them one son has been boni, Elmer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bloodgood reside at No. 28 Montgomery 
Street, where they have a pleasant and attractive 
home. They are members of Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in carrying on the good 
work iu their community they take an active 
and leading part. In politics he is a Republican, 
tried and true. 

QAPT. JAMES T. CHASE, one of the old 
1 1 employes of the Pennsylvania Coal Company 
\J in Xewburgh, is also Captain of the Fifth 
Separate Company of the New York National 
Guards. He was Chief of Police of the city for 
two years under Mayor Shut-Je, then resigned 
from the office on account of a change in admin- 
istration. I'ntil 1880 he voted with the Repub- 
lican party, but for the past fifteen years he has 
given his allegiance to the Democracy. He en- 
joys the distinction of beinsj one of the oldest men 
in the militar\- service in the state, and received a 
beautiful gold medal valued at SSo on the expira- 
tion of a quarter of a century of steady militan,- 
duty. He has now been in the service for thirty- 
eight years, and in 1893 was in command of a 
battalion as acting Major at the .><tate encamp- 
ment at Peekskill. 

James Chase, the Captain's paternal grandfa- 
ther, was of Engli.sh descent. He died at Sag 
Harbor, L. I., where he followed his trade as a 
blacksmith for many years. The Captain's fa- 
ther, George N., was born at Riverhead, L. I., 
and learned the trade of ship carpenter. In 1835 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



143 



he came to Orange County and secured work in 
the New Windsor shipj'ards. In the spring of 
1849'he located in Newburgh and was employed 
as a ship-carpenter, later being Captain of the 
night police for five years. Though now in his 
eightieth >ear, he is still hale and hearty, and as 
a matter of habit and choice is at his post of duty 
every day. His wife, Mary B. Nicholson, was 
born in New Windsor, and her death occurred in 
May, 189 1 , when she was in her seventy-fifth year. 
Her father, Thomas, was a native of Orange 
County, and from the time he was nine months 
old had the great misfortune to be blind, but in 
.spite of this fact was a fine workman. His wife 
was a daughter of Maj. Samuel Logan, who won 
his title in the Revolutionary War when he went 
out with the New Windsor regiment, being cap- 
tured in a fort and held a prisoner for two years 
in the New Jersey prison ship. 

Captain Cha.se is one of three living children, 
and is the, only son. He was born in the town of 
New Windsor, June 17, 1838, and passed his boy- 
hood in Newburgh, where he obtained a fair edu- 
cation. When he was sixteen years old he com- 
menced learning the business of calking ships 
under his father's instruction in the Newburgh 
shipyards, and haS ever since followed the trade, 
being one of the oldest employes of the Pennsyl- 
vania Coal Company. September 22, 1858, our 
subject became a member of the Washington Con- 
tinental Guards under Capt. Isaac Wood, serving 
until the war came on, when most of the company 
enlisted. The Captain became a member of the 
Nineteenth New York Militia, serving for three 
months as Sergeant. When the regiment was 
reorganized into the One Hundred and Sixty- 
eighth New York, he enlisted in Company G as 
First Lieutenant, and was stationed in Virginia 
for nine months, during which time he took part 
in the battle of Walkertown. Finally the com- 
pany was attached "to the Eleventh Army Corps 
and sent to southwestern Alabama, when, their 
term expiring, they were sent home. 

February 23, 1865, the Captain re-enlisted in 
Company A, Fifty -.sixth New York Veteran Vol- 
unteers, as a private, serving at Charleston, S. C. , 
Abbeyville and other points until December, 



1865. He a.ssisted in fixing up the Confederate 
treasury records and sent them to Washington. 
He was mustered out at Charleston and received 
his final pay in December. In 1866 he re-organ- 
ized the Continentals in Company D of the Nine- 
teenth Regiment of National Guards, being made 
First Lieutenant, and a j'ear and a-half later, 
February 12, 1868, was made Captain. He con- 
tinued in that position for over ten years, or until 
the battalion was disbanded, May 19, 1878. On the 
loth of the following October he was appoint- 
ed Adjutant on the staff of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hayt, of the Seventeenth Battalion, and March 
17, 1 88 1, was promoted to be Captain of Company 
A of the same battalion, which company became 
the Fifth Separate Company, January i, 1882. 
He is well posted in military rules and now has 
his fifth system of tactics. For fourteen years he 
was a member of Washington Engine No. 4, and 
is now on the honorary list. 

In Newburgh, in 1861, Captain Cha.se married 
Miss Mary J. Abbott, who was born in this city 
and died in 1S81, leaving two children: George 
N., who is in the employ of the Automatic 
Fire Extinguisher Company of New York; and 
Bertha, wife of C. W. Mehrer, Jr., of Berkley 
Arms, N. J. The Captain's present wife, for- 
merly Mrs. Anna Vines, was born in Utica, N. Y. 
The homeof the family is at No. 61 Beacon Street, 
Washington Heights. 






(TOHN EGAN, one of Newburgh's successful 
I business men, was born in this town May 7, 
Qj 1847. He is of Irish parentage, his father, 
James, having been a native of the Emerald Lsle, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade, and after 
coming to America followed his cho.sen occupation 
for many years in the town of Newburgh. When 
advanced in years he ceased his active labor and 
came to the city of Newburgh, where he died at 
the age of about ninety-two. 

The mother of our subject, Catherine, was born 
in Newburgh, and died in this city at the age of 
fourscore years. Her father, Henry Gilmore, 
was a native of Ireland and came to America 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



early in the present century, his being one of the 
first Irish families to locate in Nevvburgh. The 
exact time of his emigration is not known, but it 
was doubtless about 1810, as the deed to the first 
land that he purchased was dated February, 181 1. 
By the marriage of James Egan and Catherine 
Gilmore there were born nine children who at- 
tained mature years, our subject and three sisters 
being the only representatives of the family in 
Nevvburgh. 

The energetic disposition which our subject 
possessed caused him at a ver\- earh- age to begin 
work for himself. He secured a position as a 
farm employe, but not caring to follow agricult- 
ural pursuits, he learned the moulder's trade in 
the \Va.shington Iron Works, and at this he 
worked steadily for a number of years. In 1876 
he embarked in the milk and cream business in 
the vicinity of Newburgh, and about 1883 erected 
his present creamery, where the milk is received, 
and from which it is delivered throughout the 
city. In this way from fifteen hundred to two 
thousand quarts are handled daily. In connec- 
tion with the creamery there is an excellent cool- 
ing system, by which the milk is kept in good 
condition. Four wagons are run for delivery, and 
the business is the largest of its kind in the city. 
He buys the best and choicest dairy milk in the 
vicinity of four or five miles, and handles confec- 
tionery, cakes and bread, and manufactures some 
butter. He has also dealt extensively in real es- 
tate in Newburgh. 

In St. Mary's Church, Newl)urgh, on the 13th 
of May, 1875, was solemnized the marriage of 
John Egan and Miss Bridget Uphrasia Shields, 
who was born in Ireland, but has .spent her liie 
principally in Newburgh, having been brought 
here in infancy. Their family comprised ten 
children, namely: Mary C, Anna G., Elizabeth 
K., Sarah, James F., John S. , Henry Gilmore, 
Raphael, Vincent and Clement. All are living 
except vSarah, who died at the age of six, and 
Clement, who died when one month old. Mr. 
Egan has served as Inspector of Elections, and is 
a Democrat in national politics, though in local 
matters he casts his ballot independently, support- 
ing the candidate who in his opinion will best 



promote the welfare of the people. His member- 
ship, religiou.sly, is in ,St. Patrick's Church, and 
he belongs to the Catholic Benevolent League. 



^yilSS LOUISA VIRGINIA GORSE. One 
y of the most potetit factors in the progress 
C9 of any .section of our country is to be found 
in the character and influence of its women of 
education and refinement. Not only all who 
come in contact with them, but all who live in 
their vicinity, are insen.sibly refined and elevated 
b\- their subtle influence. This is doubly true 
when such characters add to their influence the 
power of a gentle dispo.sition and of superior artis- 
tic ability. 

Among the ladies of Newburgh perhaps none 
is better known than Miss Gorse, who is con- 
ceded to be one of the finest musicians of the city, 
and who occupies the position of organist and 
director of the choir in the Church of The Cor- 
ner-Stone. She was born at Patchogue, Long 
Island, where her father, Rev. Charles Gorse, 
was at that time pastor of the Methodi.st Episco- 
pal Church. He was born in Fulton, Schoharie 
County, N. Y., received a thorough education in 
the theological seminary at Albany, and was or- 
dained to the ministry of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. For fifty years he filled different 
pa.storates, first in the New York Conference and 
later in the New York East Conference. Much 
of his time in later life was given to public lect- 
ures, which were conducted under the auspices 
of the National Temperance Alliance. On retir- 
ing from the ministry, he settled in Newburgh, 
from which place he was frequently called to sup- 
ply the pulpits at Washingtonville and New Ham- 
burg. From the time he joined the conference in 
1840 until his death, in 1892, at the age of seventy- 
seven, he was active in its work. Possessing a 
rugged constitution, he was able to work assidu- 
ou.sly without injury to his health. He was a 
man ot fine physique, robust and well propor- 
tioned, and in every enterprise with which he iden- 
tified him.self he was influential and active. Fir.st 
a Whig, he joined the Republican party on its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



145 



organization, but afterward his views somewhat 
changed, and he became a Prohibitionist, voting 
always for his party though its prospects for suc- 
cess were the sHglitest. 

Robert Gorse, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Schoharie County, where he en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. His brother Ephraim 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and their fa- 
ther, also named Ephraim, was of English birth 
and parentage. The mother of Miss Gorse bore 
the maiden name of Eleanor Louisa Ireland, and 
was born in Watervleit, near Albany, N. Y. 
Her father. Rev. Thomas Ireland, a native of 
Schaghticoke, labored for many years in the min- 
istry of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died 
at an advanced age. Mrs. Gorse is still living, 
and makes her home with our subject. The 
other children are Dr. C. A., a graduate of the 
medical department of the New York University 
and a practicing physician of the town of Corn- 
wall, N. Y. ; and Eleanor Victoria, wife of Con- 
rad Ruso, who is engaged in the commission 
business in Albany. 

The educational advantages enjoyed b)- Miss 
Gorse were exceptionally good. From early child- 
hood she has devoted attention to music, which 
she studied in Brooklyn under Professor Durege 
for one year, and then engaged in giving piano 
lessons in Columbia County. In 1879 she en- 
tered Vassar College, and three years later was 
graduated from the miisical department, mean- 
time teaching music at LaGrange in order to pay 
her way. From childhood her services have been 
in requisition as church organist, and for a time 
she sang in the choir of the Baptist Church of 
Albany. After graduating, she taught vocal 
music in Miss Butler's Classical and Home In- 
stitute at Poughkeepsie. 

In 1883 Miss Gor.se came to Newburgh, where 
she has since been engaged as vocal and instru- 
mental teacher, in addition to which, since 1885, 
she has been organist and director of the choir in 
the Church of The Corner Stone. Anxious to 
.still further perfect her.self in her profession, she 
went to New York City in 1892, and there took 
a special course both in vocal and instrumental 
music under Prof A. L. Parsons, of the Metro- 



politan College. There she studied the synthetic 
method, which she now teaches. Frequently she 
has given musicals and concerts, all of which have 
been most successful. She is Second Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Church Music Association, and in 
religious belief is identified with Trinity Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 



...m... 



"TDWARD STOCKER. That persistent in- 
^ dustry and good judgment almost invariably 
^ bring success is a fact, the truth of which 
has never been disputed, and upon the pos.sessor 
of these traits of character fortune usually show- 
ers her blessings. Doubtless to these qualities, 
more than to anything else, is due the prosperity 
which has rewarded the business enterprises of 
Mr. Stocker, of Newbivrgh. He is the senior 
member of the firm of Stocker & Brill, proprietors 
of the largest staple and fancy wholesale grocery 
in the city. 

This firm, which was established in 1894, car- 
ries on business in their commodious building at 
Nos. 2 and 4 Front Street, on the corner of First. 
The store is 40x68 feet in dimensions and five 
stories in height, with a basement. All modern 
conveniences for the management of the business 
have been introduced, and the structure is a 
model of its kind. In addition to this building 
there is a warehouse on South Water Street 60x80 
feet, four stories high, and with a capacity for 
storing seven thousand barrels of flour. The fa- 
cilities for shipping are excellant, both the store 
and warehouse having a railroad switch from the 
Erie, so that goods can be rolled to and from the 
cars directly without any intermediate handling. 
The business is exclusively wholesale, the trade 
extending over a radius of two hundred miles, in 
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, while 
shipments are also made into Pennsylvania. 
Seven salesmen are employed on the road, and in 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



all the firm has twenty-five men in its employ. 
Everything is carried in stock for which there is 
a demand in the retail line, and they have a num- 
ber of fine specialties. Of canned goods they have 
the largest stock on the Hudson River, and they 
import olives and tea and coffee, having the 
largest business in the latter line of any firm in 
Newburgh. They are agents for the Russell & 
Miller Milling Company, proprietors of the Grand 
Republic Mill at West Superior, Wis. , one of the 
finest mills in the Northwest, and the only one 
concerning which a favorable report was made by 
the German Commissioners. 

Some reference to the life and ancestry of Mr. 
Stocker will be of interest to our readers. His 
grandfather, Capt. William Stocker, was born in 
New Hampshire, of Knglish descent, and was for 
many years captain on a vessel plying the waters 
of the Atlantic between the Old and New Worlds. 
The father of our subject, William, Jr., was born 
in Portsmouth, N. H., and in early life was em- 
ployed as a contractor in Massachusetts, assisting 
in building the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad, 
the Grand Trunk and other eastern roads. In 
1867 he located in Newburgh, where he was em- 
ployed on the Boston, Hartford & Erie, now the 
New York & New England Railroad, until the 
failure of the company. He died in this city June 
27, 1887, when within three days of being sev- 
enty-five years of age. He was a Unitarian in 
religious belief, and a Democrat in politics. His 
wife, Rebecc. Sheldon Towne, was born in the 
eastern part of Massachusetts, where her father, 
Ansel Towne, a native of Maine, had settled and 
engaged in farming pursuit. She died in 18S2. 
aged sixty-eight years. • 

The family of William Stocker con.sisted of 
three sons and three daughters. Four arrived at 
years of maturity, and three are now living. 
William, who died in Newburgh, was supercargo 
with a Boston house engaged in the African 
trade. The three now living are Mary, Mrs. 
Frank Pierce, of Philadelphia; Edward: and Liz- 
zie, Mrs. George Trimble, of Newburgh. Our sub- 
ject v^-as born in Chelsea, Ma.ss. , March 23, 1854, 
and was educated in the schools of Boston. In 
1867 he accompanied his father to Newburgh, 



and the following year entered the emploj' of 
E. T. Skidmore, for whom, in the spring of 1869, 
he began to travel on the road. In the .spring of 
1876 he resigned that position, and was the first 
salesman to start on the road for James A. Town- 
send & Co., with whom he remained until 1884. 

I-'orming apartner.ship with John W. Matthews, 
in February, 1884, Mr. Stocker embarked in the 
wholesale business, owning a half-interest in the 
firm of J. W. Matthews & Co. The business 
was very successful, and Mr. Stocker continued 
for ten years with the firm, having charge of the 
outside trade and the salesmen on the road. Tlie 
partnership expired by limitation Januar>- 31. 
1394, at which time Mr. vStocker withdrew, and. 
with Jacob S. Brill, formed the present firm. 

In addition to his other interests, Mr. Stocker 
is a stockholder in the Palatine Hotel Company, 
and a member of the Board of Trade, also of the 
Commercial Travelers' Association. Everything 
pertaining to his business receives due considera- 
tion from him, and he is identified with the 
Wholesale Grocers' Association of New York 
and vicinity. His religious views coincide with 
those of the Unitarian Church. While not active 
in politics, he is well posted concerning national 
problems and is a firm Democrat. Socially he is 
connected with the Orange Lake and Orange 
Lake Ice Yacht Clubs and is a charter member of 
the City Club. 

In this city, October 19, 188 1, was solemnized 
the marriage of Edward Stocker and !Miss Ella 
Frances Cavanaugh, who was born in New York 
City. Her father, Garrett Cavanaugh, was a 
well known confectioner on Water Street. New- 
burgh, and was also similarly engaged in New 
York Cit>-. He died March 23, 1893. Her 
mother, Sarah A., was a native of England, and 
a daughter of William Hood, who was closely re- 
lated to the famous English poet, Thomas Hood. 
Mrs. Cavanaugh is still living, and now makes 
her home in Balmville. Mrs. Stocker was edu- 
cated in the Newburgh Free Academy, and is a 
cultured and amiable lady. Three children have 
been boni of the union, Edith, Christine and 
James, who reside with their parents at No. 159 
Grand Street. 




K. \\ K, MoN 11-()RT. M. ]). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



149 



KV. K. MONTFORT, M. D. Doubtless few 
of the residents of Newburgh have pro- 
moted its educational interests in such an im- 
portant degree as has Dr. Montfort, whose twen- 
ty-one years of .service as Superintendent of 
vSchools render him thoroughly familiar with the 
work, and qualify him for the intelligent manage- 
ment of affairs. His long retention in the posi- 
tion, and the ailvancement which the schools 
have made under his administration, prove his 
fitness for the work better than mere words could 
do. In addition to this position, he is officiating 
as Clerk of the Board of Education, and also en- 
gages in the practice of his profession. 

The Montfort family is of French-Huguenot 
origin. The parents of our subject, James and 
Catherine (Odell) Montfort, were natives of 
Dutchess County, N. Y., and the former, who was 
a fancy weaver by trade, died there when R. V. K. , 
the youngest of his six children, was an infant of 
three weeks. The mother, who was a member 
of a family once prominent on Eong Island, died 
in Dutchess County at the age of eighty years. 
The Doctor was born in the village of P'ishkill, 
N. Y., March 23, 1835, and in boyhood attended 
Dr. Pingree's private school. At the age of fif- 
teen he began to teach in the country, boarding 
around among the pupils. In 1853 he came to 
Newburgh and taught in what is now the high 
.school, then having but three teachers. 

Very so<m after his arrival in Newburgh, our 
subject began thestudy of medicine under Dr. 
G. C. M'bnell, and in 1855 he entered the Albany 
Medical College, from which he was graduated 
the following year with the degree of M. D. 
From that time to the present (1895), he has con- 
tinued the practice of the profession in this city, 
though, owing to the other demands upon his 
time, he has never been permitted to devote his 
entire attention to it. In 1859 he was elected 
Clerk and Superintendent of the schools, and re- 
tained the position until August, 1862, when he 
resigned in order to enter the army. Accepting 
a commission as A.ssistant Surgeon of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry 
(familiarly known as the "Orange Blos.soms" ), 
he went with his regiment to the front, and was 
3 



on every battlefield of the Army of the Potomac 
from Chancellorsville until the end of the war, 
being one of the five original officers who .served 
with the regiment during its entire term of serv- 
ice. In March, 1865, he was promoted to V)e 
Surgeon, the Surgeon-in-Chief of the Third Di- 
vision, Second Corps, indorsing the numerously 
signed recommendation for his promotion with 
the.se words; "There is no medical officer with 
whom I am acquainted more worthy or better 
qualified for promotion than Dr. Montfort." 
This was further indorsed by the Medical Director 
of the Second Corps, who said, "I fully concur." 

Mustered out of the service in June, 1865, the 
Doctor returned to Newburgh and resumed pro- 
fessional work In 1866 he was appointed 
Health Officer of the city, and served for four 
years. In 1865-66 he was physician to thealms- 
hou.se, and from 1866 until 1882 he was physician 
to the Home for the Friendless. He was a mem- 
ber of the staff of St. Luke's Ho.spital from its 
organization until 1892. In 1868 he was A.ssi.st- 
ant Cattle Commis.sioner to investigate the out- 
break of Texas fever in Orange County, and In- 
spector of the State Board of Health to investi- 
gate the outbreak of suppo.sed typhus fever dur- 
ing the construction of the West Shore Railroad. 
Six or eight life-insurance companies have him 
as their medical examiner. He is a prominent 
member of the Orange County Medical Society 
and has served as its President. 

In 1872 Dr. Montfort was appointed Clerk and 
Superintendent of the schools, and served con- 
tinuously until 1883. In 1887 he was again ap- 
pointed to the position, which he has since held. 
There has been a steady growth in the import- 
ance of and facilities for the work. In 1859 there 
were thirteen teachers; in 1895 there are ninety- 
two. The buildings have been erected under the 
administration of Dr. Montfort, and the excel- 
lent system of grading now in force was intro- 
duced by him. Among the educators of New 
York he is prominent and influential. In 1894- 
95 he served as President of the State Council of 
Superintendents, and is a member of the National 
Council of Superintendents. 

The first marriage of Dr. Montfort took place 



'SO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1861 and united him with Margaret Daugha- 
day, a native of Nevvburgh, who died in 1864, 
while he was in the army. She was the mother 
of one daughter, who died at the age of about 
eight months. In 1870, in Newburgh, he mar- 
ried Miss Theodosia B. Crowell, who was born in 
Coldenham. and is a daughter of a successful 
physician of New York City. Two children bless 
their union, Helen G. and Clive W. , the elder of 
whom is a member of the Cla.ss of '95, New- 
burgh High School. 

In 1867 Dr. Montfort was a charter member of 
Ellis Post, G. A. R., and is still actively iden- 
tified with the organization. Seven times its 
Commander, he is now serving his fifth con- 
secutive term. He is a member of the Third 
Corps Union, which, having been organized in 
the field, is the oldest of all armj' societies. An 
Episcopalian in religious belief, he is a member 
of the Board of Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church. 
In his political opinions he is a Republican. In 
the work of founding the Young Men's Christian 
As.sociation he was active, and for twenty years 
he took an influential part in its affairs. At the 
time of the centennial celebration he served as 
Secretary of the committee ha\-ing charge of the 
work, a position of great responsibility, coupled 
with the most arduous labor, but the duties of 
which he discharged in such a manner as to 
signally promote the success of the celebration. 
In every position to which he has been called, 
and in every enterprise in which he has engaged, 
he has given his time, thought, energy and 
ability, with a steadfast devotion that has invari- 
abl\- brousjht success. 



^^li-^H^liS 



STANTON GLEASON, M. D. In ad- 
dition to being a skilled practitioner of the 
medical profession, Dr. Gleason is also 
prominently identified with the educational inter- 
ests of Newburgh, being a member of the Board 
of Education, and an active promoter of the free 
schools. Although quite a young man, he has 
already gained more than ordinary success, and 



possesses large influence in his community, a fact 
which is accounted for by his strong principles, 
his concern in the welfare of all around him, and 
the genial manners which are the crowning 
charm of a fine nature. 

On the paternal side, Dr. Gleason is of Eng- 
lish de.scent, while through his maternal ances- 
tors he traces his lineage to Holland. The Glea- 
son family originated in Glastonburj-, England, 
and their name is derived, with a slight altera- 
tion, from the name of that town. The father 
of our subject. Rev. William H. Gleason, D. D,, 
was a son of Rev. William Glea.son, a Presby- 
terian clergyman, and was born in Durham, 
Conn., September 28, 1833. At the age of six- 
teen he entered Yale College, from which he was 
graduated in 1853, with the degree of A. B. 
Later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon 
him. Among his classmates who afterward at- 
tained national fame were Andrew D. White, 
Wayne McVeagh, Senator Gibson and B. K. 
Phillips. 

After his graduation, W. H. Gleason engaged 
in the mercantile business at Sag Harbor, Long 
Island, but not caring to make that his occupa- 
tion for life, he devoted his leisure hours to the 
stud}' of law, and in 1857 was admitted to the 
Bar. He at once began the practice of his pro- 
fession, in which he soon gained prominence and 
success. His first ballot was cast for John C. 
Fremont, and in his early years he was an ardent 
politician. In 1864-65 he represented the Fir.st 
District of Suffolk County in the Assembly, and 
while in this position delivered an able eulogy 
upon Abraham Lincoln, after the assassination of 
the President. With others, he took an active 
part in the project to build the Long Island Rail- 
road through to Sag Harbor. In 1868 he was 
nominated by the Republican party for Member 
of Congress, but the district being .strongly Dem- 
ocratic, he was defeated, though he succeeded in 
greatly reducing the majority of his opponent. 
By all who knew him it was conceded, and just- 
ly, that he stood at the head of the Bar in East- 
ern Long Island. 

Nothwithstanding his success in his profession, 
Mr. Gleason retired from it to enter the minis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



151 



try, realizing that- the latter profession offered 
him greater opportunities for doing good unto 
his fellow-men than that to which his previous 
years had been devoted. He was ordained to 
the ministr)' in the Presbyterian Church of Sag 
Harbor, and at once entered upon the pastorate 
of the Dutch Reformed Church of Newburgh, 
remaining in this city for six and one-half years. 
For the ten ensuing years he was pastor of the 
Dutch Reformed Church of Newark, N. J., after 
which he went to Hudson, N. Y. Owing to fail- 
ing health, he retired from the ministry in 1889, 
and renvoved to New York City, where he died 
February 21, 1891. He was a man of large cult- 
ure and noble character, one who would have 
adorned any profession and been an honor to any 
city. In 1881 he received the degree of D. D. 
from Rutgers College, and at other times during 
his busy life he was the recipient of honors from 
his fellow-men. His first wife bore the maiden 
name of Ellen Gladwin, and was a daughter of 
John Gladwin, a merchant of Deep River, Conn. 
She died in Newburgh in 1875, after having be- 
come the mother of six children, of whom three 
are now living. His second marriage united him 
with Miss Leila, daughter of Rev. D. S. Seward, 
of Yonkers, and they became the parents of one 
child. 

The next to the elde.st child born of his father's 
first marriage, the subject of this sketch is a na- 
tive of Sag Harbor, Long Island, his natal day 
being July 24, i860. After completing the studies 
of the common schools, he entered Williston 
Seminary, at Easthampton, Mass., and later was 
a student in Amherst College. In Septem- 
ber, 1883, he began his medical studies at the 
University Medical College, New York, under 
the preceptorship of Prof William M. Thomson. 
After a thorough course in that institution, he 
was graduated with honors, with the degree of 
M. D., in 1886. A term of practical hospital 
work followed, and he then opened an office in 
Newburgh, where he has since conducted a re- 
munerative and large practice. In 1893 he pur- 
chased a very desirable property at No. 1 43 Grand 
Street. In 1888 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Grace, daughter of Hon. J. W. Hoysradt, 



of Hudson, N. Y., and they became the parents 
of one child, Charles Billings. The Doctor and 
his wife are meriibers of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Newburgh. 

Socially the Doctor is a member of Hudson 
River Lodge No. 607, V. & A. M. ; Highland 
Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.: Hud.son River Com- 
mandery No. 35, K. T., and is also a member of 
the Royal Arcanum. The Orange County Medi- 
cal As.sociation and the Physicians' Mutual Aid 
A.ssociation of New York City number him 
among their members. During the administra- 
tion of President Harrison he was appointed a 
member of the Board of Examining Surgeons 
for Pensions, and served as Vice-President of the 
Board. In 1893 he was elected a member of the 
Board of Education, in which he is now serving 
on the Finance Committee, and as Chairman of 
the Teachers' Committee. In politics he is an 
ardent Republican. 



•*^ 



H-*- 



-HH 



^-^^Sc 



<"<-*- 



IILLIAM LYNN, a retired merchant and 
prominent citizen of Newburgh, was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, near Ballymena, 
about 18 19. His father, Adam Lj'un, was a farmer 
of that locality, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and there died at the age of forty-five. 
The grandfather, Hugh Lynn, was born in Ireland, 
of Scotch parentage, and after serving in the Eng- 
lish army carried on agricultural pursuits. The 
mother of our subject, Mrs. Martha Lynn, was 
also born in County Antrim, and was a daugh- 
ter of 'William McCrory, a farmer. Accompanied 
by her two daughters, she cros.sed the Atlantic 
to America, and spent her la.st days with her son 
William, her death occurring at the age of sev^- 
enty-two. In the family were the following chil- 
dren : Hugh, who was killed by a runaway 
horse; Sarah, who died in Ireland; Margaret 
and Elizabeth, who came to this country, but 
are now deceased; and William, the onh- sur- 
vivor of the family. 



152 



PORTRAIT AND lUOORAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



Our subject was reared on the farm and at- 
tended a private school. On attaining his major- 
ity, he came to America, goiiig from Belfast, 
Ireland, to Liverpool, where he embarked on a 
sailing-ves.sel, which after six weeks and two 
days reached New York Harbor, April 30, 1841. 
His capital at that time was less than $10, and 
for a while he worked in New York City. In 
July, however, he was taken sick, and was un- 
able to work for three months. In October, 
1841, he came to Newburgh, and in order to earn 
a living hired to work out by the day; but in 
February, 1843, he secured a position with Ben- 
jamin Mace, an attorney residing in Balmville. 
In the spring he engaged with a farmer for a 
year, and on the expiration of that period be- 
came interested in the oil-cloth business in New- 
burgh. He learned the trade with John Hos- 
kins, and afterward worked with W. Gunis, 
continuing in that business altogether for about 
twelve years as an employe. 

In the mean time, in company with two others, 
Mr. L> nn established a factory, but later sold 
out and conducted a meat-market. He had a 
horse and wagon and peddled goods for three 
> ears, after which he opened a store, and so suc- 
cessful was he that in a .short time he was doing 
a wholesale business. For .some time he was 
alone in this undertaking, then admitted to part- 
nership Mr. Post, who continued a member of 
the firm for six years, after which Mr. Lynn was 
again .sole proprietor. He purchased cattle and 
sheep throughout the countn,-, and made exten- 
sive shipments to New York, carrying on opera- 
tions along that line for eighteen years with 
most excellent .success. On his retirement, he 
built a number of residences, and for a time did a 
limited real-estate business, but has now practi- 
cally laid aside all business cares, although he 
still owns considerable property, including his 
residence at No. 21 South Miller Street. 

Mr. Lynn married, in County Antrim, Ireland, 
in 1 84 1, Mi.ss Mary DufF, who was a native of 
that localit>-, and died in 1873. They had seven 
children, of whom four grew to maturity: Mary, 
wife of Thomas Nutt, of Newburgh; Mrs. Ma- 
tilda Brown, a widow living in Newburgh; and 



Margaret and Sarah, twins, the former now Mrs. 
Theil, and the latter the wife of S. F. Shaw. 
For his second wife Mr. Lynn married Miss 
Sarah Hilton, a native of the FZmerald Isle, who 
during her childhood came to America with her 
father, Robert Hilton.. 

Mr. Lynn was formerly a member of the Cov- 
enanter Presbyterian Church, but has now for 
many years been connected with the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church. For fifteen years he served 
as a Deacon, and for more than twenty years has 
been a Ruling Elder. For many years he has 
been a member of the Newburgh Bible Society, 
and takes a deep and active interest in everything 
calculated to uplift luunanity. He takes no ac- 
tive part in politics, but votes with the Repub- 
lican party. In his business affairs he has pros- 
pered, and is now the possessor of a handsome 
competence. Success is not the result of genius, 
as many think, but the outcome of .sound judg- 
ment, clo.se application and perseverance, and 
these elements have brought to Mr. Lynn his 
pos.sessions, and an honorable, upright life has 
gained him the confidence of all. 




CjrSAAC C. CHAPMAN. Noted for its beau- 
I tiful homes, Newburgh has few prettier resi- 
X deuces than the one at No. 164 Grand Street, 
where the subject of this sketch resides. Mr. 
Chapman is the owner of a large wholesale and 
retail drug business at No. in Water Street, and 
is one of the successful business men of the city, 
having accumulated a large amount of property 
through his energy, excellent judgment and fi- 
nancial ability. 

The ancestral hi,stor\- of the Cliapnian family 
extends, in this country, back to the year 1635. 
The father of our subject. Paddock Chapman, 
was born in the southeastern part of Putnam 
County, near the Coiniecticut line, the year of 
his birth being 1790. Grandfather Thomas Chap- 
man w^s born in the same place, May 5, 1760, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



153 



and died in 1827. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Deborah Close. Great-grandfather Isaac 
Chapman was born in Dennis, Mass., in 172 1, 
and in 1740 settled in the southeastern part of 
Putnam Count)-, N. Y., where he died about 
1780. His marriage united him with Mi.ss Mar)- 
Paddock, who was born in Dennis, Ma.ss., in 1724. 

Tracing the lineage back one generation, we 
find that the father of Isaac was I.saac, Sr., who 
was born in Dennis, Mass., in 1692, and died in 
1776. The father of the latter, whose name was 
the same as his own, was born in Marshfield, 
Mass., in 1647, and died at Dennis in 1737. He 
was a son of Ralph Chapman, the progenitor of 
the familj- in this country, who was born in 
Southwark, Surrey County, England, and in 
1635 emigrated to America, being then twenty 
3-ears of age. He settled in Marshfield, Mass., 
where his death occurred in 1671. His wife, 
Lydia Willis, bore him six children, of whom 
Isaac was the third child and eldest son. The 
latter learned the blacksmith's trade under Col. 
James Leonard, who had a forge at Rochester, 
Mass., and whose daughter, Rebecca, became his 
wife. 

About 18 10 the father of our subject came to 
Xewburgh, where he embarked in business as a 
baker and grocer on Water Street. For fifty-five 
years he carried on business, and by his honesty 
and uprightness in ever\- transaction he gained 
the good-will of the people. In religious faith 
he was a Presbyterian, and he worshiped in that 
church until his death, April 2, 1865. His mar- 
riage in 1820 united him with Mary, daughter of 
Joseph Hoffman, a native of Xew York Citj', and 
of Holland-Dutch descent. His birth occurred 
about 1773, and in 1793 he came to Xewburgh 
in the employ of Adolph de Grove, but subse- 
quently, in company- with his brother John, he 
purcha.sed the establishment from Mrs. de Grove, 
and this he continued as a bakery and confection- 
erj-. He remained with his brother until 1804, 
when he erected a building for himself, and con- 
tinued business until his death. In religious be- 
lief he was a Lutheran in early years, but there 
V)eing no organization of that kind in Xewburgh, 
he identified himself with St. George's Church 



at the time of its organization, in 1805, and was 
one of its active and prominent members until 
his death. For several terms he ser\-ed as a mem- 
ber of the Board of Trustees of the village of 
Xewburgh, and was also one of the Trustees of 
the Glebe. It is said of him that he was a man 
who possessed a thorough appreciation of right 
and justice, and one whose life was governed by 
the highest principles of honor. His marriage 
united him with Maria, daughter of Abraham 
W. Van Deusen, of Xew York, and they were 
the parents of eleven children. Of these, Marj-, 
the mother of Isaac C. Chapman, was next to 
the eldest. Joseph Hoffman died Xovember 16, 
1852, aged seventy-nine years, and his wife passed 
away June 4, 1869, when in her ninety-fourth 
year. Mary Hoffman was born in Xewburgh, 
and died in this city in 1866, aged sixty-six 
years. Of her twelve children, all but one at- 
tained years of maturity and eight are living, one 
in Indiana, another in Brooklyn, and the others in 
Xewburgh. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the eldest 
of the family, was born in Xewburgh July 31, 
1833, and was graduated from Xewburgh Acade- 
my at fifteen years of age. He then went to Xew 
York City, where from 1848 until 1851 he was 
with Dr. James Syme, later was with Dr. Cleve- 
land in Charleston, S. C, and still later with Dr. 
James Syine in Xew Orleans. In 1853 he re- 
turned to Xew York, and two years later came 
to Xewburgh, where he purchased the druggist's 
stock and business of Henry O. Heustis, and to 
this he added, in i860, the stock and business of 
Isaac Sebring Fowler, then at the store which he 
has ever since occupied. He occupies an entire 
building, four stories with basement, and 20x100 
feet in dimensions. The building is furnished 
with good improvements, including an elevator. 
The first floor is utilized for offices and the retail 
business, while the balance is devoted to whole- 
sale and storage purposes. 

In Xewburgh, in 1856,, Mr. Chapman married 
Miss Letitia Kennedy, a native of this city, and 
daughter of Washington Kennedy, who was a 
carpenter and builder here. They have one son, 
John H., of whom mention is made on another 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



page. While Mr. Chapman has been obliged to 
give his attention mainly to his business affairs, 
he also takes an intelligent interest in public af- 
fairs and is well informed on current topics. Be- 
sides his other enterprises, he served as a Direc- 
tor of the Warwick \'alley Railroad, in place of 
Robert Forsythe, deceased, but resigned when a 
change was made in the road. Since 1862 he 
has been a Director of the Newburgh Saving 
Bank, and since 1882 has been its Secretary. In 
1 886 he became a Director of The National Bank 
of Newburgh, which position he still retains. For 
twenty years he has been a member of the Board 
of Trustees of the Union Presbyterian Church. 

In connection with his business, the name of 
Mr. Chapman has become widely known among 
others of the same occupation. He is now Vice- 
President of the New York State Pharmaceutical 
As.sociation, and is a member of the American 
Pharmaceutical As.sociation. In Masonr>- he is 
identified with Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M.; 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.: and Hudson 
River Commander}- No. 33, K. T. Politically 
he has always adhered to Democratic doctrines. 
In 1857-59 he was Clerk of the old town of New- 
burgh. In 1873 he was chosen Supervisor for 
the Third Ward, a fact which indicates his popu- 
larity, as that ward was strongly Republican. As 
a member of the fire department he has been 
active and influential, and for si.K years he was 
Secretar>- of the old hook and ladder company. 






^"IIOMAS SMITH. In this gentleman, Fer- 
I C ry & Napier, the well known fur hat man- 
v2/ ufacturers of Newburgh, have a very effi- 
cient superintendent, one who is versed in all 
departments of the business, and is therefore well 
qualified for the important position he holds. 

The paternal grandfather of our .subject, James 
Smith, was a hatter in Gorton, England, where 
his son, the father of Thomas, was also engaged 
in the .same business. In 1S69, however, the lat- 



ter emigrated to America, settling in Bloomfield, 
N. J., where he continued at his trade until his 
death, which occurred in August, 1870. Gorton, 
England, was the birthplace of the mother, who 
before her marriage was known as Ann Bowker. 
Her father, Joseph Bowker, was also a hatter by 
trade, as were many of his family before him. 
The mother died in New Jersey, in 1887, when 
sixty-three years of age. 

In the parental family there were five children, 
only one of whom, Thomas, was spared to reach 
maturity. He was born March 15, 1854, in the 
same place as was his father, Gorton, England, 
j where he lived until he had reached his sixteenth 
year, when he emigrated with his father to Amer- 
ica. Prior to this, however, when twelve years 
old, he had begun to serve an apprenticeship to 
the hatter's trade under his father, continuing 
in his employ until coming to America. After 
settling in Bloomfield he fini.shed his appren- 
ticeship with Hampson & Ellor, hat manufactur- 
ers of that place. He diligently applied himself 
until twenty-one years of age, when he traveled 
as a journeyman through Connecticut, and New- 
ark and Orange, N. J. Later, in 1880, he be- 
came foreman of their factory- , holding that posi- 
tion for two years. He then became one of the 
partners of Ellor, Law & Co., and until 1891 the 
firm carried on a lucrative business in the manu- 
facture of hats in Bloomfield. It was at this 
juncture that Mr. Smith became identified with 
Ferrj- & Napier, who have been fortunate in re- 
taining his services up to the present time. 

The facton,- is located on Washington Street, 
and has a capacity- for turning out three hundred 
dozen hats per day. Two seventy-five-liorse- 
power engines and two eighty and three ninety 
horse-power boilers are required to carry on the 
works, which are heated by steam. Employ- 
ment is given to four hundred employes, who are 
distributed in the following rooms: forming, siz- 
ing, stiffening, dyeing, blocking, pouncing, fin- 
ishing, trinuning and flanging rooms. The fur 
used is shipped from the wholesale rooms, Nos. 
21 and 23 West Fourth Street, New York City. 
In connection with the factor}- there is also a box 
manufacturing department. 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPHICAt RECORD. 



155 



111 Bloomfield, N. J., in 1875, occurred the 
marriage of our subject and Miss Katie Coons, 
who was born in Schoharie, N. V., and who is a 
daughter of Peter Coons. P'our interesting chil- 
dren have blessed this marriage: Bertha, Clara 
L., Annie M. and Etta. The home is pleasantly 
located at No. 38 Libert}- Street, Washington 
Heights, and there they entertain their many 
friends. 

Mr. Smith is greatly interested in educational 
matters, and while residing in Bloomfield was a 
member of the Board of Education. Formerl}- 
he was connected with Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M. , 
of Bloomfield, but now holds membership with 
Hudson River Lodge of Newburgh. Since 1873 
he has been a member of the Methodi.st Episco- 
pal Church, and is now serving as Class-leader 
in Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of New- 
burgh. While in Bloomfield he served as Treas- 
urer of the Board of Trustees, on the Board of 
Stewards and as Class-leader. Politically he is a 
Prohibitionist, with Republican tendencies. 



3 AMES F. TEMPLETON, who is numbered 
among Newburgh's most successful con- 
tractors, was born in Wigtoushire, Scotland, 
June 28, 1845. As far back as the family record 
extends, the ancestors have resided in the ' 'land 
of heather, ' ' and have been people of recognized 
worth of character and strength of intellect. The 
grandfather, John Templeton, was born in Dum- 
friesshire, where he engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. Like the others of his name, he was a con- 
sistent member of the Presbyterian Church. 

The father of our subject, William Templeton, 
was born in Wigtoushire, and in the parish of 
Glenluce he passed his entire life, dying at the 
age of eighty-one. He married Miss Annie Pat- 
erson, who was born in Scotland in 1809, and 
died March 12, 1895, aged eighty-six years. Her 
father, George Paterson, was born in Wigtou- 
shire, and continued to make his home there 
throughout life. James F. is one of a family of 
seven sons and .six daughters, of whom three sons 
and three daughters are still living. Two broth- 



ers, Alexander and William, settled in Newburgh, 
where the former followed the business of a con- 
tractor, and the latter was a carpenter; both died 
in this city. 

Among the thirteen children James F. was the 
eighth in order of birth. He was reared in Glen- 
luce, where he attended the common schools and 
aided his father, who was a contractor and build- 
er. At the age of sixteen he commenced to learn 
the carpenter's trade under the in.struction of his 
father, gaining a thorough knowledge of ever}- 
department of the work. In 1865 he went to 
Glamorganshire, South Wales, w-here he worked 
at his trade for three years. On the 19th of June, 
1868, he took passage from Glasgow on an Amer- 
ican-bound steamer, which landed him in New 
York on the 4th of July, after a voyage of fifteen 
days. 

For two years after coming to the LTiiited States, 
Mr. Templeton worked for his brothers, after 
w-hich he was in the employ of William Hilton & 
Sou for thirteen years. In 188 1, forming a part- 
nership with George Usher, under the firm name 
of Usher & Templeton, he started in business for 
himself, and the connection continued until 1895, 
when Mr. Templeton bought out his partner's 
interest and has since carried on the business 
alone. He has been a successful business man, 
and the work that he has done has been entirely 
satisfactory to the parties concerned. He has 
erected many of the residences in the city, and 
while in partnership with Gerge Usher also had 
the contract for the City Hall, the McGregor and 
Fletcher Blocks, and a number of other important 
public office buildings. At different times he has 
had in his employ from fifteen to thirty men, hav- 
ing conducted the business on an extensive .scale. 
He owns eighty-six feet frontage on Chambers 
Street, at Nos. 30-32-34, where he owns two res- 
idences and has his office and shop. 

In Newburgh Town, in 1870, Mr. Templeton 
married Miss Jessie McGregor, who was born in 
Wigtoushire, Scotland, but was brought from 
there to America by her father, John McGregor, 
who became a farmer in New Windsor Town. 
Four children compri.se the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Templeton, namely; George, a graduate of 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Newburgh Academy, and now liis fathers assist- 
ant; Annie, also a graduate of tlie academy; Mabel, 
a member of the Class of '96, Newiiurgh Acade- 
my; and William. 

Politically Mr. Templeton is a Republican. In 
1886 he was elected Alderman from the Second 
Ward on his party ticket, and two years later he 
was re-elected, serving four years altogether. 
During his incumbency of this responsible posi- 
tion he was Chairman of the Sewer Committee, and 
a member of the Police, Light. Finance and Fire 
Department Committees. In 1894 he was elected 
Water Commissioner for five years, his term be- 
ginning in March of that year. While acting in 
this capacity he has been Chairman of the Im- 
provement Committee, and a member of the Sup- 
ply Committee. Socially he is a Mason, and a 
past officer in the order of Odd Fellows. In re- 
ligious connections he is a member of the Associ- 
ate Reformed Church on Grand Street. 



EIIARLES L- C. KERR is Ca.shier of The 
National Bank of Newburgh, and is one of 
our most enterprising business men. He 
was born and bred in this city, with whose history 
and success his own has been thoroughly identi- 
fied. With all with whom he comes in contact 
in any way he is very popular and justly esteemed. 
Ever since he entered the busines.s world, which 
he did in his seventeenth year, he has been con- 
nected in one capacity or another with this noted 
banking institution, and from time to time has 
been promoted, for the past five years serving in 
his present capacity- and as SecretaPi- of the 
Board of Directors. 

Our subject is a .son of George W. Kerr, who 
was born in Warren County, N. J., February 15, 
1810. His ancestors were originally from Scot- 
land, but his father, Jacob, was a native of Free- 
hold, N. J., and was there engaged in the lum- 
ber business. In his early manhood, George W. 
obtained a position in the Ithaca i^N. V.) branch 
of the Bank of Newburgh, and in 1S30, when 
the Ithaca Bank was establi.shed, he became one 
of its employes, remaining there until October, 



1 83 1, when he accepted a position in the bank of 
Newburgh. In 1S36 he was promoted to the po- 
sition of Cashier, and in 1854 was elected Presi- 
dent to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
John Chambers. When The National Bank of 
Newburgh was organized in 1864, he was hon- 
ored with the Presidency of the new concern, 
and continued as such until his death, or for 
thirty-seven years. The Directors of the bank 
pronounced upon him this just tribute to his 
worth: "His sound judgment, perfect integrity 
and eminent ability have been long recognized in 
financial circles, and his excellence in ail the rela- 
tions of life will long be remembered in this com- 
munity. By us, his immediate associates, and 
by all in any capacity attached to this bank, his 
memory will always be cherished. He has left 
to his family and this community, where he has 
spent so many years of a long and useful life, a 
legacy better than earthly riches — a good name." 
,For forty-seven years he was a \'estryman in St 
George's Protestant Episcopal Church, and for 
thirty-one years was Treasurer of the Board. 
Among the resolutions which the Vestry of the 
church adopted occurs the following: "It is with 
grateful feeling that we remember the steady con- 
sistency of his Christian walk, his uprightness as 
a business man, his value as a citizen, his zeal as 
a churchman. We owe him no slight debt for 
his faithful services as our Treasurer for thirty- 
one years, during which time his unflagging at- 
tention to the affairs of the pari.sh has contribu- 
ted essentially and in a large degree to its stabil- 
ity and prosperity." The death of Mr. Kerr 
took place June 3, 1890. He was a Trustee and 
\"ice- President of the \nllage in 1856, and from 
1S52 to 1S54 was a member of the Board of Ed- 
ucation. 

George W. Kerr was twice married, his first 
union being with Emeline Ross, and his second 
with Margaret T. L. , daughter of Rev. John 
Brown. The latter was born in New York City 
and graduated from Columbia College, afterward 
entering the Episcopal ministry. He was the 
first Rector of St. George's F^piscopal Church, 
and under his direction the old stone edifice was 
constructed. His services in the Master's vine- 




i.nl. WILLIAM I). DICKEV. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



159 



yard covered some sixty-three years, as at the 
time of his demise he was over ninety-three years 
of age. Mrs. Kerr died in 1877, aged about fifty- 
four vears. In the parental family there were 
twelve children, all but one of whom grew to 
maturity. Of the sons, John B. is Vice-Presi- 
dent of the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- 
way, having his headquarters in New York 
City; Walter is Vice-President of the New York 
Life Insurance and Trust Company; and George 
\V. is a well known medical practitioner of the 
metropolis. The daughters are residents of this 
city. 

Charles L. C. Kerr was born in Newburgh, 
August 27, 1S55, and in boyhood attended the 
public schools. Later he entered the Newburgh 
Academy, from which he graduated when a little 
over sixteen years of age. In 1S72 he -entered 
The National Bank of Newburgh as Junior Clerk, 
later he was promoted to the position of book- 
keeper, was Teller for . eight years, and for the 
past five years has served as Cashier. In his 
political affiliations he favors the Democracy. 

In 1884 Mr. Kerr married Miss Mary E. Ward, 
of this city, whose father, Luther C. Ward, was 
formerly engaged in ship-building, being a mem- 
ber of the old firm of Ward & Stanton. Two 
children have come to bless the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Kerr, Helen and Ludlow. The parents are 
members of St. George's Episcopal Church. 



•♦>5^®(^P)®^lht;t -«— 



EOL. WILLIAM D. DICKEY. There are 
few professions that require the amount of 
diligent .study and general information which 
are essential to a knowledge of law. In order to 
ma.ster legal terms understandingly one must have 
a good education, and, in addition to this, must 
have great concentration of thought. Among 
the gentlemen who realize the full importance of 
the profession, and who add dignity to it, no one 
stands higher than does Colonel Dickey, of New- 
burgh. While he has attained success at the Bar, 
his energies liave by no means been limited to the 



profession, but in many other ways he has gained 
eminence and distinction among the residents of 
the Hudson Valle}-. 

Briefly, before giving the biographical sketch 
of Colonel Dickey, let us glance at his ancestral 
history. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage, 
and the parents of our subject, William and Es- 
ther (James) Dickey, were born in Belfast, in the 
North of Ireland, whence they emigrated in early 
life to America. The father, who learned the 
mason's trade in Newburgh, was engaged as a 
contractor and builder here for manj- j'ears, but 
is now living retired. He erected many of the im- 
portant buildings of the city, including churches 
and schools. His wife, who was a Presbyterian 
in religious belief, and a lady of noble character, 
died in 1863. They were the parents of six sons 
and three daughters, all of whom but two daugh- 
ters are still living. One of the brothers, Joseph 
M., was Captain in the regiment commanded by 
our subject, and later served as Representative in 
the New York Assembly; he is now one of the 
most extensive real-estate dealers of Newburgh, 
and a very prominent citizen of the place. 

Born in Newburgh, January 11, 1845, the sub- 
ject of this notice received a good education, 
graduating from Newburgh Academy and Mt. 
Retirement Seminary, Deckertown, N. J. In 
1 86 1 he began the study of law in the office of 
Scott & Drake, but his private interests soon gave 
way to matters of deeper importance. The war 
broke out, and every patriotic citizen was called 
upon to aid in the defen.se of the Union. Not- 
with-standing his youth, he was determined to 
enlist, and in May, 1862, joined the Nineteenth 
Regiment of Newburgh, fn which he .served, first 
as a private and afterward as Sergeant, for three 
months. Returning home, he was commissioned 
a week later as Second Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Sixty-eighth New York Infantry, 
and in a short time was promoted to the rank of 
First Lieutenant, later receiving the commission 
of Captain in the Fifteenth New York Artillery, 
Battery M. May 11, 1865, he was promoted to be 
Major, and in recognition of his gallant services 
and distinguished valor the President conferred 
upon him the brevets of Lieutenant-Colonel and 



i6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Colonel. At the battle of the W'eldoii Railroad 
he was for a time in command of the brigade, all 
of his superior officers having been either killed 
or wounded. Aside from many skirmishes, he 
participated in twenty general engagements, 
among which were the battles of the Wilderness, 
Spott.sylvania and Cold Harbor. He was also in 
all of the engagements before Petersburg, and in 
all of tho.se up to and including Lee's surrender. 
The distinction that he won for gallantry on 
many a hard-fought battlefield is especially com- 
mendable, when the fact is taken into con.sidera- 
tion that he was only .seventeen at the tinie of en- 
listment, and less than twenty when he was brev- 
eted Colonel. 

Within a week after his return to New York, 
Colonel Dickey entered the Albany Law School, 
from which he was graduated in the spring of 
iS66, and at once opened an office for the prac- 
tice of his profession in his native city, where he 
has since resided. As an attorney, his counsels 
are sought by many of the leading men of this 
section of the state. His success in private and 
public undertakings, and his knowledge of points 
involving abstract legal principles, are marvelous. 
It is said of him that he has an extraordinary 
power of analysis and generalization, and a keen 
insight into the technicalities of the law. His 
skill in the management of ca.ses submitted to 
him has won for him an enviable reputation, 
which is not limited to Xewburgh, nor indeed to 
Orange County. 

June 17, 1S6R, our subject was elected Colonel 
of the Nineteenth Regiment of the State Militia, 
and filled the position until the disbanding of 
the regiment in 1876. He was a member of the 
Connnittee on Military, having in charge the ar- 
rangements for the military divisions in the great 
procession at the Newburgh Centennial in 1SS3, 
and was Marshal of the Second Division. In 
1872, 1S78 and 1S79 he was Corporation Coun- 
sel. Socially he is identified with the Military 
Order of the Loyal Legion, and is a member of 
Hudson River Lodge. F. & A. M., and Highland 
Chapter, R. .\. M. Soon after the formation of 
the first po.st in the Ignited States, he was mus- 
tered in at Indianapolis. Ind., as a member of the 



Grand Army, in which he has since been an in- 
fluential member. 

The connection of Colonel Dickey with public 
affairs has Ijeen of such a nature as to reflect the 
greatest credit upon himself. In 1893 he was 
elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention 
of New York from the Sixteenth Senatorial Dis- 
trict, on the Republican ticket, and was one of 
the most active workers in that body, being in 
con.stant attendance for the entire time of the con- 
vention, nearly five months. He delivered some 
of the ablest speeches of the convention, and the 
plans and suggestions he brought forward were 
pointed, forcible and discriminating. As a mem- 
ber of the Connnittee on Corporations and Legis- 
lative Apportionments, he rendered valuable .serv- 
ice. He introduced the amendments to aboli.sh 
the offices of Coroner and Justice of Sessions, 
both of which were adopted. He also introduced, 
and was active in .securing the adoption of, the 
amendment pennitting Judges who have reached 
the age of seventy years to be assigned to duty 
by the Governor, if they are qualified. The 
measure to do away with the $5,000 limit of re- 
covery in damages in death cases was fostered 
by him, and he delivered the principal speech in 
the case. He was active in securing the anti- 
gambling amendment, and voted in favor of sub- 
mitting the woman-suffrage question to the peo- 
ple of New York. 

No resident of Newburgh has been more active 
in building up local enterprises than has Colonel 
Dickey. He was a promoter of the Newburgh 
Electric Street Railway Company, and the New- 
burgh & Orange Lake Electric Street Railway 
Company, in both of which he was formerly Di- 
rector, and is still attorney and counselor. In 
the Walden & Orange Lake Electric Railway 
Company he is ser\-ing as Director. With his 
brother, Capt. J. M. Dickey, he laid out forty 
acres known as Wa.sliington Heights, being the 
west half of the same, and now one of the be.->t resi- 
dence portions of the city. Here, on the corner 
of Bay Yiew Terrace and Overlook Place, stands 
his home, a modern and substantial frame struct- 
ure, the beauty of which is enhanced by the low- 
arching piazzas and the well kept lawn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6i 



The organization of the Newburgh Fire De- 
partment Association is largely dne to Colonel 
Dickey, who is now its President. It was organ- 
ized December 8, 1893, with the following offi- 
cers: President, Colonel Dickey, of the Washing- 
ton Heights Hose Company; Vice-President, Will- 
iam H. Hallock, of the Highland Steamer Com- 
pany; Secretary, John F. Tucker, of the Lawson 
Hose Company; and Treasurer, Lewis M. Smith, 
of the Washington Steamer Company. October 
17-18, 1894, the as.sociation held a parade and 
tournament, at which prizes to the value of $600 
were given. The affair was one of the most bril- 
liant firemanic displays the county has ever seen, 
and the association had every rea.son to be proud 
of its success. 

Another local enterprise with which the name 
of Colonel Dickey is inseparably a.s.sociated is the 
Palatine Hotel, the finest in the county, and one of 
the most elegant on the Hudson River. The en- 
terprise originated in an unexpected manner. The 
Board of Trade of this city, at its meeting March 
10, 1892, was discussing the question of holding 
a grand banquet, at which all the members and 
their friends should meet around the festive board. 
Some one presented the objection that there was 
no suitable place where such a meeting could be 
held. "Let us build a hotel, then," said Colonel 
Dickey. "Let it be a structure that will accom- 
modate the largest gathering Newburgh can pos- 
sibly have for a quarter of a century, at least; a 
building that shall be an ornament to the city; a 
hotel conducted in first-cla.ss style, that will com- 
pare favorably with anything in the state. ' ' The 
idea struck a popular chord. "What will you 
give, Colonel, toward such a hotel?" some one in- 
quired. "One thousand dollars," was the prompt 
reply, received with loud and continued applause. 
The Colonel was made chairman of the first solic- 
iting committee, and was one of the incorporators 
of the Palatine Hotel Company, which purchased 
a .suitable site at the corner of Grand and Third 
Streets, and erected thereon a magnificent hotel, 
costing $125,000. From time to time he advanced 
additional money, and is now the largest stock- 
holder in the hotel. 

The marriage of Colonel Dickey in June, 1868, 



united him with Kate W., daughter of Theodore 
Richmond, of Newburgh. Their only son, Frank 
R., a talented young man, is a graduate of the 
Newburgh Academy, and completed the course 
of the Albany Law School in December, 1894, 
when twenty \ears of age; he will practice in part- 
nership with his father. The three daughters, 
Annie L- , Kate G. and Henrietta E. , are accom- 
plished young ladies, upon whom every advant- 
age has been bestowed, and who are popular in 
the best society of Newburgh. 

^ILBERTE. JACOBS is a member of the 
l__ Newburgh Reed Company, manufacturers 
^_J of reed chairs and furniture. They have 
met with great success in their undertaking, 
which is an infant industry here. They also have 
a department for manufacturing rustic work, and 
are constantly bringing forward original designs, 
which meet with great favor. The products of 
the plant find a ready sale, not only in various 
parts of the United States, but in Cuba, South 
America, Mexico and Europe. Mr. Jacobs is 
very prominent in many local organizations, ac- 
tively interested in the Republican party, and be- 
longs to the Lake Club and the Newburgh Gun 
Club. 

Our subject is of English descent, but his pa- 
ternal grandfather, Daniel, was a native of New 
York City. His father, William H., was born in 
Williamsburg, but moved to Newburgh in 1875 
with his family. In this city he became a prom- 
inent business man. and passed away in 1892, at 
the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, Lucy A. 
Tyler, was born in Center Brook, Conn., and is 
now making her home with our subject. Her 
father, Kelley A. Tyler, also a native of the Nut- 
meg State, was a successful merchant and was a 
near relative of Colonel Tyler, of Revolutionary 
fame. George H., the only brother of our sub- 
ject, is engaged in business with him. Their 
only sister died in infancy. 

G. E. Jacobs was born May 6, 1850, in Will- 
iamsburg, now a part of Brooklyn, New York. 
When he was five years of age he removed to 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Poblk and Justice of the Peace. He was one of 
the {Hominent members of the Democratic paity 
in the coant>-. oh which ticket he was noaninated 
fttr Repres«itatiTe. bat owii^ to the large Repab- 
lican majority was not dected. At one time he 
was also nominated for Sheriff of the ctmnty. bat 
declined the nomination. He was an honest, np- 
right man at aU times, and a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episo^nl Chordi. Asa faimex 
he was quite soccessfol. and in agricnltnial cir- 
cles was qnite piraninent. 

In ITster Countj". in 1S50. William R. Weed 
married Miss Elmira Doane, a native of that 
coontT, and a daughter of David and Jane ( Donn) 
Doane. the former a native crf^ New Haven. Coon. 
About a year after his marriage. Mr. Doane lo- 
cated in Ulster County, where he engaged in 
&rming until his death. In his &mily were foor 
children. two sons and two daughters, three of 
whom are yet living. A brother of Mrs. Weed. 
Dr. William Daone. is engaged in practice in 
Union, N. Y. She is the second in order of 
birth, and remained in lister County until her 
marriage, by which she became the mother of 
five children. Mar>- is the widow of Rev. Dr. 
H. F. Nichols, a Methodist Episcopal divine, who 
died at his residence on Twent>--eighth Street. 
New York Cit>-. October 9. 1S95. leaving two 
children. Elmira M. and William R. W. Mrs. 
Nidids studied medicine with her husband, and 
is now engaged in practice in Xewburgh. Charles 
W- is the second in the family. Efaniia J., who 
became Mrs. J. Garlow. died in Pmnsyhrania, 
lea\-ing two sons. Judson C. and Charles G. 
Ashton Doane is a salesman in the employ of his 
teother Charles W. Edgar Y. K.. who died in 
Xewborgh. December 16. 1S93,. at the age of 
thirt>--two years, had married Martha D. Milsoai. 
of Xash\"ille, Tenn. The latter and her two 
children. Martha D. F. and OUie R.. resde in 
Nash\Tlle. Tenn. The mother of this &mil>- is 
still living, and is an active member of Trinity 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Xewbargh. 

On the home &rm Charles W. Weed was reared. 
and in the common schoc4s acquired his educa- 
tion. At the age of twelve >-ears he was appren- 
ticed to a tinsmith in JefRerson County. N. Y.. 



and later became a derk in a hardware estafalid- 
ment of Watertown. From there he went to Syra- 
cuse, but later returned to Xewburgh and derked 
for L. M. Smith & Co. for two years. Subse- 
quently he became connected with the Roger Sfl- 
ver Plate Mann&ctmy as travdii^ salesnuui. 
during which time he viated thirty -three stat^ 
going fimn the Atlantic to the Rockies, and frocn 
the Lakes to the Gulf. With that firm be r^ 
mained for ten years, when, in 1SS2. be went : ; 
Texas, where he engaged in baying and shipping 
h<*ses. and at one time, while traveling over that 
state, spent fifty -six days in the saddle. He 
bought pooiesy mustangs and teoochos in Mexico 
and Texas, shipfung the same orer die Iroo 
Moantain route to St. Louis, and from there to 
the East, whoe he anctioaed them off. Daring 
the seven years he was engaged in that bosioess. 
he handled thousands of hwses. and had two men 
employed in shipping aU the time. Fcnr a while 
he was located at Xewman. Douglas County, m. 

In 1SS9 Mr. Weed returned to Xewburgh. 
where he built a bam in the shape of an L at 
Xos. 314 to 3;iS Broadway, the partem that street 
being 50x210 feet in dimensions, and that on 
Robinson Avenue 1 10x109. I^ >s two stones in 
h^gfat. and will affiird shdter for over one hun- 
dred horses^ In his repo^ocy he keqps the Mor- 
ris Woodhull traps and fine surreys, while his 
wagons are from the Watertown Spring Wagon 
Company. He also carries the Milbnm Ssna 
wagons, besides a foil line of hamessy in which 
he is both a retail and wholesale dealer. Besides 
his extenave trade in Xewbargh. he also ship:^ 
quite extensively in carload lots^ generally using 
aboGt twenty-five cars per year. 

In 1875. in Brookl>-n. Mr. Weed was married 
to Miss Lama S. Kelsej-. a native of that cit>-. 
and to them ha\-e been bom sx diildren: Irving 
K.. who is with his&ther in bostness; Emma J.. 
Orlena. Qiarles Freeman. Laurence and HaroM. 

Beades dealing in all kinds of draft and stand- 
ard-bred horses. Mr. Weed is interested in &st 
horses, and now has a pacer, ".\ctor." sired by 
"Almont." with a record of z:^?'^^. bat which can 
show a mile in 2:1c. being nndoabtedly the tastest 
hcwse in Xewbargh. Our subject is a member ot 



PORTRAIT .\XD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6; 



the Retail Harness and Carriage Dealers' Asso- 
ciation, and also of the Li'S'en.- men's Association. 
Politically he is a stalwart Republican, and so- 
cially is a member of Highland Lodge, I. O. 
O. F. His pleasant home is located on Gidney 
Avenue, where he has a fine frxiit farm, compris- 
ing ten acres. As a business man he is energetic 
and reliable, all his dealings being characterized 
by fairness and conducted on good business prin- 
ciples. 



?^i;iriK^ 



^ 



*]rNGHAM STVELEY. of Newburgh. is Sec- 
I retar>" of the Republican City Committee, is a 
X member of the Count>- Committee, and is 
Clerk of the Orange Count>- Board of Super- 
visors. Thus it can be seen that he is ver>- active 
in his part>-. and enjoys the good opinion of those 
who are associated with him in the advancement 
of its interests. In Masonic circles he is also 
highly esteemed, and for ten years was Secretary 
of Newburgh Lodge No. 309. He is also a Past 
Grand in Acme Lodge No 469. I. O. O. F. 

Mr. Stub ley. who was bom in Dewsbur>-. York- 
shire, England, March 8. 1S52. is a stanch friend 
of his adopted country, and is a thorough-going 
American in all his ideas. His grandfather, 
William, and his father, William. Jr.. were bom 
in the same locality in Yorkshire and learned 
wool-carding in the mills. During his last years 
the grandfather was engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in Dewsbury. in which place his death oc- 
curred. He was a local minister in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and did valiant ser\-ice in 
the Master's cause. William Stubley, Jr., was 
married in England to Miss Mary Ingham, 
daughter of George Ingham, who was a fancy 
weaver in the Dewsbury miUs. Mrs. Stubley died 
in England in 1S60. lea\-ing three children: Sarah 
now the wife of Joshua Halliday. of Coffey ville, 
Kan.: John, deceased: and our subject. The fa- 
ther married a second time, but his wife died in 
1868. soon after he had brought her to America. 
The family settled in Newburgh that year. Mr. 
Stubley engaging in his former trade as a carder 
in the Hargnmalor MiUs. In iSSo. in company 



with his son, he embarked in the business which 
is now carried on by the latter, that of dealing in 
wholesale rags, which are sold to paper mills. 
The firm name for several years was William 
Stubley cSc Son. The senior member made sev- 
eral trips to England, and at the close of a busy 
and useful life was summoned to his final rest, 
February i, 1S94, aged sixt\-nine years. He 
was a member of the Episcopal Church, and 
politically advocated the principles of the same 
party as does his son. 

The first sixteen years of the life of Ingham 
Stubley were spent in his native land, his educa- 
tion being acquired in a boarding-school. In his 
fourteenth year he entered the woolen-mUl under 
the employ of his father, and in 186S left Liver- 
pool on the steamer "France." reaching New 
York City at the end of a thirteen-days voyage. 
For a short time he resided in Boston, and later 
went to Lowell, where he found employment with 
the firm of R. Kitson & Son. to learn the ma- 
chinist's trade. In December. 1S6S. he came to 
this city and worked in the woolen-mill of Hargn- 
malor as a carder. At home he took up the stiidy 
of bookkeeping and was soon promoted, being 
placed in the office, and for ten years was con- 
fidential bookkeeper of the firm. Then, going to 
New York Cit>-, he found a position as a book- 
keeper there, but at the end of a year and a-half 
embarked in business for himself in company 
with his fe.ther. The location of the old firm of 
William Stubley & Son, as it is still known, is at 
Nos. 127 and 129 Broadway. The building is 
constructed of brick and has a frontage of forty- 
four feet, is fifty-four feet in depth and is two 
stories high. The rags are baled with a press for 
the purpose and are sold in large quantities to 
the trade. 

In 1874 Mr. Stubley was united in marriage 
with Nancy J. Dickerson, of Newburgh. Both 
she and her father, Abram Dickerson. are natives 
of Orange County, the latter being the owner of 
a good farm. Our subject and wife have a pleasant 
home at No. 55 Johnson Street, the residence 
having been built by Mr. Stubley. They have 
two sons: WiUiam. who graduated from the New- 
burgh Academv. and is now in business with his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



165 



the Retail Harness and Carriage Dealers' Asso- 
ciation, and also of the Liverymen's Association. 
Politically he is a stalwart Republican, and so- 
cially is a member of Highland Lodge, L O. 
O. F. His pleasant home is located on Gidney 
Avenue, where he has a fine fruit farm, compris- 
ing ten acres. As a business man he is energetic 
and reliable, all his dealings being characterized 
by fairness and conducted on good business prin- 
ciples. 



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'kZT 



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^®^ 



^ 



^VnGHAM STUBLEY, of Newburgh, is Sec- 
I retary of the Republican City Committee, is a 
X member of the County Committee, and is 
Clerk of the Orange County Board of Super- 
visors. Thus it can be seen that he is very active 
in his party, and enjoys the good opinion of those 
who are as.sociated with him in the advancement 
of its interests. In Ma.sonic circles he is also 
highly esteemed, and for ten years was Secretary 
of Newburgh Lodge No. 309. He is also a Past 
Grand in Acme Lodge No 469, I. O. O. F. 

Mr. Stubley, who was born in Dewsbury, York- 
shire, England, March 8, 1852, is a stanch friend 
of his adopted country, and is a thorough-going 
American in all his ideas. His grandfather, 
William, and his father, William, Jr., were born 
in the same locality in York.shire and learned 
wool-carding in the mills. During his last years 
the grandfather was engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in Dewsbury, in which place his death oc- 
curred. He was a local minister in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and did valiant service in 
the Master's cause. William Stubley, Jr., was 
married in England to Miss Marj' Ingham, 
daughter of George Ingham, who was a fancy 
weaver in the Dewsbury mills. Mrs. Stubley died 
in England in i860, leaving three children: Sarah 
now the wife of Joshua Halliday, of Coffeyville, 
Kan. ; John, deceased; and our subject. The fa- 
ther married a second time, but his wife died in 
1868, soon after he had brought her to America. 
The family settled in Newburgh that year, Mr. 
Stubley engaging in his former trade as a carder 
in the Hargnmalor Mills. In 1880, in company 



with his son, he embarked in the business which 
is now carried on by the latter, that of dealing in 
wholesale rags, which are sold to paper mills. 
The firm name for several years was William 
Stubley & Son. The senior member made sev- 
eral trips to England, and at the close of a busy 
and u.seful life was summoned to his final rest, 
February i, 1894, aged sixty-nine 5-ears. He 
was a member of the Episcopal Church, and 
politically advocated the principles of the same 
party as does his son. 

The first .sixteen years of the life of Ingham 
Stubley were spent in his native land, his educa- 
tion being acquired in a boarding-school. In his 
fourteenth year he entered the woolen-mill under 
the employ of his father, and in 1868 left Liver- 
pool on the steamer "France," reaching New 
York City at the end of a thirteen-days voyage. 
For a short time he resided in Bo.ston, and later 
went to Lowell, where he found employment with 
the firm of R. Kitson & Son, to learn the ma- 
chinist's trade. In December, 1868, he came to 
this city and worked in the woolen-mill of Hargn- 
malor as a carder. At home he took up the study 
of bookkeeping and was soon promoted, being 
placed in the office, and for ten years was con- 
fidential bookkeeper of the firm. Then, going to 
New York City, he found a position as a book- 
keeper there, but at the end of a year and a-half 
embarked in busine.ss for him.self in company 
with his father. The location of the old firm of 
William Stubley & Son, as it is still known, is at 
Nos. 127 and 129 Broadway. The building is 
constructed of brick and has a frontage of forty- 
four feet, is fifty-four feet in depth and is two 
stories high. The rags are baled with a press for 
the purpose and are sold in large quantities to 
the trade. 

In 1874 Mr. Stuble)- was united in marriage 
with Nancy J. Dickerson, of Newburgh. Both 
she and her father, Abram Dickenson, are natives 
of Orange County, the latter being the owner of 
a good farm. Our subject and wife have a pleasant 
home at No. 35 Johnson Street, the residence 
having been built by Mr. Stubley. They have 
two sons: William, who graduated from the New- 
burgh Academy, and is now in business with his 



1 66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father; and Charles. Mr. Stubley is entitled to 
credit for the way in which he has steadily risen 
from a position of poverty to one of prosperity 
and influence in the community. In the best 
sense of the word he is a self-made man, one who 
has depetided upon his exertions, and is therefore 
not indebted to others. He is an active worker 
in the Episcopal Church of the Corner Stone, of 
which he is serving as Trustee. 



(lAMES GORDON, M. D., who is an old 
I and prominent physician of Newburgh, 
v2/ stands high in his profession, and has faitli- 
fulh- served the city in the capacity of Health Of- 
ficer for the past seventeen years, during this 
period accomplishing a great work by instituting 
the best .sanitarv measures. He was- born in the 
North of Ireland, within ten miles of Belfast, and 
crossed the Atlantic prior to attaining his major- 
ity, making the journey in 1857. H's destina- 
tion was Newburgh, where it was his purpose to 
visit friends. His father departed this life when 
he was a boy, and as his mother died a short time 
after he came to America, he concluded to remain 
here. He has one brother and one .si.ster, who 
now make their home in Australia. 

For a time our subject attended Newburgh 
Academy, and subsequently pursued a course of 
study at Ft. Edward Institute, in this state. Aft- 
er completing the course laid down there, he 
taught in the public schools of New Jersey for 
two years, and during the last year took up the 
study of medicine under Dr. Chatties, of Long 
Branch. Later he attended lectures at Jefferson 
Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he 
was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Med- 
icine with the Class of '66. The following year 
we find him located in Newburgh for the prac- 
tice of his profession, and here he has lived ever 
.since, with the exception of six months during 
the winter of 1867 and the spring of 1868, when 
he made a tour of the Old World. He first vis- 
ited his old home and friends in Ireland, after 
which he went to lidinburgh and Glasgow, where 
he took up advanced studies, and later went to 



London, and thence to Paris, where he passed the 

greater part of the winter visiting the noted hos- 
pitals. 

Dr. Gordon was married, in 1872, to Miss Net- 
tie W. Johnston, the daughter of Philip Johnston, 
a prominent business man of Washington, Warren 
County, N. J., where he is now living retired. 
His eldest daughter is the wife of e.x-State .Sen- 
ator J. B. Cornish, and their son, Hon. Johnston 
Cornish, is United States Senator from New Jer- 
sey. Another daughter of Philip Johnston mar- 
ried Dr. Servis, of Junction, N. J. His sons are 
all prominent business men of that state. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon there have been born four 
children. Bessie L., a graduate of the Newburgh 
Academy and the Albany Normal School, is now 
engaged in teaching in the public schools of this 
city; Edward J. is attending the College of Phys- 
icians and Surgeons of New York City: Adeline 
and Jennie L. are at home. 

Dr. Gordon was one of the organizers of the 
Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias of 
Newburgh, and is at present connected with 
Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., of which 
he has been a member since- 1872. He also be- 
longs to Highland Chapter No- 52, R. A. M., 
and Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T. 
He was Pension Examiner for the United States 
Government from 1868 until 1892, when he re- 
signed, and a board was appointed to tran.sact the 
business which he had carried on. 

In the year 1872 Dr. Gordon was appointed 
Health Ofiicer for Newburgh, sen-ing until 1877. 
In 1882 he was re-appointed and has filled the of- 
fice ever since. As Health Officer he has always 
been deeply interested in the suppression of nui- 
sances of every kind, and in every measure that 
would improve the .sanitary condition of the city. 
Particularly has he been actively interested in the 
building of sewers and the introduction of sani- 
tary closets in the houses. This has taken a great 
deal of hard work and time on his part, but he 
has been successful, and the city is now in a 
fair way to become one of the best in this line in 
the county. 

Dr. Gordon was reared in the Established 
Church of England and from childhood has been 




JOHN JAMES MITCHELL, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



169 



associated with the work of the Sunday-school. 
After coming to this cit}- he was received into 
membership in St. George's Church b}- letter. He 
worshiped with this congregation until St Paul's 
Parish was founded, when he transferred his 
member.ship to that church. He has served con- 
tinuoush- as a member of the Vestry of this 
church since 1873. 



30HN JAMES MITCHELL, M. D. The 
family of which this gentleman is an illus- 
trious member is one of the oldest in Amer- 
ica, the original representative. Experience Mitch- 
ell, having come to this country in 1623, in the 
.ship "Ann," which was the .second boat to ar- 
rive at the Plymouth Colony after the historic 
"Mayflower.'' He was a member of an old and 
well known family of England. His grandmoth- 
er, Ruth Sheffield, was di.stantly related to John 
Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Mul- 
grave, whose tomb occupies a conspicuous posi- 
tion in Westminster Abbey. 

Concerning the history of Experience Mitchell, 
it is known that he was born in 1609, came to 
America in 1623, resided in Plymouth until 1631, 
removed thence to Ducksburg, became one of the 
proprietors of Bridgevi'ater, Mass., and died in 
1679. His eldest son, Thomas, lived at Dart- 
mouth until 1677, when he removed to Block 
Island and purchased one of the original .sixteen 
lots there, remaining in that place until his death. 
Next in line of descent was Thomas M., a land- 
holder at New Shoreham, R. I. Following him 
were Joseph, Jonathan and Joseph, Jr., all of 
whom were residents of New Shoreham. A son 
of the latter, Solomon, was our subject's grand- 
father; he became a minister in the Congrega- 
tional Church, being thus engaged on Block Isl- 
and, and his four sons also chose that profession. 

The father of our subject, Rev. John Sheffield 
Mitchell, D. D., was born on Block Island, and, 
after completing his studies, entered the ministry 
of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church, joining the 
Central New York Conference. For a period of 
eight years he represented the American Bible 
Society in Baltimore, Md., then went to Norwich, 
4 



N. Y., later was in Honesdale, Pa., for four years 
in Brooklyn, and afterward was pastor of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Haven. 
After another sojourn in Brooklyn, he accepted 
the pastorate of the Thirty -seventh Street Church 
in New York City, and on concluding his work 
there, went to Beekman Hill Church, on Fiftieth 
Street. His next work was that of organizing 
the colored people of North Carolina and Virginia 
into conferences, and he was engaged in this way 
until the death of his wife, which deep bereave- 
ment unfitted him for active labor. He was a 
man of splendid phy.sique and attractive person- 
ality, who.se wide experience and keen insight 
into intricate problems brought him into promi- 
nence among the leaders of his denomination. 
The Maryland College conferred upon him the 
degree of D. D. , and he was the recipient of other 
honors from his fellow-men. His death occurred 
in 1882, when he was eight}' -two years of age. 

The mother of our subject, Alice (Trask) Mitch- 
ell, was born in Preston, N. Y., and died in New 
York City, after having become the mother of 
three children. The only daughter died at twelve 
years of age. There now survive the two sons, 
John James and George B. I., both of whom are 
physicians of Newburgh. Our subject was born 
in Cortlandville, N. Y., July 28, 1834, and was 
reared in New York City. For a time he was a 
student in Ru.ssell's Academy in New Haven, and 
on his return to the metropolis he taught in that 
city for two years. In 1853 he began the study 
of medicine under Dr. Foote, of New Haven, and 
the following year entered New York Medical 
(now Bellevue) College, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1857 with the degree of M. D. 

Beginning the practice of his profession in 
Williamsburg, situated ju.st east of Brooklyn, he 
became City Physician, and remained there for 
two years, returning then to New York City. In 
1869 he came to Newburgh, where he has since 
conducted a general practice. His office is situ- 
ated at No. 242 Montgomery vStreet, in a portion 
of the city built up and improved b}- himself. 
After graduating he began the study of home- 
opathy, which he carried on for four years, and 
afterward filled the position of Professor of Chem- 



170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



istr>' in the New York Homeopathic Medical Col- 
lege for five years. 

At Schuyler Lake, N. V., in June, 1S63, oc- 
curred the marriage of Dr. Mitchell and Mi.ss 
Philena B., daughter of Norman Rose, a farmer 
of that locality. A son and daughter bless their 
union. The former, Edgar O. , was born in New 
York City, educated at Phillips (Exeter, N. H.) 
Academy and Harvard University, and gradu- 
ated from the Harvard Medical College in 1891; 
he is now engaged in practice with his father. 
Marion Sheffield, who was born in Newburgh, is 
a graduate of Wellesley College, and is now pur- 
suing her musical studies in Boston. The family 
is identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

Politically Dr. Mitchell is a Republican, but 
pays little attention to politics. His time has 
been given almost wholly to his profession, and 
he is recognized as one of the most eminent 
homeopathists of the state. His contributions to 
medical literature have been extensive and valu- 
able, and his essay on the "U.ses of the Ther- 
mometer in Disease' ' is perhaps the first on that 
subject ever read in the United States. During 
his incumbency of the office of President of the 
State Homeopathic Medical Association in 1883, 
he delivered a ven,' able address before the asso- 
ciation, which was well received and wideh' 
copied.' In the American Institute of Homeopa- 
thy he has served as Vice-President and member 
of the Executive Committee. For several years 
he has been President of the Orange County 
Homeopathic Medical Association. He took an 
active part in the establishment of the State 
Homeopathic Asylum, and was one of the Board 
of Visitors of the institution. From this it will 
be seen that his connection with homeopathy has 
been of a very important nature, and his contribu- 
tions to the progress of the science have been val- 
uable and appreciated. 



'•M-M-"^ 



^HE MISSES MACKIE'S SCHOOL. In 
Ix. the history of our country, nothing affords 
\y greater encouragement than the increasing 
attention given to educational matters and the en- 



larged opportunities offered to the 3'oung. Those 
to whom this advancement is due desen-edly oc- 
cupy a high place in the regard of the people. 
Their breadth of learning and culture has had an 
elevating influence upon those placed under their 
charge, and the results have been beneficial to 
the race. 

Among the in.structors to whom New York 
State, and especially the city of Newburgh, is 
especially indebted, we may mention the Mis.ses 
Mackie, who conduct a boarding-school at No. 
160 Grand Street. The success of this in.stitution 
has been most flattering, and proves the superior 
executive ability of those who are at its head. 
Having recently completed the twenty-ninth year 
of its existence, the school may be numbered 
among the old and substantial institutions of the 
place. Among the pupils are the daughters of 
.some of the aristocratic and wealthiest citizens of 
the Ea.stern States. 

The location of the school is especially attrac- 
tive. As above stated, it is at No. 160 Grantl 
Street, the buildings standing in the midst of a 
fine lawn that reaches back to Montgomer>- Street. 
The view is superb. On the west may be seen 
the busy, thriving city, while on the east flows 
the majestic Hudson, whose tranquil waters the 
pleasure-boats and river steamers gaily ply. The 
main building is 80x50 feet in dimensions, being 
a brick and frame structure, three stories in 
height, and containing recitation and study rooms. 
Adjoining the school building, there is a sub- 
stantial brick cottage of three .stories. 

The instructors of the school consist of seven 
resident teachers, besides the music teachers. 
The classical course, which is completed in seven 
years, prepares the pupils for the best colleges of 
the land, such as Vassar, Wellesley and Smith. 
On the completion of the course, diplomas are 
granted. There are at present thirty-four board- 
ing pupils, and about fifty day scholars. The 
progress made by the students has always been 
satisfactory to their parents or guardians, for each 
one receives the personal and affectionate super- 
vision of their cultured teachers, who take the 
deepest interest in the welfare of the pupils. 

The school was originally established in 1866, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



on Chambers Street, as a boarding-school for girls 
and j-oung ladies, there being about thirt}- pupils 
at first. In 1867 it was removed to the present 
site of the Leslie House, where it remained for 
sixteen years, but the accommodations at that 
place becoming inadequate to the needs of the 
school, it was removed to its present location in 
1884. The Misses Mackie formerly resided in 
New York City, where they received exceptional 
educational advantages, Miss Mackie also study- 
ing in Springfield, Mass., and her sisters in Con- 
necticut. Since completing their studies, they 
have given their entire attention to educational 
work, being thus engaged in New York City 
prior to coming to Newburghin 1866. They are 
highl}' esteemed by the people of this city, who 
place the greatest confidence in their ability and 
efficient management of their school. 



^z 



=+ 



yyiARTIN L. KILMER. While much of his 
y time has been spent in the West, where he 
(9 has large and valuable mining interests, 
Mr. Kilmer has also become identified with a 
number of the leading enterprises of Newburgh, 
and is now in charge of the shipping department 
of the Kilmer Manufacturing Company, in which 
concern he is also a stockholder and Director. 
The Kilmer Manufacturing Company, concerning 
which mention is made in the sketch of W. A. 
Kilmer, on another page, is one of the most im- 
portant industries of Newburgh and gives em- 
ployment to a large number of hands. The plant 
is situated on Quassaick Creek, near Washing- 
ton Heights, and in addition to the office in this 
city, there is an office on Water Street, New 
York, and at No. 21 Quincy Street, Chicago; also 
a western warehouse in Chicago. The principal 
products of the works are wire rods, bale ties, 
barb wire, coiled steel wire, galvanized wire, or- 
namental fencing and wire staples. 

The birth of Martin L. Kilmer occurred at 
Howe Cave, near Cobleskill, Schoharie County, 
N. Y., March 31, 1844. Prior to the age of four- 
teen he resided upon a farm, but at that time he 



secured a clerkship, and was thus employed in 
New York State until 1864. During that year he 
went to Montana for the purpose of mining and 
prospecting. The trip to the West was a tedious 
one. After reaching Atchison, Kan., he trav- 
eled northwest until he struck the Platte River at 
Ft. Kearney, Neb. From that place he jour- 
neyed along the course of the North Platte, 
then up the Wind and Rose Rivers to Yellow- 
stone Park, and from there to Virginia City, 
Mont. Leaving Atchison April i, 1864, he 
reached his destination in Montana on the loth 
of July following. The country was wild, set- 
tlers few, and he met with all the perils and 
hardships incident to life on the frontier, but, per- 
severing, he met with considerable success. 

In 1874 Profes.sor Jenny discovered gold in the 
Black Hills. The following year Mr. Kilmer, 
with his brother-in-law, Edward Davis, and 
others from Montana, went to the new gold re- 
gion, which they reached in advance of any other 
miners. They took out the first gold on Spring 
Creek, near Custer, S. Dak., and later went to 
Deadwood, where they were also successful. After 
having spent four years in the Black Hills, Mr. 
Kilmer returned East, though still retaining his 
interests in the South Dakota mines. In 1876, 
while in the West, he had become interested, as 
a stockholder, in the Kilmer Manufacturing Com- 
pany, and after coming back to New York he 
became actively identified with the concern, tak- 
ing charge of the shipping department and be- 
coming a Director of the company. When the 
corporation transferred its headquarters from 
Schenectady to Newburgh in 1887, he came to 
this city, and here he has since made his home. 

At Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1S84, Mr. Kilmer 
and Miss Laura Sheely, a native of Schoharie, 
N. Y., were united in marriage, and they are the 
parents of a daughter, Adah. A Democrat in 
politics, Mr. Kilmer takes a great interest in all 
party matters, and few men are better informed 
on the topics of the day than he. He has never 
held nor sought any political office, yet few men 
who are ambitious in that direction would fill a 
position of trust more worthily. He has seen 
much of human nature, both the cultured product 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the "diamond in the rough," and has gained 
a broad, cosniopolitan range of intellectual vision 
through his travels. In him the city of New- 
burgh has a faithful friend, generous in his con- 
tributions toward any movement tending to the 
general advancement. 

yyilCHAEL F. MULLEN, of Newburgh, was 
Y born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Sep- 
(S teniber 29, 1853. His father, Thomas, and 
grandfather, Patrick, were born in the same coun- 
ty, and both were farmers by occupation. The 
former in 1864 brought his wife and children to 
the United States, making the trip from Liver- 
pool on the steamer "State of Wisconsin," which 
landed at New York after a voyage of twenty - 
eight days. Locating in Dutchess Countj', N.Y., 
he first followed agricultural pursuits, but after- 
ward worked in a woolen-mill for eight years. 
His next position was in the print works at Wap- 
pinger's Falls, Dutche.ss County, where he is still 
employed. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Ann Hunt, and was born in County 
Roscommon, Ireland, where her father, John, 
was a hotel proprietor. In an early day he 
brought his family to the United States and 
settled in New York, where he followed the oc- 
cupation of a drover. His closing years were 
spent in retirement, and he died at the advanced 
age of eighty-eight. Our subject is one of twelve 
children, of whom eight are now living. He 
was the elde.st of the family, and was reared in 
Titusville, where, prior to the age of twelve, he 
was a student in the common schools. 

The first work Mr. Mullen secured was in the 
woolen-mills near his home, and afterward he 
was variously employed, following any occupa- 
tion that would turn him an honest penny. In 
youth he learned the dyer's business. At the 
age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the horse- 
shoer's trade in Poughkeep.sie, where he worked 
for Patrick McGee for five months. Afterward 
he was with William G. Esser at No. 9 South 
Bridge Street, that city, remaining with him for 



three years. He then went to New York City, 
where he was employed as a journeyman for 
three years, and later was with John Graham 
for two years. For one year afterward he was 
foreman in the Coney Island Railroad shop. 

In 1879 Mr. Mullen came to Newburgh, where 
he worked as a horse-shoer for Keiniedy Bros. 
on Water Street for nine months, and then opened 
a shop of his own on Front Street, remaining 
at that place for one year and nine months. In 
1883 he located at his present place of business. 
No. 40 Chambers Street, where he has since 
continued. He has charge of a large business, 
his trade extending throughout the surrounding 
country to points where his reputation as a skilled 
horse-shoer is well known. 

In Poughkeepsie Mr. Mullen was united in 
marriage with Miss Ellen Shortall, a native of 
Ireland, who died in New York. In 1882 he 
married Miss Margaret E. Lanej-, who was born 
in Ireland, and the^' are the parents of a daugh- 
ter, Mary E. For three years Mr. Mullen has 
been identified with Chapman Steamer Company 
No. I . and he is now serving his second term as 
Treasurer of that organization. For two years 
he was President of the Catholic Mutual Benefit 
Association, and is now District Deputy of Or- 
ange Count}- for that society. He is Treasurer 
of Newburgh Division No. 6, A. O. of H., in 
which office he has served for three years. In 
St. Patrick's Catholic Church he is a prominent 
member. In addition to the .societies already 
named, he is connected wdth the St. Vincent de 
Paul and the Holy Name Societies. Politically 
he favors Democratic principles. 



""l>WIN M. PEATTIE. There is nothing 
^ that shows the innate refinement and gen- 
^ tleness of a man's nature more than a care 
for the exqui.site blossoms that crown the most 
patient and diligent efforts at cultivation. A 
cruel or unkind man, or a careless or inappre- 
ciative man, would never succeed as a florist, for 
the tender green things under charge of such a 
person are entirely at his mercy, to be starved or 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



173 



choked, to be fed and warmed at his will. Nei- 
ther can an ignorant man succeed in this calling, 
for ignorance is stupidity, and one who is so 
watchful and intelligent that he can understand 
the unspoken language that tells of the needs, or 
tliankfulness for care, of the green things that 
brighten our homes and crown all festive occa- 
sions, is neither careless nor ignorant, but intel- 
ligent, humane and tender. 

Both by natural tastes and careful training, 
Mr. Peattie is fitted for the business of a florist. 
From earliest recollections he has been familiar 
with the occupation, and his preference for it led 
him to select it as his life calling. He is the 
superintendent of the Peattie Greenhouses, located 
on the corner of Dubois and Farrington Streets, 
and extending to North Miller Street. There 
are nine greenhouses, each from eighty to one 
hundred feet in length, together with gardens 
and hothouse space. All varieties of flowers are 
cultivated, and cut flowers, hanging baskets and 
special designs in decorations are furnished for 
wedding and funeral purposes. Shrubs and trees 
are also propagated, and Mr. Peattie personally 
superintends tlie planting of these in orchards 
and gardens. 

A .sketch of our subject would be incomplete 
were no mention made of his father, the late John 
Peattie, to whose careful trainuig in youth and 
the example of his noble life he owes much of his 
.success. John Peattie was born on the first day 
of the year 1830, at Balcravie Castle, town of 
Largo, Fifeshire, Scotland, and was the son of 
William Peattie, land steward to Professor Les- 
lie, of Edinborough. Having a predilection for 
the floral business, he learned horticulture and 
botanical gardening with a relative, Robert Peat- 
tie, at Insuire, near Cooper, Fifeshire, and was 
employed for a time at Bowhill Castle. In 1850, 
with a few sovereigns in his pockets, he went to 
London, where he was employed in the botanical 
nurseries. November 15, 1851, he sailed for 
America, and on his arrival in this country he 
was engaged by George Pierce, a wealthy silk 
manufacturer, to take charge of his grounds at 
Passaic, N. J. Two and one-half years later he 
was given charge of Edwin D. Morgan's gardens 



in Westchester County. After eighteen months 
there he became florist for Judge William Kent 
at his beautiful home near Matteawan. From 
that place he went to Rhinebeck, and for twenty 
years was gardener-in-chief to William Kelly, of 
Ellerslie Park, now the home of Gov. L. P. Mor- 
ton. March 29, 1881, he came to Newburgh 
and purchased the gardens of James H. Ricketts, 
on the north side of Farrington Street, betwen 
Miller and- Dubois Streets, where he died Feb- 
ruary 6, 1895. 

In many respects John Peattie was an unusual 
character. A typical Scotchman, he dearly loved 
the land of his birth, and cherished the deepest 
interest in its welfare. Though he was a loyal 
American citizen, a stanch supporter of our flag 
and the principles of our government, yet he 
never forgot the old home beyond the seas. Its 
songs were dearer to his heart than any others, 
and its poets were his friends from childhood. 
Having a wonderful memory, together with a 
love for reading, he delighted his friends by re- 
peating, often for hours at a time, passages from 
different authors. "The Ettrick Shepherd" and 
the "Peasant Poet" were especially dear to him, 
and he was thoroughly conversant with their 
works. 

July 8, 1857, at Jersey City, N. J., John Peat- 
tie married Jane Wilson, a native of Pittenween, 
Fifeshire. Her parents, Capt. Alexander and 
Jane (Giddes) Wilson, were also born in Fife- 
shire, and her father was captain of a merchant 
coasting-vessel. In politics Mr. Peattie was an 
active Republican. He and his wife were reared 
in the Presbyterian faith, but on coming to New- 
burgh identified themselves with the Dutch Re- 
formed Church. They were the parents of five 
children who attained mature years, namely: 
William J., who is employed in the freight office 
of the Hudson River Railroad, at Troy; Alexan- 
der M.; Edwin M.; John K., a pattern-maker, 
living in Newburgh; and Jennie, who is mar- 
ried and lives in New York. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Fishkill- 
on-Hudson, N. Y., April 14, 1862, and was 
reared in Rhinebeck, this .state, receiving his ed- 
ucation principally in DeGamo's Academy. In 



174 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 880 he went to New Jersey, and for one j-ear 
was in the emploj' of T. J. Slaughter, an exten- 
sive rose-grower. He then went to Dinsmore's 
place, on the Hudson, where he remained for two 
years, and later spent six months as gardener at 
Colgate's place, Yonkers, N. Y. In 1887 he re- 
turned to Newburgh and with his brother Alex- 
ander took charge of the greenhouses. Since the 
death of his father, in February, 1895, he has had 
.sole charge of the business, which under his 
efficient supervision continues most prosperous. 

At Albany, N. Y., in 1889, Mr. Peattie mar- 
ried Miss Hattie Hitchcock, who was born in 
that city, her father being Capt. David Hitchcock, 
a wealth}' ship-owner and captain. Mr. and 
Mrs. Peattie are the parents of three children, 
Carrie H., Edwin M., Jr., and Madehne M. 
Socially our subject is connected with the Im- 
proved Order of Red Men, the American Mechan- 
ics, and Lawson Hose Company No. 5, and in 
political belief he is a Republican. His attention 
is given closely to the details of his business, and 
he has taken a large number of premiums for the 
superiority of his plants and cut flowers. 



QrOF. CHARLES E. GRIMLEY, who is 
L/^ well known in Newburgh as a dealer in 
J«5 pianos and organs, as well as an efficient 
instructor in music, was born in Ellenville, Ulster 
County, N. Y., on Christmas Day of 1855. The 
first representative of the family' in America was 
his great-grandfather, Thomas, w-ho owned a fac- 
torj- in the city of Nottingham, England, and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of laces and hosiery. 
Late in life he emigrated to America and settled 
in Ulster Coutity, where his death occurred. 

Our subject's grandfather, John Grimley, was 
born in Nottingham, England, where he worked 
in his father's factory. Accompanied by his fam- 
il>-, he emigrated to the United States and settled 
near Ellenville, Ulster County, where he owned a 
large farm. For .some years he also owned and op- 
erated a chair-turning factory. In religious belief 
he was a Methodist. The father of our subject, 



John Grimley, Jr., was born in Nottingham, but 
came to the United States in early life and grew to 
manhood on a farm near Ellenville. His entire 
active life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, 
but upon attaining old age he retired from active 
work, and his la.st days were spent in Ellenville. 
Politically he was a Republican, and in religious 
views advocated the doctrines of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Deborah Budd, was born in Ulster County, 
and was a member of an old New York family 
that traced its lineage to England. 

The parental family con,sisted of six children, 
of whom four are living, Charles E. being the 
3'oungest of the number. His brother Alfred B. 
enlisted in the Union army at the age of sixteen, 
becoming a member of the One Hundred and 
Fifty -sixth New York Infantry, in which he 
served until he was severely wounded in front of 
Winche.ster. Since the close of the war he has 
been a contractor and builder at Ellenville. Our 
subject had such advantages as the high school 
of Ellenvile afforded, and from boyhood has had 
a fondness for music. His studies for a time were 
conducted under Professor Munson, an able and 
skillful musician of New York, and he also studied 
under Prof. Louis J. Diemer, of Newburgh. 

At the age of nineteen Mr. Grimley began 
traveling in the \Ve.st, and finally located at Col- 
umbus, Neb., where he remained about one year, 
representing a number of companies. On his re- 
turn to New York he became a music teacher in 
Pine Bush, where he remained for two years. In 
1880 he went to Matteawan, where he was simi- 
larly occupied for seven j^ears. The five follow- 
ing 3-ears were spent as an instructor of mu.sic in 
Cornwall. In 1892 he came to Newburgh, al- 
though prior to that time he had been teaching in 
this city. Here he has since made his headquar- 
ters, and in addition to his work as an instructor 
he has also conducted a large trade as a dealer in 
musical instruments. In fact, his attention of late 
years has been almost entirely- engrossed by the 
latter business, and he is gradually retiring from 
the active practice of his profession as teacher. 
He has a connnodious wareroom in the building 
erected by himself at No. 55 Overlook Place, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



here he keeps a full line of musical instruments. 
In pianos he makes a specialty of Decker Bros. ' , 
Behr Bros.', Krakauer Bros.', and Weser Bros.', 
of New York, while the organs that he handles 
are manufactured mainh- in Bridgeport, Conn. 

The marriage of Professor Grimley occurred in 
Ellenville, his wife being Miss Jennie Parker, a 
native of New York, who was educated in the 
schools of that city. She is a daughter of Thomas 
Parker, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, em- 
igrated thence to America and settled in Ellen- 
ville, where he died. The marriage of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of 
three children, William R., Emma P. and Elmer 
B. While not taking an active part in politics. 
Professor Grimley is a stanch adherent of Repub- 
lican principles, and alwaj's casts his \-ote for the 
candidates of his chosen party. 

. ■ Q^ P — ' . 



r^ETER BECKEREE is the efficient Superin- 
L^ tendent of the Highland Furniture Manu- 
K? facturing Company, and one of the represen- 
tative business men of Newburgh. He was born 
in Fiflicheim, near Worms, Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany, August 9, 1849, ^"d is a son of Fred- 
erick Beckerle, who vsas also born in the .same 
village. Both he and the grandfather followed 
farming, and were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Frederick Beckerle married Magdelene 
Magenheim, who was born in the same localitj-, 
and was a daughter of Peter Magenheim, a 
farmer and miller, who served in public offices 
and was a leading citizen. His death occurred 
at the age of eighty-two. The parents of our 
subject died in the prime of life, leaving two chil- 
dren: Frederick, who is a cabinetmaker; and 
Peter. 

Our subject was reared in his native village, 
and, being left an orphan at an early age, was 
reared by his maternal grandfather. He attended 
the common .schools until the age of fourteen, 
when he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker in 
the city of Worms, serving for two and a-half 
years. At the end of that time, on account of 
good behavior and good workmanship, his em- 



ployer gave him a half-year's time. He then 
went to the factory where his brother was serving 
as foreman, and worked as a journeyman. 

At the age of seventeen Mr. Beckerle came to 
America from Hamburg on a steamer which 
reached New York ten days later. He then went 
to Orange, N. J., where lived his uncle, Henry 
Schoefer, who kept a hotel. After three months 
"he returned to New York, where he was em- 
ployed as a cabinet-maker in a large manufactur- 
ing establishment, and also attended night school. 
In the fall of 1867 he came to Newburgh, where 
he worked as a cabinet-maker for D. M. Selig. 
There his splendid business qualifications and ex- 
cellent workmanship won him promotion, until he 
became foreman of the establishment, in which 
capacitj- he served until 1892, when, in connec- 
tion with Mr. Gilmore, he bought out his em- 
ployer, and continued the manufacture of chairs. 
In connection with John B. Rogers a new firm 
was incorporated with a capital stock of $6,000, 
known as the Highland Furniture Manufacturing 
Company, of which he was President for a year. 
In the spring of 1894 a new corporation was 
formed, capitalized at $18,000, but the old name 
was retained. Mr. Beckerle is a Director of the 
company and is superintendent of the extensive 
factory. The plant comprises a four-story build- 
ing, 50x100 feet, with a wing 37x39 feet. It is 
fitted with elevators and the machinery is run by 
steam, it having a twenty-horse-power engine, and 
all kinds of fine chairs and mantels are manufac- 
tured, and interior wood-fini.shing is made to or- 
der. They manufacture rocking-chairs on an ex- 
tensive scale and ship to all parts of the country. 
Six salesmen are employed, two agents are upon 
the road, and twenty-four first-class mechanics 
are in the factory. Mr. Beckerle has entire 
charge of the business and designs all the work. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Ida 
Smith, and they became the parents of eight chil- 
dren; Gussie, Ida, Walter, Henry and Clara, who 
are still living; Frederick, who died at the age of 
nine months; Emma, who died at the age ot ten 
years; and Albert, who died at the age of four 
years. 

Mr. Beckerle is a member of Newburgh Lodge 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



No. 309, F. & A. M., of which he formerly 
.served as Senior Warden; and belongs to Bis- 
marck Lodge No. 420, I. O. O. F., of which 
he has been Treasurer for more than ten years; 
he was also Past Grand, and delegate to the 
Grand Lodge. He has been President of the 
Turn Verein, and holds membership with the 
Lutheran Church. His skill and ability in the line 
of his business have brought him success, and he 
is an enterprising and progressive man and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, whom to know is to respect. 



DWARD DAVIS is a .stockholder in the 
'e) Kilmer Manufacturing Company of New- 
^ burgh, manufacturers of wire, wire rods and 
wire nails, one of the largest industries of the 
kind in the state. In company with M. L. Kil- 
mer, our subject was the first man. to take gold 
out of the Black Hills after Profes-sor Jenny, and 
his experiences in the West form an entertaining 
chapter in his history. Since 1879 he has been 
connected with the above-named manufacturing 
company, and with them removed from Schenec- 
tady, N. Y., in 18S7, to their present location. 

Our subject's parents were Harmon and Ra- 
chael Davis, both natives of Chester County, Pa. 
The father owned a farm about three miles from 
Kenneth, which he carried on until recently, and 
is now passing his declining years on the old 
homestead, having attained the ripe old age of 
eight\-six years. For many years he has been 
a faithful .supporter of the Republican party. His 
wife, who was brought up a Quaker, died when 
about fifty years old, and of their six children, 
two are deceased. 

Edward Davis was born in Chester County, 
Pa., Jaimary 15, 1843, ^"<^' ^^'^^ reared to farm 
life. He attended the common schools, and re- 
mained at home until sixteen j-ears of age, when 
he commenced .ser\-ing an apprenticeship to a 
coach-maker in Marthatown. When his term of 
three years was finished he worked at the busi- 
ness as a journeyman until the outbreak of the 



war. At the first tap of the drum he volunteered 
in Company A, First Pennsylvania Reserves, and 
was mustered in at Westchester, being assigned 
to the army of the Potomac. He took part in 
every impoitant engagement of the following cam- 
paign, including the battles of South Mountain, 
Antietam, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. At 
Weldon Railroad he was captured with a number 
of other pickets, and was sent to Belle Isle, thence 
to the prison at Salisburj-, N. C, where he was 
kept for six months. When Sherman's army ar- 
rived in the vicinity he was released on parole. 
Mr. Davis was in the Navy School Hospital at 
Annapolis at the time of Lee's surrender. He 
was mustered out and honorably discharged in 
June, 1865, having sen'ed for over four years. 
During his army career he had numerous narrow 
escapes from death, and .several bullets lodged in 
his knapsack. 

When the war had closed Mr. Davis went West 
in search of new adventures, and, in company- with 
a few others, fitted out a mule-team and wagon. 
They started to Montana, by way of Ft. Kearney 
and Ft. Laramie, the North Platte route, then by 
the Baden route to \'irginia City. Leaving St. 
Joseph May 3, they arrived at their destination 
July 4, at once engaging in mining and pro.spect- 
ing. When they arrived at the Big Horn they 
were obliged to swim the river, and many of their 
experiences were fraught w-ith great danger and 
difficulty. About this time Mr. Davis became 
acquainted with M. L. Kilmer, and in 1875 they 
went to Dead wood, S. Dak. Emissaries of the 
Government were in pursuit of the daring miners, 
but they managed to keep out of their reach, 
though their escapes were sometimes very narrow. 
On one occasion the troops passed them only a 
few rods away, but their plan of lying perfectly 
still, flat on the ground, was successful. The 
two friends camped in a deep ravine at the head 
of Whitewood, and did not undertake their min- 
ing exploits until February, when the troops left. 
At the placer mines of Deadwood they obtained 
in a short time S950, which was divided among 
the three, and for a time they were in camp at 
Spring Creek. In 1876 Mr. Davis and Mr. Kil- 
mer returned to vi.sit the Philadelphia Centennial, 




COL. CHARLKS II. Wl'IVCA.XT, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



179 



and during their two months' absence their part-, 
ner succeeded in mining $18,000 worth of gold. 
After about three years more of western life our 
subject and Mr. Kilmer returned to New York 
State, thenceforth to follow regular lines of busi- 
ness. Mr. Davis helped to incorporate the Kil- 
mer Manufacturing Company, and has been of 
great service in its upbuilding and advancement. 
In politics he follows his father's example, and 
gives his allegiance to the Republican party. 

In 1879 Mr. Davis was married, in Schoharie 
County, N. Y., to Luella, daughter of Augustus 
Kilene, a native of Howe Cave. Mr. Davis is 
thoroughly posted in everything relating to min- 
eralogN', and is a practical business man. He en- 
joys the friendship of a host of acquaintances, and 
by one and all is pronounced a fine conversation- 
alist, a man of ability and good judgment, and 
an entertaining friend and companion. 



/30L. CHARIvES H. WEYGANT. In pre- 
1 1 senting to the readers of this volume the 
\J biography of Colonel Weygant, we are per- 
petuating the life work of one of the mo.st hon- 
ored residents of Newburgh Throughout a long, 
influential and honorable career, both as an officer 
during the Rebellion and as a private citizen 
since that time, he has maintained the energy 
and integrity that characterized him in youth. 
Nor has his success been merely in accumulating 
wealth, but, in the better sense of the word, he 
has been successful in doing good and in winning 
the esteem of a very large circle of acquaintances. 
It being generally believed that heredity has 
much to do with the formation of character, and 
that our lives are .stimulated by the immediate or 
indirect influence of our ancestors, a short resume 
of the ancestral history of Colonel Weygant may 
serve as an index to the liberal and humane im- 
pulses which mark his daily life, and which have 
won for him the regard of those who know him. 
Lord Lindley has Said, "If the virtues of strang- 
ers be so attractive to us, how infinitely more so 



should be those of our own kindred; and with 
what additional energy should the precepts of 
our parents influence us when we trace the trans- 
mission of those precepts from father to son 
through successive generations, each bearing the 
testimony of a useful and honorable life through 
their truth and excellence!" 

This is forcibl}' pertinent to the ancestry of 
Colonel Weygant. He comes from that German 
Lutheran stock in which conscience seems to have 
been as hereditary as intelligence, and in which 
are apparent the results of many generations of 
honest lives. The original progenitor of the fam- 
ily in America was Michael, son of Rev. George 
Herman Weigand, Lutheran minister at Nieder- 
chulheim, in the Rhine Palatinate. Michael Wei- 
gand was born in 1656. Before he wasfairl}' out 
of his teens he entered the army, and served 
through several disa.strous campaigns in defense 
of his native land. On leaving the army he be- 
came a husbandman, married, and settled at Ost- 
hofen, near the city of Worms. There his chil- 
dren, Anna, Maria, Tobias and George, were 
born, and there he and his good wife, Anna 
Catharena, hoped by industry and wise manage- 
ment to rear their offspring creditably, and, with 
a competence honestly acquired, to spend their 
declining years in peace. But in this worthy am- 
bition they were destined to cruel disappointment, 
for their rooftree had been planted in a land to 
which peace was an utter .stranger. 

"In the countries intersected by, or h'ing nearl 
the Rhine, it would be difficult to find an\' castles 
or fortresses whose battered bastions do not be- 
tray the vestiges of hostility, any towns which are 
not built on the ashes of their former edifices, 
any plains which have not been drenched with 
blood." During the long reign of Louis XIV., 
which began in 1651, and did not end until 17 15, 
this unfortunate country, which had for centuries 
previous seemed devoted to carnage and con- 
flagration, experienced anew the horrors of dev- 
astation. In 1706 an invading army of Louis 
with fire and sword swept over and laid waste 
hundreds of the most productive farms, and not a 
few of villages, adjacent to Worms. Michael Wei- 
gand, after beholding the incendiary flames de ■ 



i8o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vour the home which had sheltered his wife and 
little ones, and witnessing the confiscation or 
wanton destruction of every vestige of the ac- 
cumulation of years of toil, resolved to quit for- 
ever the land of his birth and seek a new home 
in America. 

In this undertaking he was joined by his pas- 
tor. Rev. Joshua D. Kockerthal, and eight other 
families, that, like his own, had been despoiled by 
the cruel invaders. This little band fled to Eng- 
land, which they reached in utter destitution. 
There they appealed to Queen Anne, frankly 
stating their lamentable condition and petitioning 
for transportation to and a grant of land in Amer- 
ica. The good Queen, after receipt of a favor- 
able report from the Lord Commissioner of Trade 
and Plantations, to whom their appeal had been 
referred, granted their request, and in addition 
gave them an allowance from her private purse. 
The grant of lands given them embraced what is 
now the city of Xewburgh. The Weigand fam- 
ily received title to the two hundred and fifty 
acres lying between Renwick and Washington 
Streets, and running from the river to the west- 
ern limits of the city. The hi.storic Washington's 
Headquarters building lies within the limits of 
the Weigand farm. A portion of that famous 
old stone structure was built by the sons of Mich- 
ael Weigand, who is supposed to have died there 
about the year 1725. 

The descendants of this early settler have ever 
shown themselves, by word and deed, lo3-al and 
patriotic Americans. Both of his sons, Tobias 
and John, who were aged, respectively, seven and 
five years when, on the 23d of June, 1708, thej- 
reached these shores, became members of the first 
military company organized in the precinct of 
Xewburgh in Colonial times. At the breaking 
out of the war w'ith the mother country, their 
sons, without an exception, promptly ranged 
theuLselves on the side of the colonies and un- 
hesitatingly signed the Revolutionary Roll of 
Association, while four of their lumiber. together 
with John, Jr., grandson of Tobias, took up arms 
in defense of the sacred cause they had espou.sed. 
In the War of 181 2 the family was honorably rep- 
resented, and in the war for the preservation ol 



the Union not a few of its members died on the 
field of battle. 

About 1745, Tobias, son ol Michael, who had 
grown up with the .settlement, and for two dec- 
ades had held a prominent place in its social, re- 
ligious and public affairs, during which he had 
ser\'ed as a Trustee of the Glebe and an officer of 
the little Lutheran Church his father had helped 
to build in the wilderness, sold out his interest in 
the original Queen Anne grant, and removed to a 
more extensive tract of land of which he had be- 
come the owner, and which was located near the 
present village of Highland Mills, .some fourteen 
miles distant. A number of his descendants may 
still be found in that locality. 

The next in line of descent from Tobias was 
John, an agriculturi.st and a man of prominence 
in his community. Following him in descent 
was John, Jr., the before-mentioned Revolution- 
ar\- soldier, who entered the .service as a Sergeant 
in Capt. Arthur Smith's company of militia. At 
the capture of Forts Clinton and Montgomery by 
the British in 1777, Captain Smith was severely 
wounded, but by the aid of Sergeant We3-gant 
managed to e.scape capture, and by an all-night 
journey over the inter\-ening mountains reached 
his home. During this journey the stalwart Ser- 
geant frequently carried him over difficult places 
on his back. Subsequently when young Wey- 
gant asked the hand of the Captain's daughter in 
marriage, his suit was not denied. Sergeant 
Weygant was a man of influence, and his name 
frequentlj- appears in the list of office-holders in 
his town. He died in 1830, survived by four 
sous and three daughters. 

Rev. Francis Weygant, son of the above, and 
our subject's grandfather, was a leading Method- 
ist of the New Windsor Circuit, on which he was 
instrumental in building several churches. For 
many years he officiated as a preacher, often fill- 
ing acceptably three, and sometimes four, appoint- 
ments of a Sunday, but never accepting any re- 
muneration for such services. He w'as a mild- 
mannered, but unusually energetic business man, 
with many interests, including farming, timber- 
ing, the manufacture of pig iron, and the main- 
taining of an extensive mail and passenger stage 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



route, which ran through Orange County and 
had its terminus in New York City. He died of 
cholera, with which he was seized while in New 
York on bu.siness in 1832. 

The father of our subject, James Weygant, was 
born in the town of Monroe, which had been the 
home of his ancestors for four generations. In 
early life he was engaged in a freighting business, 
which he conducted by means of sloops, which 
plied between Cornwall, Orange County, and 
New York City, but the principal part of his life 
was spent in Newburgh, where he conducted a 
carriage factory and livery business. He was 
public-spirited, liberal to a fault, built up a large 
circle of business acquaintances and had a host of 
friends. But he was especially devoted to his 
family, fond of domestic associations, and found 
his greatest happiness within the portals of his 
home. His death occurred in 1876, at the age ot 
fifty -eight. 

Mary, mother of our subject, was born in the 
town of Monroe. Her father, Wines Mapes, was 
a farmer and millwright, and at the time of his 
death, which occurred in his seventieth year, was 
just completing what was said to be the hundredth 
mill he had erected in the state of New York. 
The Mapes family formerly resided in Long Isl- 
and, but originated in Great Britain. Their pro- 
genitor in America was Thomas Mapes, who was 
born in Wales about 1628, and in childhood came 
to this country, settling in Suffolk, L. I., where 
he engaged in farming, and became a surveyor 
of land. There he married Sarah, daughter of 
William Purrier. In 1662 he was made a free- 
man at Hartford. 

Thomas Mapes, Jr. , was for a number of years 
a Justice of the Peace and Captain of Suffolk 
County Militia. About 1728 he came to Orange 
County and settled in the town of Blooming 
Grove. His grandson, James, a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, was born December 16, 1756, 
and in 1778 married Anna, daughter of Barnabas 
Manny. His death occurred June 3, 1835. The 
eldest of their thirteen children. Wines, was born 
January 18, 1779, and died in 1849. His daugh- 
ter Mary died at the age of forty, December 10, 
1858, after having become the mother of .seven 



children that attained years of maturity. Oi 
these, one son and two daughters are living, 
Charles H. being the eldest of the number. His 
brother. Wines E., who was a member of the 
same regiment as himself, served as Lieutenant 
of Company B, but owing to ill health was obliged 
to resign. For some years he was employed in 
Jay Cook's National Bank at Washington, D. C, 
afterward was Cashier of the Citizens' National 
Bank of the same city, but his health again fail- 
ing, he went to the Pacific Coast and settled at 
Cheney, Wash., where he assisted in organizing 
a national bank, being made its Cashier. He 
died there in 1894. 

The .subject of this biography was born in 
Cornwall, on the Hudson, N. Y., July 8, 1839, 
and was reared in Newburgh from early child- 
hood. He was prepared for college at the Ash- 
land (N. Y.) and Claverack Collegiate Institutes. 
His studies, however, were interrupted by the 
opening of the Civil War, and in 1862 he assisted 
in raising the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Regiment of New York Infantry, known as the 
"Orange Blossoms." In September, 1862, he 
was mustered into service as Captain of Company 
A. He took an active part in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, 
Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, 
and in every general engagement of the Arm\' of 
the Potomac after Cold Harbor until the close of 
the war. 

At the battle of Gettysburg, Colonel Ellis and 
Major Cromwell were killed, and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Cummings was wounded, leaving the 
regiment in command of Captain Weygant for 
about a month. Soon afterward he was conmiis- 
sioned Major, his commission dating from July 
2, 1863, and later he was made Lieutenant-Col- 
onel, dating from the same time. Colonel Cum- 
mings commanded the regiment until the morn- 
ing of the second da}''s battle of the Wilderness, 
when he was severely wounded, so much so that he 
never resumed duty. The regiment then passed 
under the command of Colonel Weygant. 

After being commissioned Colonel by his state, 
but prior to muster to that grade in the United 
States service (a delay occasioned by depletion of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his regiment througli losses in battle), our sub- 
ject was bre\'eted Colonel bj- Congress as a spe- 
cial recognition of his services and those of his 
regiment, who during the siege of Petersburg 
captured one hundred and fifty-five Confederates, 
their commanding officer and battle-flag, killing 
and wounding thirty others, without losing a sin- 
gle man on his side. At the battle of Chancel- 
lorsville, on the morning of the second day, he was 
left with one hundred men to observe and retard 
the advance of Stonewall Jackson's twenty thou- 
sand, while his corps, the Third, fell back to a 
new battle line which had been assigned it. Fort- 
unately, when Jackson's men advanced the next 
morning, our subject found that nature had pro- 
vided a small ravine through which he, after 
having performed the duty assigned him, was en- 
abled to escape with the loss of only eight men. 
On that same day of May, 1863, the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fourth suffered a loss of nearly 
two hundred men killed and wounded, and he re- 
ceived a scalp wound which invalided him for a 
few days. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth was one 
of eight regiments which led Hancock's charge 
at Spottsylvania, and there Colonel Weygant 
was wounded in the limb, while in the act of 
planting a Union flag on the enemy's inner line 
of works, after his regiment had captured four 
guns, over three hundred prisoners and a rebel 
flag. His wound was so serious as to keep him 
from dutj- about seven weeks. At the battle of 
Boynton Roads, later in 1864, while in command 
of a force consisting of the One Hundred and 
Twenty -fourth New York and Berdan's Second 
Regiment of Sharpshooters, he was again wound- 
ed, being shot in the left side, but was back on 
duty again in a few weeks. His regiment, act- 
ing as sharpshooters, took a conspicuous part in 
Grant's last campaign, skirmishing with the ene- 
mj-'s rear guard nearly everj- day from Peters- 
burg to Appomattox, capturing many prisoners, 
guns and wagons, and losing twenty men, killed 
and wounded, in the last encounter between the 
Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern 
Virginia, the day preceding Lee's surrender. At 
the close of the war he took part in the Grand 



Review, and then returned home, with a record 

as a valiant soldier of which he might justly be 
proud . 

Some years after the close of the conflict. Col- 
onel Weygant wrote a "Hi.story of the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, N. Y. S. 
\'ols., " which comprises a valuable addition to 
our war literature, and is a very intere.sting book, 
filled with thrilling adventures and memorable in- 
cidents connected with that long struggle. Since 
the date of its i.ssue in 1877, very few histories of 
regiments which served in the Army of the Po- 
tomac have been written in which it has not been 
used as a text-book. Rev. E. P. Roe, in the 
battle scenes of his most famous novel, ' 'An Origi- 
nal Belle," copies extensively from it, which fact 
he gracefully acknowledges in his preface in the 
following words: "In touching upon the battle 
of Gettysburg and other historical events, I will 
briefly say that I have carefully consulted authen- 
tic sources of information. For the graphic sug- 
gestions of certain details I am indebted to the 
'History of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Regiment, N. Y. .S. \'.. by Col. Charles H. Wey- 
gant.' " 

For some years after the war Colonel Weygant 
engaged in business as a carriage manufacturer, 
but in 1870 disposed of that concern, having been 
elected Sheriff of Orange County for a term of 
three years. He entered upon the duties of the 
office in January, 1871, and served with efficiency 
until January, 1874. In 1878 and 1880 he filled 
the office of Mayor of Xewburgh. Much of his 
time has been given to the real-estate business, 
and he has been instrumental in securing im- 
provements that have been of the most enduring 
benefit to the place. In 1866, associated with 
Henry T. McCoun, a capitalist of New York 
City, he purchased a part of the Robinson Farm, 
and created the easterly portion of Washington 
Heights Addition to Newburgh, which will ever 
stand as a monument to his ability and sagacity. 
The tract, consisting of forty acres, he had sur- 
veyed and laid out. Streets were opened and 
graded: sewer and water pipes were introduced; 
sidewalks were flagged and curbed; road beds 
were macadamized and shade trees planted. All 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



183 



these and other improvements were made at the 
expense of our subject and Mr. McCoun, and no 
lot was sold without such improvements, or a con- 
tract therefor, that was in all cases faithfully per- 
formed. 

This undertaking, at the time of its inception, 
seemed to many a most hazardous one, and there 
were not wanting those who predicted that it 
would bring financial ruin to its projectors. But 
such gloomy predictions proved wholly untrue. 
From the fir.st the enterprise has met with the 
most flattering success, and this is now the most 
beautiful spot in the city. The streets are from 
fifty to sixty-six feet in width. The deeds pro- 
hibit the sale of liquor, and require the build- 
ings to be placed twelve feet back from the street 
lines. This twelve feet of space in front of each 
residence, forming a grassy terrace between the 
sidewalk and the houses, is a very pretty feature 
of the addition. Liberty and Lander Streets, 
two of the principal thoroughfares of the city, 
were extended through the plot, and other streets 
were opened, among them Carson Avenue, Over- 
look Place, Courtney and Henry Avenues, Bea- 
con Street and Baj* View Terrace, the latter ex- 
tending along the edge of the bluff on the south 
and east sides. Renwick vStreet was already open 
through the property from Bridge Street east to 
the river, but commonly onh' the plot south of 
this street is designated Washington Heights. 
Over two and one-third miles of streets, and four 
hundred and fifty lots were laid out in this 
manner. 

In 1868 Colonel Weygant married Charlotte, 
daughter of Samuel B. Sackett, an old settler of 
Newburgh. They are the parents of one daugh 
ter, Bessie. Socially the Colonel is a Knight- 
Templar Mason, and belongs to Kismet Temple, 
of Brooklyn. He is connected with the Board of 
Trade, and prominent in all public affairs. In 
1883 he was chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 
Newburgh Centeiniial parade. He is a member 
of the Grand Army, and has been Commander of 
Ellis Post of that order. In the work of the 
Methodist Epi.scopal denomination he is deeply 
interested. For about twenty years he has been 
a member of the Official Board, and at present is 



serving in the capacity of President of the Board 
of Tru-stees of Trinity Church. He is a member 
of the Board of Trustees of the Newburgh Dis- 
trict Parsonage and the District Board of Church 
Location. 

Possessing literary ta.ste, fluency of speech in 
conversation, a generous and magnanimous na- 
ture, a manly ease and freedom of address. Col- 
onel Weygant is justly recognized as one of the 
most progressive and public-.spirited citizens, and 
is entitled to the high place he occupies in the es- 
teem of his fellow- citizens. 



(Tames N. firth. Among the prominent 
I and successful business men of Newburgh 
Q) we make mention of Mr. Firth, who is the 
proprietor of a large establishment for the sale of 
sporting goods, bicycles, guns, etc. He is a na- 
tive of England, having been born in Dewsbury, 
Yorkshire, July 28, 1848. His father, Absalom 
Firth, and his grandfather, James Firth, were 
also born there, the latter following the profes- 
sion of a music teacher. 

The father of our subject came with his family 
to America in 1853, locating at Little Falls, N. J. 
By trade he was a .shoemaker and woolen-spin- 
ner, and for seven years followed the first-named 
business in New Jersey. At the end of that time 
he came to Newburgh and engaged in the manu- 
facture of woolen goods. He served as a .soldier 
in the Seventy-ninth New York Volunteer Infan- 
try during the Civil War, enli.sting first as a mem- 
ber of Company H. After the expiration of his 
term of three months he again offered his services 
and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. 
He was honorably discharged on account of dis- 
ability after being a Union soldier for .seven 
months. His death was caused by an accident, 
he being thrown from a wagon in 1890, when in 
the seventieth year of his age. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Hannah Sheard. She, too, was born in England, 
and was the daughter of Thomas Sheard, a weav- 
er and manufacturer of fine cloths. He departed 



i84 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this life in his native land, but his wife, Mrs. 
Hannah Sheard, came to America after his de- 
cease, and died in New Windsor, this county, at 
the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. The 
family originally included eight children, and of 
these two are now living. 

Our subject accompanied his parents on their 
removal to the United States, embarking on the 
sailing-vessel "City of W'a.shington" at Liverpool. 
The>- were seven weeks on the journey across the 
Atlantic, and after being landed in New York 
Harbor made their way to Gordinsville, N. J., 
afterward to Marlboro, N. Y., and finally to New 
York City, where they lived during the war. 
While a lad of eight j-ears our subject began 
working in the woolen-mills, and on master- 
ing this industry learned to be a shoemaker and 
later a harness-maker. On removing to Rif- 
ton Glen he again entered the woolen-mills, and 
was promoted from time to time until he held the 
position of woolen-spinner. From there he went to 
Yonkers, and thence to Broad Brook, Conn. 

In 1885 he returned to Newburgh and was 
Superintendent of James Harrison's woolen-mills 
for five years. In 1890 he decided to abandon 
that occupation, and, buying the stock of goods 
formerly owned by Edward Wilkinson, opened 
his present bu.sine.ss at No. 77 Broadway, in the 
\'an Cleft Building. The store has been greatlj- 
enlarged since he took possession of it, and Mr. 
Firth is now regarded as the largest dealer in the 
line of sporting goods in the city. His repair 
shops are located in the rear of his store, and he 
has appliances for making good all breakages to 
bicycles, etc. He carries a full line of electric 
goods, and, in fact, everything usually found in a 
first-class establishment of this kind. He has a 
private telephone, and his building is fitted up 
with electric bells and speaking tubes. He com- 
mands a large patronage and well deserves the 
success with which he is meeting. Although his 
place of business is at Newlnirgh, his residence 
is on Johnes Street, New Wind.sor. 

Mr. Firth was married in Broad Brook, Conn., 
in i86g, to Miss Jane Peace. She was born in 
Yorkshire, Plngland, and came to America with 
her parents when a child. She was educated in 



the Nutmeg State, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of three children, 
two of whom are living, Hannah E. and Joseph 
T., both at home. Socially our subject belongs 
to Oriental Lodge No. iii, F. & A. M., in Broad 
Brook, Conn., which he joined when a young 
man of twenty-one )-ears. Religiously he is a 
member of St. John's Methodi.st Episcopal 
Church, and in politics is a Republican. 



IT MIL DODERER. Germany has contrib- 
j^ uted many citizens to the State of New 
I York, but she has given none more worthy 
of notice or more highly esteemed than the subject 
of this sketch, who is one of the prominent drug- 
gi.sts of Newburgh. His place of business is lo- 
cated on Liberty Street, and is well stocked with 
a fine line of medicines, perfumes, toilet articles, 
and, in fact, everything found in the house of a 
progressive and business-like druggi.st. 

Our .subject was born in Wurtemberg, near 
Stuttgart, July 12, 1848, and is the son of Carl 
Doderer, a native of the same place. The latter 
was a merchant, and passed his entire life in the 
Fatherland. Mrs. Caroline (Weiland) Doderer, 
the mother of our subject, was likewise born in 
Germany, where she continues to make her home. 
She is a Lutheran in religion, in the faith of 
which .she trained her family of eight children. 
Of these, all are living with one exception, and 
Emil, our .subject, was the third-born. He and 
his sister Lydia are the only members of the 
family living in America. 

Emil Doderer attended the Latin schools of his 
native place until fourteen years of age, when he 
left school and began clerking in his father's 
store, continuing thus for four years, when he 
was sent out on the road as a traveling salesman. 
He afterwards clerked in a wholesale establish- 
ment at Stuttgart, and it was while there that he 
determined to come to America. Accordingly, 
in 1870, he set sail for the New World, and on 
landing in New York settled at Brooklyn, where 
he .soon began the study of pharmacy. He re- 
mained a resident of that city until 1875, when 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



185 



he came to Newburgh and became a clerk for 
William Doderer, on Water Street. In 1890 he 
started in business for himself, putting in an en- 
tirel}- new stock of goods. As a prescription 
druggist he is second to none in the city, and to 
him many of the best physicians send their 
patrons for their medicine. His .store is finely 
furnished, and is located at No. 103 Liberty 
Street. 

Mr. Doderer was married, in this city, to Miss 
Emma Borath, who was born in Germany in 
1867. They have two children, Charles and 
Mamie. In religious affairs our subject is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church and as- 
sists in upbuilding his congregation on every oc- 
casion. In politics he affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party, and is a member of the Germania 
Life Insurance Company of New York City. 
Those who know him esteem him for his sterling 
worth, and among the business men he ranks 
high. 

• g #^P • 



*ySAAC COCHRAN, a retired business man 
I residing in Newburgh, was born in this 
X town, October 29, 1823. He is the son of 
Alexander Cochran, a native of County Antrim, 
Ireland, who emigrated to America in early life, 
and for a time sojourned on a farm near Walden, 
but later located on Gidney Avenue, Newburgh. 
After settling here he engaged in the manufacture 
of cotton goods for southern markets, being the 
only manufacturer in this place. In 1825 he re- 
moved his plant to the corner of Liberty and 
West Streets, where he engaged in the mercantile 
business. 

Removing to New York Cit)' in 1S39, AJex- 
ander Cochran embarked in the grocery and tea 
business on Broadway and Tweuty-finst Street. 
Desiring, however, a more quiet life than his 
business permitted him to enjoy, he disposed of 
his establishment and settled upon a farm near 
Kensico, Westchester County. About 1858 he 
returned to New York Citj-, but did not again 
identify himself with any enterprise. His death 
occurred in i860, when he was seventy-two years 
of age. Being a man of business acumen and 



large capabilities, there came to him, in the le- 
gitimate channels of trade, a large degree of suc- 
cess, and his last years were pas.sed in the enjoy- 
ment of all the comforts wealth can furnish. His 
religious convictions were firm, and in the Re- 
formed Presbyterian Church, of which he was a 
devoted member, he served as Elder. After he 
came to America he married Miss Margaret 
Geery, who was born in Ireland, and died in i860, 
aged sixty-five years. 

There were five children in the family of Alex- 
ander Cochran, namely: John, Elizabeth, Jane, 
Josiah A. and Isaac, all of whom died at an early- 
age except the subject of this notice. He was 
reared in Newburgh and attended the old high 
school at this place, and also prosecuted his studies 
in the academy. In 1839 he went to New York 
City and entered into business with his father, 
with whom he remained until i860. He then 
embarked in the manufacture of carriages on 
Eighty-first Street and Broadway, New York 
City, where for a number of years he carried on 
a successful business. Returning to Orange Coun- 
ty in 1866, ne settled on a farm adjoining the 
place where he was born. The grounds were 
large, comprising thirty-two acres, and the beauty 
of the place was still further enhanced by the 
large residence which he erected on Gidney Ave- 
nue. In 1887 he removed to his present resi- 
dence, a commodious structure built by Commo- 
dore Graham, and situated on the corner of 
Powell Avenue and North Street, in the midst of 
a park of six and one-fourth acres. In addition 
to other enterprises, Mr. Cochran a.ssisted in the 
organization of the Columbus Trust Company, in 
which he has since been a Director. For three 
years he was engaged in the tea and grocery busi- 
ness on Broadway, Newburgh, carrying on that 
enterprise in connection with his other business 
connections. 

Miss Rachel Sommerville, who became the 
wife of Mr. Cochran in New York City in Janu- 
ary, 1850, was born near Saratoga, Montgomery 
County, and passed away in Orange County in 
1 89 1. Five daughters and two sons were born of 
the union, namely: Jane McB., who married 
Rev. R. Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister 



i86 



PORTRAIT AXn BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now residing in Crawfordsville, Ind., where she 

died in 1890, leaving six children; Rachael A., 
who is married and lives in New York City; 
Klizabetli, who is at home; Ella, wife of W. C. 
Johnson, of Newburgh; Caroline M., who resides 
with her father; Isaac Alex, a real-estate dealer 
of New York City; and Walter S., who also 
makes his home in the metropolis. An active 
worker in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 
Mr. Cochran has been an Elder in that denomi- 
nation since 1868, and has represented his con- 
gregation in various meetings of the Synod. For 
twenty-seven years he has been Superintendent 
of the Sunday-school, and is .still serving in that 
capacity. To his church he has given long and 
faithful service, and he has ever been true and 
loyal to its interests and devoted to its welfare. 
In politics he has always been a Republican. 



RE\'. GUSTAVE DRECHSLER is pastor of 
the German Lutheran Church of Newburgh, 
and is a young man who has great promise 
for the future, judging by what he has accom- 
plished in the past. He has been in charge of 
his present congregation onh' since April, 1893, 
and has already become a power for good in this 
community. At the time of his coming here the 
church was incumbered with a debt of $1,400. 
This, in addition to keeping up the current ex- 
penses, has been reduced to $800, while valuable 
improvements have been made in the building, 
and a fine new organ purchased and put in posi- 
tion. Both the church and Sunday-.school show 
a healthy rate of increase, and now the former 
numbers nearly one hundred families, while one 
hundred and thirty-five pupils are enrolled in the 
Sunday-school. The various church societies are 
in a flourishing condition and the outlook is very 
encouraging. 

The father of the gentleman who.se name heads 
this sketch, Frederick Drech.sler, was born in 
Saxony, Germany, and took part in the Revolu- 
tion of 1848. After the defeat of his party he re- 
moved to Fredericia, Denmark, and engaged in 
the manufacture of woolen goods until the war of 



1864 came on. At that time the fort in the vil- 
lage was destroyed and Mr. Drechsler's facton,-, 
with many other places of business, was burned. 
Though he was naturally de.spondent over his 
losses, he once more .set to work to repair his 
fortune, and started another factory in Sleswick, 
where he is now a resident. His wife, who be- 
fore their marriage was a Miss Mary Held, was 
born in Sleswick, of German parents. Frederick, 
a brother of our subject, is an extensive merchant 
in Hamburg, and two of his si.sters reside in the 
same city. The family have always been Lu- 
therans in religious faith. 

Rev. Mr. Drechsler was born November 21, 
i860, in Fredericia, Denmark, and is next to the 
j'oungest in his parents' family. He received a 
good common education, and was confirmed at 
the age of fifteen j-ears. Then for a year he 
studied under private tutors, afterwards passing 
an examination for a position as a school teacher, 
and held such a position from the time he was 
sixteen until he was twenty-three years of age. 
Concluding to enter the ministry, he became en- 
rolled as a student at the theological seminary at 
Kropp. In that institution students who are in- 
tended for service in the German Lutheran Church 
in the Lhiited States are educated and fitted for 
their future work, the seminary being connected 
with the General Council of this country. At the 
end of six years Mr. Drechsler graduated with 
honors. It was in June, 1889, that he emigrated 
to America to enter upon his chosen career. 
Going to Philadelphia, he pa.ssed an examination 
before the faculty of Mt. Airy Lutheran Seminary, 
and was duly ordained as a mini.ster in the gen- 
eral council of the German Lutheran Church of 
th^ United States. His first charge was at Mt. 
Holly, N. J., and later he was stationed at River- 
.side, in the same state, in both places .serving for 
two years. He was then called as assistant to 
his father-in-law. Rev. F. D. Leddin, of Sauger- 
ties, Ulster County, N. Y., and continued to 
serve in that capacit\- until April, 1893, when he 
was assigned to the German Lutheran Church of 
Newburgh. He belongs to the New York Minis- 
terium of the General Council, and politically is 
identified with the Republican party. 




HON. WILLIAM FULLERTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RECORD. 



While living in Mt. Holly, N. J., Mr. Drechs- 
ler was united in marriage with Annie Leddiii, 
their union being celebrated April 24, i8go. 
Mrs. Drechsler was born on her father's farm 
near Saugerties, and grew to womanhood in that 
locality, receiving a .superior education. To our 
subject and wife has been born one child, Elsie 
by name. Mrs. Drechsler is of great assistance 
to her husband in his work and is prominent in 
the Ladies' Aid Society and the Young People's 
Association of the church. 



^****>^^ •5-*'!"i-'= 



NGN. WILLIAM FULLERTON, whose 
pleasant home is in Newburgh, has been a 
member of the Bar of New York City for 
forty-three years of his active professional life, 
and has probably tried more important cases than 
any of his legal brethren. B3' general consent he 
has been conceded to be the ablest jury lawyer in 
the metropolitan district since the death of the 
late James T. Brad)-. Having a profound knowl- 
edge of human nature, being quick and ready in 
debate, and thoroughly posted on the fundament- 
al principles of law, he is pre-eminently a great 
advocate, and as a cross-examiner is without a 
peer. 

Judge FuUerton was born in Minisink, this 
county. May i, 1817, of which locality his father, 
Stephen W., was also a native. The paternal 
grandfather, William Fullerton, emigrated from 
Ireland, and was one of the pioneer farmers of 
Minisink. His wife, formerly Miss Mary Whit- 
taker, of Delaware Count)^ was one of the few 
survivors of the fearful Indian massacre at Wy- 
oming. When twelve 3-ears old she and a young- 
er brother were captured, and the story is told 
that one of the Indians rai.sed her from the ground 
by her hair, holding her in that position while 
her face was being painted. During the night 
she, with her little brother, made her escape, and 
after traversing the mountain wilderness from the 
Wyoming Valley, reached a point of refuge near 
where the thriving village of Port Jervis now 
stands. She was a woman of remarkable char- 
acter, and lived to a ripe old age, respected and 



venerated in the community. Stephen W. Ful- 
lerton married Esther Stephens, who was born in 
Minisink, as was also her father, Halloway Ste- 
phens, though her grandparents came from Long 
Island. Mrs. Fullerton outlived her hu.sband 
many years, and was a devout member ot the 
Baptist Church. 

The youth of Judge Fullerton passed quietly 
on his father's farm, and in 1S37 he graduated 
with honors from Union College, having made 
his way through school by teaching. Subse- 
quently he studied law and was admitted to the 
Bar in 1840, at once commencing practice in Go- 
shen. He soon moved to Newburgh, where in 
the next few years he was retained on one side or 
the other of most of the leading cases tried in this 
and adjoining counties. In 1852 he was called 
upon to try a very important case in the Second 
Judicial District of New York, and it happened 
that his opponent was Charles O' Conor, then rec- 
ognized as the most prominent leader of the Bar. 
The case was tried in Brooklyn and, though close- 
ly contested, resulted in the success of the young 
advocate, our subject. Mr. O'Conor was im- 
pressed with the ability of his determined adver- 
sary,- and invited him to become a partner, the 
proposition being accepted. He at once joined 
Mr. O'Conor in New York, and took the high 
place in his profession which he has since main- 
tained. 

Perhaps the most noted effort in the career of 
Mr. Fullerton was in the cross-examination of 
Henr},- Ward Beecher, in the great case of Tilton 
I's. Beecher, which, on account of the distinction 
of the parties concerned, was extensively reported, 
and excited more public notice perhaps than any 
other ever tried in the United States. It was a 
combat of intellectual giants, and Mr. O'Conor 
characterized Judge Fullerton' s cross-examina- 
tion as the ablest ever conducted. But it is futile 
to endeavor to give any idea of the great causes 
in which the Judge has been interested as coun- 
sel, and moreover it is unnecessarj', as his name 
is well known, not only in the East, but in all 
parts of the country, as one of the finest jurists of 
the times. In 1867, while in Canada on his an- 
nual salmon-fishing trip in company with Chester 



IQO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



A. Arthur and other friends, he was appointed 
Justice of the Supreme Court to fill a vacancy in 
his district, this being without his knowledge. 
The appointment thus made him ex-ojjicio mem- 
ber of the Court of Appeals, and at the following 
election the people of this district elected him 
without opposition. His ser^'ices in the Court of 
Appeals added to his reputation as an advocate 
and juri.st. 

Perhaps no more just presentation of the esti- 
mation in which the Judge has been, and is,, held 
by his associates of the Bench and Bar can be 
formulated than that contained in a private let- 
ter written by Hon. John K. Porter, a distin- 
guished member of the Court of Appeals, to 
Charles O' Conor, then a recognized leader of the 
American Bar: 

"Albany, December 30, 1867. 

"My Dear Sir: — I know that you feel an in- 
terest in all that concerns the Bench and Bar of 
New York, and that you will pardon me for tak- 
ing the liberty of consulting you on a matter in 
regard to which I feel a great deal of solicitude. 
I have concluded to resign my office in time to 
have a successor appointed before the commence- 
ment of next term, though I propose to say noth- 
ing on the subject till the 3d or 4th of January. 
It is with the view of venturing on the doubtful 
experiment of practice in New York, in the hope 
of being able to do a business a little more remu- 
nerative than a place on the Bench. I have a 
very strong desire that Judge FuUerton should 
be appointed my successor, and I have no doubt 
that he will be the nominee if he will give his 
consent. I have conferred with him on the sub- 
ject and see clearly that his final decision will be 
controlled, as it should be, by your judgment. 
Will you permit me to suggest very briefly the 
considerations which lead me to hope you will 
advi.se his acceptance of the position? * * * 
His opinions at the present term have been strik- 
ingly clear and able, and I think I did not take 
more pleasure and pride in listening to them than 
you will in reading them. I shall be disappointed 
if yon do not concur with me in regard to some 
of them when they appear in the Thirty-seventh 
New York, as among the very best which have 



ever been delivered in the court. A year more 
in the Court of Appeals would establi.sh for him a 
judicial reputation as enduring as our system of 
jurisprudence. He is known now as a brilliant 
and successful advocate primus inter partes, and 
at the end of a year he would be universally 
known as an eminent jurist. He will have no 
opportunity to'make a record more abiding than 
that that of the most successful jury lawyer. He 
will return to the Bar with the additional weight 
of character derived from his judicial position, 
and without abatement of the forensic vigor and 
resources which have signalized his past profes- 
sional career. His relations on the Bench will 
give him a more extended influence, which will 
be ser\'iceable in after life. The pecuniar}- sac- 
rifice would be inconsiderable in comparison with 
the resulting benefits, and I think the Bar and the 
public would welcome the appointment, and that 
it would greatly strengthen the court. 

"It is refreshing to have questions of law de- 
termined by judges in the vigor of manhood, with 
discrimination enough to appreciate the force of 
arguments, and strength enough, not only to 
reach clear and undoubting convictions, but to 
maintain and defend them in the spirit of genuine 
loyalty to the right. Unless I have overlooked 
considerations which ought to be controlling, I 
hope you will look favorably on the views I have 
suggested. If yon think otherwise, I should ac- 
quiesce in your judgment, as I claim to be in some 
sort one of your proteges, though not to the same 
extent as Brother P'ullerton. I find myself very 
much in the way of accepting >our conclusions, 
asl Ao a. presumptiojuris ct de jure. * * * * 
"Very sincerely yours, 
"John K. Porter." 

Mr. O'Conor was thoroughly in sympathy with 
his noted friend. Judge Porter, and sought to in- 
duce Mr. FuUerton to accept the appointment re- 
ferred to, but the attractions and emoluments of 
his career as an advocate led the latter to contin- 
ue in his active practice, as he has done ever since. 

In 1840 Judge FuUerton married Cornelia M., 
daughter of Henry Gale, an old business man of 
Orange County. The only son of the Judge, 
William, was a young man of exceptional ability 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



and talents of no ordinary degree. He was com- 
pleting his musical studies in Heidelberg, Ger- 
many, where he was a great favorite, and many 
of his compositions have been published and have 
won immediate recognition. He was cut short in 
his career by death, while yet abroad, being then 
in his thirty-fourth year. 

(I HUDSON BOARD is one of the honored 
I sons of Orange County, where his birth oc- 
(2/ curred October 11, 1823. He has long been 
identified with whatever pertains to her best in- 
terests, and is the possessor of a truly enviable 
name for integrity and fair dealing toward all. 
He is the owner of a large and productive farm 
in the town of Chester, and his residence, which 
is very commodious, is .situated just outside the 
limits of the village. 

Mr. Board was the eldest but one of the family 
born to James J. and Huldah (Hudson) Board, 
also natives of this portion of the state, where 
they passed their entire lives. When a boy the 
father was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
tanner, and passed many years of his young life 
working at this business. Later, however, he 
engaged in farming and speculating, and subse- 
quently embarked in the general merchandise 
business. He was a man of prominence and in- 
fluence in his community, and ranked high 
among the progressive business men. His death 
occurred in 1894, at the venerable age of ninety- 
two years. His good wife preceded him to the 
grave by many years, and both were loved and 
esteemed by all who knew them. 

Our subject first attended the district school, 
but later supplemented the knowledge gained 
therein by a course at Professor Rankin's school 
at Deckertown, N. J. After completing the 
course he returned home and devoted himself to 
farming, learning all its details, and about 1850 
engaged in this occupation on his own account. 
That he has been more than ordinarily success- 
ful is indicated by stating that his possessions ag- 
gregate over three hundred broad and well culti- 
vated acres, all of which lie in the town of Chester. 



This property is located at the edge of the thriv- 
ing little village of that name, .so that Mr. Board 
may be spoken of as a resident of the suburbs of 
that place. The buildings on his estate are mod- 
ern in construction and comprise all those which 
would be found on the place of a first-class and 
progressive farmer. 

In 1850 J. Hudson Board and Miss Mary E. 
Seeley were united in marriage, she being the 
daughter of Wicks and Martha Seeley, also na- 
tives of Orange County. This union resulted in 
the birth of eight children, two of whom are de- 
ceased. Those living are: Huldah, the wife of 
Charles Green, of this county; Martha and Liz- 
zie, at home; Wicks, who married Miss Durland, 
and makes his home at Vernon, N. J. ; and James 
J. and Chester, both still under the parental roof. 
Mr. and Mrs. Board are members in excellent 
standing of the Presbyterian Church, meeting 
with the congregation at Chester. In politics the 
former affiliates with the Democratic party, and 
therefore gives his vote and influence toward the 
success of its chosen leaders. He is known as a 
man of sterling integrity of character and good 
business qualifications, and therefore ranks among 
the solid citizens of the county. 



p6|lLLIAM HARRISON is one of the lead- 
\ A / ing contractors and builders of Newburgh, 
V V and one of the oldest members of the City 
School Board in years of service, as he is now en- 
tering upon his third term, and altogether has 
acted nine years in this capacity. In 1892 and 
1 893 he was President of that honorable body, and 
for some years previous had been Vice-President. 
He was Chairman of the Building Committee a 
long time, and is .still one of its members, besides 
being on the City Library Committee and Chair- 
man of the Committee on Supplies. 

In the days of Cromwell, our subject's ances- 
tors fought for constitutional liberty in his army 
in England, of which country th'ey were natives. 
The great-grandfather, Matthew, removed to the 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICMv RECORD. 



North of Ireland, where he became a large land- 
owner, as were also his son, William, and grand- 
son, Robert. The last-mentioned was the father 
of William Harrison, of this article. Robert died 
in the Emerald Isle, when only forty-seven years 
of age, and was followed to the grave a year after- 
wards by his good wife, known in maidenhood as 
Eliza Alexander. Her grandfather, David, was 
a native of Glasgow, Scotland, but moved to the 
North of Ireland, where he became an extensive 
land-owner. Both families were adherents of the | 
Presbyterian faith. [ 

William Harrison was born in County Ar- [ 
magh, Ireland, May 9, 1832, and is the eldest of 
seven children, of whom two sisters and a brother ; 
are in America. From the time he was about 
twelve years old he has had to make his own I 
waj' in the world, and about 1845 emigrated to 
the New World. For eighteen mouths he re- I 
mained in New York, and then worked for farm- 
ers in Orange County until 1848, when he came 
to Newburgh. He is truly a self-made man, and ; 
though he is now exceptionally well informed, it 
is owing to his tireless efforts to obtain an educa- ' 
tion. He attended night school to some extent 
and was a burner of the "midnight oil." In 1850 | 
he began an apprenticeship to the bricklayer's 
and mason's trade with Gerard & Boyd, and la- 
ter worked as a journeyman for two years in New 
York City. 

In 1862 Mr. Harrison commenced building and 
taking contracts on his own account. He is still 
engaged in the building business and stands ready 
to execute any and all contracts in his line he may 
be entrusted with. In 1866 he purchased five- 
eighths of an acre (then a cornfield ) at what is 
now the corner of Dubois Street and Gidney Ave- 
nue, and in 1870 erected the residence thereon 
in which he still makes his home. He superin- 
tended the construction of the new free academy 
and many of the buildings of the city and local- 
ity. His success in business was assured from 
the start, and he often has employed forty or more 
men in the busy seasons. 

The marriage of our subject, which occurred 
May 19, 1857, whited him with Sarah B. Duke. 
She was the youngest daughter of Matthew Duke, 



an old resident of Newburgh, who for many 
years carried on a gTocen,'on the corner of Third 
and Smith Streets. She died December 14, 1891, 
leaving five children: William R., of the firm of 
J. W. Matthews & Co.; Edwin H., of Brooklyn; 
Charles H., clerk for J. W. Matthews &Co.; 
Walter B., clerk in the Quassaick National Bank; 
and Joseph, who is studying architecture in the 
office of F. E. Estabrook. The children have all 
received good educations and are graduates of the 
local academy. The family is now identified 
with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which our subject has been Sunday-school Super- 
intendent. He has also served on the Official 
Board, and for years was a member of the Orange 
County Bible Society. 

■ ■ 0^ P 



HON. CHARLES T. DUNNING, ex-Clerk 
of the New York Senate, is a man of quick 
perceptions, keen judgment and excellent 
business qualifications, and at the present is a 
member of the Board of Commissioners of Ap- 
praisal of Carmel, Putnam County, and vicinity, 
a position which requires just the traits of charac- 
ter and business habits which have made him so 
successfidin all his undertakings. This commis- 
sion has in charge the appraising of property re- 
moved for the purpose of preventing the pollu- 
tion of the water supply of New York City. 

Our subject was born in Minisink November 
2, 1843, and is a son of Braddock R. Dunning, 
whose birth occurred in Goshen. His grandfa- 
ther, Jacob Dunning, was also born in Goshen, 
and was a blacksmith by trade, his shop being 
about two miles from his native town, on the 
main road. He later removed to Ridgeburj-, in 
the town of Minisink, where his death occurred 
when he was fifty years of age. He participated 
in the War of 18 12, sen,'ing faithfully in that 
great struggle. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, also 
named Jacob, was a native of Long Island. He 
ser\-ed in a militia company which was organized 
in Goshen, and lo.st his life in the service, being 
killed in a massacre by the Indians at the battle of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



Minisink in 1779. The father of our subject was 
a cooper by trade, and later in life was engaged 
in cultivating the soil, being located on a farm in 
Minisink. Subsequently he moved to Goshen, 
where he remained until he retired from active 
duties, when he removed to Middletown. His 
death occurred in 1881, when he was about sev- 
enty-seven 3'ears of age. In his religious faith 
he was a Presbyterian, and politically he affil- 
iated with the Democratic party. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Harriet L,. Walsh. She was born in Lansingburg, 
N. Y., and passed away at the age of seventy- 
five. She was the daughter of John Walsh, who 
was of Engli-sh birth. The lady whom he mar- 
ried was a native of Ireland, and they emigrated 
to the United States, locating in New York City. 
There he dealt in grain and other merchandise, 
but was burned out in the great fire in that city 
in 1836. Subsequently he became interested in 
whaling expeditions, and later purchased a farm 
near Ridgebury, this countj-, spending sometime 
in agricultural pursuits. It was in the year 1825 
that he located on the farm near Ridgebury, 
where he remained until retiring from active bus- 
iness cares, when he returned to New York City, 
where his death occurred. 

Of the eight children born to B., R. Dunning, 
six survive. Charles T. is the youngest son in 
the family, and the next to the youngest child. 
Reared to manhood near Unionville, he received 
his primary' education in the common schools 
of the Unionville district, attending the public 
schools of Middletown, and afterward receiving 
private instruction. Having completed his educa- 
tion, he began clerking in a store in Jersey City, 
in the year 1867, however, coming to Goshen 
with his father, who purchased the Phineas Rum- 
sey Farm near this city. 

In 1872 he was elected by the Board of Super- 
visors to the position of Clerk, remaining in that 
capacity seventeen years altogether, and resign- 
ing when he was chosen Clerk of the Senate. He 
was elected to this responsible position in 1892, 
and served for two years, in the ses.sions of '92 and 
'93. The duties of the office were verj' arduous, 
but were always well and faithfully performed. 



The Clerk is the principal administrative officer 
of the Senate, and it was his duty to see that all 
orders relating to the daily business of the body 
•were executed. On him also devolved the duty 
of defining and directing the work of his assist- 
ants, who numbered about thirty. That his serv- 
ices were appreciated, the following resolution 
will testify: 

' 'Resolved, That the thanks of the Senators are 
due, and are hereby tendered, to Charles T. Dun- 
ning, Clerk of this body, for the able and consci- 
entious manner in which he has performed his 
duties, and for the uniform courtesy which he has 
displayed throughout the session." It is needless 
to say the resolution was adopted unanimously. 
December 6, 1893, he was appointed a member 
of the Board of Commissioners of Appraisal, re- 
ceiving his appointment from Judge Dykeman, 
of the Supreme Court, and entering immediately 
upon his duties. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in Goshen 
and united him with Miss Georgia Thompson, a 
daughter of the late Martin L. Thompson, who 
was a prominent hotelman of this village. Her 
death occurred in 1888. Mr. Dunning' s residence 
is on Murray Avenue and is a beautiful and com- 
fortable home. In politics he is a Democrat and 
has been a member of the Democratic County 
Committee of Orange County for some years, 
serving as its Chairman in 1887-88. He has also 
been a delegate to the state conventions quite fre- 
quently, and is a prominent and active worker in 
state politics. 

HENRY Y. LEWIS, of Goshen, comes of very 
prominent families on both the paternal 
and maternal sides, the Lewises an"d Youngs 
having been identified with the history of the 
United States .since Colonial days. Our subject 
himself went to the defen.se of the Stars and 
Stripes during the late Civil War and lost that 
most priceless blessing, good health, in her serv- 
ice. For years he was an invalid, and when he 
had partially recuperated it became evident that 
he could never engage in sedentarj- work and that 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



it would be best for him to lead an outdoor life as 
as much as possible. For over a quarter of a cen- 
tury he has made his home in Goshen, and since 
1873 has been engaged in the cultivation of ber- 
ries and in raising fruit for the city market. He 
owns one and a-half acres on Murraj- Avenue and 
has acquired a goodly competence b)- his strict 
attention to business. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Ichabod 
Lewis, was born on Long Island, and took part in 
the War of 1812, as did also his brother, Nathan- 
iel, Jr. He fought until the last and fired the 
final gun at Stony Point, mowing down a row of 
the British. He was taken prisoner and sent to the 
celebrated Sugar House in New York Cit}-, where 
he was kept until he died from ill-treatment and 
was buried with seven hundred other unfortunate 
comrades in Trinity Church gravej-ard. He was 
a son of Nathaniel Lewis, who was a descendant 
of one Francis Lewis, a man of wealth and influ- 
ence, who contributed liberallj- of his means to- 
ward the support of the Revolutionary patriots 
and who had emigrated to this countr}- from 
England. His wife was made a captive and con- 
fined in a London prison until LaFayette secured 
her release. When the Huguenots were being 
persecuted, members of the Lewis family escaped 
from Bayonne, France, to Wales, where their de- 
scendants remained for nearly two hundred years. 
Our subject's grandfather, Samuel, was born in 
Goshen, and was a man of great intelligence and 
influence in his community. He ser\'ed in the 
Custom House in New York City for several 
3'ears. He never sought elective office, but pre- 
ferred to attend strictly to his own affairs, though 
fully qualified to hold any position of honor and 
trust. In the long years spent by him in this vi- 
cinity he won the esteem and love of every one 
who made his acquaintance. He died in Sep- 
tember, 1872, at the close of a good and useful 
life, and his wife, who before her marriage was a 
Miss Mary Young, died at the home of our sub- 
ject on her birthday, April 17, 1884, aged ninety- 
eight years. In her early womanhood she was 
noted as a beauty throughout the county, and 
was considered the finest equestrian in this sec- 
tion. She was born near Youngstead, in the 



town of Goshen, and was a descendant of the 
Rev. John Young, who emigrated with a little 
company of devoted followers from Southold, 
England, and established a colony on Long Isl- 
and. Many of his descendants were distinguished 
for patriotism, and were noted in the profes.sions 
and arts. One of these, Henry, .settled in this 
county, and the farm which he tilled is now owned 
by the .seventh Henrj- in the direct line. The 
family has always adhered to the Episcopal faith, 
and our subject's great uncle, Henry, was a 
Vestryman in Trinity Church in New York. 

H. Y. Lewis, our subject's father, was one of 
five children. His eldest brother, Samuel, was 
for forty years a merchant on Broadway, New 
York City. He married Caroline, only daughter 
of Charles G. Ferris, ex-Member of Congress, the 
history of his familj- dating back to Colonial 
times. Samuel Lewis has resided in Goshen 
since 1890, in which year his wife died. Oliver, 
another brother, died in New York City: the two 
.si.sters were Charlotte, who married Hon. Phineas 
Rumsej-, and Mary Einiice, who married Judge 
B. F. Duryea, and died in this city. Our subject's 
father, who was engaged in commercial pursuits 
in New York, died when he was less than thirty 
years of age. His wife, who was Miss Margaret 
E. Cook, was. born in this state, and her father 
was an officer in the North River Bank in Troy. 
Mrs. Lewis' sister Margaret married a Mr. Hall, 
who was State Geologist of New York ; and an- 
other sister, Theresa, is the wife of Thomas Bates, 
also of this state. Mrs. Lewis died March 12, 
1891, in New York City, aged seventy- two years. 
Her only daughter, Mary E., was claimed by 
death when she was but twenty-three years of 
age. 

Henry Y. Lewis, of this sketch, was born Sep- 
tember 25. 1842, at No. 130 McDonugal Street, 
New York, and was reared there and in this 
county. He attended the common .schools for 
some time in this locality, and in i860 went to a 
private academy in New York. In October, 
1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred 
and Sixty-eighth Regiment of New York In- 
fantry, under Col. William R. Brown, being nuis- 
tered in at Newbnrgh. He was sent South and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



195 



served for fourteen months, or until the regiment 
was mustered out. For some time prior to this 
event he had been ill with typhoid fever, and 
after he returned home was prostrated with lung 
fever. For several years afterward he was unable 
to engage in active business, but as soon as he was 
sufficiently strong he became associated with A. C. 
Shepherd at No. 440 Broadway and No. 8 Clin- 
ton Place, New York City, in the book and sta- 
tionery business. In 1868 he was obliged to re- 
tire on account of continued ill-health, and, com- 
ing to Goshen, located on South Water Street, 
where he embarked in the cultivation of fruit, but 
subsequently removed to No. 27 Murray Avenue. 
He helped to organize F. M. Cummings Post 
No. 176, G. A. R. , and on questions of political 
moment is always found on the side of the Repub- 
lican party. 

In 1886 Mr. Lewis was married, in New York 
City, to Martha, daughter of John Larry, who 
was formerly a well known business man of the 
metropolis, and whose death occurred in West- 
chester County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 
have two daughters, Ethelinda and Mary Young. 
The parents are members of St. James Episcopal 
Church. 



BERNARD KELLY. This name will be at 
once recognized by the majority of our 
readers as that of a man who served his 
country as a .soldier for a period of thirty years 
and possesses a remarkable record. During the 
Civil War he fought in forty-two noted engage- 
ments, and so fierce was the conflict at times 
that his horses were shot from under him and 
comrades were falling on ever)' .side, j'ct he passed 
through those four years without a scratch. His 
discharge from the service bears the names and 
dates of the battles in which he participated, mak- 
ing a record of which very few soldiers can boast. 
Our subject was born in Ireland in 1843, and 
was a lad of thirteen years when he made the 
trip across the Atlantic in a common sailing-ves- 
sel. He was landed in New York Harbor after a 
tedious voyage of three months, during which 



time he experienced many hardships. His means 
were very limited, and his knowledge of America 
and its ways was also meager, so he was obliged 
to work at whatever he could iind to do that 
was honorable. He lived for the first year in 
New Jerse)', after which he visited Florida and 
Georgia, remaining in that locality for the suc- 
ceeding five years. He was very apt in making 
use of what knowledge he posses.sed, and by ob- 
serving closely became well informed in regard to 
the peculiarities of the southern people. At the 
expiration of that time he removed to New York 
and remained near that city until the outbreak ot 
the late war. He then enlisted in Company K, 
First United States Light Artillery, and with his 
comrades went to the front to fight for the honor 
of his adopted country. He was a brave soldier, 
always ready to do his dut}', and as such gained 
the esteem and confidence of his officers. 

Mr. Kelly saw much of the dark side of the 
war. While at Stony Creek, Va., he was capt- 
ured and sent to Libby Prison, from which vile 
place he was afterward transferred to Anderson- 
ville, remaining there until the 20th of March, 
1864. The reader knows too well the tortures to 
which the Union prisoners were subjected and the 
base treatment which they received at the hands 
of the enemy. While our subject was there the 
death rate exceeded three hundred per daj'. He 
miraculously escaped this terrible end, but when 
released was little more than a skeleton. He is 
highly honored and esteemed by the residents of 
this county, and nothing gives him more pleasure 
than to relate his experience on the battlefield, 
which he tells in a most thrilling and interesting- 
manner. After the establishment of peace he re- 
mained in the regular army for eleven years, 
after which he was in the Ordnance Department 
at West Point. On the expiration of his thirty 
years of service he determined to retire to private 
life, and accordingly selected Highland Falls as 
his future place of residence. His pleasant dwell- 
ing is beautifully located on an elevation over- 
looking the city, and here it is his intention to 
live quietlj' and peaceably for the remainder of his 
life. 

Bernard Kelly and Miss Mary McGuire were 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married in Highland Falls in 1873. She was bom 
in New York in 1850, and has become the 
mother of a daughter, Amelia A., who married 
Prof. Odil Brennan, of the National Preparatory 
Academy at Highland Falls. Socially Mr. Kelly 
is a Grand Army man, belonging to Ryder Post 
No. 598, and in religions aflfairs is a devout 
Catholic. 

■ — ^m c^ — ' . 

B.XXIEL T. BROWN, M. D., for many 
ytrars one of the leading and enterprising 
farmers of Orange County, is now living on 
a fine estate in the town of Hamptonburg. He 
was born in Dutchess County, this state, Febru- 
ary 26, 1820, and is the son of Benjamin Brown, 
whose birth occurred on Long Island, November 
30, 1 780. The latter was of Welsh descent, and 
when ready to establish a home of his own mar- 
ried Miss Hannah L. Field. 

The parental family included eight children, 
namely: Marj' T. and Cromlin, deceased; Henry 
F'., living in Montgomery; Francis H., deceased; 
Daniel T., of this sketch; Sarah J., the wife of 
John W. Moberly, re.siding in Ulster County; 
Mrs. Palmer, also a resident of that count}-; and 
Hannah H., the wife of Edward W. Walker, of 
Goshen, Ind. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the vil- 
lage of Fishkill, and was two years of age at the 
time his parents came to Orange County. They 
located in what is now the town of Hamptonburg, 
where the father purchased a tract of two hun- 
dred and thirteen acres, on which he made his 
home until his decease, May 24, 1854. His wife 
survived him until September 23, 1869, when 
she, too, passed away. The property which the 
father purchased is now the home of our subjest. 
Here he grew to mature years and here has lived 
ever since. 

Mr. Brown and Miss Lucretia S. Weed were 
united in marriage February 26, 1851. The five 
children born to them were, respectively : Lewis T. , 
a resident of Duluth, Minn.; Hannah H., de- 
ceased; Linus W. , who resides in New Orleans, 
where he is City Surveyor; Marj' H., deceased; 
and U. S. Grant, at home with his father. The 1 



wife and mother died February 6, 1875, and three 
years later Mr. Brown cho.se for his second com- 
panion Mrs. Phebe S. (Brown) Smith, the wid- 
ow of Harvey H. Smith. 

When eighteen years of age, our subject en- 
tered the University of New York, from which he 
was graduated in 1841. He then became a stu- 
dent in the University Medical College of New 
York City, from which he received his diploma 
two years later. When thoroughly fitted for the 
practice of his profession, he returned to the home 
farm and has resided here ever .since He carries 
on general farming and dairying, and has met 
with success in every venture. For the past 
twenty years he has held the honored office of 
Justice of the Peace, and is well and favorably 
known to the residents of this locality. He is a 
con.sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, 
with which he has been associated as Trustee for 
many jears. The Doctor is prominent in local 
affairs and never lets an opportunity pa.ss for cast- 
ing a vote in favor of Democratic candidates. ^ 



~ DWIN L. ROYS is a member of the firm 
^ of Mead & Roys, editors of the Goshen 
,^ Democrat, a paper which has more than a 
local reputation. It is recognized as a model 
journal of its class, its tone being of the highest 
moral quality, and pre-eminently suitable for be- 
ing read in everj- home. Mr. Roj-s is a man of 
remarkably good perceptive faculties, fair judg- 
ment and unusual knowledge of his fellow-men. 
He and his partner have raised the sheet to a 
high standard of excellence, and are unremitting 
in their efforts along the line of progress. 

The birth of Mr. Roys occurred in Newark 
Valley, Tioga County, N. Y., October 9, 1844, 
his parents being Edwin and Hannah (Under- 
wood) Roys, natives of Berkshire County, Mass. 
The father was born in 1797, and was reared on 
a farm, but later learned the mason's trade. In 
the spring of 1844 he removed to Tioga County, 
settling on a farm, which he successfully con- 
ducted until his death, in the year 1857. His 
widow survived him for over thirty years, her 




COL. CKORGK A. CA.NTIN1-; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



199 



death occurring at her old home in 1889. She 
came from a family of Danish-French extraction. 
E. L,. Roys is the youngest of ten children, and 
on account of his father's death was early obliged 
to set forth to make his own living. As one of 
his si.sters, Mrs. P. Hayne, was a resident of 
Goshen, he came to this place in 1859, and began 
serving an apprenticeship as a printer under 
Charles Mead in the Democrat office. By close 
application he soon learned the business, gradu- 
ally rising until he was made foreman, and in 
that capacity he ser\'ed until New Year's Day, 
1892, when he purchased the interest of Charles 
Mead and became a half-partner in the firm. In 
its political standing the paper is Republican, and 
is an able exponent of the principles of the party. 
It is published on Thursday of each week, and is 
a four-page sheet, 28x42 inches. It is devoted 
to the public welfare, particularlj- to the various 
enterprises of Goshen and vicinity. 

October 6, 1869, the marriage of Mr. Roys 
and Mary L. Coleman was celebrated in Goshen. 
She was born in Amity, Orange County, being a 
daughter of Bradner and Prudence Coleman, old 
and honored pioneers. Mr. Roys has taken quite 
an active part in local Republican politics, and 
served for one term as a member of the Village 
Board of Trustees. He is greatly interested in 
everj'thing which tends to promote the prosperity 
of the locality in which he resides, and does his 
share toward its upbuilding and success. Re- 
ligiou.slv he is a Presbyterian. 

QOL. GEORGE A. CANTINE. Though a 
I ( resident of Newburgh, the reputation gained 
\J by Colonel Cantine is by no means limited 
to this city or county, or, indeed, to the state it- 
self As an orator, he justly ranks among the 
greatest men of the age — Beecher, Talmage, Phil- 
lips and others whose names are hou.sehold words. 
A ripe scholar and fluent speaker, he captivates 
every audience, moving his listeners to tears by 
his pathos, arousing hearty laughter by his wit 
and humor, or awakening the highest emotions 
by his magnetic eloquence. His repertoire of ad- 



dresses is large, embracing such themes as "Ger- 
man Civilization in Europe," "Madame Roland," 
"Soldier and Citizen," "National Civilization of 
America, "Money," "Art in History," "Battle- 
fields," and "The War for the Union: Its Mem- 
ories and Its Lessons. ' ' 

The family of which this distinguished gentle- 
man is a member traces its lineage to Bordeaux, 
France, whence Moses Cantine, a Huguenot, fled 
to England at the time of the revocation of the 
Edict of Nantes in 1685. Coming to America, he 
settled at New Paltz, Ulster County, N. Y., 
where he married Elizabeth, widow of Simon 
Eefevre, and daughter of Christian Deyo, one of 
the original patentees of that French settlement. 
One .son, Peter, was born of this union in 1693, 
and he married Elizabeth, daughter of Matthys 
Blanshann and Margaret Schooenhoven, of 
Hurley, N. Y., and granddaughter of a Hu- 
guenot refugee. They had thirteen children, one 
of whom, a daughter, died in infancy. Their 
son Moses married Maria Slecht, of Dutchess 
County. Another son, John, was conspicuous as 
a general and legislator during the Revokitionat}' 
period. Mathew Cantine was a member of the 
Provincial Congress in 1775-76-77, and also of 
the first Council of Safety, in 1777. 

Moses I., son of Gen. John Cantine, was Pub- 
lic Printer of New York for many years, and 
founded the l^VoM\y Argus. His wife, Chri.stina, 
and Hannah, wife of Martin Van Buren, were 
sisters, and the latter having died. Miss Christina, 
daughter of Moses I. Cantine, presided at the 
White House during the administration of Presi- 
dent Van Buren. Among the other members of 
the family were Peter A. Cantine, who in 18 16- 
17 represented Sullivan and Ulster Counties in 
the New York Assembly; Rev. Albert Cantine, 
now a prominent missionary in Syria; Rev. Ro- 
maine Cantine, D. D., a very distinguished scholar • 
and clergyman of San Jose, Cal. ; and Frank Can- 
tine, a prominent attorne}' of New York City. 
The male descendants of the Cantines have been 
considerably less than the female. The latter 
have married into many of the most distinguished 
families of this country and Europe. A Miss 
Cantine, a noted belle of New York City, recent- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ly married the second son of the late Jay Gould, 
another Miss Caiitine married a baronet, and still 
another a French prince. The family name was 
originally spelled Kantyn. 

The grandfather of Colonel Cantine, Abraham 
Cantine, was born in Ulster County, N. V., and 
became a large land-owner in Ulster, Dutchess 
and Rensselaer Counties. His education was re- 
ceived partly in France, and he was a man of 
broad information and splendid mental capacity. 
He was elected Sheriff of Ulster County in 1819, 
and filled other offices of trust. During Revolu- 
tionary War times the family was prominent, be- 
ing stanch defenders of the colonies. Mathew 
was a member of the Provincial Congress of New 
York in 1775-77, ^^^'^^ ^^'^^ appointed to serve on 
the first Council of Safety. John, who was first 
elected to the New York Assembly in 1777 from 
lUster County, served in that body for many ses- 
sions, and in 1789 was sent to the United States 
Congress. In 1720-22-25 Peter Cantine was one 
of the Trustees of Kingston; one of his descend- 
ants. Judge Peter Cantine, is a prominent at- 
torney at vSaugerties. Peter Cantine, Jr., was a 
member of the New York Senate for j'ears, and 
was a Presidential Elector in 1796. Following 
him, Moses I. Cantine was a member of the 
Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortietli and F'orty- 
first General Assemblies, 18 14-18, From 1805 
until 1 81 2 he was District Attorney, and later 
was chosen Judge of Greene County. Johannes 
Cantine was also a member of the New York As- 
sembly. John Cantine was Sheriff of Tioga Coun- 
ty in 1804. 

The father of our .subject, Orrin Cantine, was 
born in Ulster County in 18 15, and died at Wash- 
ington in December, 1893, aged seventy-eight. 
He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
and was well-to-do, owning considerable prop- 
erty' in Broome and Dutchess Counties. His 
wife, who was a descendant of one of the promi- 
nent old Dutch families who settled New York, 
bore the maiden name of Lucile Storm and was 
born in Dutchess Count}-, N. Y. She died when 
fifty years old. Thej' were the parents of six chil- 
dren, all but one of whom attained \ears of ma- 
turity. Charles, who was a member of the 



Fourth New York Heavy Artillery during the 
Civil War, is now residing in Italy; he is a civil 
engineer and railroad contractor, and has gained 
wealth in his business transactions. William is 
engaged in mining and stock-raising in California. 
Orrin T., whose home is in Connecticut, is en- 
gaged in farming. The only daughter, Alice, is 
the wife of Herve B. Jones, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

The subject of this notice was born in New 
York City May 26, 1841, and in boyhood at- 
tended the schools of the metropolis, preparing 
for college at Poultney, Yt. In 1861 he enlisted 
as a member of Company C, Seventh Vermont 
Infantry, and was mustered in at Rutland as 
Third Sergeant. In January, 1862, he was or- 
dered to the front, and, reaching Ship Island in 
the Gulf of Mexico, was placed under the com- 
mand of Gen. Ben Butler. After the capture of 
New Orleans, he proceeded with the regiment to 
Mcksburg and Baton Rouge and took part in the 
second battle at the latter place, Vice-President 
Breckenridge commanding the Confederate troops. 
After leaving Louisiana the regiment was sta- 
tioned at various points in Florida, thence to Ala- 
bama, and from there to Mi.s.sissippi, Louisiana 
and Arkansas. Though participating in a number 
of important engagements, he was wounded but 
once, that being in the battle of Baton Rouge, 
when he was injured b}- a shell in the ankle. 

After remaining a year with his regiment he 
resigned, and subsequently became engaged in re- 
cruiting colored troops. He was attached to the 
secret service and sequestration department con- 
nected with and covering the Gulf States. Shortlj- 
after he was breveted Lieutenant-Colonel, he re- 
signed, November, 1864, on account ol ill-health. 
At the time of entering the service he weighed 
one hinidred and eighty-eight pounds; on leaving 
his weight was only one hundred and twenty- 
pounds. For two j-ears after leaving the armj- 
he was unable to engage in active study or work 
of any nature, owing to the delicate state of his 
health. 

In 1 86 1 Colonel Cantine was pursuing his 
studies with the view to entering one of the 
learned professions. On his return he fini.shed 
his college course, graduating with high lion- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ors, and became professor of commercial law, 
mathematics and political economy in the Boston 
Commercial College. In the mean time he began 
the study of law, at the same time contributing to 
various newspapers and magazines, a line of work 
which he has since continued, and for which he 
is b}' culture, extensive travel and broad scholar- 
ship especially adapted. From Boston he re- 
moved to Rome, N. Y. , where he engaged in a 
general insurance business. After traveling ex- 
tensively for the New York Life Insurance and 
other companies for a few years, he took up his 
headquarters in Washington, D. C, as general 
correspondent, and also entered the lecture plat- 
form. As a stump speaker he took an active 
part in the campaigns of Presidents Grant, Hayes 
and Garfield. 

For one year Colonel Cantine was Inspector 
General of the Grand Army of the Republic, De- 
partment of New York, and afterwards traveled 
for several years, adjusting insurances in the 
South and West. In this way he became ac- 
quainted with many of the prominent men of the 
Western and Southern States, whose friendship 
he has since retained and by whom he is highly 
regarded. On his return to New York he be- 
came general agent of the New York Life In- 
surance Company, with headquarters at Syracuse 
and New York City, and in 1887 became general 
agent in charge of the Hudson River District. 
June 2, 1892, he was appointed Agency Director 
in charge of the branch office and clearing house 
at Newburgh. He has a large staff of assistants 
to look after the interests of several thousand 
policy-holders. His territory extends from Al- 
bany to New York, from Ma.ssachusetts and Con- 
necticut on the east, and from Ulster to Rock- 
land Counties on the west. The main office is 
located at Nos. 98-100 Water Street, Newburgh, 
and No. 346 Broadway, New York. 

As above noted, Colonel Cantine is a popular 
lecturer, and is in constant demand for addresses 
from all over the country. He was first married 
in Vermont, his wife being Marian J. Cook, who 
was born in that state, and died in Syracuse in 
1886. Mrs. Cantine was widely known on ac- 
count of her many estimable qualities of head and 



heart. She will long be remembered for the 
many works of charity for which she was dis- 
tinguished. Two sons were born of the union, 
the elder of whom, Edward B., inherits his fa- 
ther's literary and oratorical ability; he is also an 
Agency Director for the New York Life Insur- 
ance Company at Albany, and is one of the prom- 
inent young men of that city, having formerly 
served as Alderman, and being at present Clerk 
of the Board of Supervisors. The younger son, 
Francis M., is a confidential clerk and stenograph- 
er in the office of his father. The second mar- 
riage of Colonel Cantine occurred April 12, 1892, 
his wife being Mi.ss Emily S. Edwards, who was 
born in Rockland County, and who is the only 
child of Thomas Edwards, now of the firm of 
Edwards & Forsyth, of Newburgh. Mrs. Can- 
tine was reared in Newburgh, and is a graduate 
of the justly celebrated academy at this place. 

Socially Colonel Cantine is a prominent Mason, 
being Eminent Commander of Hudson River 
Commander}' No. 35, K. T. , at Newburgh; mem- 
ber of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M.; 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M. ; and of 
King Solomon Council No. 31, R. & S. M., of 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He is a Thirty-second- 
degree life member of the Aurora Grata Ancient 
Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; also a member 
of the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic 
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, both of which 
bodies are located in Brooklyn, N. Y. He is a 
demitted member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and the Encampment, is a charter 
member of the Newburgh City Club, and is a 
member of Skillen Post No. 47, G. A. R., at 
Rome, N. Y. The Life Underwriters' Associa- 
tion of New York City also numbers him among 
its members, as do several other prominent clubs 
and societies. In religious belief he is a Method- 
ist and is connected with Trinity Church of New- 
burgh. He is prominent in the Republican party, 
but has never held office, although he was nomi- 
nated as a member of the Assembly of the Third 
District of Oneida County. He is always will- 
ing, however, to give to his party the assistance 
of his presence and influence, and has accom- 
plished much by means of his stump speeches. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was commissioned by Governor Tilden Cap- 
tain and Quartermaster of tlie Fourth Brigade 
State National Guard, September 15, 1876, and 
was commissioned Brigade Inspector, with the 
rank of Major, by Governor Cornell, April 13, 
1880. 

From the facts as gi\-€n above, it will be seen 
that Colonel Cantine has been alike prominent in 
times of war and peace. As a soldier, his career 
is written in the annals of his countrj-. Brave, 
patriotic and devoted, he discharged in the fullest 
measure his duties as a loyal citizen. In civic 
life he has always identified himself with everj' 
progressive movement for the benefit of the peo- 
ple. In society- he is known and appreciated as 
a gentleman of liberal views and generous im- 
pulses, modest and unostentatious, and whose 
high character is worthy of the utmost confidence 
on the part of his associates. 



REV. STEPHEN F. WHITE, pastor of the 
Methodi.st Episcopal Church of Goshen, was 
born in New York City, January 2, 1848, 
and is descended, through his paternal ancestors, 
from honorable Scotch-Iri.sh forefathers. His 
grandfather, Daniel White, a native of New York, 
served in the American army in the War of 181 2 
until peace was declared. His life was spent 
principally in the Empire State, and he followed 
the trade of a cabinet-maker and the occupation 
of a farmer in Westchester County, where he 
died at the age of ninety-two. 

The father of Rev. Mr. White was Stephen L. , 
a native of Connecticut, who for some time en- 
gaged in business in New York City. From 
there he retired to a farm in Westchester Count}', 
and on it continued to make his home until his 
death, at the age of seventy-five. During the war 
he was an ardent Union man and Abolitionist, 
and his support was always given to measures 
calculated to advance the welfare of our country. 
Twice married, his second wife, the mother of 
our subject, bore the maiden name of Rebecca 



Carpenter, and was a descendant of English an- 
cestry. Her father, Mott Carpenter, was a 
farmer near White Plains, Westchester County, 
where she was born. He was a relative of the 
well known Dr. Mott, of New York, and a son of 
Samuel Carpenter, who was a native of Long 
Island. In religious belief they were Quakers. 
Mrs. Rebecca White still makes her home in 
Westchester County, and is now (1895) seventy- 
five j-ears of age. 

Of the first marriage of Stephen L. White there 
is one son living, William M., who is employed 
in the po.stoffice at New York City. Of the sec- 
ond marriage there were three sons, namely; 
Edward, formerly an aj^ist of New York City, 
where he died; Daniel, a farmer of Westchester 
County; and Rev. Stephen F., the subject of this 
notice. The last-named was reared in New York 
City and Westchester County, and after complet- 
ing the common-school course, he became book- 
keeper for a wholesale flour firm, meantime, 
however, continuing his studies. Afterward he 
taught school in Westchester County for two 
years. 

Deciding to enter the ministerial profession, 
Mr. White was in 1873 licensed to preach, and 
the following year he joined the New York Con- 
ference. His first charge was at Armonk, West- 
chester Countj', where he rernained a year, and 
he was located in Putnam County for a sim- 
ilar period. His next pastorate was at Stock- 
bridge, Mass., where he remained three years. 
Upon the completion of a four-years theological 
course, he was ordained an Elder, in 1878. For 
three years he was pastor of the Methodi.st Epis- 
copal Church at Lakeville, Litchfield County, 
Conn., a beautiful place, often termed the "Switz- 
erland of America," where he had as his parish- 
ioners many people of wealth, culture and prom- 
inence. On closing his work there he rested for 
a year. 

Resuming ministerial labors, Rev. Mr. White 
accepted the pastorate of a church in Westchester 
County, and remained in that county for four 
years. Going thence to Ulster County, he had 
charge of a church at Marlborough two years and 
then at Ellenville four years. During the latter 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



pastorate, in 1891, he was tendered a vaca- 
tion trip to Europe by his congregation, but 
shortly' after starting the ship became unseaworthy 
and drifted around for some time, being iinally 
towed back into harbor. The dela)' thus occa- 
sioned obHged Mr. White to abandon his at- 
tempted journey, but the following year he made 
a more successful attempt to cross the ocean. 
Embarking on the "City of Paris," he proceeded 
to Great Britain and spent two months traveling 
through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, 
visiting almost every point of historic interest. 

Accepting the pastorate of the church at Go- 
shen, Rev. Mr. White came to the city in the 
spring of 1893, and has since been the efficient and 
successful pastor of the congregation here. The 
church at this place is one of the oldest in the 
Hudson Valley, having been organized early in 
this century. It has been an important factor in 
promoting the moral growth of the place and has 
aided every progressive and philanthropic enter- 
prise. In 1885 anew brick edifice was erected on 
Main Street, adjacent to the court house, and in 
addition to this building the church owns the 
parsonage on Greenwich Street, the whole prop- 
erty being free of any incumbrance. There is an 
enrolled membership of three hundred, and the 
church has an active Epworth League, as well as 
a number of class meetings. The arrangement of 
the house of worship is excellent, and besides the 
main auditorium there are a lecture-hall and Sun- 
day-school room. 

While the active discharge of his duties as pas- 
tor engrosses the principal share of Mr. White's 
time, he also gives .some attention to other lines of 
Christian activity. Both of the local and the re- 
ligious papers he has been a frequent correspond- 
ent and contributor, and his articles, like his ad- 
dresses, are pointed, forcible and able. He has 
delivered lectures on diiferent subjects, general 
and historical, and as a public .speaker has the 
happy faculty of interesting and instructing his 
audiences, and commanding their close attention 
from the start to the close of his addresses. In 
different temperance societies he has done aggress- 
ive work. He is a life member of the Connecti- 
cut Bible Society, a Director in the Orange Coun- 



ty Bible Society, and a member of the Westches- 
ter County Historical Society. In the conference 
to which he belongs, he is serving as Steward and 
as a member of the Examining Committee. 

The marriage of Rev. Mr. White and Miss 
Laura J. White was .solemnized in New York 
City in 1875, and three children bless their union, 
namely: Alice F. , Howard M. and Edith M. 
The summer months are usuallj' spent b}- the 
family in their beautiful summer home near White 
Plains, Westchester County, about twenty-five 
miles from New York City, where Mr. White 
owns a residence and seventy acres, comprising 
the old homestead. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 



+= 



=+ 



QrOF. LOUIS HAMMERSTEIN, one of the 
U' oldest and also one of the most successful in- 
fS structors in vocal and instrumental music 
residing in Newburgh, was born in Palatine, Ba- 
varia, Germany, near the historic city of Worms, 
the date of his birth being October 13, 1840. His 
parents, John and Mary (Mapes) Hammerstein, 
died in early life and left him, an only child, or- 
phaned at the age of three years. He was taken 
into the home of his godfather and was reared 
upon his farm near Worms. 

After completing the studies of the common 
schools, our subject entered the seminary at 
Spier, where he began the study of music. His 
tastes inclining him toward that art, he devoted 
hiuLself a.ssiduously to its study, and in a short 
time became a proficient musician. He was grad- 
uated from the seminary at Spier, and at the age 
of twenty became a teacher near Roxheim, where 
he remained for two years. In 1865 he came to 
America, and after spending six months in Wash- 
ington, D. C, he proceeded to Orange County, 
settling first in Cornwall, but removing to New- 
burgh after a short time. 

Since coming to this city. Professor Hammer- 
stein has engaged in giving instruction on the 
piano and organ, and he and Professor Gehrig 
are among the oldest teachers of the place. For 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



five years he was organist in the Catholic Church 
at Cornwall, and he held a similar position in the 
Calvary Presbyterian Church. He was organist 
for the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church for 
two years, and the Unitarian Church for two 
years. For several years he was leader of the 
Maennerchor, and has always taken an active 
part in musical affairs. Socially he is a member 
of the Knights of Honor, and also belongs to Je- 
rusalem Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., at Cornwall, 
His political views bring him into affiliation with 
the Republican party, but he has never been act- 
ive in public affairs, preferring to give his atten- 
tion entirely to his chosen profession. 

WALTER DUMVILLE, one of the old and 
respected residents of the town of New- 
burgh, lives on the old homestead, where 
his birth occurred May 9, 1843. He is engaged 
in general farming and has met with exceptional 
success as a dairyman. Under his father's in- 
struction and training he was reared to habits of 
industry- and uprightness of word and deed, 
which are among his most prominent character- 
istics. He is respected and held in high regard 
by all of his accquaintances, and is always fore- 
most in everything which tends to advance the 
public welfare. 

Our subject's father, Benjamin Dumville, was 
born -in Buckinghamshire, England, January 2, 
1807. He emigrated to America on a sailing- 
vessel about 1827, and after being tossed to and 
fro on the Atlantic for about nine weeks arrived 
in New York City. He then proceeded to Hud- 
son, where he made his home for four years, and 
from there came to Newburgh, later moving to a 
farm of twenty acres in this town. In 1829 he 
was married to Mariam Harris, of Newburgh. 
During the early years of his life in America Mr. 
Dumville was a poor man with a large family to 
support and he experienced many privations. He 
had learned the butcher's business in his native 
land and would often go with a load of calves 
and sheep which he had killed to New York Citj-, 
where he found little trouble in disposing of them. 



This was before the days of rapid transportation 
by rail and the journey was attended by numer- 
erous obstacles. He became the owner of about 
twenty acres of land, and had acquired a comforta- 
ble fortune at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1887. His remains were buried in 
Woodlawn Cemetery. He is said to have been 
the first wholesale butcher in Newburgh or vicin- 
ity. To himself and wife were born the follow- 
ing children: Benjamin; Hannah, who married 
Daniel L. Thompson; William; Ada, deceased, 
who was the wife of Henry Stevens; Alice; 
Emma, wife of Edwin Dumville; and Mary and 
Walter. The mother of these children survived 
her husband some four years and was interred by 
his side in Woodlawn Cemetery. 

Our subject attended the public schools of this 
locality until he was fifteen years of age, finish- 
ing his education in Harper's vSeminary. He fol- 
lowed the butcher's business with his father and 
remained with him as long as he lived. When 
he was about thirty years of age he took charge 
of the business, which he has carried on success- 
fully since in connection with his other enter- 
prises. In politics he is affiliated with the Re- 
publican party, but has never been an aspirant for 
public office. At one time he served as Collector 
of Newburgh Town. 

July 16, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Dumville and Josephine O'Brien, who was born 
January 19, 1854, in New York City, and who is 
a daughter of John and Catherine O'Brien. Our 
subject and wife are members of the Unitarian 
Church and are always ready to do their share 
toward the support of worthy charitable and re- 
ligious enterprises. 

nOHN OSBORN is a self-made man, as he 
I started out in life a poor boy, without friends 
Q) or capital, and has made his present comfort- 
able fortune by honest industry and well applied 
business ability. He has been a resident of the 
town of Newburgh for many years, and is highly 
esteemed and respected by his neighbors and ac- 
quaintances. He is a veteran of the late war, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



having enlisted in defense of the Union soon aft- 
er attaining his majority, August 15, 1861, as a 
private in Company K, Forty -eighth New YOrk 
Vohinteers. He was mustered into service at Ft. 
Hamilton, from there was sent to Washington, 
and thence to Annapolis, Md., the first engage- 
ment in which he participated being the battle of 
Ft. Royal, S. C. Later he was present at the 
siege of Ft. Pulaski, and was wounded at the 
battle of Ft. Wagner. A bullet passed the entire 
length of his left arm above the elbow, and he 
was sent to the regimental hospital, where he 
remained for a few weeks. He then went with 
his regiment to St. Augustine and to Jackson- 
ville, Fla., taking part in many prominent en- 
gagements and lesser skirmishes. August 20, 
1864, he was mustered out as a private, after hav- 
ing served faithfully for three years. 

Mr. Osborn was born April i, 1840, near Pleas- 
ant Valley, Ulster County, N. Y. His father, 
William T. Osborn, a native of the same county, 
is of German descent, and is still in the possession 
of good health and activity of body and mind. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. 
Underhill, was born in New York, and is still 
living, making her home in Newburgh. Both 
are now about eighty-four years of age. They 
are the parents of five sons and five daughters, 
namely: Eliza, Joseph D., John, Smith, David, 
Jane, Daniel, Mary, Sarah and Kate. 

John Osborn was reared on a farm, and attend- 
ed the common school of the locality more or less 
until he was sixteen years of age. He then left 
home to make his own way in the world, and for 
a few years was employed by farmers. When he 
was nearly twenty years of age he commenced 
working at the carpenter's trade, and became 
thoroughly conversant with the bu.siness in all its 
details. Then followed the time when he was 
absent fighting his country's battles, and after his 
return home he settled in Newburgh, and contin- 
ued his former vocation as a carpenter from that 
time until 1880. He then moved to the farm of 
sixty-six acres which he is now engaged in cult- 
ivating, and which he is managing with good 
ability. He is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, and in politics is a Republican. 



November 15, 1865 Mr. Osborn wedded An- 
toinette, daughter of Thomas and Clara (Gard- 
ner) Edwards. She was born in Ulster County, 
May 21, 1846, and by her marriage became the 
mother of four children, namely: Frank B., who 
died at the age of six years; Harrison, who died 
when but three years of age; Charles D., who is 
still living with his parents; and Elsie J., who is 
also at home. The family are highly esteemed 
by all who know them in this locality, and are 
hone.st, industrious citizens. 



OC 'H"H-»^' i" 8"»»-5"i- ^ »-}"i-»»»»-i"i"i-'i"H >C> 

^HOMAS E. BANKER, of Goshen, is the 
I C son of Abram and Emily L. (Sherwood) 
\^ Banker, who were of German and English 
descent, respectively. Abram Banker was the 
son of John Banker, an agriculturist, who fol- 
lowed his occupation in the locality of Go.shen. 
His father was one of the early settlers of Long 
Island. Our subject's father was a carpenter bj' 
trade, and also followed the pursuit of agricult- 
ure on a farm near the village of Goshen. His 
birth occurred November i, 1806, and almost his 
entire life was spent in the above-mentioned oc- 
cupations. He died November 13, 1848, at the 
age of forty-two years. 

Mrs. Abram Banker was a native of this state, 
her birth occurring in Chester, May 2, 18 15. Her 
father, Joseph S. Sherwood, was a farmer, and 
married Miss Hannah Cheney. Mrs. Sherwood's 
cousin. Miss Mary Cheney, was the wife of Hor- 
ace Greeley, and Mrs. Sherwood often spoke of 
him and her acquaintance with him. Her death 
occurred February 9, 1884, at the age of sixty- 
seven years. For further particulars of this fam- 
ily we would refer the reader to the sketch of 
Benjamin C. Sherwood, found elsewhere in this 
volume. 

In the parental famih- were ten children, of 
whom nine grew to years of maturity. Of these 
seven still survive, thr^e sons and four daughters. 
Ellen, the eldest of this family, died in infancy; 
Agnes died in Goshen, in 1876; Hannah, Mrs. 
George I. Wood, is a resident of this city, as is 
also Frank, the next in order of birth; Louise, 



2o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. George W. Weed, makes her home in Con- 
necticut; Thomas E. is the subject of this sketch; 
Joseph S. is a fanner, living near this city; Laura, 
Mrs. Wyatt Carr, resides in Middletown; and 
Mary lives in Go.shen Township. After the death 
of her first husband, Mrs. Banker was again 
married, this time being united with James Bank- 
er, the brother of her first husband. By this 
union she had one son, Edward, who is deceased. 

Our subject was born May 31, 1842, and the 
earlier years of his life were spent on the home 
farm, and in attending the public schools. He 
Ijegan life for himself at a very early age, being 
employed at fanning in this county for several 
years. In the year 1869 he obtained a position 
as clerk in the general store of Reeves & Kelsey, 
remaining with them until 1881, at which time 
he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Com- 
pany, with which he has since been identified. 
He is brakeman on a milk train running to Jersey 
City, and has been on the same train ever since 
the beginning of his sen-ice. He has been very 
fortunate and has never had a serious accident. 

August 16, 1S76, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Eunice J. Case, who was born 
in this city, July 6, 1855. She was a daughter of 
David Case, Jr., who was a farmer in this local- 
ity. She died February 6, 1887, leaving one 
child, Grace C, who also passed away, at the 
age of eleven years. She was an active member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a noble 
woman. Mr. Banker is an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and is Steward of 
that congregation. In politics he is a Republican. 



I ACHLAX STEWART, one of the well-to- 
I C do and successful agriculturists of the town 
Ly of Xewburgh, is a self-made man, having 
acquired a fortune and an enviable position 
among liis fellow-men entireh- through his own 
independent efforts. His valuable homestead of 
one hundred and sixty acres lies just outside of the 
corporation of Newburgh, and here he is engaged 
very extensively in the dairj- business, even- 
thing about his farm showing the careful super- 



vision of the thrifty owner. Mr Stewart is the 
son of Archibald and Margaret CLeach) Stewart, 
and was bom in Greenup, Scotland, November 
19, 1830, being one of four children, of whom 
the eldest, John, is deceased; Archibald was 
drowned at sea; and Mary, the only sister, mar- 
ried Jesse Merritt. The father of this family was 
a sea-captain. 

Until he was eleven years of age, Lachlan 
Stewart lived in his native village, and then 
started on a merchant vessel bound for the West 
Indies. After being six months on the voyage, 
he proceeded to New York City, where he stayed 
until 1 841, when he returned home. After re- 
maining there for a short time, or until 1842, he 
again crossed the Atlantic, and, coming to New- 
burgh, he assisted in building the old cotton 
factory, and also helped to lay the corner-stone. 
After some time he once more went back to his 
native land, first sailing to Nova Scotia, and 
thence to Greenup. For a few years, or until 
1848, he was principally engaged in ship-build- 
ing, and in the year mentioned continued to en- 
gage in the same business in Xewburgh, where 
he was located for two years. Thence going to 
Virginia, he was there employed at his trade for 
a year, and finally purchased -a schooner, which 
he ran from Newburgh to Albany-, New London, 
Long Island and other points. In 1862 he sold his 
vessel, and became foreman in the dockyards of 
Homer Ramsdell & Co., of Newburgh, retaining 
that position some seven years. The next year 
he engaged in building ships at Newburgh, and 
was then employed in a lumber->ard of that city 
from 1865 to 1882, when he sold out, with the in- 
tention of devoting the remainder of his life to 
fanning. After partially retiring from business 
for a few years he removed to his present farm, 
which is well adapted to the purposes for which 
it is utilized. 

April 7, 1S53, Mr. Stewart married Julia A. 
Lyon, who was bom in New Jersey, December 
6, 1834, and to them were bom eleven children, 
namely: Julia, Archie. Annie, Samuel L., Mary 
A., Charles W., Margaret J., Jesse E., Alice E., 
John W. and Thomas W. Samuel is engaged 
in the lumber business in Newburgh. Man,- A. 




HON. U. H. oDia.I,, JR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



209 



became the wife of Robert H. Gretter, a jeweler 
and diamond merchant in New York City. Jesse 
E. is still single. Thomas W., who lives at home, 
is now taking much of the respon.sibility from 
his father's shoulders; and the other children are 
deceased. For about forty-five years Mr. Stew- 
art has been a faithful member of the Methodist 
Church, and always takes an active part in every- 
thing pertaining to its best interests. He has 
never been a politician, but votes for the candi- 
dates of the Prohibition party. 



HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL, Jr., M. C. 
The services which in the past Mr. Odell 
has rendered his fellow-citizens of New- 
burgh, and which he is now rendering the peo- 
ple of this district as their representative in Con- 
gress, entitle him to rank among the eminent 
men of the state. As an honored member of an 
honorable family, connected through many gener- 
ations with the history of Orange County, he is 
adding lustre to the name he bears, and in the 
councils of the nation is winning for himself an 
enviable reputation as a statesman. It is fitting, 
therefore, in a volume dedicated to the influential 
men of this county , that considerable mention be 
made of his life and public career. 

A life-long resident of Newburgh. Mr. Odell 
was born here January 14, 1854, being the son of 
Benjamin B. Odell, Sr., the present Mayor of the 
city. He gained the rudiments of his education 
in the public schools, and after graduating from 
the academy in 1 874, became a student in Beth- 
any College, in Bethany, W. Va. After one year 
in that institution he entered Columbia College, 
in New York City, where he continued until 
1877. While in college he took an active part in 
athletics and in boating, and was offered, but de- 
clined, a position in the Columbia University crew 
of 1875. 

On leaving college Mr. Odell embarked with 
his father in the ice business, and upon the ab- 
sorption of his father's interest by the Muchattoes 

6 



Lake Ice Company in 1886, he became the Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the new company, which 
position he has since held. In 1888, in connec- 
tion with other citizens of Newburgh, he bought 
stock in the Newburgh Electric-light and Power 
Company, and since then has officiated as its . 
President. The Haverstraw Electric-light, Heat 
and Power Company was organized by him in 
1891. 

Socially Mr. Odell is connected with Newburgh 
Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., of which he has 
been Master for a number of years. Under the 
administration of Grand Master Vrooman, he be- 
came the District Deputy Grand Master for the 
Tenth Masonic District, comprising the counties 
of Orange, Rockland, Ulster and Sullivan. He is 
also identihed with Highland Chapter, R. A. M.; 
Hudson River Commandery, K. of P. ; Acme 
Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; Mt. Olive Encampment; 
and Canton Woodward, Patriarchs Militant. In 
social affairs he takes a lively interest, being con- 
nected with the Orange Lake Club, the Newburgh 
City Club and the Republican Club of the city of 
Newburgh, and similar organizations in New 
York City. 

Twice married, the first wife of Mr. Odell, who 
bore the maiden name of E.stelle Crist, met her 
death by drowning in a steamboat collision on 
the Hudson River in 1888. Afterward he was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Linda C. Trapha- 
gen, of Newburgh. 

Nature bestowed upon Mr. Odell a vigorous 
mind. He is quick to .see an emergency, and 
equally quick to devise means of overcoming it. 
His energy is one of the remarkable traits of his 
character. To this quality, combined with his 
large executive ability, is due his success in every 
undertaking with which his name is connected. 
While he has gained success in business and in 
his social relations, his prominence is due chiefly 
to his participation in public affairs. Reared in 
the faith of the Republican party, he saw no rea- 
son, on arriving at mature years, for changing 
his political belief; in fact, the history of our 
country during the past few years has made him 
even a stronger advocate of Republican principles 
than he was before. He instituted the election 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



district association plan at present in use in New- 
Inirgh, and brought the twenty-one associations 
which compose the city into harmonious work- 
ing order. 

As State Committeeman for his di.strict Mr. 
.Odell rendered efficient service. He was one of 
the committee to draft the platform of the party 
for the campaign of 1890, and served as Super- 
visor of the Census for the counties of Orange, 
Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware. As 
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 
New York State Republican Committee, he gained 
the confidence of his political associates and es- 
tablished a reputation for efficient work in the 
party. These influences led to his nomination, 
October 11, 1894, for Congressman from the 
Seventeenth Di.strict. His popularity was proved 
by the fact that he was elected to that responsible 
position by a majority of more than five thousand 
in a district hitherto strongly Democratic, his 
plurality being larger than any candidate the 
district has ever received. He entered upon the 
active discharge of the duties of his office with 
the best wishes of a host of friends, and has repre- 
sented his district in a manner reflecting the 
highest credit upon himself A man of foresight 
and profound judgment, firm and immovable in 
his opinions when once formed, a safe counselor, 
admirably vensed in the principles of wise states- 
manship, he will undoubtedly achieve even great- 
er success in the future than he has in the oast. 



ROSWELL W. CHAMBERLAIN is one of 
the progressive farmers and dairymen of 
Orange County. His well conducted and 
finely improved farm is located in the town of 
Chester, and is well adapted for general agricult- 
ure and dairy purposes, in which lines the owner 
is interested to a considerable degree. The farm 
is two hundred and eighty acres in extent, and 
comprises some of the best land in the county. 

Our subject is a native of New York City and 
was born March 14, 1843. His parent.^ were 
John C. and Mary (Aims) Chamberlain, and he 
was the third in order of birth of their family. 



The father was a native of Dutchess County, this 
-State, where he spent his early life. In 1835 he 
located in New York City and engaged in the 
provision business, which he successfully con- 
ducted for more than fort\- years, becoming one 
of the best known men in that line in the metrop- 
olis. When ready to retire to private life he 
turned his affairs over to the management of his 
sons, and pa.s.sed the remainder of his life in ease 
and comfort, which he so richly deserved. He 
was greatly interested in school work in the city, 
and served for some time on the board of the 
Seventeenth Ward. He died in 1891 , mourned and 
respected by a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. His wife, who was likewise a native of 
New York Citj-, preceded him to the land beyond, 
departing this life in 1887. 

As .soon as old enough, our subject began his 
studies in the public schools of New York, and 
continued to attend regularly until a lad of six- 
teen years. About that time it became neces- 
sary for him to do for himself, and his first em- 
ployment was as a clerk in a foreign-fruit busi- 
ness. In this he was engaged until 1861, when, 
on the outbreak of the war, the firm, being largely 
interested in southern trade, was compelled to sus- 
pend operations, and young Chamberlain looked 
about for another situation. This he found with 
Col. Israel Wickhain, of Middletown. He re- 
mained with him ju.st one year when he was taken 
into business with his father, and was in his em- 
ploy until 1873. That year he left home, and, 
coming to Orange County, located upon the beau- 
tiful tract of land of which he is still the owner 
It is supplied with modern buildings and ma- 
chinery, and well stocked with a high grade of 
animals. Mr. Chamberlain, however, makes a 
specialty of dairy farming, and carries on this in- 
dustry on an extensive scale. 

The subject of this sketch was married, in 1869, 
to Miss Elizabeth A., only daughter of Seely C. 
and Sarah A. ( Moffat) Roe, natives of this coun- 
ty, and whose descendants were among the ear- 
liest .settlers of this section. To our subject and 
his wife there have been born two children: Mary, 
at home; and Albert, who is engaged in business 
in New York City. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Cham- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



berlain closed her eyes in death in 1871, and our 
subject was married in April, 1S74, to Miss Eniil}- 
Durland, the daughter of Edwin and Margaret 
(Roe) Durland, of the town of Chester. To them 
there have been born four children, namely: Eliz- 
abeth R., Joseph C, Edwin D. and Benjamin F., 
all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. 
and Mrs. Chamberlain are members in excellent 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Chester. In politics the former has always affili- 
ated with the Republican party, and ca.st his first 
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is 
upright and conscientious in everj' position in 
life and is a man of patriotic and public spirit. 

G^ • ,fe@S ||| i:i);^ • ^-^ - 

(^ . ^?^|||Sgi^"~^=^ 

(JACOB S. BRILL, junior member of the firm 
I of Stocker & Brill, is one of the leading 
C2/ wholesale grocers of Newburgh, and is a 
member of the Wholesale Grocers' Association of 
New York and vicinity. He has been very suc- 
cessful in his undertakings, and is a tea expert of 
exceptional ability. Without doubt, the members 
of this firm are the largest jobbers in teas, coffees 
and spices on the Hudson. 

The Brill family originally came from Holland, 
being among the first settlers on the grant of land 
in the localit}' of Beekman, Dutche.ss County, and 
there several generations ofdescendants have been 
born, including our subject's grandfather, Daniel, 
his father, Charles, and himself The father was 
formerly a very active agriculturi.st, but is now 
living retired at his old home at the age of sixty- 
one years. He was left an orphan at an early age, 
and was the youngest of nine children. On 
reaching maturity he occupied many offices of 
trust in his township, and has had charge of sev- 
eral estates, which he has settled with good execu- 
tive ability. He is a man of sterling integrity 
and honesty, public spirited and enterprising, 
and no worthy person in need of assistance ever 
calls upon him in vain. When the war came on 
he responded to the draft, but his .services were 
not required. His wife, Elizabeth, is a daughter 



of Jacob Seaman, and both were natives of East 
Fishkill. Robert, father of Jacob Seaman, was 
born on Long Island, but lived for many years on 
a farm in East Fishkill. The wife of Jacob Sea- 
man, Claretta, was a daughter of Nathan Slack, 
who also owned a farm near the village just men- 
tioned. Three children were born to Charles and 
Elizabeth Brill, namely: Jacob S., Edward C. 
and Charles R., the two latter of whom are inter- 
ested with the subject of this sketch in operating 
a large stock farm in Dutchess County. 

Jacob S. Brill was born October 29, 1861, and 
wa - educated in the select schools ol his native 
place, and at Wilburham Academy in Massachu- 
setts. Then, entering the employ of the Adams 
Express Company at Waterbury, Conn., he re- 
mained with them for about one j-ear, when he 
was called home owing to the illness of his par- 
ents. He assumed charge of his father's farm, 
and was also employed in dairying until 1888. 
In February of that year he became salesman for 
John Oakley, the surviving partner of L. & J. 
Oakley, soap manufacturers of Newburgh, and 
traveled in New Jersey and New York for about 
a year, when the firm's affairs were wound up. 
Afterward he became interested with J. W. Math- 
ews & Co., wholesale grocers of this city, being 
placed in charge of their tea trade, and in less 
than twelve months had succeeded so well that 
he was commissioned to buy all the teas, spices 
and cigars, in which the firm dealt, and later, 
in addition, managed the coffee department. 

In February, 1894, Mr. Brill resigned his po- 
sition, entering into partnership with the junior 
member of the old firm, Edward Stocker. In the 
short time which has elapsed they have met with 
most gratifying success, and now do a larger bus- 
iness in their special line than any house in the 
city. They occupy a large building at Nos. 2 and 
4 Front Street, also a warehouse on South Front 
Street, and have all the modern improvements 
about the buildings, such as electricity, elevators, 
etc., and in these massive .structures they handle 
a full line of general domestic and imported gro- 
ceries: 

In 1892, in comjiany with liis brothers, Mr. 
Brill purcha.sed about one thousand acres in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dutchess Count}', this being known as the Brill 
Stock Farm. They have carried off the first 
awards at the various stock exhibits, including 
those at Westchester County, Orange County and 
Dutchess County Fairs, and at Danbury, Conn. 
The brothers make a business of breeding Perch- 
eron draft and standard-bred trotting horses, and 
are also breeders and importers of Holstein and 
Freisian cattle. 

October i8, 1887, Mr. Brill was married, in this 
city, to Harriet B. Oakley, who was born here 
September 19, i860. Her father, Lucas Oakley, 
was a member of the firm of L. & J. Oakley, soap 
manufacturers of Newburgh, and is represented 
elsewhere in this work. Three children were 
born to our subject and wife, namely: Oakley, 
who died at the age of nine months; Edward 
Hopkins and Ruth Oakley. Mr. and Mrs. Brill 
are members of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Newburgh. In his political relationship the 
former is an ally of the Democratic party. 



jJjICHOLAS DEMEREST, who is living on 
I / a fine farm of one hundred acres in the town 
1/3 of Chester, has been a life-long agriculturist, 
as was his father before him. In every detail of 
farm life he is thoroughly practical, and the neat 
appearance of his place bears testimony to the 
thrift. and industry of the owner. 

Mr. Demerest was born in the town of War- 
wick, this county, August 10, 1844, being the 
eldest of the family comprising the household of 
Abraham and Eliza Jane (Smith) Demerest, also 
natives of this portion of the state, within whose 
bounds they pa.ssed their entire lives. The fa- 
ther, who was a quiet and unassuming man, was 
prominently identified with the agricultural inter- 
ests of the county, and was highly regarded for 
his upright manner of living. He departed this 
life in 1887, and a year later was followed to the 
land beyond by his wife. 

Nicholas Demere.st first attentltd the schools of 
his district, and later became a student in Chester 
Academy. After completing his education, he re- 
turned to the home farm, and has ever since de- 



voted himself to the cultivation of his land. His 
place is one of the best in point of improvement 
in the county, and is classed among the many 
beautiful farms of the town. In addition to rais- 
ing the usual amount of cereals, Mr. Demerest is 
interested in the dairy business, making a spec- 
ialty of this branch of agriculture. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1864 was Miss Lsabelle B., daughter of Daniel 
and Sarah (Van Keuren) McNeal, natives of the 
town of Montgomery, this county. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Demerest there have been born three chil- 
dren, namely: James S., lsabelle B. and Sarah 
Edna. They are all well educated, and at pres- 
ent are at home with their parents. Although 
not members of any religious body, the family 
attend ser\-ices quite regularly at the Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

Mr. Demerest has been for years an enthusias- 
tic and prominent member of the Masonic order, 
having been initiated into the secrets of this fra- 
ternity in March, 1869, when joining Goshen 
Lodge No. 365. He later became identified with 
Lodge No. 711, which was organized at Che.ster, 
July 27, 1 87 1, but which is now stationed at Mon- 
roe. Of this he has been Warden, and for several 
years was Master. In 18S1 he was appointed 
District Deputy of the Tenth Masonic District by 
Horace Taylor, Grand Master, and on the expi- 
ration of his term of ofiice, two j-ears later, was 
made his own successor b\- J. Edward Simmons, 
Grand Master. He is al.so connected with Mid- 
land Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., of Middletown, 
N. Y., is a Sir Knight of Hudson River Com- 
mandery No. 35, of Newburgh, and a member of 
the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mys- 
tic Shrine of Mecca Temple in New York City. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat, and is an 
influential worker in the ranks. He has been 
called by his fellow-citizens to fill several import- 
ant positions of tru.st, among them those of High- 
way Commissioner and Inspector of Elections. 
In 1889 he was elected Supervisor of his town, 
and served creditably for five consecutive terms, 
being Chairman of the board during the last 
year. He was a very active member of this body 
and rendered efficient service as a member of al- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 



most all the committees of importance. As a 
citizen he is progressive, able and honorable, and 
the record of his life, both public and private, is 
blameless. 

HON. GRANT BRADLEY TAYLOR, an 
ex-Member of the New York Assembly, is 
prominent and popular as a citizen and law- 
yer, as a public speaker has a wide reputation, 
and as a singer is noted. He belongs to one of 
the old families of Orange County, his great- 
grandfather, Jonathan Taylor, having removed 
from Tappan, N. J., to Central Valley, this coun- 
ty, about 1 79 1, and here engaged in farming. 
His wife was a daughter of Aaron and Anneke 
Jaens Halstead. His farm and homestead are 
now owned by Aaron Halstead Taylor, who is 
one of the greatest breeders of trotting-hor.ses of 
this century. The great-grandfather later went 
to Saratoga County, and during the Revolution- 
ary War served in VanNest's regiment. His son, 
Isaac T., the grandfatherof our subject, was born 
in this county, where he engaged in farming for 
many years, and in the War of 18 12 was one of 
the valiant defenders of the country. 

Peter B. Taylor, the father of Grant B., was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, but at the age of 
sixteen years went to Oxford Depot, where he 
opened a general merchandise store, which he 
conducted until 1862, when he came to New- 
burgh, and has here since made his home. For 
many years he served as Ju.stice of the Peace, and 
religiously is a member of the MethodLst Episco- 
pal Church. He wedded Lavinia C. Strong, who 
was born in Blooming Grove, and is a descendant 
of Elder John Strong, who came over in a vessel 
that sailed at the same time as did the "Mayflow- 
er." The Strong family were early settlers of 
Blooming Grove, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Edward Strong, having located there at an 
early day, where he followed the occupation of 
farming. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of Nathan and 
Mary E. (Marvin) Strong, the latter a daughter 
of Gen. Seth Marvin, who figured in the War of 
18 1 2, and the granddaughter of Gen. Seth Mar- 



vin, Sr. , of Revolutionary fame. Grant Bradley, 
son of William Bradley, was the great-uncle of 
Mrs. Strong, and for many years was engaged in 
business at No 12 Dey Street, New York City. 
On the marriage of his si.ster. Miss Temperance 
Bradley, to Gen. Seth Marvin, Jr., in 1793, he 
presented her with a silver tea service marked 
G. T. B., which is now in po.ssession of our 
subject. 

Grant Bradley Taylor is the second in a family 
of three children. Nathan S. is a prominent pro- 
fessor ot vocal music in Newburgh; Peter B. is 
also a fine musician, and both brothers mentioned 
are choir-leaders in Newburgh. The birth of our 
subject occurred at Oxford Depot, June 6, 1856, 
but from the age of six years he was reared in 
Newburgh, where he graduated from the acad- 
emy in 1872. For one year he was in the employ 
of the United States Express Company, and later 
was with John A. Wood & Co. for eighteen 
months. In 1874 he began the study of law in 
the office of Cassedy & Brown, attorneys of 
Newburgh, and at Brooklyn, in 1879, he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar. In 1881 he opened an office 
here. 

In 1890 Mr. Taylor was elected on the Demo- 
cratic ticket to the Legislature to represent a dis- 
trict that had always been strongly Republican, 
he being the first Democrat elected in seven years. 
He was appointed on four committees, those on 
Revision, Codes, Villages and Soldiers' Home. 
Immediately after the opening of the session he 
introduced a bill repealing the law of 1890 re- 
quiring statements of real-estate mortgages to be 
filed every twenty 3'ears. The repeal bill was fin- 
ally passed, becoming a law, and is Chapter 155 of 
the Laws of 1891. He has received a great many 
letters of inquiry and congratulation upon his 
work in securing the passage of this bill. The 
bill of cession of land for the public building in 
Newburgh was prepared by Mr. Taylor, it ceding 
jurisdiction to the United States over any land 
that might be selected for the site. The same 
day the bill was introduced it passed the Assem- 
bly, and became a law two months later. He also 
introduced a bill prohibiting the manufacture of 
certain articles in the state prisons and peniten- 



!I4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tiaries, and a bill was passed by the Assembly 

prohibitinjr the employment in state prisons of 
more than one hundred persons in any one in- 
dustry, but was killed by a direct vote of the Sen- 
ate. He introduced a bill to select a site for a 
.stale prison to take the ])lace of the one at Sing 
Sing, and this was killed by a deadlock in the Sen- 
ate. He voted to submit the prohibition amend- 
ment to the vote of the people; for the reduction of 
the rate of interest; for the excise bill prepared by 
Judge Maynard and Professor Collin of the 
Revision Commission; the weekly payment of 
wages; the freedom of worship; the World's Fair 
bill; and the bill to submit contested elections to 
the courts instead of to the Legi.slature. In the 
sununer of 189 1 he .served on the Canal Investiga- 
ting Committee, and worked against the large can- 
al appropriations, but very properly supported the 
general appropriation bill for the proper mainten- 
ance of the canals ot the state. 

In Newburgh, November 19, 1878, Mr. Taylor 
was united in marriage with Miss Jennie June, 
who was born in Pierraont, N. Y., and is a 
daughter of Capt. Charles F. June, a lineal de- 
scendant of John and Pri.scilla Alden, of Puritan 
times, who are the leading characters in Long- 
fellow's poem of "Miles Standish." Mrs. Taylor 
graduated from the Academy of Newburgh in the 
Class of '74. B\ lier marriage she has become 
the mother of two children, Gertrude Cuh-er and 
Franklin June. 

On 'the ist of December, 1894, Mr. Taylor 
formed a partnership with John M. Gardner, un- 
der the firm name of Taylor & Gardner; they are 
now engaged in a successful general practice in 
Newburgh. As a public speaker Mr. Taylor has 
gained great prominence, and as a singer uses his 
talent for the benefit of charities in the city. He 
possesses an excellent tenor voice, and for manv 
years was President of the Orange County Mu- 
sical As.sociation. He takes an active part in Ma- 
sonic circles, was for three years Senior Deacon 
of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M., and 
is a leading member of Highland Chapter No. 
52, R. A. M.; Hudson River Commandery No. 
35, K. T.; and Mecca Temple No. i. Nobles of 
the Mystic Shrine, of New York City. He is a 



member of the City Club and the Newburgh Ca- 
noe and Boating Association, and is connected 
with the Board of Trade. He was one of the or- 
ganizers and the first President of the Alumni 
Association of the Newburgh Free Academy, in 
which he still takes an active part. He is an 
earnest Christian gentleman, and since ten years 
of age has been a member of Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In politics he is a firm sup- 
porter of the Democratic party, and has ever tak- 
en a prominent and influential part in its affairs, 
being County Committeeman for two years, 
Chairman of the County Executive Committee 
one year, and in 1894 was a member of the State 
Convention, and Chairman of the Committee on 
Credentials. His personal integrity both in pub- 
lic and private life is of the highest order. He is 
endowed with a clear, well balanced intellect, 
sharpened by a sound education and keen powers 
of observation. 



ROBERT JOHNSTON is a shrewd and pro- 
gressive business man of Newburgh, and 
is the proprietor of a large hardware estab- 
lishment, in which may also be found a varied as- 
sortment of sporting goods. A young man of su- 
perior business ability and pleasing address, he 
ranks high among the substantial residents of the 
city. He is an enthusiastic dog-fancier, and one 
of the best judges of these animals in the county. 
William C. Johnston, the father of our subject, 
was born in the Old Country, in 1S33, and came to 
Newburgh when a boy. He is one of the oldest 
and most prominent business men of this city, 
and his large harness and saddlery establishment, 
which was opened in 1857, is located at No. 107 
Water Street. There he displays a large stock 
of goods, and is well known to the people of this 
locality as a reliable business man. He was mar- 
ried, in 1853, to Miss Margaret L. Campbell, a na- 
tive of Newburgh. but who died in November, 
1882. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



city, and was born March 4, 1865. After grad- 
uating from the academy here he took a course 
in Eastman's Business College, and then secured 
a position as bookkeeper with Charles J. Lawson. 
After remaining in his employ for five years, he 
resigned in order to go into business for himself 
which he did in 1891, opening a hardware and 
sporting-goods establishment at No. 104 Water 
Street. The building which he occupies com- 
prises three stories and a ba.sement, the latter be- 
ing used for storing goods, while the first three 
floors are devoted to his retail trade. His place 
is headquarters for all kinds of both heavy and 
shelf hardware, and besides the .sporting goods 
he carries a large line of agricultural implements. 
Mr. Johnston is a member of the City Club, 
also of the Newi)urgh Gun and the Newburgh 
Canoe Clubs. He is an ardent Republican in 
politics, and an influential member of the Repub- 
lican Club of the city of New York. He has rep- 
resented his party on numerous occasions as del- 
egate to its various conventions, and takes great 
interest in its recent success. Practical and strict- 
ly upright in all his dealings with his fellow- 
men, he is one of the most popular young men in 
the city. 



•— ♦>J^®«®^<<- 



HOWELL H. CARVER is quite extensively 
engaged in the dairy bu.siness, and has been 
a life-long resident of the town of Newburgh, 
where he is held in the highest respect, his past 
record being unblemished in the slightest degree. 
Since he was eighteen years of age the responsi- 
bilities of the farm which he now cultivates have 
rested upon his shoulders, and he has ably met 
the duties devolving upon him. 

Daniel Carver, father of our subject, was born 
February 22, 1810, in Columbia County, N. Y., 
being a son of John Carver, and grandson of 
John Carver, Sr. , the latter of whom was a native 
of Germany. At a very early period he removed 
to the New World, and .settled near Binghamton, 
Broome County, N. Y., where he passed the rest 



of his life. Grandfather Carver moved to Col- 
umbia County, and died within its boundaries. 
Our subject's father grew to manhood in the same 
county, and there married Catherine Howell, 
who was born October 14, 18 15, in Ulster Coun- 
ty, N. Y. To this worthy couple were born four 
children, namely: Sarah E., October 29, 1839; 
Daniel S., May 30, 1848; Catherine F., August 
29, 1850; and our subject. Sarah was called from 
this life May 14, 1840; and Daniel died Februaiy 
24, 1869. Catherine F. is the wife of Samuel 
J. Wait, who owns a farm and is engaged in fruit- 
growing in this town. 

For many years Daniel Carver was engaged in 
merchandising, being finst located at Carver's 
Corners, then in Cuba, but now in Genesee Coun- 
ty. In 1842 or 1843 he moved to Newburgh, 
and for about ten years conducted a general store 
on Water Street. He then sold out his interest 
in the business and purchased the homestead now 
owned by his son Howell H. At the close of a 
long and useful life, he peacefully passed away, 
Januar)' 17, 1867, and is now sleeping his last 
sleep in the Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
a man whom to know was to love. In his politi- 
cal faith he was a loyal supporter of the Repub- 
lican party. His good wife is still living and is 
in the enjoyment of fairly good health, though 
now in her eightieth year. 

Howell H. Carver was born October 11, 1856, 
on the farm which his father had purchased about 
three years previously. The place is a beautiful 
one of some sixty-two acres, and is situated only 
a mile west of the corporation limits of New- 
burgh. From the time he was ten until he was 
.seventeen years of age he attended private schools 
in the adjoining city, and thus acquired a good 
education, which he has supplemented by sys- 
tematic study and wide reading. 

March 5, 1874, Mr. Carver was united in mar- 
riage with Gertrude D. Bloomer, and three chil- 
dren have come to bless their union, namely: 
Daniel, born February 23, 1877: Andrew J. B., 
November 22, 1879; and Gertrude, Februar}- 14, 
1 88 1. They are all bright, intelligent young 
people and are still living with their parents. 



2l6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. and Mrs. Can-er are valuable workers in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they 
are identified as members. Politically Mr. Car- 
ver is a Prohibitionist and takes much interest in 
temperance matters. 

6= ^-S^<^^^S^ ^ 

HERBERT P. RITTER. a young business 
man of liigh standing in Highland Falls, is 
the proprietor of a large mercantile estab- 
lishment, which he has conducted here for the 
past three years. He is at all times considerate 
of the interest of his patrons, thereby laying the 
foundation for a .still further business and still 
greater success in the line which he pursues. 
Although it has been but a few years since he be- 
gan his present enterprise, he already ranks 
among the prominent and influential business 
men of the place. 

Charles Ritter, who is the father of our sub- 
ject, is now a resident of Brooklyn. He was 
born in England, whence he crossed the Atlantic 
about thirty-two j-ears ago and located in Paines- 
ville, Lake County, Ohio. In England he was 
married to Mary A. Puttock, the daughter of 
John and Mary A. Puttock, all of whom were na- 
tives of England. To them were born seven sons 
and three daughters, of whom we make the fol- 
lowing mention: Charles is a surveyor and resides 
in Brooklyn, which is also the home of Alice E.; 
Harty, who is engaged in carr},-ing on a thriving 
business as a grocery man, also lives in Brooklyn; 
Frank died at the age of eight years; George is a 
bookkeeper in the Western Union Telegraph Of- 
fice in New York City; Herbert P., of this sketch, 
was the sixth-born; Maude died at the age of five 
years; Arthur passed away when sixteen years of 
age; Ralph is a real-estate dealer in Brooklyn; 
and Bessie Frances is deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was born July 27, 
1869, at Painesville, Ohio, where the first fourteen 
years of his life were spent, six years of the time 
as a student in the public schools. As he is 
verj' quick and observing, he has become the pos- 
sessor of a goodly amount of information acquired 
outside of textbooks. When his parents removed 



to Brooklyn he accompanied them, and for seven 
years remained there clerking in a store. He 
then enlisted in the regular army of the United 
States, and after one year spent at Willets Point, 
went to West Point and was in the hospital serv- 
ice with the cadets sent to the World's Fair at 
Chicago. He was in the service for three years, 
and during that time had actual experience in 
practical work, not merely theoretical, as we are 
apt to think of it. He was honorably discharged 
at the end of that time, and, coming to Highland 
Falls, engaged in his present business, which he 
has conducted successfully from the start. 

Mr. Ritter and Miss Ellen Kelly were married 
January 29, 1894. This lady is a native of High- 
land Falls and the daughter of John Kelly, an old 
.soldier, whose sketch the reader will find in full 
on another page in this volume. In politics he is 
a Republican, tried and true, and in religious af- 
fairs he and his wife attend the Catholic Church. 

■ — Q ^ P — • 



■"DWARD FLETCHER BROOK.S, M. D., 
^ who is engaged in the practice of medicine 
^ and surgery in Newburgh, was born in 
Eagle Valley, Tuxedo County, N. Y., in 1871, 
and was a son of Fletcher Brooks, who was born in 
the same place, and was descended from an old 
famih- of English origin. He was reared on a 
farm, and was graduated from Arnell College, of 
Ohio, after which he began business as a civil 
engineer, but, his health failing him, he abandoned 
that and became a professor in an educational in- 
stitution. He married Hattie Gregory, who was 
born in Passaic County, N. Y., and now resides 
in Middletown, Orange County. They became 
the parents of three children, a son and two 
daughters. Mr. Brooks pa.ssed to his final re- 
ward in 1873. 

The Doctor is the youngest child in the parental 
family. He was reared in Middletown from the 
age of twelve years, and in 1891 was graduated 
from Wallkill Academy, after which he took up 
the study of medicine under Dr. Pill.sbnry, of that 
place. In the fall of that year, he entered the Uni- 
versitv of New York, and was graduated from the 



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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



219 



medical department on the ist of May, 1894, with 
the degree of M. D. He then traveled for a time 
in order to recuperate, for he had applied himself 
closely to his studies, and in the following Octo- 
ber he located in Newbnrgh, opening his office at 
No. 24 Liberty Street, Washington Heights, for 
the practice of medicine and surgery. While in 
New York he was in Bellevue Hospital, New 
York Lying-in Hospital and the Charity Hospi- 
tal. He makes a specialt}- of obstetrics, gynecol- 
ogy and general surgery, and is especially suc- 
cessful as a surgeon. He is a young man of deep 
research, and his recognized skill and ability have 
already won him a place among successful prac- 
titioners. 

The Doctor is a member of Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Orange 
County Medical Society, and to the Alumni As- 
sociation of the medical college from which he 
graduated. In his political views he is a stal- 
wart Prohibitionist, and belongs to the Young 
Men's Christian A.ssociation. Sociall)- he is con- 
nected with Storm King Lodge, K. of P.; High- 
land Lodge, I. O. O. F ; Highland Junior O. U. 
A. M. ; and Orange Council, R. T. of T. 



^B 



(7 AMES A. TOWNSEND. In the business 
I circles of Newburgh Mr. Townsend is, bj^ 
v2/ universal consent, accorded a high place. 
Eminently successful in a financial .sen.se, he has 
throughout his entire career exhibited clearness 
of perception and soundness of judgment, and 
moreover enjoys an enviable reputation for moral 
worth and integrity of purpose. He possesses 
true public spirit, and uses his influence to en- 
hance the best interests of the city and county, 
and all worthy enterprises for their development 
meet with his hearty .support. It is the united 
testimony of the people that his course is such as 
to reflect credit upon the citizenship of Newburgh. 
The Townsend family is of French extraction, 
and its progenitors in America were identified 
with the Society of Friends. The grandfather of 
our subject, Benjamin Townsend, was born in 
Ulster County, N. Y., and passed his life there, 



engaged in farm work. The father, Jacob P., 
a native of Milton, Ulster County, was a mer- 
chant bj^ occupation, and died at the age of sev- 
enty-nine. The mother, Mary A., was a daugh- 
ter of Absalom Barrett, a farmer of Ulster Coun- 
ty and a member of a Quaker family. 

The seventh among thirteen children, all but 
two of whom attained years of maturity, the .sub- 
ject of this notice was born in Milton, Ulster 
County, N. Y., February 28, 1830. When he 
was fourteen years old, his father lost his entire 
fortune and was obliged to begin at the foot of 
the ladder again. To assist him in his struggle, 
the son remained with him, without receiving 
any remuneration for his services, until he was 
twenty-six years of age. He had the satisfaction 
of knowing that his efforts were not in vain, and 
that, when free to begin for himself the father 
was financially independent. 

September i, 1856, Mr. Town.send came to 
Newburgh and secured a clerkship in the whole- 
sale grocery and forwarding house of T. Powell 
& Co. (the "Co." being composed of Thomas 
Powell, Homer Ramsdall and David Moore). He 
was employed at a good salary during the term of 
serving with them. During the panic of 1857 
the firm suspended business, not because they 
were insolvent, but because they could not make 
collections nor sell any property. They offered 
him the business to run until they could resume, 
and as he lacked the necessar}' capital, he took 
into partnership Capt. Charles Lockwood, the 
firm name becoming Lockwood & Townsend. 
He was at the head of the business, and it pros- 
pered under his management. 

In connection with Homer Ramsdall and George 
W. Townsend, our subject, February i, 1858, 
established the firm of Homer Ramsdall & Co., 
in which each member had a one-third interest. 
The partnership, formed in one-half an hour, 
lasted for eighteen years, during which time the 
firm built up the largest wholesale grocery and 
commission business in the city. In fact, it has 
never been surpassed, in the extent of its trade, 
bj' any business house of Newburgh. This suc- 
cess is the more remarkable when it is considered 
that the business was in a declining and unprofit- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



able condition at the time it was taktii up liy the 
firm. The active management of affairs devolved 
upon Georg'i \V. and his brother, the latter of 
whom spent considerable time on the road, selling 
a larger amount of goods than any other sales- 
man. February i, 1876, he sold his interest to 
Homer Ramsdall and George W. Townsend, the 
latter continuing in the firm until his death. 

The wholesale grocery business at Xo. 10 Wa- 
ter Street Mr. Town.send carried on for a number 
of years, under the firm title of James A. Town- 
send & Co., his partners being M. L. Lee and 
A. D. Marvin. Since 1880, however, he has 
been sole proprietor. He owns a building 20x100 
feet, six stories high, with elevator and all mod- 
ern conveniences. In 1870 he became interested 
in the Highland Paper Mill, with a capital stock 
of $120,000. Erastus Ide, President and Treas- 
urer, and James A. Townsend, Secretarj-, of the 
corporation known as the Ide Paper Company, 
were manufacturing the celebrated Valley Forge 
and Highland Mills writing paper. The former 
gets its name from the fact that the \'alley Forge 
of Revolutionary fame is located on land belong- 
ing to the mill. In September, 1876, he bought 
the entire mill property, which he has since re- 
modeled and enlarged to more than double its 
former capacity, so that it is now one of the finest 
plants of the kind in the state. 

The mill is situated at Moodna, on Murderer's 
Creek, upon a seventy-acre tract. Its .shipping 
facilities are excellent, connection being had with 
the Erie, West Shore and Ontario & Western 
Roads, as well as with the Hudson River. There 
are ten tenement houses on the property, in one 
of which the illustrious General LaFayette had 
his headquarters and residence during the Revo- 
lution. The main building is 60x100, four stories 
high. The first floor is utilized for drainers; the 
second for a beater- room: the third, calender- 
room and office: the fourth, drying loft, with tur- 
ret. There is an adjacent wing, 60x60, four 
stories, upon the first floor of which is the wheel 
house: second, spring-water supply room: third, 
finishing-room: and fourth, drying loft. The 
stock department is a building 50x60, four stor- 
ies. The machine department, 50x105, two stor- 



ies, has a boiler and sizing-room on the first floor, 
and a paper machine on the second floor. The 
carpenter-shop, two stories, 40x60. is devoted to 
repairs and the manufacture of ca.ses. There are 
also a .storehouse, 40x50, and a .stone building for 
stock, 130x50, two .stories. The boiler is eighty 
horse-power, and the engine thirty. The water- 
power is only exceeded, in the state, by that of 
Niagara, being a thirty-eight foot head water- 
powei on three turbine wheels, of respectively one 
hundrfed and sixty-five, sixty and thirty horse- 
power. 

The principal machiner\- u.sed in the mills are 
a Coburn-Taylor rag-cutter and three dusters, a 
rotary boiler 6x12, three fifty-pound beaters, 
three three hundred-pound washers, a sixty-two- 
inch paper machine with a capacity of three thou- 
sand pounds per day, four stocks of sheet calen- 
der, two elevators, and a forty-inch Kent paper 
cutter. Employment is furnished to forty hands, 
and it requires three weeks from the time the rags 
are started in the cutter until they are ready for 
packing. The product of the plant is unexcelled, 
and the be.st grades of linen and extra superfine 
writing paper are manufactured. M. V. Brooks, 
a practical and expert paper-maker, is superin- 
tendent of the mill. 

Mr. Townsend owns the old Marvin homestead 
of two hundred and twenty acres, and the Seely 
homestead of one hundred and eighty -five acres, 
both of which are situated near Oxford Depot, in 
the town of Blooming Grove. Both farms have 
substantial buildings, and during recent years he 
has expended a large amount in the erection of 
buildings on the Seeb' farm. The land is oper- 
ated by superintendents, and is devoted largely 
to pasturage, about one hundred and fifty cows 
being kept. Other valuable property is owned 
by Mr. Townsend, including his elegant city resi- 
dence at No. 235 Montgomery Street, Newburgh. 
In politics he is a believer in protection of home 
industries, and naturally gives his support to 
the Republican party. In religious matters he 
is connected with Trinity Methodi.st ICpiscopal 
Church. 

The first marriage of Mr. Townsend united 
him with Miss Elizabeth Marvin, daughter of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Van Renssalaer Marvin, a member of one of the 
old families of Blooming Grove. Their fiv'e chil- 
dren are George W. : James Augustus, Jr. , who 
is connected with his father in the wholesale gro- 
cery bu.siness; Fannie M., wife of W. F. Cassedj-, 
of Newburgh; Edwin M., who is also with his 
father in the grocery trade; and Bessie. The 
present wife of Mr. Townsend was Miss Ida Lena, 
daughter of Franklin and Eliza Ann (Van Vliet) 
Bull, both deceased, the former having been an 
extensive farmer of the town of Blooming Grove. 



mTEPHEN I. WEBB. This prominent agri- 
/\ culturist, who is living in the town of Hamp- 
\~/ ton burg, has been Supervisor continuously 
since 1886, and for twelve years, or up to 1887, 
was the incumbent of the office of Justice of the 
Peace. He takes a very active part in local af- 
fairs, and no worth}' enterprise is allowed to fail 
for want of support on his part. In 1869 he as- 
sumed the management of the old homestead and 
has made it his home ever since. 

Mr. Webb was born in this town, October 7, 
1838, and is the son of Hudson Webb, whose 
birth also occurred in this town. The grandfa- 
ther, David Webb, was a native of the town of 
Goshen and was well known among the early res- 
dents of this portion of the Empire State. The 
maiden name of our subject's mother was Per- 
melia Inger.soll. She became the mother of sev- 
en children, of whom Frances is the wife of 
Chauncy Hulse, formerly of Goshen, but now de- 
ceased; James A. and David are decea.sed; Steph- 
en I., of this sketch, was the next-born; Sarah P. 
married Edgar F. Dill, of Burnside; W'illiam H. 
is a resident of this town; and Charles E. is de- 
cea.sed . 

The marriage of Hudson Webb and Miss Inger- 
soll occurred March 27, 1827. For two or three 
years thereafter they resided in New York Cit)', 
where the father was successfully engaged in the 
grocery business. About 1830, however, he pur- 
chased the farm where his son Stephen I. now 
resides, and continued to live upon it until his 
decease, which occurred March 10, 1869. The 



estate is one hundred and twenty acres in extent, 
and in point of improvement is one of the best in 
the town. For five years he was Supervisor of 
his town, and in nian\- ways pu.shed forward 
measures calculated to benefit his community. 
His wife survived him three years, when she, 
too, passed to the home bej-ond. 

The subject of this sketch attended the district 
schools until fourteen years of age, when he be- 
came a student in Montgomery Academy. He 
carried on his studies there for two years, then 
spent one year in Chester Academy. His mar- 
riage, in October, 1869, united him with Miss 
Sarah H. Breed, daughter of Henry and Margar- 
et Breed. After his marriage he assumed the 
management of his farm, his father having died 
about this time, and has been engaged in its im- 
provement and cultivation ever since. He has 
been .successful in all his ventures and ranks 
among the well-to-do agriculturists of the county. 

In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat, on 
which ticket he was elected Supervisor and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. He is honorable and upright in 
all his dealings and has won main- warm friends, 
who hold him in high esteem. 






'•s-*** ^SiWg' ♦♦♦•{•' — ^ 

EORNELIUS J. DECKER. Honored by all 
who know him as a progressive agricultur- 
ist and accommodating neighbor, Mr. Deck- 
er is worthy of the high regard in which he is 
held. For nearly a half-century he has made his 
home in Montgomery Town, where he settled 
soon after his marriage. In 1S76 he purchased a 
farm, to the cultivation of which he has since 
given his attention. The estate compri.ses one 
hundred and twenty-five acres, and bears first- 
class improvements, all of which have been made 
by the present owner. 

The Decker family is of German extraction, 
but has been represented in America for several 
generations. Grandfather Decker was a nati\-e 
of New York, as was also the father of our sub- 
ject. Jacobus W., who was born in Ulster Coun- 
ty, where he engaged in farm pursuits for nian\- 
years. A year before his death he came to Or- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ange Countj'. and made his home with Cornelius 

J. until his demise, at the age of eighty-four 
years. He married Hannah Eckert, who was 
bom in I'lster County, and dieii tliere at sixty- 
seven years of age: her parents were natives of 
New York, whither her grandparents had come 
from Gennany. Politically Mr. Decker was a 
loyal adherent of the Democratic principles, and 
was always interested in public affairs. He was 
fairly successful in his business affairs, but as 
his family was large, he was unable to give his 
children little more than the advantages of a 
good education and wise counsel. 

The parental family consisted of thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom Cornelius J. was next to the young- 
est. He was boni in I'lster County, N. Y.. July 
ID. 1S26, and, with the exception of three others, 
is the only sur\-ivor of the large family. He was 
reareti in I'lster County, whence, shortly after 
his marriage, he came to Orange County, and for 
several years ojierated a rented fann in the town 
of Crawford. From there he came to Montgom- 
ery Town, where, after renting for some time, he 
purchased a fann, but sold it the same year. For 
five years afterward he cultivated a rented farm, 
and in 1S76 bought the fann where he has since 
resided. 

In August, 1S4S, Mr. Decker was united in 
marriage with Miss Emily Rosecrans, of Craw- 
ford Town. Orange County. Mrs. E>ecker is a 
daughter of William and Millie (^Tice^i Rose- 
crans. natives of I'lster and Orange Counties, re- 
spectively, and both of whom are now deceased. 
They l^ecame the parents of eight children, only 
three of whom are now living. To our subject 
and his wife five children were Ikito. but only one 
of the inimlier is still living. Alice Jane, the eld- 
est, married John E. Kidd, and died at the age of 
thirt>- -eight, leaving two children. George V., 
Ennna and Mar\- diet! at the respective ages of 
thirty-eight, twelve and four. Augustus, the 
third of the family, remains with his {xireuts, and 
superintends the management of the home fann. 

In jxilitics Mr. Decker is an unswerving Dem- 
ocrat, although his participation injxMiticsis con- 
fineil to the casting of his ballot Rir the nominees 
ofhis^wrty. He and his family are identifievl 



with the Reformed Church, to the support of 
which he has always been a generous contributor. 
As one of the old residents of the county, and a 
man whose energies have been devoted to the de- 
velopment of its agricultural resources, he de- 
serves the high esteem in which he is held by his 
associates, and the confidence which his acquaint- 
ances repose in his integrity and ability. 



'■^^m^-r^ 



GlLEXAXDER BEATTIE is one of the old 
LI and honored residents of the town of Xew- 
/ I burgh, and for the past thirty -one years has 
live<.l on this fann. He has held a number of 
local offices, discharging the duties of the same 
with faithfulness and ability. Among others he 
has held the position of Almshouse Commis- 
sioner and has served as a Justice of the Peace. 
He is of English descent, and comes from one of 
the old families of New England. His grandfa- 
ther, Alexander Beattie, was a Serg^eant in the 
Revolution ar\- War, and took part in the battle 
of White Plains. He was one of the first settlers 
of Orange County, settling in the town of New 
Windsor, but his death occurred in I'lster County. 

The parents of our subject were Alexander W. 
and Elizabeth (^ Moore ^ Beattie, the former a 
fanner by occupation. They had a family ninn- 
bering two sous and .eight daughters, but only 
three of the number survive. Clara is now in 
her eight\-fifth year, and Mar\-, of the town o: 
New Windsor, is seventy -one years of age. 

Januar\- 30, iS 1 7. occurretl the birth of Alexan- 
der Beattie in the latter town, where he passevl 
his youth engaged in fann work. Alter his fa- 
ther's death, he, in company with one of his 
brothers, took charge of tlie old homestead, and 
carried it on successfully. He supplemented his 
district school education by two terms in Mont- 
gomery Academy, which he entered when he 
was twenty-four years of age. He then engaged 
in teaching school, and was located for seven 
years in Little Britain, where he made a goo<'. 
reputation in the profession. Then, going to tlu 
city of New York, he engaged in buying and 
selling hides for a year, and for a like period 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



taught school in New Jersey. Returning to 
Orange County, he resumed teaching, and re- 
mained in Montgomer>- until the summer of 1S55. 
In 1S55-56 he officiated as Principal of the Rural 
Academy in the town of Moutgomer\-. and the 
following year he was honored by being appointed 
School Commissioner of Orange County, being 
among the first to occupy that position. He 
filled the latter oflBce eight years, and in the 
mean time moved to the farm where he is still 
li\-ing, and where he has given considerable at- 
tention to the dairv" business. He owns niuet\-- 
seven acres, well improved with good buildings, 
fences, orchards, etc. 

September 30, 1S55. Mr. Beattie and Ellen C. 
Caldwell were united in marriage in the \-illage 
of Montgomen.-, and they became the parents of 
four daughters, namely: Mar\-, Ella C Ann E. 
and Louise. Ella C. and Louise have been suc- 
cessful school teachers of this town. Mrs. Beat- 
tie, who had shared her husband's joys and sor- 
rows for so many years, was separated fhim him 
by death Jannar\- 2S. 1S94. when in her seventj'- 
first year. She was lo\-ingly placed to rest in 
the beautiful cemetery- at Montgomerj-. For 
years she had been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and active in all good works, and Mr. 
Beattie is also identified with that church. In 
his political relations he is a Democrat. Upon 
the death of Mr. Beattie his branch of the Beattie 
familv liecomes extinct. 



(TACOB BRILL PETERS. M. D.. a practicing 
I physici.iu of Walden, is a man well worthy 
(2/ of the confidence and good-will of the peo- 
ple, tor to natural abilit\- he has added a careful 
and thorough medical training and an earnest 
desire to benefit his feUow-men. He is a warm- 
hearted, generous man. of jovial disj)osition, and 
his ver\- presence in a sick-room is the precursor 
of coming aid and returning health. He holds a 
position in the hearts of his friends held by no 
other, and receives the patronage of many of the 
best people of Walden. 

Dr. Peters is a native of New York, his birth 



occurring in Beekmau, Dutchess Count>', Janu- 
ary II, 1S53. His parents were Theodore and 
Mar>- (Briin Peters, the former of whom was a 
native of the same county. For many years he 
resided on the old homestead, but now makes his 
home with a son. Thomas E.. whose home is in 
Dutchess Count\-, in the town of Beekman. The 
Doctor and a brother still own the old home place. 

Jacob B. remained on the home farm until at- 
taining his eighteenth year, and attended the 
common school. He was subsequently a student 
in the Wesleyan Academy, located at WUbraham, 
Mass.. and when eighteen began teaching, work- 
ing his own way through college. He took a 
two-years course in scientific and civil engineer- 
ing at Union College at Schenectady, X. Y., and 
continued to teach at Poughquag. Dutchess Coun- 
ty, for two years. He then went to Tioronda, 
where he was Principal of a graded school for 
four years. During the last year of his staj' 
there he began the study of medicine, and at the 
close of the school term went to New York City, 
and entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of the City of New York, graduating in 
the Class of "85. and completing the regular three- 
year course in two years. On a competitive ex- 
amination he was given the third place in the 
Workhouse and Almshouse Hospital of that city. 
He devoted six months to the position of assist- 
ant, and then for six mouths fiUed the jxjsition 
of house physician and surgeon, all of which 
proved excellent training for his later life. He 
received the benefit of association in a profession- 
al capacitv- with noted physicians and professors, 
and by impro\-ing his opportunities gained a 
wide experience. 

In the mouth of October. 1S86. the Doctor lo- 
cated in Walden and began practice, succeeding 
Dr. Gouverneur Millspaugh, at his death. Here 
he has continued in practice, and. as has been 
stated, has a large and growing patronage. He de- 
votes his entire time and attention to his practice, 
and has been esp)ecially successful in the treat- 
ment of heart and lung troubles. He is a mem- 
ber of the Orange County Medical Society, and 
is well known in that intelligent body. 

In Tuckahoe. Westchester Counts-, occurred 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the marriage of Dr. Peters and Miss Adeline 
Lewis, the date of the event being October 3, 
1878. She is a finely educated and highly ac- 
complished woman, and before her marriage gave 
jirivate instruction in music. Her home was 
formerly in Kingston. To this union have been 
born three children, namely: Jeiniie L., Theo- 
dore and Lewis. The family are connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are very 
prominent in the workings of that body. The 
Doctor is a Trustee of the organization, and was 
Pre.sident of the Building Committee, which had 
in charge the erection of the new church build- 
ing. This was completed in 1894, and was ded- 
icated in April of that year. The building is 
very handsome, and was erected at a cost of 
520,000. 

Dr. Peters is a very enthusia.stic Repul)lican, 
and can be depended upon to stand by the candi- 
dates of his party. Besides his ofiice practice 
and general patronage he is examiner for .several 
insurance companies, and has faithfully performed 
his duties in this capacity. The family residence, 
which is comfortable and hospitable, is located 
on Chestnut Street, near the High Bridge, and is 
a place where their many friends delight to spend 
an enjoyable evening. Socially the Doctor is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and is also a member of the Masonic 
order. He is also connected with the Sons of St. 
George, an English order. 



SEORGE R. GRAHAM comes of an old and 
well known family of Orange Count)-. He 
was born in the town of Greenville on the 
30th of July. 1832, and is the son of Hon. Rich- 
ard Graham, well known in this locality as 
"Uncle Dick." Grandfather William Graham 
was a native of County Longford, Ireland, while 
his wife, Mary Moffatt, was a native of County 
Tyrone. They met after coming to America, and 
after their marriage in Orange County at once 
began farming on a tract of land in what is now 
the town of Greenville, where the father died. 
Our subject is now the owner of this property. 



In his grandparents' family were three children, 
of whom Margaret married .Samuel S. Stanton, 
and is now deceased; William was for many years 
Justice of the Peace of his locality, and also en- 
gaged in farming: he is now decea.sed. Richard, 
the father of our subject, served in the War of 
1S12, first as Captain of Artillery and later as 
Colonel of Militia at Staten Island. He was a 
very large, strong man, and after the war engaged 
in cultivating the soil, owning a valuable tract 
of three hundred acres. At the time of his de- 
cease, September i, i860, he was sixty-seven 
years of age. He obtained his title of Honorable 
as a member of the State Assemljly, to which 
body he was elected in 1831, serving with credit 
to him.selfand satisfaction to his constituents. By 
his marriage with Mrs. Nancy (Pauley) Wood, 
the widow of Amza Wood, were born two sons, 
the brother of our subject being Daniel, who for 
some time was Postmaster of Madison. Neb., but 
is now deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was married in Go- 
shen, September 24, 1857, to Miss Hannah Hol- 
bert, a native of that city, and a daughter of Ad- 
rian Holbert, also a native of this county. His 
father, Hon. Peter Holbert, was al.so a native of 
Orange Count)', where he was a well-to-do farmer. 
He was elected many years ago to the New York 
Assembly, and for a long time was also Ju.stice of 
the Peace in the town of Minisink. 

Adrian Holbert was successfully engaged as a 
former near Go.shen, making a specialty of dairy- 
ing. Later he purchased the Orange County- 
Milk Association, in the city of New York, which 
was established by C. J. We.stbrook and which he 
re-organized into a .stock company, of which he 
was elected general manager. He built the large 
creamery at Middletown, the one at Ft. Plain and 
also the one near Goshen. These he operated 
until 1887, when he sold out and retired, dying 
in 1891, when past eighty- two years of age. He 
was a Republican in politics and a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

The mother of Mrs. Graham, in her maiden- 
hood known as Hannah Sayer, was born in Mini- 
sink, and was the daughter of Joshua Sayer, also 
a native of that place, where he was for many 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



225 



years a farmer. Mrs. Holbertdied in 1843, when 
tliirt3'-six j'ears of age. She became the mother 
of five children, viz.: Charles, who died at Atch- 
ison, Kan.; Hannah, Mrs. Graham; Marietta, 
Mrs. Slater, who resides in Centralia, Kan. ; 
Sarah, deceased; and Jesse, living on the home- 
stead. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
home farm, one hundred and fifty acres of which 
are still in his possession. The land is a valuable 
piece of property and is devoted principally to the 
breeding of Dutch cattle and Hambletonian horses. 
In 1883 Mr. Graham and his wife removed to Go- 
shen, where they are now residing in a comforta- 
ble home on Golden Hill Avenue. Mr. Graham 
holds a life membership in Hoffman Lodge No. 
412, F. & A. M., at Middletown, with which he 
has been connected for twenty-seven years. For 
one term he rendered efficient service as Justice 
of the Peace, but aside from this has refused to ac- 
cept office. In 1875 and also in 1880 he took the 
census in the town of Greenville, and was also As- 
sessor of that town for nine years. Mrs. Graham 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Go- 
shen. In politics Mr. Graham is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Democracy. 



^v- 



-^mi 



t^A 



-^, 



®^ 



^ 



(lOHN H. WARFORD, one of the honored 
I veterans of the War of the Rebellion, has been 
Q) the_ owner of his present homestead for the 
past twenty-seven years, and has given much of 
his attention of late years to fruit-growing. His 
home is situated in the town of Newburgh, where 
he has surrounded himself with many of the lux- 
uries and refinements of life. 

Mahlon Warford, our subject's father, was born 
December 14, 1804, and his wife, who before her 
marriage was Elizabeth Fox, was born March 16, 
1809. They were the parents of six children: 
Amanda, Sarah, Redding, John H., George and 
Mary A. The father was a wheelwright and 
wagon-maker by trade, which occupation he fol- 
lowed until his death, which occurred about 1848. 



With her family the widow moved to Ulster 
County in 185 1, settling on a farm, and about 
three years later moved to this town. Her death 
occurred May 25, 1888. 

John H. Warford is a native of New Jersey, his 
birth having occurred December 4, 1841, in Hunt- 
erdon County. He was but seven years old when 
death deprived him of his father's protection, and 
thus he was thrown upon his own resources at an 
earlier age than he would have been otherwise. 
He removed to New York State with his mother 
when he was about ten years old, and was only 
thirteen when he began working in the Orange 
County Powder-mills, where he remained for .six- 
teen years, being considered one of their most 
faithful and reliable employes. He was careful 
of his means, and in time had laid aside enough 
money to purchase a farm and settle down in 
comparative comfort. July 21, 1864, he was mar- 
ried to Catherine McVeigh, by whom he has had 
a son and daughter. The former, Clarence, is a 
graduate of the Newburgh Academy, which he 
left in 1 89 1, and then entered the Spencerian 
Business College, from which he also graduated. 
He is now associated with his father in the grow- 
ing and canning of choice fruits and vegetables, 
the "Warford" brand of canned goods being 
classed among the finest on the market. Evalyn, 
the daughter, is still living with her parents. The 
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which they take an active part. 

July 12, 1862, Mr. Warford enli.sted in defense 
of the Stars and Stripes as a private in Company A , 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York In- 
fantry, and was mustered in at Go.shen. Thence 
he was sent to Washington, and at Fredericksburg 
had his first experience in battle. At the engage- 
ment at Chancellorsville he was wounded, a minie- 
ball penetrating his right breast, and he was taken 
to the field hospital. For about two months he was 
incapacitated for duty, but later rejoined his regi- 
ment at Frederick City, and participated in the bat- 
tles of Bealsfbrd, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and 
Spottsylvania, in the last-named battle being un- 
der fire for ten days. Being wounded by a shell, 
for a month he was confined in the hospital in 
Philadelphia, when he returned home on a fur- 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lough and was married. He took up his duties 
near Petersburg, where his regiment was then 
.stationed, and took part in the siege at that place. 
He was located in that section for about five 
months, during which time he was promoted to 
the rank of Sergeant. His last engagement was 
at Sailor's Creek, where, April 6, i<S65, just three 
days before the surrender, he was again wounded, 
and was first taken to the field hospital, where he 
remained for si.^ days before he received proper 
surgical attention. A minie-ball had pa.ssed 
through his right thigh, and when the wound 
was dressed it was found advi.sable to remove him 
to the hospital at City Point, and later he was 
transferred to Baltimore, where he remained until 
he had fairly recovered. His wife had joined 
him and nursed him faithfulh- for about three 
months. His honorable discharge is dated Au- 
gust 26, 1865. Since becoming a voter Mr. War- 
ford has given his allegiance to the Republican 
party . 

(lAMES SCOTT. The life of this gentleman 
I illu.strates what it is in the power of a brave 
(2/ and energetic man to accomplish for him.self. 
Orphaned at the age of thirteen, he was taken 
into the family of Henry Denton, of Goshen, 
where the two ensuing years were pa.ssed. He then 
began an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, 
and,' as his wages were exceedingly .small, at 
the end of four years, besides clothing himself, he 
had saved but twenty -six cents. P'rom that small 
beginning he worked his way to prosperity and 
success. Though he never gained wealth, he ac- 
cumulated a competency, and has sufficient to 
provide his declining years against poverty and 
hardship. Not only this, but, what is better still, 
he has been successful in gaining the respect of 
his associates and the esteem of his friends. 

Thougli a native of Orange County, Mr. Scott 
is of foreign parentage and de.scent. His parents, 
Henry and Eleanor (Bell) Scott, were natives, re- 
spectively, of Ireland and Scotland, but emigrated 
to America early in life and were married in 
Orange County, where he followed the dual oc- 



cupation of shoemaker and farmer. She died at 
the age of thirty, when James was lour years old, 
and he survived a few years only, passing away 
when forty years of age. 

The parental family consisted of three sons, 
namely: David B., who lives near the old home in 
Scotchtown; James, who was born in Scotch town 
Jamiary 28, 1829; and John, who settled in 
Smithville, Monroe County, Ind., nian\- years 
ago and has never returned to the old homestead. 
Before the death of his father James went to 
Goshen, where he made his home with Henry 
Denton. May 3, 1843, he came to Montgomery 
and was here apprenticed to learn the shoe- 
maker's trade under Abram Conklin, receiving 
$15 and board the first year, with an advance of 
$5 per year afterward. 

After acquiring a thorough knowledge of the 
trade Mr. Scott started in business for himself at 
Montgomery, opening a shop and carrying on a 
profitable trade until failing health forced him to 
seek other employment. About 1868, after hav- 
ing been in the shoe business for twenty years, 
he opened a grocerj^ store, and was thus engaged 
until 1876, when ill- health obliged him to retire 
from active work. After the election of President 
Cleveland he was appointed Postmaster, in 1885, 
but served one year only, resigning in favor of 
his partner, Charles A. Crist, with whom he re- 
mained as deputy. His connection with the post- 
office coiuinued until the expiration of President 
Cleveland's term of office. He is now acting as 
local agent for James Dickson & Bro., dealers in 
granite and marble monuments, of Jersey City, 
but with this exception is practically retired from 
business. During the long course of his business 
life his health was frequently very poor and for 
many years he suffered with asthma, but of this 
he was to a large extent relieved after using a 
specific made by a Buffiilo physician. 

In 1858 Mr. Scott was made an Odd P'ellow in 
Freeman's Lodge No. 170, which was established 
in 1845 and was then at Walden. He is an en- 
thusiast in lodge work, and for twenty-five years 
has been a member of the vigilant and sick com- 
mittees. Politically a Democrat, he has fre- 
quently represented his party in conventions, and 




JAMKS CHADWICK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



229 



upon that ticket he was elected Overseer of the 
Poor, though the town itself is strongl}' Repub- 
lican. At one time he was candidate for County 
Superintendent of the Poor and received one 
hundred and eighty-three majority in a town 
that usually gives one hundred and eighty-five 
Republican majority. Many of the state Demo- 
cratic conventions he has attended, the last one 
having been at Albany, when Governor Hill was 
nominated for Governor of New York. In 1845 
he became a member of the Montgomery Guards, 
Company A, Nineteenth Regiment, New York 
State Militia, and remained with them until 1859. 
He was elected Corporal upon the organization 
of the company, and in 1848 was elected Orderly- 
Sergeant, which position he occupied until 1859. 
The marriage of Mr. Scott, May 19, 1861, 
united him with Miss Nettie R., daughter of 
Henry and Mary (Parks) Welsh, and a native of 
Montgomery. The family of which she is a mem- 
ber is one of prominence, and her brother, Will- 
iam J. Welsh, is a noted attorney of Binghani- 
ton, N. Y. In religious belief .she is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, to the maintenance 
of which Mr. Scott contributes, though not iden- 
tified with an^' church. 



(Tames CHADWICK, a very liberal and en- 
I terprising business man of Newburgh, is 
Q) President of the extensive bleachery here, of 
which his brother Joseph is Treasurer. This is 
one of the largest and best equipped establish- 
ments of the kind in the country, and the benefit 
which this industry has conferred upon the city 
it would be impossible to estimate. Mr. Chad- 
wick is a member of the Board of Trade of both 
Newburgh and New York City. 

Our subject was born January 22, 1830, in 
Heywood, Lancashire, England, where his an- 
cestors had resided since 1558. His grandfather, 
John Chad wick, was a farmer and stock-dealer, 
and also was the owner of coal lands, which re- 
verted to his son Thomas, father of our subject. 



The latter, who died in 1885, at the age of eighty- 
one years, was a devoted member of the Church 
of England, and possessed the esteem of all who 
had dealings with 'him. His marriage [united 
him with Elizabeth B. , daughter of Thomas Mills, 
who was an extensive dealer in cattle, and was a 
landed proprietor in Rochdale, Lancashire. In 
politics he was a Conservative. Mrs. Chadwick 
died in 1883, aged seventy-nine years. The old 
English home is occupied by her daughter Eliza- 
beth, now the wife of William Smith. James and 
Joseph Chadwick are the only members of the 
family in America. Their brother Thomas M., 
and brother-in-law, William Smith, are in part- 
nership with J'ames and Joseph Chadwick in the 
Boar.shaw Bleachery, Dye and Print Works at 
Middleton, near Manchester, England. 

The education of James Chadwick was com- 
pleted in Townhead Academy, of Rochdale, Eng- 
land. Choosing a manufacturing career, he learn- 
ed cotton spinning in the factory of a relative, and 
served for three years and a-half at the trade. 
After further qualifying himself in a bleaching 
and dyeing establishment, became to America, in 
1859, and soon secured a position in the Boiling 
Spring Bleachery, near Rutherford, N. J. In 
1867 he entered into partnership with his brother 
Jo.seph and George Wylie, leasing the Boiling 
Spring Works, but in a .short time Mr. Wylie 
died, and it soon became evident that greater fa- 
cilities than Rutherford afforded would be neces- 
sary, and in 187 1 the site of the present establish- 
ment was purchased. The building, which was 
then used for a fiouring-mill, was remodeled and 
enlarged, and at present there are seven separate 
structures, with a total floor space of about one 
hundred thousand square feet. Building No. i 
is three stories in height and 60x200 feet ; No. 2, 
60x190, three stories, with additions; No. 3, 6ox 
150, three stories; No. 4, one story, 60x200; and 
No. 5, a two-story building, is 50x80 feet. Mu- 
chattoes Lake is utilized and the outlets of Quas- 
saick River, while they have as a reserve power 
Orange Lake, six miles away. The outlet farm, 
which controls the outlet of the water at Orange 
Lake, is owned by six mill-owners on the creek, 
and Mr. Chadwick is a committee of one in charge 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the farm. Steam as well as water is used as 
motive power. The steam engines furnisli fonr 
hundred and fifty hor,se-power, and the water- 
wheels one hundred and forty honse-power. The 
added advantages of railroad and water communi- 
cations are of great value to the concern. One 
million, two hundred and fifty thousand gallons 
of pure spring water are daily used in the bleach- 
ing process, and two hundred and forty hands are 
employed. The present capacity of the works is 
over one hundred and sixt)- thousand yards daily, 
a specialty being made of bleached canton flan- 
nel. The output of this class of goods here is 
more than one-half of the whole production in 
this countr}-. The firm has a New York office 
at No. 115 Worth Street. 

The marriage of James Chadwick iniited him 
with Mary Ellen Hughes, of Philadelphia. They 
have a beautiful home at No. 182 Grand Street, 
where all of the surroundings bespeak the refine- 
ment and culture of the residents. They have 
two adopted children, Mamie A. Holt and Willie 
Pierson. Mr. Chadwick is a Waiden of St. 
George's Church. Politically he is a Republican, 
and fraternally belongs to Hudson River Lodge 
No. 607, F. & A. M. He is a Director in the 
Newburgh National Bank, is a member of the 
City Club, and is also President of I^aw.'^on Hose 
Company No. 5. 



r\ROF. REl'BKN FRASHR. There is no 
L/^ profession more honored or more honorable 
^3 than that of the teacher who has in his charge 
the training of the young mind, the develop- 
ment of the intellect, and the unfolding to recep- 
tive ears of the wondrous beauties of nature, of 
science and of history. Greater praise can be 
be.stowed upon no one than to .say that a man'is 
a successful, faithful and progressive teacher, and 
such commendation deservedly belongs to Pro- 
fe.s.sor Eraser, Principal of the Montgomery Union 
School. 

The history of the institution of which he is 



the head is worthy of more than passing mention 
by the biographer. The Montgomery Academy, 
which was merged into the public .school in 1882, 
was founded in 1790. The original frame struct- 
ure vvas in 1820 replaced by the present brick 
building, from which, during the years that have 
since pas.sed, young men and young women have 
gone forth to occupy positions of honor in the re- 
ligious, bu.siness, agricultural and social world, 
— young men and women, many of whom have 
now grown old, but in whose hearts the memory 
of their hajipy schooldays will ever glow with 
the freshness of youth. 

This institution bears the distinction of having 
been the fourth of the kind founded in the state. 
It was duly incorporated April 25, 1791, under 
the care of the Regents of New York, and its 
progress from the first was encouraging. From 
1825 until 1S45 the Principal was Jacob Tooker, 
a man who possessed a master mind, and the ef- 
fects of whose work are still apparent. About 
the middle of the present century, however, the 
magic power of the academy decreased and finally 
departed. Having lived its day aiid done its 
work, it gave way to the onward march of pop- 
ular education. ITnder these circumstances it 
was therefore deemed best by the Trustees to 
transfer the property to the Board of Education, 
who were authorized by law to take it. Novem- 
ber II, 1 88 1, the meeting was held which re- 
sulted ill the establishment of the Union Free 
School with the academic department. 

I'nder the new management the school was 
opened February 6, 1882, with Professor Eraser 
at the head, he having accepted a call to the po- 
sition of Principal. Here he has labored since, 
with the exception of the term of 1888-89, when 
he was persuaded to accept the supervision of 
the academic department of Geneva College, at 
Beaver Falls, Pa. The work did not pro.sper 
here during his absence, and in response to the 
urgent appeals of his former pupils and the citi- 
zens of Montgomery, he returned to his fomier 
position, which he has .since filled. 

Born in Bethel, Sullivan County, X. Y., July 
25, 1844, the .subject of this notice is the son of 
James and Harriet (Alexander) Eraser, natives 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



231 



of County Armagh, Ireland. The family is of 
Scotch origin, but during the religious persecu- 
tions of that country the great-grandfather of 
our subject, James Fraser, removed to Ireland 
and settled in County Armagh. His son Will- 
iam came to the United States in 1809 with three 
brothers, all of whom settled in Sullivan County, 
N. Y., at a period so -?arly in its history that his 
nearest neighbor was many miles away. 

At the time of emigration to America, James 
Fraser was a child of six jears. He grew to 
manhood in Sullivan Couiuy, and after his mar- 
riage to Harriet Alexander he settled on a farm 
adjoining the old homestead. There they re- 
mained until death, he passing away when ninetj, 
and she at the age of seventy-nine. For fifty- 
two j-ears he lived in the same house, a building 
which he had erected, and which his son, R. 
Alexander Fraser, now occupies. 

Reuben, who is the seventh of nine children, 
was reared on the home farm, and received an 
excellent education in the Liberty Normal In- 
stitute, which he attended for two years. At the 
age of fifteen he began to teach, and later was a 
student in the Delhi Academy, after which he re- . 
sumed teaching. In 1873 he entered Cornell 
University, where he prosecuted his studies for 
a time. His first position after completing his 
studies was as Principal of the Eureka High 
School at Mongaup Valley, where he made a 
specialty of preparing pupils for teaching. In 
his normal class there were about .seventy-five 
students, who were fitted for professional work 
under his supervision. From Mongaup Valley 
he went to Barry ville, the same count}', where he 
was Principal of schools for four years, he and 
his assistant having about one hundred pupils. 

At the request of Hezekiah Watkins, an attor- 
ney of New York City, and the sou of Dr. Wat- 
kins who had built the old Liberty Normal In- 
stitute, Professor Fraser became Principal of that 
school, Mr. Watkins promising to erect a new 
building if he would remain ten years. He had 
been but a year in that po.sition, however, when 
Mr. Watkins died suddenly while visiting in Illi- 
nois, and his plans were therefore materially 
changed. In February, 1882, he came to Mont- 



gomery, at the time the old academy was merged 
into the public school. There is an enrollment of 
two hundred pupils, with five teachers. The 
academic department was the third school in the 
state to be placed under the State University Re- 
gents, and fits its pupils to pass the examinations 
of the board. The graduating class of '95 con- 
sisted of fifteen bright and earne.st pupils, who 
had pursued the regular course prescribed by the 
Regents. 

April 9, 1875, Professor Fraser married Miss 
Ella, daughter of William and Sarah (Beattie) 
Wear, who live .seven miles north of Newburgh, 
this county. They have two daughters, the eld- 
er of whom, Harriet J., is a graduate of the 
New Paltz Normal School, and is now employed 
in the public schools at Washingtonville; the 
younger, Anna M., is a student in the home 
schools. The Professor is a member of the prin- 
cipal educational associations, and is deeply in- 
terested in everything pertaining to his profes- 
sion. For twenty-three years he has been an 
Elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church at 
White Lake and Coldenliam, and is Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school. He is a decided 
Prohibitionist, but not active in party afitiirs. 
He is a man of pleasing address, and easily wins 
and retains friends. 



^EORGE SENIOR. For many years this 
|_ gentleman was identified with the business 
\Jl interests of Montgomery as the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of George Senior & Co. , later of 
the fiim of George Senior & Son; but in 1885 he 
retired from the business, being succeeded b}- his 
sons, who have since conducted the enterprise 
with efficiency and success. While during the 
course of his long business experience he met with 
some losses, yet he was fortunate in escaping finan- 
cial panics and disasters, and was never hampered 
by lack of funds. It is a fact worthy of note that 
he never sued an\' one and never had a law case 
in court. 

In Dorsetshire, England, George Senior was 
born February 10, 18 14, being the son of Will- 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iam and Sarah (Harvey) Senior. His father, 

who was born in 1785, came to the United States 
in 1830, andafter having spent three years in Dan- 
biiry, Conn., he removed to Dutchess Count}-, 
N. Y., where he stayed twelve years. His clos- 
ing days were spent in Montgomery, where he 
died in 1863. His wife survived him until 1886, 
dying at the age of ninety-three years. They 
were the parents of twelve children who attained 
years of maturity, three having died in childhood. 
William, who .settled in Connecticut, engaged in 
fanning there until his death at fifty-five; John, a 
farmer of New Milford, Pa., died when sixty-five 
years old; Sarah, Mrs. William Blackman, died 
in Danbury, Conn., at the age of seventy; George 
was next in order of birth; Thomas, a retired bus- 
iness man, lives in Montgomery: Chri.stopher is a 
farmer near the MissLssippi River in Illinois; Ann 
married John Houck, and died in middle life; Ed- 
ward died at the age of twenty- five; Joseph lives 
in Bridgeport, Conn.; Louisa is the wife of John 
Ayres, oi Middletovvn; and Henry is living in 
Danbury, Conn. Of the six now living, three re- 
side in Orange County. 

At the age of twenty-one our subject began to 
deal in stock in Dutchess County. In 1844 he 
opened a store, and, being prosperous, he contin- 
ued in business about thirty years. October 6, 
1842, he married Miss Mar\- Ann Lawson, who 
was born in Walden, May 30, 18 ig, but at the 
time of her marriage was residing in Dutchess 
Count}-, this state. Her parents, Robert and 
Jane (Thompson) Lawson, were born in Ireland 
and emigrated to the United States, he when 
twenty-one and she at nine years of age. They 
were married in Orange County and spent their 
last years in Montgomery, where he died at the 
age of eighty-one and she when ninety-one. 

Mr. and Mrs. Senior became the parents of the 
following children: William H., who is a member 
of the firm of William H. Senior & Co. in Mont- 
gomery; Augustus, formerly a merchant of New- 
burgh, who died April 6, 1892, at the age of 
forty-seven; Mary E., who married Cornelius D. 
Hawkins, and died at the age of forty -one; Sarah 
F., who died in childhood: George Edward, who is 
in the store at Montgouierj- ; John L. , an attorney 



at Waverly, Cofifey County, Kan.; and James 
Renwick, a merchant of New York City. Since 
the organization of the Montgomery- & Erie Rail- 
way Company, Mr. Senior has serv-ed as one of 
its Directors. For thirty-five years he has been 
Trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Montgom- 
ery, to which his wife also belongs. 



••>^«'^®^«- 



EHARLES J. VAN ALST. The family of 
which this gentleman is an honored repre- 
sentative is one of the oldest of Orange Coun- 
ty, and the farm which he now owns has been in 
possession of some of its members for nearly sev- 
ent}- years. He is the owner of one hundred and 
seven acres situated in the town of Montgomery, 
and comprising a portion of the original home- 
stead. This was his birthplace and is the onlj- 
home he has ever known, and it is only natural, 
therefore, that he should feel the deepest attach- 
ment for the scenes around which cluster so many 
happy as,sociations. 

The parents of our subject, Bergoone and Jane 
(Lowe) Van Alst, were natives, respectively, of 
Dutchess County and the town of Crawford, 
Orange County; the former died when forty -seven 
and the latter at the age of fifty-five. Their chil- 
dren were four in number, namely: Ebenezer, 
who resides in this town; Mary, widow of Mo.ses 
Mould; Charles J.; and Daniel, whose biographi- 
cal sketch, with further particulars concerning the 
genealogical history, appears elsewhere in this 
volume. Our subject was born May 7, 1829, and 
grew to manhood on the place where he still re- 
sides. He was a .small child when his father 
died, and afterward he made his home with his 
mother until her death, when he inherited a part 
of the old homestead. 

In 1854 ^Ir. Van Alst was united in marriage 
with Miss Susan A. Wilkin, of this county, who 
at her death left six children, named as follows: 
Mar}', wife of Augustus Burnett, of the town of 
Montgomery; Marshall, a grocer of New York 
City; Moses, who is a farmer of the town of Craw- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



233 



ford, this county; Susan, wife of James Burnett, 
a farmer of the town of Montgomery; Cordelia, 
wife of lyouis C. Andrews, of this town; and 
Jane, who died in childhood. The second mar- 
riage of Mr. Van Alst, which occurred October 22, 
1874, united him with Miss Harriet, daughter of 
William Decker, of this county, and their union 
has been blessed b}- the birth of one daughter, 
Eliza. 

In all matters of public moment Mr. Van ALst 
takes the interest which should be felt by every 
public-spirited citizen. He is a man who has de- 
cided views upon all subjects of importance, and 
in his political opinions he is a firm Republican, 
always voting for the candidates of the party. 
For two years he has represented his town upon 
the Count}' Board of Supervisors, and he has 
filled the majority of the other town offices. Re- 
ligiously he clings to the faith of his forefathers 
and holds membership in the Reformed Church. 



*^^1 



11^^ 



(lOHN E. PHILLIPS was born in Phillips- 
I burg, Orange County, March 20, 1805, and 
V2/ was one of eight children who attained ma- 
ture years. His si.ster Julia married William Y. 
Miller, a minister in the Presbyterian Church, 
now living in San Jose, Cal., and she died in 
Knoxville, 111., February 7, 1857. Henry, the 
next in order of birth, died at Honesdale, Pa. 
Elizabeth, who was the wife of Dr. H. Hornbeck, 
died in Phillip.sburg, March 2, 1843. Thomas S., 
formerly in the commission business in Chicago, 
died in that city. William N. , who died in Feb- 
ruary, 1895, was a resident of Galcsburg, 111., 
where his youngest brother. Dr. Edgar L., also 
makes his home. Nicholas E., who resided in 
Galva, 111., died in January, 1895. 

In 1825 John E. Phillips was graduated with 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Williams Col- 
lege, being a classmate of David Dudlej' Field. 
Soon afterward he took up the study of law under 
the instruction of Henry G. Wisner, and in the 
process of time was duly admitted to the Bar. 
He formed a partnership with his late preceptor, 
and their business connection continued to exist 



until the death of Mr. Phillips. His career was 
thoroughly honorable, and his life was above re- 
proach in every particular. He passed from earth 
December 17, 1841, when only thirty-six years of 
age. 

The marriage of John E. Phillips united liim 
with Elizabeth T. , daughter of his partner, Henry 
G. Wisner. This estimable lady was born in 
New York City in 1808, and was reared at Oak- 
hill, receiving an excellent education in the Mo- 
ravian Seminary at Bethlehem, Pa. Religiously 
she was connected with the Episcopal Church, 
and in her earlier years took a prominent part in 
its work. She survived her husband a half-cent- 
ury, dying in April, 1891. Three daughters had 
blessed their union, of whom the eldest died when 
young; the second, Anna E., is the wife of J. H. 
Conner, of New York City; and Harriet H. is the 
youngest of the family. 

Rev. George Phillips, the original representa- 
tive of the family in America, emigrated from Rox- 
bury, England, in 1630, and landed in Boston, 
one of his friends and associates being Governor 
Winthrop. He settled in Watertown, Mass. 
Wendell Phillips, whose reputation is world-wide, 
is a descendant of this branch of the family. The 
Andover Phillips' line is represented by Judge 
Phillips, founder of Phillips Academy. The 
grandfather of our subject, Maj. Moses Phillips, 
was born in Smithtown, L. I., March 8, 1742. 
He migrated to Orange County about 1 766, and 
settled where the village of Phillipsburg now 
stands, it being named in his honor. Buying a 
large tract of land there, he engaged in manufact- 
uring cloth, ran a flovirmill, and was interested 
in other mercantile operations. In 1779 he was 
commissioned Major of a militia company by 
Governor Clinton and served in the War of the 
Revolution. His wife was Sarah, daughter of 
Hon. Henry Wisner, of Revolutionary fame, at 
one time regent of the University of New York. 

The death of the Major occurred December 29, 
18 18, after a busy and useful life. His son Will- 
iam, the next in line of descent, was born at 
Phillipsburg, and followed his father's example in 
manufacturing cloth and in conducting a farm. 
He was well known and prominent in that sec- 



234 



PORTRAIT AND P.IOGRAPIIICAI, RECORD. 



tion, and was still in the prime of his usefulness 
when he died as the result of an accident, aged 
about sixt5--four years. His wife, Sarah Evert- 
son, was born in Dutchess County, and was a de- 
scendant of the celebrated Admiral Evertson, of 
Holland. Her father, John, re.sided in Dutchess 
County, where members of his family had settled 
permanently several generations before. The 
great Admiral him.self was in connnand of a New 
York squadron, which wrested New York from 
England in 1673. He was the eldest son of Ad- 
miral Cornelius Evertson, who was killed in battle 
witli Ensj;land in 1666. 






EHARLES I. BULL, of the town of Chester, 
is a descendant of William Bull, an old pio- 
neer in this .section, who came to Orange 
County in the middle of the eighteenth centurj-. 
Our subject was born upon the farm on which he 
now lives in i860, and was next to the youngest 
child born to Ira and Phoebe ( Hawkins) Bull, 
both of whom were born in Orange County. Ira 
Bull was born in 1809, on the same farm upon 
which our subject lives, and spent liis life there. 
He was prominently engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits during his lifetime, and was also engaged in 
milling to some extent on his home farm. He 
was a. quiet, honest citizen, attending strictly to 
his own affairs, and in his death, which occurred 
April 3, 1887, when seventy-seven years of age, 
the community lost a valued citizen and friend. 
His estimable wife, the mother of Charles, is still 
living and enjoying good health at the age of 
seventy. 

The subject of this .sketch attended the district 
school during his j-outh, later attended the school 
at Goshen, and subsequently those at Brooklyn. 
He was reared upon a fann and has always fol- 
lowed the life of an agriculturist. His farm com- 
prises three hundred and thirty acres of nicely 
improved land, which lies picturesquely between 
the hills. A lake of about ten acres in extent 
furnishes excellent water for his stock, and con- 



tributes large quantities of trout for the family 
table. His residence and outbuildings are mod- 
ern, few homes in the count}- being more invit- 
ing. Mr. Bull is quite extensivelj' engaged in 
the dairy business, having seventy-five head of 
milch cows. 

Mr. Bull was married, August 26, 1S86, to Miss 
Mary E. Green, a daughter of William R. and 
Mary (Howell) Green, natives of Orange County 
and early settlers here. This union has been 
blessed by the birth of three children: Lillian, 
William G. and Phoebe. The parents are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church at Chester. In 
politics he is a Republican and has an abiding 
faith in the principles of his party. He has never 
aspired to oiEcial honors, but has served his fel- 
low-citizens in the capacity of Road Commis- 
sioner. Comparatively a young man, there are 
but few men in the community that are better or 
more favorably known. The farm upon which 
he lives was purchased in 1800 from Peter Van 
Helton by Richard Bull, the father of Ira. 

^' HERON B. ABRAMS was born in the town 
I C of Newburgh March 2, 1823, and is the son 
VJy of Samuel and Sarah ( Wood j Abrams, the 
former of whom was a son of John Abrams, a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. The parents, 
who were born in Orange Count\-, became the 
heads of a family comprising six children, namely: 
Jane, our subject, Charles, Nancj-, George and 
Thomas. 

The subject of this sketch began life for himself 
at the earl}- age of thirteen, at which time he was 
deprived of the care of his father. Being the eld- 
est son, the management of the homestead fell 
upon him and he was obliged to assume the re- 
spon.sibilities of caring for the family, remaining 
with his mother until 1853. In i86i he located 
on his present farm, a valuable tract of land, 
ninety acres in extent, which is devoted largely 
to dairy farming. For three years he w^as em- 
ployed in the navyyards at Brooklyn, and for 
five years following he resided on the old b.ome- 
stead. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



Mr. Abrams was married, November 13, 1844, 
to Miss Sarah S. Abrams, daughter of John and 
Ann Abrams, natives of New York. She was 
born in New York Cit}', August 10, 1823, and by 
her union with our subject became the mother of 
ten children, of whom five died in infancy. The 
others are Charles, Fred, David, Ada and Samuel, 
the latter of whom died at the age of twenty-three 
years. 

Mrs. Abrams is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In political matters our sub- 
ject never fails to cast a vote in favor of Demo- 
cratic candidates and principles, and for a period 
of fifteen years was Commissioner of Highways, 
also serving for some time as a member of the 
School Board. The family is one highly e.steemed 
in the community. 



~~DWARD WHITEHEAD, President of the 
'3 Walden Knife Companj-, is a man who, by 
,_ perseverance, energy and keenness of judg- 
ment, has become one of Walden' s much esteemed 
citizens. His success cannot be a matter of won- 
der to his acquaintances, who know that it has 
been won by unusual ability and careful attention 
to his business interests, and the place which he 
occupies in business circles is deservedly a prom- 
inent one. 

The Walden Knife Compan}-, of which our 
subject is now President, was organized in Wal- 
den, N. Y., in 1870, as a co-operative company, 
and became an incorporation in 1874, at which 
time William G. Gowdy was elected President, 
and Edward Whitehead Secretary. The capital 
stock of the corporation is $20,000. The pres- 
ent organization is as follows: Edward W^hite- 
head. President, Secretary and Treasurer; George 
Weller, Vice-President; and Samuel Andrews, 
James M. Walker and John S. Taylor, Board of 
Directors. All of the interested parties are resi- 
dents of Walden. 

At the present time the members of the Wal- 
den Knife Company have about $100,000 invested 
in the business, and the establishment has a ca- 
pacity of $200,000 worth of goods annually, and 



in one year has been known to make that amount. 
The company employs about two hundred and 
twenty-five hands, many of whom are skilled 
workmen. They give employment to about 
twenty-five girls, and their pay-roll amounts to 
from $2,000 to $2,500 per week. They make a 
specialty of pocket-knives, and do some very fine 
work in this line of their trade, .selling to jobbers 
all over the United States. 

Our subject is a native of Halifax, Yorkshire, 
England, where his birth occurred November 5, 
1845. At the age of three years he came to the 
United States, in company with his parents, John 
andvSarah (Hill) Whitehead, the former of whom 
was a spinner by trade, and was employed in 
woolen-mills. When fifteen years of age he 
learned the cutlery trade. 

At the time of the organization of the present 
company, our subject took charge of the detail 
work. As has been said, it was at first a co-op- 
erative company, and consisted of eighteen mem- 
bers, and ever since it became a stock company, 
in 1874, Mr. Whitehead has had the management. 
The business has been very successful, and he 
has steadily pushed forward, gaining in favor 
with the company and all its patrons. He gives 
his entire time to the business, and is the only 
one of the original company now interested. 

October 14, 1874, occurred the marriage of our 
subject and Miss Ella C. Barkle}-, who was born 
and reared in New York City. Mrs. Whitehead 
has in the truest sense of the word been a help- 
mate to her husband, and is a woman much be- 
loved by all those with whom she is a.ssociated. 
Mr. Whitehead is a Republican in politics, and re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Reformed Church. 



(31 SMITH RING. Identified with the his- 
r I tory of Newburgh throughout his entire life, 
I I Mr. Ring was well known to the citizens of 
the place, and was especially prominent in finan- 
cial circles, having been connected with the New- 
burgh Savings Bank for many years. The latter 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



part of his life was spent in retirement from ac- 
tive business pursuits, though he still found suffi- 
cient to occupy liis attention in the management 
of his large property interests. He was a man 
who held a high place in the regard of his a.sso- 
ciates, and a sketch of his life will therefore be of 
interest to our readers. 

A. Smith Ring was born in Newburgh, March 
17, 1838, his parents being Thomas C. and Cath- 
erine (Speir) Ring. He was educated in this 
city, entering Newburgh Free Academy, where he 
continued his studies until graduation. At an 
early age he entered the Powell Bank, where his 
father was emploj-ed, and when the latter became 
Trea.surer of the Newburgh Savings Bank, the 
son went with him, continuing an employe of the 
bank, and financially interested in its success, un- 
til a few years before his death. 

The father of our subject. Thomas C. Ring, 
who for more than a half-century was one of New- 
burgh's most prominent citizens, was born in 
Cornwall, Orange County, October 21, 1804. At 
the age of thirteen he left the parental roof, and 
with no other capital than willing hands and a 
determined ambition .started out in life. His 
first position was that of clerk in the general store 
of Oliver G. Burton, at West Point, where he re- 
mained until the death of that gentleman three 
years later. He then returned home, and for 
several months assisted his father in his brick- 
yard. , 

In 1821 Thomas C. came to Newburgh and se- I 
cured a clerkship in the employ of Matthias G. | 
Miller, a general trader. The firm was subse- I 
■quently changed to Miller & Smith, and in addi- \ 
tion to carrying on a general mercantile business, j 
they ran a .sloop, known as the "Neptune," be- 1 
tween Newburgh and New York. In 1822 this 1 
vessel capsized in the Highlands, and between j 
twenty and thirty persons were drowned. About ' 
1825 Mr. Ring was appointed to a clerkship in 
the Newburgh Bank, which he filled for two 
years. In 1831 he became a clerk on the steamer 
"Albanj-," plying between New York and Al- 1 
bany, and in 1832 he was clerk on the "New I 
Philadelphia," running between the .same ports. I 
In 1833 he returned to the "Albany," where he | 



remained a short time. He secured the position 
of Cashier of the Highland Bank of Newburgh 
in the fall of the same year, and as such served 
until 1838. In the following year he became 
Cashier of the Powell Bank of Newburgh, and 
held that responsible position until the year 1864, 
when the concern went out of business. In 1858 
he was appointed Treasurer of the Newburgh 
Savings Bank, in which capacity he served until 
his death. From 1858 to 1864 he was superin- 
tendent of the ferry running between Newburgh 
and Fishkill. 

When Mr. Ring first entered the Savings Bank 
the total deposits amounted to only $28,000, but 
since then they have increased to millions. While 
not seeking public office, he accepted the posi- 
tions which his fellow-citizens urged him to fill, 
believing him especially qualified for official serv- 
ice. From 1854 until 1864 he was Treasurer of 
the village. He was one of the members of the 
first Board of Education under the state law. 
From 1867 to 1881 he was Secretary of the New- 
burgh Gas Light Company. Among the other 
positions which he held were those of Treasurer 
of the Cedar Hill Cemetery As.sociation, and Pres- 
ident of the Newburgh & Cochecton and the 
Newburgh & New Wind.sor Turnpike Compan- 
ies. In the year 1823 he participated in the re- 
ception to General La Fayette. In 1826 he was 
a member of a unifonned company of the state 
militia, under Capt. John D. Phillips, and of this 
company he was the last survivor. 

The first wife of Mr. Ring was Miss Mary Ann 
Osborne, who died in 1833, the year after their 
union. His .second wife was Miss Catherine 
Speir, whom he married in 1837, ^'"^^ '^^'I'o ^^icd 
in i86g. By the latter union there were three 
children, A. Smith, Mrs. Anna R. Muir and 
Clara Belknap, all of whom are deceased. 

The subject of this notice was united in mar- 
riage, Octobers, 1881, with Miss Frances Lud- 
low, daugliter of the late George W. Kerr. One 
child was born of the union, a son named Thomas 
Ludlow. A great lover of sports, Mr. Ring was 
a leader in that line in his younger years, and his 
love for fishing and skating continued up to the 
time of his death, though he was unable to take 




JOHN IJ\LES. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



239 



an active part in them. Politically he was a 
Democrat, and his party had no champion more 
stanch than was he. He was a member of the 
Ringgold Hose Compan)- of Newburgh, and was 
Treasurer of the Washington Headquarters Trus- 
tees, also of the Newburgh Skating Association. 
In 1875 he was elected Cit)' Treasurer, which po- 
sition he held for two j'ears. A man of chari- 
table disposition, much of his leisure time was 
devoted to philanthrophic work, and he was par- 
ticularly interested in the Board of Associated 
Charities, being one of its managers. His death 
occurred at his summer home, "Wood Lake," 
Julys, 1893. The remains were brought to New- 
burgh for interment, and the funeral services 
were held at his residence, No. 196 Grand Street. 
He was a man of more than ordinary abilitj-, and 
one whose liberality of disposition and kindness 
will long be remembered by the recipients of his 
bounty. 

' g ^ P ' 

(TOHN DALES, one of the oldest and mo.st 
I highly respected citizens of Newburgh, is 
C2/ senior member of the real-estate and insur- 
ance firm of John Dales & Co., and has also been 
identified with numerous enterprises calculated to 
benefit this community. His business career has 
been remarkably successful, but at no time has 
he overstepped the boundaries of absolute integ- 
rity and fairness to his fellows. He was one of 
the original members of the Board of Trade, is a 
Director in the Quassaick National Bank, Secre- 
tary of the Woodlawn Cemeterj' Association, 
and held a like position in the Newburgh & Mid- 
land Railway Company in former years. He is 
an apt example of what maj' be accomplished b}' 
a young man, provided he possesses requisite in- 
dustry and a determination to succeed. 

At a very early day in the history of this coun- 
try, three brothers by the name of Dales emi- 
grated from Wales, one settling in South Caro- 
lina, another in New York, and the third go- 
ing further west. Our subject's great-grand- 
father was the one who located in Orange Coun- 
ty, N. Y., and here many of his descendants are 
still living. His son John died on his farm in 



this county, and John Dales, Sr., father of our 
subject, was born at Little Britain in 1775. 
When he was twenty years of age he moved to 
Delaware County, N. Y., where he married, and 
improved a farm. There he took up a tract of 
one hundred and six acres of wild land, for which 
he paid twelve and a-half cents per acre. This 
property is now owned by our subject, who also 
possesses adjoining farms, amounting in all to 
three hundred and thirty-six acres. The old 
lease, dated 1795, is a most remarkable relic of 
old days, and according to the old agreement he 
has to pay an annual rental of a shilling per acre 
on the land. The senior Mr. Dales died in 183 1, 
and his wife, who was formerly Miss Sarah Cavin, 
survived him until 1847, when she passed away, 
aged sixty-six years. The parents were mem- 
bers of the old Scotch Seceders Presbyterian 
Church, now called the United Presbyterian. 
Mrs. Dales was born in Little Britain, and was a 
daughter of the earliest .settlers of Delaware Coun- 
ty. Her father died in early manhood, but her 
mother, Sarah Cavin, reared the family, and lived 
to be one hundred and five years of age. 

In 1839 John Dales came to Newburgh and 
entered the employ of Crawford, Mailler & Co., 
wholesale and retail merchants, and proprietors 
of a line of boats running between this point and 
New York City. At the end of a year young 
Dales became connected with the retail dry-goods 
house of George Cornwall, with which he con- 
tinued for three years. In 1843 he went to 
Memphis, Tenn., and for two years was employed 
in a general store, then for a similar period was 
in a New York City wholesale dry-goods house. 
In the spring of 1847 he located in Jordan, N. Y., 
where he successfully engaged in business in 
company with Henry Cornwall, son of his old 
employer, but now an Epi-scopalian minister. At 
the end of six months the partnership was dis- 
solved, Mr. Dales continuing alone for four years. 
He then purchased a mill and engaged in the 
manufacture of flour for fifteen 5'ears. 

In 1865 Mr. Dales sold out his other in- 
terests in order to take up his residence in New- 
burgh. In company with W. O. Mailler, he en- 
gaged in the wholesale grocery and freighting 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business for several years, but since 1869 has 
given his principal attention to the real-estate 
and insurance business. He has represented the 
Home, the North American and the Phttnix 
Companies here for over a quarter of a century. 
In 1S77 he was made ticket agent ft)r the Ivrie 
Raihoad, and still transacts the company's busi- 
ness. In iScS4 he took into partnership with 
him his son-in-law, C. D. Robin.son, and has 
gradually withdrawn from arduous duties, though 
he is in the office every day. 

In 1S4S Mr. Dales married Susan Oakley, a 
native of Newburgh and daughter ot Jacob Oak- 
ley, the latter of whom was born in this county 
and was by trade a tanner. Mrs. Dales departed 
this life in 1890, and their only son, William, 
who was Cashier of the Millerton National Bank, 
died in 1882, aged thirty-three years. Mary, the 
only daughter, is the wife of Charles D. Robin- 
son, previously mentioned, and one of the Alder- 
men of this city. In April, 1S43, John Dales be- 
came a member of the Old Presbyterian Church, 
of which Calvary Presbyterian Church is a branch, 
and in the latter congregation he has been a Rul- 
ing Elder, a Trustee and Treasurer for many 
years. The last-named ofBce he has honorably 
filled twenty-six years, and for a long time he 
was Superintendent of the Sunday-.school. Since 
the close of the war he has been an active Re- 
publican. Fraternally he is a charter member of 
Hud.son River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M.,is a 
Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to Hudson 
River Conimandery No. 35, K. T. He has trav- 
eled extensively in various parts of the United 
States, and is a man of wide information and 
liberal ideas. 



-^=-- 



=+ 



EHAUNCEY BROOKS. No one contributes 
more to the improvement of a city than the 
man to whose artistic skill is due the erec- 
tion of beautiful and substantial residences. 
Doubtless in this line ot work Mr. Brooks has 
done as much toward the improvement of Mont- 



gomery as has any resident of the place. He 
came to this village in 1867 and, purchasing a 
tract of land in cotniection with James Vanderoef, 
platted town lots, and erected a number of resi- 
dences thereon. He takes contracts for the erec- 
tion of houses, doing .the work from the ground 
up and giving employment to ten or twelve men. 
A practical, original architect, he has drawn 
many plans for private residences and public 
buildings, and has a shop in which he prepares 
the finer grades of hardwood finishing. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Eagle 
Valle_\-, Rockland County, N. Y., June 26, 1842, 
being the son of Jonah and Emily Bethia (Conk- 
lin ) Brooks. His maternal grandmother, Emily 
Conklin, attained to the advanced age of ninety- 
four, dying in Monroe, the place of her birth. 
The paternal grandparents were John and Mary 
(Potter) Brooks, the former born November 10, 
1755, and the latter October 12, 1759. They 
were married at Perth Amboy, N. J., and died 
and were buried at Sattletown, Orange County. 
They had ten children, of whom Jonah was next 
to the yoinigest. 

Born in Sattletown May 21, 179S, Jonali Brooks 
grew to manhood in the locality of his birth. He 
first married Eliza Bloom, their union being 
childless. At Bakertown, Orange County, he 
married Mi.ss Conklin, and they became the par- 
ents of .seven children, namely: Mary E., who 
died at the age of seven years; Juliet, wife of 
Eugene Gregory, of Rockland Count}', N. Y. ; 
William G., a resident of Monroe, Orange Comity; 
Fletcher B., who married Hattie Gregory, sister 
of Eugene, and died at the age of thirty-six; 
Chauncey; Mahlon J., who makes his home in 
Eagle Valley, Rockland County; and Frances 
Emily, Mrs. George \'an Dine, of Paterson, N. J. 

At the age of eighteen our subject went to 
Monroe, where he served a three-years appren- 
ticeship to the carpenter's trade under Isaac 
Thomp.son, receiving his board and twenty-five 
cents per day the first year, fifty cents per day 
the second, and seventy-five the third. At the 
conclusion of his apprenticeship he worked as a 
journeyman and did some job work. In 1867 he 
came to Montgomerv, where he has since followed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



his chosen occupation. One of the finest resi- 
dences he has erected is that which he owns and 
occupies and which is commodious, cosey and 

neatly arranged. 

December 3, 1868, Mr. Brooks mairied Miss 
Martha Wait, daughter of Thomas and Mary 
(Mould) Wait, who still reside in Montgomery. 
Mrs. Brooks was born on a farm in the town of 
Montgomery June 3, 1847, and is an estimable 
woman and a faithful member of the Reformed 
Church. Her elder daughter, Alida Waite, at 
present a teacher in the high .school at Norwich, 
Chenango County, is an elocution specialist and 
a graduate of the Emerson College of Oratory of 
Boston, and of the Albany Normal School; she 
al.so took a post-graduate course in the Emerson 
vSchool of Oratory. Charles Winchester and Min- 
nie M. are students in the high school of Mont- 
gomery, the former being a member of the Class 
of '95. 

There is no subject upon which Mr. Brooks 
has taken a firmer stand than that of prohibition, 
and he is a prominent member of that party. He 
was a delegate to the Indianapolis and Cincinnati 
conventions and an elector on the St. John Presi- 
dential ticket. Believing that the liquor traffic is 
the greatest evil of the age, he refu,ses to .support 
any minister who does not denounce this foe to 
the prosperity and happiness of mankind, and 
advocates the idea that the church should not 
permit in its membership any who oppose prohi- 
bition. Though not a public speaker, he is al- 
ways willing to argue this question and never has 
the least hesitancy in expres.sing the positive con- 
victions that he holds. He is now (1895) serv- 
ing his third term as President of the Village 
Board, and is President of the Board of Water- 
works. 



''4'4**5*4'F 



EONR AD DIEHL is an old resident of Goshen, 
and for many years has been proprietor of 
the International Hotel. He was born in 
He.s.se-Darmstadt, Germany, December 12, 1837, 
and is the son of Peter Diehl, who lived and died 



in the Fatherland, where he was for many years 
actively engaged in farming. His wife, formerlj' 
Elizabeth Milbeck, was also a native of that em- 
pire, and was the daughter of John Milbeck. 
She was a Catholic in religion, while her hus- 
band was a devoted member of the Lutheran 
Church. Their family included two children, 
the brother of our subject, John Diehl, residing 
in Scotchtown, Orange County. 

The .subject of this sketch pas.sed the first .six- 
teen years of his life on his father's farm in Ger- 
many, and until thirteen years of age attended the 
common schools, where he acquired a fair knowl- 
edge of the common branches. He was then 
apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, at which 
he worked in his native land until 1854. That 
year he determined to try his fortunes in the 
New World, and accordingly engaged passage on 
a sailing-vessel leaving Bremen in the month of 
July. He was forty-nine days in making the 
vo3-age, and on being landed at New York City 
made his way directly to Orange County, set- 
tling in Hamptonburg September 20. In the 
vicinitj' of that place he found work on a farm, 
and continued there until 1858, the year in which 
he came to Goshen. His first work here was in 
the employ of William M. Sayer as foreman of 
his lumber and coal yards. He was thus en- 
gaged for two j-ears, when he was married, and 
from that time until 1881 was variously employed. 
That year he embarked in the hotel business, 
running the Erin Hotel for two years. In 1883, 
however, he purchased the land on which his 
present house now stands, and under his super- 
vision the building was erected. It is nicely lo- 
cated and its accommodations are finst-class. Mr. 
Diehl is a jolly, good-natured gentleman and re- 
ceives his share of the patronage of the traveling 
public. He is a great lover of horses and has in 
his stables some fine animals, among them being 
"Billie D.," whose record at five years was 2:35. 
He al.so has several colts by "Beecher," and sev- 
eral standard-bred horses. 

Our subject was married, in Goshen, to Miss 
Ellen Keenan, who was born in Ireland in 1837. 
Their seven children are James, who resides in 
Fishkill; John, a mason of Middletown; William, 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a member of the fire department in New York 
City; and Jennie, AUie, Conrad, Jr., and Charles, 
at home with their parents. 

Mr. Diehl has been Trustee of tlie village, , 
serving for two years on the Democratic ticket. | 
He was also Poormaster for three years, for the : 
same length of time was Commissioner of Water i 
Works, and for three years was Commissioner 
of Highways. In religious matters he is a devout 
Catholic, in the faith of which his children were 
reared. 



0AXIKL SUTHERI.AXn MAPKS, agent 
for the Erie and West Shore Railroads, and 
also for the National and Wells Fargo Ex- 
press Companies, is located at Montgomery, ! 
N. Y., where he arrived in 1874. For five years j 
he served as clerk under J. C. Mould, who be- ] 
came agent at this place, but in February-, 1879, j 
our subject succeeded him. While clerking he 

had also been agent for the Wallkill \'allev Rail- 

■ I 

road, now the West Shore line. His long reten- 
tion in office clearly indicates his prompt dis- 
charge of all duties, and he has the entire confi- 
dence of his employers. 

In Beaver Brook. Sullivan County, N. Y., Mr. 
Mapes was bom on the 2 2d of March, 1S45, and 
is a son of Robert M. and Elizabeth (Mould) 
Mapes. The Mapes family was founded in Amer- 
ica about 1640, by three brothers, two of whom 
located on Long Island, and the other in New 
Hampshire. In England the family was quite | 
prominent, Walter Mapes, who was closely identi- 
fied with the throne, representing the King in 1 
a council in France: he was an ecclesiastic of I 
great learning. Samuel Mapes, a descendant of [ 
one of the brothers who settled on Long Island, ' 
removed to Monroe, Orange County, and later lo- 
cated at Howell's Depot, where he owned a sec- 
tion of land. This was before the Revolution, 
and the latid was at that time entirely unculti- i 
vated. The family was well represented in the : 
War for Independence, and was noted for its 
valor. 

Nathaniel Mapes, the son of Samuel, was the , 



grandfather of our subject. In 1818 he left 
Howell's Depot, removing to Mt. Hope, where he 
owned a good farm, and there his death occurred 
in 1S54, at the age of seventy- two years. After 
the death of his first wife, Millie Mapes, who was 
the grandmother of Daniel S. , he wedded Ann 
Corwin. Robert M. Mapes married Elizabeth 
Mould, who was reared three miles south of 
Montgomer>-, and was a daughter of Philip and 
Nellie (Sutherland) Mould, who belonged to one 
of the oldest families of the state. In 1840 the 
father located in Sullivan County, N. Y., but 
after a residence there of about twenty-eight 
years, returned to Orange County, settling on a 
portion of the old farm belonging to his father- 
in-law, three miles south of Montgomery. After 
carrying on agricultural pursuits there for some 
three years, he became agent for the Susquehan- 
na & Western Railroad, being located at Little 
Fern,-, N. J., where he remained for seven years. 
In iSSo his wife died in Butler, N. J., after which 
he came to Montgomery, where his death occur- 
red on the ist of January, 1894, at the age of 
eighty-two years. 

At the age of twenty-six years, Daniel S. 
Mapes left the home farm, which he had assisted 
his father in operating, and for two years worked 
at the carpenter's trade. In 1S74. as before stated, 
he enteretl his present office as clerk, arriving in 
Montgomery' before the completion of the roads. 
He holds a peculiar and responsible position, be- 
ing employed by two railroad companies, but has 
given the utmost satisfaction to both, and the 
business of the office has so increased that he 
now has two a.s,sistants. 

Mr. Mapes was united in marriage on the Sth 
of December, 1869, with Miss Ann E. Crans, a 
daughter of Nathaniel and Catherine (Puff) 
Crans. The lady was born near Montgomen,-, 
November 7, 1S44, and by her marriage became 
the mother of three daughters. Mar\- Elizabeth, 
who for six years has been employed in the office 
with her father, is also an operator: Ann Villette 
attends to the duties of the home: and Lina Leah 
is still in school. After a short illness of onlj- 
ten days, Mrs. Mapes was called to her final rest, 
on the 23d of Januarj-, 1892, and her death was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



deeply mourned by many friends as well as by 
her immediate family. She was an active mem- 
ber of the Reformed Church, to which her hus- 
band and eldest daughter also belong. Mr. Mapes 
uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket, 
but has all the bu.siness he can attend to without 
desiring to take upon himself the responsibilities 
of political office. Socially he is a member of 
tlie Ma.sonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge in 
W'alden, and is held in universal esteem by the 
conununity. 

• ^# P ' . 



PjR. DAVID L. KIDD is a member of the 
\^\ firm of D. L,. Kidd&Son, wholesale and re- 
IC/ tail dealers in stationery, cigars and tobacco. 
They cater to the best trade, and have the finest 
and largest establishment of the kind in New- 
burgh. The Doctor is a dentist by profession, 
but was obliged to give up the work on account 
of ill health, the effects of his army life. 

The genealogical tree of the Kidd family indi- 
cates that they are of Irish descent. A branch 
of the family sailed for American shores from 
the North of Ireland before the War of the Rev- 
olution. Among them was Alexander, the great- 
grandfather of John, the Doctor's father, and the 
great-great-grandfather of our subject. He be- 
came the proprietor of a large tract of land in 
Montgomery Town, Orange County, during the 
year 1736, a portion of which passed into the 
hands of Andrew, the Doctor's grandfather, and 
finally to John, his father. This tract of land 
was known as Kiddtown. 

John was born on this farm near Walden, and 
there he passed his entire life, dying at the good 
old age of eighty-three years. Andrew, John's 
father, was al.so born on the same farm, and there 
his death also occurred. The farm is still in the 
Kidd name, having pa.s.sed to the fourth genera- 
tion. John Kidd, who was a Town Commissioner 
for eighteen years, was a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church, and politically was a Repub- 
lican, and a strong supporter of the war for the 
Union. He was a Director of the Walden Nation- 
al Bank, and Vice-Pre.sident of the Walden Sav- 



ings Bank. His wife, Cornelia, a native of the 
town of Montgomery, was a daughter of Charles 
Haines, who was of Scotch descent, and who set- 
tled on a farm in Montgomery Town. Mrs. 
Kidd, who lived to reach her seventj'-fifth year, 
was also a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. 
Of the six children born to John and Cornelia 
Kidd, five are still living, those beside our sub- 
ject being Andrew, Mirza W., John E. and 
Margaret J. John E. was in the same regiment 
as was our subject during the war, and was 
wounded at Gettysburg. 

The birth of Dr. Kidd occurred near Walden, 
March 20, 1843, his boyhood being passed on the 
farm. In September, 1861, he came to New- 
burgh and took up the study of dentistry with 
Dr. P. M. Stansbrough. When he was about 
nineteen years of age he enlisted in Company I, 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Reg- 
iment, the "Orange Blossoms," being mustered 
into the Union service for three years at Goshen, 
August 6, 1862. He participated in the battles of 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On the 
forced march to the latter engagement he met 
with an accident. He was marked for a discharge 
from service, but was tran.sferred to the veteran 
reserve corps, and remained on duty at Washing- 
ton until the close of the war, taking an active 
part in the last scenes of the great rebellion. He 
participated in the Grand Review, and also heard 
Lincoln make his last public address. He was 
sent in pursuit of Booth immediately after the 
President's assassination, assisting in the capt- 
ure. He was acquainted with both Booth and 
Spangler, and was one of the assassins' guards in 
the penitentiary during their trial. His lecture 
on "The Scenes and Incidents of the Assassina- 
tion of Lincoln, and the Capture and Trial of the 
Assassins" has been highly spoken of by the 
press. He was honorably discharged from the 
.service July 28, 1865, and returned home to re- 
sume his profession. In 1867 he opened an oflBce 
at No. 74 Water Street, and for two summers 
spent one day a week at Walden, his old home. 
In 1879, on account of poor health, he moved his 
office to his home, and for a short time did work 
for his friends and old clients at his residence. 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



For several winters he attended special courses in 
clinics in New York City. He was able to com- 
pete with any one in his line, being an expert in 
the transplanting of teeth and in correcting 
irregularities. In the fall of 1891, his health not 
improving any, he was compelled to give up 
(lenti.stry entirely, and with his son opened the 
store at No. 76 Broadway. He has been a mem- 
ber of Ellis Post No. 52, G. A. R. (of which he 
is Past Commander), for twenty-five years; also 
Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., and the 
Newburgh Veteran Masonic Association. He was 
initiated into the order in Washington, D. C, 
while a soldier, and was demitted to Newburgh 
Lodge on his return from the ami)-. He has 
attended the Grand Army national encampments 
at Washington, D. C, and New York City, being 
aide on the staff of Commander-in-Chief Maj. 
William Warner, of Kansas City, besides attend- 
ing a great number of state encampments. He 
has also been on the department staff of New 
York. State, and always takes a great interest in 
all soldiers' and Grand Army gatherings. In the 
Republican party he has been active, serving as a 
delegate to the conventions of the county, state 
and city. His first vote was cast for Lincoln 
(second term), and he has never mi,s.sed a vote 
since. The Doctor has always been a temperance 
man, and in May, 1867, was instrumental in 
starting Newburgh Lodge of Good Templars, 
which is still in existence. Hew-as District Dep- 
uty, .State Deput}', and the finst County Chief 
Templar of Orange County. 

At Vails Gate, Orange County, in 1867, Dr. 
Kidd was married to Sarah, daughter of Henry 
McCormick, who was of Scotch descent and the 
owner of a cooperage. Mrs. Kidd was born in 
Highland Mills, and by her marriage has become 
the mother of two children: Cora E. , who gradu- 
ated from the Newburgh Academ}-, and is now 
the wife of Edwin H. Harrison; and John Hamp- 
ton, who is in business with his father, and whose 
wife was formerly Carolyn Terwilliger, gf New- 
burgh. Mrs. Kidd's brother, Dewitt, was also 
in the army. The Doctor and his wife have been 
members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church 
for twenty-seven years. He was Class-Leader 



for a number of years, and has always taken great 
interest in the welfare of the church. In no or- 
der or society outside of his church does he feel 
more in touch than with the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 



r^ 



LT- 






^ 



PJiCTOR M. DRAKE, late editor of the Go- 
\ / nhtn Indcpciiiioil Republican, departed this 
Y life at his residence here in June, 1894, pre- 
vious to which event he bad been retired from 
newspaper work for several 3'ears. He was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, having been born in Mil- 
ford, March 20, 1813, and his father, Rufus J., 
was the son of Francis Drake, of Blooming Grove. 
The family are among the very earliest .settlers in 
Orange County, having located here in the first 
part of the seventeenth century. The great-grand- 
father of our subject, Joseph Drake, who died in 
England in 1794, is supposed to have been a 
lineal descendant of Sir Francis Drake. 

The grandfather, Francis Drake, had m'ne chil- 
dren by three wives, Rufus J. being the only 
male child of the la.st marriage. His mother, 
who was in maidenhood Rhoda Pier.son, was the 
daughter of Rachel Bull, whose mother was a 
De Witt, and sister of Mary De Witt, the mother 
of De Witt Clinton. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was taken prisoner when Ft. Montgomery 
was captured by the British in 1779, while serv- 
ing in Colonel Drake's regiment. Rufus J. served 
for two years in the War of 18 12, as a volunteer 
in the Eighty-firstPennsylvania Regiment. He 
departed this life in 1828, leaving a widow and 
five children. His wife survived him until 1S66, 
when she, too, passed away. 

The subject of this sketch was placed in a print- 
ing-office to learn the "art preservative" when a 
lad of eleven years, and the knowledge gained 
therein was about the only schooling he ever re- 
ceived. He worked for eleven years in the office 
of the Independent Republican, in the various ca- 
pacities of apprentice, journeyman, editor and 
proprietor. In 1846 he removed to Sussex, N. J., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



where, until 1865, he was connected with the 
Neiv Jersey Herald as reporter, editor and pro- 
prietor, making of it one of the most influential 
political journals in the state. He was active in 
instituting reforms and advancing the welfare of 
the public, materially, socially and morally. Aft- 
ter severing his connection with the Herald, Mr. 
Drake returned to Goshen, where he assumed the 
editorship of the Independent Republican until 
1869. He subsequently went to Honesdale, Pa., 
and assisted B. F. Haynes in starting the Inde- 
pendent. Our subject's son, Frank Drake, as- 
sumed the management of the Independent Repub- 
lican (which is Democratic in its politics) in 1883. 
He is a j'oung man of strong convictions, and does 
not hesitate to express them frankly and freely, 
and with all the vigor that he can command. His 
father devoted his best energies to the work of 
making a newspaper that should educate his con- 
stituency, and be a potent factor in the upbuild- 
ing of the city and county. This he accomplished, 
and the journal, which owes its strength and high 
position to his genius, is read far and wide and 
has helped to mould public opinion on many of 
the important questions of the day. 



(Tames W. brown, within the limits of 
I the town of Montgomery there is probably 
C2? not a gentleman who stands higher in its 
social and business circles, or 'who has been more 
upright and energetic as a farmer, than the .sub- 
ject of this notice. A man of intelligence and 
wide information, he is one with whom an hour 
maj' be spent in a pleasant and profitable manner. 
Some years ago he retired from active participation 
in agricultural affairs, and now makes his home 
with his daughter and .son-in-law, who minister 
to his comfort and surround his declining years 
with affection. 

In Eittle Britain James W. Brown was born 
November 28, 1822, being the third among the 
eleven children of John T. and Nancy (Lowers) 
Brown. He and a sister, who lives in California, 
are the only .survivors of six sons and five daugh- 
ters comprising the family. His father, a native 



of Ireland, was brought by his parents to Amer- 
ica in early boyhood, and settled with them in 
Sullivan County, N. Y. , where he was reared on 
a farm. When a young man, he came to Orange 
County and purchased some farming land in this 
town, where he continued to reside until his 
death, at the age of fourscore years. As a farmer 
he was successful, his enterprises meeting with 
flattering .success. He was a member of the 
Covenanter Church, to which his wife also be- 
longed. She was a native of Ireland, and at the 
age of six years accompanied her parents to the 
United States, remaining in Orange County un- 
til her death. 

Such educational advantages as were conuuon 
to his day our subject received in the common 
schools of the home localit)-. In the spring of 
1852, attracted by the splendid opportunities of 
the West, he went to California, the voyage 
thither being made via Cape Horn. For fifteen 
months he engaged in mining, but the results 
not being as good as he had hoped, he transferred 
his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he 
followed in the Calaveras Valley for fifteen years. 
At the expiration of that time he returned East, 
disposing of his property in California and pur- 
chasing a farm in the town of Blooming Grove, 
Orange County. 

In April, 1859, Mr. Brown was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Jane Burnett, who was 
born in the town of New Windsor, this county, in 
October, 1828, and died in April, 1892. Their only 
daughter, Anna C, was married, January 22, 
1891, to Jonathan N. Hawkins, who was born in 
this town, September 20, 1850. He was the 
fourth among six children born to Lewis and 
Mary (Blake) Hawkins, the former born in the 
town of Crawford in 1815, and died in 1885. The 
grandparents were born on Long Island, the grand- 
father serving as a private in the War of 1 8 1 2 . The 
family is of English extraction. The mother of 
Mr. Hawkins was born in Orange County and is 
still living in Coldenham, at an advanced age. 

The family of Lewis and Mar}' Hawkins con- 
sisted of the following children: Frances A., wife 
ofS. V. Cooper, of North Dakota; Elizabeth, who 
married James Twomley, and lives in Grand 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Forks, N. Dak.; William 15., who died at the 
age of forty-four; Pliny, a farmer of thi.s county; 
Jonathan N.; and Jonas, who is engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in this county. Mr. Hawkins 
was reared on a farm in this county, where he re- 
mained until twenty-eight years of age. He then 
went to Dakota and was manager for a large real- 
estate man there for four years, after which he 
was foreman on a stock and grain ranch of three 
thousand acres, managing his own farm at the 
same time. After having spent five years in 
that manner, he went to Johnstown, N. Dak., 
where he took charge of an ele\'ator, bought 
stock, and was also ticket agent for the Northern 
Pacific Railroad at that place. A year later he 
went to Montana and bought stock for the Prouty 
Live Stock Company for a short time. Return- 
ing to Orange County, he purchased our subject's 
farm of one hundred acres, where he has since 
carried on a general farming and stock business. 
For about a quarter of a centuiy Mr. Brown 
has been an F.lder in the Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is an earnest and consistent member. 
While he has never been a politician in the or- 
dinary acceptance of that term, he is, nevertheless, 
an ardent champion of Republican principles, 
which he upholds now with as much firmness as 
he did during the early years of the history of 
the party. 



ROBERT FULTON vSOARl<;, of Walden, was 
born in West New burgh, now called New 
Mills, November 8, 1839, and is a son of 
William Hunt and Sarah Ann (Fulton) Soare, 
the former a native of England, and the latter of 
the Empire State. (See sketch of the father on 
another page of this work.) The.Fultons are 
old residents of Orange County, and trace their 
ancestrj- back a great many years. Thomas Ful- 
ton, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born 
October 3, 1763, and died October 26, 18 14. He 
married Jemima Frost, who was born November 
5, 1767, and died June 26, 1846. Their son. 



Robert J., was born January 31, 1788, and died 
September 3, 1834. He was the father of Sarah 
Ann Fulton, the mother of our subject. 

Mr. Soare, of this sketch, was reared in his na- 
tive county, received his education in the com- 
mon schools, and remained at home until reach- 
ing his twenty-first birthday, when he commenced 
life for himself as a clerk in the hardware store 
of J. C. S. Hardenbergh, of Newburgh, where he 
remained for one year, and then engaged in clerk- 
ing for a general house-furnishing company, a 
retail branch of C. Lockwood & Co. He was 
afterward employed by James E. Horton, who was 
in the crockery bu.siness, and remained with that 
gentleman until his health failed, when he went 
to England, where he spent twent)--one months, 
resting and visiting old friends of the family. 
Returning home, Mr. Soare clerked for the hard- 
ware firm of Patterson Bros. , of Park Row, New 
York City, for a time, after which he removed to 
a farm near St. Andrew, in Ulster County, where 
he joined his uncle, Thomas Fulton. He worked 
on his farm for one year and a-lialf, assisting in 
its management. 

While residing there. Mr. Soare became ac- 
quainted with Miss Wilda Louisa Relyea, of New 
Hurley, whom he married on the 21st of Novem- 
ber, 1867. She is a daughter of Benjamin and 
Mary Ellison (Griffith) Relyea. They remained 
upon the farm but a short time after their mar- 
riage, removing to Newburgh, where Mr. Soare 
again engaged as a clerk, .securing employment 
with William A. Moore. Sub.sequently severing 
that connection, he purcha.sed a horse and cart, 
and for four years engaged in the transfer bu.si- 
ness. At this time he was not in very good 
financial circumstances, and on disposing of his 
transfer business he purchased a small farm two 
and a-half miles north of St. Andrew, continu- 
ing its operation for about eleven years. His 
health again failing, he came to Walden, in March, 
i888, where he has since lived a retired life. His 
home, which he purchased soon after his removal 
to this place, is situated on Ulster Avenue. 

Mr. and Mrs. Soare are the parents of two 
children. Robert Ellison, born September 14, 
1868, resides on his father's farm, one and three- 




JOSKI'H A. 6NKEI). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



249 



quarter miles from Waldeti. He married Carrie 
Marj- Walker, a daughter of Rev. James S. 
Walker, of Walker Valley, Ulster County. Will- 
iam Denniston, born December 25, 1871, is liv- 
ing at home. Both sons received good educa- 
tions and are practical business men. Mr. and 
Mrs. Soare, who are members of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church, are sincere Christian people, and 
their son Ellison has been a Deacon in the church 
for a number of years. Politicall}' our subject is 
a Republican, but not a politician, and has re- 
peatedh' refused office. 



(Joseph a. SNEED, Postmaster of New- 
I burgh, and one of the most successful busi- 
Q) ness men of the city, was born here June 7, 
1839. The family of which he is a member orig- 
inated in England, and was first represented 
in the United States by his grandfather, Joseph, 
a native of Yorkshire, who, some years after his 
marriage, brought his family to America and set- 
tled in Newburgh. Here, in addition to being 
engaged in real-estate speculations, he followed 
the occupation of a drover and butcher until his 
death, at seventy years. Three of his sons fol- 
lowed the business in which he had so successful- 
ly engaged. 

Born in Yorkshire, Edward Sneed, our subject's 
father, was there apprenticed to the machinist's 
trade, and the greater portion of his life was de- 
voted to that business. For years he was chief 
engineer in a cotton factory, but later engaged in 
a provision business. After a time he entered 
the employ of a firm in New York, by whom he 
ivas sent to Callao, Peru, for the purpose of put- 
ting up a mill there. He died in South America, 
but his family were unable to secure any particu- 
lars in regard to his death. His wife, Eaura 
(Allen) Sneed, was born in Putnam County, 
N. Y. , and spent her la.st years in Brooklyn, where 
she died at the home of her daughter. 

The parental family consisted of three children 
who attained mature years, and of these two sur- 
vive, namely: Jo.seph A., the elder; and Charles, 
of Brooklyn, N. Y. The former was educated in 



the common schools of Newburgh, which he at- 
tended until fourteen years of age, and afterward 
for seven years held a clerkship with a dry-goods 
firm of this city. Immediately after the outbreak 
of the Rebellion he enlisted, April 19, 1861, as a 
member of Company B, Third New York Infant- 
ry, which was mustered into the .service at Albau)' 
for two years. He was sent South to Camp Ham- 
ilton, took part in the battle of Big Bethel, then 
was in camp at Baltimore, Ft. McHenry and Suf- 
folk. At the expiration of his period of service 
he was mustered out as Orderly-Sergeant, and re- 
turned to his home in Newburgh. 

A few months later, in the fall of 1863, Mr. 
Sneed again enlisted in the service of the Union, 
and assisted in raising a company, which became 
Company C of the Ninety-eighth New York In- 
fantry. He was made Second Lieutenant, in 
which capacity he participated in the battles of 
Chapin's Farm, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. 
In the fall of 1864, owing to failing health, he 
was obliged to resign his commission, and was 
mustered out at Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress 
Monroe. 

On returning home, Mr. Sneed began in busi- 
ness for himself, opening a meat-market, which 
he carried on four years, and then .sold at a profit. 
For three years afterward he was engaged in the 
live-stock business, and then went to Illinois, 
where for one year he was located in Polo, baling 
and shipping hay to New York. On coming back 
to Newburgh he started in the provision business 
on Water Street, first alone, but afterward taking 
a partner, under the firm name of Sneed & Math- 
ews. Purchasing the lot and building at No. 139 
Water Street, he remodeled the structure, which 
is now 20x80 feet in dimensions, containing three 
stories and basement, and stocked with general 
produce. The business is both wholesale and re- 
tail, and the profits are remarkably encouraging 
to the owners of the house. 

For five years Mr. Sneed was in the employ of 
the Armour Packing Company, of Chicago, for 
whom he opened a business and built a house on 
Front Street, but in January, 1892, he resigned 
from their employ in order to devote his entire at- 
tention to his present enterprise. At the time of 



250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



receiving his commission as Postmaster of New- 
burgh, in January, 1892, the office was second- 
class, but the business has increased to such an 
extent as to warrant the change to a first-class 
office. Six clerks and thirteen carriers are em- 
ployed, and the work is carried on in a system- 
atic, methodical manner, that gives the utmost 
satisfaction to all concerned. 

In addition to these interests, Mr. Sneed is a 
Director in the Highland National Bank, and the 
Newburgh Building and Loan As.sociation, hav- 
ing assisted in the organization of the latter. His 
first ballot was cast for President Lincoln at his 
first election, and from that time to this he has 
been a steadfa.st supporter of the Republican partj-. 
For two years he was Alderman from the Third 
Ward, and during the latter year, 1885, he was 
President of the Board. His services in the in- 
terest of free .schools have been important and 
valuable, and for nine years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education. In 1886 he was 
elected to the Board of Education on the free text- 
book issue, and in the .spring of 1891 was re- 
elected for four years. During his incumbency 
on the Board of Education he has rendered con- 
spicuous service to the schools, and among the 
important resolutions that he introduced and fos- 
tered was that which provided for the waving of 
the United States flag over the school buildings 
every .school day. He is an active member of the 
Teachers' Committee, and was on the Build- 
ing. Committee when School No. 6 was erected. 
Socially he is identified with Hudson River 
Lodge, F. & A. M., and Highland Chapter, 
R. A. M., and is also actively connected with 
Ellis Post, G. A. R. He contributes gener- 
ou.sly to religious projects, and especially to the 
support of the Union Church, of which his wife 
is a member. 

In Newburgh, in 1868, occurred the marriage 
of Mr. Sneed and Miss Christina Blacklaw, whose 
father, James, was born in Scotland, emigrated 
thence to Orange County, and for many years 
has been engaged in business in Newburgh. Five 
children bless their union, namely: Joseph B., a 
graduate of the Newburgh Academy, now book- 
keeper and cashier for the firm of Sneed & Math- 



ews; Fred M., also a graduate of the academy, 
and at present a student in Columbia College, 
where he is making a specialty of architecture; 
Anna J., a member of the Class of '93 of the 
academy; and Robert B. and Charles W., who are 
students in the academv. 



V yi .\RCUS K. HILL. Few citizens of Orange 
y County are more deserving of representa- 
(3 tion or special notice in this volume than 
Mr. Hill, who, although deceased, still lives in 
the memory of the people of Walden, in which 
place he was for years one of the prominent mer- 
chants. He was born in the town of Montgom- 
ery, April 12, 1815, and when an infant was 
brought to Walden by his parents, Peter and 
Margaret (Miller) Hill, who were also natives of 
this state. The father, who served acceptably in 
the War of 1812, departed this life when in his 
forty -first year. 

Our subject attended school for .some time and 
when a boy began clerking in a general store in 
Walden, which was at that time a very small 
place. On attaining his majority he engaged in 
business for himself and continued to grow in the 
confidence and esteem of its residents until his 
decease. He was very successful in all his under- 
takings and although beginning in a very modest 
way, on the savings he had laid by from his sal- 
ary as clerk, he was prospered, and in later j'ears 
erected a substantial brick edifice, in which he 
placed a large and varied stock of goods. For for- 
ty years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, 
was also Postmaster of Walden for man)- years, 
and while the incumbent of the office of Super- 
visor gave entire satisfaction to all concerned. 

Marcus K. Hill was married, September 24, 
i858, to Miss Mary Knapp, who was born in this 
town, on the old homestead, in 1842. Her parents 
were Samuel and Elizabeth (Miller) Knapp, the 
former of whom was born in Dutchess County, 
whence he came to this town when a young man, 
remaining on a farm here yntil his decease, which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



occurred when he was eighty years of age. For 
a great many years he was a member of the Re- 
formed Church, which he served in the capacity 
of Elder. Mrs. Knapp, who was likewise con- 
nected with this denomination, departed this life 
when fifty j-ears of age. 

By his marriage with Mi.ss Knapj) Mr. -Hill be- 
came the father of three children. Williain M., 
who is engaged in the livery business in Walden, 
married Maggie Williams, of this place, and they 
have a daughter, Lottie. Margaret is .still at 
home, as is also Mabel K. 

The death of Mr. Hill occurred July 16, 1877. 
He was a gentleman of genial manners, honor- 
able in all his dealings, kind to those in distress, 
and was warmly in sympathy with progressive 
measures. For a complete history of the ances- 
try of Mr. Hill, we refer the reader to the sketch 
of his cousin, Augustus Hill, which will be found 
on another page in this volume. 



:£)#G 






/^JEORGE W. COLE was born in Hud.son, 
I— Columbia County, N. Y., August 16, 1845, 
vj and is a descendant of worthy Holland an- 
cestors. His father, Jacob I., who was likewise 
a native of Columbia County, was a son of John 
Cole, a prosperous and thrifty farmer. In youth 
he learned the shoemaker's trade, but after fol- 
lowing it for a short time he embarked in agri- 
cultural work and settled on a tract of land near 
Hudson. There he died in 1863, at the age of 
sixty -five, his birth having occurred in 1798. 
Politically he adopted old-line Whig principles, 
which he enthusia.stically supported until the or- 
ganization of the Republican party, when he be- 
came a supporter of the latter. 

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Whit- 
more, was born in Columbia County in 1802, be- 
ing the daughter of a farmer and school teacher 
of that county. She was a devoted member of 
the Reformed Church of America, and in that 
faith she died in 1872. By her marriage ten 
children were born, all but one of whom attained 
years of maturity, George W. being the young- 
est. One brother, W. H., was a soldier in the 



Union army for three years, being a member of 
the Fourteenth New York Infantrj-. At present 
there are four sons and three daughters living. 

Alternating work on the farm during the sum- 
mer months with attendance at the common 
schools in the winter, George W. Cole passed the 
years of boyhood. At the age of nineteen he 
began teaching school, which he followed until 
the close of the war. Then, in company with 
his brother W. H., he removed to Georgia, and 
engaged in farming and jobbing at Madison. 
After three years in the South, he returned to 
New York, and from 1876 until 1880 he taught 
school. During the latter year he became a 
machinist in the Allen Paper Car-wheel Com- 
pany at Hudson, and fifteen months later, in 
1 88 1, he went to Pullman, 111., as foreman of the 
paper department of the works, remaining there 
imtil the financial depression of 1884, when he 
returned East. 

After carrying on the flour and feed business 
at Catskill for one year, Mr. Cole went to New 
York as a well-driller for the Pierce Artesian and 
Oil Well Company, having charge of drilling 
wells in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Isl- 
and, Connecticut and New Jersey from 1886 to 
1893. In May of the latter year he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the works in Goshen. 
These works were first established in New York, 
later were removed to Long Island City, and in 
1892 were brought to this city, where the com- 
pau)' owns one hundred and twenty acres. The 
building is a substantial frame structure, 50x500 
feet in dimensions, and in it is manufactured 
everything pertaining to the well-drilling bu.si- 
ness. There is a complete outfit of iron and 
wood-working machinery, operated by steam- 
power, the boiler being eighty-horse power. 
Steady emploj-ment is furnished to twenty-five 
men, and shipments are made to all parts of the 
United States, also to Moscow, Africa, Japan, 
Java, Cuba, South America, and in fact to almost 
every portion of the globe. The success of this 
enterprise is very largely due to the indefatigable 
efforts of Mr. Cole, who was formerly a stock- 
holder of the corporation. 

In Hudson, N. Y., in 1S80, Mr. Cole and Miss 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Anna Lisk, who was born in that place, were 
united in marriage. They are the parents of two 
children, William H. and Lillian J. Mrs. Cole 
is connected with the Congregational Church, 
while our subject was reared in the faith of the 
Refonned Church. In politics, though not a 
partisan, he is a firm Republican, and invariably 
votes for the candidates of his party. 



♦^^1 



\^.^M\\ 



IM^ 



(l.\MES KIDD, who died March 23, 1893, 
I was a life-long resident of Walden. His 
Q) birth occurred August 10, 18 15, in the old 
stone house near the site of the present family 
residence. The old home was a landmark for 
many years, and was one of the first, if not the 
first, erected in Walden. It was built by his 
grandfather, and stood for over one hundred 
years before it was destroyed, which was done 
for the purpose of opening up a .street. The pres- 
ent dwelling was erected near the site of the old 
one, which is now in the heart of the village. 

Going back over a century, it is ascertained 
that three brothers came from Ireland and .se- 
cured a large tract of land around Walden, and 
all reared families. The village was once called 
Kiddtown, and the old schoolhou.se, built where 
the railroad crossed the old Walden wagon road, 
.southeast of the village, is remembered by Mrs. 
James Kidd as the Kiddtown Academy. Henry 
Kidd,- father of James, was also born in the old 
stone house, which he used as a hotel. He served 
in the War of 18 12, and was by occupation a 
farmer. The farm was later made a part of the 
village, and was platted by him. He married 
Elizabeth Topping, of Long Island, who is well 
remembered by the older .settlers as "Aunt Betsy 
Kidd." The father died at the age of eighty-six, 
as did al.so his wife. A maiden sister, Elizabeth, 
.spent the la.st years of her life with her brother, 
and her death occurred at the same age. The 
family of Henry and Elizabeth Kidd comprised 
four children: Gloriana, who never married and 
lived with her parents on the old homestead un- 
til her death, which occurred at about the age of 
seventy; Christiana, who married William Bay- 



ard, of New York, and died in 1894, at the age 

of eighty; James, the subject of this .sketch: and 
Henry, who died several years ago. 

James Kidd and Susan M. Haines were mar- 
ried October 17, 1843. She is a daughter 01 
John S. and Sarah (Miller) Haines, who lived 
about two miles from Walden. The farm on 
which they resided was first purchased bj- the 
great-grandfather of Mrs. Kidd. Our subject and 
his wife adopted a child, Susan Kidd, now the 
wife of Sumner Bull, of Walden. 

Mr. Kidd was a carpenter and contractor, and 
erected many of the buildings in the village of 
Walden. He sold a portion of the old farm, which 
was platted, and is now included within the vil- 
lage limits. He was in quite poor health for sev- 
eral years prior to his death, which occurred 
March 23, 1893, in his .seventy-eighth year. His 
death was mourned not alone by his family, but 
by a large circle of friends. Politically he was a 
strong Republican, and during the Rebellion did 
much in raising and forwarding troops to the 
field. Mrs. Kidd is a member of the Reformed 
Church, and is a lady of refinement, one who is 
esteemed by all who know her. 



IILMOT A. DliRLAND. Like many of 
the representative and much esteemed cit- 
izens of Orange County, Mr. Durland is a 
native of this state, his birth occurring in the 
house where he still makes his home, in 1831. 
He was the third in order of birth in the parental 
family, and in carrying out the precepts of his 
parents' early teachings is filling an honorable 
position in life. 

Albert and Phebe Ann (Swan) Durland, the 
parents of our subject, were born in Orange 
County, and spent their entire married life on the 
estate which our subject now owns. The father 
was a prominent agriculturist, progressive and 
industrious, and met with signal success in tilling 
the soil. He died in 1884, at the venerable age 
of fourscore years. His estimable wife followed 
him to the better land two years later, dying 
when eighty-three years old. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



253 



Wilmot Durland had only the advantages of 
the district school, but by regular attendance and 
earnest application to his studies gained a good 
fund of useful information. When eighteen years 
of age he began teaching school, following this 
vocation for several years with success. He had, 
however, a preference for farming, and this voca- 
tion he has since followed successfully. His farm 
of one hundred and seventy' acres is situated on 
the Florida Road, four miles south of Goshen, 
and here he is engaged quite extensively in dair)' 
farming. On this place there is a full line of neat 
and substantial farm buildings and a comfortable 
and commodious residence. 

Our subject is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and has an abiding faith in the purity of that par- 
ty's teachings. Although he is at all times read)' 
and willing to do what he can to further the ad- 
vancement of his communit}', he has never as- 
pired to official honors. Mr. Durland has never 
married, and his si.sters, Sarah A. and Hannah 
J. Durland, reside with him and share the profits 
of the homestead. All are members in excellent 
standing of the Presbyterian Church in Florida, 
to whose support they contribute, and mnnber as 
their friends the best people in the coivAty. 



h!hz 



z^ 



WILLIAM H. FAULKNER, M. D. Per- 
haps there is no profe.ssional man who 
comes nearer to the home circle and wins 
its love and respect sooner than does the trusted 
family physician. Too much can not be said of 
our subject, for by his genial, cheery ways and 
his generous, sympathetic heart he has won the 
confidence of the entire community. The Doctor 
is a native of this state, his birth occurring in 
Middletown July 3, i860. His parents, James 
and Rebecca (Tucker) Faulkner, both of whom 
are still living, make their home in Middle- 
town, passing their declining years in the peace- 
ful consciousness of a well earned rest. 

Until sixteen years of age William Faulkner 
made his home on the farm, attending the district 



schools in their season, and making himself gen- 
erally useful about the farm the rest of the time. 
Later he attended the Middletown High School, 
and at the same time read medicine under the in- 
struction of Dr. C. M. Conant. Upon attaining 
his seventeenth year he entered the New York 
Homeopathic College, located on Twenty-third 
Street in New York City, and completed the 
course, graduating in the Class of '81, with the 
degree of M. D. 

Having completed his college training, the Doc- 
tor at once began the practice of his profession, 
locating at Liberty, Sullivan County, and re- 
maining there for eighteen months. Deciding to 
change his location, however, he came to Walden 
in October, 1882, and has here been engaged in 
active practice for a period of thirteen >ears. He 
gives his whole attention to his profession and is 
especially interested in surgery. He has a fine 
practice, which extends not only over his own 
locality, but embraces the country for ten miles 
around. 

March 15, 1883, occurred the marriage of our 
subject and Miss Ida Kniffin, of Liberty, this 
.state. This union has been blessed by the birth 
of two daughters, Nellie and Mabel. The home 
is one of brightness and great hospitality, and 
those who have once been welcomed to its hearth- 
side never forget its courtesy and thoughtful en- 
tertainment. The mother is a valued member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and does all in 
her power to advance the cause she loves. The 
Doctor, although not a member of any church or- 
ganization, is always ready to aid in any good 
cause, and his purse is ever open to the needy. 
The Catholic priest, Rev. C. A. Meredith, found 
in him the only man to extend the hand of fellow- 
.ship to him when he first came to Walden to 
open services, and some of the Doctor's warmest 
friends are among the Catholics, who are op- 
posed, however, to his cherished Masonic tradi- 
tions. 

Dr. Faulkner is connected with a great many 
social organizations, in all of which he is an in- 
fluential member. For four years he has been 
Master of Wallkill Lodge No. 627, F. & A. M.; 
is a member of Midland Chapter at Middletown; 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hudson River Commandery, K. T., of New- 
bur.ijh; and is identified with Mecca Temple of 
the Mystic Shrine at New York City. He also 
belongs to the Foresters, having been physician 
of that order for nine years, and is identified with 
the Sons of St. George, a benevolent order, and 
the Knights of the Maccabees. 

A Republican in politics, the Doctor was elected 
President of the village in 1892, and was Treas- 
urer of the Water Board at the time the water 
works were established. March 4, 1895, he 
was elected a member of the Board of Excise 
Commissioners, which investigates the case of the 
rum-seller. He is one of the leading members of 
tlie fire department. He has often been sent as a 
delegate to conventions, and always faithfuUy 
represents his constituents. He is medical ex- 
aminer for the New York Life Insurance Com- 
pany, the Travellers' of Hartford, and the North- 
western of Milwaukee, and finds his time com- 
pletely occupied with his various duties. 



r . 



D^C^ 



3 AMES DILL is classed among the foremost 
(if the successful farmers of Orange County. 
His interest is centered in the town of Hamp- 
tonburgh, where he has one of the best managed 
farms in this part of the state, and where for many 
years he has been engaged in general agricultural 
pursuits with good .success. He was born on the 
place where he now lives, March 16, 1825, to Jo- 
.seph H. and Jane (Crawford) Dill. His father, 
who was likewise born on this farm. May 29, 1790. 
was the son of John Dill, whose birth took place 
May 9, 1755. The latter's father bore the name 
of Caleb, and was the sou of Caleb, Sr., who came 
to America from Ireland very many years ago, 
and at once took up his residence in Orange 
County, in what is now the town of Hampton- 
burgli. Here he purcha.sed a large tract of land, 
containing about one thousand acres, and here 
engaged in farming until his decease. The prop- 
erty was then divided among his children, and 
has been handed down from father to son ever 
since, and a portion of it is now occupied by our 
subject. On this estate on the banks of the Otter 



Kill River, the great-grandfather erected a tan- 
nery, which was one of the first in this section. 
His .son John had five children, four .sons and one 
daughter. Robert, born Jamiary 14, 1786; Ann, 
January 7, 1788; Joseph H., May 29, 1790; James, 
August 2, 1792; and John, May 8, 1796. There 
are no descendants living of the foregoing except- 
ing those of Joseph H. and James. The descend- 
ants of the latter's family are very wealthy, and 
are residents of New York, having a sununer 
home on Staten Island. 

Joseph H., the father of our subject, was a sol- 
dier in the War of 18 12, and served with the title 
of Lieutenant. His marriage, October 14, 1820, 
united him with Mi.ss Jane Crawford, and to them 
were born four children, namely: David Craw- 
ford, born September 28, 1821; John H., whose 
birth occurred May 8, 1823, and who served as a 
soldier in the late war, where he was killed in 
battle; James, of this sketch; and Ann B., who 
was born January 13, 1828, and who became the 
wife of Micah Hawkins, who is now deceased. 
In addition to carrying on his large fann, the fa- 
ther ran a sawmill, and derived a handsome in- 
come from this branch of business. He was a 
good financier, and during his long and busy life 
accumulated a goodly sum of money. He died 
November 29, 1829, while his good wife survived 
him until April 14, 1877. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to mature 
years on the home farm, which he has continued 
to make his home ever since. His education was 
acquired in the schools of the vicinity, and he is 
well informed regarding the topics of interest at 
the present time. November 20, 1855, he was 
married to Miss Lettie E. Genung, whose birth 
occurred August 2, 1836. This union resulted 
in the birth of four children, namely: Joseph L., 
who died July 16, 1893, aged thirty-seven years; 
Anna M., the wife of William R. Green, and who 
died May 27, 1894; Amelia G. and James Herbert. 

When a lad of fifteen years our subject assumed 
charge of the home place, and with the exception 
of about four years has followed the vocation of a 
farmer through life. The estate which he owns 
contains one hundred acres, and is devoted main- 
ly to dairy farming, as Mr. Dill believes he can 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



derive the largest income from this branch of ag- 
riculture. His children make the sixth genera- 
tion which have been born on this place. 

In politics Mr. Dill is a stiong Democrat, and 
his influence is used at all times to advance the 
cause of his party. He belongs to the Presbyte- 
rian Church at Goodwill, Montgomery Town, as 
do also the other members of the family, and he 
is highl)- esteemed in the community where he 
has passed his entire life. 



- — •33+^®(^)*tHt<» « — i 



QOHN H. GRAHAM, one of the representa- 
I tive farmers and dairymen of the town of 
G/ Montgomery, was born September 17, 1822, 
in the house in which he now resides, and is the 
eldest in a family of nine children born to William 
and Hannah (Houston) Graham. The remain- 
ing members of the family are James R., a Pres- 
byterian minister in Winchester, Va. ; Mary, who 
married Rev. J. W. Blaine, of this county, and 
whose death occurred when about fifty years old; 
Helen E. , residing in New York City; William, 
a lawyer in Dubuque, Iowa; Frances, residing in 
New York City; Gardner S., a farmer residing 
near Hudson City, Wis.; and Margaret, who also 
lives in New York City. The three sisters, Helen 
E., Frances and Margaret, conduct a private sem- 
inary for young ladies on Seventy-second Street 
in the latter city. Henry B., the youngest of the 
family, was a Lieutenant in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-seventh Volunteer Infantry, and died 
from sun-stroke on Morris Island while in the 
service. 

William Graham was born in this town and 
here he .spent his entire life, dying at the age of 
sixty -six years. He was an active Democrat, and 
served his town as Assessor and Supervisor. He 
was also a member of the Legislature, and was 
nominated for State Senator, but refu.sed to accept 
the office on account of ill-health. In the Good- 
will Church he served as Elder for about thirty 
years. He also participated in the War of 18 12. 
His father, James W. Graham, was born in the 



North of Ireland, and came to the United States 
when a young man. He purchased the farm that 
our subject now owns in 1804. His mother, Eliza 
(Hunter) Graham, was born in this town, but 
was also of Irish descent. She was likewise a 
member of the Goodwill Church. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home 
with his parents until the death of his father, 
when he inherited a part of the old homestead, 
and subsequently purchased the interest of the 
other heirs. He now owns about two hundred 
acres of valuable land, which is well improved. 
On the 31st of December, 1856, he was united in 
marriage with Isabelle Young, of this county. 
She has made him a true helpmate, and, as al- 
ready stated, they reside in the house in which 
Mr. Graham was born. In political views he is 
an old-line Democrat and has always taken an 
active part in local politics. He was once nom- 
inated as a member of the General Assembly, but 
was defeated, as the district is very strongl}' Re- 
publican. He is not a member of any church, but 
aids in the support of several. 



QATRICK HANDERHAN, who was for 
^^ many years a well-to-do agriculturist of the 
fZ) town of Montgomery, departed this life Julj' 
4, 1893. He came of good old Irish stock, and was 
born in County Limerick March 17, 1844. When 
in his twenty-fifth year, he determined to seek his 
fortune in the New World, and accordingly ar- 
ranged for his passage across the Atlantic. He 
first located in Otisville, this county, where for 
some time he was employed in working in the 
mines. As he was ver}' industrious and saving 
of his earnings, in 1885 he was enabled to invest 
in farming land, purchasing the property on which 
his widow now resides in this town. This tract 
comprises one hundred and sixteen acres of some 
of the finest land in Orange County, all of which 
Mr. Handerhan earned him.self by hard work. 
His death occurred very suddenly and was deeply 
mourned by the many warm and true friends 
whom he had made since locating here. In politics 
he was a firm supporter of Democratic principles. 



256 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but had no time to engage in public affairs, as 
everj- moment was spent in improving and culti- 
vating his estate. In religion he was a devout 
Catholic. 

The ladj^ to whom Mr. Haiiderhan was married 
February 26, 187 1, was Miss Johanna Ryan, also 
a native of the Emerald Isle, her birth occurring 
in County Tipperary. She was about twenty-two 
years of age when she came to America, and in 
this county met and married our subject. Mrs. 
Handerhan is quite a business woman and is su- 
perintending the management of the home farm 
in an able and profitable manner. She, too, is a 
Catholic, and numbers her friends by the score in 
this locality. 



rr BENEZER VAN ALSTis pursuing his Gall- 
ic ing, that of a farmer, with zeal and intelli- 
I gence, winning from the soil abundant crops 
of the various grains, and securing for himself and 
family all of the comforts and many of the luxu- 
ries of life. He is one of the representative citi- 
zens of the town of Montgomery, and the estate 
which he owns was purcha.sed by him in 1849. 
It is one hundred and fifty acres in extent, and in 
point of improvement is one of the best in this lo- 
cality. 

Mr. Van Alst was born November i5, 1823, in 
this town, and was the eldest in the family of Ber- 
gooue and Jane (Lowe) \'aii Alst. The ances- 
tors of the family originally came from Holland, 
and settled on Long Island at a very earl 3' period. 
The grandparents of our subject were born in 
Dutchess County, to which place the great-grand- 
father emigrated from Long Island. 

Ebenezer remained at home on the farm until 
he became of age, in the mean time being well 
educated in the district schools. Upon starting 
out for him.self he rented a farm for the first two 
years, and in 1849 became the proprietor of his 
present fine estate. This he devotes largely to 
the dairy business, in which line he has met with 
remarkable success. He was married, Novem- 
ber 6, 1845, to Mi.ss Eve, daughter of John 
Mould, of this town. To them were born five 



children, namely: Mary Jane, who died when 
thirteen years of age; George, also deceased; 
Anna, the wife of Henry B. Sedam; Ella, now 
Mrs. George H. Miller, of the town of Wallkill, 
this county; and George, at home with his parents. 
Mr. Van Alst is a Republican in politics and 
takes quite an active part in public affairs, doing 
whatever seems best to advance the welfare of the 
community. He pos.sesses many .social qualities, 
is a man of sterling habits and is well liked by the 
entire community. The greater part of his prop- 
erty represents his own earnings, which he gained 
by judicious investments. He is well-to-do, and 
now in his declining years is enabled to live at 
ease, surrounded by all the comforts which he 
may desire. The family is comiected with the 
Reformed Church. 



C^ 



L-y- 






^ 



gEORGE MORROW, Jr. For many years a 
prominent position among the citizens of 
Orange County was held by this gentleman, 
formerly an influential agriculturist of the town 
of Montgomery-, but now deceased. He was born 
August 16, 1813, on the old homestead, where he 
spent his entire life, and where his death occurred 
March 26, 1889. The parents of our subject were 
George, Sr., and Lydia (Beemer) Morrow, natives, 
respectivel}', of Ireland and Germany. After com- 
ing to America they located in the town of Mont- 
gomery, where they resided until their decease. 
The father died at the age of ninety years, while 
his wife was one hundred and three years old at 
her death, which occurred in 1868. They were 
well-to-do in this world's goods, and trained their 
son to a full knowledge of farm work, so that 
when he took possession of the old home he was 
thoroughly competent to manage it in a profitable 
manner. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Nettie 
Conklin, of Ulster County, occurred December 
18, 1875. She was the daughter of Cornelius 
and Sarah (Smith) Conklin, the former of whom 
was born in Ulster County, where he still resides 




HIRAM B. ODHI.I. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



259 



on a fine farm. He is of Scotch' extraction, but 
his parents were born in one of the New England 
States. He became the father of thirteen children, 
ten of whom are living. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Morrow there was born a 
son, George, a lad of sixteen years, who is now 
attending Siglar's College at Newburgh. At 
his demi,se Mr. Morrow left his widow and son 
well provided for, and they make their home on 
one of the best improved farms in the county. 
Since the death of the husband and father the 
management of the estate devolves upon Mrs. 
Morrow, and under her able supervision it is kept 
under the highest state of cultivation. In politics 
he was a supporter of Democratic principles, and 
in religious affairs was an attendant at the Dutch 
Reformed Church. 



HIRAM B. ODEEL, now serving as Alder- 
man from the Third Ward, is a son of the 
Hon. B. B. Odell, the present Mayor of 
Newburgh, and is a brother of B. B. , Jr. , who is a 
Member of Congress. One of the most enterpris- 
ing young business men of the city, Mr. Odell is 
Superintendent, Director and General Manager 
of the Muchattoes Eake Ice Company. From his 
boyhood he has been interested in this branch of 
business, and is thoroughly acquainted with it in 
ever}' detail. In addition to his other interests. 
he is the business manager of the Newburgh 
Electric Light and Power Company. 

H. B. Odell was born in this city August 21, 
1856, and was educated in her public schools. 
His father was in the ice business, and on com- 
pleting his studies the youth found employment 
with him. The concern was incorporated in 1885, 
under its present title, his father being made 
President; his brother, B. B., Jr., Secretary and 
Treasurer; and H. B. was appointed Superin- 
tendent and a Director. The company has two 
icehouses, one built in 1872, and the other five 
years later. One is a substantial brick building 
200x136 feet in dimensions, and has a capacity 
of over twenty-five thousand tons. The ice is all 
cut by horse-power, and three elevators, run by 



steam, are used in filling the buildings. The 
company keeps eleven wagons in constant use to 
deliver ice in the city, and during the sunmier 
employs thirty-five men. 

In the spring of 1893 Mr. Odell was nom- 
inated and elected on the Republican ticket 
to serve as Alderman of the Third Ward, and 
besides being Chairman of the Sewer Committee 
is a member of the Committee for Auditing Ac- 
covuits. He was a charter member of Company 
E, Seventeenth Battalion, National Guard ol 
New York, next was a Corporal, later Second 
Lieutenant, and finally First Lieutenant of the 
same. After seven years he resigned his position 
and is now a member of the veteran organization 
of old Company E, and the Tenth Separate Com- 
pany. For many years he has been a member of 
Ringgold Hose Company No. i, and for two 
years was its Secretary. His connection with 
the company ended at the close of .seven years, 
but he is now an honorary member. He is much 
interested in the success of the Republican party, 
in which he is an active worker, is a member 
of the City Club, and often attends conventions. 
In 1880 he was appointed Under Sheriff of the 
county by his father, who was then Sheriff, our 
subject having charge of the business at Goshen, 
serving from 1880 to 1882, inclusive. 

In April, 1886, Mr. Odell was married, in 
Kingston, N. Y., to Edith, daughter of James 
Booth, proprietor of the Blue Stone Quarries. 
Mr. and Mrs. Odell have a pleasant residence at 
No. 83 South Street, and their only child, Mil- 
dred, is the joy and delight of their home. Mr. 
and Mrs. Odell attend the Episcopal Church. 



(p\ LEXANDER WRIGHT. Although he has 
LI gone from among us, the memory of Mr. 
/ I Wright's upright life will always be a source 
of inspiration to tho.se who are left behind. To his 
children has fallen the heritage of a good name, 
than which there is no more valuable inheritance. 
Robert Wright, the father of Alexander, emi- 



26o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grated to this couiitn- from Ireland, making the 
journey with his father about the time of the 
close of the Revolutionary War. They settled 
in Pennsylvania, where the elder Mr. Wright 
soon died. After his death Robert returned to 
his native land, where, in 1793, he married a 
lady of wealth, and in 1795 they returned to 
America, locating in Newburgh, N. V. There 
they contiiuied to reside until the death of Mr. 
Wright, which occurred in 1835, at the age of 
sixty-six years. Mrs. Wright sur\-ived her hus- 
band some years, dying in 1851. They attended 
the Associate Reformed Church. 

In the parental family were nine children. 
William, who was bom in 1797, was a success- 
ful business man of Newburgh, and died in 1865, 
at the age of sixty-eight years. Jane, formerly a 
resident of Newburgh, is also deceased. Mar- 
garet, Mrs. Robert W. Boyd, died in Hampton- 
b\irgh. John was a leather manufacturer of New 
York. Frances and Robert died on the home 
farm. James w^as a prominent business man of 
Indiana, and died in New Albany. Alexander 
is the next in order of birth: and Susan resides 
in Orange County. 

The birth of Alexander Wright occurred June 
6, 18 1 3, and during his boyhood he received a 
practical business education in the common schools 
and in the private .school conducted by James R. 
Wilson at Coldenham. At the age of eighteen 
he became a clerk in the general store of Judge 
Robert Deninstou, atSalisbun,- Mills, in the town 
of Blooming Grove, where he remained for three 
years. There he earned a reputation for integrity, 
and upon the recommendation of the Judge ob- 
tained a situation as clerk in the Highland Bank, 
located at Newburgh. He entered the bank im- 
mediately after its organization in 1S34, and re- 
mained with it until 1S39, when he went to Mid- 
dletown and organized the Middletown Bank, 
now the National Bank of Middletown, of which 
he was chosen Cashier. He continued in this 
capacity until 1S44, and two years later organ- 
ized the Chester Bank at Chester, of which he re- 
mained Cashier until 1850. The following year 
he organized the Goshen National Bank, of 
which he was elected President, with William 



1,. Beakes as Cashier. He continued with this 
bank until 1857, when he sold his interest and 
retired from the more active duties of a business 
life. 

Mr. Wright was always deeply interested in all 
movements for advancing the educational inter- 
ests of his town, and was one of the prime movers 
in founding Wallkill Academy. He secured the 
subscriptions for the erection of the brick build- 
ing which is now standing, and collected and 
disbursed the money. Upon coming to Goshen 
he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees 
of Farmers' Hall Academy, and officially and 
otherwise labored earnestly for the continuation 
of that institution of learning, keeping in view 
under all discouragements the fact of the lienefits 
to be gained thereby. 

Our subject was always a promoter df church 
interests, and of all projects for enhancing the 
value and increasing the prosperity of the places 
in which he made his home. He was a success- 
ful financier, was careful and upright, and was 
one of the most progressive men of this city. His 
death occurred May 29, 1S91, and in this event 
the community suffered an irreparable loss. 

The marriage of Mr. Wright occurred in Mid- 
dletown, January 10, 1844, and united him with 
Miss Mar)- Beakes, who is a native of Middle- 
town. Her father, Henrj- S. Beakes, was also 
born in that city, and her grandfather, Stacy 
Beakes, was one of the very earl_\- settlers of 
Middletown. He was of English ancestry-, and 
married Mary Smith. The father of Mrs. Wright 
was a merchant, and after retiring remained in 
Middletown, where he died at the age of sixty- 
seven years. An extended sketch of the Beakes 
family is given elsewhere in this work. 

Mrs. Wright's mother was known before her 
marriage as Laura Gardner Geming. She was 
also born in Middletown, and was a daughter of 
Ichabod Genung, whose birth occurred near 
Madison, N. J. He married Mary Pierson, of 
Morristown, N. J., and was for a time engaged 
in blacksmithing at that place. Later he re- 
turned to Middletown, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life. He was of French descent, 
and his wife's ancestors were English and Scotch. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



261 



Mrs. Wright is the second in a family of four 
children. William L.. the eldest son, is deceased. 
Cynthia is now the widow of C. C. McQuoid, 
formerly an influential attorney. Jane is the 
widow of Dr. Winfield; and Mrs. Wright com- 
pletes the number. The mother of this family 
died in Middletown, where her family was reared 
and educated. Mrs. Wright received her ad- 
vanced education in Wallkill Academy', and is a 
well informed and entertaining conversationalist. 
She is the mother of four children, of whom we 
make the following mention: Mary B. W., Mrs. 
Sayer, re.sides at home, and her son Robert W. 
is engaged in business in New York City; Rob- 
ert, the .second child, died at the early age of nine 
years; Frank Alexander is at home, as is also 
Janie Laura, who is now Mrs. Hulse. She has 
one son, Stacj^ Beakes Hulse. In politics Mr. 
Wright was a .stanch Democrat, and was active 
in the interests of his party. He was also a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 



0AXIKL C. CHANDLER is a prominent and 
representative farmer of Orange County, 
now occupjing the estate which has been in 
the family for one hundred and forty-five years, 
and on which he was born October 24, 1824. His 
father, David Chandler, whose birth occurred 
October 21, 1795, and his grandfather, Enos 
Chandler, whose birth occurred about 1760, were 
both born on the .same farm. The latter's father, 
Nathaniel, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
was a native oi New Jersey and of English de- 
■scent, and moved to New Windsor between the 
years 1750 and 1760, locating on the estate which 
our .subject now occupies, and which included 
about one hundred and fifty acres. On this farm 
he passed away, as did also his son Enos and 
the father of our subject. Our subject's mother 
was in her maidenhood Elizabeth Clemmence, 
and was the daughter of Daniel and Anna Clem- 
mence. ' Her family included two children, the 
sister of Daniel C. being Elvira S., who married 
Samuel vSmith, and died November 14, 1886. 
The subject of this .sketch was married, June 3, 



1857, to Miss Mary Jane Roberts, whose birth 
occurred in this countj', September 3, 1825. She 
was the daughter of James and Elsie Roberts, 
and became ihe mother of three children, namelj-: 
James R., who died July 10, 1880; David H.. a 
practicing physician of Monroe County, N. Y. ; 
and Oren H., who remains on the home farm 
with his father. The estate comprises in all one 
hundred and fift\- acres, but of this tract onl}' one 
hundred acres form a part of the original Chand- 
ler farm. Here our subject has pa.ssed his entire 
life engaged in farm pursuits, making a specialty, 
however, of dairy farming, which he finds is a 
very profitable branch. 

In religious affairs our subject is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, in which he holds the 
office of Elder. In politics he is independent, 
reserving his right to vote for the man who in 
his judgment will best perform the duties of the 
office, regardless of party lines. His family is 
highly connected in the neighborhood, and he is 
most affectionatelv regarded in the communitv. 









E ALBERT KNAPP comes from one of the 
old and most respected families of the Em- 
pire State, some of his ancestors having par- 
ticipated in the Colonial Wars, and having in 
other ways been identified with the early .settle- 
ment of America. He has long been engaged in 
the management of a valuable farm in the town 
of Goshen, and has made a success of his busi- 
ness undertakings. Of late years he has been 
engaged in dairj- farming, which he finds very 
profitable. He has given especial attention to 
stock-raising, and has made entries and carried 
away premiums at mo.st of the prominent fairs in 
the state. 

Virgil Knapp, father of our subject, was born 
in New York State, and died in Orange County, 
where he had resided for many years. In earlj' 
manhood he was clerk in a general mercantile 
.store, but subsequently took up farming, to which 
he gave the remainder of his life, his death occur- 
ring about 1887. His wife, who preceded him 
in death, was in maidenhood Miss Emily Gale, 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was born in this county . Her father, James, 
was also born here, and was a son of James, Sr., 
a pioneer of this locality, who was killed by the 
Indians in the battle of the Minisink, and whose 
descendants are numerous throughout this sec- 
tion. 

The parental family com]irised two children, 
the other besides our subject being Dollie, wife of 
Walter Mapes, of the village of Florida. C. Albert 
Kuapp was born in Goshen, December 27, 1847, 
and in boyhood attended the district schools. Un- 
der the wise direction of his father, with whom he 
remained until the death of the latter, he learned 
habits of industry and per.severance that have 
proved most useful to him .since starting out for 
himself 

In November, 1873, Mr. Knapp was united in 
marriage with Mary Clark, daughter of William 
and Elizabeth Clark, natives of this state. She 
died less than four years after her marriage, 
leaving two children, Jesse and Lewis, who are 
with their father. In 1879 Mr. Knapp married 
Mrs. Emma Houston, daughter of Harry and 
Mary Lindeman. They are the parents of a 
daughter, Mabel. Mr. Knapp is a Democrat 
politically, and with his wife belongs to the Pres- 
byterian Church of Goshen. 



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nOHN VALENTINE, a prominent citizen and 
I farmer of Orange County, was born upon the 
C2/ farm in the town of Goshen on which he is 
now living. He gives his principal attention to 
dairying, in which branch of agriculture he has 
been very successful. His buildings are of mod- 
ern con.struction, and his beautiful fields, which 
comprise some ninet)--four acres, class the place 
among the most inviting to be found in this region 
of thrifty farms. 

Our subject is one of nine children born to 
Stephen and Elizabeth (Knapp) Valentine, the 
former of whom was also a native of this town, 
and was identified with her best enterprises dur- 
ing his lifetime. He was a man who was loved 



and esteemed by all who knew him, and his death, 
which occurred August 3, 1859, when seventy- 
two years old, was felt to be a public loss. His 
wife was also a native of this town, and after .sur- 
viving him a number of j-ears was placed to rest, 
December 21, 1872. She was a daughter of John 
Knapp, who, with her husband's father, Ananias 
Valentine, was niunbered among the landmarks 
of this region and was a leader in agricultural af- 
fairs. John Valentine was born February 9, 
1820, and received only the advaiUages of a com- 
mon-school education, but he was studious and 
made rapid progress in the acquisition of knowl- 
edge. He was brought up to farm life and while 
yet a lad became thoroughly acquainted with 
everj- detail of the work. 

When in his twenty-sixth year Mr. \'alentine 
began to make his own way in the world, though 
prior to that tune he had charge of his father's 
business for several years, but had not been en- 
tirely independent. He has given his attention 
solely to agriculture, and, notwithstanding the 
fact that he is now .seventy-five years of age, is 
very active, still superintending the management 
of his farm. 

January 30, 1845, John Valentine married 
Eliza Bailey Wood, daughter of Alfred and Ros- 
etta (Dunning) Wood, likewise natives of this 
county. Our subject and wife have only one 
child, Clara Evelyn, who is the wife of Henry 
Sinsabaugh, a well known business man of 
Goshen. They have always lived at the home of 
Mr. Valentine, and have a bright family of .seven 
children, namely: John, Mary E., Kittie E., 
Clara E., Henry, Margery and Kenneth. Jan- 
uary' 30, 1895, Mr. Valentine and his estimable 
wife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their 
marriage, and on that pleasant occasion were sur- 
rounded by ho.sts of friends and well-wishers. 
They are passing their declining years at their 
lovely home, where they are surrounded by all 
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 

For fifty-five years Mr. Valentine has been a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife 
for a still longer period. In 1840 he united with 
the Denton Church on confession, and served as 
Elder of that congregation from 1850 to 1857. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



263 



During the latter year he transferred his member- 
ship to the Goshen Church, in which he has of- 
ficiated as Elder since December 21, 1858, and 
Clerk and Treasurer of the Session since Novem- 
ber 7, 1869. He was elected Commissioner to 
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
which met in Madison, Wis., in May, 1880. For 
twent)-six years he has been Clerk of the Pres- 
bytery sessions, in which capacity he has served 
with credit to himself. Though not actively 
identified with public affairs, he is in sympathy 
with Republican principles, and for several years 
has held the clerkship of the school district. In 
temperance work he is deeply interested, and 
gives his support to all worthy and progressive 
proj ects. 



) <■ f "S d 



(3AMUEL H. THOMPSON is a highly re- 
/\ spected agriculturist of the town of Goshen, 
v~/ and, with the exception of five years spent in 
California, has resided on the old homestead all 
his life. Here his birth occurred November 22, 
1822, he being the fifth in order of birth of the 
seven children born to Henry W. and Frances 
( Robertson) Thompson. The father was like- 
wise born on the old farm in this town, and here 
he passed his entire life, engaged in its cultiva- 
tion. He served as a soldier in the War of 18 12, 
and was widely and favorably known through- 
out the community as an upright and honor- 
able man. His demise occurred in 1873. James 
Thompson, our .subject's grandfather, with four 
of his brothers, took part in the Revolutionary 
War, on the side of the Colonists. During the 
storming of Ft. Montgomery, he was held a 
prisoner on the ship "Jersey" and was nearly 
starved to death. 

Our subject's mother, who was born in New 
Jersey, was a descendant of an historic family. 
Her father, Dominick Robertson, was private 
.secretary to President Washington, and was a 
man prominent in his day. Mrs. Thompson 
died in 1874. 

Our subject first attended the district school 
near his home, and after completing the few 



studies taught there became a student in the 
schools of Chester. In 1849, by way of Cape 
Horn, he went with the stream of emigrants to 
California, seeking his fortune in the Golden State, 
and after remaining there three years, during 
which time he was principally engaged in min- 
ing, he returned home and visited for six months. 
At the expiration of this time he again went to 
California, this time going by way of Nicaragua, 
and followed his previous business for two years 
longer. At the end of this time he was ready 
and willing to return to his home in Orange 
Count)', where he has lived ever since. He at 
once began farming on the old homestead, sixty- 
five acres of which he owns. On this he has 
erected modern buildings and made such other 
improvements as he has deemed necessary, and 
has the satisfaction of knowing that his farm 
ranks among the most productive in the town. 
Mr. Thompson's eldest sister, Frances Emily, 
makes her home with him, and, although over 
fourscore years of age, enjoys the best of health. 
Our subject has never married. He is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church of Florida, to the 
support of which he gives regularly and liberal- 
ly. In using his right offranchi.se he has always 
supported Republican nominees, and is intere.sted 
in the success of his party. He is upright and 
conscientious in every position in life, and is a 
man of much public spirit, honored and es- 
teemed b)' all who have the pleasure of know- 
ing him. 



RENWICK GILLESPIE. Among the old 
settlers of Orange County, may be men- 
tioned the subject of this sketch, who has 
for many years been identified with the progress 
and growth of its agricultural and financial inter- 
ests. He is a native of the town of Montgomer)', 
where he was born January 1 , 1825. His prop- 
erty is a portion of the Gatehouse Patent, and is 
also a part of what is known as the Wallkill Ex- 
tent, which consisted of ten thousand acres, and 
reached one mile back along the stream. This 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grant was made many, many years ago, in fact 
before the Revolutionan,- War, and Gatehouse, 
who lived in England, secured its settlement 
through the agency of other parties. 

The Gillespie family are able to trace their an- 
cestn,- back for a great many years. They were 
among the old Scotch families, strict Covenanters, 
who left Scotland on account of piersecutions in 
their native land, and came to America, hoping 
to start a church here where thev could worship 
peacefully. Our subject's great-grandfather was 
David Gillespie, and his son Samuel and two 
other families, the Hills and McBurneys, can trace 
their ancestry back to the days of Wallace and 
Bruce. These three families located near Pine 
Bush, in Orange County, where Samuel married. 

Samuel Gillespie, our subject's grandfather, 
was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and 
was located at West Point. Just before the capt- 
ure of that fort he went to his home to get re-in- 
forcements, mustering his negroes into the serv- 
ice. With this company he started to return to 
West Point, but while at Xewburgh, fifteen miles 
away, he heard that the fort had fallen. His en- 
tire time of serA'ice was passed in Orange County. 
He had several brothers who also ser\-ed in the 
war, one of whom, Stansberry, lived at Hopewell 
Church, and there his death occurred in June, 
1894, at the age of seventy-seven years. His 
wife, son and daughter still reside there. An- 
other brother, Robert, was Supers'isor of the town 
of Crawford. Samuel married Esther Rainey, 
and they were the parents of six children, one of 
whom, Abram. was our subject's father. Grand- 
father Gillespie passed away at the age of seven- 
ty five years. 

The father of our subject, Abram Gillespie, had 
a family of five children, three sons and two 
daughters. Oneof the brothers, Stansberr\-, was 
a resident of the town of Crawford. Jonathan 
was a minister in the Associate Reformed Church, 
and preached at Campbell Hall, in which place 
his death occurred at the age of twenty -six. His 
widow, who in maide:ihood was Anna Beveredge, 
is now the wife of John Hanford, a retired mer- 
chant of Middletown. Mar\- Jane is uow Mrs. 
William Swinton, of Franklinville, Cattaraugus 



County. Her first husband was Daniel McVean, 
a minister of the Associate Reformed Church. 
Sarah Ellen married Duncan Cameron, of Cale- 
donia, N. Y., and died in that city at about the 
age of seventy-three years. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Mar}- Crawford. She was a native of Orange 
County, her birth having occurred in Hopyewell. 
At the time of her marriage she settled with her 
husband about three miles above Montgomen.-, 
in what is now the town of Hamptonburgh, 
where the latter owned a farm. His death oc- 
curred at Crawford, this county, April 3, 1864, at 
the age of seventy -six years. He was an Elder 
of the original church for twenty years, but final- 
h" united with the Associate Reformed Church. 
Our subject's mother dying when he was only fif- 
teen years old, his father was a second time mar- 
ried, this ceremony uniting him with Crissie 
Crans, of New Vernon, this countv-. Her death 
occurred after her husband's decease. 

When a boy, Ren wick Gillespie removed to the 
town of Crawford, where he continued to reside 
until his marriage, which important event oc- 
curred February 20, 1S51. His wife's maiden 
name was Caroline Augusta Smith, and her 
grandfather, David Smith, was the ven,- first set- 
tler on the Gatehouse Patent. His son William, 
who was Mrs. Gillespie's father, succeeded to the 
estate. She had one sister, Elizabeth, who mar- 
ried Egbert Millspaugh; they had a daughter, 
who is now the wife of George Weller, of Walden. 

From the time of his marriage until the date of 
his father-in-law's death, which occurred Feb- 
ruary 14, 185S, Renwick Gillespie was engaged 
in business with him. He died at the age of sev- 
enty years, and his two daughters came into pos- 
session of the projjerty, which consisted of a farm 
of one hundred and forty acres, and which was 
equally divided between them. A part of the 
farm on which Mr. Gillespie resides was owned 
by the Walden Company, which was comjxjsed of 
ver>- prominent New York capitalists, and which 
purchased the water privilege for two miles along 
the Wallkill River. About 1859 Mr. Gillespie 
purchased about seventy -three acres of the above- 
mentioned land, paying $70 per acre for it. Ten 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



years later he erected his present comfortable and 

commodious residence, which is beautifully lo- 
cated on the hill, and which overlooks the entire 
city. Here he now makes his home and enjoys 
the rest and quiet which he has so justh' earned. 
He is the father of four children. Mary Eliza- 
beth, who is a graduate of the collegiate institute 
of Poughkeep-sie, N. Y., is the wife of James M. 
Walker, a merchant of Walden. William H. 
has the management of the farm. George is a 
druggist of Rochester, N. Y. Anna D. died in 
childhood; and Cornelia Felter resides at home. 
The latter is a graduate of the academy at Mont- 
gomery and of the New Paltz Normal School. 

HWISNER WOOD. Orange County is one 
of the most fertile and productive counties 
in the state, and its farmers are enterpris- 
ing, self-reliant and progressive. Among these 
Mr. Wood occupies an important place. The 
farm which he owns, and upon which he engages 
in general agricultural pursuits, is one of the larg- 
est in the town of Chester, consisting of over four 
hundred acres of land. Here he has erected a 
number of substantial buildings, which greatly 
enhance the attractiveness of the place. 

In the town of Minisink, this county, Mr. 
Wood was born February 11, 1826. He is the 
youngest child of John D. and Phoebe (Board) 
Wood, natives of this state and life-long residents 
here. The father, who in early life worked as a 
clerk in a mercantile store, later engaged in farm- 
ing. During the War of 18 12 he served as Cap- 
tain of a company, and he was well known 
throughout this comraunit}- as an athlete. He 
died in 1834. His wife, who survived him for 
many years, was eighty-six at the time of her 
death. 

Between the ages of twelve and eighteen H. 
Wisner Wood attended school during the winter 
months. As soon as old enough, he began to 
help on the home farm, and the training he re- 
ceived in boyhood has been of great help to him 
since. At the age of eighteen he went to New 
York City, where he first held a position as clerk, 



but afterward became agent for Orange County 
farmers, disposing of their products and collect- 
ing monej-s for the same. Five years were spent 
in New York, after which he returned to Orange 
County and resumed work at the occupation to 
which he had been reared. He is extensively 
engaged in dairy farming, and also has some fine 
horses on his place. He is one of the most in- 
dustrious farmers of the town, and his home is 
provided with all the comforts of a city residence. 

The marriage of Mr. Wood to Miss Sarah L. 
Durland took place February 26, 1852. Mrs. 
Wood was a daughter of Samuel and Amelia 
(Vernon) Durland, natives respectively of Orange 
County and Long Island. She died February 6, 
1883, when fifty years of age. Her elder daugh- 
ter, Emma, is the wife of John T. Thompson, a 
prominent hardware merchant of Chester, N. Y. ; 
the younger daughter, Miss Laura, resides with 
her father; and the son, Henry W., Jr., was 
married, February 26, 1895, to Miss Helen Lott, 
of Canada. On the ist of April, 1895, Mr. Wood 
retired from the active management of his farm, 
though he still continues to make his home here, 
while his son has supervision of the place. 

Mr. Wood is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Chester. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and casts his ballot for the candidates 
of this party. He has never aspired to official 
honors, having his time occupied in looking after 
his extensive interests. Throughout the county 
he is well and favorably known, and is accounted 
a man of liberal spirit, ever ready to assist in all 
matters pertaining to the welfare of the people. 



EHANCY HULSE, who died May 20, 1895, 
was, at the time of his death, the oldest jew- 
eler and business man of Go.shen, and was 
the proprietor of a fine establishment, now carried 
on by his son, L. W. Thoroughly reliable in his 
dealings, he won the esteem and regard of all 
with whom he had business relations, while in 
society his standing was equally high. In addi- 



266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion to the jewelry business, he was interested in 
the Hulse Wagon Company, which was estab- 
lished in the fall of 1884, and of which he was the 
senior member and largest stockholder. The 
company carry a full line of wagons, carts, car- 
riages, etc., all of the latest pattern and best 
makes, and their trade is large and remunera- 
tive. 

Blooming Grove, this county, was our subject's 
native home, aud he was born in May, 1827. He 
was the .son of Meads T. and Dollie (Stewart) 
Hulse, the former a native of the town of War- 
wick, and a well-to-do fanner, who departed this 
life in Blooming Grove at the age of ninety years. 
The wife and mother, also a native of this county, 
was a descendant of Scotch ancestors, and died 
many years ago. Our subject was reared on his 
father's farm, and after securing a fair education 
began to clerk in a store. At the age of seven- 
teen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
watch-case manufacturer, at which he served four 
years and a-half, then secured a position in New 
York City, where he remained for ten years. He 
then settled in Washingtonville, Orange County, 
where he resided until 1866. The following year 
we find him in Goshen, where he purchased a 
jewelry- business on Main Street, and from that 
time forward success crowned his efforts. During 
the last fifteen years of his life the business was 
conducted under the firm name of C. Hulse & Son. 

In 1884, together with his .son, L. W., Mr. 
Hulse began dealing in wagons and carriages, 
under the style of the Hulse Wagon Company. 
The large repository is situated on West Main 
and High Streets, and contains road vehicles of 
almo.st every imaginable style. Politically Mr. 
Hulse was a stanch Republican, and for .several 
terms he serv'ed as Trustee of the \'illage Board. 
He was enterpri.sing and public-spirited, and it 
was due to his influence and progressive spirit, in 
a great measure, that this place attained its pres- 
ent pro.sperity. 

The first wife of .Mr. Hulse was vSusan Jane, 
daughter of George and Susan (Cooley ) McKin- 
ney, natives of Orange County, and now deceased. 
To them were born two children. The son, Lew- 
is W., who is his father's sucqpssor in business, 



married Janie L. , daughter of Alexander Wright, 
one of the old and well known citizens of Go- 
shen, and they have one son, Stacy B. The 
daughter is Susie, wife of S. D. Evans, of Salt 
Lake City, Utah. The mother of these children 
died in 1865, and for his second wife Mr. Hulse 
married Frances C, daughter of Hudson Webb, 
of Hamptonburgh. 

1^ ^' =)< l" '>fa ' ■ I 

HS. CHARDAVOVNE is the proprietor of a 
fine livery and boarding stable located on the 
corner of Grand Street and Murray Avenue, 
Goshen. His buildings cover an area of 150x200 
feet, and are both commodious and convenient. 
He keeps about twenty-five horses for driving 
purposes, and has accommodations for about 
thirty-five. He is very popular and has estab- 
lished a lucrative trade, which is constantly in- 
creasing. 

Our subject is a native of Warwick, and his 
birth occurred July 15, 1867. He is a son of 
W. D. Chardavoyne, who was a native of New 
Jerse>-, and who.se father, Henry, was a farmer of 
that state, where his death occurred. The fam- 
ily was of French descent, emigrating to this 
countr\- and settling in New Jersey. Our sub- 
ject's father was a farmer, and also engaged in 
distilling liquors near Warwick. He died at the 
age of forty -six years. 

The mother of our subject, who .still survives, 
was known before her marriage as Caroline A. 
Wood. She was born near Warwick and is the 
daughter of Joel Wood, who was an agriculturist, 
and who lived to attain the advanced age of ninety 
years. She comes of an old and prominent fam- 
ily of this count}-, and now makes her home on 
the old farm. She is the mother of three .sons. 
Fulton W. is a merchant, having a grocery es- 
tablishment in Pvatonville. Frank is the propri- 
etor of a hotel in Westtown; and the third is our 
subject. Until attaining his sixteenth year the 
latter remained at home and improved his time 
by attending the public school. At the expira- 
tion of this time, however, he went to Paterson, 
N. J., where he obtained employment in a gro- 




LEANDER CLARK, JR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



269 



eery establishment. After one year spent in this 
way he returned to his home and engaged in 
farming for two years. 

February 10, 1886, Miss F. E. Post became the 
wife of Mr. Chardavoyne. She is the daughter 
of D. C. Post, an agriculturist near Pine Lsland. 
After his marriage our subject continued farming 
for one year and then located in Paterson and ac- 
cepted a position as clerk in a shirt factory, re- 
maining there one year. Eater he went to Eaton- 
ville, where he clerked in a store for two years, 
and then bought a store in Pine Island, operating 
the same for three years. In the spring of 1893 
he sold his store, and, coming to Goshen, bought 
out Church's livery business, continuing at the 
old location. He is finely situated for this line of 
business and is centrally located. He keeps a 
great variety of vehicles, and the public, appre- 
ciating his ability, gives him a liberal patronage. 

Wherever Mr. Chardavoyne has made his home 
he has been a popular and enterprising citizen. 
He has always been interested in the progress of 
education, and while residing in Pine Island 
served as School Director. He belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias, and is identified with the 
lodge in Goshen. Politically he is a member of 
the Democratic party and is active in supporting 
its candidates. Mrs. Chardavoyne is an honored 
member of the Presbyterian Church, to which our 
subject contributes of his means. 



I EANDER CLARK, Jr. , comes from a prom- 
It inent old New England family, which was 
L/ descended from one of the Pilgrim Fathers. 
The records of the family are found in the history 
of Connecticut and Massachusetts, whose war 
records show that they were loyal to their adopted 
country. Eieut. William Clark, who was born 
in England in 1609, emigrated to New England 
March 30, 1630, in the ship "Mary and John." 
He had nine children, one of whom was Deacon 
John Clark, who had twelve children. One of 
the latter, Deacon John Clark, Jr., who was born 



December 28, 1679, had eleven children, and one 
of his children, Eliakin Clark, also had eleven 
children, Asahel Clark being one of the number. 
He was born Februarj' 17, 1737, was married 
to Submit Clapp, daughter of Maj. Jonathan 
Clapp, and died February 17, 1822. Asahel had 
twelve children, one of whom, Eleazer Clark, had 
nine children. One of the latter, Eucas Clark, 
born October 22, 1788, married Phila Avery, 
November 16, 1809. She was a daughter of Ab- 
ner Aver}^ a soldier of the Revolution. 

Lucas Clark and his wife, Phila, had seven 
children, one of whom was Edson H. Clark. The 
latter, who was born January 2, 18 13, at East- 
hampton, Mass., and died at his home in New- 
burgh, April 9, 1885, was the father of our sub- 
ject. He came to Newburgh when a mere lad, 
and spent a portion of his youth in Blooming- 
burg. About 1828 he came to this city and be- 
came an apprentice to Thornton M. Niven, who 
was engaged in the marble trade. Although his 
health was somewhat impaired, he took a posi- 
tion with the dry-goods firm of Oakley & Davis, 
of Newburgh, and represented them at New Mil- 
ford, N. Y. In 1840 he again came to Newburgh, 
superintending the building of the Newburgh 
Cotton Mill, and in 1843 the firm of Stanton, 
Clark & Co. was formed and a foundry and ma- 
chine-shop started at the foot of South Street, 
the establishment being known as the Highland 
Furnace. In 1851 this business connection was 
dissolved, and, in partnership with Samuel G. 
Kimball and James Robinson, Mr. Clark built 
the iron works on Washington Street, which for 
many years were known as Clark & Kimball's 
Iron and Brass Foundry. Mr. Robinson died be- 
fore the works were completed. 

In 1854 Mr. Clark was elected a member of 
the Board of Village Trustees, was again thus 
honored in 1865, and the following year repre- 
sented the Third Ward as a member of the first 
Common Council. He had the welfare of the 
city at heart, and his opinions and advice always 
had weight with his associates. In 1875 he re- 
tired from business, having sold out his interest 
to his partner, Mr. Kimball, and .spent the re- 
mainder of his life in the quietude of his home 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the sodet>' of life-long friends. He was a 
life member of the United States Pomological So- 
cietj-. and also belonged to the Xewbnrgh Bay 
Horticultural Society, which was subsequently 
merged into the Orange County .\gricuUural So- 
ciety. Much of his time was spent in the study 
of his favorite science upon his cil>- lot, which 
was fifty by one hundred feet in size. Up>on the 
premises more tlian sixt>- varieties of grapes, 
ninety varieties of pears, and two hundred varie- 
ties of apples were in bearing. A single apple 
tree produced these two hundred \-arieties, and 
all this was the result of his applied scientific 
knowledge. 

Our subject's mother was known in maidenhood 
as Ruth -\nn Clark, tliough she was not a rela- 
tive. Her birth occurred Januan,- 14. 1S14. and 
she died April 19, 1S71. Of the parental family 
we make tlie following mention : Ruth .\nn died 
at the age of forty -six years: Edson died in his 
ninth year: and Jane Louise, who was the wife 
of John \V. Sha\-er, deceased, died in her tliirt>- 
second year. Gec>rge Stanly Clark, who was a 
member of a Pennsylvania regiment, was taken 
sick and dieii while at home in 1864. The sur- 
vi\-ing members oYihe family are; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Upright: Mrs. All^ert Coutant, of Xew York Cit\-: 
and our subject. 

Leauder Clark, Jr., though of New England 
ancestni\ was not bom at the homestead of his 
father in Easthampton. Mass., but at Beatties- 
burg, Sullivan County, N. Y., April 10, iSj;;. 
He was a resident of that burgh but a short time, 
however, for his parents moved to Orange Coun- 
t\- when he was six months old. Newbnrgh has 
been his home for the greater part of his life, and 
in pri\-ate and public schools he received his early 
eilucation, graduating in 1S5J; from the Xewbnrgh 
Academy. At his father's foundry he became a 
master mechanic, but close application to his trade 
was making serious inroads on his health, and 
what he tliought would be his vocation for life 
was alvandoned fer a position as corresponding 
secrecan.- and bookkeeper tor Dr. C. \V. Grant, 
an eminent horticulturist at lona Island, in the 
Hudson Ri\-er, remaining there until the break- 
ing out of the Civil War. 



In March, 1S62. Mr. Clark received an ap- 
pointment as paymaster's steward on board the 
United States gunboat ■"Somerset," Earl English 
commander. On the nth of April the " "Somer- 
set' ■ was ordered to sea, with instructions to re- 
port to Rear- Admiral Bailey, commanding the 
East Gulf Squadron flagship at Key West. The 
"Somerset" cruised for nearly a year in the Gulf 
of Mexico, and during that time captured one of 
the largest blockade- runners used during the 
war, the steamer "Circassian." In the spriiij; 
of 1863 Mr. Clark was promoted to pavTnaslers 
clerk, which position he held when honorably 
discharged from the service in August. 1S64. 
After lea\-ing the nav>- he was in the employ of 
his father for two years, as fcH^eman of the iron 
and brass foundr>-. In the fall of 1S66 the ap- 
pointment of Superintendent of the Xewburgh 
Water Works was accepted, and he retained this 
position until the spring of iS6q, when he ten- 
dered his resignation in order to engage in the 
manufacture of brick. His plant was located ai 
Clark's Dock, a station on the West Shore Rail- 
road, and here, by means of modem machinery, 
he manufactured from tour to five million brick 
j>er annum. For se\-enteen years he was thus en- 
gaged, but during all of this time he did not lose 
his great interest in agriculture and horticultare. 
and he was a member of the Xewburgh Bay Hor- 
ticultural Society until it became a part of the 
Orange Count\- Agricultural Societv". For eleven 
ye.iTS he has been the genial and efficient General 
Superintendent of that society, as well as one of 
its Directors. Much time and energy has he de- 
voted to the upbuilding of this institution, and 
great praise is due him for the success it has at- 
tained during his management. He is an anthor- 
it>- on horticultnral and pomological affairs, as 
was his father before him. He was fonunate ii; 
ha\-ing for his instructor the late Charles Down- 
ing, who was a co-worker with the senicH" Mr. 
Clark. 

In iSSS Mr. Clark practically retired frv»m act- 
ive business, leaving his county residence at Bav 
View, town of Xewburgh, and taking up his res- 
idence in the city of Xewbnrgh, where he occu 
pies the most of his time looking after his real- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



estate interests. A poition of his time, howe\-er. 
is spent at the Quassaick National Bank, of which 
he is a Director. 

In Middle Hope, in 1S65. Mr. Clark was mar- 
ried to Jnliett Weed, who was bom in that \-illage, 
and whose father. Daniel T. Weed, was a brick 
manufacturer. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three 
children: Edson L.. who is engaged in the plumb- 
ing business: George Aver\-. who is learning his 
trade with his brother: and Florence Bird, the 
widow of C. R. Ste\-enson. Mr. Clark is a mem- 
ber of Trinit>- Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
in his rH'>litic.^l belief is .5 Re-.-'uM-csi- 



-LLIAM J. BAILIE is proprietor of the 
Commercial Hotel at Goshen, tormeriy the 
r>iamond House. A long experience in the 
- ..>.::ess of hotel- keeping, added to a cordial and 
accommodating manner, has partictilarly fitted 
Mr. Bailie for the vocation he Kdlows. He is a 
native of the old town of Xewbnrgh, and was 
bom June 19, iS5^. His father. James Bailie, 
was a native of Ireland, bom in Counr\- Down. 
The grandfather. John, was also a native of Ire- 
..'.ad. thoogh, like so many of the residents of 
iiiat part of the island, of Scotch descent. He 
tollowed the occupation of iarming. but his son 
James was a linen-weaver by trade, manufecttir- 
ing some of the beautiful fancy &lHics in that 
line for which Ireland is so ^moos. The latter 
married in his natrve ivuntry, his wife, the mother 
of our subject, being Miss Agnes Boal, also bom 
in CoQnr\- Down, and ihe daughter <^ a brtaer 
in the neighK">rhc>c«d. In 1S4S the piarents emi- 
grated to this conntiy. settling in Xewfaoigh, 
where, as above stated, William J. was bom. 
After arri\-ing in Newbnigh, the father worked 
at his oid trade, but later, on accoont c^ the £ul- 
nie of his health, he gave up that emploipnent, 
and for twenty years was employed there by the 
Pennsylvania Coal Company as a ireigher. Now. 
at the age ot e^hty-Kiar. he is liviiig rttired, 



though still hale and hearty for oaie of his years. 
His birth occurred May 11. 181 1. The mother 
died at the age of sevent>--seven years. In re- 
ligion both were Presbyterians. Their only other 
sur\-iviug thild is George H., who is engaged in 
business at Toronto, Canada. 

W. J. Bailie was reared in Newbuigh. and at- 
tended the common schools there. Later he 
graduated fiom tlie grammar school, and at the 
age of sixteen was apprenticed to a butcher, with 
whom he remained until he was nineteen, when 
he started in business for himself. His shop was 
located at Xo. 15S Broadway. Xewbnrgh. and in 
that business he continued for twelve years. 
After disp>osing of his meat-shop and interest, Mr. 
Bailie removed to Miltbrd. Pa., where he began 
his first experience as a hotel-keeper. He did 
not remain there long, however, at the end of the 
year removing to Port Jervis. After remaining 
there one year, he went to Phillipsburg, in this 
count>-, where he started the first hotel in the 
place, and carried it on socoessfiilly for some 
years. In 1SS7 he located in Goshen, leaang the 
cAd DiamcHid House, the oldest hotel in the place, 
having been in existence since 1S39. On becom- 
ing prc^rietor of this hotel, he changed its name 
to the Commercial Hotel, under which name it 
is still continned. In connection with the hotel, 
Mr. Bailie has a well arranged and convenient 
livery, situated on the comer of Greenwich and 
New Streets, a feature which is much appreci- 
ated by the towngjeople as wdl as by the trav- 
eling public. The New Hampton Hotel, which 
he also owns, is rented and ran by other parties. 

While living in Newbnigh. Mr. Bailie was 
learned to Miss Louisa Griffiths, a native of 
Johnsville. Dntdiess County. She died in New- 
bm^, leaving ooe son, Josqjh G. . a telegrapher, 
who resides with his father. Mr. Bailie's second 
marriage took place in Wmt^wro, and nnited 
him with Miss Hannah Brown, by whom he has 
ooe danghto", Alice A. 

Both here and in Newborgh Mr. Bailie has 
served several times in the Town Council, and in 
1S90 he was elected Census Enmnerator of Go- 
shen. He is a Knight oi Pythias and a member 
of the Order of Fore^eis, being Treasora of the 



272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter organization. When the Goshen Liquor 
Dealers' Association was organized, he took a 
prominent part, and is now its Vice-President. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

RICHARD WISNER, a fanner in the town 
of Warwick, was born upon the farm where 
he now resides February 4, 1824. He is the 
fifth child born to Jefferson A. and Elizabeth 
( Armstrong ) W'isner, both of whom were natives 
of Orange County, where they spent their entire 
lives. For many years Jefferson Wisner was 
Justice of the Peace, and was al.so Colonel of the 
militia. He died at the advanced age of eighty - 
six, and his wife followed him to the grave some 
eight years later, at the age of seventy-six. 

Richard Wisner received his education in the 
common and .select .schools, and from early child- 
Iiood he has followed the occupation of a farmer, 
though not giving his entire attention to that pur- 
suit. In 1885 he engaged in the lumber and coal 
trade, also dealing in general supplies for carpen- 
ters and masons at Warwick, and was thus suc- 
cessfully engaged for some four years. On ac- 
count of age and defective eyesight, he retired 
from that business, and has since been living at 
his magnificent home one mile from Warwick, 
where he is surrounded by every luxury. He 
has always lived an active life, and enforced idle- 
ness. with him is unbearable. 

In 1854 our subject married MissEphelia Well- 
ing, a daughter of Thomas and Annie Welling, 
natives of Orange County. Three of their chil- 
dren are living. Charles Edward, who is married, 
is a prosperous farmer on the old homestead; 
Annie E. and Mary E. are yet at home with their 
father. The mother died in 1880, and two years 
later Mr. Wisner married Sarah Van Duzer, of 
this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wisner, Annie and 
Mary are members of the Reformed Church of 
Warwick. 

In politics our subject is a Republican and has 
affiliated with that party since its organization, 
previous to which time he was a Whig. Politi- 
cal honors with him rest easy, and he has neither 1 



sought nor accepted public oifice. He was for- 
merly Director of the Lehigh & Hudson Railroad, 
and at present is Director in the First National 
Bank of Warwick. He is a Trustee and General 
Superintendent of the Warwick Cemetery and 
holds the same office in the Warwick Valley 
Milk A.ssociation. In his dealings with his fel- 
low-men he ever endeavors to live up to the 
Golden Rule, and therefore enjoys the resjject 
and confidence of all wlio know him. 



QlERSON E. SANFORD, a prominent farm- 
Lr er and dairyman residing in the town of 
f^ Warwick, was born on the farm where he 
now resides in 1832, and has here spent his entire 
life. He is the son of Ezra and Adeline (Terry) 
Sanford, who were also natives of Orange Coun- 
ty. The father was a farmer, miller and tanner, 
and was active in all measures wUiich tended to 
improve or benefit the county. On the breaking 
out of the war with Great Britain in 1812, he en- 
listed, doing valiant service in his country's be- 
half His death occurred about 1885. His good 
wife preceded him to the other world. 

In his early life the subject of this sketch at- 
tended the di.strict .school, but he regrets the fact 
that he did not make better use of his advantages; 
but the lack of book knowledge has been made 
up to a great extent by practical observation and 
the reading of current literature. His younger 
life was spent at home under the parental roof. 
In 1856, when twenty-four years of age, he en- 
gaged in farming for himself and has since been 
successfully engaged in that calling. In 1864 he 
embarked in the dair)' business, buying milk and 
selling cream, butter and cheese in New York 
City. After continuing thus for five years he or- 
ganized the Producers' Milk Company. Later 
the firm of Omstead & Sanford was organized, 
this being succeeded l)y Sanford & Woodhall, 
which continued about three years. In 1879, Mr. 
Woodhall having died, Mr. Sanford purchased 
his interest, and the business has since been con- 
ducted under the name of P. E. Sanford & Co., 
the company consisting of Mr. Sanford and his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



273 



two nephews. They do a wholesale and retail 
business, and their trade reaches as far south as 
Florida in the United States, and to London, 
England. They own quite extensive buildings, 
which were built by the senior members of the 
firm. Their place of business in New York City 
is at No. 138 West Thirty-first Street. Few men 
in Orange County have had more extensive busi- 
ness experience, and his success is attributed to 
his energy and push. 

Mr. Sanford was united in marriage, in 1855, 
with Miss Annie S. Burt, a daughter of Stephen 
A. and Pauline (Fairfield) Burt, the former a na- 
tive of the town of Warwick and the latter of the 
state of Maine. Three children were born unto 
them, two of whom are yet living: Pauline, the 
wife of W. W. Wendom, a prominent physician 
of Warwick; and Edward B., who is now study- 
ing law. 

In politics Mr. Sanford is independent, voting 
for such men as he thinks will best serve the in- 
terests of the people. In religion he is liberal, 
and contributes of his means to the .support of the 
various churches in his community. 



EHARLES G. ELLIOTT is President of the 
Goshen National Bank, which is capitalized 
at $110,000. This well known and stable 
financial institution was organized in 1850, and 
about 1864 was started under its present polic)' as 
a national bank. At intervals since 1850 Mr. 
Elliott has been a public official. He entered the 
County Clerk's office under his uncle, Nathan 
Westcott, who was then Clerk of Orange County, 
continuing in one clerical capacity or another in 
this office until 1865, and after three years was 
made Deputy Clerk at Goshen. During his 
three-years term he made a study of ab.stracts, 
and subsequently conducted an office in this line 
of business for six years. Again he became Dep- 
uty Clerk, and is now serving his thirty-fifth j^ear 
in this office. In the fall of 1888 he was nomi- 
nated and elected on the Democratic ticket to the 



County Clerkship, a great victory, as he was the 
only one of his party's candidates to win a major- 
ity. He took the oath of office in January, 1889, 
and served until January, 1892, when he became 
Deputy. For years he has been a Town Trus- 
tee, and is now acting as Treasurer of the village 
for his eleventh year. 

Our subject is a descendant of John Eliot, who 
came as a mis.sionary to America soon after the 
landing of the Pilgrims. He was a native of 
England, and on his demise was interred in the 
cemetery at Roxbury, Mass. The great-grandfa- 
ther, Aaron Elliott, who was an iron manufact- 
urer in Connecticut, was a son of Jarrod, grand- 
son of Joseph, and great-grandson of the origi- 
nal John Eliot, before mentioned. Our subject's 
grandfather. Dr. William Elliott, was the first of 
the name to adopt the present orthography. He 
was born in Connecticut, and at an early day 
came to Goshen, where he was a practicing physi- 
cian until his death. 

Judge Horace W. Elliott, father of C. G. was 
born in Killingworth, Conn., and came to this 
place about 1802. From that time until his death 
he was engaged in business here as a druggist. 
He was a hero of the War of 18 12, was an ardent 
Democrat, and held the offices of Justice of the 
Peace and Associate County Judge of the Court of 
Conunon Pleas. At the close of a long and useful 
career he died, in 1863, when in his eighty-third 
year. His wife, Charlotte, a native of Goshen, 
was the daughter of Hon. David N. Westcott, 
who was a member of the New York Constitu- 
tional Convention, was Colonel of a company of 
state militia, and served in the Legislature. For 
several years he was also County Clerk of Orange 
County. Financially he was well-to-do, possess- 
ing valuable tracts of land and other property. 
He died when about seventy years of age. Mrs. 
Charlotte Elliott, who was a faithful member of 
the • Presbyterian Church, departed this life in 
1880, when about threescore and ten years of age. 

Charles G. Elliott is one of six children who 
grew to mature years and is now the only sur- 
viving son. He was born in Goshen, March 8, 
1837, ^^'^ received his education in the local 
schools and in Farmer's Hall Academv. When 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but thirteen years of age he began serving an 
apprenticeship, if it may so be termed, in the 
field where he has so nobly acquitted himself, that 
of a public officer. His maternal uncle, Mr. 
W'estcott, was of great assistance to him at that 
stage of his life, and trained him in methodical 
and systematic ways of doing bu.siness, which 
have been of inestimable value to him. At the 
close of the war he went to New York City and 
obtained a clerkship in the American National 
Bank, but gave up the position in 1867 to return 
to his boyhood home. The next few years were 
occupied in the several official positions referred 
to at the opening of this sketch. He was always 
at the po.st of duty and was a credit both to him- 
self and to his political constituents. When the 
Goshen National Bank was re-organized in July, 
1892, he was tendered the cashiership and re- 
tained it until March, 1893, when he was further 
honored by being made President of the institu- 
tion. Since 1857 Mr. Elliott has been an able and 
efficient member of the fire department and for 
the last twenty-one years has sen-ed as Chief 

The pleasant and hospitable home of Mr. Elliott 
on Church Street is built in modern style and 
furnished in excellent taste. He was married in 
Goshen, in 1S83, to Miss Frances L. Strong, a 
native of the place. She is a daughter of Benja- 
min Strong, foimerlj- a merchant of New York 
City, but now deceased. Mr. Elliott is an Elder in 
the Goshen Presbyterian Church and takes com- 
mendable interest in its several departments of 
activity and usefulness. 



jILLIAM H. WYKER is one of the lead- 
ing members of the Bar of Orange Coun- 
ty, and has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace since 1875. He takes a very active part in 
Democratic campaign work, and has done so 
for nearly twenty years, under the auspices of 
the State Committee. In the last campaign he 
made speeches during a period of six weeks in 
various parts of the state, awakening popular en- 
thusiasm, and won renown for himself In the 
fall of 1894 his friends brought his name forward 



as a candidate for the Second District Assembly. 
For many years he has served as Chairman of 
the local Democratic committee, and has been a 
member of several others. 

Dr. Alfred Wyker, father of the above-named 
gentleman, was born in Susse.v: County, N. J., as 
was also the grandfather, Henry Wyker, the lat- 
ter a farmer and of Gennan descent. Alfred 
Wyker graduated from the Jeffenson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, and afterward practiced in 
Niles, Mich., until the war broke out, when he 
was commissioned Surgeon of the Fourteenth 
Michigan InfantrA-. During the progress of the 
war he moved his family East, and continued his 
services until he was obliged to retire on account 
of ill-health, incident to exposure, and his death 
resulted in 1S63. In his political faith he was a 
Republican of the most unswerving t\pe. His 
wife, Julia F. Ludlum, also a native of Sussex 
County, N. J., was a daughter of Thomas I. 
Ludlum. who was born in Goshen, and who 
afterward operated a farm in Sussex Count}-, 
owning upwards of one thousand acres. He was 
a verj- prominent citizen, and was elected Clerk 
of Sussex County, discharging the duties which 
rested upon him with ability and to the full sat- 
isfaction of his constituents. He owed a number 
of fine standard and thoroughbred horses, which 
he kept for his own private use. He was called 
to his final rest in 1854, his death being consid- 
ered a public calamity. He was a son of William 
and grandson of Isaac Ludlum, who were num- 
bered among the extensive land-owners of the 
town of Goshen from a very early day. 

William H. Wyker was born in Sussex Coun- 
ty, N. J., August 8, 1853, and is an only child. 
He resided in Michigan until the outbreak of the 
war, when he went with his mother to Sussex 
County. He attended Mt. Retirement Seminar}- 
and Rankin Seminar}-, at Mendon, N. J., and in 
1870 graduated from the state normal at Trenton, 
N. J., after which he taught school for two years 
at Hampton Jiuiction, N. J. In 1873 he came 
to Goshen and took up the stud}- of law with 
Messrs. Sharpe & Nanny, being admitted to the 
Bar in 1876, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He at 
once located for the practice of his profession at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



275 



Goshen, where he has since been located, and 
has been very successful in his chosen field of 
work. He bought the office building on Main 
Street, opposite the court house. 

In 1888 Mr. Wyker joined the vSons of Vet- 
erans and was the first Captain of Major Murray 
Camp No. 120. of this city, liaving helped to es- 
tablish the same. He continued as Captain until 
1890, when he was elected Commander of the 
Division of New York State, holding the place 
for a year, and was the first Commander in the 
state to receive the silver cross of the order. In 
August, 1890, the gold cross was conferred upon 
him in Minneapolis. He was Commander of the 
local camp vuitil 1894, when he saw fit to tender 
hi.s resignation. Of the Cataract Hose Company, 
one of the best drilled companies in the state and 
composed of the best citizens of Goshen, he is 
now ser\dng as President and Drill Master. He 
is also a member of the Knights of Pj'thias, be- 
ing Past Chancellor of the order, and belongs to 
the Goshen Club. In the Goshen Electric-Iight 
Company he is a large stockholder, is one of the 
Directors, and is also Vice-President. 

June 25, 1884, Mr. Wyker was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Plowell, a native of this 
place and a daughter of Ogden Howell, who is an 
employe of the Erie Railroad. One child has 
been born to our subject and wife, a son, who is 
named in honor of his grandfather, Alfred. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wyker are members of the Epi.scopal 
Church. 



-f- 



--t- 



<^HOMAS J. RANDALL, proprietor of the 
I C Wawayanda House at Warwick, was born 
vJ/ in New York City in 1835. He is the son 
of Culver and Sophia (Provost) Randall, the for- 
mer a native of Florida, this county, and the lat- 
ter of New York City. In early life Culver Ran- 
dall was apprenticed to a pianoforte manufacturer, 
and after learning tlie trade engaged in the man- 
ufacture of pianos in New York City until 1841. 
He then returned to his birthplace, where he con- 
tinued the business in connection with the manu- 



facture of lumber. He was an energetic busi- 
ness man, and died in Florida, N. Y., in 1887, at 
the age of eighty-two. His wife died two years 
previou.sl}'. 

The subject of this .sketch s]3ent his early life 
in his father's factory and in the schoolroom at 
Florida. In 1864 he located at Warwick and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of axe and pick handles 
for the Brazilian market, which business was con- 
ducted in connection with the manufacture of 
hardwood lumber. Four years later he engaged 
in the hotel business, and has been engaged in 
that occupation from that time to the present. 

In 1869 Mr. Randall was married to Sarah J. 
Ball, daughter of James and Mahetable (Webb) 
Ball, who were prominent citizens of Orange 
County. Three children survive this union: 
Emma, James B. and Charles A. Mrs. Randall 
died in 1882, and five years later Mr. Randall 
married Miss H. B. .Smith, of Paterson, N. J. 
Mrs. Randall is a member of Calvary Baptist 
Church. In politics Mr. Randall is a Democrat. 
He is a man respected bj- all who know him, and 
is well and favorably known throughout the en- 
tire section of the country where he resides. His 
hotel is a popular one and he has ever had a sat- 
isfactory business. 

QENJAMIN F. EDSAEL, former President 
1^ of the Goshen Savings Bank, and now Vice- 
L/ President of the Goshen National Bank, is 
one of the old and honored citizens of Orange 
County. His memorj' calls back instances of life 
in early days, and it is a great pleasure to listen 
to his accounts of days so long gone by. He is 
wonderfully well preserved and is hale and hearty, 
bidding fair to enjo)' many years of activity. 

The Edsalls are of English origin, and our 
subject's father, Jesse, was born in Sussex Coun- 
ty, N. J. He early settled in Goshen, where he 
engaged in the hotel bu.siness and ran a stage 
between New York and Albany, having a con- 
tract to carry the mail between those points. The 
stage pas-sed through Goshen, and Mr. Edsall 
also owned a line running from here to New- 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



burgh. He was well known as the genial pro- 
prietor of the Orange Hotel, and at one time 
served as Uuder-Sheriff. When well along in 
j-ears he retired from business cares, and died in 
Goshen, aged about seventy-eight years. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Temperance Wil- 
son, was born in Orange County, and lived to 
attain her seventy-sixth year. Of their seven 
children, only two are living, JohnS., our sub- 
ject's brother, who resides in Nebraska, being 
now ninety years of age. 

The birth of B. F. Edsall took place in Goshen, 
May I, 18 1 2. He attended the old-fashioned 
subscription schools of the period, and continued 
to dwell at home until reaching his majority, in 
the mean time learning the tinsmith's trade. In 
1835 he went to Plattsburg and embarked in the 
wholesale manufacture of tinware and notions, 
also doing a large business as a dry^-goods mer- 
chant. His partner, Samuel F. Vilas, was later 
one of the wealthiest men in Clinton County, 
N. Y. Their connection was dissolved at the end 
of eleven years, Mr. Edsall selling out and return- 
ing to Goshen. He was one of the organizers of 
the national bank here, and has ever since been 
a Director, and also was a promoter of the sav- 
ings bank, in which he has been a Director from 
the start. Formerly Vice-President, he was made 
President of the institution upon the death of 
Mr. Post, which position, however, he resigned 
in 1894. For some years, or until his resigna- 
tion, he was President of the Orange County 
Mutual Insurance Company, which is not now in 
existence. 

In 1841 Mr. Edsall was married, in this place, 
to Miss Mary Rowe, who was born in Chester, 
and whose father, David, was a well-to-do and ex- 
tensive farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Edsall have had 
five children, but lost their two sons, George and 
Frank, each dying when about ten years of age. 
The daughters, Marj', Clara and Lillian, are all 
at home. 

Prior to the war Mr. Edsall was for one term 
County Treasurer, having been elected on the 
Democratic ticket. He has always affiliated with 
that party, and has often been sent as a delegate 
to countv and state conventions. He was a dele- 



gate to the convention which assembled at Charles- 
ton, S. C, and which, on the adjournment of the 
delegates to Baltimore, nominated Stephen A. 
Douglas. He has held local offices, and was 
Trustee of the village at one time. For years he 
was President and a member of the Board of 
Trustees of the State Hill Cemetery Association, 
finally tendering his resignation. He distinctlj- 
remembers the day in 1822 when the victims of the 
Minisink massacre were re-interred at the court 
house. One of his brothers, Thomas, in partner- 
ship with a Mr. Robinson, assisted in .starting 
and building the railroad from Warwick to Ches- 
ter. In politics Mr. Ed.sall has always been a 
consistent Democrat. 



ULLIAM H. STRONG, one of the enter- 
prising dairy farmers of the town of Go- 
shen, is favorably known in this com- 
munity, where he has dwelt during his lifetime. 
He was born in Goshen, June 21, 1858, and is 
the third and youngest child of Benjamin B. and 
Frances (Benton) Strong. The father, who was 
also born in Goshen, was a successful agricultur- 
ist, and besides being well posted in military 
tactics was a man of wide information on various 
topics. He was called to the silent land in No- 
vember, 1 87 1, and his wife did not long survive 
him, dying the following year. She was a na- 
tive of Ulster County, but removed to Goshen 
with her parents in childhood and there spent 
the remainder of her life. 

The boyhood of W. H. Strong passed in an 
uneventful manner, his main business being to 
acquire a good general education in the district 
schools of his neighborhood. In order that he 
might better fit himself for business, he took a 
course in Eastman's Commercial College at 
Poughkeepsie. His home has always been upon 
his present farm, which is the old homestead of 
his parents, and which is a beautiful tract of land, 
improved with modern buildings and comprising 
some one hundred and twelve acres. Of late 




HON. CLINTON WHKELRR WISNER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



279 



years he has been specially successful as a dairy 
farmer,, and finds a ready market for the products 
of his place in the neighboring towns and cities. 
May 16, 1888, Mr. Strong was united in mar- 
riage with Mary J. Beiinet, who was born in this 
locality, and has become the mother of a bright 
little daughter, Annie May, born July 16, 1893. 
Mrs. Strong's parents, William H. and Ann 
(Smith) Bennet, are likewise natives of Orange 
County, and come from some of her good old fami- 
lies (.see sketch of Mr. Bennet elsewhere in this 
volume). As far back as Mr. Strong can trace 
his ancestry, his progenitors have been adherents 
of the Presbyterian denomination. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church 
of Goshen. In pohtics Mr. Strong is a Republi- 
can and has an abiding faith in the wisdom of 
his party's principles. 

HON. CLINTON WHEELER WISNER is 
now serving his third term as Mayor of the 
thriving little village of Warwick. He comes 
from a distinguished old family, representatives 
of which have been prominently connected with 
the history of Orange County since 1715. In 
1S90, at the Republican convention, he was hon- 
ored by being brought forward as a candidate for 
Assemblyman from the Second District, but was 
defeated after a close election, the district at that 
time being strongly Democratic. He has always 
been a stanch supporter of the party, and is Chair- 
man of the Executive Committee of the Central 
Republican Club. He has also served as a mem- 
ber of the Board of Trustees of Warwick, and in 
each of his official capacities has fully met the 
requirements of the position. His character is 
above reproach in ever>' relation of life, and by 
his superior judgment and genuine integrity he 
has won the confidence of the leading business 
men of this locality. 

The progenitor of the Wisner family in Amer- 
ica bore the name of Johannis Weesner. He 
was born in Switzerland, and fought under the 
Prince of Orange against Louis XIV. of France. 
He emigrated to America with his wife, Eliza- 



beth, and settled in Orange County, near Mt. 
Eve, June 23, 1715. His death occurred in this 
county, in May, 1744, when he left but one 
child, Hendrick. The latter, who changed the 
spelling of the name to Wisner, was born in 
Switzerland. He married a Miss Shaw, of New 
England, and died in Orange County. Their two 
children were John and Henry. The former was 
Captain of the Orange County minutemen dur- 
ing the War of the Revolution, and died at the 
close of the year 1788. Henry was born in 
1720, and in 1740 married Sarah Horton, of 
Queens County. He served in the Colonial As- 
sembly from 1759 to 1769, and was chosen by the 
Provincial Convention which convened in April, 
1775, to go as a delegate to the Continental Con- 
gress, and he subsequently voted for the Declara- 
tion of Independence. He died in September, 
1790. Henry, son of John Wisner, from whom 
our subject is descended, was born July 11, 
1742, and died May 29, 1812. He married Su- 
sannah Goldsmith, who was born in 1743, and 
died in 181 1, and to them were born ten children, 
namely: Gabriel, William, Mary, Abigail, Henry, 
Anna, John, Jeffrey, Susannah and Richard. 
The father was Captain of Hathorn's regiment 
during the War of the Revolution, and in Febru- 
ary, 1778, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. 
The grandfather of our subject, Jeffrey Wisner, 
was born April 20, 1769, and was called to his 
final rest April 11, 1855. By his wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Elizabeth Armstrong, he had 
six children: Gabriel, Rensselaer Jay, James, 
Richard, Jeffrey Amherst and Mary. Our sub- 
ject's father, Jeffrey A., was born October 18, 
1827, and married Mary Wheeler, whose birth oc- 
curred October 8, 1824. Both parents were na- 
tives of Warwick, but after their marriage they 
removed to West Pittston, Pa., where the father 
engaged in the milling business for five years. 
His estimable wife died about that time, and he 
removed with his family to New York City, 
where he was successfully engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery trade for thirty years. In 1890 he 
retired from business, and is living at his pleas- 
ant home in Brooklyn. His two children were 
Clinton W. and Grace Aguilla, the latter of whom 



2 So 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was bom in October, 1854. By his second wife, 
Sophronia Pierce, the father has two daughters 
and one son living, viz. : Kate, Sophie and Ho- 
ratio S. 

Clinton W. Wisner was born at West Pittston, 
Pa., July 30, 1856, and received his primary learn- 
ing in thedi.strict school at Warwick, as he had 
come here to live with an uncle when he was 
only four years of age, continuing a member of 
his household for eight years. Then, going to 
Brooklyn, he was a student in the public schools 
there for three years, after which he accepted a 
position as office boy in the wholesale dry-goods 
house of Bartlett, Berry, Reed & Co., of New 
York, receiving a pittance of $1.50 per week. 
He then entered the employ of George C. Chase 
& Co., importers of tea, and at the end of three 
years associated himself with his father in the 
wholesale grocery business, representing the 
house in Pennsylvania and Michigan for the suc- 
ceeding twelve years. 

In 1888, on the death of one of the wealthiest 
bankers of the Keystone State, H. S. Pierce, of 
Scranton, Pa., Mr. Wisner became executor of 
the estate, which reached into the millions, and 
has since cared for the same. He has been very 
successful in the management of this immense 
capital, and has an office in the Stewart Build- 
ing in New York City. He is a Director in the 
First National Bank of Carbondale, Pa., in the 
Scranton Electric-light Works, and in two large 
coal mines. 

In 1884 Mr. Wisner built the handsome resi- 
dence in Warwick which he has since made his 
home. In October, 1879, he married Martha, 
daughter of Thomas and Caroline Van Duzer 
Welling, who are both living in Warwick. Our 
subject and his wife have had three sons and 
two daughters, namely: Grace Ethel, bom De- 
cember 31, 1880: John Welling, August 24, 
18S3; Jeffi-ey Amherst, Jr., December 2, 1886; 
Thomas Welling, twin of Jefifrey; and Marjorie 
Pierce, born August 14, 1891, and who died 
March 7, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Wisner are mem- 
bers of the Dutch Reformed Church, of which 
our subject is one of the Deacons. He is a mem- 
ber of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, 



and is considered one of the representative and 
patriotic young men of this section. From his 
ancestors he iidierited love of his country and a 
high sense of obligation towards his fellow-men. 



■*>*^^m^4*<*- 



<lACOB M. PRICE. The life of this gentle- 
I man, of which we give a brief outline, af- 
0/ fords an illustration of the power of courage 
and industry in enabling a man to overcome early 
difficulties. Mr. Price is the architect of his own 
fortune, and is the proprietor of one hundred and 
seventeen acres of valuable land in the town of 
Goshen, which he devotes to general farming and 
dairj- purposes. 

Our subject is a native of this county, and was 
born in the town of Goshen, February 3, 1847. 
His parents, George W. and Hester Ann (Sanford) 
Price, reared a family of eight sons and daugh- 
ters, of whom he was the fifth-born. The grand- 
father, who was born in Ohio, brought George 
W. to this county when the latter was a boy, and 
here he passed the remainder of his life. He was 
an agriculturist and became well known among 
the substantial residents of his community. Dur- 
ing the late war George W. rendered his country 
efficient service as Provost-Marshal of Hampton- 
burgh. He departed this life in 1870, when fifty- 
two years of age, and his loss was greatly felt in 
the localit}- where so many years of his active 
life had been passed. His good wife was born in 
Warwick, this county, and lived until the j-ear 
1886, when she, too, passed away. 

Jacob, of this sketch, was given every oppor- 
tunity for attending the district school during his 
earlier years, and thus acquired a good fund of 
useful information. He ver>- naturally chose ag- 
riculture as his vocation in life, for it was to that 
pursuit that he had been trained, and he is now 
the possessor of one of the most productive tracts 
in the town, it being rich bottom land. Although 
he does not neglect the growing of the various 
grains, yet he devotes the greater part of his time 
and attention to dairj- farming, which is an, im- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



portaiit industry in this community. In the year 
1894 he gathered in twenty-five hundred sacks of 
onions, which on an average he sold for more 
than $1.50 per sack. 

In February, 1870, Mr. Price was united in 
marriage with Miss Helen Coleman, a native of 
this county, and the daughter of Edson Coleman. 
Their union has been blessed by the birth of two 
children, namely: Edson C. and John A. The 
elder son is a graduate of Eastman's Business 
College at Poughkeepsie, and for the past five 
years has been a deputy in the County Clerk's 
office. John A. is still at home, although he 
contemplates entering college this fall. Mr. and 
Mrs. Price, together with their elder .son, are 
members of the Presbyterian Church of Goshen. 

In politics Mr. Price is a true-blue Republican. 
He has never sought office, it being his ambition 
to live a quiet life, free from the cares and excite- 
ments which attend office-holders. He has many 
warm friends throughout the .section where he re- 
sides, and in every respect deserves the high es- 
teem in which he is held. 



RNST M. BAHRMAN, one of the promi- 
'S nent German citizens of Orange County, 
_ was born in Germany, April 28, 1838, and 
is the .son of John Godfreit and Johanna Rosanna 
(Klingel) Bahrman, who were also natives of 
Germany. The mother died some years ago, at 
the age of .seventy -eight, but the father is j-et liv- 
ing, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. 
He was educated for a physician, but never prac- 
ticed. He followed farming, however, and for a 
time was al.so extensively engaged in railroad 
matters. 

Ernst Bahrman attended the schools of his na- 
tive country until the age of fourteen, and after 
his confirmation engaged with an uncle in the 
tannery business. After remaining with him 
three years he determined to emigrate to the New 
World, and therefore, in 1855, set sail for the 
United States, landing in New York. Soon after- 
ward he located in New Milford, town of War- 
wick, where he has since been engaged in the 



tannery business. When the war broke out he 
showed his love for his adopted country by en- 
listing in Company D, One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was 
mustered into the service at Go.shen. With his 
company he went to the front and participated in 
many engagements until May, 1863, when he 
was transferred to the Fourteenth Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, with which he was actively engaged 
until the close of the war. During his entire 
service he was neither wounded nor captured. 

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Bahrman re- 
turned to Warwick and soon after entered the 
employ of William Sanford. In 1869 he em- 
barked in his present business, which by industry 
and fair dealing on his part has become a very 
satisfactory one, and he has won the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens. In 1889 he vis- 
ited the Fatherland and .spent a most enjoyable 
season with his many friends. 

In 1869 Mr. Bahrman was united in marriage 
with Miss Martha E. Clason, daughter of Webb 
and Mary J. (Ellis) Cla.son. The former was a 
native of Connecticut, but came to Orange Coun- 
ty when a young man, and the latter was a na- 
tive of Orange County. Four children were born 
to our subject and his wife, two of whom are de- 
cea.sed. Those living are Harry and MaryTher- 
ese. Mrs. Bahrman died February 25, 1894. 
In his religious views Mr. Bahrman is a Luther- 
an and in politics is a Republican. He is a, strong 
advocate of the public-.school system and is at 
present ser\'ing as School Trustee. 



(^ 



jPi^li l^g^ 



-^") 



l^^ll 



-xu 



^AMUEL S. VAN SAUN, a leading druggist 
r\' of Warwick, is one of her best citizens, and 
\Z/ for the past ten years has been Chief of her 
efficient fire department, before which he served 
in the same for fifteen years. He has always had 
the welfare of the place deeply at heart, and has 
acted in many local public positions in a capable 
manner. For eight years he was Village Clerk, 
has also served as Clerk and Treasurer on the 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Board of Education, and is now holding the last- 
named office. Athletic .sports have been particu- 
larly congenial to him, and for three years he 
served as President of the Warwick Athletic As- 
sociation. 

Born March 13, 1849, in the city of New York, 
our subject is the only child of Sanuiel J. and 
Ellena (Van Houten) Van Saun, both natives of 
New Jersey. The former was a successful stair- 
builder, which calling he followed for a great 
many years. His death occurred in the village of 
Warwick in 1873. His good wife had passed to 
the better land in 1849, when her son Samuel 
was but six months old. The subject of this 
article obtained his primary knowledge in private 
schools in his native city, and later attended the 
Dutch Reformed School, of which his parents 
were strong supporters. At the age of twelve 
years he came to Warwick, and for the next three 
years attended school here, then returning to 
New York, where he was in a commercial col- 
lege for about twelve months. W^hen .seventeen 
yearsofage, in October, 1866, he entered the em- 
ploy of a druggi.st in this village, and learned the 
rudiments of the business. 

April 9, 1867, Mr. Van Saun established his 
present store, and has been since successfulh- en- 
gaged in the drug business. He is to-day among 
the oldest druggists in Orange County, and 
stands high in the estimation of all, both as a 
business man and socially. Politically he has al- 
ways voted with the Democratic party, and for 
.seven years held the office of Town Clerk. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of Highland Chapter No. 
52, R. A. M., of Newburgh, and also belongs to 
the consistory of Middletown. He is a member 
of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M., of 
which he has been Pa.st Master, and is the owner 
of an elegant goldjewel, which was presented him 
on leaving the office. In 1881 he served as Treas- 
urer of the Orange County Agricultural Society, 
and held the same po.sition in 1893-94. 

May 8, 1872, Mr. Van Saun married Sara A., 
daughter of Samuel C. and Clara (DeKay) Well- 
ing, natives of New York and New Jersey, re 
spectively. Mrs. Van Saun, however, was born 
in Warwick, and has here passed the greater por- 



tion of her life. The union of our subject and 
his wife has been blessed by the birth of one son 
and one daughter, bright and interesting chil- 
dren, who are still at home with their parents, 
and who are named Samuel Welling and Clara. 
Mrs. Van Saun is a member of the Reformed 
Church, and is a lady who is universally beloved. 



REV. WILLIAM H. S. DEMAREST is the 
faithful, much-loved pastor of the ( Dutch) 
Refonned Church of Walden, with which he 
has been connected for a period of about seven 
years. His birth occurred May 12, 1863, in Hud- 
son, Columbia County, N. Y. Rev. Dr. D. D. 
Demare.st, the father of our subject, is a native of 
New Jersey, and was for years pastor of the church 
at Hud.son. He now occupies the chair of Pas- 
toral Theology in New Brunswick Theological 
Seminary, at New Brunswick, N. J., of which he 
has been the incumbent for manj- years. Our 
subject's mother, whose maiden name was Cath- 
erine L. Nevius, was also a native of New Jersey, 
and was the daughter of Judge James S. Nevius, 
late Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. 

Mr. Demarest pas.sed his earl 3- years in New 
Brunswick, and there attended the college pre- 
paratory school. He later entered Rutgers Col- 
lege, from which he gradiuited in 1883 with first 
honor, receiving the degree of A. B., and com- 
pleting the regular classical course. He then 
taught three years in the Rutgers Preparatory' 
School, where he received the degree of A. M. in 
1886, and finally entered New Brunswick Semi- 
narj-, graduating in 1888. He is a member of 
the Delta Phi fraternity. 

September 27, 1888, our subject was ordained 
by the Classis of Orange, in the church at Wal- 
den, and was at the same time installed as its 
pastor. He has taken a verj' active part in all 
church work, both that of his own locality and 
of his denomination in general. The church here, 
which was organized in 1838, has made steady 
advances under his ministry, and has kept pace 
with the growth of the community in its increase 
of numbers. The pastor is Stated Clerk of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



283 



Classis of Orange, which is composed of the min- 
ister and one elder of each church in the Orange 
District. He is the Regents' Examiner for the 
Walden public school, and much interested in the 
educational interests of his localit)'. He is an at- 
tractive and interesting speaker, and a wise and 
sj-mpathetic pastor, highly appreciated by the 
people of his congregation. 



~D\VIN G. PARKER, D. D. S. No repre- 
^ sentative of the dental profession in Go.shen 
__ has met with more flattering success than 
that which has rewarded the efforts of Dr. Park- 
er, who has justly gained the reputation of a re- 
liable, thoroughh^ informed and competent den- 
tist. It was on the ist of December, 1885, that 
he came to this city, and here he has since re- 
mained, carrying on a large practice, and also 
gaining many friends in social circles. 

To be descended from those who took a promi- 
nent part in the early history of our country, 
tho.se who contributed to the development of its 
material interests, and who aided in the estab- 
lishment of the Government, is something of 
which one may well be proud. Dr. Parker is a 
descendant in the eighth generation of that illus- 
trious Puritan, John Alden, and his no less fa- 
mous wife, Priscilla. He is also a relative, 
through the Mosley family, of one of the early 
Presidents of the United States, John Q. Adams. 
The Parker family is of Scotch origin. The 
great-grandfather of our subject, James Parker, 
was a native of Vermont, but removed thence to 
Watertown, N. Y., where he entered Govern- 
ment land. A part of the tract purcha.sed by him 
was formerly owned by our subject's father, and is 
still in possession of the family. It originally con- 
sisted of one thousand acres, but at various times 
portions of the place have been sold, so that the 
farm is now of only ordinary size. Grandfather 
Alexander Parker was born near Rutland, Vt., and 
was a soldier in the War of 18 12. For a time he 
served as a county official, always taking an in- 
terested part in public affairs. He died at eighty- 
four years of age. His wife was a daughter of 



Colonel Bartholomew, who was of French descent, 
and gained his title by service in the Revolution. 

The father of our subject, James A. Parker, 
was born in Watertown, N. Y., and in early life 
was a farmer on the old homestead, but later had 
a drug store at Theresa, Jefferson County, N. Y. 
On retiring from business, he purchased the 
old home, and there he remained until his death, 
January 17, 1890, at which time he was fifty- 
nine years of age. Socially he was a Mason. 
He was a man who possessed considerable in- 
fluence, and held a high place in the esteem of 
his acquaintances. He married Cornelia Bur- 
nett, a native of Watertown, whose parents, 
David and Aseneth (Mosley) Burnett, were born 
in Connecticut, and became settlers of New York, 
where they owned a farm. 

Mrs. Cornelia Parker still resides on the old 
homestead. By her marriage she had eight chil- 
dren, of whom five are living, namely: Clinton 
B., a practicing dentist of Brooklyn; Julia F. , 
who is with her mother; Edwin G.; Virgil F., a 
successful dentist of Brooklyn; and DeWitt L., a 
ph3'sician and dentist, also of Brooklj'n. The 
.subject of this notice was born in Theresa, Jeffer- 
son County, December 15, i860, and was reared 
in Watertown, where he attended the public 
schools. At the age of seventeen he was gradu- 
ated from the high school, and the following year 
began to teach, which profession he followed for 
four years in Jefferson County. In 1883 he en- 
tered the department of dentistrj' in the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, from whiOh he was gradu- 
ated in 1885, with the degree of D. D. S. After 
graduating he went to Brooklyn, where he be- 
came assistant to Dr. Colton, one of the promi- 
nent dentists of that city. He remained with him 
almost one 3'ear, and then, in the latter part of 
1885, came to Goshen and opened an office. 

At Three Mile Bay, Jefferson County, Dr. 
Parker married Mi.ss May, daughter of G. R. 
Wilcox, a merchant of that place. They are the 
parents of four children, Marie Antoinette and 
Edwin Harold (twins), Donald Greenleaf and 
Dorothy Burnett. The family residence is situ- 
ated on South Street. In everything pertaining 
to his profession the Doctor feels the warmest in- 



284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terest. He was a member of the Dental Pro- 
tective Association of the United .States, and is 
identified with the Second District Dental Society 
of New York, being the representative of Orange 
Connty on the Law Connnittee. He is a Past 
Chancellor in the Knights of Pythias, and he is 
connected with the Social and Athletic Clnb. In 
all enterprises calculated to advance the growth 
of Goshen he takes an active part, ai;d he is now 
Vice-President of the Goshen Board of the Na- 
tional Building and Loan Association. Possess- 
ing the firm religious belief which goes to make 
up a full-rounded character, he belongs to the 
Presbyterian Church, and is an ex- President of 
the Young People's Society of Christian Endeav- 
or. Just in all his dealings with his fellow-men, 
genial and warm-hearted, it is natural that all 
who know him should respect him, and that he 
should win, to an unusual degree, the friendship 
of his associates. In pulitics he is independent. 



BEWITT C. DURLAND is one of those pro- 
gressive, wide-awake farmers who find both 
pleasure and profit in cultivating the soil, 
and b}- means of dignity and ability tend to raise 
the standard of their chosen occupation. He is 
one of the most prominent farmers and dairymen 
of Orange County, his splendid estate being lo- 
cated in the town of Goshen. On this place he 
was born, May i, 1835. 

Our subject was the seventh in order of birth 
of the nine children born to Jonas and Abbie 
(Little) Durland, both of whom were also born 
in this county, where their entire lives were 
passed. The father was prominently identified 
with agricultural pursuits during his lifetime, and 
made a signal success of tliis vocation. He was 
a quiet and unassuming man, and departed tliis 
life in 1865, respected and honored by all who 
knew him. His estimable wife survived him un- 
til 1876, when she, too, passed away. 

The subject of this sketch attended the district 
schools during his early boj'hood days, and sub- 



sequently took a course at Seward Institute, at 
Florida, and in Goshen Academy. He was thor- 
oughly trained to farm life, and when ready to 
begin for himself chose this for his life vocation. 
His home is known as Durlandville, and dur- 
ing recent years the settlement has grown quite 
rapidly, there now being about seventy-five fami- 
lies in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Durland's 
home includes one hundred acres of some of the 
finest land in the county, which he has made more 
valuable by the erection thereon of neat and sub- 
stantial buildings of every description. 

The lady to whom our subject was married, 
December 30, 1858, was Miss Marietta, daughter 
of George S. and Marj- (Seely) Conkling, al.so na- 
ti\'es of this county. To them were born four 
children, of whom George Murray departed this 
life when ten years of age. Those living are: J. 
Howard, a prominent young farmer of this com- 
munity; Bradford C, engaged in the banking bus- 
iness at Chester; and Clara M., the wife of Wil- 
lard H. Bull, a farmer of this county. 

In 1872 Mrs. Marietta Durland departed this 
life, and three years later our subject was married 
to Theresa McCain, a daughter of Samuel and 
Anna (Ward) McCain, citizens of Hoboken, where 
the mother is still living. This union resulted in 
the birth of four sons and daughters, those sur- 
viving being Mellie M., Dewitt C, Jr., and Or- 
pha J. Mr. and Mrs. Durland are members in 
good standing of the Presbyterian Church of Go- 
shen, in the work of which they take a prominent 
and active part. In politics the former is a Re- 
publican, and has an abiding faith in the purity 
of that party's teachings. He has never held 
office, nor has he desired to do so, as his farming 
interests occupy his entire time and attention. 



3 AMES E. MILLSPAUGH. For fifty years, 
or during his entire life, this esteemed citizen 
and progressive farmer of Orange County 
has lived upon the old homestead, which lies in 
the town of Goshen. The estate comprises one 
hundred and twel\-e acres, and is a mo<lel one in 
every respect, being well cultivated and kept in a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



285 



neat and orderly condition. In addition to rais- 
ing the usual amount of grain, he devotes the 
greater part of his time and attention to dairjing, 
and has a number of the best breed of milch cows 
on the place. 

Our subject was born in June, 1845, and is the 
eldest child of Edward A. and Martha (Durland) 
Millspaugh, natives of this county. His father, 
who was born on the same farm where our sub- 
ject is now living, is seventy-seven years of age, 
and although having led an industrious life is 
hale and hearty. He has always been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, and is widely and favor- 
ably known, always ready and willing to aid 
those who come to him for assistance, and up- 
right in his dealings with all. During his early 
years this now thickly populated and rich farm- 
ing district was little more than a wilderness, 
and in the work of its development and advance- 
ment he has taken a very prominent part. His 
good wife, who has journeyed through life with 
him for so many )'ears, is now sixty-nine 3'ears 
of age. 

James E. Millspaugh passed several months of 
each year in attendance at the district school, 
and on entering his teens became a student in 
the Seward Institute at Florida, where so many 
of the residents of this countj^ were educated. 
Knowing farming to be a very profitable and pleas- 
ant business in which to engage, he chose this 
industry for his life work, and is now successfully 
operating one hundred and twelve acres of the 
old homestead. This is a well improved property 
and is devoted principally to dairy purposes, al- 
though he is intere.sted in the growing of onions 
to a large extent. He has lived in this com- 
munity all his life, and is well known and highly 
esteemed, and has many sincere friends among 
its best residents. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in Au- 
gust, 1887, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Robert 
and Mary (CarejO Hughes, both of whom were 
born in this county. Their daughter's birth took 
place in the town of Warwick in 1866. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Millspaugh resulted in the 
birth of three children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. Grace E. and Marion G., bright and in- 



teresting daughters, make their home with their 
parents. The wife and mother is a devoted mem- 
ber of the First Presbyterian Church of Florida. 
In politics our subject supports by his ballot 
the Democratic party, and is therefore oppo.sed to 
all monopolies. He has never sought office, yet 
has been prevailed upon at various times to ac- 
cept positions of trust and responsibility. Up- 
right and honorable in all his business transac- 
tions, he has ever borne a most enviable name 
for fairness and justice, and stands high in the 
affections of a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 



REV. FATHER PATRICK BRADY, late 
rector of Santa Maria Catholic Church of 
Montgomery, was born in Killeshandra, 
County Cavan, Ireland, and died Augu.st 13, 
1894, at about the age of sixty years. His father, 
Terence Brady, was a farmer. Rev. Mr. Brady 
was well educated in Cavan College, and from 
early boyhood manifested great aptitude in his 
studies, surpassing many of his classmates. His 
family intended him for the ministry from early 
life, and as a boy he assisted at the Mass, thus 
becoming very familiar with that part of the 
church service. Having completed a classical 
course in college, he crossed the ocean to Mobile, 
Ala., where he had an uncle living, James Derine, 
a merchant of that city. Father Bradj' finished 
his college and theological course in Spring Hill 
College of Mobile, and his first pastoral work was 
in connection with the church at St. Louis, Mo. , 
where he was ordained. After some years he 
came to the New York diocese. 

While on a visit to his family in Ireland Rev. 
Mr. Brady met Bishop Hughes of New York, 
who took a deep interest in him and induced him 
to come to the Empire State. He at once took 
charge of St. Andrew's Church of New York City, 
and was then sent to Yonkers to take charge of 
the Easter service, after which he was made as- 
sistant to Rev. Father Mooney, of St. Bridget's 
Church, New York City, in the diocese over 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which Bishop Hughes presided. While there 

Cardinal McCloskey succeeded Bishop Hughes 
and transferred Father Brady to St. Peter" s Church 
of Rosendale. X. Y. He was next located as pas- 
tor of Santa Maria Church in Montg^omerA". 

The congregation was then small and weak 
and the church was hea\-ily in debt, and when he 
asked for the keys the old lady who had them 
refused to give them up. thinking that he might 
be the sheriff come to attach the property. Dur- 
ing the twenty-years pastorate of Father Brady 
the membership of the church was largely in- 
creased and within a few dollars of all its indebt- 
edness was paid off, he personally paying the in- 
terest. He improved the proi)erty, enlarged the 
house, built a commodious bani. renovated the 
church and secured fine statuary- for church dec- 
oration. At the time of his death there still ex- 
isted a debt of $1,700, which he made piossible to 
cancel by his will. He had purchased village 
propert>-, set out trees, and was always making 
improvements upon it. He was ever progressive 
and anxious for advancement along all lines. His 
death occurred in the hospital in Paterson. and 
his loss was deeply mourned. 

Always a close student, in early life he began 
to collect a valuable libran,-, and as the years 
passed he became the possessor of several thou- 
sand volumes, all standard works and many rare 
and valuable ones. He had one thousand rare 
works on history, covering ever>- period, from 
ancient to modem times. There were also many 
works on church histor>-. philosophy and the 
writings of dramatists and poets. He read ex- 
tensively, and probably no- man in the state pos- 
sessed a broader information or was better in- 
formed. He also collected rare and beautiful 
painting^s from the best masters, several of them 
being valued at thousands of dollars, including 
"St. Peter," "The Gardens." and others on 
church historical subjects. He reftjsed $10,000 
for one of these. His will provides that his val- 
uable librar>- and art collection shall go to St. Jos- 
eph's Seminan.- of the city of New York, located 
near Yonkers. He was devoted to his church and 
was one of its most prominent and influential 
clerg> men. His brother. Bernard Brady, in con- 



nection with Re\'. Father Corrigan Patterson and 
Monseigneur Farley, of New York City, was 
made executor of the estate. His ftmeral was the 
largest ever held in Montgomen . and he was laid 
to rest in Santa Maria Cemeterj-, which burial- 
ground he presented to the church. 



^EORGE R. WOOD, the genial landlord of 
l_ the Warwickshire Inn, of New Milford. was 
^J bom in the town of Warwick in 1S41. He is 
a son of Samuel G. and Elsy A. ( Rhodes"^ Wood, 
both of whom were al.«o natives of this town. By 
trade the father was a blacksmith, sp>ending many 
of the best years of his life at the forge. He was 
a quiet, unassuming man. and died in 1S48. 
The mother lived until 1S-2. when she. too. 
passed to the better laud. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive town and was educated in its public schools. 
At the age of seventeen he left school and for the 
next two years was engaged as a farm laborer, at 
the end of which time he commenced to learn the 
carpenters trade and served an apprenticeship of 
three years. Not content with the knowledge he 
acquired as an apprentice, he worked under in- 
struction for seven years more. He then en- 
gaged in contracting and building, continuing in 
this line until October 13, 1S93. when he engaged 
in his present business. Many of the best resi- 
dences in this section of the county were erected 
by him. 

In iS66Mr. Wood was united in marriage with 
Miss Mar>- E. June, a daughter of W. H. and 
Clara (^Mapes^ June, both of whom are natives of 
Orange Count}-. One daughter was bom of this 
union, Hattie J., wife of George H. Quacken- 
bush. Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity- and of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and has passed tlirough all the chairs in 
both bodies. For many years he was lodge dep- 
uty, and was complimented by the Grand Master 
as being the most efficient deputy in the state of 
New York. In politics he is a Democrat, witli 
which party he has affiliated his entire life. 
Though not an office-seeker, he has ser\ed his 




FREDERICK W. SEWARD. M, D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



289 



town as Highway Commissioner and Collector. 
As proprietor of the Warwickshire Inn. he gives 
satisfaction to the guests of the house, doing aU 
in his power to make each and even.- one com- 
fortable. 

• ^^ i^ ^-^^ ■ , 



r~REDERICK W. SEWARD. M. D.. who is a 
1^ specialist in ner\-ous diseases, is the proprie- 
I tor of Interpines Sanitarium at Goshen, one 
of the most beautiful homes for invalids which 
can be found in any part of the country. In 
short, it is a princelv mansion, constructed on 
modem plans, finely equipped with electric Ughts. 
gas. steam heat. etc.. and is situated in a park of 
grand old forest trees, in which the pine predom- 
inates. Goshen is the count\- seat of the historic 
and lovely Orange Count\-. and is celebrated as 
the most beautiful inland village in the state. 
The air is dr\- and bracing, as the elevation is 
nearly eight hundred feet above the sea level, and 
excellent countn.- roads lead irora. the \-illage in 
all directions, affording drives amid ever varying 
scenes. Dr. Seward is a man of wide experience 
and scientific training, and possesses a knowledge 
of the value of good nursing and pleasant environ- 
ments, which are absolutely necessarj- to the cure 
of patients suflering from ner\-ous troubles. He 
has been President of the Orange Count}.- Home- 
opathic Medical Societ\-. is a member of the New 
York Homeopathic Medical Societ>-, and has been 
President of the Board of Health for years. 

Samnel S. Seward, grandfather of the Doctor, 
was bom in New Jersey, graduated from a med- 
ical collie, and subsequently established himself 
for practice in Florida, Orange County. At one 
time he was the County- Judge, and his business 
interests were very extensive. He owned large 
tracts of land, a distiller>-, a large storehouse, 
and a fleet of sloops, which plied between New- 
bnrgh and southern ports. These vessels carried 
distilled liquors and other produce southward and 
returned with cotton and flax. His son, Edwin 
P., looked after these varied commercial under- 
takings for many years, while the &ther devoted 
himself chiefly to his medical practice. Samuel 
Seward was over eight>- years of age at the time 



of his death, which occurred in this count>- in 
1S49. He was a son of a Scotchman, who settled 
on Long Island, and broUier of Col. John Seward, 
who resided in New Jersey, and who was a par- 
ticipant in the War of the Revolution. In relig- 
ious faith the family were all Presbyterians. 

Edwin P. Seward, father of our subject, was 
bom in Florida. Orange Countv". and was one of 
four sons. His eldest brother, Benjamin J., was 
a minister in the Presbyterian Church. He was 
accidentally killed, and at his death left two sons: 
Augustus, who was a minister: and Clarence, an 
attorney of New York Cit>-. The next younger 
brother of our subject" s father was William H. 
Seward, who was well known in the histor>- of 
our country, as he was Secretary of State under 
Lincoln during the troublous days of the war. 
His three sons are Augustus, who was Pa\-master 
in war times: Frederick W.. Assistant Secretar\- 
of State under his lather and under Everett; and 
William H.. a banker of Auburn, N. Y.. occu- 
pying the old home of his father. George W. , 
the youngest brother of E. P. Seward, and whose 
residence was in Florida, died some years since, 
leaving four sons, namely: Rev. Samuel S., pas- 
tor of a Swedenborgian Church in New York: 
George F., for some years Consul-General and 
minister to China, and now President of the Fi- 
delity and Casualty Insurance Company of New 
York City: WiUiam H.. who is engaged in busi- 
ness with George F. : and Dr. John L- . a medical 
practitioner in Orange. N. J. 

As previously mentioned. Edwin P. Seward 
was reared in Florida, in this count\-. and early 
took charge of his fathers business. L'pon the 
latter' s death he went to reside on a farm in the 
vicinity, continuing to cultivate the place for four- 
teen years. Subsequently returning to the vil- 
lage of Florida, he died there in 1S72. when in 
his seventy- third year. He was a quiet, unas- 
suming man, and a faithfiil member of the Pres- 
bj-terian Church. He was twice married, his first 
wife being Rachel, daughter of George Armstrong, 
who was in the War of 1S12. and who was one 
of the enterprising feirmers in the locality of Flor- 
ida, whither he had emigrated firtm the North of 
Ireland. One of his sons. Rev. Robert Arm- 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



strong, is a prominent minister of Newburgh. 
Mrs. Rachel Seward, who died in 1847, became 
the mother of nine children, only four of whom 
are now living. Marj- A. is the wife of Dr. D. C. 
Jayne, of Florida; William Edwin died in Florida 
in 1892; Frances A. married C. H. Scharff, who 
was a prominent attoniej- of Newark. N. J., and 
his widow now lives in New York City ; Thurlow 
W. has been with the American District Tele- 
graph Company of Brooklyn since the organiza- 
tion of the same: Jasper A. died in Florida in 
1894. The second marriage of Mr. Seward was 
with Ellen Terr>-, of Craigsville, N. Y., who bore 
him four daughters. Those who sur\-ive are Mrs. 
Hotchkins, of Kansas: Mrs. Thompson, of Brook- 
lyn; and Mrs. George Jayne, of Florida. 

Dr. F. W. Seward was bom in the town of 
Goshen, this county, August 22, 1845, a^i^ after 
attending the district schools for some time en- 
tered Seward Institute, which had been founded 
by his grandfather. In 1S60 he entered the Soph- 
omore Class of Union College, and graduated 
three years later with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts. Thence going to New York City, he took 
two courses in Bellevue Hospital, later went to 
the Vermont University at Burlington, being 
graduated therefrom in June, 1866, with the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine, and subsequently re- 
turned to New York, entering the Homeopathic 
Medical College as a student. In January, 1867, 
he located at Middletown, where he built up a 
large practice and remained for nine years. His 
health failing, he went to New Mexico in 1S76, 
and spent three years in the West, obtaining a 
new lease of life. During this period he was lo- 
cated principally near Trinidad, Colo., where he 
owned a ranch and devoted himself to sheep- 
raising. In 1880 he traveled in California and 
Arizona in ever>- kind of a vehicle, living in the 
fresh outdoor air, and giving much of his time 
to hunting. At length, in 1882, he returned 
East, well and hearty. Settling in Goshen, he 
built up a large practice in a ver\- short time, but 
in December, 1889, was seriously stricken with 
rheumatism, and once more gave up his practice, 
traveling in South Carolina, and in other states of 
the South and West. In 1892 he made another 



trip to New Mexico, and derived great benefit 
from his stay at Las Vegas, Hot Springs. In 
1890 he bought his present proi>erty and opened 
the sanitarium known as "Interpines." This 
vetiture has proved very successful in every way, 
and is meeting the needs of a large class of people. 
December 27, 1S66, Dr. Seward was married in 
Florida, Orange County, N. Y., to Ella Arm- 
strong, who died three \-ears later, leaving two 
children: Edwin P., who is a ranchman and real- 
estate dealer in New Mexico: and Ella, who is 
at home. October 31, 1873, the Doctor married 
Matie Cory, of Plainfield, N. J., and of this union 
three children have been boru, namely: Frederick 
W., Jr., who graduated from the local seminary, 
and is a member of the New York Homeopathic 
Medical College, Class of '98: Matie, who is now 
in the Virgil School of Music in New- York City; 
and Bertha. The family are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church of this village, and move in the 
best social circles of the place. Dr. Seward has 
been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many 
j-ears. He has alwa>s been interested in the cause 
of education, and is President of the Goshen 
School Board. For a number of years he served 
on the Conuuittee of School Construction, and 
formerh-, when in Middletown, was also connect- 
ed with the Board of Education. 



(lOSEPH B. VAN DUZER, a native of the 
I town of Warwick, was bom July 21, 18 17, 
(2/ and was the eldest son and fourth child bom 
to John and Nancy t Benedict 1 Van Duzer, who 
were also natives of Orange County. John Van 
Duzer was quite a prominent man in his day, 
representing his countj- as a member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly. Although a farmer, he took an 
active interest in all public afifairs and was well 
posted in the affairs of state and nation. His 
death, which occurred in 1858, was mourned not 
alone by his family, but by the entire community 
as well. The mother of our subject followed her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



291 



husband to the grave in 1861. Christopher Van 
Duzer. the grandfather of our subject, was also a 
native of Orange County, and engaged in the mill- 
ing business. He was Captain in the Continen- 
tal army and faithfulh- ser\-ed his country- during 
the struggle for liberty-. On one occasion when 
the British were coming up the Hudson River, 
Captain ^'an Duzer and a fellow-officer were 
standing where the British could see them. They 
fired on the Captain and his companion, but the 
ball whizzed by them, struck a chestnut tree, and 
then a rail, which was broken. Captain \'an Du- 
zer picked up the ball and retained it as a relic. 
His wife was Julia Tusten, a sister of Major Tus- 
ten, who was killed by the Indians at the battle 
of Minisink. 

Joseph B. Van Duzer received but a limited 
education. In his youth the schools were quite 
inferior, and the growing family of his father 
made it necessar\- for him to begin work on the 
farm at a ver>- early date. With the exception 
of the short time that he assisted his father in the 
lumber business at Monroe, he has sjjent liis en- 
tire life in agricultural pursuits. On his present 
farm, which comprises seventy- six well improved 
acres, he has made his home for fort>- years, and 
for several years he has been extensively engaged 
in the milk business. 

In 1 85 1 Mr. Vau Duzer was married to Miss 
Ann Maria Sly, a daughter of Col. John Sly, who 
was bom in the town of Warwick. Three chil- 
dren sur\-ive that union: Sarah, wife of Edward S. 
Hasbrouk. of Goshen, who has two children, 
Joseph B. D. and E. Augustus: and Jennie H. 
and James C, at home. Alice died in infancy; 
and John S., the third-bom in the family, died 
December 30, 18S3. aged about twent\--four years. 
His wife sur\-ived him about four years, leaving 
one son, named John S. Mrs. Ann M. Van Du- 
zer died in 1S66, and in 1870 our subject mar- 
ried Margaret Van Buskirk. of Bergen County, 
N.J. She is a member of the Lutheran Church 
of that count},-, while Mr. Van Duzer affiliates 
with tlie old-school Baptist Church. Up to a 
short time ago he always cast his vote for the 
nominees of the Democratic party; now, however, 
he is a Prohibitionist, and will henceforth use 



ever}- honorable means in the destruction of the 
liquor traffic. He is a kind husband, a fond and 
indulgent father, an accommodating neighbor 
and a worthv citizen. 



IILLIAM H. WISXER, of the town of 
Warwick, was born upon the farm where 
he now resides, August 23, 1822, and is 
the second child of William and Hannah (^Wood- 
ruff) Wisner, both of whom were natives of 
Orange Count\-. The father was bom not far 
from where our subject now lives. Politically he 
was an old-line Wtig, and a great admirer of 
Henr>- Clay. He died in 1845, at the age of six- 
ty-three years. His father, Henry Wisner, the 
grandfather of our subject, was quite a prominent 
factor in Orange County in an early daj-, and rep- 
resented the count}- six consecutive terms in the 
General Assembh", and also served as a Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel in the Revolutionary- War. The good 
mother of our subject followed her husband to 
the grave in 1854. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary- 
education in the district schools, and subsequenth- 
attended the academ\- at Newburgh for a time. He 
was reared on the farm and has always followed 
the occupation of a farmer. The place on which 
he lives is known as Evergreen Farm. His resi- 
dence, which is situated in the midst of pictur- 
esque scenery, was built from the timber sawed out 
by his own hands, and much of it from his own 
lands. The farm comprises two hundred and 
forty acres, and in addition to general farming he 
is engaged in the dairy business. 

William H. Wisner was united in marriage, in 
1855, with Miss Phoebe A. Houston, a daughter of 
James C. and Annis B. (Wood) Houston, the 
latter of whom is still living, at the age of eight}-- 
five 3'ears. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wisner 
was blessed with eight children, all living: James 
H., of this count}-; Man.* H., wife of George Van 
Alst, of Montgomery; Kate and Annie E., at 
home; Nellie, wife of Robert L. Higby, of Brook- 
lyn, N. v.: H. Elizabeth, wife of W. W. Buck- 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bee, of Stone Bridge; Emma W. and William H., 
at home. Mrs. Wisner died in 1884. 

In politics Mr. Wisner is a stanch Republican. 
For a time he was a member of the Governor's 
staff, having a commission issued by Governor 
Bout. He has held several local positions, but 
has never aspired to local office. 



^" BYRON EARL. This name will be at 
I C once recognized by our readers as that of one 
\*/ of the prominent and successful j-oung mer- 
chants of Turner, where his birth occurred May 
9, 1865. He attended the public school until 
twelve }-ears of age, when he went to work in his 
father's store. He has advanced step by step 
until he is now at the head of a large and paying 
business, which he conducts after the most ap- 
proved business methods. 

The parents of our subject were Thomas R. 
and Euphemia T. (Rumsej') Earl, the former of 
whom was born near Monroe, July 10, 1834, and 
departed this life January- 7, 1886. He was 
reared to mature years on a farm in this count}', 
and about 1864 entered into partnership with 
Charles Ostrander in the mercantile business. 
They succeeded in their inidertakings, but two 
years later Mr. Earl purchased the interest of his 
partner, and from that time until the day of his 
death was regarded as one of the substantial bus- 
iness men of Turner. 

Having learned all the details of managing a 
large business, our subject was thoroughly com- 
petent to take charge of affairs on the death of his 
father. For two j^ears thereafter he remained at 
the old stand, then changing his location to his 
present business block, where he has a good estab- 
lishment, well stocked with the articles used both 
in the city and country household; and as his 
prices are popular and he gives prompt atten- 
tion to all orders, he commands a goodl)- share of 
the patronage of the people of Turner and vicinity. 

The grandparents of our subject were Daniel 
and Esther S. (Sands) Earl, farmers of the town 
of Monroe, in which locality the former was born 
April 20, 1789, and died August 25, 1855. He 



in turn was the son of Peter Earl, also a native of 
the town of Monroe, who married a Miss Bull. Es- 
ther S. Sands was the daughter of Benjamin Y. 
and Amy (Hallock) Sands, natives of Marl- 
borough, Ulster County, who were of Scotch de- 
scent, while theEarls were of English origin, and 
almost without an exception were members of the 
Society of Friends. 

Euphemia T. Rumsey was born at Central 
Valley and was the daughter of Courtland and 
Michael (Thorn) Rumsey. Her father was a 
blacksmith by trade, and moved to Turner when 
Mrs. Earl was an infant. T. Byron, of this 
sketch, was married March 22, 1888, near Sloats- 
burg, Rockland County, to Miss Fannie E. Greg- 
or>', who was born near West Milford, N. J. The 
lady was the daughter of Eugene R. and Juliet 
( Brooks) Gregory, natives also of New Jersey. 
Mrs. Earl was one in a family of seven children 
born to her parents, and bj- her union with our 
subject has a son, Leroy G., who was born June 
18, 1889. 

In politics Mr. Earl never fails to cast his vote 
and influence in favor of Prohibition candidates 
and has done much toward extending the good 
work in his community. He sustains a most en- 
viable reputation for strict integrity and firmness 
of purpose, and in carrying on his chosen busi- 
ness not only gains a handsome income, but the 
good- will of the community at large. 



(TOHN WEYANT FORD, who owns a com- 
I modious and handsome residence near High- 
V2/ land Mills, was born in Southfield, Orange 
County, September 3, 1853, being a son of 
Charles T. and Martha (Weyant) Ford. When a 
year old he was taken by his parents to Sterling, 
where he remained until he was eighteen, mean- 
time attending the schools of that place until six- 
teen years old. He spent one year as a student 
in the Seward In.stitute at Florida, Orange Coun- 
ty, and when seventeen attended a private school 
taught by Dr. L. P. La Due, at Cornwall Heights, 
remaining there one year. 

About that time the famil}' moved to a farm 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



293 



opposite our subject's present home, and there 
he resided until the ist of April, 1891, when he 
moved to the place he now owns. For a number 
of 3'ears after his marriage he engaged in farm- 
ing in partnership with his father, and upon the 
death of the latter, in 1887, he received the old 
homestead of one hundred and thirteen acres. 
From that time until 1895 he continued the cult- 
ivation of the propert}', but in the spring of the 
year last named he built a large summer boarding- 
house, which he has since carried on. 

The father of our subject, Charles T. Ford, 
was born March 14, 18 15, and on the 13th of 
April, 1840, at Central Valley, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Martha Weyant, the cere- 
mony being performed by Rev. Eli Dennison. 
The wife and mother was born September 12, 
1817, and passed from earth September 16, 1890, 
about fifty years after her marriage. Our subject 
was united in marriage, in the town of Wood- 
bury, October 14, 1874, with Miss Elizabeth 
Smith Rider, a native of New York and a resi- 
dent of Orange County from the age of seven 
years. Her father. King Rider, was born in the 
town of Cornwall, December 7, 1820, and died 
August 15, 1871. December 7, 1848, he mar- 
ried Hannah Turner Smith, who was born near 
Turner, December 7, 1827. They became the 
parents of six children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy unnamed. The others were as follows: 
Charles and Stephen, who died at the ages of 
eighteen and twenty-two months, respectively; 
Elizabeth S., wife of our subject; James Ashael, 
who resides on the old homestead; and Edward 
Powell, who lives in Central Valley. 

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Ford were 
James and Nancy (Campbell) Rider, the former 
born in Cornwall, the latter in Scotland in 1800, 
being brought to America by her parents at the 
age of seven years. James was a son of King 
Rider, Sr., and his wife was a daughter of 
Charles and Isabella (Campbell) Campbell, who 
were distantly related to each other, and became 
residents of this country about 1807. The mater- 
nal grandparents of Mrs. Ford were Ashael and 
Elizabeth (Turner) Smith, who were married in 
1816. Grandfather Smith was born about 1795, 



and was a son of Clark and Susan (Davenport) 
Smith. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, 
and died in March, 1867. 

The union of our subject and his wife has been 
blessed with three children, Emma S., Irving K. 
and Clara L. The family attend the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Highland Mills, to which 
Mr. and Mrs. Ford belong. Politically he ad- 
heres to Republican principles, and in his frater- 
nal relations is connected with Schunnemunk 
Lodge No. 276, K. P., at Highland Mills. The 
excellent judgment which he displays in carrying 
on his boarding-house will cause it to prove 
financially profitable to him. 



(TUSTUS CEARK. Of the farmers in the town 
I of Minisink none are more thoroughly ac- 
(2/ quainted with its development and growth, 
or more deeply interested in its progress, than the 
gentleman named. The farm where he was born 
and upon which he still makes his home con- 
sists of one hundred and fourteen acres of well 
tilled land. Assuming the management of this 
place when he was twenty-five years old, he soon 
afterwards purchased it and has since engaged in 
its cultivation. A man of good mental calibre, 
energetic and capable, his honesty and enterprise 
as a farmer have won for him the esteem of his 
fellow-townsmen. 

The birth of Justus Clark occurred October 30, 
1826, his parents being Samuel and Hainiah 
(Van Fleet) Clark, natives of Orange County 
and New Jersey, respectively. Grandfather James 
Clark was the first representative of the family 
who located in Orange County. Our subject is 
the next to the youngest of a family of five chil- 
dren, the others being Uriah, deceased; Rebecca, 
Benjamin and Mary. He was reared on the 
home farm, and on arriving at man's estate estab- 
lished domestic ties by his marriage to Miss Elsie 
J. Clark, who, though bearing the same name, 
was not related to him. Three children came to 
bless their union, concerning whom we note the 
following: Mary J. is the wife of Emmett Mc- 
Bride, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits 



294 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in this county; Sarah L. was united in marriage 
with Charles W. Elston, a farmer living in Sus- 
sex Countj-, N. J.; Samuel, the youngest of the 
famil}-, died in boyhood. A heavy sorrow befell 
the family when the loving wife and mother was 
called from earth, in April, 1890, at the age of 
sixty years. Her body was laid to rest in the 
Unionville Cemetery, but though she herself has 
gone, the memory of her true and con.sistent life 
cheers her husband in his declining years, and 
her children "rise up to call her blessed." 

In all his dealings with others Mr. Clark has 
acted upon the noblest Christian moti\-es, striv- 
ing to carry out in his daily life the principles 
of the Golden Rule. His membership is in the 
Christian Church, the doctrines of which he ad- 
vocates because thej^ are the nearest in accord 
with the apostolic teachings. He takes a com- 
mendable interest in public affairs and is especi- 
allj- interested in matters pertaining to the wel- 
fare of his immediate localitj-. In politics he is a 
Democrat, unswerving in his allegiance to party 
principles. He has held the office of Assessor 
and other local positions of trust, and in these 
posts of responsibility, as well as in private af- 
fairs, he has discharged to the best of his ability' 
every duty devolving upon him. 



■^-~ 



=+ 



IILLIAM H. WILLCOX, of the town of 
Warwick, is numbered among the solid 
men of Orange County. He comes of an 
old and representative family, his father, John 
Willcox, also being a native of this town, to which 
the grandfather of our subject, Joseph Willcox, 
had come from Long Island. The father married 
Hannah Howell, and the couple spent their entire 
lives in Orange County. The father died at the 
advanced age of eighty-five, while the mother is 
}-et living, at the age of ninety-three years. She 
is in fair health and her voice is as clear as in 
j'outh. The Willcoxes are pioneers of this coun- 
ty and no family is more highly respected. 

William H. Willcox was bom on a farm near 



where he still resides, in 1837. His primary ed- 
ucation was received in the district schools, and 
was supplemented bj- one term in Eddj-town, 
Yates County, this state. His entire life has 
been spent upon a farm, and he now owns two 
hundred and forty-four acres of fine land, under a 
high state of cultivation. He is engaged in mixed 
farming, but gives much of his attention to the 
cultivation of peaches, which form one of his 
principal crops. He has eleven hundred trees in 
one orchard and fifteen hundred in another, and 
cultivates principally the late and early Craw- 
fords. The fruit is of such fine quality and fla- 
vor that a ready sale is found in the home mar- 
kets of Orange County. During the harvesting of 
the crop about twenty-five capable hands are en- 
gaged constantlj-, gathering and conveying the 
fruit to market. A walk through his fine or- 
chards at the picking season is worth a journey 
of many miles to accomplish. He also deals to a 
limited extent in milk, which is shipped direct to 
New York City. 

In 1861 Mr. Willcox married Miss Frances M. 
W^aterbury, a native of the town of Warwick, 
where her parents were also born. Nine chil- 
dren were born unto them, five of whom have 
passed to the better world. Those living are: 
Lizzie, yet at home; John, who is the genial pro- 
prietor of the Amit>- House, and whose sketch 
appears on another page of this work; and Han- 
nah and Lewis, now residing at home. 

Mr. Willcox is a member of the Masonic order. 
In politics he is a Republican, in all national and 
state affairs voting his party ticket, but in local 
affairs voting for such men as he thinks best 
qualified for the office. 



-^1 



■Hi 



•VSAAC H. THOMPSON, one of the prominent 
I farmers of the town of Woodbury, was born 
X on the old homestead in this count\-, which 
is now occupied by his brother Alexander, April 
II, 1827. He attended the schools at Turner, 
near which place the tract is located, until nine- 
teen years of age, when he was apprenticed to 
learn the carpenter's trade, serving as a helper 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



for two years; he then learned drafting, and for a 
period of about thirty years worked throughout 
the county. For five years afterward, or from 
1862 to 1867, he was employed by a Mr. Parrott, 
having charge of two furnaces at Arden, and had 
under him two hundred and fifty workmen. For 
a period of five years he was also in the lumber 
and coal business at Turner. 

Mr. Thompson retired from working at his 
trade in April, 1871, and located upon his present 
fine estate, which he had purchased the year be- 
fore. It is one hundred and eighty-five acres in 
extent, and is all cultivated. He has it well stock- 
ed with fine cattle and horses, wintering about 
seventy-five head of the former, and he also sells 
yearly about forty tons of hay from his land. 
The estate is watered with five springs. He is 
also interested in the dairy bu.siness, giving spe- 
cial attention to this department of farming, and 
ships about thirt)- thousand gallons of milk each 
year. He is progressive and enterprising, and it 
was mainly through his influence that the cream- 
ery was established at Turner. 

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, on the 
farm where he now resides, January 18, 1852, to 
Miss Elizabeth Earl, who was born at Turner, 
and who was the daughter of Elmer and Sarah 
(Earl) Earl. Her mother died at the age of 
eighty-six years, and her father departed this 
life in November, 1869, when in his sixty-third 
year. To them was born a family of five chil- 
dren, three of whom survive: Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Thompson; William, who is engaged in farming- 
near Oxford; and John G., a farmer near High- 
land Mills. For a complete history of the par- 
ents of our subject, we refer the reader to a sketch 
of his brother, Alexander Thompson, which ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume. 

Of the five children born to our subject and his 
wife, Rachel ar^l Sarah are deceased; Elmer E. 
is employed on a railroad at Hoboken, N. J. ; 
Eizzie married E. H. Welling, the proprietor of a 
meat-market at Monroe; and Virgil Y., who is 
engaged in farming with his father, married Lucy 
Brush, of West Point. 

Mrs. Thompson is a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Monroe. In politics our 



subject is a stanch supporter of Democratic prin- 
ciples in national affairs, but during local elec- 
tions casts a ballot in favor of the man who in his 
opinion will best fill the office. He is prominent 
in public affairs, and for a period of nine years 
held the office of Highway Commi.s.sioner in the 
town of Woodbury. 



^OHN C. BOYD, M. D., deceased, was born 
I in New Jersey, December 2, 1819, and at an 
C2/ early age removed with his parents to Mon- 
ticello, N. Y., but later went to the village of 
Monroe to make his home. In Deckertown, N. J., 
he studied medicine, and in Philadelphia took 
a course of medical lectures. About 1840 he 
began the practice of his profession in Monroe, 
and continued in the discharge of the duties in- 
cident to his chosen occupation until failing health 
obliged him to relinquish active work. His death 
occurred in 1893. 

Dr. Boyd was the onl}' son of Rev. John Boyd, 
who was born in America of Irish parentage and 
who, entering the ministry of the Presbyterian 
Church, held pastorates in New Jersey and Mont- 
icello, N. Y. He died in Monroe about 1838. 
By his marriage with Margaret Gaston, of New 
Jersey, .six daughters and one son were born. 
In Deckertown, Sussex County, N. J., March 2, 
1843, occurred the marriage of Dr. Boyd and 
Miss Nancy Evans, who was born in that place. 
Her parents, Hon. James and Catherine (Haines) 
Evans, were born in Sussex County, where her 
father was a prominent mill-owner and manufact- 
urer; he served his district three terms as a mem- 
ber of the Legi-slature and was a man of influ- 
ence. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of 
Peter Haines, and by their union they had six 
children, Mrs. Boyd being next to the youngest. 
Seven children were born to Dr. and Mrs. 
Boyd. Of these we note the following: Joseph 
T. lives in Idaho; Evans is an upholsterer in New 
York; Elizabeth is deceased; Emma married 
Michael M. Kane, a lawyer of Warwick; Clara is 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



next in order of birth; Agnes is the wife of Al- 
mon Seek}-, who resides near Oxford, Orange 
County; and WiUiani T., a railroad man, has 
charge of all operators between New York and 
Port Jer\^is. 



rTMMET SEWARD ELMER, M. D., a re- 
1^ tired physician residing in Central Valley, 
!_, was born in Unionville, this county, Decem- 
ber 30, 1849. He remained in the village of his 
birth, meantime attending school, until twelve 
years of age, when he accompanied his father to 
Chester, and there continued his studies. On 
leaving school, he was engaged in different occu- 
pations, principally clerking, until twenty, when 
he commenced to read medicine under Dr. A. P. 
Parries, of Florida, N. Y. For several years aft- 
erward he carried on his professional studies in 
the medical department of the State University of 
Michigan, graduating in 1873. 

On the completion of his medical studies, the 
Doctor began practice in the town of Hampton- 
burgh, where he remained a year, but the illness 
of a brother caused him to discontinue profes- 
sional work and travel with him through the 
West, in the hope that a change of climate might 
prove beneficial to the invalid. During this trip, 
in the spring of 1874, the brother was drowned 
in the Red River of the North. In the fall of the 
same >-ear the Doctor entered the University Med- 
ical College of New York, where he remained for 
a time. In the winter of 1874-75 ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ posi- 
tion on Blackwell's Island, and in the fall of 1875 
received an appointment to the Hartford Hospital. 
Again returning to this county, the Doctor 
opened an oflBce in Monroe in the spring of 1876, 
and there he remained for four years. In 1880 
he went to Dakota, where he remained for two 
years on a farm near Fargo, superintending the 
management of the place. On his return East 
he came to Orange County and began the prac- 
tice of his profession in the village of Cornwall, 
remaining there until the death of his father-in- 
law, Morgan Shuit, in July, 1884. In the settle- 
ment of the estate, he bought the Shuit residence 



and .came to Central Valley, where he has since 
made his home, and since that time he has re- 
tired from the profession. 

October 18, 1878, Dr. Elmer married Miss Sa- 
rah M., daughter of Morgan and Mary Ann 
(Titu.s) Shuit, and one child blesses their union, 
a son named Morgan Shuit. Dr. and Mrs. El- 
mer are members of the Presbyterian Church of 
Monroe, and occupy an honored position in social 
circles. He still takes an active interest in his 
profession, notwithstanding his inability to en- 
gage in active practice, and is connected with the 
Orange County Medical Society. Politically he 
votes the Republican ticket. 

The parents of the Doctor, Henry D. and Julia 
Ann (DeKay) Elmer, were natives, respectively, 
of Goshen, N.Y., and Franklin, N.J. His father, 
who was born in 1 8 1 2 , was employed as a harness- 
maker at Union\-ille for more than thirty years, 
and died at Chester, in 1869. He was the son of 
Micah and Elizabeth ( Allison) Elmer, the former 
of whom inherited a valuable farm, but failed to 
increase his possessions, being a good-natured, 
easy-going man, liberal-hearted and generous to 
a fault. 

The parents of Micah were Dr. William and 
Marj' (Allison) Elmer, of Goshen, and the former 
was a son of Dr. Nathaniel Elmer, of Florida, 
N. Y., who was born February 17, 1732, in Wil- 
ton, Conn., and departed this life in December, 
1797. In 1775 he was Captain of a company 
of Florida soldiers, under Col. John Haythom, 
of Warwick. Marj- Allison was a daughter of 
Gen. William and Mary (Jackson) Allison, the 
former of whom was born in Chester in 1738, be- 
ing a son of Joseph Allison, who came here from 
Southold, L. I., in 1725, and died thirty years 
afterward. 

Gen. William Allison was a delegate to the 
First Provincial Congress, also served in the 
Second and Third Congresses, and in the Fourth 
until May, 1777, when he went to the front to 
take an active part in the struggle with England. 
On the organization of a Goshen regiment in 
1775 he was commissioned Colonel, and in April, 
1777, he and his men were in constant action to 
prevent the opening of the Hudson by the British 




JAMES M. CRANE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



299 



General, Burgoyne, on the north, and Clinton on 
the south. He and his son Micah were in the 
army when the British captured Ft. Montgomerj-, 
October 5, 1777. Taken pri.soner by the British, 
he was held in captivity until December, 1780, 
when he was allowed to rejoin his friends. In 
1783 he was commissioned Brigadier-General, 
and in 1788 he was again commissioned, but the 
latter papers he never saw, as thej' were in the 
possession of Lieutenant-Colonel Tusten, who 
fell in the battle with the Indians in Minisink. 
The commission, however, was afterward recov- 
ered, and is now in the possession of Mrs. Mary 
Knight, of Monroe. In 1783 he was elected to 
the State Senate, which position he filled with 
efficiency and distinction until 1786. At the 
close of the war he resumed farming, and ulti- 
mately became a very wealthj^ man, being the 
largest tax-payer of his town. His death occurred 
here in 18 14, bringing to a close an honorable, 
useful and more than ordinarily brilliant life and 
career. 



♦32+i®^^®^t<«- 



(TAMES M. CRANE, A. M., Pd. M., one of 
I the most able educators of this section of the 
Q) state, was born in Circleville, Orange Coun- 
ty, January 13, 1842. His father, Josiah Crane, 
was born in the town of Wallkill, of the same 
county, and the grandfather, Benjamin Crane, 
was a native of Morristown, N. J. The great- 
grandfather, Josiah Crane, was also born in Mor- 
ristown, and was a son of Edward Crane. The 
latter married Abigail Kitchel, and settled in 
Morris County, N. J., in the early part of the 
eighteenth century. Thegreat-grandfather of our 
subject, Capt. Josiah Crane, was born June 26, 
1745. He was a hatter and furrier of Morris- 
town, and during the Revolutionary War served 
as a Captain in the Colonial army. The writer 
had the opportunity of examining a transcript 
from the office of the Adjutant-General of the 
state of New Jersey to the effect that Capt. Jo- 
siah Crane served as a Lieutenant in Capt. Is- 



aac Halsey's company, Easton Battalion, Morris 
County (N. J.) Militia, August and September, 
1776; he also served as Captain of the same dur- 
ing the balance of the Revolutionary War. In 
1 783 he removed with his family to the town of 
Wallkill, and, settling in the nnidst of a forest, 
built a log cabin and began to clear and improve 
a farm. He married Abigail Hathaway, March 
28, 1768, and they had five children, of whom 
Benjamin aforesaid was the eldest, born Febru- 
ary 12, 1769. The latter operated his father's 
place for a time, and then removed to Susque- 
hanna County, Pa., where he spent his last days. 

The father of Professor Crane was in early life 
a teacher and farmer near Circleville, but later 
gave his attention entirely to agricultural pur- 
suits. For some 3'ears he served as Justice of 
the Peace. In politics he was a Democrat, and 
was one of the founders and an Elder of the 
Presbyterisn Church of Circleville. He was born 
in 1795, and died at the age of seventy-five. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Keziah S. 
Sturgis, and was also a native of Orange County, 
died in the eightieth year of her age. In the 
family were eight children, .six of whom grew to 
mature years, while five of the number are yet 
living, namely : William H . , a farmer of the town 
of Wallkill; Josiah M., a contractor of Jersey 
City; Mrs. Elizabeth Leebody, a widow, residing 
in Su.squehanna County, Pa. ; Mrs. Phoebe Wolfe, 
of Hoboken, N. J.; and James M., of this sketch. 

Professor Crane was reared on the old home 
farm, began his education in the district schools, 
and took a preparatory collegiate course under a 
private tutor and in a private school in Circle- 
ville. At the age of seventeen he began teach- 
ing in the latter place, and was thus employed 
until entering the Albany Normal School, from 
which he was graduated in 1863. In 1890 he re- 
ceived the honorary degree of A. M. from Union 
College, and in June, 1893, on completing the 
course of study in the University of New York 
City, received the degree of Master of Pedagogy. 
On leaving the normal school, he resumed teach- 
ing, which he has followed continuously since. 
He was first Principal of the school at Roslyn, 
on Long Island, and after a year accepted a sim- 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ilar position at Walden, N. Y., where he re- 
mained for three years. In the fall of 1866 he 
came to Newburgh as Principal of Grammar 
School No. 4, and after .serving in that capacity 
for two years accepted the position of first assist- 
ant of the Newburgh Free Academy. 

Professor Crane's connection with this .school 
has since continued, and for eighteen years he 
was the instructor of the graduating class, serv- 
ing in that capacity until 1886, when, on the re- 
tirement of Professor Doughty, the Board of Edu- 
cation made him Principal of the academy. He 
was the first to occupy the position after the com- 
pletion of the new academy building in the au- 
tumn of 1886. The school has had a steady 
growth since 1866, but its greatest improvement 
has been within the last ten years, under the able 
leadership of Professor Crane. There are now 
over five hundred pupils under the care and in- 
struction of fifteen teachers, not including Pro- 
fessor Crane, who teaches mathematics and Latin. 
In 1886 the manual training department was 
added, and the work in its various departments 
is now very complete. The graduating certificate 
of this academy will admit the holder to Cor- 
nell, Union College, the Albany Normal School, 
and other in.stitutions of merit, and many of the 
graduates upon examination have been admitted 
to Yale, Columbia and Princeton Colleges. Pro- 
fessor Crane has long made a study of pedagogy, 
and is still continuing post-graduate work in the 
University of the City of New York. 

In 1872 the Professor married Miss Elizabeth 
P. Murray, a native of Irvington, N. Y., and a 
daughter of John and Margaret (Patterson) Mur- 
ray. The latter were natives of Scotland, and 
soon after their marriage the}- emigrated to the 
United States. The father was a carpenter and 
contractor by trade, and died in 1894. The 
mother has also passed away. The Professor 
and Mrs. Crane have two children: Edith E., 
who graduated from the academy in 1889, at the 
age of fifteen; and James T., who graduated from 
the academy in 1894, and will graduate from 
Yale College in 1898. 

Professor Crane is a .stalwart Republican, and 
in 1885 he was elected on that ticket to the Board 



of Water Commissioners to fill a vacancy, was 
re-elected in 1886, serv'ing six years in all, and 
was acting President of the Board for three years. 
During this time the Newburgh service reservoir 
was built, and many other improvements made. 
He always takes a deep interest in anything per- 
taining to the progress and advancement of the 
community. He is a member and Tru.stee of 
Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., and is 
also a Trustee of Calvary Presbyterian Church. 
In his school work he has been most .successful, 
and has attained a high reputation, which onlj' 
merit could secure, winning a place among the 
able educators of the state, and placing the in- 
stitution with which he has so long been con- 
nected on a ver}- advanced plane. 



GIRCHIBALD McBRIDE. For many years 
LA Mr. McBride was numbered among the hon- 
/ I ored citizens of the town of Minisink. His 
death, which took place August 22, 1888, awoke 
expressions of profound .sorrov^', not only from the 
inner circle of his intimate friends, but also from 
all who had admired the integrity of his charac- 
ter and the strength of his nature. In the man- 
agement of his interests he displayed soundness 
of judgment. His farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres he placed under good cultivation, 
and its substantial buildings proved his industrj^ 
and perseverance. 

The record of the life of Mr. McBride, which 
was filled with deeds of quiet helpfulness rather 
than striking novelty, may be briefly told. He 
was born in the town of Greenville, Maj^ 5, 1825, 
being the son of Henry and Mary McBride. He 
grew to manhood in the same neighborhood, and 
at the age of twenty-four, Januarj- 2, 1847, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Clark. 
Two sons came to bless their union, the elder of 
whom, Wellington, resides in New York City 
and is proprietor of a laundr>' there; the younger, 
Nelson, lives on Long Island and is a druggist 
by occupation. 

Though reared upon a farm, Mr. McBride de- 
cided, upon attaining an age when it became uec- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3ot 



essary to choose an occupation, that he would 
prefer a trade, and accordingly he learned the 
cooper's trade. Upon completing his apprentice- 
ship he began work at his chosen occupation and 
was thus engaged for eighteen years. He did 
not, however, wholly relinquish farm work, but 
made his home upon a farm and had his shop 
near his dwelling. In 1852 he removed to a farm 
in the town of Minisink and gave his attention to 
the cultivation of the one hundred and twentj- 
acres comprising this place. Here he continued 
to reside until his death, and here his widow still 
remains. 

In his political views Mr. McBride was a stanch 
Democrat, and to that party he always gave his 
ballot and active influence. While he began life 
in very moderate circumstances, such were his 
industry and force of character that he attained a 
large share of this world's goods, and in his last 
days he was surrounded by every comfort. His 
widow, who was his faithful companion and help- 
mate for more than forty years, continues to make 
her home tipon the old place. She is an exemplary 
woman, worthy of the respect called forth by her 
kindness of heart and other attractive personal 
qualities. 



(^ 



,^®|ll^^. 



-C^ 



Cr? — • -^^lllv^K^' 



-\L> 



I EWIS LEE is one of the oldest surviving 
I C citizens of the town of Minisink and, in view 
t2f of his age and prominence, it is fitting that 
a record of his life should be inserted in this vol- 
ume. He was born December 22, 1814, upon 
the farm where he now resides. Having spent 
the greater portion of his life here, he has had 
the advantage of witnessing the progress of the 
county, and his name is connected with many a 
worthy enterprise to promote the welfare of the 
community. He has a wide acquaintance, and 
the conduct of his life has been such as to com- 
mend.him to the regard of the people. 

The parents of our subject were Daniel and 
Sarah (Aber) Lee, the former of whom traced 
his lineage to France. They spent their lives 



upon a farm, and devoted themselves to the work 
of training their children for positions of useful- 
ness and honor. Seven sons and four daughters 
were born to them, and of that number five sons 
and one daughter still survive, namely: Lewis; 
Ellen, who married Nelson Hatch; Charles M., 
Henry B., John L. and William C. 

The advantages offered our subject in boyhood 
were greatly inferior to those enjoyed by the boys 
of the present generation, but he was a sturdy, 
rugged lad, inclined to make the best of every- 
thing, and posses.sing a fund of perseverance and 
determination that proved a splendid capital. He 
grew to manhood on the home farm and early in 
life established domestic ties, being united in mar- 
riage, in 1842, with Miss Experience Teasdale. 
Their marriage was solemnized at Deckertow^n, 
N. J. , where he was engaged in keeping a leather 
store. Four children were born to their union, 
one of whom died in childhood. The others are: 
Martin E., a farmer by occupation; Isabella, who 
married John R. Tryon, and who died in June, 
1895; and Frances E., who is at home. Mrs. 
Lee died in June, 1890. 

In early manhood Mr. Lee spent a year in 
Indiana, but concluding that the East was a bet- 
ter place to live in, he returned to New York. 
For six years he resided in Deckertown, N. J., 
but with these two exceptions he has known no 
other home than the place of his birth and the 
scene of his youthful activities. He learned the 
tanner's and currier's trade, at which he found 
employment until 1848. The death of his father 
in 1849 caused a change in his plans and he re- 
turned to the old homestead to assume its man- 
agement. The property comprises one hundred 
and forty acres, upon which first-class improve- 
ments have been made, and which is devoted to 
dairying and farming. Notwithstanding his ad- 
vanced age, he is still quite vigorous, and is able 
to superintend the cultivation of his place, as well 
as to take an interest in current events. 

During the existence of the Whig party, Mr. 
Lee championed its principles, and upon its dis- 
integration he allied himself with the Republican 
party, to which he has since adhered. He is proud 
of the fact that he voted for General Harrison, 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and also for that famous soldier's grandson for the 
Presidency. In religious belief he is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, to which he contrib- 
utes and in the welfare of which he takes a deep 
interest. Many years have passed by since he 
was graduated from the little seminary at West- 
town, and time in its rapid flight has witnessed 
many changes wrought by the hand of man; it 
has seen him a vigorous youth, preparing to be- 
gin the battle of life; a sturdy, energetic man, 
taking his part in the progress of his connnunity; 
and now it sees him, an aged man, looking back 
upon a life well spent in the service of his fellow- 
men and his God. 



(TOHX NELSON BULL has passed almost his 
I entire life upon the farm in the town of Mon- 
\Z/ roe where he now resides. He is therefore 
well known among the people of this vicinity, 
and stands high in their estimation by reason of 
his perseverance, energy- and strict attention to 
business. His specialty has always been dairy 
farming, for which he has a decided preference 
and in which he has met with considerable suc- 
cess. Perhaps no resident of the district has 
aided in the promotion of its educational affairs 
more than has he, and during the twenty-six 
years in which he has served as School Trustee 
he has advanced the standard of scholarship 
and in other ways benefited the schools of the 
localit}-. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
has been long established in America, and his 
great-grandfather was a soldier in the War of the 
Revolution. Grandfather Isaac Bull was a mason 
by trade, and married a Miss Mapes, establishing 
his home in the town of Blooming Grove, where 
he continued to reside until his death. His son 
Franklin, our subject's father, was born in that 
town, and in early manhood adopted the calling 
of a farmer, which he made his life work. He 
married Mahala Clark, who.se mother was a Miss 
Crabtree, and who was a native of the town of 
Blooming Grove. They became the parents 
of nine children, of whom only four survive, 



namely: Hiram, who is engaged in farming in 
the town of Blooming Grove; Harrison, whose 
home is in the village of Monroe; John N., of 
this sketch; and Sarah Maria, wife of Benjamin 
Edsall, of Milford, N. Y. 

When a child of one j^ear our subject was 
brought to the farm where he now lives, and 
since then he has remained here continuously, 
with the exception of two years during the war, 
when he was employed in Cold Springs, Putnam 
County. In the town of Blooming Grove, Octo- 
ber 28, 1865, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Dough- 
erty, widow of James C. Dougherty, and daugh- 
ter of James and Rebecca (Raymond ) Hall. Her 
father was a son of John and Elizabeth Hall, 
and her mother a daughter of John Raymond. 
In religious belief Mrs. Bull is connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his politi- 
cal relations our subject is a Republican. By 
his marriage three children have been born, 
namely: Edward; Henry, who married Nellie 
George; and Fred, who is with his parents. 

rjSATHANIEL R. FEAGLES, of the town of 
yj Warwick, comes of German ancestors, his 
I Id grandfather, Jacob Feagles, having emigrat- 
ed from Germanj- at a verj- early date and settled 
in Orange Count^^ Here he reared his family, 
and here Jacob H. Feagles, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born. He married Susan Roe, who was 
also a native of Orange County. The father, 
who was an attorney by profession, was engaged 
in the practice of law for some years and at the 
same time carried on a farm, in the work of 
which he took a great deal of pleasure. He died 
in 1862, but his wife, the mother of our subject, 
sur\'ived ten years, dying in 1872. She was of 
an old and influential family of Orange County. 
Nathaniel R. Feagles was born near where he 
.still resides, in 1821. His education wasobtained 
in the common schools of his native town, while 
his brothers attended college and studied for pro- 
fessions. He persevered in his farm pursuits 
and has .spent nearly his entire life in this line. 
About the age of thirty years he went to New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



303 



York City, where for five years he was engaged 
in the butcher business, but since returning to 
the farm has given it his earnest attention, and 
now has over two hundred acres of land under a 
high state of cultivation. His dwelling and out- 
houses are of modern construction and he is sur- 
rounded by every comfort calculated to make 
home happy. 

In 1858 Mr. Feagles was united in marriage 
with Miss Elizabeth Ryerson, a native of New 
Jersey. Of their family of children, one died in 
childhood, and four sons and four daughters are 
yet living: Mary, at home; Daisy, wife of Harry 
Salkill; Annie, wife of Ezra Sanford; Libbie; Ja- 
cob, a farmer residing near his father; Charles; 
Nathaniel, who is a merchant of Amity, and who 
also farms the old homestead; and Henry. Mrs. 
Feagles is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
at Amity. In politics Mr. Feagles is a Republi- 
can, but has never aspired to official honors, al- 
though he has served his fellow -citizens in .several 
local positions. For thirty years he has been a 
Director in the Chester Bank. Success has 
crowned his every effort in life, and he is to-day 
numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Or- 
ange County. In his lovely home, surrounded 
by his family, he is .spending the declining years 
of a well spent life. 



EAPT. JAMES WOOD BENEDICT, of War- 
wick, was born in New Canaan, Conn., Jan- 
uary 30, 1830, and is a son of Jonathan B. 
and Fannie Benedict. The father was also a na- 
tive of New Canaan, and was there engaged in 
farming. In the public affairs of his native state 
he was quite popular, having creditabl}- filled a 
number of local positions. About 1834 the fam- 
ily came to Orange County and located in War- 
wick, where the father spent the remainder of 
his life, dying in 1841. The mother, who was a 
native of the town of Warwick, died in 1880, at 
the age of ninety years. Her family were among 
the pioneers of Orange County, locating here as 



early as 1765. James Benedict was the first of 
the name to come to Orange County, and was the 
first Baptist minister in this section of country. 

The subject of this sketch had very limited ad- 
vantages for obtaining an education, the schools 
being very inferior to those of the present day. 
After he was eleven years of age he received 
four months' schooling, but as his father died at 
this time it became necessary for him to devote 
his attention to farm work, and from the age of 
fifteen he had almost the entire charge of the 
home place. He was successfully engaged in 
farming from that time until the breaking out of 
the Civil War. When the news reached War- 
wick that Ft. Sumter had been fired upon he 
walked with a companion to Gray Court, the 
nearest railroad point, to get New York papers. 
This was on Sunday, and on the following 
Wednesday a mass-meeting was held in War- 
wick, at which fifty loyal citizens enrolled their 
names to go to the front. When it came to the 
selection of a leader, however, no one wished to 
take that honor, and the company was disbanded. 
A little over a year later Company D, of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, was organized at Warwick, and at 
their earnest solicitation Mr. Benedict became 
Captain of the company. 

The first engagement this company partici- 
pated in was at Fredericksburg, under General 
Burn.side. It was in every battle, skirmish and 
march with the Army of the Potomac until May 
12, 1864, Captain Benedict being with the regi- 
ment all the time. Owing to a wound received 
at Spottsylvania C. H. on that day, he was sent 
to the hospital, first to the rear of the army. The 
day following an ambulance took them to Fred- 
ericksburg, where he remained a week, and was 
subsequently removed to the Armory Square 
Hospital at Washington, in which institution he 
remained until suflScientl)' recovered to be sent 
home. In September, 1864, he returned to his 
company, and the next prominent engagement 
in which he took part was at Hatcher's Run. 
Subsequently he was promoted to be Major, Jan- 
uary II, 1865, but to date from September, 1864. 
He was mustered out June 3, 1865, and returned 



304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to Warwick battle-scarred and a cripple. He 
had participated in twenty-eight engagements in 
the Army of the Potomac from the time of his re- 
turn to the company until the final surrender of 
the Confederates. He was hit thirteen times, but 
was seriously wounded only once. 

Captain Benedict was united in marriage with 
Miss Harriett Durland Februarj' 28, 1866. She 
was a daughter of Thomas E. and Mary Ellen 
(Booth) Durland, natives of Orange County and 
descendants of the first white people of this sec- 
tion. The marriage of Captain and Mrs. Bene- 
dict has been blessed by the birth of six children. 
Mary Ellen, the .second-born, died in Missouri 
at the age of three years. Those living are 
Fanny, Jessie A., Antoinette Bell, Hugh and 
.Sarah, all at home with their father, the mother 
having died June 5, 1884. 

Soon after his marriage Captain Benedict and his 
bride moved to Missouri, where they lived eight 
years and then returned to Warwick. Four years 
later he went to Ohio and there resided thirteen 
months, but again returned to Warwick, and in 
1 88 1 located upon the farm where he now resides. 
The farm consists of one hundred and sixtj' acres 
of land, and the stone residence in which he lives, 
though it was erected in 1 78 1 , is quite well pre- 
sented. In politics Captain Benedict has nearly 
always associated with the Republican party. 
Few men in Orange County are more favorably 
known or more highly respected. 

■ — ^ m(^ — - 



NKNRY TUvSTEN VAN DUZER, a leading 
citizen of the town of Goshen, has passed 
his entire life upon the home farm, where 
he was born January 13, 1827. His life has been 
a happy and successful one, and the obstacles 
with which he met in his earlier j-ears he bravely 
overcame. His estate includes one hundred 
broad and well tilled acres, which he devotes to 
general farming purposes and dairying, making 
a specialty of the latter business. 

Our subject wa« the eldest son of John and 
Margaret (Jenning.s) \'an Duzer, who spent their 
entire lives in this county. John was in turn the 



son of Isaac, who was prominent in the early 
historj' of Orange County, where he died upon 
the farm which is now the property of Henry T. 
The father was a well-to-do agriculturi.st and be- 
came widely known for his progressive methods 
and the advance which he made in this in- 
dustry. He was prominent in local politics, and 
during his incumbency of positions of trust and 
responsibility discharged his duties in a satisfac- 
tory manner. At the time of his death, in 1873, 
he was widely mourned by a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. His good wife, the mother 
of our .subject, died in 1867. 

Henry T., of this sketch, had only the advan- 
tages of the district school when a boy, but later 
.satisfied his thirst for knowledge by attending 
school in the village of Goshen, and .subsequently 
by a course in the academy at Deckertown. 
After attaining his eighteenth j'ear, and when he 
had completed his education, he returned to the 
parental roof, and has ever since resided on the 
home farm. On the death of his father he pur- 
chased the interest in the estate of the other heirs 
and is now sole owner. As before stated, it is 
one hundred acres in extent, and since the erec- 
tion thereon of modern buildings it presents to 
the passer-by a very neat and inviting appear- 
ance. 

December 13, 1865, Mr. Van Duzer and Miss 
Sarah C. Bradner were united in marriage. The 
ladj- is the daughter of Colvill and Sarah (Den- 
ton ) Bradner, natives of this county and state, 
within whose boundaries they pa.s.sed their entire 
lives. Colvill Bradner was a descendant of Rev. 
John Bradner, who went with his parents to 
Long Island, and in 1821 came to Goshen as the 
first pastor of the Presbyterian Church. His fa- 
ther, John Bradner, eloped with Miss Christian 
Colvill, the daughter of a Scotch earl. After 
their marriage they set sail for America, the trip 
occupying over a year, and during the voyage 
Rev. John Bradner was born. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. \'an Duzer are members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and are active in all 
good works in their neighborhood. In politics 
the former is a stanch Democrat, and is conse- 
quentlj- opposed to monopolies of all kinds. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



305 



is a man universally respected in his community, 
and carries lightly the almost threescore years 
and ten which the Creator has seen fit to bestow 
upon him. 



(lOHN L,. RUT AN is one of the energetic 
I young business men of Goshen. In the fall 
C/ of 1893 he erected a fine brick market, with 
refrigerators and all modern appliances, which is at 
the corner of Greenwich and Main Streets, a good 
location for business. The proprietor became in- 
terested in the retail ice bu.siness some five years 
ago, and is making a success of that line as well. 
He deals entirely in natural ice, and has store- 
houses situated on Main Street. Altogether there 
are three separate ice-houses, with a capacity of 
seven hundred tons. 

Our subject comes from an old New Jersej' 
family, and is of French descent. His father was 
born in West Milford, that state, and by trade 
was a wagon- maker. For several years he re- 
sided in Sparta, N. J., and then settled in War- 
wick, where he is now living a retired life, being 
in his .sixty -second 3'ear. He is a member of the 
Methodi,st Episcopal Church, and enjoys the re- 
spect and confidence of all who know him. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Adelia Lanterman, 
w'as born in New Jersey, coming from one' of the 
good old families of that state, and died in Sparta 
in 1863. 

John L. Rutan was born in Paterson, N. J., 
October 29, 1855, and is the eldest of four living 
children. He was reared in Ogden.sburg and 
Sparta, that state, receiving the benefits of a 
practical business education. When he was in 
his twentieth year he came to Goshen, and in 
1874 commenced learning the butcher's business 
with Frank Martin. He was careful of his means, 
laying aside a large share of his salary, and at 
length concluded to embark in business on his 
own account. Though but seven years have 
pa.ssed since he carried out this resolution, he is 
now in comfortable circumstances, and, judging 



by his success in the past, will eventually be- 
come well-to-do. He brings to bear upon his va- 
rious enterprises good judgment, perseverance in 
whatever he undertakes, and careful attention to 
details, which characteristics are generally re- 
warded with prosperity. 

Mr. Rutan was married, April 18, 1895, to Miss 
Laura Conklin, daughter of Daniel Conklin. So- 
cially he is identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and in his political relations he 
is a Democrat. 



gEORGE F. KETCHUM, editor of the IVar- 
ivick Va//€j' Dispatch, was born in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., September 23, 1856. He is a 
son of George W. and Elizabeth Strang (Wright) 
Ketchum. His father is living in Brooklyn, at 
the age of seventy-five. His mother, who was a 
member of a prominent Westchester County fam- 
ily, died in 1892, at the age of sixtj^-seven years. 
George W. Ketchum is a son of Enos, who was 
a son of Samuel, one of the early settlers of Or- 
range County, and in his time a prominent citi- 
zen. In this connection Rutterber, the Orange 
County historian, says: "The names of Burt, 
Benedict, Coe, Sanford, Welling and Ketchum 
are household words in local history. * * * 
Benjamin Burt married Elizabeth Ketchum, of 
the early resident family of that name. * * * 
The Ketchum stock represented in this line is 
from Samuel, of Long Island, where he was a 
resident prior to 1683." Samuel Ketchum, of 
Orange County, served in the Continental army 
during the Revolution, and after the war received 
a pension. He was for many years a large land- 
owner in the towns of Warwick and Monroe. 
He died in Ohio in 1843. 

George F. Ketchum, who is the onl)- living 
male representative of the family of the same 
generation, was educated in the public schools of 
Brooklyn, at Wesleyan Academy, Massachusetts, 
and Warwick Institute. During 1870-78 the 
family lived at Bellvale, this town. Having 
learned the printer's trade, in 1885 he estab- 



3o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lished the Wiarwfck Valley Dispatch, an aggress- 
ive Democratic paper and an important factor in 
Orange County politics. 

In 1S93 ^^r- Ketchum was appointed Postmas- 
ter at Warwick by President Cleveland. He is 
a member of the present Board of Education, 
having .served since 1889, and took an active in- 
terest in the building of the new Warwick Insti- 
tute, and in promoting the development of the 
local educational sy.stem. He is one of the Trus- 
tees of the Warwick Athletic A.ssociatiou, Treas- 
urer of E.xcel.sior Hose Company, and Trustee of 
the Woodbury, Monroe & Chester Building and 
Loan Association. In 1876 he married Eve- 
h'n Grace, youngest daughter of the late Samuel 
Wilson, of Bellevale. They have two daughters, 
Jennie Burt and Florence Louise, who are at 
home. 



(Tames H. lewis, whose farm is situated 
I near Queensborough, in the town of Wood- 
C/ burj', was born on the farm where he now 
resides, Januar\- 31, 1834. With the exception 
of a few years, he has spent his entire life at this 
place. In his boyhood, schools were few and of 
very inferior quality, and his educational advan- 
tages were limited to a brief attendance at schools 
taught by itinerant teachers, who "boarded 
"round." When a young man, be worked for ten 
months in a nursery at Arden, and later for about 
two years, during which time his mother rented 
the farm, he worked for neighboring farmers b^- 
the month. I'pon his marriage he received the 
old home farm, and here he has since resided. 

The first marriage of Mr. Lewis was in 1853, 
when he was united with Mary Elizabeth Thorpe, 
who was born in the mountains near Central Val- 
lej-. She was a daughter of Abraham and Eliza 
(Brooks) Thorpe, and a granddaughter of John 
and Mary Brooks, the former of whom was an 
Englishman by birth. Four children were born 



of this union, concerning whom we note the fol- 
lowing: William Henr>- aids our subject in the 
cultivation of the farm; Ann Eliza married John 
Cook, of Highland Falls: Ruth Etta, Mrs. Enoch 
Ro.se, lives in Ft. Montgomery; and Mary Agnes 
is the wife of Charles H. Weyant. whose sketch 
is presented on another page of this volume. The 
second wife of Mr. Lewis is Lavinia Etta Thorpe, 
a sister of his first wife, and one child blessed 
their union, a daughter, Almina, now deceased. 

The father of our subject, Henry Lewis, was 
bom upon the farm now owned by our subject. 
From his tract of one hundred and twenty-five 
acres he cleared the timber, selling part of it as 
wood to the vessels on the Hudson at Ft. Mont- 
gomen,-, and converting a portion into charcoal 
for the furnaces at Forest of Dean. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, William Lewis, was born near 
Slaughter's Pond, and was probably of English 
extraction: he died at a ven,- advanced age. His 
wife, whose Christian name was Mary, was of 
Dutch descent, and our subject remembers her as 
a good old lady, in appearance very short and 
stout. Grandfather Lewis was a coal-burner and 
also manufactured staves, barrels and cooper's 
products. 

Ruth, our subject's mother, was a daughter of 
John and Mary (McClelland) Swim, who weremar- 
ried in' Highland Falls. Grandmother Swim was 
a daughter of Joseph McClelland, of this count}'. 
Of the family of four children born to William 
Lewis, Henr\- was next to the eldest, and was the 
only son. By his marriage he had eight children, 
namely: Ann Maria. Mary Elizabeth, James, Will- 
iam, Henn,- and Naomi and Eunice, the two latter 
dying young. The parents of Mrs. Lewis had nine 
children, namely: William, Samuel, Mar>- E., 
Amelia A., Sarah D., Lavinia Etta, George B., 
Susan M. and Charles R. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis hold membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Ft. Montgomery, 
but usually attend sen-ices held in the Queens- 
borough schoolhouse. Politicallj- he is a decided 
advocate of the Republican party, and is one of 
its local leaders. For many years he has served 
as School Trustee and Road Overseer, and at dif- 
ferent times he has held other local offices of trust. 




JOHN J. I'HRROTT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



QOHN JAMES PERROTT, Coroner of Orange 
I County and superintendent of St. George's 
(2/ Cemetery of Newburgh, is one of the most 
popular and highly respected young men of the 
city. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, 
Richard, and father, David, both being natives of 
County Cork, Ireland, where the former carried 
on agricultural pursuits until his death. For 
some time the father served as clerk in an attor- 
ney's office, and was then appointed steward of 
Wilson's Hospital for old men and boys, where 
he remained until coming to America. In his 
native land he married Catherine Fife, who was 
born in County Longford, and was a daughter of 
Edward Fife, who was Sergeant of the police 
force. Bringing his wife to America in 1850, 
David Perrott located at Salisbury Mills, where 
for two years he engaged in farming, but at the 
end of that time came to Newburgh, where he 
was appointed superintendent of St. George's 
Cemetery and sexton of St. George's Episcopal 
Church, holding the latter position from 1852 tm- 
til 1887. At the time of his death, which oc- 
curred April 30, 1892, at the age of seventy-two 
years, he was also serving as Senior Warden of 
the Church of the Good Shepherd. Mrs. Perrott, 
who is still living, has attained the age of .seventy 
years. By her marriage she became the mother 
of nine children, five of whom yet survive: Ed- 
ward, an undertaker of Newburgh; Martha, now 
Mrs. Alex Mitchell, of Brooklyn: Richard W., a 
carpenter of Newburgh; Sarah, wife of David H. 
Flansburg, of Williams Bridge, Westchester Coun- 
ty; and our subject. 

John James Perrott was born in Newburgh on 
the 6th of March, 1866, and was there reared to 
manhood, while his education was obtained in 
the common schools and academy. During boy- 
hood he assisted his father in his labors, and in 
1882 was regularly appointed his assistant, which 
position he filled until his father's death, when he 
succeeded him as superintendent of St. George's 
Cemetery, which office has now been filled b}^ 
himself and father for forty-two consecutive years. 
The beautiful appearance of the grounds denotes 
the care and labor expended upon them, and 
shows that the management is in excellent hands. 



Mr. Perrott is an intelligent, well informed man, 
and possesses superior business tact and sound 
common sense, which make him an invaluable 
member of the community. He has ever taken 
an active part in political affairs, being Inspector 
of Elections since he attained his majorit}-, and in 
the fall of 1894 was nominated on the Republican 
ticket for the office of County Coroner, to which 
he was elected by the handsome majority of forty- 
one hundred, and in January, 1895, he took the 
oath of office. He is quite prominent in social as 
well as political circles, belonging to several civic 
societies, in which he takes an active part. He 
is a member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, 
F. &. A. M. ; Highland Lodge No. 65, I. O. O. F. ; 
Mt. Olive Encampment No. 65; Olive Branch 
Lodge No. 133, K. of P.; Court Newburgh No. 
7,256, A. O. F. of A.; Muchattoes Tribe No. 54, 
I. O. R. M. ; Newburgh Lodge No. 247, B. P. 
O. E.; and Highland Council No. 5, Jr. O. IT. 
A. M. He is a member of the Church of the 
Good Shepherd, in which he is serving as clerk 
of the vestry, and is also a member of the choir. 



r^ 



=^ 



HON. AUGUSTUS DENNISTON. The 
Highland National Bank is one of the old 
established institutions of Newburgh, having 
been chartered April 26, f834, with a capital 
stock of $200,000. In a few weeks nearly double 
the capital required had been sub.scribed, and a 
pro rata distribution of the stock was therefore 
made. The bank was organized July 21, with 
Gen. Gilbert O. Fowler as President, and James 
Belknap Cashier. January i, 1865, the capital 
was increased to $350,000 ($100,000 surplus and 
$50,000 new stock), and in April following the 
bank was reorganized as a national bank, with a 
capital of $450,000. In 1888 the capital was re- 
duced to $300,000. 

From the inception of the enterprise to the 
present time, the bank has retained the confidence 
of the public to an unusual degree, all its trans- 
actions having been marked bj' prudence and 
probity. From 1834 to 1843 Gilbert O. Fowler 
served as President; from 1843 to 1867, George 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cornwell; from 1867 to 1882, Alfred Post; from 
,1882 to 1892, M. C. Belknap; and from January, 
1892, to the present tlie position has been held 
by Hon. Augustus Denniston, who has fully 
maintained the high character gained by the in- 
stitution in former years. 

Before presenting the biographical .sketch of 
our subject, it may not be anii.ss to give a few- 
facts concerning his father, Hon. Robert Dennis- 
ton. He was born in the town of Blooming 
Grove in 1800, being a son of James Denniston, 
a native of the same place and a farmer by occu- 
pation, his death occurring in 1S25. Great- 
grandfather James Denni.ston was born in Orange 
County, where he owned large tracts of land. 
The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and its 
progenitors in this country came here with the 
Clintons, Mr. Clinton and Alexander Denniston 
being brothers-in-law, and they settled in Little 
Britain, on adjoining homesteads. 

During his day Hon. Robert Denniston was a 
very prominent man and pos.sessed large influ- 
ence in the county and state. Among the posi- 
tions which he held were tho.se of Justice of the 
Peace, County Judge, Member of the As.sembly, 
Member of the State .Senate for several terms, and 
Comptroller of the .State in 1860-61. After serv- 
ing in the A.ssembly for three years, he was State 
Senator for seven years, and from 1840 to 1846 
he was Chairman of the Committee on Canals. 
In politics he was first a Democrat, but after the 
formation of the Republican part_\- he joined its 
ranks. For years he was a Director in the High- 
land National Bank, in which he was one of the 
original stockholders. He sen-ed as Elder in the 
Presbyterian Churches at Washingtonville and 
Bethlehem. In 1S49 he was President of the 
Orange County Agricultural Society, and alto- 
gether he was one of the most influential men of 
his generation. His death occurred in 1867. 

The marriage of Hon. Robert Denniston united 
him with Miss Mar>- Scott, who was born in 
Elizabethtown, N. J., and who is still living. 
Her father, William Scott, was born in North- 
umberland County, England, and in 1798 re- 
moved to America and settled in Elizabethtown, 
N. J., of which he was a pioneer. He came with 



his father, Gavin Scott, they having left England 
on account of religious persecution. They were 
Presbyterians in their belief Late in life Will- 
iam Scott came to Newburgh, and here he died 
in 1846. 

There were eleven children in the family of 
Robert and Mary Denniston, of whom seven are 
living. Henrj- M., one of the sous, has been in 
the United States navy since 1861, having at that 
time been appointed Paymaster by President Lin- 
coln, a position which he has held ever since. 
Rev. James O., a Presbyterian clergyman, who 
is at present residing in Washingtonville, was 
First Lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, and was 
wounded at Gettysburg, receiving his discharge 
on account of disability. William Scott, M. D., 
was a surgeon in the Union army, and died in 
Virginia in 1862. Robert, Jr., who vvas in the 
United States navy during the war, was honora- 
bly di.scharged from service, and died soon after- 
ward at Oakland, Cal. 

In the town of Blooming Grove, the birth of 
Augustus Denniston occurred May 25, 1842. He 
was reared upon a farm, and early in life became 
familiar with the work incident to that occupation. 
During his father's administration he was clerk 
in the Comptroller's office. In June, 1862, he 
was appointed by Governor Morgan, on recom- 
mendation of Colonel Ellis, to be Quartermaster 
of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New 
York Infantry. In Septemlier he went with the 
regiment to the front, but after a few months' 
service he was taken ill and spent several weeks 
in the hospital. His health becoming greatly 
impaired, he resigned and returned to Orange 
Counts-. 

In 1S73-74 Mr. Deiniiston represented this dis- 
trict in the Assembly. In 1877 he was elected 
First Vice-President of the Orange County Agri- 
cultural Society, and two years later, upon the 
death of the President. Rev. L. L. Comfort, he 
was elected to that office, and this position he has 
since held. His interest in agricultural matters 
has always been great, and he has witnessed the 
development of the society with much interest, 
and has hiiuself greatly promoted its progress. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3" 



In addition to being President of the Highland 
National Bank of Newburgh. Mr. Denniston is a 
Director in the Newburgh District Telegraph 
Company, and is President of the Washington- 
ville Farmers' Creamery Association. F'raternally 
he is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and in politics is a Republican. He is a 
life member of the New York State Agricultural 
Society. His membership is in the Presbyterian 
Church at W'ashingtonville, of which he is a 
Trustee. He is a good judge of horses, fond of a 
fine animal, and once owned two Hambletonian 
horses. His home he makes upon a farm near 
Wa.shingtonville, and comes to Newburgh daily. 



■ninr 



=+ 



<^HOMAS JOHNSTON, one of Newburgh's 
/ C most genial and jovial citizens, is the Su- 
Vy perintendent of the Chadborn & Coldwell 
Manufacturing Company. He was born in Coun- 
ty Antrim, Ireland, August 25, 1843, and is the 
son of James and Ann (Hartley) Johnston, na- 
tives, respectively, of Scotland and Ireland. The 
paternal grandfather, James Johnston, Sr. , was a 
Scotchman by birth, while the maternal grand- 
father, William Hartley, was a native of the 
Emerald Lsle, but of Scotch descent, his family 
having been well known Orangemen. 

During the period of his service in the English 
army, when he was but twenty -one years of age, 
our subject's father was one of the guards who 
conveyed Napoleon to his desert home on the 
Lsle of St. Helena. While in the service he also 
came to the United States and Canada, and for a 
time was stationed in England, then was sent 
to Ireland. He died in County Antrim in 1844, 
when sixty-three years of age. After his death 
his widow came to America, where her last years 
were spent. 

Of the family of James and Ann Johnston we 
note the following: William, who at one time 
was an officer in the British army, died in 
Brooklyn in i8go; Edward, who entered the Brit- 
ish army when fourteen years old, was graduated 
from a military school in the East Indies, and 



during the period of his service took part in the 
Sepoy War and the China War, but afterward 
came to the United States, and is now a machinist 
9f Newburgh; Henrj-, who was on the Confed- 
erate side during the Civil War, served as Captain 
ol' a Southern company until he was wounded 
and taken pri.soner by the Federals, but was re- 
leased and died in Arkansas after the close of the 
rebellion, having accumulated considerable prop- 
erty through speculation; James died while at- 
tending the military school in Dublin, Ireland; 
Jane, Mrs. Williamson, resides in Middletown; 
and Thomas completes the family. 

Brought to America at the age of three years, 
our subject was reared in Matteawan, N. Y., un- 
til he was nine, when he came to Newburgh. 
His education was conducted in the public schools 
and academy of this city. At the age of fourteen 
he began to work in the marble-yard, and a year 
later secured a clerkship in a grocery, where he 
remained for three and one-half years. He then 
went to New York City, where he learned the 
brass-finishing trade. In the spring of 1862 he 
volunteered in the Union service, becoming a 
member of Companj' L, Nineteenth New York 
Infantry, which enlisted for ninety days. With 
his regiment he marched to Baltimore, and his 
service was principally in that locality. At the 
expiration of his term of service he was mustered 
out in Newburgh. 

Returning to New York, Mr. John.ston com- 
pleted his trade, at which he worked six years 
altogether, but he was finally obliged to abandon 
it on account of ill-health. Going back to Mat- 
teawan, he worked at the machinist's trade for a 
year and a-half. His next position was with 
Robert Whitehill in Newburgh, with whom he 
remained for three years. He then went to Hart- 
ford, Conn., in the employ of the Pratt & Whit- 
ney Manufacturing Company. Later he built 
the file machine for the American File Company, 
and took charge of the file-shop for two years as 
superintendent, but the iron business failing, the 
file trade became so dull as to force them to shut 
down the works. 

For one season Mr. Johnston was employed as 
inspector for the Hill Archimedean Lawn-mower 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Company, of Hartford, Conn, after which he was 
with the Hartford Compressed-air Pump Com- 
pany for a year. For two years he was in charge 
of the tool room for Robert Whitehill at New-, 
burgh. November i, 1878, he was appointed 
superintendent of the Chjdborn & Coldwell Man- 
ufacturing Company ( manufacturers of lawn 
mowers), which respon.sible position he has since 
held. At the time he took the place the com- 
pany built only thirty-five hundred machines a 
year, while now they build twenty-five thousand, 
' and have in their employ about seventy men. 
All the machines have been designed by himself, 
and he has originated and secured several patents 
on lawn mowers. The "Excelsior," "New 
Model " and " Rival," all standard mowers, were 
designed by him, and he also improved the horse 
mower, and secured letters patent on a steam 
beef cutter. 

At Nos. 80 and 82 Carson Avenue, Mr. John- 
ston erected the residence which his family now 
occupy. He married, in New York City in 1864, 
Miss Mary Hall, who was born in Westchester 
Count}', N. Y., and was reared in Haverstraw. 
Her father, John Hall, a native of Lanca.shire, 
England, emigrated to America after his marriage 
and engaged at the carpenter's trade in West- 
chester County. Later he went to Haverstraw, 
where he manufactured soda water. He died 
there at the age of .seventy -four. His wife, Sarah 
Lee, who was born in England, was a faithful 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which belief she died at the age of fifty-five. 
There were ten children in the family, of whom 
five attained mature years, but only one is now 
living, Mrs. Johnston, who was the second in 
order of birth. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was 
blessed by the birth of six children, namely: 
Samuel H., who died at the age of six years 
and nine months: Ida, a graduate ot the academy 
and an accompli.shed and talented young lady; 
Joseph, who is with his father, being an expert 
machinist; Edwin, who died at the age of seven- 
teen years and nine months: Thomas, who was 
drowned in the Hudson at Catskill when thirteen 
years old; and Florence, who is with her parents. 



Mrs. Johnston is an active member of St. John's 
Methodi.st Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. 
Johnston is a Republican He is a member of 
J. W. FuUerton Post No. 582, G. A. R., and for 
twenty years has been a member of Highland 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has served as 
Past Grand. For a time he was identified with 
Mt. Olive Encampment. He is a man vvho.se 
friends are many, for he possesses .such a genial 
disposition, that he easily wins the admiration of 
his associates. As a business man he is ener- 
getic, capable and efficient, and his success is 
fullv merited. 



(John T. HOWELL, M. D., physician and 
I .surgeon of Newburgh, is a member of a family 
(2/ that originated in Wales, but was identified 
with the early history of Long Island. From 
Southampton Edward Howell and his three broth- 
ers removed to Orange County and settled in the 
vicinity of Goshen. A son of Edward, Josiah, 
was a farmer in the town of Wallkill. The next 
in line of descent was our subject's father, x\bram 
P., who was born in Middletovvn, this county, 
and followed agricultural pursuits in Wallkill 
Town, adjoining Middletown. When advanced 
in years he retired from that occupation and re- 
moved into the city, where he now resides, at the 
age of seventy-four years (1895). In religious 
belief he is a Presbyterian, adhering to the faith 
of his forefathers. 

The marriage of Abram P. Howell united him 
with Hannah Smith, who was born in the town 
of Goshen and was a daughter of Jo.shua Smith, 
a farmer and a member of an old family of Orange 
County. In the parental family there were five 
children, and all but one of the number are still 
living, John T. being the next to the youngest. 
He was born near Middletown, April 23, 1862, and 
received a high-school education in his native city. 
His medical studies were conducted under T. D. 
Mills, M. D., of Middletown, and in 1862 he en- 
tered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
New York (the medical department of Columbia 
College), from which institution he was graduated 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



313 



in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He afterward 
received the appointment of surgeon in Bellevue 
Hospital, where he remained for two years. 

On leaving the hospital Dr. Howell opened an 
office on the corner of Grand and South Streets, 
Newburgli, which propertj- he purchased and im- 
proved. Soon after coming to this city he received 
the appointment of surgeon to St. Luke's Hos- 
pital, and has since served in that capacity, also 
becoming consulting surgeon to the hospital. In 
1892 he was elected to the office of President of 
the Medical Society of the County of Orange, and 
is still activel)', connected with that association. 
He is a member of the Medical Society of the 
State of New York, the New York Academy of 
Medicine, and the Society of Alumni of Bellevue 
Ho.spital. While conducting a general practice 
he has made a .specialty of surgery, and his suc- 
cesses in that department of his profession have 
been notable. 

Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and in 
religious belief is a Presbyterian, holding mem- 
bership in the First Church of Newburgh. His 
marriage, which took place in this city in 1889, 
united him with Miss Sarah T. Steele, daughter 
of Robert Steele, of Newburgh. They are the 
parents of three children named Mary T., John 
T., Jr., and Josephine C. 



I AWRENCE C. BRENNAN is a pilot on the 
It Newburgh & Fishkill Ferry and is an ex- 
LJ pert and well known river man. He has 
always been verj- fond of hunting and is a mem- 
ber of the West Newburgh Gun and Rifle Club. 
On account of his reputation as a fine shot, he be- 
came acquainted with the Ramsdalls, in whose 
emplo}' he has since worked up from a humble 
capacity to his present respon.sible position. 

Our subject's father, Capt. Lawrence Brennan, 
was born in England and when nine years of age 
came with his mother to Newburgh. He learned 
the trade of a ship-carpenter and later embarked 
in the liquor business Enlisting as a private in 
Company F, he served until the close of the Re- 



bellion, winning honors and commendation for 
his bravery. His title of Captain was won with 
the gallant One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Vol- 
unteers. In 1867 he moved to Alton, 111., where 
he conducted a restaurant and a liquor store for 
about two years. In 1869, while out riding, his 
horse became frightened, and he was thrown from 
his carriage. In his fall he struck the ground in 
such a manner as to break his neck, and death 
followed immediately. His wife, formerly Lavina 
Clark, survived him many years, dying in New 
York in 1888. She was born in Orange County, 
but her father, John Clark, was a native of Dub- 
lin, Ireland. He w^as among the early settlers of 
this region, cultivating a farm in Montgomery 
Town . 

L. C. Brennan was born in this city. May 8, 
1863, and is the eldest of three children. His sis- 
ter, Mary E., died in Newburgh; and Lavina, the 
youngest, is now living in New York City. When 
four years of age he went to Alton with his par- 
ents, but after his father's death returned to New- 
burgh, and for two years lived with his maternal 
grandfather on the farm and attended the district 
school. When in his nineteenth year he com- 
menced sailing the river as a deck hand in the 
employ- of the Ramsdall Company. After serving 
on different boats he was finally placed on a ferrj- 
as wheelman under Capt. Harry Mail, acting as 
such for three years. In November, 1887, he was 
granted a pilot's license, and then for a year was 
extra pilot for the same companj-, and he has 
made numerous trips up and down the river be- 
tween Albany and New York on the East River. 
In 1887 he took a position as pilot on the New- 
burgh & Fishkill Ferry and was then transferred 
to the "James T. Brett," running two seasons 
between Troy and New York Harbor. He then 
returned to the ferry line, and now runs either on 
the "Fishkill on the Hudson" or "City of New- 
burgh." 

In 1890 Mr. Breiuian and Bridget McDowell 
were united in marriage in Newburgh. She is a 
daughter of Patrick McDowell, one of the old res- 
idents of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan have 
two sons, Lawrence and John P. They have a 
pleasant summer home, situated in the midst of 



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3i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was a graduate of West Point Military Acad- 
emy, and during the War of 1812 took part in 
the battle of Plattsburg and the siege of Quebec. 
On resigning from the army, he studied law, 
graduating from the law department of the Uni- 
versity of \'ermont. He attained eminence in 
his profession and was chosen to fill the import- 
ant position of Judge of the Supreme Court of 
Vermont. After a time he resigned and removed 
to Hackensack, where he died. Politically he 
was a Whig. His second wife was a Miss Hunt- 
er, a descendant of Engli.sh ancestors, and a 
member of the Baptist Church. Our subject's 
mother is still living and is a resident of Hacken- 
sack. 

Of the parental family of three sons and three 
daughters, all li\'ing. Dr. Jacobson is the next to 
the youngest. He was reared in Hackensack, 
N. J., and after spending .some time in the acad- 
emy at that place entered Columbia College, 
where for two years he devoted his time to a 
chemical course. From boyhood it had been his 
desire to study medicine, and in 1885 he entered 
the New York Homeopathic Medical College, 
from which he was graduated in 1888 with the 
degree of M. D. He then became connected with 
a homeopathic dispensary in Brooklyn, where he 
had an office and remained one year. 

In August, 1889, Dr. Jacobson came to New- 
burgh, a stranger. He opened an office here, 
succeeding to the practice of Dr. Sheldon, who 
had just removed from the city. From the start 
he met with success, and the excellent results at- 
tending his efforts caused him to receive an in- 
creasing share of the public patronage. He has 
his office at No. 269 Grand Street, and is busily 
engaged in the duties incident to his profession. 
In 1893 he was appointed a member of the Board 
of Health, to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- 
tion of Charles H. Doughty. The following year 
he was re-appointed to this position for a term of 
three years. 

At Rochelle Park, N. J., occurred the marri- 
age of Dr. Jacobson and Miss Mary Romaine, a 
native of that place. Their home is pleasantly 
located in Newburgh. Socially the Doctor is 
identified with Hudson River Lodge, F. & 



A. M., in which he has passed the chairs. For 
a time he was Secretary of the Orange County 
Homeopathic Medical Society, and he is also con- 
nected with the New York State Homeopathic 
Medical Society. His political opinions bring 
him into active co-operation with the Democratic 
party, the principles of which he upholds with 
fidelity. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian, 
holding membership with St. Paul's Church in 
this citv. 

II.LIAM H. HALLOCK, who occupies 
the responsible position of Superintendent 
of Streets in Newburgh, is al.so Vice-Pres- 
ident of the City Fire Department Association, 
having served as such since its organization. For 
some eighteen years he served as a member of 
Highland Engine Company No. 3, and belongs 
to C. M. Leonard Council No. 7, Order of Amer- 
ican Firemen. He has always been a \'er>- active 
worker in the Republican party. 

W. H. Hallock was born in Xewburgli, Feb- 
ruary 25, 1855, his parents being Charles L. and 
Rachael A. (Wiley) Hallock, natives of New- 
burgh and New York City, respectively. The 
paternal grandfather was also a native of Orange 
County. Charles L. was a civil engineer by 
profession, but did not follow his business, en- 
gaging in agricultural pursuits instead. He died 
in 1867, when nearly eighty-seven years of age, 
and to the last held firmly to the faith of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife lived to 
be but forty-seven years of age, and left two chil- 
dren, one of whom, John H., is also a resident 
of Newburgh. 

As his motlier died when lie was only twelve 
years old, W. H. Hallock was early thrown on 
his own resources to a great extent. He was a 
mere lad when he obtained a position on a steam- 
er of the Anchor Line, under Captain Fellows, 
and by gradual promotions finally worked his way 
to be wheelman, running on the Lakes between 
Buffalo, Chicago and Milwaukee. Then return- 
ing to New York, he was for four years engaged 
in the Harbor and Long Island .Sound service. 
In 1876 he came back to his old home in New- 




BENJAMIN CLIFF. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319 



burgh and engaged in a teaming business, mak- 
ing a specialtj' of moving heavy goods, such as 
safes, vaults, etc., and has four wagons and three 
extremely large and heavy trucks. He trans- 
ported the twenty-two-ton vaults in the National 
Bank of Xewburgh, and the City Hall safe, 
which weighed eight and a-half tons. In addi- 
tion to this business he engages in general con- 
tracting, and in the spring of 1894 was appointed 
Superintendent of Streets by Mayor Odell, receiv- 
ing his second appointment in April, 1895, and 
having under his jurisdiction from ten to forty 
men. 

In September, 1877, the marriage of Mr. Hal- 
lock and Sarah J. Scott was celebrated in New- 
burgh. The lady is the daughter of James Scott, 
who is also engaged in the teaming business. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hallock is graced by 
two daughters, Margaret J. and Mamie, and the 
present family residence is at No. 382 Washing- 
ton Street. They attend Grace Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, to the expenses of which they are 
liberal contributors. Mr. Hallock belongs to the 
Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias, and 
is now for the fourth term First Lieutenant. 



Q ENJAMIX CLIFF, one of the worthy old 
1^ settlers of Newburgh, served acceptably as 
^J Alderman for two terms, having been elected 
on the Democratic ticket to represent the First 
Ward in 1876. He served on several committees, 
being Chairman of the ones on Police and Lights. 
During the years 18S9 and 1890 he was Super- 
visor from the First Ward, acting on different 
committees. He is an honored and active mem- 
ber of Washington Engine Company No. 4, and 
was Treasurer of the same a number of years, 
also representing the company in the Firemen's 
Department Fund. 

Mr. Cliff was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, in 1829, in which locality both his father, 
Samuel, and grandfather, Isaac, were also born. 
The latter was a woolen manufacturer and came 
from a long-established Yorkshire family. Sam- 
uel Cliff followed the same occupation in Leeds, 



where he died when about fifty-six years of age. 
His wife, Rachael, was a daughter of John How- 
gate, who was a manufacturer of woolen cloths 
in Leeds. Mrs. Cliff was born in that city, and 
died when seventN'-eight years of age. One of 
her brothers, who was in the English army, died 
in the East Indies. 

Our subject is one of ten children, all but three 
of whom are living, but is the only one residing, 
in Orange County. He was reared in his native 
city until twenty years of age, and there obtained 
a public-school education, and learned the details 
of woolen manufacture. In 1850 he left Liver- 
pool in the sailing-vessel "New World," and 
landed in New York City on the expiration of a 
thirt3"-two-days vo3-age. Going direct to Somer- 
set Count}', N. J., he worked in a woolen-mill 
for nine months and afterwards in one in Pater- 
son for a short time. It was in December, 185 1, 
that he came to Newburgh, where the industrj- 
was still in its infancy. He first became an em- 
ploye in Bradley Mill, and some years later, 
when the Ouassaick woolen-mills by the bridge 
were started, he was placed in charge as Super- 
intendent, acting in that capacity until 1878, and 
also owning an interest in the works. During 
this time he also superintended a mill owned by 
Hodge & Miller, blankets being the principal 
product of the concern. In 1878 Mr. Cliff em- 
barked in the grocery business, to which he has 
since g^ven his energies, his location being at No. 
286 Washington Street, in a brick building. 22x54 
feet, which he erected. He also owns two stores 
a short distance below on the same .street. Fra- 
ternally he belongs to Newburgh Lodge No. 309. 
F. & A. M. 

In 1853 Mr. Cliff married Miss Mary Bradley, 
who was bom in England. They became the 
parents often children, of whom four are deceased. 
George W., who died in Newburgh, was engaged 
in the grocery' business. Elizabeth F,., deceased, 
was the wife of Uzell Smith. Mathew B. is in 
business with his father, and is a member of 
Highland Fire Company No. 3. Rachel, widow 
of J. Har\-ey Brown, is a dealer in drj- goods. 
Susan married F. C- Kidd, a grocer. Benjamin, 
Jr., and Samuel are assistants in their father's 



320 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECX)RD. 



bosiness: and Mar>- is the wife of Frederick 

Stevens, of Brooklyn. The family are members 
of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Mr. Cliff, 
who was one of the organizers of the congregation, 
served on the Building Committee, and has been 
several times chosen Vestryman. He possesses 
the confidence and high regard of all who have 
the pleasure of his acquaintance. 



RENSSELAER HOWELL, who now Uves 
retired, has been one of the most successful 
educators in Xewburgh. Though he had 
only the advantages of a district school and one 
term at an academy, by assiduous study he quali- 
fied himself for admission to the Albany State 
Xormal, hrom which institution he grraduated in 
1S5+. FTV>m that time onward he engaged in 
teaching in various schools and academies, al- 
ways meeting with gratity-ing success in his chosen 
work. He was elected to the office of Justice of 
the Peace, serving for a term of four years, aud had 
his office in the Bigler Building. Of late years he 
has turned his attention to looking after his real- 
estate interests, and passes much of his time in 
reading and research at his pleasant home. No. 
1 2 1 Lander Street. 

At a remote period our subject's paternal great- 
grandfather emigrated from Wales to Long Island, 
being accv>mpanied by tliree or more of his broth- 
ers. His son Silas, grandfather of Rensselaer 
Howell, w-as bom in Long Island, but mo\-ed to 
Orange County at an early day. He was a mill- 
wright by trade, and was the owner of a large 
tract of land in the town of Xewburgh. where he 
rearer! his family, his home being on the old Cos- 
hocton Turnpike. His children were Jonas. 
Charles, Rensselaer. Sr.. and a daughter. Mrs. 
Oliver, all of whom are now deceased. 

Rensselaer Howell. Sr., was boni in Orange 
County, and on arriving at man's estate bought 
one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the old 
homestead. He made several improvements on 
the place, building the substantial stone house 
which is still standing about a half-mile from his 



ancestral home. He married Olive Belknap, and 
settled in the forest, where he built his house and 
proceeded to clear the land. To-day the once 
wild land is as fine and well cultivated a farm as 
can be found in the count>-. All but one of his 
children grew to maturity. Da\-id B. reside- 
near Salisbury- Mills. Rensselaer is next in or 
der. John Cohin is on the old homestead: and 
Mary F. is deceased. The fother was a Demo- 
crat of the Jefferson school. His wife was bom 
in the town of Xewburgh. and was a daughter of 
Da\-id Belknap, a farmer. 

Our subject was bom February i. 1826, and 
until reaching his majoritj- lived a quiet ag^icnlt- 
ural life, his education being pursued in the 
mean time in the local schools. Then fcdlowed an 
interval when he dropped his studies, but he 
finally concluded to obtain a higher education, 
and to that end attended the Rural Academy of 
Coldenham. subsequently entering Albany State 
Xormal. Atter his graduation he began teach- 
ing on Long Island, and then for two years car- 
ried on schools in his home district. Going west- 
ward, he next taught in Middlebur>-. Ind., and 
also traveled in Illinois with the idea of perma- 
nently settling there. He did not do this, how- 
ever, but returned to Middlebnry and started a 
private school. As the town was small and there 
were \-arions other obstacles in his way. he ac- 
cepted the poeiticm which was tendered him as 
Principal at White Pigeon. Mich., and from there 
went to Coldwater. in the same state, where he 
was engaged in the grocery business for a time. 
In 1S5S he returned to the Empire Siate. and 
that winter taught in Washington Square. Or- 
ange Count>-. In the spring he became Princi- 
pal of the schcxds at Fishkill Landing, but gave 
up the position at the end of a year. We next 
find him in charge of the Xew Mills vnow West 
Xewburgh ' School, which he conducted for two 
years, and the following year he occupied a posi- 
tion in Dixon's Mill. In iS6i, when the war 
came on. he clerked in the Commissary Depart- 
ment, being stationed at Beauibrt, S. C. cme 
summer. While in the South he was taken sick, 
bat after returning Xorth he soon neco\-eied. In 
October. 1864, he was elected Principal of the old 



PORTRAIT A^'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



high school on Giant Street (now the Second 
Wanl G^amnla^^. and did ^fective servnoe in that 
capacit>- tor ten years. Daring tliis period he 
also had charge of evening schools, which were 
carried on in the same building. In September. 
1S74, he was appiointed assistant teacher to the 
Free Academy, where he remained some four 
years, when he resigned. His next experience 
as a teacher was at Mountainville. where he was 
located for two terms, but as he disliked to be ab- 
sent from home, gave up the place and took pri- 
vate pupils until he retired fttun teaching. He 
owns stock in the Qnassaick Bank and property 
in the city, and is comfortably well ofF. 

Februaiy 17. 1S56. Mr. Howell was married to 
Frances, daughter of Moses Xichols. She was 
bcHn in New York City, and died in 1SS3, leav- 
ing three childreii. Two of the number are de- 
ceased, and Rensselaer N. is a derk in a clothing 
estabhshment in New York Cit\-. Mr. Xichtds, 
who was at one time a &rmer in New Windsor 
Town, was also engaged in the shoe business, 
and after leaving New York Cit>- settled in Mat- 
teawan. The seccmd marriage of Mr. Howdl 
tcxtk place at Fi^ikill Landing. Angust 6, iS$5. 
his bride being Anna R. Lester, a naiive of that 
|dace and a daughter of Th<mias S. and Rebecca 
Lester, the formo' (d whom was a merchant tailor. 
Mr. Howell is a member of the First Presbyte- 
rian Church, and now one of the Ruling Elders. 
For many years he has been Secretary and Treas- 
urer of Bethd Mission Sunday-school. In his 
political affiliations he is a stanch Democrat. 



^-^;is^ 



EXJAMIX McCLl'XG. an attorney of Xew- 
I : urcb. Wis :vra in the town of Xew Wtnd- 
' - - ;: ■ z- :g. 1S67, and is the son of 



; our subject, came troai ; 
:: Xewborgh in 1S26. where 
eath. The &tber o: 
: Xewborarh. and for n; ^ ^ 



, gaged in the lumber trade, both wholesale and 
retail. He was also a contractor and builder, and 
had the first planing-mill ever erected in Xew- 
burgh. His lumber-yard was located first on 
Front Street, and later on Broadway, and he 
erected many of the prominent buildings of the 
cit>\ His death resulted from a fall in iSSS. at 
the age of seventy-four years. He attended the 
Presbyterian Church. The mother of our subject 
was a daughter of Moses Upright, a former ot 
Orange County, but later engaged as a brick 
manufacturer on the Hudson, above Xewburgh. 
He subsequenth" removed to the cit\-. where he 
died at the age of seventy years. He was a mem- 
ber of the Dutch Reformed Church. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of 
eight children, five of whom are now living: 
Samuel. \"ice- President of the Xewbui^h Lum- 
ber Company: Sarah. Mrs. Holdredge: Alex, a 
resident of Indiana: Frank, who lives in Osceola 
County. Mich.: and Benjamin. The deceased 
are John, who was a contractor and builder, and 
who died in Xewburg'h: Mary, who passed away 
in childhood: and Jennie, who became the wife of 
Hon. Thomas Fulton, of Blooming Grove. The 
latter is also now deceased. 

Benjamin McClung received his education in 
the public and high schools, together with a par- 
tial course in Siglar"s Preparatory School. After 
being engaged with his &ther in the lumber bus- 
iness for two years, he entered the law department 
(rfthe University of Xew York City, in 1S85. and 
was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in June, 
1SS9. He then entered the office of his preceptor. 
John H. Strahan. in Xew York City, where he 
remained until February. 1S91. when he located 
in Xewburgh. and formed a partnership with J. 
Lewis Strahan. under the firm name of Strahan & 
McClung. This cwmection continued for one 
year, when it was disscdved and our subject 
tanned a paitnersbip with George C. Smith 'the 
latter now Professor in the Xew York Law 
School^, under the firm name of McClung & 
Smith. Seven months later it was disstdved. and 
January i. 1S94, Mr. McClung became associated 
with Hon. Rnssd Headle>-. ex-District Attorney 
of Orange Countv. and an eminent counselor. 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.. 



This counectiou yet continues, with oflBces in the 
Brewster Building, at Nos. 44 and 46 .Smith 
Street. 

In March, 1894, Mr. McClung was united in 
marriage with Miss Marie K. Adams, a native of 
Newburgh, and a daughter of Frederick Adams, 
now living a retired life. They reside iu a pleas- 
ant residence at No. 27 Dubois Street. 

Politically Mr. McChuig is a Democrat, and in 
the fall of 1894 was nominated for the A.s.sembly. 
He is a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, 
F. & .\. M., and Highland Chapter No. 52, 
R. A. M. He is also a member of the Elks, 
Foresters, City Club, Newburgh Canoe and 
Boating Association, Phi Delta Phi (of New York 
City) and of the Alumni of the University of New 
York. He has been a member of the city and 
countj' committees of his party, and in Demo- 
cratic councils he stands high. He is yet a 
young man, but already has taken high rank as 
an attorney, and has built up an extensive prac- 
tice, which is being continually extended. 



0USTAV GARTZMANN, .M. D. Thi.s prom- 
|_ inent physician of Newburgh, whose office is 
Vj located at No. 1 16 Grand Street, ser\'ed as 
Assistant Surgeon in the German army in the 
Sle.swick-Holstein and the Austro-Prussian Wars 
prior to his emigration to America. He was born 
near Berlin, September i, 1S42, and his father. 
Christian Gartzmann, was likewise a native of 
that empire. He was a noted surgeon of Egelu, 
Prussia, where his death occurred about 1882, 
firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. The 
grandfather, Christian Gartzmann, was a farmer 
in the Fatherland, and served as a soldier during 
the wars with Napoleon. 

Augiista (Rose) Gartzmann, the mother of our 
subject, who was born in the same vicinity in 
Prussia as was her husband, became the mother 
of ten children, of whom five are now living. Of 
this family Dr. Gustav is the only member living 
in America. During his boyhood days he reg- 
ularly attended the model .schools of Germany, 



and when seventeen years of age had completed 
the course in the Latin School. Later he entered 
the Berlin Medical College, it being his determi- 
nation and aim in life to become a physician, and 
carried on his studies there for two years, when he 
was drafted into the army and appointed Assistant 
Surgeon of the Second Regiment Guards, Com- 
pany Nine. He «erved through the Sleswick- 
Holstein War, and later was Assistant Surgeon 
in the Berlin Arnn- Hospital, where he gained by 
practical experience what it would have taken 
years of study to have acquired. On the close of 
this conflict he returned home, but was there only 
a short time when he was called out by the Ger- 
man Government to participate in the Austro- 
Prussian War. He was appointed Assi.stant Sur- 
geon of the Light Field Hospital of the First Divi- 
.sion of Guards, serving from 1866 until the estab- 
lishment of peace, when he was honorabh- 
discharged. 

Our subject then accepted a position as ship 
surgeon in the employ of the Hamburg-American 
Steamship Company, with which he remained for 
three years, making thirty-one trips across the 
Atlantic. He then decided to locate on terra 
firma and continue his medical studies. Accord- 
ingly, he entered Bellevue Medical College of 
New York, and after one year became a student 
in the Bellevue Hospital College, from which he 
graduated in 1S73, with the degree of Doctor of 
Medicine. He then located in Newburgh, where 
he opened an office a:id has been engaged in 
practice ever since. In the summer of 1894 he 
spent several months in Berlin and Carlsbad, 
where he went for his health. He took advant- 
age of the opportunity thus affi:>rded him for vis- 
iting some of the hospitals of the Old World, and 
returned to his home here a much wiser and 
healthier man. 

Dr. Gartzmann and Miss Charlotte Reeve were 
united in marriage at Cornwall, this county, in 
1883. The lady was born there, and was the 
daughter of Reuben T. Reeve, an old and wealthy 
resident of that place. Three children have been 
born to them, Pauline, Reeve and Marion. 

The Doctor is a stockholder in the Palatine 
Hotel and has been a member of the Board of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



323 



Trade. He is the possessor of considerable val- 
uable real estate in the city, and with his family 
occupies a very beautiful residence. Socially he 
is a Mason, belonging to Xewburgh Lodge No. 
309. He also belongs to the Orange County Med- 
ical Society, of which he has been \'ice- President. 
In politics he is a firm believer in Republican doc- 
trines, and never loses an opportunity to cast his 
vote and influence in favor of its candidates. 

I OUIS E. HANMORE, M. D., is a promi- 
I C nent and popular young physician of New- 
[_2f burgh, and in addition to his regular prac- 
tice is proprietor of the Academy Pharmacy, on 
the corner of Grand Street and Broadway. This 
is one of the finest drug stores in the city, partic- 
ularly in point of location, as it is situated in the 
Academy of Music Building. The Doctor has 
prospered in his practice and is recognized as a 
leader in his profession. He has paid a great 
deal of attention to special branches, and has 
taken post-graduate courses. 

The ])aternal grandfather of our subject, who 
bore the Christian name of Peter, was of Scotch 
descent and was in the Government navy during 
the War of the Revolution. The Hanmores were 
early settlers in this count}', and Peter Hanmore 
passed his entire life in the vicinity of Xewburgh, 
where he engaged in farming. He was also a 
hero of the War of 1812. The Doctor's father, 
Benjamin, a native of this place, was for forty 
years engaged in the wholesale grocery and liquor 
bu.siness at No. 115 Water Street. He was Sher- 
iff of Orange County for one term during the 
war, and had so much responsibility resting upon 
him then that he afterward refused all political 
honors. He was always a stanch supporter of 
the Democratic party. In his line of business he 
accumulated a fortune, and was highly respected 
by all who knew hitn. He took great interest in 
the upbuilding of the city, and had large invest- 
ments in real estate. His demise occurred about 
1889, when he was sixty-five years of age. His 
wife, Gustenia, was a daughter of John VanNort, 



formerlj' of Newburgh. Mrs. Hanmore was born 
here, and is a cousin of George VanNort, of New 
York City. She is still living, her home being 
on Smith Street, and two of her four sons yet 
survive. 

Dr. L. E. Hanmore was born in Newburgh, 
Ma}- 29, 1859, and was reared and educated here. 
He graduated from the Newburgh Academy- in 
1876, after which he took a post-graduate cour.se 
of a year. In 1877 he engaged in the drug bus- 
iness, and in 1878 entered the College of Phar- 
mac\' in New York Cit}-, receiving his degree of 
Graduate of Pharmacy in March, 1881. In the 
mean time he had entered the College of Phj'si- 
cians and Surgeons, and graduated in 1884 with a 
degree. Going to Europe in the spring of 1884, 
he spent three months in the university at Got- 
tingen, Germany, and then for a like period prac- 
ticed in the hospital at Berlin. In order to ob- 
tain yet further practical experience, he entered 
the Allgeminus-Kranken Haus in Vienna, where 
he studied for six months. After traveling to 
some extent on the Continent, he returned to this 
city, where he has since engaged in practice, with 
the exception of one year, 1890, when he once 
more took a European tour. This time he trav- 
eled extensively in England, Ireland and all parts 
of the Continent, visiting the, celebrated hospitals 
and making a study of their system. For six 
months he was a student at the same place in 
Vienna where he had been a few years before, 
receiving a certificate for having completed sev- 
eral special branches of work. 

In 1891 Dr. Hanmore was married, in Notting- 
ham, England, to Miss Florence Sudbury, a na- 
tive of that place, her father, Charles F. Sud- 
bury, being an extensive manufacturer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hanmore have one child, a little daughter, 
Gladys. The parents are members of St. George's 
Episcopal Church. 

Dr. Hanmore's office is at the corner of South 
and Grand Streets, and his large general family 
practice occupies his entire time and attention. 
For eight years he was physician at the City Jail 
and for three years was surgeon at St. Luke's 
Ho.spital. He is a member of the Alumni Asso- 
ciation of the College of Pharmacy, and belongs 



.>-4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHlC-\L RECORD. 



:o the Orange Coontx- Medical Association. He 
n:>>e5 his right of thmdiise in tavxir of the Demo- 
cratic jxart>-. in which his t»lher w-as formeriy 
prominer.; 



^»~5 J i 



i^ ^ ^N^ 



NKNRY KOHL :s 0:5^ vMlhe rising and soc- 
vxssfnl VvHing attomej-s-al-lavr of Xewburgh. 
He is very popular in many vM the local 
dnhs, takes great interest in whatev-er pertains to 
the good of his tellow-<ati«ens ainl the inspiv>\-e- 
ment of the cit\\ and is activ*^- concerned in the 
snccess v»f the Deniocratio party. His office is in 
the Brt^-ster Bnilding, aixi ihongh he is a young 
man. both in point of years and actual practice, is 
rapidly coming to the ffvni, and it is sa^j to pre- 
diet tor him a "; : re, 

The »iher v : - ; Valentine Kohl, who 

was horn at S;, M.i:UivSv on the Rhine, in Ger- 
many, was a shoemaker hy trade anvi jiJied that 
vocation Kv a ^w \-ear5 aster his arri\-a3 in Amer- 
ica, which xras shortlv after his marriage. Later 
be became interested in the m«vantile business 
at MJikile Hope, remaining thus engaged until 
his death, which (.vcnrreni in iSiocv while he was 
s>MviiK: as Posatnvasier. He was nrss appcvnted 
to the office by President Arthnr, and lat«- by 
Harrsson. His term of s»fr\Tce in this capacitx 
exte*>i^i tnara iS^^ until iSocv and be was ac- 
co»MHe\i not only a thoro'nc^,'!-'- T-T:s5w\>nhy i«- 
iicial. iHttooeof the best c ,:dle Hope- 

He was reare*! in the C.i. ;>ut in ma- 

ture liSf became oonvnvevi vv iiie u-uiis vif Pn^iea- 
antism and inolinevi towaixl the Methodisa Epss- 
cv<|xal tenets., being a regular attendant at the 
servv-^r* .'f t^f v-hr.Tv-h H-s wife, who was a MisJS 
Mj;- - :: Genaany. and 

iss; > - - .^ Their tt»j- 

ily numi'<ereu sax jh^js .v ,:>.ier. all o<" 

whom are livii^. The ^ - k J,, is a 

me^vhant at Middle Hope ami is a»i»o ptvtprietor 
tif ast.-.cc i^-nc 

T V - .^r Septem- 

bei : ^ , , .;e n!oeived 

a gwxi ooniRxw-i*."-^-^ Fivwa his boy- 

hood be wvffked on ,: . -i:d not take rerr 



.: occnpation. and intended to f.: 
;;:r.-.Si.: : r .^ :each«^. He studied aloae. makirc 
goc^ prc^rress. and at length tCM^ an examinatio: 
and obtained a teacher's certincate. Howere: 
he at length chose the legal profession, and :v 
October. 1SS9. took up legal work with A. H. F 
Seeger. under whose instruction he oon tinned nr. 
til May 14. IS<^. when he was admitted to th. 
Bar in Poughkeepsje. He is well pcisted on ev 
eryihing relat- - - -\>Kssaon and is becoE- 

ing generally . y kix>wn. 

Sepiemlwr -7, :5c^., 0^1: the twent>-third anni- 
versary of his birth . Mr, Kohl was imited in mar- 
riage with Li«3e \ : ' >f this city, and 
d,»ughier of ArchiV... .. . ikceasaed, Mr- 
Kohl is an actiA'e mei:;i>£r o; the Young Men's 
CStristian Assocsatjon, and ssill holds membership 
with the MellK»dis4 Episoc^ol Church at Middle 
Hope, He is sieving as attorney >.-«■ the Board 
vV Excise Coraniissaooers; oi" the town of New- 
bra^h. Socially he belongs to the -Etna Boat 
Club c« Orange Lake, being one of the Trustees 
oa" the same. He is \-ery xvkI oj cycling and is a 
mensber cvf the Xewbui^ \\l>ee3n»en"s Associa- 
tion, Pv^itically be uses his right of nanchisae in 
&vor of the Democratic paity. 



r~ REDERICK J. A, SCHAEFER. a ^vnai- 
In nej-.t ^orist o* Xewbnrgh, has been kwg«- 
I engagevi in the hnsiness dtan any other per 
s»>n here anvt transacts an immense bosaness. Hi 
is the proj-vrsetvM- of the finest cooserratwies on the 
HtMsicvn Ri\-er, and beside> owns one hundred 
feel nv>ntage on Biviadway. and other pev<pei?\- in 
the city. He Vegtsr hrs t-Teratioos on a sotall 
scale, a- - .eased the diraen- 

ssons of . - . . . -. - ,. . .::eral Utciaties un- 

til be no.w i"ij»> aa esia^iSAment three times £> 
laiv?e as any other in the city, 

Tl>e J«Tth of oor sssbject vxcnrred in Magd«~ 
be— fv-x.^-v F?Vr:t.--K- to, 1S..V.V Hisgiandta 
th,- "."^ Iwre the Christian 

n,^. . v^e* of the saa»ek>cati^-. 

an^; ; , tailor by trade, died co 

the ;,i:-.. i-d feff nunv vear&. His 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RBCORIX 



c. Trho in hergntbood vas Mar\' Tkge, vras 
X r.. ■--". Sillsdorf, and by her marriage became 
:hc •.-.■.o:her «.m" Kwr difldien: Audits, who died 
in St- Loais; Mrs- Minnie Miller, of this citv; 
H«ir\\ who died in Germany; and onr subject- 
Until he was Kwneen >~ear> of age yoang 
Sdiaeser attended the sc-hcWs of his native city, 
after which he was apprenticed to a florist and 
served Kvr three yearj, An«ward he engaged ia 
jooinevTaaa woA until 1S55. when he conclnded 
to i«ek a home in Ameiica. He was the firsi of 
the tamih- to leav>e the Fatheiiand. and, ssartrag 
ioT Xew York by way oj' Hamburg, arrived in 
that cjt>- saieJy at the «ad of a sax- weeks vc^yage. 
For a lime he w:as empJoyed by a Mr WeH on 
Lc«g Isiand, and at the end of thiee months be- 
came his fioriss. The Mlkvwii^ sjsing he accept- 
ed a posation with a Mr. Schesjck. of Matteawan, 
where he contmned xiir a iew years. Then be 
Kvrmed a partaer>iiip with a Mr. Lent and em- 
barked in bosaness at Taieada, near Matteawan. 
Abcnt this time, or in 1S57. he wiedded fUbuian. 
danghter of WilheJia Van Voorhees, who was a 
sJKte meaidiant- The loSlowing year Mr. Schaef- 
er monred to the vjciniry- of Garoerrown. X. Y.. 
where be pcrciiflssed a farm of ten acres, and en- 
gaged in gardenii^ and raisaag fiowers^ 

It was ia iSto that Mr, Schaeser s«tJec in 
Xewbcrgh and bc^ighi the ten acres on Scooae 
Street which he now owtjs. Is i>fr be puir- 
chas«d Kmr acres moee, and in : Sr^ a c naner of 
an acre om Biofidway. In 3$.S5 be bcili the scb- 
stanaal nesdencc xrhich has since beea the fsT^-Ty 
hcese At paesent he has sccae iweHry-eighi c«r 
ihiny gTeeahcioses oc laoderr; oescgn, bested b>- 
sseam, with three large tnb^lar cc iocoraodve 
steam bciika^ and fnllj- iwc acres ofland are cov- 
ered witk S:ias& Mr, Schaefer escpijoys abctct 
ten ^en tiae vesx rvcnd. and when r>eces5£ry an- 
pknrs 4lliK5- heipL Aboet is-oc' be SEarred in d>e 
seed fananes^ and bas a large trade in Severs^ 
xYgeCables xmA grass saeds^ He deals in whcile- 
saJeand ictadl fl o>n <Ms and JBraisd)^ deccraiiccis 
Mr pasties and wvddn^s. Allbai^:h he has saoSd 
a {Hnkm ol Ids }az3d ibrbeilS^panpofesbefcill 
regains CK^er e^bt sens. 

The imion at Mr. .Bsd Mis. Sc hnJLi bts bees 



blessed by five duldren. of whom die eldest. Fred- 
erick Wilhdm, is a gard^ier in Little Britain and 
now has associated with him his youngest brother. 
JosejA. Charles H. and Frank H. are in bnsi 
ness with their tath«-: and Sarah Ann. the only 
danghter. is at home. The femily are membo^ 
of the Calvarx- PresbA-terian Chtuxi. Since Lin- 
coln was first dected Mr. Scha^er has been a 
stanch adheient of tbe Rewibl.ican party. 



^ 



ROF. ISAAC COLLINS. Tn:~ .i r .e - .ujd 
welj known nmsacian of Xewbnrgh is Di- 



Oil £^igiaiJt-i .iiXi v> ; - 

cember 9. i?j.r '; . - 

grandfether. T - 

laite being ^ 

biacksanith ': 

ica in l^54. - - 

Cocniy. X. Y.. «. 

ccpadoai. His de.-- 

his wiie. Mary Ann. died 13 

iietii 

States - ■- _ - 

Xew York : . - i. 



o: igtisa'taT-,:^- 



was a 

-uy 10 Amer- 

" nns. Pntnam 

> ed his chosen oc- 

in Xewbaxgh. and 

I Coid Spring. 

rrs the snfaject of this 

-rts to the Umted 

ia Lrrapool and 

where he learned tiae 

? "T^^^^^tioas. however. 

- :. he was de- 



seri-jct 



:>r>^ r^coesior 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and he has since continued as an instructor on 

the piano and orchestral itistniments. About 1 875 
he organized Collins' Orchestra, composed of fif- 
teen pieces, of which he is leader and director. 
He is also musical director of the Newburgh City 
Band of twenty pieces. In composing, arranging 
and compiling band and orchestral music, he is an 
expert, and his .skill is acknowledged l)y the best 
critics of the day. The orchestra is his specialty, 
and as a leader he is unexcelled. 

The first wife of Profe.ssor Collins was Cathar- 
ine E. Dav'enport, a daughter of Cornelius and 
Mar}' A. (Low) Davenport. They had one son, 
George E. , who is now a resident of Chicago, 
where he is a leader of an orchestra. The sec- 
ond, wife of our subject was Pamelia Davenport, 
a sister of his first wife, and whose birth occurred 
in Cold Spring. By this marriage six children 
were born, all of whom have been trained under 
the instruction of their father, and are accurate 
musicians. Isaac, Jr., is a member of Collins' 
Orchestra, and teaches the violin and clarionette. 
John, who is an instructor on the flute and drum, 
is also a member of Collins' Orchestra. Arthur 
and Everett are also musicians, the former being 
a skilled pianist, and the latter a violinist. Wal- 
ter and Pamelia, the two youngest members of 
the family, also evince musical talent, and will 
be given the best advantages in due time. The 
pleasant home of this family is at No. 47 Carson 
Avenue, and they attend ,St. John's Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



G= 



LtT- 



GlDDISON C. ORMSBEE, LL. B., is one of 
Ll the most promising young attornej's of New- 
I I burgh and is a son of Dr. Clarence Orms- 
bee, a well known medical practitioner of the 
town of Newburgh. Young Orm.sbee is a grad- 
uate of Cornell University, having obtained a de- 
gree from the law department in June, 1894. He 
enjoys the great honor and distinction of having 
been one of the seven orators who participated in 
the commencement exercises of his class, which 
comprised over three hundred graduates. He and 



his colleague, Fred Gladden, of Ohio, were se- 
lected after competitive tests to deliver the law 
addresses. His treatment of his chosen subject, 
"The Despotism of the Press," was masterly, and 
bore evidence of uimsual discrimination and re- 
search. In May, 1894, he was admitted to the 
Bar of New York at Poughkeepsie, and after his 
graduation opened an office of his own in the 
Brewster Building on Second Street, Newburgh. 

The grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel 
Ormsbee, was born in Greene County, N. Y., on 
a farm near Windham. He was somewhat of a 
politician, and was vSheriff of the county, besides 
holding other local offices. His life work was 
that of farming, and his last years were spent in 
retirement in the village of Matteawan. Dr. 
Clarence Ormsbee was likewise born near Wind- 
ham, Greene County, and is a man of good 
ability and general information. About 1865 he 
graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine 
from the University of New York City, and, set- 
tli''g at East Coldenham, has since been engaged 
in the practice of his profession there. In 1865 
he was appointed Assistant Surgeon, but before 
he was sent to the front the war was brought to a 
close. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Crawford be- 
fore their marriage, and of their union two chil- 
dren were born, Lucie B. and Addison C. Mrs. 
Ormsbee comes from one of the long established 
familiesof this section, and is a native of the vil- 
lage of Searsville. Her father, John A. Craw- 
ford, w-as an agriculturist, and was born in the 
town of Crawford, which was named after one of 
his ancestors. 

Addison C. Ormsbee was born August 19, 
1871, in East Coldenham, and passed the first four- 
teen years of his life in that locality, receiving a 
com Ml on -school education. He then attended 
Montgomery Academy for two years, after which 
he was employed as a clerk in the hardware store 
of Charles J. Lawson, of this city, for two years. 
About this time he began the study of law, and 
for a year attended Siglar's Academy in New- 
burgh. In September, 1891, he was enrolled as 
a student at Cornell University, pursuing a spe- 
cial course for a year, and in 1892 entered the 
law department, from which he was duly gradu- 







N. F. KIT/.I'ATRICK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



ated at the close of the course. He is a member 
of the Sigma Chi, and while in college was one of 
the editors of the Gj/v/f// Sun. He has always 
taken great interest in educational affairs, and 
helped to organize and was the first President of 
the Orange County Club of Cornell University, 
composed of students and graduates of that cele- 
brated institution. Politically he is a Democrat 
and belongs to the Newburgh City Club. Judg- 
ing by the success he has already achieved and his 
popularity with his fellow-students, teachers and 
other friends and acquaintances, it is safe to pre- 
dict for him a bright and prosperous future. 



IJN 1 C H O L A S F. FITZPATRICK, United 
\ I States Deputy Collector of Customs for the 
I /s Port of New York in the District of New- 
burgh, was born in this city in November, 1857. 
His father, John, who was born in County Meath, 
Ireland, learned the trade of a blacksmith and 
horse-shoer under his father, and at the age of 
eighteen came to America, settling in Newburgh, 
where he found employment at his trade. He 
was an expert in that line, and was conceded to 
be the finest horse-shoer in the county, com- 
manding larger wages than any one else who fol- 
lowed the occupation. When reaching advanced 
years he retired from active labor, and now makes 
his home with his son, Nicholas F. , in Newburgh. 
In religious belief he has always been a devout 
Catholic, and reared his family in that faith. 

The mother of our .subject bore the maiden 
name of Marj' Brown, and was born in County 
Tipperary, Ireland, being a lineal descendant of 
Daniel O'Connell. Early in life she was or- 
l)haned by the death of her parents, and soon 
afterward came to America in company with a 
sister. She, too, was a faithful Catholic and a 
liberal supporter of the church. Her death oc- 
curred in Newburgh in 1881. Of her eight chil- 
dren, five are now living, Nicholas F. being the 
fourth of the number. He was reared in this city, 
and prior to the age of twelve years was a student 
in St. Patrick's parochial school. The family 
being large, however, he was early obliged to be- 



come self-supporting, and so became an appren- 
tice to the butcher's trade under Smith & vSnead, 
with whom he continued for four years. At the 
age of sixteen he apprenticed himself to John 
Flanagan, with whom he served four j'ears, gain- 
ing a practical knowledge of plumbing and ga.s- 
fitting. 

Embarking in business for himself in Novem- 
ber, 1879, Mr. Fitzpatrick opened a meat-market 
at No. 71 Second Street, where he remained some 
time, and later removed to No. 81, the same street. 
As a business man he is energetic and industrious 
and through shrewd investments and sound judg- 
ment in financial transactions has become well-to- 
do. His residence at No. 81 Second Street is 
presided over by the lady who became his wife in 
October, 1880, and who was formerly Miss Mary 
Ryan. She was born in Newburgh, and b}- her 
union has become the mother of seven children: 
John, Ella, William, Nicholas, Joseph, Mary and 
Francis. 

In December, 1893, Mr. Fitzpatrick received 
the appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs, 
by James T. Kilbreth, of New York, and at once 
eutered upon his duties, which consist of the in- 
spection of all cargoes for the district of New- 
burgh. At the age of eighteen, in 1875, hejoined 
the Chapman Hose Company, of which in due 
time he became foreman. Later he was elected 
by the fire department of Newburgh to the posi- 
tion of Assistant Chief Engineer, under James 
Cunningham, .serving for a term of three years. 
He still retains his membership in the Chapman 
Engine Company, and is prominent and active in 
the fire department of the city. In the New- 
burgh branch of the Order of American Firemen 
he formerly officiated as Trustee. 

In St. Patrick's Catholic Church Mr. Fitzpat- 
rick is an earnest and active worker, and one of its 
most honored members. The Catholic Benevolent 
Legion numbered him among its charter members 
and he has taken a leading part in other societies 
connected with the church. Politicall)- a Demo- 
crat, he has frequently represented his party in 
local conventions, and in its success is always 
warmly interested. Aside from his other inter- 
ests, he is a stockholder in the Columbus Trust 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Company and the Palatine Hotel Company. The 

prosperity which has rewarded his efforts is the 
result of his indefatigable exertions, together 
with the exercise of good judgment and unerring 
discrimination in his business transactions. 

i ''^^j<^7^>[^^ (Si 



QROF. JOSEPH J. ELSEN, a gifted violinist 
L/^ and a successful and proficient teacher of 
[^ that art in Newburgh, was born in Olden- 
burg, Germany, November 12, 1823. His par- 
ents, Joseph and Gertrude (Wiechman) Elsen, 
were natives of Germany, where they spent their 
entire lives, the former being a skilled mu.sician, 
of considerable local fame. The family consisted 
of four children, of whom J. J. is the next to the 
eldest and the sole survivor. His brother 
Gerard, who came to this countrj', was a mem- 
ber of the West Point Militarj' Academy Band 
until his death. 

In the gymnasiums of his native land Pro- 
fessor Elsen gained his literary- education, and 
subsequently, entering the Academy of Music in 
Oldenburg, he took up the study of the violin 
under Professor Koen. He remained in the 
academy until his graduation, and then, in 1846, 
came to the United States, taking passage at 
Bremen and reaching New York after a voyage 
of six weeks. The first six months of his sojourn 
in this countrj' were spent in New York City, 
and in the fall of 1846 he came to Orange Coun- 
ty, enlisting as a member of the United States 
Military Academy Band at West Point. By con- 
tinued re-enlistments he remained a member of the 
band until 1884, when he was retired, under the 
thirty-year law, upon three-fourths pay. While 
with the band he was acting Drum- Major and 
assistant leader.-- 

The first marriage of Professor Elsen took place 
at West Point, in 1852, his wife being Miss Marj- 
Ward, who was born at that place. Two chil- 
dren were born of the union, namely. Joseph, a 
resident of Highland Falls; and William, who is 
connected with a mercantile agency in New York 
City, though he resides in Brooklyn. The sec- 
ond wife of the Professor was Sarah Ward, a half 



sister of his first wife. She was bom in West 
Point and died in Newburgh in 1895, after hav- 
ing become the mother of four children. Of 
these, one died young; Eliza, who became the 
wife of Rand Howell, died at Newburgh in 1895; 
Matthew al.so died here; and Lewis makes his 
home in this city. 

Politically Professor Elsen is a Democrat, al- 
ways adhering to the principles of that party. 
He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church 
and a regular attendant at its ser\'ices. Through- 
out life his chief interest has centered in music, 
and the natural ability which he possessed has 
been developed by close studj- and broad culture. 
Not onlj- is he skilled as a violinist, but he is 
equally familiar with twelve or more different 
band instruments, and his knowledge of the 
science of music is extensive and thorough. 

' — ^m (^ — • 



0AVID GIBB, who occupies a responsible po- 
.sition in the employ of the Pennsylvania 
Coal Company at Newburgh, was born in 
Amherst, on Lake Ontario, Upper Canada, May 
ID, 1835. Through his paternal ancestors he is 
of Irish descent, his grandfather, whose name was 
the same as his own, having emigrated from the 
Emerald Isle to the United States, where be set- 
tled in Newburgh, N. Y. In this city he followed 
the occupation of a weaver until his death. 

The father of our subject, John Gibb, was born 
in County Antrim, Ireland, and in earlj- life ac- 
companied the other members of the family to 
Newburgh, having learned the trade of a fancy 
linen weaver prior to his emigration. After a 
brief sojourn in Newburgh, he went to Balmville, 
where he carried on a linen-weaving business. 
From there he went to Canada, where he spent a 
number of years, and then came back to New- 
burgh, where he died at sixty-six years of age. 
He was a man of firm religious belief and be- 
longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Through his mother our subject is a descendant 
of the Gidney family, who are among the oldest, 
most prominent and influential families of Orange 
County. His niollier, Eliza, was born here, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



331 



was the daughter of Daniel Gidney, a farmer by 
occupation. She continued to reside here until 
her death, when past sixt}- years of age. The 
Gidney family originated in England, but has 
been represented in America since Colonial days, 
and some of its members served in the Revolu- 
tionary War and the War of 18 12. 

Of the paiental family of twelve children, seven 
are now living. Our subject was reared on a 
farm near Central Valley, making his home with 
his uncle, David Gibb. At the age of fifteen he 
went to sea, shipping as a sailor from New York, 
and going to North and South Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, where the ship was engaged in the coasting 
trade. He remained at sea for four years, at differ- 
ent times being in the employ of various vessels, 
and on retiring from marine life held the position 
of second mate. 

In 1854 Mr. Gibb came to Newbnrgh, where his 
uncle, Samuel Gibb, who had persuaded him to 
abandon his seafaring life, taught him the car- 
penter's trade. Later he was with William Hil- 
ton for five years, and then engaged as foreman 
for P. S. Haines, with whom he remained four- 
teen years. In 1861 he raised a company of 
twenty-five men for active service in the army, 
and, enli.sting in the Federal .service, he became 
Second Lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry. With 
his regiment he proceeded South and took part 
in the battle of Fredericksburg and in other en- 
gagements of minor importance. After having 
been with the regiment for six months, he re- 
turned home on account of injuries received, 
having been honorably discharged on account of 
physical disability. 

From the time of returning home until 1876, 
Mr. Gibb was with Mr. Haines, after which he 
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal 
Company, and is now foreman of the general repair 
department. Under him there are forty or fifty 
men, who.se work he superintends, and who are 
employed in building bridges, docks, sheds and 
trestles. Mr. Gibb built the large mill at New- 
burgh that was formerly occupied by P. S. Haines 
and later became the property of the Newbnrgh 
Woolen Company. In addition to this he has 



superintended the erection of a large number of 
public and private buildings, all of which reflect 
credit upon his skill as a workman. 

In Newbnrgh, in 1857, Mr. Gibb married Miss 
Lettie C. Sager, a native of this city. They oc- 
cupy and own a pleasant residence at No. 67 
West Street. B}- their union they have had five 
children, viz.: William, a graduate of the free 
academy, and now a clerk in the Pennsylvania 
Coal Company's office; Mary C, who is with her 
parents; Joseph N., a machinist with Babcock, 
Lary & Co., general contractors; Alzemora, who 
died in childhood; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Robert 
Herman, ofNewburgh. 

Politically Mr. Gibb is a Republican. In his 
fraternal relations he is identified with Ellis 
Post, G. A. R., and is a charter member of the 
West Newburgh Fire Department, Highland 
Steamer Company No. 3. A Methodist in relig- 
ious belief, he was at one time a member of 
Trinity Church, then joined St. John's Church, 
and on moving to West Newburgh became one 
of the founders of Grace Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with which he is now connected. At 
the time of the erection of the new edifice he was 
a member of the Building Committee. He has 
served his congregation as Steward, and for years 
has been a Class-leader and teacher in the Sun- 
day-school. 



gROTHER ALOYSIUS, Brother Director of 
St. Patrick's In.stitute of Newburgh, is 
not only a scholar of wide learning and in- 
formation, but possesses unusual executive ability 
and is very popular with his pupils. Under his 
supervision the school has nearly' doubled in num- 
bers attending, as when he came here there were 
two hundred and twenty boys enrolled, while now 
there are four hundred and twelve. 

The birth of Brother Aloysius occurred June 
30, 1857, in New York Cit}'. His education was 
obtained in Manhattan College and in the Chris- 
tian Brothers' Training School of W^estchester 
County, N. Y., where he remained for two years. 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He then taught in the parochial schools of Hart- 
ford, Conn., and Utica, N. Y., until 1887. At 
that time he was appointed Director of St. Pat- 
rick's Institute in Newburgh. which had been 
started as a parochial school, and continued as 
such until 1886, when the Brothers took charge. 
Since Brother Aloysius was placed at the head 
of the school he has inaugurated a different sys- 
tem, which now conipri.ses not only an element- 
ary, grammar and higher departments, but has a 
commercial course included in the curriculum, in 
order to fit young men to take their places in the 
business world as competent bookkeepers, finan- 
ciers, etc. He is assisted by seven teachers, 
while Prof. Theodore Gehrig is in charge of the 
musical department. As for himself, besides su- 
perintending the whole school, he teaches the 
classics, higher mathematics and bookkeeping. 
For those who desire to take physical culture 
work or to take part in local entertainments, 
there are efficient teachers provided. Each year 
there is an exhibit at the county fair of work 
done by the pupils, and three diplomas have been 
awarded for excellence. The connnercial de- 
partment has been a feature universally com- 
mended, as a complete banking system is in 
vogue, whereby the pupils can be trained in the 
use of notes, drafts and all other forms of general 
banking business. 



/JjEORGE W. SHAW, an honored and re- 
I— spected citizen of Newburgh, was born at 
\^ Little Britain, in the town of New Windsor, 
on the 30th of July, 1S24, and is a .son of Thomas 
Shaw, who was at the head of the firm of Thomas 
Shaw's Sons (see sketch of Elkanah K. Shaw 
elsewhere in this work). He learned his trade in 
his father's shop, and in 1852 was admitted to 
partnership. He has now retired from active 
business, but still remains a member of the firm, 
which is composed of him.self and brother El- 
kanah K. 

At the period when lx>at-building was a branch 
of the firm's business, Mr. Shaw had immediate 



oversight of that work, building boats for many 
of the prominent oarsmen and clubs of that time, 
and for eight years, dating from 1857, did little 
else. He built boats for Yale College, for all the 
Albany crews, and crews in Boston, New York, 
Newark and Poughkeepsie, and among these were 
some that were thirty feet long and did not weigh 
more than thirty -five pounds. One boat was sent 
as far as China. 

Mr. Shaw was himself an oarsman of the first 
class, being Joshua Ward's partner in many races, 
and was also a member of the celebrated four- 
oared crew composed of Joshua and Henry Ward, 
Oscar Teed and himself. He also rowed in sev- 
eral double-scull races with his brother Charles as 
partner. In i860 he was a member of the six- 
oared crew compo.sed of Joshua Ward and otheis, 
which at Lake Quinsigamond rowed three miles 
in the Gersh Banker in eighteen minutes and 
thirty-seven seconds, the fastest time on record, 
and when he returned home the citizens turned 
out to welcome him. He and Joshua Ward took 
a great many prizes everywhere and were never 
beaten but once, that being done by a trick. 

Mr. Shaw has ever been fond of all sorts of 
athletic sports, and in his younger days was a 
great skater, in speed being equal to any in the 
country. Shooting also claimed his attention, and 
he is to this day considered a good shot. In the.se 
latter years of leisure his love for refined outdoor 
sports is as strong as ever. He is a member of 
the Newburgh Canoe and Boating Association, 
and an enthusia.stic yachtsman. He is also a 
member of the Newburgh Gun Club, making a 
good score at the target. In early life he was a 
member and assistant foreman of the Washington 
Engine Company, and was one of the organizers 
of the Ringgold Hose Company, of which he was 
its first foreman, and .still continues an honorary 
member. 

The early life of Mr. Shaw was passed in New- 
burgh, where he attended the high school, thus 
acquiring a good education. He was in partner- 
ship with his father until the latter's death, when 
he and his brother Charles B. composed the firm. 
After the death of the latter in 1892 his other 
brother, Elkanah, became connected with him. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



They are the proprietors of the Newburgh Mould- 
ing and Planing Mill, which manufactures all 
kinds of trimmings and supplies for house build- 
ing, and all the work turned out is first-class. 
During the thirty-seven years that Mr. Shaw has 
been connected with the business the firm has 
prospered, and has been extensively engaged in 
contracting and building. They have construct- 
ed about nine hundred naval gun-carriages, be- 
sides many other boats, of which our subject had 
personal charge. He is also a stockholder in a 
lawn-mower manufactory. 

On the yth of January, 1847, in Newburgh, 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shaw and 
Miss Rhoda Alexander, who was born in Little 
Britain in 1827, and is a daughter of James Alex- 
ander and a sister of Joseph K. Alexander. To 
them were born five children: Thomas, who is 
a scroll-sawyer and general machinist in business 
with his father; Mrs. Catherine Howard, of New- 
burgh; Charles, who is also in his father's employ, 
and is an expert carpenter; Jennie, who died at 
the age of seven years; and Harry, who is at 
home and is a natural mechanic. Mr. Shaw is a 
member and liberal supporter of the Union Pres- 
byterian Church, while in politics he is identified 
with the Democratic party. He is public-spirited 
and progressive, and there are few men more pop- 
ular in Newburgh than George W. Shaw. 



gEORGE H. ROSS, senior member of the 
firm of Henry Ross' Sons, millers, of New- 
burgh, is a native of this city. His father, 
Henry Ross, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
and came to America when fourteen years of age, 
and located at Newburgh. He there grew to 
manhood and for .some years was a successful 
farmer, owning two or three farms. In 1858 he 
again took up his residence in the city, where he 
]iurcha.sed the flouring-mill of William H. Beede, 
which he continued to operate until his death, in 
1 88 1, at the age of sixty-six years. For several 
years he was a Director of the Quassaick Bank, 
and was one of the first Aldermen of the Second 
Ward of the city. He was Superintendent of the 



Newburgh Almshouse for three years, and was 
an Elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church 
He married Jane Cleland, a native of Little Brit- 
ain, Orange County, and daughter of Samuel 
Cleland, a native of Ireland. Her father was by 
trade a shoemaker, but for many years was en- 
gaged in farming in Orange County. Religiously 
he was a Presbyterian. The Ross family consist- 
ed of five children: Mary C, who married Rev. 
R. H. Hume, and now resides in Springfield, 
Ohio; Lizzie, who married Henry Wells, and lives 
in Newburgh; George H., John D. and Edward 
C. , all of Newburgh. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New- 
burgh, February 14, 1857, and received his pri- 
mary education in the public schools of that city, 
completing the course in the academy. From 
boyhood he engaged in the milling business with 
his father, and on the death of the latter the pres- 
ent partnership was formed, under the firm name 
of Henry Ross' Sons. The mill is located on 
Quas.saick Creek, and is run by water power. 
Since putting in the roller process a large bu,si- 
ness has been done, and the mill is one of the 
most popular ones in this vicinity. 

Mr. Ross was married in Newburgh, in 1884, 
to Miss Lillian K. Fickle, a daughter of Milton 
Fickle, and a native of New York City. Three 
children have been born to them, Kate, Harry 
and William. Mr. and Mrs. Ro.ss are members 
of the Trinity Methodist Epi-scopal Church. For 
some years he has been a Director in the Quas- 
saick Bauk, and is recognized as one of the lead- 
ing business men of Newburgh. 

Edward C. Ross, brother of George H., was 
born in Newburgh, January 11, 1864, in the old 
home on Broadway, where he now resides. He 
graduated from the academy in 1880, and then 
took a course in Eastman's Business College at 
Poughkeepsie. When his father died he returned 
to Newburgh and became associated with his 
brothers in the milling business. He was mar- 
ried in 1887, in Newburgh, to Miss Jennie M. 
Caldwell, a native of this city, and daughter of 
Thomas Caldwell, President of the Coldwell Lawn- 
mower Company. They have two children, Cle- 
land C. and Carroll Adams. Mr. Rossis a mem- 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ber of the First Baptist Church, of which he is a 
Trustee, and is also a Trustee of the Memorial 
Baptist Church. He is a prominent member of 
the Board of Trade, and a successful business 



[~PI1KAIM HUI.IJS, Justice of the Peace, is 
1^ a member of the wholesale lumber firm of 
I Ephraim Bullis & Son, one of the old estab- 
lished l)usiness concerns of Xewburgh. He has 
always taken great interest in promoting the pub- 
lic welfare, and has been a strong Republican 
since the organization of the party, prior to which 
time he was a Whig and cast his first vote for 
Henry Clay. Though now nearh- seventy-five 
years of age, he is well preserved, and is active 
both in body and mind. 

The birth of our subject occurred at Ballston 
Spa, Saratoga County, N. Y., October 13, 1820. 
His father, Robert, and his grandfather, Allen 
Bullis, were both natives of Columbia County, 
N. Y., being descendants of one of three brothers 
who emigrated from England at a very early day 
and settled in Dutchess County, east of Pough- 
keepsie, at a point named in their honor Bullis 
Pond. The name is an old Spartan one. appear- 
ing in clas.sical iiistory, sometimes spelled with 
one "1" and .sometimes with two. Our subject's 
grandfather was a farmer by occupation, and died 
at his home in Saratoga County, N. Y. Robert 
Bullis was born in 1800 and died in 1882. He 
was also a farmer by occupation, and during his 
last years lived near Mechanicsville, N. Y. Like 
his son, he was a stanch Republican, and was al- 
ways in favor of all measures which promised 
gcK)d government. His wife, Theresa, was a 
daughter of Rev. Ephraim Harris, who was a 
hero of the battles of Stillwater, and was present 
at the capture of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga in 
the War of the Revolution. He was of English 
descent, and was a clergyman in the Baptist 
Church until shortly before his demise, %vhich 
took place in Ren.sselaer County, N. Y. Mrs. 
Bullis was born in that count}-, near the village 
of Schodack, and became the mother of five sons 



and two daughters, four of whom survive. She 
was summoned to the home beyond in 1865, 
when in her sixty-eighth year. One of her sons, 
William I., enlisted in a New York regiment at 
Poughkeepsie and served throughout the war, 
going with Sherman on his march to the sea. 
He was taken sick and sent home, dying from 
the effects of his service a few years later. 

Ephraim Bullis is the eldest in his father's fam- 
ily, and was reared on the old farm near Mechan- 
icsville. His di.strict-school education was sup- 
plemented by four years of study at Stillwater 
Academy, from which he graduated. He then 
taught school for four or five years in his native 
county, and in 1845 came to Xewburgh and com- 
menced clerking forCapt. W. A. Bullis. his uncle, 
who kept a general freight and produce store, and 
also ran a line of ships between Newburgh and 
Albany, having docks and .storehouses at the foot 
of Fourth Street. In 1848 our subject embarked 
in the retail lumber business on the dock at the 
foot of Fourth Street, where he was located until 
1S62, and then for a few^ years operated a farm 
in Montgomery Town. Thence moving to Corn- 
wall on the Hudson, he was there engaged in the 
retail coal trade for ten years, during which time 
he was Justice of the Peace for eight years, and 
for two terms was Justice of the Court Sessions, 
under Judge Thomas George. In 1875 he sold 
out, and returning to this city once more turned 
his attention to the lumber business, selling whole- 
sale lots to dealers in New York, New Jersey and 
Peimsylvania. His son, Theodore D., who is in 
partnership with him, is a fine salesman, and to 
his efforts nuich of the success of the firm is due. 
In 1893 Mr. Bullis was honored by being elected 
to the position of Justice of the Peace, which office 
he still holds. 

I In Montgomery, Orange County, in 1847, our 

[ subject was united in marriage with Effie Decker. 

j Both she and her father, Jacob P., who was a 
farmer, are natives of Montgomery. Of the six 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bullis, two died in 

I infancy, and Charles in 1893, when about thirty- 
six years of age. The others are Theodore D., 
Adelaide T. and Eugenia. The family are niem- 

I bers of the Baptist Church at Cornwall, with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



335 



which they have been connected for several years. 
While a resident of Mechanicsville Mr. Bullis was 
a member of Mott's Guard.s, Forty-first Regiment 
of State Militia, first serving as Second Lieuten- 
ant and later as Captain. He has always en- 
deavored to discharge his duties toward his fel- 
low-men with the utmost fidelity, and enjoys the 
esteem of all who know him. 

. • — g^ p — ' 



3 AMES P. KIRBY. It may truthfully be 
said of this well known citizen of Newburgh 
that he is one of the most active and experi- 
enced surveyors in the countrj-. He is an expert 
at drawing maps, and his services have been called 
into requisition in this line for years, he having 
executed maps of every town in Orange County, 
as well as many other sections of the state, and 
the leading villages and cities of this locality. 
He is skilled as a mathematician, and in former 
years was very successful as a .school teacher. 

Edward, father of J. P. Kirby, was born in 
Buckinghamshire, England, and at the age of 
nineteen years was pres.sed into the British serv- 
ice. He was on a man-of-war when it ran 
aground on the coast of Virginia, and he and sev- 
eral others of the crew managed to effect their es- 
cape. In the hunt for them which ensued, an 
American ship was fired upon, thus indirectly 
bringing on the War of 1812. Coming to New 
York, Mr. Kirby settled in Westchester County, 
soon afterwards located in Orange County, and 
later removed to Sullivan County, operating farms 
in each county. In 1843 he moved to West Vir- 
ginia, where he likewise engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. When the war came on his sympathies 
were with the North, but he quietly pursued the 
even tenor of his way, as he was too old to enter 
the service. In 1862, while going to the mill 
with grist, he was taken prisoner by a band of 
rebels, and though nearly eighty years of age and 
almost blind, was sent to Richmond, being con- 
fined in the prison there, and later was transferred 
to one at Newbern, N. C, where he died. His 
devoted and bereaved family would probablj- have 
never known of his fate had it not been for Colo- 



nel Cochran, who was in the same prison, and 
who learned of the old hero's death and notified 
his relatives. His wife, Annie, was a daughter 
of James Piatt, who was born in England, and 
about the time of the Revolutionary War settled 
in Westchester County, N. Y. On his farm in 
that locality Mrs. Kirby 's. birth occurred. She 
died in West Virginia, and only two of her eight 
sons and two daughters are now living, namely; 
J. P. and William, the latter of New Jersey. Two 
of the sons were participants in the Civil War. 

Our subject was born May i, 1823, in Sullivan 
County, N. Y., and remained in that locality on 
a farm until sixteen years of age. He attended 
the old-fashioned log .schoolhouse of the period, 
where he mastered the elementary branches of 
his education. On leaving the parental abode he 
obtained work on a farm in Ontario County, near 
Geneva, and went to school during the winter 
terms for several years. He spent one season in 
traveling in the West, visiting various parts of 
Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. In 1846 he began 
his career as a teacher in the western di.strict of 
Ontario County, the following year went to Ulster 
County, and while conducting schools there took 
up practical surveying, as he was fond of mathe- 
matics. For many years he carried on both pur- 
suits, and in 1851 became Principal ofthe Walden 
schools. 

About thirty years ago Mr. Kirby came to 
Newburgh, being made Principal of Grammar 
School No. 4, but at the end of fifteen months re- 
signed to give his whole attention to civil engi- 
neering. For the eight years following he held 
the office of Assistant City Engineer, and then 
opened business on his own account. During the 
years 1877-78-79 he taught for several terms in 
this county, and in 1882 located at Ulsterville, 
where he not only taught, but carried on a farm, 
and also conducted a mercantile business for sev- 
en years. For five years of this period he was 
Postmaster, but resigned the position in 1890. 
Then for a year or two his home was in Cornwall, 
and for the past three years his location has been 
at No. 186 Broadway, at the corner of Dubois 
Street. He is the oldest teacher in the county, 
and during a period of fifty-one years has been 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engaged in this work for forty years. He now 
devotes all his time to civil engineering, his field 
of eniiiloynient l)eing the counties of Ulster, 
Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, ,Sul- 
livan and Orange. In 1S71 he officially laid out 
the village of Walden, and helped survey many 
ot the principal streets of Newburgh, Cornwall 
on the Hudson, Kishkill and Matteawan. 

The first marriage of Mr. Kirby was with Miss 
Margaret Craver, a native of Ulster County, their 
union Ijeing celebrated in 1848. Her death oc- 
curred many years ago, and only two children of 
the six by that marriage are now living, namely: 
Mrs. Jennie Humber, of Branch Port, N. J.; and 
Mrs. Mary Daniett, ot New York City. May 24, 
1S69, Mr. Kirby was married, in Newburgh, to 
Sarah Garrison, who was born in this county and 
whose death occurred in Ulster County. Three 
of their four children are living and all are resi- 
dents of Philadelphia. They are: Charles, Ella 
May and James H. 

In 1S56 Mr. Kirby voted the Republican tick- 
et, being one of two to .support the nominees 
of that party in the district of Showngunk, Ul- 
ster County, where he was then living. Since 
that time he has been a true and able supporter 
of Republican principles, and always has near to 
his heart everything which is calculated to benefit 
the public at large. 



■•>^®^®^«- 



r^ETER HOFFMANN has the reputation of 
L^ turning out the finest furniture of any cabi- 
K3 net-maker in Newburgh. He not onlj- sup- 
plies the hand.somest residences, but also furnishes 
offices, .stores, clubs and public buildings. Per- 
haps the best of his work outside of the city 
was the church furniture which he made for a 
house of worship in Bay Cit\-, Mich. He has 
been very successful, and his work invariably 
gives full satisfaction. 

Our subject is a native of Germany, having 
been born in the village of Butsbach, near 
Frankfort-ou-the-Main, Ober-Hessen, February- 



12, 1838. His paternal grandfather was in the 
army during tiie Najwleonic wars, and his life 
occupation was that of farming. Jacob, our sub- 
ject's father, was born in Munster, and was head 
clerk in a hotel at the time of his death, which 
occurred when he was in the prime of early man- 
hood. His \vifewas Miss Maria Repp before their 
marriage, and she was likewise a native of Mun- 
ster. After the death of her first husband she 
wedded Wilhelm Diehl. and died in her native 
land. Peter is the only child of the first mar- 
riage, though four were born of the second. 

The youth of our subject passed in a quiet man- 
ner, his education being pursued in the German 
schools until fourteen years of age, according to 
the law in that country. He was then appren- 
ticed to the cabinet-maker's trade with his step- 
father, Mr. Diehl, who was a contractor and 
builder, and who had a shop and factory. At 
the end of four years young Hoffmann started 
forth as a journeyman, working in dififereiit cit- 
ies and provinces of the Fatherland. Later he 
went to Holland, and finally to London, Eng- 
land, where he remained for a twelvemonth. In 
1861 he concluded to come to America, and after 
a fifty-nine-days voyage in the sailing-vessel 
"Christiana," landed in New York. Two months 
elapsed, and he then came to Newburgh, being 
for one year in the employ of William Bartells as 
a cabinet-maker. Next he was employed at his 
trade in the metropolis for nearly a year, in the 
mean time carefully laying aside as much of his 
salary as was possible. In 1863 he returned to 
Newburgh and bought out his old employer, lo- 
cating at No. 48 Colden Street, where he was in 
business for about six years. His next venture 
was to build a shop on South Water Street, 
where he prospered for two years. A good op»- 
portiuiity then presenting itself, he .sold the build- 
ing and business to D. N. Sellig, but managed 
the concern for three years. Once more he started 
in business for himself as a manufacturer, and 
erected a shop at No. 185 First Street, where he 
is at present located. The building is 35x168 
feet, and well provided with modern machinery 
and appliances for turning out fine custom work. 
He furnished the office finishings anil furni- 




I'ROF. CHAKI.KS RLl'l'. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



339 



ture for Clerason Bros., of Middletown; the hotel 
and office equipments for W. C. Bastian, of the 
same place; fitted up the office of Jacob Kaadel, of 
Port Jervis; and in Nevvburgh, among many 
others, has done work for Joseph Skelley, P. 
Nugent, Thomas Rigley and Ed Earnest. He 
regularly employs five or six men, and sometimes 
more. 

In New York City Mr. Hoffmann was married, 
in 1862, to Maria Spangenberg, who was born 
in Detmold, Germany. The only son of this 
worthy couple, William, a clerk in the office of 
the County Clerk, is a young man of recognized 
ability, a graduate of the Newburgh Academy, 
and for some time attended Ivchigh University. 

Mr. Hoffmann is identified with a number of 
fraternities, having pas.sed all the chairs in Bis- 
marck Lodge No. 420, I. O. O. F., and is a mem- 
ber and ex-President of the Turn Verein. He 
serv'ed his time in Cataract Company No. 3, aft- 
erward was with Company No. i , and is a char- 
ter member of Lawson Hose Company No. 5; 
thus he is one of the oldest firemen of the city, 
and an honored member of the veteran associa- 
tion of the Lawson Hose Company. On ques- 
tions relating to politics he is independent, as he 
prefers to use his own judgment as a voter, and 
does not wish to be bound by party lines. 

r^ROF. CHARLES RUPP, teacher of piano 
L'' and violin music, and leader of Rupp's 
fS) Orchestra and Rupp's Military Band, was 
born in Baden, Germany, in 1843, and is a son 
of Jacob and Louisa (Schwartz) Rupp, both of 
whom were also natives of Baden. In 1835 his 
father came to America and located at West 
Point, N. Y., where for two years he was in the 
employ of the Government in the erection of the 
l)uildings of the Militarj' Academy. He later re- 
turned to Germany, however, and in 1S54 brought 
the family to America, locating at Highland Falls, 
where he remained for a time, and then moved to 
Long Island, where he engaged in farming for 
two years. He then returned to Highland Falls, 
where his death occurred. 



The Professor is the youngest of six children 
who grew to maturity, five of whom are yet liv- 
ing. One brother, Jacob, has from its organiza- 
tion been a member of Gilmore's Band. Charles 
was but eleven years of age when he came to 
America with the family, and on the 13th of No- 
vember, 1854, he enlisted in the United States 
Drum Corps at West Point as drummer- boy. He 
served in that capacity for two and a-half years, 
in the mean time studying music, and was then 
transferred to the band. Besides his study of the 
violin and piano, he has taken up several brass 
instruments. In 1881 he was appointed Drum 
Major of the West Point Military Band, and held 
that position until i886, when, at his own request, 
he was retired under the thirty-years act of Con- 
gress, having served in all a period of thirty-two 
years. During the last year he was leader of the 
band. 

On his retirement from governmental service, 
Profes,sor Rupp removed to Newburgh, where he 
engaged in teaching on the violin, piano and 
brass instruments. He also founded an orchestra 
here and has since continued its leader. In 1893 
he formed the Rupp Military Band of eighteen 
members, which has attained a reputation sec- 
ond to none in this vicinity. 

Professor Rupp was married in West Point, 
N. Y., in 1864, to Miss Catherine Moore, a na- 
tive of Ireland. Four children were born unto 
them, three of whom are now living. Mary, who 
was educated at West Point, resides at home; 
Lulu E., who was educated at the Holy Cross, 
New York, also resides at home; Prof. Charles S. , 
who was educated at Mt. Pleasant Academy, 
Sing Sing, is engaged in teaching music, and is 
organist of St. John's Church, Fishkill; John 
died at the age of eighteen years. Professor and 
Mrs. Rupp are members of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, and politically he is a straight Republi- 
can. 

Professor Rupp came naturally by his mu,sical 
ability. His grandfather, Charles Rupp, was an 
eminent musician in the city of Baden, and was 
a teacher on the violin for many years. Few 
musicians are better known than the subject of 
this sketch. As has already been stated, for 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



over thirty years he was connected with the West 
Point Military Band, and has made the study of 
music his life work. He is a man universally es- 
teemed for his many good qualities of head and 
heart. 

EAPT. CHARLES F. JUNE, once famous as 
the champion skater and oarsman of the 
East, was born September 6, 1824, in New- 
burgh, where he now resides. He is a repre- 
.sentative of a family that was identified with 
the early history of this city, to which place his 
grandfather, Phineas June, came in early man- 
hood from Rochelle, France, his birthplace. Set- 
tling here, he emliarked in the merchant-tailor- 
ing business, and became one of the prominent 
men of the place. He was the first chief en- 
gineer of the fire department, and filled other 
local offices of trust. In religious belief he was 
a Lutheran. His wife, whom he met and mar- 
ried in Newburgh, bore the maiden name of 
Fannie M. Coffin, and was a direct descendant 
of John and Priscilla Alden, of Puritan fame. 
The history of the Coffin family is traced back 
to 1610, when, under King William IV., Tris- 
tram Coffin served as an Admiral in England. 

The marriage of Phineas and Fannie M. Coffin 
was solemnized in the New Windsor Church in 
1790, and among the children born of their union 
was Jacob, whose birth occurred in Newburgh. 
In .early life he gained a thorough knowledge of 
the boating business, and for a time he sailed on 
sloops between Newburgh and New York, under 
Capt. Alden Belknap, who gave him his time 
two years before he attained his majority. He 
at once became first mate in charge of a vessel, 
receiving a salary of S50 per month, which was 
a larger amount than had ever been given on the 
Hudson to a first mate. 

When Captain Belknap gave up the business. 
Captain June .sailed a .sloop as Captain for two 
years, and then opened a tavern on F'ront Street. 
There, and on adjoining property, he had an 
hotel and oyster-house for many years. His 
death occurred in Newburgh in 1891, at the age 
of ninety-one. During his early boating days, 



1816, he ran a sloop up Quassaick Creek to the 
point now occupied by the Kilmer Iron Works, 
where at that time stood a Govennnent foundry. 
The boat was loaded with guns, which were 
taken to Government and Staten Islands. 

The mother of our subject, Maria Penny, was 
born in Orange County. Her father, John Peini\ . 
a native of Long Island, became an early .settler 
of the town of Goshen, and for a time was in 
charge of the jail. Later he removed to New- 
burgh, where he died. During the Revolution- 
ary War he served in the Colonial army. At the 
time of Major Andre's escape he was sent after 
him, and hastening through Westchester Coun- 
ty was intercepted by the two Hessians who 
were concerned in his flight. They attempted 
to assassinate him, and succeeded in severely 
wounding him with a cutlass, but he, being a 
large man and a splendid fighter, killed both of 
them. Fearing he might again be attacked, he 
hid in a swamp for three days and three nights, 
after which he walked back to We.st Point and 
had his wound treated, but it never entirel> 
healed. He died at the age of seventy years. 

The Penny family was of Huguenot lineage, 
but fled from France to England during the 
days of the persecution of the Huguenots. From 
England our subject's great-grandfather, Josiah 
Penny, emigrated to America and settled on 
Long Island, where he died at the age of one 
hundred and five years. His wife also attained 
a great age, passing away when one hundred 
and eleven years old. It is related of him that, 
during the Revolution, when he was attempting 
to put a torpedo under an English man-of-war, 
he was di.scovered and at once taken prisoner by 
the enemy. He was sent to the Tower of Lon- 
don, where he was confined for four years, and 
during that time he kept a diary, a portion of 
which was written with his own blood. He suc- 
ceeded in returning to Long Island when it was 
still in the hands of the British. His wife, .see- 
ing him come to the house, but not recognizing 
him, received him with a musket, having forti- 
fied herself, as she supposed, against an enemy. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of nine children who reached years of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



341 



maturity, and five of the number are still living. 
The mother died in Newburgh at the age of sev- 
entj'-tvvo years. The Captain, who was the eld- 
est of the family, attended the old Glebe School, 
later was a student in the high school under Dr. 
Tarbel and O. M. Smith, then carried on his 
studies in the free academy, under Professor 
Brown, and afterward was a pupil in Professor 
Griffin's private school. He learned the baker's 
trade under Mrs. Hamilton and Thomas Garvey, 
but, with the exception of a short time in New 
York, never followed that occupation. 

In 1838 our subject took charge of one of his 
father's sloops and engaged in dealing in prod- 
uce, and also carried on a transportation busi- 
ness between Newburgh and Albany. From 
that beginning he built up a large trade, and 
ran a large number of boats. For fifteen j'ears 
he was thus engaged, owning and ruiming the- 
large sloop "Oregon," which is still sailing the 
river. In 1855, as the result of overwork, he 
became totally blind, but fortunately regained 
his sight after six months. While he was blind, 
he started a hotel on the Newburgh and Chester 
Road that was known as Old Bull's Head Tav- 
ern, but upon entirely regaining the use of his 
eyes he resumed boating. 

Becoming an employe of the Erie Railroad, 
Captain June was master of their barge "Pil- 
grim," between Piermont and New York, for 
three years. Eater he went to Castle Garden, 
using the same boat for the landing of passengers. 
For two years afterward he had full charge of 
the passenger, freight and ticket business at Port 
Monmouth for the Raritau & Delaware Railroad. 
Returning at the expiration of that time to New- 
burgh, he accepted a position as foreman in the 
Washington Iron Works, where he remained 
nine months, resigning in 1865 to enter the 
yachting business. For one season he was in 
charge of a pleasure boat, and then for five years 
was on the barge "Newburgh." 

During 1873 Captain June went to Detroit, 
Mich., where he engaged in the restaurant busi- 
ness on Griswold Street for five years. He was 
similarly engaged in Toledo, Ohio, for eighteen 
months, returning from that city to Newburgh. 



His home is still in this place, where he is agent 
for the Mercantile Co-operation Building Asso- 
ciation of New York and the National Mutual 
Association of New York. He has been twice 
married, first in Newburgh in 1843, when Miss 
Margaret White, a native of New Windsor, be- 
came his wife. She died in Newburgh after hav- 
ing become the mother of three children, namely: 
Charles, who is in the provision bu.siness in Lin- 
coln, Neb.; Thomas, a caterer of Detroit, Mich.; 
and Mary, who died in childhood. The second 
wife of Captain June was Miss Henrietta, daugh- 
ter of Daniel Chapman, and a native of New- 
burgh. She is an estimable lady, and a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
By this union two children were born, namely: 
Georgiana, who died at the age of one year; and 
Virginia, a graduate of the Newburgh Academy, 
and now the wife of Hon. Grant B. Taylor, of 
this city. 

In politics Captain June advocates the old Jef- 
fersonian Democratic principles. While at Port 
Monmouth he spent thirteen days and nights in 
transporting troops to the front in defense of 
Washington. There were two engines on the 
train, and he was constantly on duty for the en- 
tire time. In 1835 he entered Washington En- 
gine Companj' No. 4 as a volunteer, in which he 
served for fifteen years. From boyhood he has 
been fond of athletics and sports, particularly 
skating, rowing and swimming. When only 
seven years of age he steered a boat in a race at 
Newburgh. Both in yachting and rowing he 
has won man)- prizes. At one time he owned 
the yacht "Jennie J.," which took fifteen out of 
seventeen prizes in contests on Lakes Erie and St . 
Clair, although it was a third-class boat, while 
its contestants were of the second class. This 
boat was built under his supervision in Detroit, 
and was run by himself 

It is, however, especially as a skater that Cap- 
tain June has become best known. When only 
sixteen he won third prize in a speed contest, 
and his performances were considered remarkable 
for one of his age, his competitors in the race 
having been men. At the age of seventeen he 
entered into a race at Cornwall, in which he was 



.^42 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the winner. In 1849 a match was arranged be- 
tween him anil Masbicr, in which he won. Event- 
ually he became the ackiiowleds^etl champion. .\ 
challenge wa.s puhlisheil in the New York //<•/- 
aid in 1S60. to the effect that he would skate any 
man in the I'nited States or Canada from one to 
to ten miles, for 5i. 000 to $10,000 a side. The 
challenge remained open three weeks, but was 
not acceptetl. .\lK>ut the same time he skated a 
mile in one minute and fifty-eight seconds on 
Rockland Lake, which record has never been 
lx.'aten anywhere. When skating in Central 
Park, New York, was opened, he tested the ice 
and set the danger .signals. For many years he 
has held the position of Lieutenant in the New- 
burgh Skating Association, and has been one of 
the managers of the national amateur races held 
in this city, having greatly encouraged the pas- 
time by precept and example. 



HON. JOHN J. S. McCROSKERY is Presi- 
dent of The National Hank of Newburgh, 
which is one of the strongest financial insti- 
tutions of the state. In 1S75 he was elected May- 
or of the city, to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Mayor Leonard, and in the spring of 
1876 he was re-electeil for a full term. In every 
way he has been liberal and prominent, always 
having the welfare of the city and vicinity at 
heart. .\t one time he was First Assistant Chief 
Engineer of the fire department: served on the 
Board of Education for seven \-ears: and at pres- 
ent is a member of the Board of Park Connnis- 
sioners. Though a resident of a strong Republi- 
can ward, the Third, he was electetl by a large 
majoritv as a Democratic Alderman from the 
same, acting as such for four years. 

Our subjects grandfather, James McCrosker>-. 
was Kirn in County Down. Ireland, and there fol- 
loweil the tailors trade. While the War of 1S12 
was in progress, he sailed for .America with his 
family, which consisted of his wife and three chil- 
dren . The \-es.sel on which they were pas.sengers 
was captured by a British cruiser and taken to 
Halifax, where Mr. McCroskerv remained about 



two years, and at tlie end of that time came to 
Newburgh. Here he was employetl at his trade 
for many years, and died when nearly foursiore 
years of age. One of his children, John. iKcame 
the father of our subject. He was born in Coun- 
ty Down. Ireland, in 179S, and was married, in 
Newburgh, to Catherine Shields, who bore him 
three children. Mary A., now deceased, was the 
wife of John B. Farrington; Agnes E. has also 
passetl from this life: and J. J. S. is our .subject. 
The father was for .several years engaged in the 
grocery business on Water Street, at one time 
occupying the site next to the National Bank, 
but later removing to the corner of South and 
Water Streets. He was very active in the Pres- 
byterian Church, as were his ancestors before 
him. He departed this life in Newburgh in 1855, 
when fifty-eight years of age. Mrs. Catherine 
McCroskery was bona in Newburgh, and died in 
iSSo, when in her eighty-first year. Her father, 
John Shields, was born in the northeni part of Ire- 
land, and came to the I'nited States just after his 
marriage, .settling in Newburgh, where he en- 
gaged in building and stone-masoun,- work. He 
died here when over sixty-two years of age, 
strong in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. 

J. J. S. McCroskery was born in Newburgh, 
February 14, 1S34, and received a good education 
in the public schools and in the local academy, 
from which he graduated in 1849. He then 
clerked for his father about a year, and in Febni- 
ary, 1S50, took a position with George Corn well 
& Son, dry-goods merchants, at the corner of 
Third and Water Streets. In 1853. the finn hav- 
ing closed out their business, young McCroskery 
accepted a clerkship with the Bank of Newburgh, 
with which he has ever since been connectetL 
Owing to his diligence and strict attention to his 
duties, he was promoted to be bookkeep)er, then 
teller, and in 1S64, when The National Bank of 
Newburgh succeeded the old establishment, Mr. 
McCroskery was inauguratetl as Cashier. This 
position he ably filletl until 1890, when, on ac- 
count of the death of George W. Kerr, at the age 
of eighty-one years, he was electeil President in 
his stead. By a peculiar coincidence he servetl 
as Cashier for a period of twenl\-six years to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



(lay, and altogether has had his business head- 
rjiiarteis in this building for forty-one years. This | 
structure was erected in 1811 for the Bank of | 
Newburgh, which was the first in the county, 
and one of the first in the state. The building 
has been remodeled twice in the mean time. 

A brief sketch of the history of this well known 
financial institution may possess interest for many 
and is given below: 

The bank was incorporated by an act of Legis- 
lature, passed March 22, 181 1, on petition of Ja- 
cob Powell, John McAulay, Chauncy Belknap 
and Jonathan D. Fisk. The capital named was 
$120,000, in shares of $20 each, the state re- 
.serving the right to sub.scribe for the stock any 
amount not exceeding one thou.sand .shares. The 
slock was all taken soon after the passage of the 
act of incorporation, and June 15, 181 1, the cor- 
ner-stone of the present banking hou.se was laid. . 
The bank was duly opened for business Septem- 
ber 9 following, with I.saac Belknap, Jr., Presi- 
dent, and John S. Hunn Cashier. The first char- 
ter continued until 1830, when, the stock held by 
the state being withdrawn, the bank was reorgan- 
ized under the Safety Fund Law, and the capital 
increa.sed to $140,000. In 185 1 the capital was 
further increased to $200,000 and the bank reor- 
ganized under the general banking law. Again, 
in September, 1852, the capital was increased to 
$300,000. The old bank was later wound up and 
The National Bank of Newburgh organized. Bus- 
iness was conuuenced July 5, 1864, with a capital 
ol $800,000. June 3, 1 8go, the stockholders vot- 
ed to reduce the capital one-half, and according- 
ly $400,000, with the addition of forty per cent., 
$160,000, as profits, was divided among the stock- 
holders. The bank has always been recognized 
as one of the strongest in the state, and bore such 
a good reputation that during the "wild-cat" 
days the issue of the old Bank of Newburgh was 
always at par, and was collected everywhere dollar 
for dollar. 

In 1859 Mr. McCroskerv married Henrietta 
Young, a native of this city and daughter of 
Lewis W. and Margaret R. (DuBoisj Young. 
The father, who began his busine.ss career as a 
clerk, worked his way upward to success and 



prominence, ultimately becoming one of the most 
prosperous dry-goods merchants in Newburgh. 
His wife was born in Ulster County, X. Y., and 
was a direct descendant of the famous French- 
Huguenot DuBois family, who were the first set- 
tlers of the county. Mrs. Young's grandfather. 
Col. Lewis DuBois, was a member of the Provis- 
ional Congress, and won his title in the War of 
the Revolution. The two children born to our 
subject and wife are Lewis \V. Y., an attorney -at- 
lavv and City Recorder; and John, a promising 
young physician of New York City and a gradu- 
ate of Bellevue Medical College. For many 
years our subject has been Treasurer of the New- 
burgh Bible Society, and for thirty-seven years 
was one of the Trustees of Union Presbyterian 
Church, and for the past twenty-nine years has 
been vSuperintendent of the Sunday-school. In 
politics he has always been a .stanch Democrat. 



— »"— •>»^4 



i^l 1-^ 



(lAMES CUNNINGHAM was Chief ot the 
I Fire Department of Newburgh from 188410 
G/ 1893, having been re-elected on the expira- 
tion of his first term. He has always taken great 
interest in the matter of protection from fire, and 
is a member of the Order of American Firemen, 
being a Director of the Newburgh branch of that 
organization. His service in an ofiicial capacity* 
was of great benefit to the city, and .several im- 
portant changes were then inaugurated, among 
which was the new fire-alarm .sy.stem. Every 
three years a tournament of the "fire laddies" was 
held in Newburgh, and in this manner new and 
practical ideas were more effectively disseminated. 
During his term another company was formed, 
and a new hou.se for their accommodation was 
built and equipped with a steamer, etc. It is 
now twenty-six years since Mr. Cunningham 
joined Brewster Hook and Ladder Company 
No'. I , serving as Assistant Fireman for many 
years, and during his long and faithful service he 
acquired a justly de.served reputation as a fire- 
fighter. 

Our subject's father, James Cunningham, was 



344 



PORTRAIT AND I5IOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and there learn- 
ed the mason's trade. At an early day he came 
to the United States, and after a year spent in 
New York City, went back to the Emerald Isle, 
where he engaged in co)itracting and building 
until his death, which occurred at Dungannon, 
when he was about thirty -eight years of age. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Moore, 
was likewise a native of County Tyrone. After 
her husband's death she brought her family to 
America by way of Quebec, settling in West 
Troy, N. Y. She lived to a good old age, dying 
at the age of ninety-four years, at her old home 
in West Troy. She was a faithful member of the 
Pre.sbyterian Church. Of her two sons and five 
daughters, all but one survive. John, the eldest 
son, is a resident of San Francisco, where he is 
engaged in contracting and building. 

James Cunningham, of this sketch, was born 
in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1843, and his first 
recollections are of West Troy, N. Y., where he 
received his early education. Afterward he at- 
tended the New York City schools until he was 
in his sixteenth year, when he commenced serv- 
ing an apprenticeship in a wall-paper factory, on 
the corner of Ninth Avenue and Twenty -second 
Street. He remained there until the war came 
on, and about that time went back to West Troy, 
where he clerked in a liquor store until 1867. 
He then came to Newburgh and entered the em- 
ploy of his brother-in-law, Michael Corkins, and 
subsequently bought out that gentleman's interest 
in the saloon. For three years he engaged in the 
manufacture of root beer at No. 6 Colden Street, 
and then sold out his plant. Going to New York 
City, he re.sumed his old employment as a stainer 
or printer in a wall-paper factory for a year, but 
as he did not find it to his liking, returned to this 
city and ret-mbarked at the old location in the 
manufacture of root beer, to which he has given 
his principal attention since 1876. For two years 
he was situated on Front ,Street, but of late has 
been at No. 94 Broadway, where he has a whole- 
sale and retail trade, running two delivery wag- 
ons to adjoining towns. 

In 1869 Mr. Cunningham married Kate Kig- 
her, who was born in Ireland, and whose death 



occurred in Newburgh. She left three children, 
of whom but one, James J., now in business with 
his father, survives. In 1888 our subject married 
Mrs. Elizabeth Powers, a native of this city, and 
a daughter of John Quaid, who formerly conduct- 
ed a grocery here. Of this marriage five children 
were born, one of whom is deceased, the others 
being May, Fred. Edward and Florence. The 
family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic 
Church. Politically Mr. Cunningham is affilia- 
ted with the Democratic paity. 



30HN KLEMMER. a contractor and builder, 
located at No. 91 Front Street, Newburgh, 
is a good representative of the German citi- 
zens of this place. Born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, August 5, 1832, he was a lad of nineteen 
3'ears when he crossed the ocean in the sailing- 
vessel "Nicholas Biddle," in 1851. Previous to 
coming to America, however, he went to Worms, 
Germany, where he industriously applied him.self 
to the cabinet-maker's trade for two and a-half 
years, and after he had mastered it worked as a 
journeyman for three months. This brings us to 
the time of his embarkation at Havre. 

After an ocean voyage of twenty-eight days, 
Mr. Klemmer landed- at Ne\v York City, whence 
he went to Rondout, Ulster County. There he be- 
gan work at the carpenter's trade, carrying on a 
good business in this line until the war broke out. 
Patriotism for his adopted country forced him to 
lay aside all else and enter with his whole heart 
and strength into her affairs, and in 1864 we find 
him a meml)er of the Twentieth New York State 
Militia, having enlisted for three years, or during 
the war. In the Army of the Potomac, under 
General Patrick, he at first did provost duty. 
Later he took part in the engagement at Appo- 
mattox Court Hou.se, and in numerous smaller 
skirmishes. After a faithful service of two years 
he was discharged, being mustered out at Norfolk, 
Va,, in February, 1866. 

For a short time after his return from the army 
Mr. Klemmer carried on his trade in Rondout, 
but in the fall of 1867 he came to Newburgh, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



here he has since made his home. At first he 
was employed b>' McClung & Deoej', carpenters, 
then by William H. Hilton until 1888, and finally 
worked for Samuel Hilton, staying with him un- 
til he retired from business in March, 1894. This 
date also marks the time when our subject started 
in business for himself as a contractor and builder, 
and as success has attended his efforts he has no 
reason to regret the .step he then took. 

The father of our subject, Jacob Klemmer, was 
likewise a contractor and builder. He is also a 
native of German}', and although now ninety-one 
years old .still enjoys good health. He attends 
the Reformed Lutheran Church. His wdfe, for- 
merly Margaret Shad, was born in Hildesheim, 
Germany, and passed away when forty-four years 
old. In the parental family there were five .sons 
and three daughters, but of this number only two 
sons are living. 

Rondout, N. Y., was the scene of the marriage 
of Mr. Klemmer and Miss Catherine Stabler, in 
1859. Her birth occurred in Holzgerlingen, 
Wurtemberg, from which place .she came with her 
parents to America. They later settled at Rond- 
out, where her father, John G. Stabler, was a 
carpenter. 

To our subject and his wife were born five 
children. John is proprietor of a barber shop; 
Jacob, a carpenter, works for his father; George 
is manager of the Importers' Tea Company; Fred 
also works for his father; and Margaret, formerly 
the wife of George Cook, died in 1889. Car- 
penters' Union No. 301 claims Mr. Klemmer as 
one of its members, and politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 



r"LKANAH K. SHAW, one of the most 
1^ prominent business men of Newburgh, is a 
I member of the firm of Thomas Shaw's Sons, 
proprietors of the Newburgh Moulding and Plan- 
ing Mill, the largest and oldest establishment of 
the kind in the city. The founder, Thomas 
Shaw, was the father of our .subject. He was 
born at Clinton Farm, in the town of New Wind- 



sor, June 12, 1799, and was a son of Thomas 

Shaw, whose birth occurred in Ireland, and who 
came to America with his brother John in 1790, 
taking up land near Clinton Farm, where his 
death occurred at the age of seventy years. 

Thomas Shaw learned the carpenter's trade, 
and early in life commenced business on his own 
account. It was the practice in those days for 
the carpenters to go to the woods and hew and 
saw their own timber. Mr. Shaw carried on 
business in Little Britain until 1832, when he 
came to Newburgh, and among the first build- 
ings he erected were the old Powell Storehouse, 
the storehouses of D. Crawford & Co., Benjamin 
Carpenter's, and the one now occupied by S. M. 
Bull; he also erected the United States Hotel. 
His first shop was on Ann Street, but later he re- 
moved to Front Street, and his next place of 
business was at the old Red Storehouse, on the 
dock at the foot of Wa.shington Street. In 1852 
he admitted his sons to partnership, and they 
later erected a large shop on South Water Street, 
at the foot of Little Ann Street, and subsequently 
added to their plant a planing-mill, but about a 
month later, on the 15th of December, 1865, the 
whole establishment was destroyed by fire. 

The firm then erected a large planing-mill at 
the corner of South William and South Water 
Streets, and they not only manufactured their 
own material, but supplied smaller builders as 
well. During the Civil War they built a large 
number of naval gun-carriages for the United 
States Government, some of which cost as high 
as $3,000 each. Having never seen one, E. K. 
Shaw, of this sketch, went to the navy-yards, 
where he made a drawing of one, and on his re- 
turn the firm manufactured about nine hundred 
in all. They also did the joiner work of a num- 
ber of naval vessels and other boats, and have 
erected many of the most important buildings in 
Newburgh. On the death of the father, Febru- 
ary 6, 1877, the sons still continued the business. 
In 1882 they built their present moulding and 
planing-mill at the corner of South William and 
Johnes Streets, where they manufacture sash, 
blinds, doors, stair-rails, balusters and newels, 
and furnish all kinds of trimmings and supplies 



346 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



for house-builders. They employ usually about 
one hundred expert mechanics, who can always 
be relied upon for first-cla.ss work. 

Thomas Shaw was three times married, his 
first union being with Eleanor Bennett. To them 
was lx)rn one son, Samuel Crawford, a carpenter, 
who died in Detroit, Mich. After the death of 
his first wife he wedded Harriet Walsh, who was 
born in New Wind.sor Town, Orange County, 
and was a daughter of John, and a granddaugh- 
ter of Samuel Logan Walsh. She died at an 
early age, leaving the three sons who comprised 
the firm, George W., Charles B. and Elkanah K., 
but Charles died in April, 1892. The third mar- 
riage was with Jane Walsh, the sister of his sec- 
ond wife. In political sentiment Thomas Shaw 
was a Democrat, and religiously was a member 
of the Union Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was Trustee for many years. 

On the 27th of December, 1834, Elkanah K. 
Shaw was born in the Blizzard House on Front 
Street, Newburgh, where his parents then re- 
sided. He attended the village schools, and at 
the age of sixteen began a regular apprenticeship 
in his father's shop. In 1857 he began the study 
of architecture under John W. Priest, who was 
then one of the foremost architects of the countn,-. 
His young pupil and a.ssistant made excellent 
advancement, and acquired an intima'te knowledge 
and practice in the e.s.sentials of his art. He later 
studied draughting for three years under Samuel 
Stanton, an e.xpert in that line, and in 1864 he 
resumed his connection with Thomas Shaw & 
Sons. He has ever since been the architect of 
the firm, and is the foremost man in his profes- 
sion in this section of the .state. 

On the 23d of July, 1863, Mr. Shaw wetlded 
Miss Elizabeth McCoun, the marriage ceremony 
being performed in the old Union Presbyterian 
Church of Newburgh. The lady was born in 
Little Britain, and is a daughter of Samuel Mc- 
Coun, a native of Vail Gate, and a carpenter and 
builder of Little Britain. He died of heart dis- 
ease in 1864. Her uncle, Henry T. McCoun, 
and Colonel Weygant were the original promoters 
of Washington Heights. The McCoun family 
was of Scotch-Irish descent, and Mrs. Shaw's 



mother, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca 

Alexander, was a daughter of James and Cath- 
erine Alexander. Mrs. Shaw is the eldest in the 
family of eight children, only three of whom are 
still living, the others being Jo.seph, a carpenter 
in the shop of our subject; and Helen, now Mrs. 
Rockwell, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. 

Mr. Shaw succeeded his father as Trustee in 
the Union Church, which office he has now held 
for twenty- eight years, and of which church he 
has been a member since childhood. He is Vice- 
President and Trustee of the Academy of Music, 
and Superintendent of the Building Committee. 
With the Masonic order he holds member.ship, 
belonging to Hudson River Lodge No. 607, 
F. & A. M.; Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.: 
and Hudson River Commander)- No. 35, K. T. 
Mr. Shaw is a member of the Board of Trade, 
and in 1893 was made Trustee and President of the 
Chadborn & Coklwell Manufacturing Company, 
which positions he still holds. He has been a 
tru.stee and active member of the Ringgold Hose 
Company- .since its organization in 1854, and was 
assistant foreman one year and foreman nine 
years. He has been connected with the fire de- 
partment longer than any other man in the city, 
and now belongs to C. M. Leonard Council, Or- 
der of American Firemen. 



•?-#!^'^-?---^ 



-^ 



/^EORGE S. WELLER. Although young in 
l_l years, this gentleman is one of the most en- 
\^ ergetic and enterprising bu.siness men of 
Newburgh, where he deals extensively in coal, 
being located at the corner of Lake Street and 
Broadway. His birth occurred in that city on 
the 30th of July, 187 1, and he is a son of A. V. 
Weller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Mr. Weller received good educational advan- 
tages, being a graduate of the academy, belong- 
ing to the Class of '88. On leaving school, he 
entered the employ of J. W. Matthews & Co., 
wholesale grocers, where he was shipping clerk 
until starting in his pre.sent business. In connec- 
tion with D. S. Warring, he purchased a coal- 




KRNEST H. OILMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



349 



yard, which was carried on conjointly until i8gi, 
when Mr. Weller became sole proprietor, having 
1)()Ught out his partner's interest. His yards oc- 
cupy four hundred and ten feet on Lake and two 
hundred and twenty-eight feet on Broadway, and 
the capacity of his sheds and buildings is about 
six thousand tons. He deals in Pitston hard coal 
of all sizes for family use, and also George's 
Creek soft coal for business purposes. He has 
been quite successful in this undertaking, meet- 
ing with a liberal patronage. 

In Hebron, Conn., was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Mr. Weller and Miss Constance Farrar, 
a native of the Empire State, and a daughter of 
Rev. J. A. Farrar, jmstor of St. Peter's Episco- 
pal Church of Hebron. They now reside at No. 
1 68 Grand Street, where they have a pleasant 
home, in which they delight to entertain their 
many friends. 

Mr. Weller is a member of Highland Steamer 
No. 3, and is Secretary of the company. He be- 
longs to the City Club of Newburgh, and in poli- 
tics he affiliates with the Republican party, feel- 
ing that within its tenets lies the safest guide to 
our national progress. Religiously he holds mem- 
bership with the Union Presbyterian Church. 
He is one of the popular and representative 
men of the city, and makes friends of all with 
whom he conies in contact. 



RNEST H. GILMAN, .superintendent of the 
't) Grove Paper Mills of Newburgh, was born 
^ in Kingsey Falls, Quebec, Canada, Septem- 
ber 7, 1862, and is a son of George and Sarah 
( Pope) Gilman, both of whom are natives of Dan- 
ville, Quebec. His grandfather, Hayes Gilman, 
was born in Providence, R. I., and was of Eng- 
lish descent. He was a miller by trade, and lo- 
cated at Danville at an early day, there engaging 
in running a flouring-mill. The father also 
learned the trade of a miller, and operated a mill 
both at Danville and King.sey Falls, Canada, un- 
til he retired from business. He now resides at 



Laconia, N. H., and is fifty-four years of age. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, but is liberal in all his views. The 
mother was a daughter of Lemuel Pope, a native 
of Clermont, N. H. The latterwas a millwright 
by occupation, and died in Canada. 

Our subject is the eldest of four living children. 
He grew to manhood in Kingsej' Falls, where he 
was educated in the public .schools and academy, 
and when thirteen years of age was apprenticed 
to learn the trade of a paper manufacturer in the 
Dominion Paper Company's mills at Kingsej' 
Falls. He learned the trade in all its branches, 
and when eighteen years of age took charge of 
the chemical department of the mills for the man- 
ufacture of wood pulp, and later was made fore- 
man ol the pulp department, continuing in that 
capacity for four years. He then became super- 
intendent of a paper-mill in Richelieu, Canada, 
where he remained eighteen months, and then 
entered the employ of P. C. Cheney & Co., of 
Manchester, N. H., remaining with that firm for 
ten months, after which he went to Burnside, 
Conn., where for fifteen months he served as as- 
sistant superintendent in the paper-mills of F. R. 
Walker & Sons. 

In July, 1891, Mr. Gilman came to Newburgh 
as a.s.sistant superintendent of the Grove Mills, 
and served in that capacity until the death of Mr. 
Gros.set, when, in Jatuiary, 1895, he was elected 
superintendent. The mills are located at Quas- 
saick Creek, being among the best equipped in this 
section of the country. The main building has a 
pulp engine room, machine room and steam room, 
and adjoining are the boiler room, carpenter shop, 
offices and two storehouses, all of which are 
heated by steam. The main engine is a three 
hundred and fifty horse-power and there are two 
other engines, each of two-hundred horse-power. 
The capacity of the mill is nine tons per day, and 
it is usually run night and day during the entire 
year. All kinds of super-calendered book and 
writing papers are manufactured here. 

In October, 1885, Mr. Gilman was united in 
marriage, in Canada, with Miss Ainiie Grosset, 
daughter of A. S. Grosset, late superintendent of 
the Grove Mills. She was reared in her native 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



country and educated in its public schools. Three 

children have been born to them. Alex, Annie 
and Lizzie. 

While residing in Danville, Canada, Mr. Gil- 
man was made a Master Mason, and yet affiliates 
with that body. Religiously he is a member of 
the Associate Reforme<l Presbyterian Church, and 
politically is a Republican . As a citizen he stands 
high in the estimation of the people, and as a 
paper manufacturer thoroughly understands his 
business in ever\- department, having served two 
years in the machine-shops that he might be qual- 
ified in all the work. He is an accommodating 
man. practical in all things, and is popular with 
all classes of f)eople. 



EARL J. LUNDGREN. who holds the respon- 
sible position of foreman of the wire depart- 
ment of the Kilmer Mills in Xewburgh. is a 
practical workman in this line, and is regarded 
by the company as a valuable employe. He was 
bom in Justrickland. near the city of Djeole, 
Sweden, Januar>- 6, 1857. His father, P. J. 
Lundgreu. was likewise bom in that place, and 
was a carpenter by trade, although for some time 
he operatetl a flouring-mill. One year after our 
subject came to America he was induced to make 
his home here, and is now li\-ing in Worcester. 
Mass. . retired from business of any kind. He is 
a true Christian gentleman and a worthy member 
of the Lutheran Church. 

The maiden name of our subjects mother was 
Johanna KatherineSjoblom: she. too, was bom in 
Sweden, and now makes her home in the Bay 
State. Our subject has one brother, Gustav A. . 
who is employed in a wire mill at Cleveland. 
Ohio. Carl J. attended the public schools of his 
native place, and as soon as old enough began to 
work in the roller-mills there. He learned this 
business thoroughly, and in 1879. the year after 
attaining his majority, he set sail for America. 
After landing in New York City, he made his 
way to Worcester, NJ^ss. , and later to Troy, 
N. Y.. where for three months he worked in the 
mills. At the end of that time he was oflfered a 



better position in the mills of Worcester, and. re 

turning thither, worketl in the wire mills of Wash- 
burn & Moen. and later was finisher in the roller- 
mills of the same company. 

In 1SS9 Mr. Lundgreu went to Cleveland, Ohio, 
and was made foreman of the American Wire 
Company in their continuous rod roller-mill, be- 
ing the incumbent of this {xjsition for two years 
following. He then accepted a position in Baak- 
er's Mill in that city, being in the wire depart- 
ment there until coming to Xewburgh. in 1S92. 
Here he was made assistant foreman of the roller 
mills of the Kilmer Company, but after five 
months, so efficient was he in his work, he was 
promoted to be head of the department. Len- 
der him there are fifty men. by all of whom he is 
respected and esteemed. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna 
Elizabeth Hedlund occurred in Worcester. Mass. . 
in 18S0. The lady was likewise bom in Sweden, 
in the same \"icinit>- as was our subject, and by 
their union have been bom two children. Ruth 
Elizabeth and Carl M. They have also an adopted 
daughter, ten years of age, bearing the name of 
Florence Esther Lundgreu. In religious matters 
Mr. Lundgren is a member of the Congregational 
Church, with which he united while li\nng in 
Worcester. Although in no sense of the word a 
politician, yet he never. fails to cast a vote for Re- 
publican candidates, and is interested in the suc- 
cess of the party of his choice. 

I.LIAM W. TERWILLIGER. Asa rep- 
'vsentative of the energetic and efficient 
business men of Xewburgh. who in various 
departments of activity have gained well merited 
success, we present the name of Mr. Terwilliger. 
the well known undertaker and funeral director 
of this city. He was bom in High Falls, Ulster 
County, X. Y., April 4, 1840. and is of Holland- 
Dutch descent, his grandfather, Tejerica Ter^vil- 
liger, ha\nng been bom in the Xetherlands, 
whence he emigrated to America and became one 
of the pioneer farmers of Ulster County. 

The father of our subject, Isaac D. Terwilliger 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



was born in Stone Ridge, Ulster County, and fol- 
lowed the blacksmith's trade there until his death, 
at sixty-two years of age. His wife, Maria Auch- 
moody. boni in Loyd, X. Y., died at the age 
of sevent\"-two. She was a daughter of Abraham 
Auchmoody, and a descendant of Genuan ances- 
tr>". There were thirteen children in the parental 
family, nine of whom arrived at years of matu- 
ritii-, and four sons and three daughters are now 
li%-ing, William W. being the third in order of 
birth. 

Reared at High Falls, the boyhood years of our 
subject were passed in school, and in assisting in 
the routine of home work. In 185S he began to 
learn the carpenter's trade, and was thus engaged 
uninterruptedly until October 16, 1S62, when he 
entered the Union Army, becoming a member of 
the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania 
Infantr>\ Later he was transferred to Captain 
Hubble' s independent company for guard dut\- in 
the vicinity of Philadelphia. At the expiration of 
nine months, when his term of ser\-ice expired, 
he was honorably discharged, August 14, 1863. 

Returning to Xew York, Mr. Terwilliger began 
carpenter work for Thomas Shaw's Sons in New- 
burgh, remaining in their employ until 1874, 
when he formed a partnership with C. S. Gibbs, 
and bought the undertaking establishment that 
for many years had been owned b\' the latter' s 
father, Samuel Gibbs. The business was con- 
ducted under the firm name of Gibbs & Terwilli- 
ger, until the death of the senior member, April 
19, 1891, since which time Mi. Terwilliger has 
been the sole proprietor. The building which he 
occupies is situated at No. 81 Smith Street, and 
has a fi-ontage of thirty feet. Two hearses are 
kept in connection with the business, both of 
which are new and handsome. In the embalm- 
ing business and as a funeral director Mr. Ter- 
williger has few equals, and his tact, efiBciency 
and dignity of manner adapt him peculiarly for 
work in this line. 

In Xewburgh, in 1873, Mr. Terwilliger was 
united in marriage with Miss Margaret Gibbs, 
daughter of Samuel Gibbs, and a native of this 
city. She died here, Febmarv- 22, 1875, leaving 
one son, Cornehus, a graduate of the Newburgh 



Academy and Eastman's Business College, who 
is now emplo>ed as check clerk in the Irving 
National Bank. The second marriage of Mr. 
Terwilliger united him with Miss Martha J. 
Fancher, who was boni in Newburgh, her father, 
Darius Fancher, being a piano manufacturer of 
this city. They have one son, William F., a 
student in the academy. Socially Mr. Terwilli- 
ger is a chartei member of the Knights of Honor, 
and politically he advocates the principles set 
forth in the platform of the Republican party, 
though he goes a step in advance of that organi- 
zation and favors prohibition. He is a Trustee 
of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and a 
generous contributor to the enterprises carried on 
bv that denomination. 



--■^ 



(2|AMUEL J. GIBSON, proprietor of the Oak- 
2\ ley Bottling Works, and one of the rising 
Q) voung business men of X'ewburgh, was born 
in this city October i, 1870, being of Irish par- 
entage and Scotch descent. His father and 
mother, Thomas and Sarah (Eager) Gibson, 
were born in the Xorth of Ireland and came 
to America in early life, settling in Xewburgh, 
where they continued to make their home until 
death. Their family consisted of five children, 
four of whom are living, namely: Thomas, a res- 
ident of Walden, Orange County; William, whose 
home is in Xewburgh; Hugh, of Xew York Cit\-: 
and Samuel J. 

Reared in this city, our subject was for a few 
years a student in the "public schools, but the 
necessity of earning his own living obliged him 
when still quite young to discontinue his studies 
and secure employment. At the age of seventeen 
he entered the employ of C. R. Owen, for whom 
he worked here and at Tarry town. Later he was 
with the Old Bridge Tile Company at Old Bridge, 
X. J., and on his return to Xewburgh he became 
an employe in the bottling works then owned by 
Mrs. Oakley. He remained with her successors. 
Ensrainger & Huffman, until Xoveraber 15, 1893, 
when he purchased the works and continued the 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business under the name of the Oakley Bottling 
Works. The plant is located at Xos. 95 and 97 
Front Street, where the finest grades of sodas. 
Saratoga water and mineral water are manufac- 
tured. In addition he also deals in .soda fountains 
and carries ever>thing in that line, supplying the 
trade. 

The marriage of Mr. Gibson, which was sol- 
emnized June 19, 1895, in Newburgh, united him 
with Lillian Pemlielton, a resident of Newburgh. 
Socially Mr. Gibson is identified with the Ancient 
Order of Foresters of America, belonging to the 
Shepherds of America No. 8364. He is a young 
gentleman of marked ability, for whom the future 
undoubtedly holds increasing success. 



61 LBKRT JOHNSON, who has the distinction 
LA of being the oldest engineer on any railroad 
I I running out of Newburgh, was born Jan- 
uary 6, 1829, on the grounds used for the Cen- 
tennial of 1876 in Philadelphia, Pa. His father, 
Jacob, and grandfather were al.so bom on that 
place, and the latter owned nine hundred acres 
now belonging to Philadelphia and included 
within the present limits of Centennial Park. 
From this place he marched out in defen.se of the 
colonies during the Revolutionary War, but he 
never returned home, being killed at \'alley 
Forge, Pa. The family is of French and Ger- 
man descent, and its repre.sentatives in the United 
States have always been known for patrioti.sni, 
honesty and f)erse%'erance. 

Following the patriotic e.xample set by his fa- 
ther, Jacob Johnson enlisted in the ser\ice of the 
United States during the War of 18 12, and three 
of his brothers also went forth to do .service in 
their countn's behalf His life occupation was 
that of a farmer, and he tilled the soil of the old 
homestead in Philadelphia. There his death oc- 
curred at the age of eighty-two years: his wife 
died eighteen years after his denii.se. It is a fact 
worthy of note that their eleven children were 
present at his funeral and followed his remains to 
the burial-ground, and that they were al.so pres- 
ent at her funeral eighteen years afterward and 



witnessed the interment of her body beside that 
of her hasband. Of these children, nine are now 
living, our subject being the seventh son. The 
mother, Elizabeth, was born in Gerniantown. 
Pa., and was a daughter of John Fox, a farmer 
and an early settler of Gerniantown, who for con- 
venience changed his family name of Mack to 
that of Fox. 

In the .subscription .schools of Philadelphia the 
etlucation of our subject was mainly received. 
At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed as ma- 
chinist in the Sutton & Smith Locomotive Works, 
where he remained for seven years. At the ex- 
piration of his tenu of apprenticeship he entered 
the employ of Isaac P. Morris, proprietor of the 
Morris Marine Engine Works, remaining in that 
position for two years. Afterward he .secured a 
position as fireman, later as engineer, on the 
Erie Railroad, between Susquehanna and Seneca 
Lake, filling this position for two years. His 
next position was as first engineer on the steamer 
"S. S. Lewis," and in that capacity he made one 
trip to Liverpool and returned to Boston. He 
then ran a switch engine on the Penn.sj'lvania 
State Road, in the shops at Parkesburg, Chester 
County. In i860 he became engineer on the 
pas.senger train running Ijetween Piermont and 
Port Jervis. on the Erie Railroad. 

Coming to Newburgh in 1868, Mr John.s<^)n 
ran the first passenger train ever run over the 
short cut from Newburgh and Newburgh Junc- 
tion and Turner. Since that time he has con- 
tinued as engineer on a passenger train, and is 
now the oldest engineer in the employ of the Erie 
at Newburgh. The only serious accident he 
has ever had was at Piermont, when the boiler 
of the engine e.xploded, killing the fireman and 
flagman, but he was miraculously saved, and re- 
mained on the engine until the train was stopfxrd. 
At present he runs the passenger between New- 
burgh and Greycourt. making three round trips, 
a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, 
daily. 

At Philadelphia. Pa., June 19, 1853. Mr. John- 
son married Miss Mary C. Mecutchen, who was 
bom in Wilmington, Del. Her grandfather. 
John D., was born in Scotland, and after coming 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



353 



to this countty engaged in farming in Marj'land. 
Her father. Samuel M.,\va.s born in Maryland, 
but spent the most of his life in Philadelphia, 
where he followed the trade of a millwright. His 
death occurred in that city in January, 1881, when 
he was seventy-eight years old. Her mother, 
Mary M. , who still resides in Philadelphia, was 
born in Germantown, Pa., in iSio, and was a 
daughter of John Fox, a carpenter bj- trade. 
Samuel M. and Mar>- M. (Fox) Mecutchen were 
the parents of ten children, all but one of whom 
attained mature years and eight are now living, 
Mrs. Johnson being the eldest. She has three 
brothers, namely: John F.. who was in the navy 
as engineer, and is now a resident of Philadelphia; 
Jesse G., also an engineer in the navy, and now 
living in Philadelphia: and Benjamin F., a mem- 
ber of a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil 
War, and now a resident of Philadelphia. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of four 
children, as follows: Samuel N., a graduate of 
the Ft. Washington Militars- School; Elizabeth, 
Mrs. James Dixon, of Newburgh; Mar\- N., 
who married Edwin D. Jordan, and lives in Pitts- 
burg, Pa.; and Charles S., who resides in Port 
Jer\'is, and is an engineer on the Erie Railroad. 
Socially Mr. Johnson is a Master Mason, and is 
also identified with the Brotherhood ot Locomo- 
tive Engineers, belonging to the Jersey Division, 
which is one of the old established organizations 
of the kind in the United States. While not a 
member of any religious organization, he con- 
tributes to the support of St. John's Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, to which his wife belongs. 



(ILIJAM H. Kx\Y. Among the residents 
of Newburgh who are prosecuting their 
work successfully we make mention of Mr. 
Kay, the proprietor of the Steam Kindling Wood 
Works, who has a large trade in supplying the 
residences and stores of the citj- with kindling 
wood. He was born in New York City, Novem- 
ber 23, 1849, and is the son of Charles Kay, a na- 
tive of England, who was of Scotch descent, and 



who, while in his native land, followed the spin- 
ner's trade. In 1848 he came with his wife and 
famih- to the New World, and, landing in New 
York City, continued to live there until 1851, the 
date of his advent into Orange County. He first 
located at Milo, but soon thereafter removed to 
Walden, where he obtained employment as spin- 
ner in a woolen factorj-. He became well known 
to the residents of that place, and there made his 
home until his decease, in January, 1890. He 
was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and took a leading part in the work of 
extending the Gospel in his neighborhood. His 
wife was formerly Miss Susanna Ogden, a native 
of England. She accompanied her husband on 
his various removals, and died in Walden, N. Y. 

The parental household included ten children, 
and of this large family only four are now living. 
On the death of his first wife Charles Kay was a 
second time married, this union being with Miss 
Susannah Dawson, who became the mother of 
one child. William H., of this history, spent his 
boyhood days in Walden, and after gleaning a 
fair education in the common schools, went to 
work in the carding-room of the woolen factor)-. 
He worked his way through the various depart- 
ments until, at the age of eighteen, he was pro- 
nounced a practical spinner. After this he went 
to work in a cutlery shop and learned to grind 
table blades. From the latter place he went to 
Camden, N. J., where he was employed in the 
woolen-mills, and later to Philadelphia and Phoe- 
nixville. Pa. Subsequently he returned to Wal- 
den and was given his old position in the knife 
works as grinder. He remained thereuntil 1872, 
when he came to Newburgh and began work as 
a spiinier in the factory here. After holding his 
position for seven years he left and worked for 
other firms for a time, but returned to his first 
employer, remaining with him until engaging in 
peddling vegetables, fish, etc., through the city. 
He followed this for a period of three years, when 
he abandoned it in order to start a milk route, 
having his office located at No. 345 Broadway. 
He continued in this for two years, when he 
opened up a woodyard at the same place. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Kay erected new buildings on Ful- 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lertoa Avenue, near Broadvniy, which he now 
occupies. It has fifty feet of frontage and contains 
all the niachiner>- used in his kindling wood 
works. He runs two wagons, and has built up a 
pa\Hng business in the latter line. 

Miss Mar>- C Van .\rabergh became the wife 
of our subject Octolier 20. iSji. She was boni 
in PhiUipsport. Sullivan Count\\ and by this 
union has become the mother of a daughter, .\n- 
nie G. They also have an adopted son, Willie. 
Socially Mr. Kay is a member of Mnchattoes 
Tribe No. 54, I. O. R. M.. and bdongs to the 
Order of the World. He never fails to cast a vote 
in faxiu of Republican candidates. He works 
perseveringly and faithfully, and is regarded as 
one of the enterprising men of the city. 



gEORGE B.\RBER. Chief Engineer of the 
Pennsyl\-ania Coal Company, and one of the 
oldest employes of this prominent business 
concern of Newburgh. was bom >n Rondont, 
X. Y.. M.aivh ;^^, 1S45. The family is of English 
and German descent, but has been represiented in 
this country tor a number of generations. His 
grandfather, Charles Barber, was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and participated in the War of iSi;. 

The father ol" our subjetrt, Luman Barber, was 
bom in Hudson, N. Y.. and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Rondout until his death, which 
oecnmetl at the age i4 <>event>--five. For some 
time he was Captain of a New York militia com- 
manded by Governor Clintoii. His wife. Emma, 
was bom at Hudson, and was a daughter of 
Nathan Sansburg, who engaged in tanning pur- 
suits in Columbus County. She died when sev- 
enty- -tour years of age. Her family consisted of 
fi\-e children, tour sons and one daughter, ctfwhom 
twx^ of the sons and the daughter ar^ now li\-ing. 

George, who is tlie youngest son of the family, 
was given good educational ad\-antages in youth, 
first attending the Rondout High School, and aft- 
er his graduation from that institution carryinc 
on his studies in the KingstoJi Academy. H:^ 
fii%t work was that of fireman tvn the steamboat 
■'Norwich.'" between Rondout and New York 



.ich positkn he filled far several years 

.^.^ c.'.p.ible was he, that his ability recei\-ed mer 
ited reoi^fnition, and he was promoted to the {> 
sition of assistant engineer of the boat^ later 1-c 
coming chief engineer of the steamer ""Harold 
During the winter saeasons, when navigation w - 
closet!, he worked in a machine-shop at Roodoi.' 
and de\x»ted his evenings to mechanical drawing 
and mathematics. 

On leaving the ""Harold," Mr. Barber became 
assistant engineer on the "Thomas Cornell," and 
al""terwaTd was chief engineer erf the "Frank Car- 
ter," also of the steamer "'North,'" and \"arions 
other boats owned by Thomas Comdl. He made 
many ri\-er \-oyages. but nex-er had an accident o( 
any kind, this fact being due largely to the watch- 
fulness of the engineer. March i, 1875, be entered 
the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company 
of Newburgh. and has since been chief engineer 
of the works. ha\-ing cv"»nlTol of all the moti\-e 
power, which includes sev«i stationary engines, 
oae floating steam pump and one floating pile- 
driver, besides all of the locomotives. Under him 
are four assistant engineers and three firemen. 

The comfortable home of Mr. Barber is situated 
at No. S Overlook Place, on the Heights, and was 
erected by him in 1S91. He was united in mar- 
riage, at Saugerties. N. Y., with Miss Helen 
Garland, who was bom in Kingston. N. Y.. be- 
ing a daughter of Gev>r^ Garland, who operated 
a tannery in Kingston. One child, Minnie, blesses 
the union. Socially Mr. Barber is in demand, 
and he is identified with a number of prominait 
secret organitations. Since 1S70 be has held 
membership in .^ret-is Lodge. I. O. O. F.. at 
Rondout, He is Past Chancellor of Oli\-e Branch 
Lodge. K. P., at Newbnrgh, Past Presadent of 
H- D. Cc*7.ren"s Association of Stationary Engi- 
neers in Newbnrgh; Past Cc«nmander of Ellis 
Post, G. A. R,. of Newbnrgh: and a charter 
member of the Marine Engineers' Associatioa of 
New York Cit> . No. 56. His ndigious connec- 
tions are with the Methodist Episcopal denomina- 
- membership being in Trinitx Chnrch. 
-illy a Republican. Mr. Barb«- has al- 
\va\ s be^i a stanch defender of all measures tend- 
ing toward the progress of the communitx- in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which he U\-es, or oar nation. In August, 1862, 
he volunteered in defense of the Union, be- 
coming a member ot"ComJ^any H. One Hundred 
and Twentietli Xew York Infautrv". under Gen- 
eral Sharpe. He was mustered in at Kingston 
lor lliree years, and marched at once to the front, 
taking pwn in tlie battles of Fredericksburg and 
Antietam. as well as a number of engagements of 
minor imf>ortance. For some time he was ill. 
unable to leave the hospital, and on account of 
disability he was honorably discharged from the 
army in April, 1S64. 

For two years after returning home, Mr. Bar- 
ber was unable to engage in active work on ac- 
count of delicate health. As soon as his strengtli 
permitted, he resumed engineering, and has since 
gi\-en his attention uninterruptedly to his chosen 
occupation, although he still sufiers fhjm ill- 
healtli on account of his army ser\-ice. He is a 
man whose honestv- of purpose and strength of 
character have brought him the respect of the 
company in whose employ he has so long re- 
mained, wliile his genial social qualities win -for 
him the friendship of his associates. 



-♦>2+^-] 



*.^C-»- 



KLLIAM HENRY MAPES. who is one of 
:::e leading photographers and prominent 
.-.rizens of Newburgh, was bom in this 
Oily March 12, 1S61. With tlie exception of two 
years spent on the river and in New York City, 
he has always made this city his home. He is 
proud of having been an "Old Academy" boy, 
from which institution he was graduated with the 
Class of '7S. 

Our subject comes of an ancestry in which is 
the combined blood of the Anglo-Saxon, Norman- 
Frenchman and Hollander, and is descended cm 
his mother's side frosn the Warren family, noted 
in the early history of Massachusetts. 

Thomas Mapes. the great-great- grandfether of 
our subject, emigrated to America early in the 
eighteenth century, becoming one of the earliest 
settlers of the town of Monroe, and serving as 
Sheriff of Orange Connrv during the closing 



years of the Revolution. The great-grandfether, 
James Mapes. served as a soldier in that conflict, 
and is known to have aided in the defense of the 
Highland forts against the British and to have 
fought under Wayne at the Storming of Stony 
Point. 

The grandfather of our subject. Robert B. 
Mapes, was a prominent resident of Marlboro, 
nster Count\-, N. Y., and his birth occurred in 
Monroe. He was a wheelwright by trade, and 
during the latter years of his life built and con- 
ducted a hotel. He was an officer in the cavalr\- 
and a prominent figure in the militia in that sec- 
lion, 

George W. Mapes, the father of the subject of 
this history, came to Newburgh from Marlboro 
in 1S50. and died very suddenly in 1SS4. He is 
remembered by most of the old residents of the 
city as conducting a restaurant and market in the 
old building on the northwest comer of Front and 
Third Streets, which under his management was 
a popular resort. He was a Knight of Honor, and 
for several years ser\-ed as a member of the Co- 
lumbian Hose Company. His marriage united 
him with Miss Mary J. Sarvis. who is still hving 
and resides with her son. our subject. For a fiiU 
history of her family we refer the reader to the 
sketch of James H. Sartis. elsewhere in this 
volume. 

William H. Mapes is a natural artist, and from 
his early childhood drew with a pencil whatever 
objects he saw around him. A number of his 
paintings have found ready pnchasers, but since 
1SS5 he has given the greater part of his atten- 
tion to photography. Always striving to excel, 
he has already been recc^:uized by high authori- 
ties and takes rank among the foremost men in his 
profession in the state. He takes pictures with 
the flash light, and has all the latest appliances 
and improvements used in his art. He makes a 
specialty of rq>rodncing views and photographs 
for the press, which require a high grade of skill 
and untiring patience, as he has often copies 
brought to him which require great pains in re- 
modeling. 

Mr. Mapes is an Episcopalian in religions be- 
lief and a member of St. George's Church. In 



356 



rORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



debating societies he is verj- proiiiiiieiit, and since 
1S82 has been connected witlj the Vonng Mens 
Christian Association, l)eing the first teacher in 
the jjyninasiuni of this boily. He is a member of 
the Tenth Sei>arate Company. N. V. X. G.. also 
of Ringj^i^hl Hose Company No. 1. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
18S5 was Louise D., daughter of William R. 
Greene, of Kalmville, the latter of whom is now 
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mapes have 1k-cu 
l>orn two daughters, Sidney and Helen. 



*^ 



> •*• ^i^ij^ ••• .-••= 



•i&> 



<^HOMAS i;OGARTV, the leading horse- 
I C slu^r of Newburgh, is also the owner of 
v2/ several fine horses of the Hambletoniau 
breed. A practical workman, in the business 
which he follows he has built up a splendid trade. 
He is IkHIi plea.saut and accommodating, and is a 
man of upright life, high morality and good-will 
toward all. 

Our subject is a native of this state, and was 
bom in 1857, in \Vurt.>*lx)ro, Sullivan County. His 
father bore the name of James Gogarty. and was 
born in Ireland. He was a well-to-do farmer in 
his native isle, but hoping to profit by the better 
opjxirtunities offered in almost every line of busi- 
ness in the New World, he came hither in 1S51, 
locating at once in Orange County, in the town of 
Crawford. He made his home there for a time, 
engaged in agriculture, but afterward movetl to 
the town of Wurtsboro. later to Wallkill. and 
finally to the town of .Montgomery, where he is 
now residing. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Bridget McGinnis. and she is still living in Mont- 
gomery. Of her four children, Thomas is the eld- 
est but one. He passed several years of his life 
on the farm in Wallkill. and then went to Mont- 
gomery, where he attended school until eighteen 
years of age. He then iK-gaii in life for him.self 
as an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade under 
Dick Samuel. He worked for him nine months, 
and for two years alterward was in the employ of 
Frank McKwen. After this he went to Walden. 
thence to Kingston, ami subseipiently to Stony- 



ford Stock Fann, near Goshen, owned by Charles 
Backman. He was employed by that gentleman 
to shoe his horses and remainetl with him for two 
years. 

In 18S3 Mr. Gogarty established in business 
for himself at Newburgh, conducting a shop ow 
Chandlers Street until the following year, when 
he erected his present commodious quarters. Very 
sixm he became well known to the farmers of the 
surrounding country, and now gives employment 
to four men and keeps burning three fires. He 
is a man of good business principles and high 
sense of honor, and his work never fails to give 
satisfaction. He is a lover of fine horses, and has 
in his pos-session several very fine animals, among 
them lieing "Sheldon," by "Young Winfield," 
he by "Major Winfield" and dammed by "Ci/.er," 
by "Old Hand)letonian." He also owns the 
mare "Lillie G.," by "Palonia," by Handdeton- 
ian No. 10, and her dam by "Ottawa." 

Miss Lizzie McConnick became the wife of our 
subject April 20, 18S1, their marriage being sol- 
emnizetl in Goshen. She was born in New Wind- 
sor, and has become the mother of two daughters, 
Lillie and Helen M. Mr. Gogarty is a member 
of the Foresters, the Catholic Benevolent Legion 
and Catholic Mutual Benefit As.sociation. He is 
a Catholic in religion, and in [xilitics he affiliates 
with the DemcKratic party. 



I FU'.H (.^.VKICV. who.se success in garden- 
It iug has brought his name into prominence 
|_y among the citizens of Newburgh. was l)orn in 
the village of Norton, Gloucestershire, England, 
April 15, 1831. His father. John, and grand- 
father, also named John, were natives of England, 
where they followed the trade of stone- ma.son atid 
contractor. The former was an Epi.scopalian in 
religious belief, but the latter intientified himself 
with the Baptist Church. The mother of our 
subject, Su.sau, daughter of John West, was twrn 
in I{ngland. and there continued to make her 
home until death. 

The parental family was comjMi.sed of two 
daughters and six sons, of whom both daughters 




ROHKRT WILSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



359 



and three of the sons are still living. Leigh was 
educated in the public schools of England, and in 
boyhood learned .sur\-eyingand the stone-mason's 
trade. He continued to reside near Cheltenham 
until 1869, when, accompanied by his wife and 
their ten-year-old child, he crossed the Atlantic, 
from Liverpool to New York, proceeding from 
the latter city to Newburgh, where he had a 
brother-in-law, Mr. George. 

For about eight years after coming to this city, 
Mr. Oakey followed the stone-mason's trade, but 
having a taste for flower-gardening he took it up 
as an occupation and has since carried it on with 
commendable success. For twelve years he had 
charge of the gardens of A. Y. Weller, and at 
the present time is employed as gardener for T. 
S. Quackenbos, Rev. Mr. Merritt, E. C. Barnes, 
Dr. Gleason, and Messrs. Doughty, Chapman, 
Smith, Merrit and Dobbins. For nineteen years 
he was .sexton of the First Baptist Church, but 
resigned the position in May, 1894. He is a 
member of that church, and interested in every- 
thing calculated to promote its interests. 

In 1857, twelve years prior to coming to Ameri- 
ca, Mr. Oakey was united in marriage with Miss 
Ruth Moulder, an estimable lady, who with him 
enjoys the esteem of their acquaintances. They 
are the parents of one son, Thomas M., a graduate 
of the academy, now employed in the manufact- 
ure of stained gla.ss at Kan.sas City, Mo. Politi- 
cally, .since coming to America, Mr. Oakey has 
supported the Republican party. 

' g ^ P ' . 



ROBERT WILvSON, one of the leading Grand 
Army men of Orange County, has been a 
resident of Newburgh for many years. Dur- 
ing the late war he was one of the most gallant 
defenders of the Old Flag, his active .service cov- 
ering nearly four years, and since the battle 
clouds rolled away he has been very deeply inter- 
ested in matters relating to his late comrades, 
particularly in refer.ence to pension measures. As 
his father also participated in the War of the Re- 
bellion, he is thus entitled to membenship in the 
society of the Sons of Veterans and belongs to 



Ca.ssedy Post No. 18. In 1867 he became a 
member of Ellis Post No. 52, G. A. R., and held 
various official positions in the same until April, 
1886, when he was the principal organizer of S. 
W. Fullerton Post No. 589, and at its first regular 
meeting was elected Commander, serving as such 
for two consecutive terms. As aide-de-camp on 
the Department Commander's staff, he also acted 
one term, and was then honored with a similar 
appointment on the staff of the Commander-in- 
Chief, and finally, February 3, 1888, received the 
high honor of being elected Junior Department 
Commander. On Decoration Day of the same 
year, he was Marshal of the daj- in this city, and 
was presented with a handsome medal badge in 
recognition of his services. He has always taken 
a very active part in the local campaigns of the Re- 
publican party, and is esteemed one of our best 
citizens. 

David Wil.son, grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Paisley, Scotland, and was a weaver b}^ 
trade. His son, Robert, Sr. , also a native of that 
place, followed the same occupation, and was a 
memVjer of a Scotch Highlander regiment, the 
Forty-second, or the "Black Watch." About 1834 
he emigrated td Lowell, Mass. , where he contin- 
ued to work at his calling, and after his marriage 
located in Matteawan, N. Y. There he was em- 
ployed in a cotton-mill as a dyer, of which art he 
was master, being a practical chemist as well. An 
uncle on his mother's side, Alexander Wil.son, 
was a poet and an ornithologist of great abilit3'. 
At an early period he traveled in the wilds of 
America and obtained a fine collection of speci- 
mens, but died in Philadelphia before his work 
was finished, it being completed by Audubon, a 
Frenchman. Another uncle, a brother of the 
latter, Gloud Wilson, located in Lowell, Mass., 
and there started the first power loom in America. 
In 1844 Robert Wil.son, Sr., settled at Fishkill 
Landing, later becoming superintendent of the 
dyeing department in the Leonard cotton-mill at 
Moodna. After the war came on he moved to 
Newburgh, and was later employed in a woolen- 
mill at Glenham, N. Y., until December 21, 
1863, then leaving his business to volunteer his 
services in Regan's Seventh New York Independ- 



36o 



PORTR.\IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RIvCORD. 



ent Batten . As l"i. Sumter was fired upou he 
became very anxious to go to the front, but his 
family opposed his wishes. He served until Lee's 
surrender, however, when he was mustered out as 
a CoriHiral. From 1865 until 1873 he conducted 
a dye-house on Chamliers Street, his death occur- 
ring in the latter year, when lie was sixty-three 
years of age. He was a member of Ellis Post 
and was a stanch Republican. Religiously he 
was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Brown 
Wilson, but was not a relative, however. She 
was likewise a native of Scotland, and died in 
1865. Her father, like most of the inhabitants of 
Paisley, was a weaver by trade. He never left 
his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had seven 
children who grew to mature years, namely: 
James, who was killed on the New York Central 
Railroad, soon after its completion; Alexander, 
deceased; Robert. Jr.; John, a resident of Brook- 
lyn; Catherine, who died in Matteawan; Eliza- 
beth, deceased; and Maggie, Mrs. Masten, a res- 
ident of this city. 

The birth of Robert Wilson, of this sketch, oc- 
curred in Lowell, Mass., August 2, 1843. He 
was reared in Newburgh and vicinity, and was 
only eighteen years of age when, on the 26th of 
Septem^r, 1861, he eidisted, under Captain Re- 
gan, in the Seventh New York Independent Bat- 
tery. He was musteretl in at Camp Van Wyck, 
November 9. 1861, as a private, and was assigned 
to the Army of the Potomac and James. With 
his battery he fought bravely at the following bat- 
tles; Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair 
Oaks, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, 
Harrison Landing, sieges of Suffolk and Peters- 
burg, and was on the line of defense between Ap- 
pomattox and the James River, under General 
Butler. I'pion the organization of the battery he 
was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and May 
II, 1863. was made Sergeant. In the fall of that 
year he veteranized, and July 22, 1863. received 
his honorable discharge. He was always at the 
jK)st of duty, and though he necessarily was often 
under fire and in ver>- dangerous situations, es- 
caped injury. A warm place in his heart has 
alwavs been held for the Ixivs who wore the blue. 



and this has led him to be very greatly interested 
in Grand Army organizations. When Fullerton 
Post went in a body to the Grand Army National 
Encampment at Washington, in 1892, he helped 
to form the Orange County Association and was 
in command of the post. He was initiated into 
the Masonic order in 1869, joining Newburgh 
Lodge No. 309; after passing the three degrees he 
was elected Master in 1877 and 1888. and is still 
a Mason in good standing. For a number of 
years he has been successfully engagetl in busi- 
ness as a grocer at No. 89 Liberty Street, and is 
a stockholder in the Granite City Soap Works. 

Mr. Wilson was married in thiscitj-. in 1868, to 
Miss Mary Anna Murphy, a native of Kilkenny, 
Ireland. They have a pleasant home at No. 89 
Liberty Street, Mrs. Wilson presiding over the 
same in a most charming and womanly manner. 

30HN E. HERBERT, United States Revenue 
Ganger, is a successful business man of New- 
burgh. being the proprietor of a large grocery 
establishment, centrally located. He is a native 
of this city, and was born March 11, 1858. His 
father. Thomas, was born in Ireland. County 
Tipperary, in which country Grandfather James 
Herbert was also bom. He emigrated to Amer- 
ica in August, 1852, locating in Newburgh, 
where he reared his family. 

Early in life Thomas Herbert learned the busi- 
ness of a contractor and builder, which industry- 
he still follows in this city. He is also a brick 
mason, and work in this line, when placed in his 
hands, is always sure to give satisfaction. He 
married Miss Sarah Guinan. also a native of 
County Tipperary, and they became the parents 
of three children, two of whom are now living. 
Of these, John E. is the younger child and only 
son. He attended St. Patrick's Parochial School 
until a lad of ten years, when he began clerking 
in the store of George Barrett, and later worked 
for Philip Mulligan, a groceryman. He was em- 
ployed in working for others for four years, and 
when only fourteen years of age established in the 
grocery business for himself on the opjK)site cor- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



361 



ner from Mr. Mulligan. He remained there until 
1884, when he moved to his present commodious 
quarters at No. 230 First Street, near City Ter- 
race. He carries a complete line of both staple 
and fancy groceries, and by his courteous treat- 
ment of customers and fair and honest dealing 
commands a large patronage Irom the best resi- 
dents of the city. 

John E. Herbert was married in this city, April 
23, 1895, to Miss Mary E. O'Neil, who was born 
in Cold Spring, Putnam County, this state, in 
1865, and was well educated in the schools of 
this city. Mr. Herbert has been Almshouse 
Commissioner for six years, sen-ing as such on 
the Democratic ticket from 1888 to 1894. During 
that time he was on various important committees 
of the Board, being Chairman of the Auditing 
Conunittee for five j-ears, the Children's Home 
Committee for one year, besides others of con- 
sequence. January i, 1S95, he was appointed 
United States Revenue Ganger for the Fourteenth 
District of New York, by Lewis W. Pratt, of 
New York, the United States Revenue Collector, 
his district embracing ten counties, including Or- 
ange, Rockland, Sullivan, Putnam, Westchester, 
Dutchess, Greene, Columbia, Ulster and a part 
of Kings. He has a competent manager to take 
charge of his grocery- establishment and gives 
cue-half of his time in traveling from one county 
to another, transacting the business of Revenue 
Ganger. He is a charter member of the Benev- 
olent Protective Order of Elks and also belongs 
to the Farmers' Society. He is a Catholic in re- 
ligion, holding membership with St. Patrick's 
Church. As before stated, he is a Democrat in 
politics, and is prominent in the various city and 
count}- conventions. 



G\ NDREW DELL is the genial and popular 
LI proprietor of the Dell House of Newburgh, 
I I this well known hostelry being situated on 
the corner of Second and Front Streets. It is 
much patronized by people of moderate means, 
and is the best $1.50 a day house in the place. 



Since Mr. Dell took charge of the hotel some five 
years since, he has remodeled the building and 
furnished it throughout. 

Mr. Dell is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, and was born in the village of Lanzeuhain 
Louderbach, March 17, 1847. His parents were 
Henry and Catherine (Yackel) Dell, both natives 
of the same province. The father was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits during his lifetime and 
never left the Old Country. Mrs. Dell was a 
daughter of Casper Yackel, who was also a farm- 
er. Our subject is the fifth in a family of seven 
children, three of whom are deceased. He re- 
ceived a good public-school education in the Fa- 
therland, and was practically trained in business 
ways. 

In June, 1864, when a youth of seventeen 
years, Andrew Dell left Bremen on the sailing- 
vessel "Stella," and at the end of a voyage of 
forty-four days landed in New York City. Com- 
ing direct to Newburgh, he learned the barber's 
trade under Adam Loubenheimer, with whom he 
remained for two years. Then, going to Cold 
Springs, he was located there for two years, after 
which he started in business on Third Street. In 
1870 he located on Front Street, and forsixjears 
was successfulh- engaged in running a barber- 
shop. In 1876 he sold out and went to the Centen- 
nial. In the spring of the following year he en- 
gaged in the butcher business in the Philadelphia 
Market, and later carried on a barber-shop on 
Front Street, near Carpenter, this city. From 
1878 until Julv, 1890, he was again located at his 
old stand on Third Street, but finally abandoned 
the trade. Having bought out the interest of 
Mrs. Keywood, he turned his attention in another 
direction, that of keeping a hotel, and has met 
with good success in this enterprise. In connec- 
tion with the hotel he runs a feed stable. 

In 1873 occurred the marriage of our subject 
and Miss Katie Eckert, who was born in Ger- 
many, and four children have come to bless this 
union. Lillie is the wife of Samuel Hodges, of 
this city; George is in business with his father; 
the two youngest daughters. Flora and Ethelinda, 
are at home. The family are members of the 
German Lutheran Church and number among 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their acquaintances a host of friends and well- 
wishers. Mr. Dell belongs to Newburgh Lodge 
No. 309, F. & A. M., and is a member of Bis- 
mark Lodge No. 420, I. O. O. F. In liis polit- 
ical relations he is verj- independent, choosing to 
use his ballot in favor of men, rather than party 
machines. For several years he was a member 
of the fire department, belonging to Ivngine 
House No. 4. Like most of his countrymen, he 
he is very fond of music and is a member of the 
Mannerchor. 



REV. DANIEL U CONNELL. From a very 
early period in the hi.story of Christianity 
the Catholic Church has been foremost in 
religious work and enterprises, and to its highest 
offices it has called men of erudition, culture and 
wisdom. This is especially true of these closing 
years of the nineteenth century, when the priest- 
hood is notably intelligent and energetic. The 
gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
has gained a position of prominence which, con- 
sidering his youth, is remarkable. He is regard- 
ed as one of the most learned priests of the Hud- 
son Valley, and his deep literary researches have 
brougiit him the admiration of his a.ssociates and 
the respect of tho.se wlio know him. even though 
they may be of a different faith. 

A native of New York City, Father O'Coiniell 
was Vjorii May 19, 1868. He is the son of Patrick 
O'Connell, a native of Limerick, Ireland, who 
emigrated to the United States in early nmnhood, 
and, settling in New York City, engaged in the 
retail feed business on Beach Street. He still 
makes his home in the metropolis, though for 
.some years he has been retired from business. 
By his marriage with Margaret Maher, also a na- 
tive of Ireland, he had four .sons and two daugh- 
ters, Daniel being the youngest of the family. 

Reared in New York City, Father O'Connell was 
given a good primary education in the public and 
parochial .schools. At the age of eleven years he 
entered Mt. St. Clements College, near Baltimore, 
Md. , where he remainetl for two years. On the 
removal of the college to the vicinit\- of Eirie, Pa., 



he attended another year. Later his studies were 
for five years prosecuted in St. Francis Xavier's 
College for Jesuits in New York City, from which 
he was graduated in the classical course with the 
degree of A. B. This was in 1SS7, and he was 
then nineteen years of age. His education was 
completed at St. Jo.seph's Provincial Seminary at 
Troy, N. Y., where he studied philosophy for 
two years, and theology for three and one-half 
years, graduating in 1892. 

On the 1 7th of December, 1S92, Father O'Con- 
nell was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop 
McNierney, formerly Bi.shop of the Albany Dio- 
cese, but now deceased. A few days later, on 
Friday, December 31, he was appointed assistant 
rector to St. Marv's Catholic Church of New- 
burgh. He conmienced his duties with the be- 
ginning of 1893, and has since served in this re- 
sponsible position, proving him.self, by his energy 
and ability, worthy of any honors that may in aft- 
er years be conferred upon him. He has charge of 
the Holy Rosary Sodalit>- of Holy Angels, for the 
training of little girls, and is also in charge of St. 
Aloysius' Boys' Sodality and League of the Sacred 
Heart. To him is due the organization of the St. 
Aloysius' Cadets, now numbering more than a 
hundred, who receive a thorough drill in military 
tactics under competent instructors. He also has 
charge of the altar boys. In addition to his other 
duties he is filling the position of chaplain of the 
Sisters of St. Dominic Convent of Mt. St. Mary's 
Academy. 



n(.)IIN B. DICKERSON occupies the respon- 
I sible position of Superintendent, Secretary 
C2? and Treasurer of the Cornwall Electric-light 
and Power Company. He is truly a .self-made 
man, and the knowledge which he has acquired 
of electrical machinery has been gained entirely 
through his own efforts, by reading and observa- 
tion, as he never had any special training in that 
particular line. The plant was organized and 
put in primarily by Thomas Taft. When it be- 
came nccessarv to find some one to handle the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363 



details of the business, he selected our subject, 
who has proved to be the right man for the place. 
He has full control and management of the plant, 
and under Iiis suiiervision it is meeting with suc- 
cess. 

The father of our subject, who bore the name 
of Abraham Dickenson, was a native of Orange 
County, N. Y., while Grandfather Dickerson was 
born in Ireland. The former was engaged in 
cultivating a fertile farm in this county for the 
greater part of his active life, but he retired to 
Newburgh one year prior to his decea.se, when he 
was in his fifty-fourth year. 

Mrs. Ann (Goodjoin) Dickenson, the mother 
of our subject, whose birth occurred in this coun- 
ty, is .still living at Newburgh, and is eighty-one 
j'ears of age. Of the six children of whom she 
became the mother, we make the following men- 
tion: Laura is now Mrs. Griggs, of Newburgh; 
Elizabeth is deceased; Adam M. and Margaret 
also make their home in Newburgh, the latter 
being the wife of Thomas Purdy ; John B. , of this 
sketch, was the fifth-born; and Nancy, now Mrs. 
Ingham Stubley, is a resident of the above place. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Crawford, January 27, 1846, and was brought 
up on a farm. During his boyhood daj'S he was 
compelled to walk three miles to the temple 
of learning, and the knowledge gained therein 
was afterward supplemented by a course in the 
Montgomery Academy. When a lad of seven- 
teen years of age he began working in a sash and 
blind factory at Newburgh, giving considerable 
attention to becoming familiar with the machinery 
u.sed in the mill. He subsequently took up en- 
gineering in the factory, and soon became a trust- 
ed and excellent man in this position, remaining 
with the same company for a period of seventeen 
years. At the end of that time he eiitered the 
employ of Mead <& Taft, of Cornwall Landing, 
and was recognized as a valued acquisition to 
their force, having charge of the extensive wood- 
working machinery and engine for fourteen years. 
It is no wonder, then, that when Mr. Taft desired 
a good man to run his electric plant he chose Mr. 
Dickerson. To him was left the task of selecting 
the machinery, which he accomplished with rare 



skill and good judgment, and in the management 
of the concern he has given entire satisfaction. 
He has often been sought to place in operation 
many other electric plants, he being thoroughly 
qualified to place and regulate the machinery 
properly. 

Mr. Dickenson and Miss Louisa Lisle were 
united in marriage in Newburgh in 1870. The 
lady was the daughter of William and Caroline 
(Phillips) Lisle, natives of this county. To them 
have been born two daughters: Daisy, now en- 
gaged in teaching school; and Laura B., both of 
whom are finely educated and accomplished young 
ladies. In politics Mr. Dickerson formerly affil- 
iated with the Democratic party, but for the past 
eight years has cast his vote for prohibition can- 
didates. Socially he is a Mason, and has been 
Master of Jerusalem Temple Lodge No. 72. Al- 
though not a member of any religious body, he 
attends the Presbyterian Church, to the support 
of which he is a liberal contributor. 



j EONARD B. WOODS, D. V. S., who is the 
I C proprietor of the Veterinary Infirmary at 
|_2f Nevi'burgh, is a man of wide experience in 
his chcsen profession, and, with the exception of 
but two others, is the oldest in the line in New 
York State. In 1861 he was appointed Veterin- 
ary Surgeon of Burn.side's artillery, and later was 
made Government Inspector of Horses in Wash- 
ington and Annapolis, serving with the rank of 
Major until 1866. 

Dr. Woods was born September 3, 1820, in 
Boston, Mai5s., and is a son of Daniel and Sarah 
(Hinckley) Woods, natives of Hubbardston and 
Oakham, Mass., respectively. The father was a 
cabinet manufacturer in Medway, that state, 
where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-four 
years. The mother was a daughter of James 
Hinckley, who fought in the Revolutionary War, 
and who was a farmer by occupation. He de- 
parted this life when he had reached the extreme 
age of one hundred and two years. Both Mr. 



364 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Mrs. W'ood.s were of I-jiglisli <ic-scfiit, and 
the latter died when eighty-six years of age. Of 
their six children, all but one survive. Amos, 
now .seventy-six years old, resides in Xewbiirgh; 
Charles lives in Medway; Daniel is in Framing- 
ham, and Sarah is in Medway. 

On completing his connnon -school education 
Mr. Woods studied in Hollister's Academy, and 
then, in 1846, entered the Hoston \'eterinary 
College, being under the instruction of Dr. Dado 
until the institution was closed for want of patron- 
age. The next four years our subject was with 
Dr. Otis Kilton, after which he attended the 
Agricultural Society \'eterinary College of Phila- 
delphia one year. 

In 1856 the Doctor began practicing in Chi- 
cago, where he .stayed about three years, and 
then entered the employ of Levi J. North's 
Menagerie and Circus Company as veterinary 
surgeon, traveling with the same three years. 
Subsequenth' he became connected with Seth 
Howe's "European Show" in the same capacity, 
and a year later commenced a ten-years term in 
the service of \*an Amberg's "Golden Show." 

It was in 1869 that our subject came to this city, 
where he practiced three years, and then was em- 
ployed by P. T. Barnum two years, .since which 
time he has been engaged in regular practice. In 
1854 he graduated from the American \'eterinary 
College at New York City, receiving a degree. 
With the exception of Oregon and California, he 
has visited every .state in the l^iion, besides 
various parts of Canada, and, more than this, he 
has seen most of the leading cities and towns. 
In fact, he was on the road continually lor a 
period covering sixteen years. In 1869 he opened 
an infirmary at' Newburgh, his office being at 
No. 29 Chambers Street, and besides this he owns 
other valuable real estate here. During his long 
practice he has invented man\' kinds of remedies 
for horses, such as condition powders, .salves, 
etc. , which have become known far and near for 
their excellence. 

In Kenosha, Wis., in 1859, Dr. Woods was 
married to Kate Almot, a native of Pittsburg, 
Pa. This worthy couple have a pleasant home on 
one of the hand.some residence streets of the citv, 



and always give a warm welcome to their hosts of 
friends. In his political faith the Doctor is iden- 
tified with the Democratic party. 

• ^^^ • 



RLAS E. LAURELL, foreman of the barb- 
wire department of Kilmer's Works at 
Newburgh, is a practical workman and 
thoroughly acquainted with all the details of his 
business. He was born in Carlstad, Sweden, Oc- 
tober 20, i860. His father, Lorentz Laurell, was 
likewise a native of that country and was a civil 
engineer and surveyor, serving in the capacity of 
Chief Sur\eyor of Vernland until his death there 
in 1867, when fifty-eight years of age. He was 
a Lutheran in religion. The grandfather of our 
subject, Carl Laurell, was likewise born there, 
and was a surveyor, ranking high in the profes- 
sion. The ancestors went to that country from 
Scotland during the fifteenth century, and Mr. 
Laurell has the record of the family, tracing their 
history back to the sixteenth century. 

Mrs. Anna (Oberg) Laurell, mother of our 
subject, was a native of Sweden, her father being 
Doctor of Philo.sophy in Carlstad. After the 
death of Mr. Laurell she was a second time mar- 
ried, becoming the wife of Elof Tegner, who was 
a brother of Esaias Tegner, the Swedish 4)oet. 
She died in her native land at the age of fifty- 
eight years. Her union with Lorentz Laurell 
resulted in the birth of eight children, all of 
whom are living. Of this family our subject is 
the youngest. His brother, Carl A., is a Captain 
in the Swedish army: Gustav is a civil engineer 
in Sweden; John is engaged in farming near Gay- 
lord, Mich. 

The subject of this sketch first attended the 
common and later the high school of his native 
land, being graduated from the high .school of 
Carlstad. The year after graduation he was em- 
ployed as clerk in a wholesale hardware establish- 
ment, then began clerking in the retail store in 
Jonkoping, where he remained until 1885. He 
was a member of the Athletic and Rowing Club 
of that place, in which organization he was prom- 
inent. In the vcar 188s he went to Stockholm 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



365 



and was engaged as traveling salesman for a 
wholesale sheet and wrought-iron firm, selling 
their goods all over Sweden. For two years he 
remained with this company, then determined to 
come to America. Leaving Guttenburg, he em- 
barked on a vessel and after several days spent 
on the Atlantic landed on the shores of the New 
World He first went to Boston, then to Wor- 
cester, where he entered the factory of Wash- 
burn & Moen, the largest manufacturers of barb 
wire in the United States. He worked his way 
up through the various departments and proved 
a very valuable man to the company. In the 
spring of 1892 he was sent for by the Kilmer 
Manufacturing Company to come to Newburgh 
to take charge of this department in their factory, 
and he has been engaged by them ever since. 

Mr. Laurell was married, in Worcester, Mass., 
to Miss Sigrid Fahlander, a native of Stockholm, 
Sweden, who, however, was reared and educated 
in Worcester. By her union with our subject 
there has been Ijorn a son, Archibald. In relig- 
ious affairs Mr. Laurell is a Lutheran, and in pol- 
itics he always votes the Republican ticket. 



I EONARD P. CLARK. Throughout this 
I C portion of New York few residents of Orange 
Lv County are better known than Leonard 
Clark, a re.sident of Cornwall on the Hudson, 
and at this writing (May, 1895) President of the 
Village Board. He is an expert in the art of boat- 
building, and is proprietor of what may be termed 
a "boat livery," making it a business to rent 
boats during the summer sea.son. 

Moses Clark, the father of our subject, was 
born in Cornwall about 1810, and was by trade a 
tanner. He was widely and favorably known 
throughout this community, and lived to be sev- 
enty-seven years of age, departing this life at 
Cornwall in 1887. He married Miss Eliza String- 
ham, whose demise occurred when in her seventy- 
sixth year. The grandfather, Reuben Clark, 
was an old-time freighter on the Hudson River, 



and also bore the distinction of building one of 
the first gristmills in this portion of the county, 
which structure was located on Idlewild Creek. 
On his mother's .side our subject is of German de- 
scent. Her father, Peter Stringham, an old Quaker 
farmer of Dutchess County, was very tall and of 
commanding presence, and although belonging to 
the Society of Friends, entered the American 
anny as a drummer. At the battle of Long Isl- 
and he led the charge, his tall form, made doubly 
conspicuous by his intrepid and fearless advance, 
towering above his fellows. The family owned 
at one time an immense tract of land in what is 
now Dutchess County, embracing some fifteen 
hundred acres. 

Our subject was the elder of two children born 
to his parents. His sister, .Sarah F., now lives 
on the old homestead, and is the wife of William 
Southwell, an English gentleman. Leonard P. 
was born in Cornwall, February 27, 1836, and up 
to the time of attaining his seventeenth year was 
in attendance at the common school. Not find- 
ing farm work congenial, he secured a position as 
cook on a sloop on the North River, where he 
had plenty of hard work and very little pay. It 
was his ambition, however, to work his way up 
to become owner of a ve.ssel, which he did after 
many years He continued to ply the river for a 
period of nineteen years, during which time he 
was the possessor of several good schooners. In 
1872 he purchased his present location in Corn- 
wall from his father and started in the business 
which he still carries on. His first duty was to 
erect substantial buildings and prepare to run an 
extensive enterprise, in the operation of which he 
has met with good success. 

Mr. Clark was married, in 1859, to Miss Anzo- 
nette D. Buckmaster, a native of Long Island, 
and to them have been born two children, Min- 
nie W. and Alice D. In politics he is a Republi- 
can on national issues, but in local elections votes 
for the man best qualified for the position. He 
is a firm believer in the principles of protection, 
and is unable to see an)- good reason for the de- 
monetization of silver in 1873. The change at 
that time from silver to gold as the unit of value 
has occasioned shrinkage in values and made it 



366 



PORTRAIT AND lilUGRAFIIICAL RECORD. 



hard for the debUu Lla>^. He takes an active in- 
terest in all public aflfairs, and is at present Treas- 
urer of the fire department, besides holding the 
position of President of the \'illage Board. 

|I1.IJAM A. MARVIN, the leading wagon 
and carriage- maker of Newburgh, is an in- 
dustrious and highly esteemed citizen, who 
is well acquainted with all the details of his busi- 
ness. He was born in Plattekill, Ulster Count3% 
N. Y., September lo, 1848, and is the son of 
Grant Mar\-in, also a native of this state, who 
followed the trade of a blacksmith all his life. 
His wife was Elizabeth Fowler, a native of Ulster 
County, who is iiow living in Newburgh. 

The parental family included four children, of 
whom William A. is the eldest now living. He 
remained in the vicinity of Plattekill tmtil 1864, 
in the mean time acquiring a fair education. 
When .seven, however, he began doing for him- 
self, working on the farm of William Garrison, 
performing light duties until thirteen, when he 
apprenticed himself to learn the horse-shoeing 
bu.siness at New Hurley. Two years later, in 
1864, he came to Newburgh and was given a po- 
sition with Isaac Martin, a carriage manufacturer 
and blacksmith. He afterward worked succes- 
sively for L. J. Bazoni, Martin & Delaney and 
John H. Martin, in the blacksmithing and car- 
riage-making business. 

In March, 1866, Mr. Marvin started in business 
with W. O. Abbott, the firm name being W. O. 
Abbott & Co., at No. 67 Broadway, doing repair 
work on wagons and carriages. Having dis- 
solved his partnership with Mr. Abbott, in 1890 
he came to liis present location, and associated 
with himself Robert Carr. The business, under 
the firm name of W. A. Marvin & Co., was thus 
continued until April, 1895, when his partner, Mr. 
Carr, died, and .since that time he has been alone. 
His shops are located at No. 46 Chambers Street, 
and are 25x100 feet in dimensions. 

The property occupied by our subject in his 
business is owned by his wife, whose maiden 
name was Delia Relyea, and whom he married in 



Newburgh, June 29, 1881. She was born in Ul- 
ster Count)- and was the daughter of Tjerck and 
Mary Relyea, well-to-do residents of this commu- 
nity. Our subject and his wife have one child 
living, a son, William A., Jr. Wilhelmina died 
when two years of age. In politics he affiliates 
with the Republican party, whose principles he 
upholds on every occasion. During 1870 he be- 
came interested in the grocery business in New- 
burgh, at No. 155 Water Street, in company 
with his brother Erastus C. , and this enterprise he 
carried on profitably for six years. He was 
also at one time interested in boating on the Hud- 
son River. His family occupies a pleasant home 
at No. 71 Campbell Street, which is neat and at- 
tractive in appearance and in which they enter- 
tain among their friends the be.st people in the 
city. 

III.IJAM HEARD, who for many years 
was engaged in business in New York 
City, is now living retired in the beautiful 
cit>- of Newburgh. He was born in the metrop- 
olis and is the son of James Heard, a native of 
Woodbridge, N. J. His grandfather bore the 
name of William Heard, and was likewise a na- 
tive of the above place in New Jersey. The 
great-grandfather of our subject, also William 
Heard, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and during the conflict took part in many 
noted engagements, acquitting himself bravely. 
James Heard was engaged as an importer of 
dry goods, his place of busine.ss being located on 
Hanover Square, New York City. He was very 
successful in this industry and was well known 
to the old residents of the city, where his death 
took place in the year 1S47. He married in early 
manhood Mi.ss Maria, daughter of John Sickles. 
She was born in Red Hook, N. Y., and died sev- 
eral years after the death of her hu.sband, in New 
York City. She became the mother of four 
daughters and three sons, who grew to mature 
years, our subject being the youngest member of 
the household. 

William Heard was reared in the metropolis 



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COL. jiisi.i ii :>; ^i.hi tR 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



and was graduated from Cohunbia College with 
the Class of '35. receiving at that time the degree 
of Bachelor of Arts. For eight years thereafter 
he was engaged in clerking in a wholesale dry- 
goods establishment, after which he went into 
business for himself He carried on a large 
trade as wholesale dry-goods merchant until 1849, 
when he closed out his stock of goods and retired. 
In 187 1 he came to Newburgh and has made his 
home here since that time, although he has never 
engaged in business. In politics he is a strict 
Republican. He and his wife are members of St. 
Paul's Episcopal Church of Newburgh. 



SOL. JOSEPH M. LEEPER. Many veterans 
of the Union army reside in Orange County, 
and Newburgh has its full share of those 
l)rave men who look back with pleasure and 
honest pride upon the service which they render- 
ed their country in the hour of need. They great- 
ly enjoy a chat together about the old days when 
they went campaigning, and their recitals of their 
experiences are in.spiring to the generation that 
has grown up since war days. 

Among these old soldiers is Colonel Leeper, 
now an attorney-at-law and pen.sion agent. He 
was born June 6, 1835, in Pittsburg, Pa., upon 
the present site of the Dollar Savings Bank. 
Among his playmates in boyhood were Andrew 
Carnegie and Oliver Ripply. The family of 
which he is a member is of French-Huguenot 
origin, its early representatives having gone to 
.Scotland, thence to the North of Ireland, and 
final 1\- to America. The celebrated poet, Edgar 
Allen Poe, belonged to this family. 

The grandfather of our .subject, William Leep- 
er, was born in Virginia, but removed to Penn- 
sylvania, and settled near Shippensburg, where 
he became proprietor of a number of flourmills. 
He married a Mrs. Reynolds, whose first husband 
was a relative of both Generals Reynolds and 
McPher.son. Our subject's father, George R., 
was born near Shippensburg, Pa., and in boy- 
hood served in the War of 1812, belonging to a 
troop of cavalry of which his step-lirother. Dr. 
14 



Reynolds, was in command. Settling in Pitts- 
burg, he engaged in the manufacture of iron and 
.salt near that city, owning a furnace and salt 
works. The free-trade measures of 1845 proved 
demoralizing to his' business, which he closed, 
and became an accountant for a Pittsburg firm. 
He held a clerical position until his death in 1861 , 
at the age of sixty-three. 

The maternal ancestors of our subject were 
Pennsylvanians. His mother, Julia, was born 
near Lancaster, Pa., and was a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Julia (Buchanan ) Galbraith, the latter a 
cousin of President Buchanan. The family was 
also related to the Pattersons of Baltimore, one 
of whom was married to Jerome Bonaparte, and 
on the maternal side was related to James G. 
Blaine. Mrs. Julia Leeper died in Pittsburg, in 
1846, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, to 
which she belonged. She was the great-grand- 
daughter of Col. Bartram Galbraith, one of the 
three commissioners on supplies for the colony of 
Pennsylvania during the Revolution, later Sur- 
veyor-General of Pennsylvania, and at one time 
the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land along 
the Susquehanna. His father, James, was al.so 
a man of great patriotism and valor. During 
the French and Indian War he rendered active 
service and commanded a company at the taking 
of Louisburg. Though advanced in years at the 
opening of the Revolution, his patriotic ardor 
impelled him to enlist in the defense of the colo- 
nies, and he held the rank of Colonel until the 
infirmities of age forced him to resign from the 
army. His home was in Lancaster County, and 
he had the distinction of being the first man vv'ho 
took packhorses over the Alleghenies. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. William Bar- 
tram, a Presbyterian minister, who came from 
Scotland, and settled at Paxton. Col. Bartram 
Galbraith owned a large farm, which is now the 
home of Don Cameron. 

The children of George R. Leeper were six in 
number, of whom all but one attained mature 
years and three are now living. Our subject is 
the only surviving son, his sisters being Mrs. 
David Khune, of Norwalk, Ohio, and Elizabeth 
H. Leeper, of Pittsburg. When twelve years of 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



age our sulijcct was orphaned by his inollier's 
death, after which lie came Xewburgh and made 
his home with his uncle, Rev. Joseph McCarrell, 
D. 1)., then pastor of the Associate Reformed 
Church and President of the theological semina- 
ry at Newburgh. His studies, commenced in 
Pittsl)urg, were continued under the guidance of 
his uncle and in Seminary Hill Academy. 

At the age of seventeen Mr. Leeper began to 
study law with Hon. Thomas McKi.ssock, and 
later was with E). A. Brewster, finishing with 
Hon. W. C. Hasbrook. In 1857 he was admitted 
to the Bar, Hon. A. S. Cas.sedy being admitted at 
the .same time. In 1858 he was elected Police 
Magistrate, which p)osition he held for three years, 
and then went South, intending to locate in Mem- 
phis. The climate, however, being too warm to 
be healthful, he returned as far north as Louis- 
ville, where he enlisted in Company F, First 
Kentucky Infantry, being mustered in at Camp 
Clay, Ohio, a.s Second Lieutenant. In the fall 
of 1 86 1 he took the first detachment of Confeder- 
ate prisoners to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. 
In January, 1862, he was made First Lieutenant 
of Company G, in the .same regiment, and took 
an active part in the campaigns in West X'irginia, 
and later in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and 
Shiloh. During the latter engagement he was 
in connnand of the .skirmish line of the extreme 
left of the Union army, and on the morning of 
the .second day his command captured three pieces 
of artillery. 

After the fall of Corinth, our subject was taken 
ill with typhoid fever, and his brother, Bartrani 
G., who was Lieutenant-Colonel in command of 
the regiment, .secured his discharge, unknown to 
him. Soon afterward the connnand was ordered 
elsewhere. On recovering sufficiently, our sub- 
ject read the acceptance of his resignation. About 
the .same time he received a commis.sion from 
Governor Morgan as Fir.st Lieutenant of New 
York X'olunteers. He then went to General 
Buell and asked the withdrawal of his resigna- 
tion, but was told that he needed rest and should 
report to the Adjutant-General of New York. 
Traveling by easy stages, as his weak physical 
condition permitted, he reached the destination to 



winch he had been ordered, and finally went out 
again as First Lieutenant of Company A, One 
Hundred and Fortieth New York Infantry. At 
the battle of Fredericksburg he was made Cap- 
tain, being a.ssigned to Company E of the same 
regiment. 

In the battle of Chancellorsville, Colonel Leep- 
er narrowh- escaped death by the concussion of a 
shell. He was wounded early in the morning, 
and was carried insen.sible from the field to the 
hospital, where he remained for a month, though 
even after rejoining his regiment he suffered se- 
verely as the re.sult of the injury to his head. 
At Gettysburg he and his command occupied Lit- 
tle Round Top, and in that engagement he was 
slightly wounded. In consequence of the trouble 
with his head, he resigned in March, 1864. 

After remaining at home for a number of months 
Colonel Leeper received a letter from General 
Hancock requesting him to accept a captaincy 
of a veteran corps. He accepted the offer, be- 
coming Captain of Company G, Second Regi- 
ment Hancock Veterans. The company was 
mainly engaged in guard duty and was mustered 
out at Washington, in August, 1865. At the 
Grand Review in Wa.shington he was one of the 
officers of the day, and sat on a horse throughout 
the entire parade, lasting all day. On his return 
home, realizing that it would be difficult to re- 
sume professional work while his head troubled 
him -SO much, he engaged in farming in Mont- 
gomery- Town, where he remained for four years. 
His plnsical .strength, however, obliged him to 
seek work le.ss exhausting and arduous, and he 
therefore began legal practice in Montgomery, 
where he remained until 1889. While there he 
served two terms as Justice of the Peace, being 
the first Democrat elected in that Republican 
stronghold. On his return to Newburgh in 1889, 
he began the jiractice of law at No. 100 Water 
Street, having, in addition to his general practice, 
considerable work as a real-estate dealer and pen- 
sion attorney. 

In Brockport, Monroe County, N. V., October 
12, 1859, Colonel Leeper married Miss Mary G. 
Decker, who was born in Blooming Grove, this 
county. Her father. Jonah Decker, was at one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



371 



time a well known farmer and successful stock- 
raiser of this locality. By their marriage they 
have four children. Anna D., a graduate of 
Montgomery Academy, is the wife of J. V. Jor- 
dan, of Newburgh. Bartram G., also a graduate 
of the academy, is a manufacturer of rods and 
reels at Poughkeepsie. Jean M. is at home. 
Mary G. died at the age of eighteen months. 

Socially Colonel Leeper is a demitted member 
of Freeman's Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Walden, 
and is a charter member of Chester Judson Post 
No. 536, G. A. R., at Montgomery, of which he 
was the first Commander. His wife is connected 
with Calvary Presbyterian Church. Prior to 
1876 he was a Democrat, but since then has been 
a Prohibitionist, and at one time was the nomi- 
nee ot his party for Congress. 

gAVIN R. McGregor, a highly esteemed 
and honored citizen of Newburgh, who has 
been prominent in public aJGfairs and active 
in advancing the best interestsof the community, 
was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, in sight of 
the Isle of Man, in August, 1833. His father, 
Douglas McGregor, was also born there, and the 
grandfather, Douglas McGregor, Sr. , removed to 
that place from the Highlands. The father was 
superintendent of the home farm belonging to 
Mr. Stewart, a landed proprietor, and there died 
at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, Mrs. Mary 
McGregor, was a native of the same locality, and 
a daughter of Daniel Shearer, who was a farmer, 
and whose people also came from the Highlands. 
After her husband's death Mrs. McGregor came 
to America, residing in Newburgh for a time, and 
then removing to Wisconsin, where she lived 
with a daughter until her death, in 1879. 

In the family were ten children, all of whom 
grew to mature years. Elizabeth, Mrs. Magill, 
resides in Wi.sconsin; her husband died in Ar- 
kansas, while a member of the Union army. Mrs. 
Ann Wade is now deceased, as is also Mrs. Jes- 
sie Wilcox, who died in Newburgh. John is a 
farmer of Little Britain. William is engaged in 
the manufacture of boilers and engines in Chicago. 



Mrs. Jane Scott makes her home in Chicago. 
Gavin R. is next in order. Mrs. Marj- Mitchell 
resides in Chicago. Douglas, who for a long 
time was an engineer in Cuba, later became ad- 
ministrator of a large estate; he was arrested at 
the time of the Rebellion and put in a dungeon, 
but the American minister succeeded in obtaining 
his release, and he returned to New York. His 
health was so impaired, however, that he died in 
Newburgh. Peter is foreman of the foundry de- 
partment of the Ramapo Iron Works of Hillburn, 
N. Y. 

The gentleman whose name heads this record 
was reared in Scotland until the age of seventeen, 
when, in May, 1850, he sailed to Liverpool, and 
embarked on the "Olive Branch," a sailing-vessel 
bound for the New World. He made the voyage 
alone, but W^illiam, Elizabeth and Jane were all 
living in this state. After his ocean voyage he 
landed at New York City, July 13, 1850, and the 
following day reached Newburgh. He served 
an apprenticeship as moulder in the Highland Iron 
Works, owned by Stanton, Clark & Co., and 
then worked in the Washington Iron Works for 
two years as journeyman, when he was made 
foreman of the foundry. The firm carried on an 
extensive business, some days casting forty-five 
tons of iron. Three hundred men were employed 
in this department, and Mr. McGregor remained 
in charge for twenty years, when the company 
sold out. In 1869 he became a partner with 
Messrs. Clapp, Blezgard, Robert Leach and Hugh 
Hamilton in the ownership of the W^ashington 
Iron Works, with which he was connected for 
eighteen months, after which he spent six months 
in Jersey City. Then, in cotniection with Robert 
Whitehill, he cairied on the Newburgh Steam 
Engine W^orks, of which he was foreman for 
twenty-two years, when, in the fall of 1893, he 
resigned and has since lived retired. He has in- 
vested his capital in real estate, and has erected 
five residences on Liberty Street, two on Wash- 
ington, one on William and one on Edward 
Street. 

Mr. McGregor was married, in Newburgh, to 
Miss Deborah A. , daughter of Jacob Wilson, who 
was with General Wadsworth at Stanton Island 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the War of 1812. He was a farmer in Orange 
Count\ . His son William was consulting engi- 
neer for the H. Lockwood Company of New York, 
and, being an expert in his line, published several 
articles on engineering in the Trade Journal. His 
health failing him, he went to Denver, California 
and Arkansas, and then returned home, where he 
died March 27, 1893, at the age of thirty-four. 

In 1869 Mr. McGregor was elected Alderman 
from the Fir.st Ward, on the Democratic ticket, 
and .served until his removal to New Jersey. For 
three successive terms of three years each he was 
elected Almshouse Conunissioner, faithfully dis- 
charging his duties and winning the commenda- 
tion and confidence of the public. His life has 
been well and worthily pa.s.sed, and all who know 
him respect him for his genuine worth. 



(TOHX R. CONVKRV. who is llie Xewlnirgh 
I representative of the Jo.seph Fallert Brewing 
V2/ Company of Brooklyn, is a young man of 
push and energy, and looks well to the interests 
of his employers in this community. He was 
born in County Derry, Ireland, October i, 1S63, 
and is the son of Daniel Convery, also a native 
of the Emerald Isle, where he is .still living, en- 
gaged in the grocery business. The mother's 
maiden name was Ivllen Martin, and she was 
likewise of Irish birth and parentage. 

The parental family included six .sons and 
daughters, of whom John R. was the fourth, and 
four make their home in America. Our subject 
was educated in the public .schools of Ireland, 
and when old enough assisted his father in the 
grocery .store until 1878, when he left home and 
made his way to Belfast, where he was employed 
in clerking until deciding to try his fortune in 
the New World. Accordingly, in 1882, he took 
pa,ssage for this country, and for four years there- 
after traveled through Georgia, the Carolinas and 
Louisiana, engaged in various occupations. 

At the expiration of that time Mr. Convery 
came to Newburgh, and, having learned the 
trade of a moulder, entered the em])loy of the 



Washington Iron Works, remaining there for 
four years. He then opened a saloon business 
on the corner of Washington and Liberty Streets, 
but two years thereafter was appointed repre 
sentative of the Jo.seph Fallert Brewing Com- 
pany^ in this place. The company have built a re- 
I frigerator at Ramsdell Dock, and are in command 
of a splendid business, which has been worked 
up through the enterprise and good judgment of 
our subject. The .storehouse will accommo<late 
three carloads of liquors, which are shipped from 
this place through the surrounding counties. 

Mr. Convery was married in this city, in 1890, 
to Miss Mary McCloy, who was born in County 
Derry, Ireland, in 1868, and who is the daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Mary (McPeck) McCloy, farm- 
ers of that country. To them has been born a 
son, Robert ICnnnett. St)cially our subject is a 
member of the Order of Foresters, and belongs to 
Robert Emmett Association of Newburgh. Re- 
ligiously he is a Catholic and holds membership 
with St. Patrick's Church. He is a member of 
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is con- 
nected with Chapman Steamer Company No. 5, 
Newburgh Fire Department. 

Q ENGT PEHRSON SALLANDER, one of 
1^ the most popular merchant tailors of New- 
L1/ burgh, is quite influential in the Odd Fel- 
lows' society, being a charter member of Bismarck 
Lodge No. 420, which he represented in the 
Grand Lodge, that met at Jamestown August 20, 
1895. In 1S88 he held the office of Noble Grand 
in that lodge. February 9, 1865, he joined Mt. 
Olive Encampment, being its Chief Patriarch in 
1878, and has represented the same in the Grand, 
Lodge. August 7, 1889, he was one of the fif- 
teen Patriarchs who organized Canton Woodward 
No. 32, was Patriarch Militant, and is at present 
its Lieutenant. 

Mr. Sallander was born in the city of Lund, 
Sweden. May 13, 1835. His father, Peter Sal- 
lander, was a native of the same place, and fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits there during his life- 
time. His wife, Mary, also lived and died in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



373 



Sweden, and both were devoted adherents of the 
Lutheran faith. Their family comprised six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living. The early days 
of our subject passed uneventfully, his education 
being mainly acquired at home under private in- 
struction. When fourteen years of age he com- 
menced serving an apprenticeship to a tailor in 
the city of Lund, and five years later he went to 
Roskilde, Denmark, where he was employed as a 
journeyman tailor for three years. Then, going 
to Germany, he spent about three years in travel- 
ing and widening his field of knowledge, and 
plied his trade in the cities of Hamburg, Han- 
over and in Frankfort-on-the-Main, principally. 
Next, going to London, England, he plied his vo- 
cation in the great metropolis for four years suc- 
cessfully. 

In the j'ear 1865 Mr. Sallander embarked on a 
steamer at Liverpool, and proceeded direct to 
New York City. There he remained for four 
years and a-half, engaged in tailoring, and com- 
pleted a course of training in Roebeil's cutting 
school, after which he became a cutter lor James 
H. Clark, a merchant tailor of New York. In 
the fall of 1872 he came to Newburgh as cutter 
for Sterling & Owen, with which concern he con- 
tinued for ten years. Afterward he was employed 
by S. J. Owen, of the latter firm, for two years 
and a-half. In March, 1885, he embarked in bus- 
iness at No. 64 Water Street, under the style of 
Sallander & Bower, in i8go he removed to his 
present location at No. 74 Water Street, and 
since 1891 has managed the business alone. He 
carries a full line of domestic and imported goods, 
attends to all of his own cutting, and is noted for 
the elegance of his styles, fit and workmanship. 
The residence of Mr. Sallander is at No. 289 Du- 
bois Street. 

In London, England, in i860, Mr. Sallander 
was married to Miss O. A. W. Schysler, a native 
of Germany. Five children were born to this 
worthy couple, but only two daughters survive, 
namely: Amelia, Mrs. D. H. Bower, of Canton, 
Mich. ; and Carrie, who is at home. Mr. Sallan- 
der is a member of the German Lutheran Church, 
of which he is now Trustee and Treasurer, and 
was one of the organizers of the German- Lutheran 



Society in Newburgh. A member of the Maen- 
nerchor, he acted as President of the .same for two 
terms. In matters relating to politics he is a true 
and tried Republican. 



Gr 



(3= 






xr> 



(fl\ M. COOK, a popular citizen and successful 
LI business man of Newburgh, is proprietor of 
/ I the Newburgh Horse Exchange His birth 
occurred in Little Britain, September 24, 1843, 
and he is a son of Thomas Cook, and a grand- 
•son of Thomas Cook, Sr., both of whom were 
also natives of this county. The great-grandfa- 
ther, who was a Protestant, came from Ireland 
and settled in Orange County during the Revo- 
lutionary War. The grandfather and father car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits, and the latter died 
at the age of forty-six years. His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Sarah McDowell, was born 
in Little Britain, and died in 1873. In the par- 
ental family were four children: Isaac, who lives 
in New Haven, Mich., and who was a soldier in 
a Michigan regiment during the Civil War; Mar- 
garet, who died in Michigan; Mrs. Catherine 
Ennis, of Newburgh; and A. M., of this sketch. 

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, 
and acquired his education in the district schools. 
After arriving at years of maturity, he was mar- 
ried, June 28, 1866, to Miss Sarah Conkling, 
who was born in Little Britain, and is a daugh- 
ter of Abraham Conkling, a farmer and distant 
relative of Roscoe Conkling. Four children 
graced this union: William and Frank, who are 
engaged in business with their father; and Fan- 
nie and Margaret. All are graduates of the 
academy. 

After his marriage Mr. Cook purchased a farm 
of one hundred acres near his childhood home, 
and afterward bought and sold considerable farm 
property in that locality. He engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, and in buying 
and killing cattle, which he shipped to the city 
markets for some years. In 1875 he located in 
Newburgh. For some years he has been en- 
gaged in dealing in hor.ses, and on locating here 



374 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



opened a liver\- bani on Front Street, which he 
operated for eighteen years. He also bought 
and sold horses, and as this liiie of his business 
steadily increased, in 1893 he established what is 
kuown as the Xewbiirgh Horse Exchange. It 
is located on the Balniville Road, adjoining the 
city, where he has forty acres of land and fifty 
head of horses. He l>u\ s western horses, those 
which are well broken, and usually purchases 
three carloads at a time, which he di.sposes of 
at auction in Orange and adjoining counties. He 
is an excellent judge of the animal, and has made 
this a profitable business, which yields to him 
an excellent income. His pleasant home is lo- 
cated at the comer of South Miller and First 
Streets. He is a member of the Board of Trade, 
and in his political views is a Republican. 

EAPT. BENJAMIN GARRISON is assistant 
superintendent of the brick works of John 
C. Rose & Co., the yards being located at 
Roseton, where over four hundred men are em- 
ployed. An idea of his responsibilities here may 
be gleaned from the fact that this establishment 
is the largest of the kind on the Hudson, and 
turns out about fifty million bricks per annum. 
For many years the Captain ran on the river in 
various capacities, being promoted from one po- 
sition to another, and for a long period has made 
his home and headquarters at Newburgh. He is 
noteti as a man of strictly temjjerate habits. 

Benjamin Garrison. Sr.. grandfather of our 
subject, was bom in this county and died in New- 
burgh, when in his eighty -third year. Davis 
Garrison, the Captain's father, who was a fisher- 
man and boatman, running on steamers plying 
between Newburgh and New York, dietl in 1S84. 
having attained his seventy-fifth year. His wife. 
Frances, a native of Goshen, was a daughter of 
ex-SherifFJohn Penney, who was of French-Hu- 
guenot descent. He was born in Sag Harbor. 
Long Island, and at an earh- day removed to 
Goshen, later coming to this city. Mrs. Garri- 
son is hale and hearty, and still enjoys life, 
though she is now in her seventy -ninth year. 



She was the mother of twelve children, all but 
four of whom grew to maturity, but only five 
now survive. Capt. William H., who is engage<l 
In a banking business in Newark, N. J.. serve<i 
with the Seventy-first New York Volunteers on 
the second enlistment, and afterward was third 
as.sistant engineer on the man-of war ""Vander- 
bilt." John D.. who died in this city in 1S93. 
was for two years a member of Company B. Third 
New York Infantn.-. and after\vards was with 
Regan's Batter>-. Isaac enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Fifty-sixth New York Infantrs-, 
and dietl in Ohio during his army life. 

Captain Garrison was bom in Newburgh, Jan- 
uary- 5. 1S3S. and was reared here, receiving his 
etlucation in private schools. April 10, 1849. 
when he was but eleven years of age. he became 
cook on the sloop " "Oregon." receiving a salar\ 
of $5 per month. At the end of the season he 
became a member of the crew of the sloop "John 
Jay." and continued as such for fourteen years, 
being promoted from cook to first mate, and run- 
ning between Albany and Providence. R. I. Be- 
ing careful of his earnings, he managed to lay 
aside a snug little sum in the bank and at length 
bought a half-interest in the schooner "Samuel 
Coddington," and for two years commanded her 
as captain, running on the river and in New 
York Harbor. Then for two years he was part 
owner and captain of the schooner "Jane Ann," 
which was sunk some years after, but without 
loss of life. The Captain returned to Newburgh. 
after which he was for three years on the ferry- 
boat ■ 'Union , ' ' running between Newburgh and 
Fishkill The schooner "Jane Ann" having been 
rebuilt, he purchased and ran it for four years on 
the river, then was on the schooner "Fancy" 
for six years, and the "William A. Ripley" two 
years. Having been nijured by a fall, however, 
he lived retired for the two years following, but 
at length was given the position of private de- 
tective in the Hanover National Bank of New 
York City, and ser\-ed faithfully for some two 
years in that capwcity. Another twelve months 
found him running as a pilot on " 'Coe F. Young, 
a propeller. He next ran the barge "Isaac C. 
Ogden" between Albany and Sing Sing for four 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



375 



years, and then became captain of the barges of 
the Rose Brick Company. His connection with 
this compaii)- dates from July, 1887, but for the 
last three years he has supervised the yards. In 
1 89 1 he was made Deputy by Sheriff Goodale, 
and afterward held the same position under Mr. 
Alexander and the present Sheriff, Mr. Beekes. 
The home of the worthy Captain is at No. 46 
Carson Avenue. His wife, who was formerly 
'Miss Phoebe Mead, was united in marriage with 
him near New Brunwick, N. J., January i, 1861. 
The lad)- was born in Cornwall on the Hud.son, 
and is a daughter of William Mead, likewise a 
native of this county, and a stationary engineer 
by trade. His death occurred in New Jersey, 
where he had been located for several years. 
The only son of the Captain, Edward, a bright 
lad, died at the age of twelve years, and the 
daughter, Eleanor, is the wife of G. A. Embler, 
a grocer of this citj-. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison 
are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Until a few years ago tlie Captain was 
a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. It 
has fallen to his lot to save sixteen lives threat- 
ened with watery graves, the first of these in- 
stances occurring when he was a boy of only 
twelve veal's. 



Gl LANSON Y. WELLER, junior member of 
LI tlie firm of Schoonmaker & Weller, drj-- 
/ I goods merchants of Newburgh, is also Di- 
rector of the National Bank of that city. He 
conies of an honorable Orange County family, and 
was born in Montgomery, that county, Septem- 
ber 21, 1837. His father, Alfred Weller, was a 
native of the town of Crawford and was born in 
1800, while Grandfather Henry Weller was of 
German descent. The latter was an extensive 
farmer, and the owner of four hundred acres of 
valuable land, which was di\-ided between his 
three sons. 

Alfred Weller farmed the old homestead nearly 
all his life, but several j-ears before his death, 
which occurred in 1866, when-in his sixty-seventh 
year, lived retired in the town of Montgomery. 



In politics he was a true-blue Republican, after 
the formation of the party, and for many years 
was Trustee of the Presbyterian Church. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Dicker- 
son, and was al.so a native of the town of Craw- 
ford. Her father, Adam Dickerson, was a native 
of this county, and spent his entire life in this lo- 
cality on a farm. 

Our subject was one in a family of eight chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to mature years with one 
exception, and four are now living, tho.se besides 
himself being James H., engaged in the dry-goods 
business at Yonkers, N. Y. ; Eliza, Mrs. John 
Harris, of Middletown, this county; and Celia, 
the wife of Milton Bull, of the town of Craw- 
ford. 

Alan.son Y. Weller remained on the home farm 
until nineteen years of age, after which he took a 
cour.se of study in the Montgomery Academy. In 
1856 he came to Newburgh as clerk for A. K. 
Chandler, a dry-goods merchant of this city, re- 
maining in his employ for six years. At the ex- 
piration of that time, January 25, 1863, he formed 
a partnership with John Schoonmaker and S. C. 
Mills in the dry-goods business. The three 
young men, who were at that time clerking in as 
many different .stores in the city, bought out the 
gentleman for whom Mr. Schoonmaker was work- 
ing and continued in the old location at the cor- 
ner of Third and Water Streets from 1863 to 1878. 
In the latter year they purchased their present 
site and erected thereon a large brick building, 
three stories and a basement, 30x80 feet in di- 
mensions. The first floor is devoted to general 
dry goods, while on the second may be found a 
complete line of cloaks, shawls, etc. The next 
floor is .stocked v^'itli blankets, curtains of every 
variety, and drapery. The basement is used for 
muslin and wool underware and in it the citizens 
of Newburgh ma)' find many bargains in ready- 
made articles. The building is fitted out with 
every known convenience, including a passenger 
elevator. The firm give employment to about 
thirty people and carry on the most extensive 
business in this line in the city. 

Mr. Weller was married in Newburgh, in 1863, 
to Miss Mary A. Simpson, who was born in this 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



city in 1838. She was the daughter of Joseph and 
Amelia Simpson, the former of whom was of 
Scotch-Irish extraction. To our subject and his 
wife there liave l)een born three chiklreii, of whom 
Frank S., a jjraduale of the academy, is in the 
wholesale grocery business: George S., who is 
also completing his education in the academy, is 
engaged in the coal business on the corner of Lake 
Street and Broadway ; ^L^y is carrying on her 
studies in the Misses Mackie's school. 

During the war our .subject was a member of 
the Union League. A stanch supporter of Re- 
publican principles and candidates, he takes a 
great interest in the success of his party. He is 
a member of the Board of Trade, and since 1892 
has been Director in the National Bank of New- 
burgh. In the Union Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is a member, he also holds the office of 
Trustee. Mr. Wellerand family (xrcnpy oneof the 
most beautiful homes in the city, it being located 
at No. ifSH Grand Street. 



••5^- 



,^^». 



©AMl'EL J. HILTON, Alderman from the 
?\ Fourth Ward of Newbnrgh, is in every re- 
Vy spect a self-made man. He was born in 
this city, July 4, 1850, being the fourth in the 
family of William Hilton. Our subject was 
reared in his native city, and received his educa- 
tion' in the public schools, together with a short 
term in the academy and in the private school of 
Mr. Chapman. In 187 1 he l)egan to learn the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed as an ap- 
prentice and journeyman until June, 1887, when 
he began contracting and building for himself, 
his office and shop being at Nos. 95 and 97 Front 
Street. He became a most successful contractor 
and builder, and among the many buildings he 
erected may be mentioned the Imperial ^'lats, 
the Skidmore Mercantile Company building, the 
Newburgh Music Hall, residence of T. H. Skid- 
more, Jr., and two hou.ses for F. E. Estabrook, 
he employing as many as fifty men in the prose- 
cution of his work. He continued in this busi- 
ness until March, 1S94, when he disposed of it 



and became active as a member and Director of 
the Skidmore Mercantile Company, which was 
formed in 1890, Mr. Hilton at that time pur- 
chasing a few shares of its stock, and one year 
later becoming a Director of the company. Jan- 
uary 21, 1895, Mr. Hilton and Mr. Howard 
bought out the Skidmore Mercantile Company, 
and the firm is now known as Hilton & Howard. 
The business of this company is quite exten.sive, 
and Mr. Hilton has proved that he is well 
adapted to the business. He is a member of the 
Newburgh Building and Loan Association, of 
which he is also a Director. 

In 1893 Mr. Hilton was nominated and elected 
on the Republican ticket as Alderman from the 
Fourth Ward. The ward had always been 
.strongly Democratic, and for many years had 
never been served by a Republican, but our sub- 
ject was elected by a majority of thirty- eight 
votes, thus proving his popularity. Asa member 
of the Board of Aldermen, he was made Chair- 
man of the Police and also of the Light Connnit- 
tee, a member of the Fire Department and of the 
Auditing Connuittees. He has always been an 
active and straight Republican, having ser\'ed his 
party as a member of the City Central Commit- 
tee, and of the County Central Committee for a 
number of years. He has also been sent as a 
delegate to the state convention of his party, and 
is ever ready to do all that he can to advance its 
interests. Socially he is a member of the Royal 
Arcainim, and religiously he is a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church. 

In 1S83 Mr. Hilton was united in marriage 
with Mi.ss Sarah Wil.son, a native of Newburgh, 
who was born in the same house in which her 
wedding ceremony was performed. She is a 
daughter of Robert and Ivliza Wil.son, the former 
a native of Ireland, but who died here some years 
ago. The latter is still living and makes her 
home with the .subject of this sketch. 

Few men in Newburgh are more popular than 
Samuel J. Hilton. He is a well built and fine 
looking man, honest and upright in all his deal- 
ings, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all 
with whom he is associated. He is an old fire- 
man, not in vcarsoflife, but in vears of .service. 




HORATIO is Ul-X KMAN 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



379 



and, like all persons who have at any time been 
connected with the volunteer fire department, his 
interest is with the boys who so often risk their 
lives to save the property of their fellow-men, 
and he is ever ready to extend to each and every 
one a helping hand. 



*i-i"i"i"i-'^ 



HORATIO B. BECKMAN. The scientific 
researches and investigations made by this 
gentleman, together with his skill as a ma- 
chinist and his useful inventions, have brought 
him into prominence among the citizens of New- 
burgh and the people of Orange County. He 
dates his residence here from February, 1865, when 
he came to Newburgh as an expert in engines and 
boilers, under special employ of Alexander Cald- 
well, who was a boiler manufacturer, and superin- 
tendent of the steammills. Mr. Beckman was 
placed in charge of the machinery of the mill as 
master mechanic; subsequentlj' he was promoted 
to be a.ssistant superintendent, and in 1869 be- 
came superintendent and agent, which position 
he has since filled. 

In 1880 the mill was rebuilt, its capacity nearly 
doubled, and a seven-hundred horse-power Cor- 
liss engine introduced. The entire length of the 
building is now three hundred and forty-three 
feet, with seventy-seven feet on the wings. In 
front of the mill stretches a large and well kept 
lawn, adding greatly to the neat appearance of 
the place. Employment is furnished to about 
four hundred hands, and the finest quality of 
products is turned out. A private room has been 
fitted up by the superintendent with everything 
necessary for a well equipped mechanic's work- 
shop, and here he spends much of his time in de- 
vising and constructing tools and apparatus for 
facilitating the work of the factory. 

The Beckman family is of Swedish origin. 
Our subject's grandfather emigrated to this coun- 
try prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he 
participated, taking part in the battle of Bunker 
Hill. He was a farmer in New Hampshire, 
where he died at the age of ninety-nine years. 
The father, Israel R., was born in the Granite 



State in 1780, and was a man of far more than 
ordinary ability, being a mechanical genius. On 
his farm he had a machine-shop, and much of his 
time was devoted to that work. His death oc- 
curred at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, Bet- 
sey Eaton, was born in Saybrook, N. H., and 
died at the age of eighty-four. Her father, Capt. 
Reuben R., was a sea-captain, and for many 
years was captain of a brig that ran between the 
United States and West Indies. 

The youngest of eleven children, Horatio B. 
Beckman was born in Sanbornton, N. H., July 
30, 1831. He received an academic education, 
and after leaving school taught for a short time. 
In boyhood he learned the machinist's trade, and 
added to that, bj- regular apprenticeship to his 
brother in Amesbury, Mass., the trade of a pat- 
tern-maker. For one year he was employed in 
building scales at Concord, N. H., and also 
worked in a cotton- mill for a short time. About 
the .same time he invented the first electric motor 
that he ever made. Returning to Ma.ssachu.setts, 
he clo,sed up a protective-union store, and for one 
year was chief engineer on a steamer on the coast 
of Massachusetts, when he engaged in pattern 
work at Newburyport, Mass. , also doing business 
as a machinist. In 1851 he went to Lowell, 
Mass., where he perfected machinery for the man- 
ufacture of spoke shaves. 

Returning to Newburyport, Mr. Beckman was 
employed as a machinist in the Bartlett Cotton- 
mills for a year, and was then raised to the post 
of engineer-in-charge. During the period of his 
residence there he became an intimate friend of 
N. C. Greenough, the chronometer-maker, and 
his evening hours were devoted to learning watch- 
making. Later he was expert machinist for Cor- 
liss & Nightingale, of Providence, R. I. In i860 
he accepted a lucrative offer from Carr, Brown & 
Co. , comb-makers, as an inventor and builder of 
comb machinery, and in that capacity introduced 
machinerj' that revolutionized the entire trade. 
All the machinery used at that time in the man- 
ufacture of combs was the result of his inventive 
skill. His next enterprise was the starting of a 
hoopskirt factory, in which he projected and car- 
ried out a number of his inventions. The years 



38o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



between 1860 and 1865 were devoted entirely to 
inventing, and in 1S61 he originated the Torsillian 
pipe and the Torsillian condenser. His feetl- 
water heater and precipitator for steam genera- 
tors, alsi> inventeii in 1S65. is an apparatus for 
purifying the water for steam Ixiilers and for 
equalizing the temjierature throughout the Iwilers. 
so as to preserve them froni the effects of unequal 
expansion and contraction. He inventetl an 
ejector condenser, the principle of which he ap- 
plied to the gas ejector. From 1S57 until i860 
he made a special study of the causes of boiler 
explosions, the reason for which he fotnid in the 
unequal exjxinsion of iron, and in order to pre- 
vent that he constructetl his tlevice for boilers by 
which they are fed from the top instead of the 
bottom. This plan is now universally adopted. 

In the organization of the Newburgh Edison 
Electric Illuminating Company. Mr. Beckman 
was a prominent factor, being the electrician of 
the company, and now its President. Of the 
works with which he is connected as superintend- 
ent he is al.so a Director and stockholder, and to 
his efiforts the success of the mills may be attrib- 
uteil. The manufactured product, a fine quality- 
of print cloth, is handleti by Gamer & Co.. of 
New York Citv. As a stockholder of the Muchat- 
toes Lake Ice Company, a stockholder and Di- 
rector of the Columbus Trust Company and the 
Academy of Music, and a stockholder in the Arc 
Light Company, he has contributed to the suc- 
cess of these several enterprises. 

At Newbur>port, Mass., in 1S50. occurrevl the 
marriage of Mr. Beckman and Miss Susan C. 
Dow. a native of that city. Seven of their nine 
children are living, the two sons being Charles 
A., a graduate ot Eastman's Commercial College 
of Poughkeepsie, and lK>okkeeper for the New- 
burgh Steam Mills: and Horatio B., Jr. The latter 
graduated from Newburgh Academy, was a stu- 
dent in Cornell College, and subsequently gradu- 
atetl from Eastman's Business College at Pough- 
keepsie. He is a talented young man, with a 
natural genius for mechanics. The youngest 
daughter. Bertha, is a fine musician, and has 
been given the best advantages for the study of 
that art. 



For three years, beginning with 1876. Mr. 
Beckman was a member of the Board of Water 
Commissioners. From Mayor B. B. Odell he re- 
ceivetl his appointment as a member of the Civil 
Ser\-ice Commission of the city of Newburgh 
ser\-ing several years, and being President of tlu 
board. During the administration of Mayor Mi- 
chael Doyle he also served two years. A Demo- 
crat in politics, he was. in 1SS7, elected upon that 
ticket to represent the Fourth Ward in the Com- 
mon Council. During his six years' service in 
that position, he took an active part in municipal 
affairs, and serveil as Chairman of the Street 
Committee and a member of other committees. For 
years he has been County Commissioner. He is. 
in addition to his other lines of work, a Notar\ 
Public. Socially he belongs to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the 
encampment. In 1857 he was made a Master 
Mason in St. Mark's Lodge, Newbur>-port, and 
in 1S66 joined Newburgh Lodge. He is a mem- 
ber of Highland Chapter, R. A. M.: Hudson 
River Commandery, K. T. : and also of the An- 
cient Scottish Rite of Northern Jurisdiction, in 
which he has received the thirty-second degree. 
Before Edison gained his present fame, he was 
acquainted with him, and he was also associate<! 
with Professor Doughty, of Newburgh, in hi- 
scientific researches. Many other well knowr. 
scientists have been his personal friends. In hi- 
chosen field of activity he has achieved remark- 
able success, and the practical inventions in me- 
chanics due to his ingenuity and skill entitle 
him to the esteem and admiration of all who de- 
sire the promotion of the common welfare and the 
advancement of the general gootl. 



HAMES E. O MALLEY, a. B.. M. D. The 
I name of this gentleman is well known in 
(2/ the city and town of Newburgh. where he is 
regarded as a skilled phj"sician, accurate in the 
diagnosis of intricate cases and judicious in their 
treatment. During his residence here he has ac- 
quired an increasing and remunerative practice. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381 



which now ilemands his entire lime and atten- 
tion, affording him little opportunity lor taking 
an active part in matters of a public nature. 

The anniversary of Washington's birthday is 
of especial interest to our subject, for upon that 
(lay in 1861 he made his advent into the world, 
his birthplace being in Binghamton, N. V. His 
father, Ivdward, was born in County Limerick, 
Ireland, the youngest of five brothers, and the 
first of the number to come to America, emigrat- 
ing hither in early manhood. In Binghamton 
he learned the taiuier's trade, and for a time was 
foreman of a tannery, but afterward entered the 
grocery business, which he carried on at Deposit 
until his death, in 1891. After his demise the 
store was conducted by his sons, Michael and 
l{ilward, until the death of the former, .since 
which time I{dwanl has managed it alone. 

The Doctor's mother, Bridget Halpin, who was 
born in County Limerick, Ireland, emigrated to 
America in girlhood, and was married in Bing- 
hamton to Mr. O'Malley. She died in 1890, two 
weeks before the death of her husband. They 
were the parents of three sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom two sons and two daughters sur- 
\ive, James K. being the eldest. He was reared in 
Binghamton and Deposit, graduating from the De- 
posit High School at fifteen years of age. Later, 
entering the Niagara University at Suspension 
Bridge, N. V., he was graduated from that in- 
stitution in 1 88 1, with the degree of A. B. 
During his college course he was editor of the 
X/a^i^'-cr/ii Index, the college journal. On com- 
pleting his literary studies, he spent a few months 
in Kastnian's Business College, graduating in 
1881. He then accepted a position as local edi- 
tor on the staff of the Binghampton Evening 
Leader, with which he remained for three years. 

Having in this way gained the means neces- 
saiT for the prosecution of his profes.sional studies, 
our subject entered the department of medicine 
and surgery of the University of New York, and 
after a thorough course he was graduated with 
the degree of M. D. For eighteen months after- 
ward he held the important position of phy.sician 
and surgeon of Bellevue Ho.s])ital, being first on 
the medical .staff and later on the surgical force. 



In April, 18S8, he came to Newburgh, where, 
ecpiipiied with the practical knowledge of his 
profession gained through his ho.spital work, he 
at once entered upon practice. For three years 
he was attending physician and surgeon to St. 
Luke's Ho.spital, but this position he resigned in 
May, 1894, and since then has allowed 110 out- 
side inducements to draw him I'rom his general 
practice. 

The lady who in i8(j2 became the wife of Dr. 
0'Malle>- was Miss Mary V . Donahue, a native 
of Newburgh and daughter of Michael Donahue, 
a well known undertaker of this place. Mrs. 
O'Malley was reared and educated here, and is a 
graduate of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary. The Doc- 
tor's office is located at No. 179 Liberty Street. 
He is a charter member and medical examiner of 
the Catholic Benevolent League, and is serving 
the Order of Foresters, of which he is a member, 
and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in a similar 
capacity. An active worker in St. Patrick's 
Church, he is a Director in Columbus Hall, 
opened h\ the Catholic Benevolent League. 
Everything pertaining to his profession receives 
his cordial support, if in his belief it will prove 
beneficial to the cau.se. He is a member of the 
County Medical vSociety, the meetings of which 
he attends whenever po.ssible. His political af- 
filiations are with the Democratic party. 



gh;ORGE USHP:R is a very successful and 
practical contractor and builder, vvho.se home 
is in Newburgh. In February, 1895, ^'^ 
erected a brick shop on Mill Street, near Has- 
brouck. The structure is two stories in height, 
25x50 feet in dinien.sions, and is provided with 
an electric motor. Mr. Usher is a member of the 
Carpenters' Employers' Union, and .stands well 
among the builders of the city. Socially he is a 
Ma.son, being identified with Newburgh Lodge 
No. 309. 

The grandfather of the al)ove gentleman, also 
George Usher, was born in Northumberland, 
England, and was a descendant of a distinguished 
old vSaxon family. He followed a ]ieaceful agri- 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cultural life and died at a ripe old aj;e. Our sub- 
ject's father, Mathew, was horn in the same lo- 
cality, and was a gunsmith by trade. His last 
years were spent in the southern part of Scotland, 
where he had a good position as gamekeeper for 
a landed proprietor. He died when but fifty-four 
years of age. His wife, Jane, was a daughter of 
Chri.stopher Auburn, also of Saxon lineage, and 
a gamekeeper by occupation. Mr. Auburn and 
his daughter were natives of the same shire as 
was Mr. Usher. They were all adherents of the 
Episcopal Church, and were straightforward, 
honorable people in all their dealings with their 
fellow-men. 

George Usher was born in Newcastle, North- 
umberland County, England, April 24, 1840, be- 
ing one of four children. His brother Christo- 
pher runs a grocery in Philadelphia. Our sub- 
ject was reared in his native land until six years 
of age, when with his j)arents he moved to Scot- 
land, settling in Roxburyshire, on the banks of 
the Tweed River. He was educated at the Kelso 
schools, and when he was in his seventeenth year 
was apprenticed to a carpenter, for whom he 
worked some five years. In 1861 he enlisted in 
the Royal Horse Guards, and was always found 
at his jiost of duty during the five years of his 
connection with that famous organization. In 
1 866 he left Liverpool on the .steamer "Damas- 
cus," and sixteen days later set foot in Portland, 
Me. 

After his arrival in Newburgh, Mr. I'shcr en- 
tered the employ of vSamuel & William Martin, 
l)y whom he was esteemed as one of their most 
faithful and reliable men. For eleven years he 
continued with this well known firm, and then 
concluded to set up in business for himself. Un- 
der the style of Usher & Wilson, business was 
conducted until the death of his partner, William 
Wilson, after which Mr. I'sher was alone for a 
couple of years. Later J. F. Templeton became 
interested in the business, but in the fall of 1894 
the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, 
since which time our subject has been alone. In 
addition to his regular line of work he is an arch- 
itect of no small ability and has drawn up plans 
for maiiv handsome buildiiiirs. It would he fntik- 



to attemjit to mention one-tenth of the many 
structures he has put up in Newburgh and vicin- 
ity, for the number of these would reach over 
three hundred, but we would state that he as- 
sisted in building the City Hall, Fletcher's Block, 
the Wilcox Lawn-mower factory, McGreggor's 
Building, the Coldwell Lawn-mower factory and 
the residence of Charles E. Williams. 

In 1870 Mr. Usher was married, in this city, to 
Charlotte Lees, who was born in Manchester, 
England. The worthy ciJuple have four children, 
three daughters and one .son, namely: E.stella, 
Lottie, Flora and George, Jr.. the latter of whom 
is in business with his father. The family resi- 
dence is a pretty and cozy one at No. 61 Mill 
Street. Mr. and Mrs. Usher are members of St. 
George's Episcopal Church, and are always great- 
ly interested in measures which tend to uplift and 
benefit humanity. In his political faith Mr. 
Usher is a true-blue Republican. 



|ILLIAM W. COLLINS, Superintendent 
of the Almshouse at Newburgh, is an effi- 
cient incumbeiit of this position and is pop- 
ular with all. He is very progressive, and since 
taking this responsible office has caused an addi- 
tion to be built to the Almshouse, which now has 
over one hundred inmates. In politics he is an 
active Republican, and is interested in everj- move- 
ment pertaining to the imjirovement of his com- 
nuuiity. 

Our subject was born in the town of Newburgh, 
March 14, 1858, but his father, James Collins, 
was born in the North of Ireland. The latter was 
of Scotch-Iri.sh parentage and the son of James 
Collins, Sr., who .set sail for America when the 
father of our subject was a lad of five years. Aft- 
er being employed as canuan in New York City 
for some time he removed to Sullivan County, 
and from that time until his decea.se gave his at- 
tention to farm work. He was a devoted member 
of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church, with which 
he had been connected for many years. 

James Collins. Jr., lived in the metropolis until 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



383 



sixteen years of age, when he came to the town 
of Newburgh and began to do for himself by 
working out as a farm hand. He was married 
some years later, and purchased a tract of land on 
which he has made his home ever since. It is a 
valuable piece of property and is pleasantly lo- 
cated three miles from Newburgh. Mr. Collins 
is now in his sixtieth year. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Caroline E. Wilbur, a nativeof Dutchess County, 
this state, and the daughter of Clark Wilbur, 
who was also born there. He was a Quaker in 
religion and a well-to-do farmer. The parental 
family included two children, the sister of our 
subject being Anna, now Mrs Constable, of New- 
burgh. 

The subject of this sketch was given a good ed- 
ucation, and graduated from Newburgh Academy, 
receiving his diploma from this in.stitution in 
1S75. He then engaged in teaching school, but, 
not liking that vocation, abandoned it after one 
term and engaged in farming on a tract of land 
which he purchased three miles from the city. It 
isseveiity-one acres in extent, and when he lived 
upon it he devoted it to the raising of vegetables 
for the market, and also to dairy farming. 

May 17, 1893, by the committee selected for that 
purpose, our subject was appointed Superintend- 
ent of the Almshouse, to fill out a vacancy. So 
well did he discharge every duty devolving upon 
him that on the expiration of the term he was ap- 
pointed for the full time. The Almshouse is lo- 
cated on a tract of land seventy acres in extent, 
within the city limits, and aside from transacting 
the business which his position as Superintendent 
of the poor for both city and town demands, Mr. 
Collins gives his entire time and attention to the 
institution. He finds no time for outside duties, 
though he is faithful in the discharge of all that 
devolves upon him as a good citizen. 

Mr. Collins was married in Newburgh, Febru- 
ary 25, 1885, to Miss Eleanor J. L,owe, who was 
born in Saugerties, Ulster County, this state, Jan- 
uary 2, 1864. Her parents were_ William S. and 
Mary E. (Moran) I^owe, the former of whom is 
engaged in business in New York City. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Collins were born a son and daughter. 



Everette h- and Mary C. , the latter of whom died 
June 12, 1894, aged five years and three months. 
Mr. and Mrs. Collins are both members of the 
Gardner Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
he is serving as Steward. In politics he is a true- 
blue Republican. 



^E 



61 DAM SCHAAD is superintendent of the 
LA H. F. Taintor Manufacturing Company of 
/ I Green Point, Brooklyn, N. Y., with which 
concern he has been connected in his present ca- 
pacity for thirty-two years. About 1875 he 
started in the cooperage business in Newburgh, 
the location of his plant being No. 131 Broadway, 
and he still carries on a large business in this 
line. He commenced at the bottom round of the 
ladder and has worked his way upward by his en- 
ergetic and industrious qualities. Personally he 
is a man who is universally esteemed and re- 
spected. 

Mr. Schaad was born in Oppenheim, Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, April 18, 1835, his par- 
ents being Christian and Julia (Weber) Schaad. 
The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a 
soldier in the French Revolution. The mother 
was a daughter of Adam Weber, a native of the 
same province and an agriculturist. Mrs. Schaad 
died in the Fatherland, leaving four children, of 
whom our subject is next to the youngest, and 
the only one in America. He received a good 
common-school education, and remained on the 
old homestead until December, 1853, when he 
left Havre, France, on the sailing-vessel "Ophir," 
landing in New York City January 13, 1854. 
Going to Rochester, N. Y., young Schaad learned 
to manufacture paint in the Commercial Paint 
Works, of which he later became superintendent. 

In 1857 Mr. Schaad moved to Poughkeepsie, 
continuing in the employ of the old concern, and 
in 1866 came to Newburgh. Here the Commer- 
cial Paint Works conducted a plant on Front 
Street until 1881, when H. F. Taintor became 
proprietor of the business. In 1887 it was moved 
to Green Point, where it has since been located, 
the firm being known as the H. F. Taintor Man- 



5S4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



ufacturing Company. The products ofthefac- 
tj>ry are shippe<l to all parts of the world, and the 
establishment is one of the largest of its kind in 
.•\merica. 

The home of Mr. .Schaad is at Xo. 201 Third 
Street. He was first married in Rochester to 
Mar>- Ramsteder, who was born in Havaria. Of 
their children, Elvina diet1 in Xewbnrgh; Mathew 
is a night foreman at the mannfactory: Kate. Mrs. 
Powell, is at home: .\dam, Jr., is employed by 
the company of which his father is snpcrintendent, 
as is also the ne.xt yonnger son, George, who is a 
shipping clerk: Annie, Lizzie and Mary are at 
hon\e: Harliara and Johnny are deceased: Joseph 
is bookkeeper in his father's cooperage: and Rob- 
ert is in the operating department of the same. 
May 28, 1S79, Mr. Schaad married Louisa Maf- 
fert, who was born in Wurtend^erg. Her father, 
John NLiffert. a soldier in the French Revolution. 
was a tailor by trade, and followed that business 
after his emigration to Xewbnrgh. His wife died 
soon after their arrival in .America. To our sub- 
ject and his present wife there were boni four 
children, namely: Eva, Agnes. Lnhi and Julia. 
the latter of whom is det^a.sed. 

Politically our subject has been very active in 
the Denuxrratic party, has attended several of its 
conventions, and was President of the German 
DenuKratic Club of Xewbnrgh at one time. He 
is a prominent mendier of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, to which he gave liberally of his means 
for the erection of the present noble church edifice. 

' ^^^-^ ^ P • 



EAPT. HIRAM F. HATHAWAY, the gen- 
ial and well known collector on the New- 
burgh ^: Fishkill Ferry, is one of the old 
residents of Xewbnrgh. In July, iS6t, he en- 
listed in the defense of his belovetl country as a 
member of Company A, Tenth Legion, or Fifty- 
sixth Xew York \'olunteers, being nuislered in 
at Washington's Headquarters July 31. He was 
sent to the front and took part in the Pennsyl- 
vania campaign, the mananivres in South Car- 
olina, the engagement at Morris Island, was pres- 
ent at the battles of Xewbern, X. C and Beau- 



fort, S. C, and, in short, was in all of the actions 
in which the Fifty -sixth was concerned. He en- 
tered the service as a private and was mustered 
out in Xovember, 1S64, as a Corporal. Grand 
.■\rmv afl[;\irs have always been of great interest 
to him, and he is a menil)er of KUis Post. 

Horn in Xewburgh, Augu.st 7, 1842, the Cap- 
tain is a son of Col. Odell S. Hathaway, a native 
of Morristown, N. J. The Colonel's father emi- 
grateil from Scotland to Xew Jersey and after- 
ward came to Xewburgh. O. S. Hathaway was 
rearetl in this city, and learned the shoemaker's 
trade, later engaging in business as a leather and 
hide merchant, and running a tannerA' at the foot 
of South Street, first in partnership with a Mr. 
Sneed and later alone. He also had a large 
wholesale hardware store on Water Street, near 
Third, and for many years, or until his resigna- 
tion from that place of honor, was President of 
the Quas,saick Bank. For three years he servetl 
as a member of the Legi.slature. His title of Col- 
onel was won in the early days of the Xew York 
State Militia. Politically he was first a Whig 
and subsequently a Democrat, the oidy jDublic 
office which he ever held being that of Supervi.sor, 
in which he acquitted himself with ability during 
a five-year term. He was a Trustee and one of 
the pillars of St. George's Episcopal Church. 
His wife. Miss Helen Birdsall prior to her mar- 
riage, was a native of Xewburgh, and her grand- 
father. Colonel B. Belknap, was a (Quartermaster in 
the Revolutionary War. Colonel Hathaway and 
his wife had ten children who grew to mature 
years, and six of the number are still living. 
William was Adjutant in the Xineteenth Xew 
York Regiment, and later was Major of a com- 
pany of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth \"ol- 
unteers. Jo.siah was in the United States navy 
during the Civil War. 

Captain Hathaway, of this sketch, was reared 
in this city, and here attended the public schtxils. 
His father had purchased about two hundred 
acres at Balmville, which he improved and oper- 
ated as a farm. _ In his honor Hathaway 's Glenn, 
the present home of J. A. P. Ramsdell, was 
named, and in that locality our subject passed his 
childhood. On his return from the war he de- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



385 



cided to go westward, aiid in 1866 went to Racine, 
Wis., obtaining a position as baggagemaster on 
the old Western Union Railroad, between Racine 
and Rock Island, 111. Later he was promoted to 
be conductor, and .served the company faithfully 
for nearly .seven years. In 1873 he returned to 
Newburgh and engaged in farming near Gedney 's 
Mills for some .six years. In 1887 he was offered 
his present po.sition and decided to accept it. He 
makes from thirty-three to thirty-six trips in 
twenty-four hours, and is one of the steadiest and 
most reliable collectors of the ferry line. 

December 4, 1878, our subject married Carrie 
Maston, of Newburgh, but a native of Kingston. 
Her father. Captain M. Maston, was formerly in 
charge of the steamer "Alida," running between 
Rondout and New York City. His death oc- 
curred in February, 1S68. Mr. and Mrs. Hath- 
away are members of St. George's Episcopal 
Church, and are active in religious and charita- 
ble enterprises. The former belongs to the Royal 
Arcanum, and has held several positions in the 
lodge, and in Ellis Po.st, G. A. R. 



NMGH McLERNON, a well known bu.siness 
man of Newburgh, has established him.self 
in the confidence and good-will of the peo- 
ple of this city and locality by his uniformly 
fair and upright dealings. He has been success- 
fully engaged in contracting and building for 
many years, and is regarded as one of the self- 
made men of the community , in who.se prosperity 
he takes great interest. 

Like many of the best residents of Orange 
County, Mr. McLernon is a native of Ireland, 
his birth occurring in 1853 in County Derry, 
where his father, James McLernon, was a farmer. 
His mother, who in her maideidiood was Mary 
Shannon, was also of Irish birth and parentage. 
In 1872 Hugh determined to come to America, 
and on his arrival here made his way to New- 
burgh, where he first obtained employment in a 
.soap factory. One year later he became an ap- 
prentice to Thomas Dobbin, a brick mason, con- 



tinuing in business with him for four years, or 
until engaging in business for him.self 

In 1879 our subject engaged in building and 
contracting in partnership with James .Stewart, 
but in 1 891 the partnership was dissolved. For 
sixteen months thereafter Mr. McLernon resided 
in Yonkers, but .since that time has made his 
abode in Newburgh. He is a reliable and trust- 
worthy business man, and has erected many of 
the largest public buildings and finest residences 
in the city, among them being the City Hall and 
the Arno Building, besides numerous flats. He 
employs each sea.son from twenty-five to thirty 
men. 

Mr. McLernon married in this city, in April, 
1880, Miss Mary Nelson, a native of Ireland, 
her birth occurring in County Cavan, in 1858. 
She has become the mother of five children , name- 
ly: Mary, Jennie Maude, Nelson, Robert and Flor- 
ence. In religious affairs our subject is a member 
of the American Reformed Church, and in pol- 
itics gives his allegiance to the Republican party. 
He is not an aspirant for office, much preferring 
the duties of civil life to the turmoil of politics, and 
he is always just and con.siderate of the rights of 
all with whom he is brought in contact, and con- 
scientious in his observance of all the proprieties 
of life. Thus he has made many friends, whose 
respect grows .stronger with more intimate ac- 
quaintance. 



["■rank M. TUMA, general foreman of the 
|3 roundhou.se and engine-dispatcher of the 
I Erie Railroad at Newburgh, was born in 
Rutherford, Bergen County, N. J., August i, 
1865. His father, John Tuma, who was a Catho- 
lic in religious belief, was a native of Germany, 
who emigrated when a young man to New Jer- 
sey, locating in the town of Rutherford, where 
he engaged in contracting, and there died March 
14, 1893. Soon after his arrival in Rutherford, 
he married Ann Raftry, a native of New Jersey. 
Ten children were born unto them, four of whom 
are now living, our subject being the eldest of the 
family. 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Frank M. Tuiua was reared and educated in 
the common schools of Rutherford, and when 
fourteen years of age was apprenticed as a ma- 
chinist in tlie Erie shops of Jersey City, serving 
in that capacity from May, 1880, until 1884. He 
was then made fireman on an engine running on 
the main line of the Erie Railroad, between Port 
Jervis and Jersey City, continuing in this capaci- 
ty until 1889, when he was given charge of an 
engine, and for the next two years ran trains on 
every division and branch of the Erie Road. 

In September, 1891, Mr. Tuma was promoted 
and made general foreman and engine-dispatcher 
at Newburgli, being given charge of the round- 
house, which has a capacity of seven engines, 
together with the car and machine shops adjoin- 
ing, in which about sixty-five men are constantly 
employed. As a railroad man, he thoroughly 
understands his business, and is popular with all 
the employes and with those having business 
with his office. 

Mr. Tuma was married, in Suffern, X. V., to 
Miss K. A. Regan, a native of that city. They 
now reside in a pleasant residence at No. 25 
High Street, where they extend a welcome to all 
their friends. Mr. Tuma is a member of the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, holding 
membership with Hudson Division No. 135, of 
Jersey City. In politics he is entirely indepen- 
dent, voting for the man of his choice to what- 
ever party he may belong. 



^?^HOMAS McKENZIE, one of the wide-a- 
I C wake young business men of Newburgh, 
vJ/ who carries on operations as a contractor 
and builder, came to this county in May, 1884. 
He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1862, and 
belongs to one of the old families of that locality. 
His father, Murdo McKenzie, was engaged in 
hotel-keeping, and spent his last days in Inver- 
ness. He married Bella Gollan, who was born 
in the same county, where her father, Thomas 
Gollan, followed farming. She also died in In- 
■ verness. 



Thomas McKenzie was the second in a family 
of five children, and was reared and educated in 
Inveriie.ss and Ross-shire. At the age of seven- 
teen he was apprenticed to a carpenter in Ding- 
wall, and when his term of service had expired 
he worked as a journeyman for eighteen months. 
He then decided to tr>- his fortune in America, 
and in April, 1884, left Glasgow on the steamer 
"Divonia," reaching New York City on the 2d 
of May of that year. After working there for 
two months he went to Cornwall on the Hudson. 
He knew no one at that place, but he sought and 
obtained employiuent with Mead & Taft, and 
continued in their serv'ice for five years, serving 
as foreman for a part of the time. 

In 1889 Mr. McKenzie purcha.sed two lots at 
Washington Heights, Newburgh, at the Dickey 
sale, and built thereon a residence which he later 
sold. He then purchased land at the corner of 
Benkard Avenue and Clark Street, 60x150 feet, 
and built thereon a double house, a two-story 
brick residence and a shop. He also built and 
owns another double house adjoining his home. 
He began contracting and building here in 1889, 
and has erected some of the best buildings in the 
city, including the James Taylor residence on 
Grand Avenue, two houses for Mr. Garrison, five 
for Mr. Armstrong, the St. John's parsonage, 
the home of Dr. Townsend, two for Mr. McClu- 
gan on Grand Street, seven for Colonel Dickey at 
Washington Heights, the Herbert Graves resi- 
dence in Marlborough, and the McGarth residence 
in Chester. He has an excellent reputation, and 
an extensive business has come to him as the re- 
ward of his faithful service. 

Mr. McKenzie is a lover of fine horses, and 
owns some excellent ones, including "Lizzie 
M.," which was sired by "Chester Chief," and 
has a record of 2:35 '4, and can show a mile in 
2:20. His chief source of recreation he finds 
with his horses, for which he has a genuine love. 

Mr. McKenzie Vas married in Highland Falls, 
N. Y., in 1887, to Miss Barbara St. Clair, who 
was born in that place, and who is a daughter of 
George St. Clair, who is head carpenter for J. 
Pieqwnt Morgan. They have one living child, 
Belle. Aggie and Letitia, aged respectively three 




GKORGE A. TRICE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



and four and a-half years, died in 1894. The 
parents regularly attend the Covenanter Presb5'- 
terian Church, and Mr. McKenzie is a Republi- 
can in politics. 



^KOR(iE A. PRICE, for the last three years 
l_ Librarian of the Second Judicial Law Li- 
^J brarj' of Newburgh, and Crier for the courts 
of Orange County, was born in New York City, 
Februarj' 15, 1834, and is a son of William and 
liliza f Dobbs) Price, the former a native of Put- 
nam County, N. Y., and the latter of New York 
City. The Dobbs family is of Engli.sh descent, 
the great-grandfather of our subject coming from 
luigland and locating at what is now known as 
Dobbs' Ferry. He returned to his native land, 
however, during the Revolutionary War. The 
grandfather, William Dobbs, who was a soap 
chandler, served in the War of 18 12. His birth 
occurred in New York City, and he died there 
when about eighty years old. The father of our 
subject, William Price, who was reared in Putnam 
County, was a shipbuilder by trade, and for a 
time resided in New York City. There his mar- 
riage occurred, and there he died in 1838, at the 
age of forty-five years. He was a member of the 
Baptist Church. Grandfather Price and two un- 
cles .served in the Revolutionary War under Gen- 
eral Putnam. Our subject's mother died in 1881, 
at the age of eighty-one years. In the parental 
family were eleven children, nine of whom grew 
to manhood and womanhood, and six of whom 
are now living. John H. served with di.stinction 
during the Civil War as a member of the Ninth 
and also of the Seventy-first New York Infantry. 
He was bj- profession an attorney, and was lost on 
the steamboat "Atlantic," off Nova Scotia, in 
1873. William, who was for many years a large 
contractor and builder in Brooklyn, N. Y., died 
in 1894. 

The subject of this .sketch was reared in New 
York City, receiving his education in its public 
schools. When fourteen years of age he was ap- 
prenticed as a hou.sesmith with S. B. Althouse & 
Co. , and continued in their employ for five years. 

15 



He then engaged in carting until i860, when he 
came to Orange County and located at Stony Fort, 
where he kept a hotel in connection with the rais- 
mg of fine horses, principally of the Harableton- 
ian breed. In 1861 he went to Blooming Grove, 
where for a short time he was engaged in the ho- 
tel business. From 1861 to 1865 he resided at 
Salisbury, and from 1865 to 1869 he made his 
home in Wa.shingtonville. During the war he 
was known as a war Democrat. 

In 1869 Mr. Price removed to Cornwall, where 
he .still resides. On his removal to that place he 
opened the Sagamore Hotel, and afterward ran 
the Ellen Park Hotel, and continued in busine.ss 
there until 1890. In 1889 he was appointed Crier 
of the second division of the Court of Appeals, 
and held that position for four years, when the 
court was su.spended. In 1893 he was appointed 
Librarian by the Board of Trustees of the Second 
Judicial Law Library, which position he has since 
continued to hold. Some twenty years prior to 
this he was appointed Crier of the County Court 
by Judge Brown, and held that position under 
that judge for five years. He was re-appointed 
by Judge Wilkins and served under him for .six 
years. His next appointment to the office was 
made by Judge Beattie for six years, when by the 
unanimous voice of the Bar he was re-appointed, 
injanuary, 1895, for another six-years term. He 
is Crier for all the courts in Orange County. 

The law library of which Mr. Price is librarian 
was started bj' private subscriptions among the 
attorneys of the county and was continued as 
such for .some years. In 1886 it was made a state 
library-, and in 1893 our .subject was instrumental 
in having bills introduced and passed in the Leg- 
islature of the state for the appointment of a libra- 
rian. Our subject was selected by Judge Brown 
for that position, and the selection met with the 
approval of every attorney in Orange County. 
The library contains over four thousand volumes 
and is one of the best managed in the state of 
New York. 

In 1854 Mr. Price was united in marriage, at 
Goshen, with Miss Harriet E. Wood, a native of 
that town and a daughter of Abner Wood, a 
prominent old .settler and a survivor of the War 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BlUGRArHICAL RECORD. 



of 1812. She died H 1887, leaving four daugh- 
ters: Ella L. , now Mrs. Couser, of Cornwall; 
Alice J., now Mrs. H. M. Ryder, of Syracuse; 
Susan E. and Hattie E., who reside at home. 

In educational matters Mr. Price has for many 
years taken an active interest. He has been 
President of the Board of Education, and was the 
first man to introduce the free circulation of books 
in the public schools of any place in the state, and 
was the first to introduce steam heat in a pub- 
lic schoolhou.se. He was Clerk of the Board of 
Education for years, and has very advanced ideas 
on educational matters. Politically a Democrat, 
he has served on the County Central Committee, 
and has been a delegate to both county and state 
conventions. He was one of the organizers of the 
Storm King Fire Department at Cornwall on the 
Hudson, and was foreman for .several years, and 
is now an honorary member of the company. 
Socially he is connected with the Knights of 
Honor, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of 
Pythias. Few men are better kiiown in Orange 
County and none stand in higher esteem than the 
subject of this sketch. 



<X 'M"H"H"H"i"»"»» ^ -H"H"i"H"H'+'H' ^ 

(Tames Hastings, one of the ouie.st ami 

I most prominent busine.ss men of Newburgh. 
(2/ lakes great interest in the school matters of 
lijs comnuinity and is at present the incumbent of 
the office of School Trustee. He connnands a 
large and paying business, and is well known 
throughout the county as a man of honorable 
character and upright dealings with all with whom 
he is brought in contact. He is very fortunate 
in having in his employ James Neal, his efficient 
bookkeeper and busine.ss manager, who greatly 
relieves him and enables him to take trips which 
would otherwise have to be deferred. Mr. Has- 
tings has otie of the large.st plumbing e.stabli.sh- 
ments in the city, and to this is added a large 
stock of stoves, furnaces, etc. He al.so fills con- 
tracts for roofing, sheet- iron and tin work, and 
keeps in his employ only the best and most re- 
liable workmen. 

Our subject is a native of Ireland, and was 



born in Londonderry, in 1837. His father, 
Thomas Hastings, and his grandfather, who also 
btire that name, were both bom in that country, 
where the latter was a farmer by occupation. 
The Hastings family is of English descent, hav- 
ing lived in England before the Norman concpiest. 

Thomas Hastings, the father of our subject, 
came to America when a boy, and in Newburgh 
began clerking for the firm of Crawford, Mailler 
& Co. Some time thereafter he returned to the 
Emerald Lsle and was married, returning to 
America in 1838. He was then employed by 
Hiram Falls, on Water Street, and afterwards was 
for .some time in John K. Lawson & Bros.' hard- 
ware store. Failing health, however, compelled 
him to give up all forms of active business life, 
and he lived retired until his death in 1888, when 
about seventy-six years of age. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Jane Parker. Her father, John Parker, was a 
native of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Eng- 
land. He served in the English army for a peri- 
od of thirty-two years and was present at the bat- 
tle of Waterloo. For many years he was a pen- 
sioner of the English Government. Mrs. Has- 
tings is also deceased, passing away in 1847. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the elde.st 
in tiie parental family of eight children, was rear- 
ed in Newburgh, and until attaining the age ot 
seventeen years he was a student in the public 
schools. He was then apprenticed to learn the 
trade of a tinsmith in the shop of John Lonias & 
Co., a prominent firm of the village, and soon 
became an expert in the business. He was a 
member of the Home Militia, and in 1861, at the 
first tap of the drum, he volunteered and enlist- 
ed in Company I. Seventy-first New York Regi- 
ment, and was pre.sent at the first battle of Bull 
Run. His term of enlistment expiring at tlie 
end of tliree months, he re-enli.sted in the same 
regiment. 

On receiving his honorable discharge he re- 
turned home and began in business for him.self 
in a block on Broadway. In 1865 he erected a 
four-.story and basement edifice, 25x100 feet in 
dimensions, in which he carries on his busine.ss. 
The basement and first floor are devoted to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



stoves and tinware, while the other portions of 
the building are devoted to the furnaces, plumb- 
ing goods, roofing materials and sheet iron. He 
gives employment to about ten men and carries 
on the largest business in this line of any mer- 
chant in the city. 

Mr. Ha.stings has been a member of the School 
Board since 1886, being re-elected at the expira- 
tion of his term every four years. His services 
are greatlj' valued by the other members of the 
board, and he renders them much aid as Chair- 
man of the Building and Manual Training Com- 
mittees. Socially, he is a member of Newbuigh 
Lodge No. 308, F. & A. M. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
this city in 1864 was Miss Mary Brown, a native 
of this place and the daughter of William Brown, 
an old resident of Nevvburgh. To them have been 
born five children, namely: Jennie, now Mrs. 
John A. Wil.son, of Brooklyn; W. George, Dep- 
uty Postmaster of this city; T. James, engaged 
in business with his father; M. Ellen and Harriet 
B. , at home. 

In politics Mr. Hastings is an ardent supporter 
of Republican principles and candidates and has 
represented his party on various occasions as 
delegate to county conventions. He belongs to 
Fullerton Post No. 58, G. A. R., and Acme 
Lodge No. 469, I. O. O. F. Religiou.sly he is 
a devoted member of the Union Pre.sbyterian 
Church, to the .support of which he is a regular 
and liberal contributor. 



(tJTEPHEN M. BULL. There are few of the 
/\ residents of Orange County to whom this 
Vi/ gentleman is not known, either pensonally or 
by reputation. As a successful business man, 
and the sole pi'oprietor of a large wholesale gro- 
cery house, he is well known in the Hudson Val- 
ley, and has built up an extensive trade through- 
out this section of the state. The building in 
which he carries on bu.sine.ss is situated at the 
corner of Front and Fifth Streets, Newburgh, and 
extends four hundred feet on Front Street, and 
two hundred and fifty feet on Fifth. The three 



floors and basement are stocked with everything 
belonging to the grocery trade, and as the goods 
are bought for cash from finst hands, the custom- 
ers have the advantage of inside prices. 

The life which this narrative sketches began 
in Little Britain, this county, July 14, 1844, in a 
house where, nearh- a hundred years before, De- 
Witt Clinton had finst opened his eyes to the 
light. The father of Stephen M. was John Spring- 
stead Bull, who was born in the town of Monroe, 
this county, November 26, 1809, and died No- 
vember 17, 1876. The grandfather, Isaac, also 
a native of Orange County, followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer, together with the trade of a car- 
penter, and died in the town of Monroe. The 
great-grandfather, John, was born in Hampton- 
burg, N. Y., and was a farmer. 

The founder of the family in Orange County 
was William Bull, a native of Wolverhampton, 
England, born in February, 1689. In early man- 
hood he accompanied his father to Dublin, Ire- 
land, where he was apprenticed to learn the ma- 
son and stone-cutter's trade. At the expiration 
of his term of apprenticeship, he, with a friend 
who followed the .same trade, contracted to build 
the arch of a large bridge which was then in pro- 
ce.ss of erection in the vicinity of the city. Had 
they succeeded, the future historj' of the family 
might have been different; but just as they were 
closing the arch and finishing the job, the struc- 
ture fell, burying beneath it the brightest hopes 
of success on the part of the builder. 

Feeling that further effort in that community 
would be useless, Mr. Bull determined to emi- 
grate to America. He had five guineas, which 
the captain of a sailer told him would be sufficient 
to pay his passage to the New World, but on ar- 
riving in New York and tendering that sum he 
was told by the captain it was not enough. In- 
dignant at the trick played upon him, he declared 
that he would return to Ireland rather than be 
sold to pay his pa.ssage. At this juncture Daniel 
Cromline, who had an interest in the Wawayanda 
Patent, was at the port and wanted to employ 
some workmen for the patent. He advanced the 
money, so the young emigrant accompanied him 
to the patent to erect a building. He did the 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mason work on the dwelling, and on a stone in 
the chimney cut the year 1716. This was one of 
the largest houses outside of New Jersey, and be- 
came a popular public inn, as the road on which 
it was situated was the one generally used by 
emigrants. 

While making his home with Mr. Cromline, 
W'illinm Ihill became acquainted with Sarah Wells, 
and they were married in 17 18, in the double log 
cabin of Christopher Denn, theirs being the first 
marriage within the old town of Goshen. Sarah 
W'ells was born in New Jer.sey, opposite Staten 
Island, and being orphaned when about sixteen 
years old, was adopted b\- Chri-stojiher and Madam 
Denn, who then lived in New Jersey. In many 
respects she was a remarkable girl. She attend- 
ed to the marketing of the produce in New York 
and Staten I.sland, and although slender was 
very strong and agile. In di.sposition .she was 
fearle.ss. When Christopher Denn decided to settle 
in Wawayanda, he sent her with the carpenters 
and three Indians to the patent. They journeyed 
up the Hudson to New W'ind.sor, then twenty 
miles through the wilderness to the Otterkill, the 
site chosen for the settlement, reaching their 
destination in safety, and at once building a log 
structure for immediate use. 

It had been the intention of Christopher Denn 
to join his adopted daughter in five or six weeks, 
but after she started on her perilous journey he 
began to fear for her safety, and before sunrise of 
the morning after her departure he and his wife 
were on their way overland through New Jersey, 
and finally reached her as she was preparing the 
evening meal of the third day in the wilderness. 
Sarah Wells was therefore the first white woman 
on the patent, and the wife of Christopher Denn 
was the second. Her adopted father promised her 
one hundred acres of land from the patent from 
the company, who were selling it, for her share 
in settling it, and this land is in possession of the 
family at the present time. Her experiences in 
those early days were remarkable, and her adven- 
tures thrilling and dangerous. She often went 
to Brett's Mill, at the mouth of the Fishkill, rid- 
ing on horseback to the Hud.son, then rowing 
across the river. Reaching the mill, .she would 



have the grist ground, then row back and re- 
turn home, the trij) taking from one midnight 
to the next. 

After the marriage of William Hull and Sarah 
Wells, they located in what is now Hampton- 
burg, making their home in a log house from 
1719 until 1727, when he built a .stone house that 
is still standing. The town was nametl by him 
Hamplonburg in honor of his old English home. 
Although the Indians were unfriendly to white 
.settlers, and frequently performed acts of depre- 
dation, yet they were never molested, for they 
had often done favors for the savages, who appre- 
ciated their kindness and never disturbed them. 
The one hundred acres to which Sarah was en- 
titled she eventually received. Their house, be- 
ing of stone, was used by their neighbors as a 
place of refuge during the French and Indian 
War and the early part of the Revolution. Will- 
iam Bull died in p-ebruarj-, 1755, aged sixty-six. 
His wife, who was born April 6, 1694, died April 
21, 1796, aged one hundred and two years and 
fifteen days. They were buried at "Burying 
Hill," Hamptonburg, in the grounds he gave 
for that purpose. In their family were thirteen 
children. 

The father of our subject, in boyhood, entered 
the employ of David H. MoflTatt, a merchant at 
Washingtonville, who afterward became his broth- 
er-in-law. In 1832 J. S. Bull purchased the bus- 
iness and continued until 1840, when he bought 
the Clinton homestead. He remained there until 
his death, November 17, 1876, at the age of nearly 
sixty-seven, his bifth having occurred November 
26, 1809. He was a member of the Independent 
Church at Blooming Grove. His wife, Currence 
B., was a daughter of Samuel Mofifatt, both being 
natives of Blooming Grove. He was a farmer 
and merchant at Washingtonville, and a member 
of an old and honored family of this locality. His 
father, Samuel, who was a farmer, died young, 
and the grandfather, Samuel, Sr., a native of 
County Antrim, Ireland, and a farmer there, emi- 
grated to America with two brothers, one of whom 
was a preacher and the other a lawyer. He and 
his wife Anna, who was born in the Emerald Isle, 
were buried in the Bethlehem Churchvard, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



on their gravestones are recorded the dates of 
their births and death, with the peculiarity of the 
change in recording at that time, so that they are 
quoted as being born "old style" and dying "new 
style." The mother of our subject was born Oc- 
tober 15, 1815, and died September 2, 1889. 

In the parental family there are five daugh- 
ters and three sons, four of whom reside in New 
Windsor, two in Washingtonville and two in 
Newburgh. Our subject was reared on the home 
farm and attended both the public and private 
schools. March 28, 1864, he came to Newburgh, 
and secured employment in the grocery store at 
No. 102 Water Street. Later he was with the 
same employer in the flour and feed business on 
Front Street until March 6, 1865, when he entered 
the employ of Johnson & Alsdorf, forwarding 
merchants and freighters. After clerking for 
them two years, he became clerk for Thomas H. 
Skidmore & Son, and by them was promoted to 
the position of manager. 

February i, 1879, Mr. Bull formed a partner- 
ship with Thomas H. Skidmore, under the firm 
name of Skidmore & Bull, in the wholesale gro- 
cery business, continuing the connection until 
February, 189 1, since which time he has been 
sole proprietor. He emplo3's fifteen hands in the 
building, and has five salesmen on the road, sell- 
ing their goods in the counties of Ulster, Orange, 
Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Greene, Colum- 
bia, Sullivan and Rockland, N. Y., Pike County, 
Pa., and Sussex County, N.J. He is the sole 
agent in this vicinity for the celebrated flour of 
Wa.shburn-Crosby, of Minneapolis, as well as oth- 
er western millers. Four steamers land at his 
dock. 

May 26, 1869, Mr. Bull and Miss Martha M. 
Oakley were united in marriage. Mrs. Bull is a 
daughter of Samuel Oakley, late of this cit)', 
where he engaged in the mercantile business. 
They are the parents of two children, namely: 
Emily Grace, a student in Wellesley College; and 
John Springstead, who is attending the Pennsyl- 
vania Military College at Chester, Pa. The fam- 
ily residence is at No. 192 Montgomery Street. 
Socially Mr. Bull is a gentleman of many plea.sing 
attributes, which have won fur him the friendshij) 



of those with whom he is brought in contact. Of 
a genial, cheerful disposition, his jovial nature 
makes him a delightful companion and also en- 
ables him to take an optimistic view of affairs in 
general. He is identified with the Wholesale 
Grocers' Association of New York Citj- and vi- 
cinity, and is one of the original members of the 
Board of Trade. Politically he is a Republican. 
He is an active worker in the Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and for years has served the 
congregation as Treasurer and Trustee. 



.^1 



^■^ 



"^m 



\m^, 



-o 



Isi^' 



^ 



yyi ICHAEL J. DWYER. Since embarking in 

Y business at Newburgh in 1890, Mr. Dwyer 
(9 has been enjoying marked success as well as 
a constantly increasing trade. The yards which 
he owns are situated on the corner of Front and 
Fifth Streets, with a frontage of forty feet on the 
former street, and extending back to the Hudson. 
A large supplj' of Connecticut brown stone is 
kept on hand, as well as blue stone from Ulster 
County, and freestone from Ohio, Wisconsin and 
Connecticut. Steady employment is given to 
forty or fifty men, and in addition to furnishing 
stone for man>- of the finest buildings in the city, 
large contracts for flagging are also taken. He 
superintended the paving of Front and North Wa- 
ter Streets, putting in asphalt blocks, and furn- 
ished the stone for Columbus Hall, the City Club 
Building and the building occupied by J. Mc- 
Clugham & Bro., besides taking contracts for 
buildings in other cities. 

Cornwall on the Hudson is the native town of 
oursubject, and May 18, i860, thedateof his birth. 
His parents, Michael and Mary (Fogerty ) Dwyer, 
were born in Ireland, and emigrated to America 
prior to their marriage. The father w^as first a 
gardener in Newburgh and later was similarly en- 
gaged in Cornwall on the Hudson, where he died 
in March, 1895. His widow still makes her 
home in that place. Our subject was the fourth 
among .seven children, of whom all but two are 
living. His education was gained in the common 
.schools of his native town, but was quite meager. 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as he was early obliged to earn his own liveli- 
hood. Between the years of eight and twenty- 
one he was employed as a gardener for E. P. Roe, 
the famous novelist. I'pon attaining his major- 
ity he was apprenticed as a stone-cutter under 
John Day, of Newburgh, in who.se yards he re- 
mained from 1881 to 1885. Upon the expiration 
of his term of apprenticeship he did journeyman 
work, and for a time was emi)loyed at the resi- 
dence of Wliitelaw Reid, in White Plains, N. Y., 
al.so for six months worked at Ihe summer home 
of John Rockefeller, at Tarrytown. Later he was 
employed at West Point and other places. 

Coming to Newburgh in 1890, Mr. Dwyer 
formed a partner.ship with James Cftthcart, under 
the firm name of Cathcart & Dwyer. This con- 
nection continued until February, 1894, when he 
purchased Mr. Cathcart's interests, and since 
that time he has conducted the bu.siness alone. 
His pleasant residence at No. 15 William Street 
is presided over by his amiable wife, whom he 
married in New York City in January, 1891. 
She was Miss Nellie Reiley and was l)orn in New 
York City, where she continued to make her 
home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer 
are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and 
regularl> attend its services. 



_^v. ).. .♦■>♦;. 



.^^ 



^OHN McXIvAL is a mason ccjntractor and 
I builder who thoroughly understands his bus- 
v2? iness and is one of the mo.st successful work- 
men in Newburgh. It is now twenty-five years 
or more since he began business in this city, and 
during this time he has constructed hundreds of 
handsome residences and sub.stantial business 
blocks. On tiie Heights he erected three resi- 
dences, but .sold them as soon as completed. His 
cosey home is located at No. 13 Henry Avenue. 
Our subject is a native of Paisley, Scotland, 
his birth having occurred December 22, 1840. 
His father. John McNeal, Sr., was a tailor by 
trade, and was likewise a native of Paisley. In 
1843 he emigrated to the United States with his 
family, but on the \oyage his voung wife died. 



and he landed in New York with his three moth- 
erless children. A few years later he removed to 
Newburgh and continued to work at his trade 
steadily until shortly before his death, which oc- 
curred in 1877. In the parental family were two 
sons and one daughter, the latter of whom is de- 
ceased. Peter, a resident of New York City, was 
a member of the Sevent\- ninth State Militia dur- 
ing the war. 

Since he was twelve years of age John McXeal 
lias been a resident of Newburgh and attended 
the public schools for some time. In his early 
youth he was engaged at the butchering lousiness 
for a few months, then worked at tailoring for 
a while, and subsequently clerked in a grocery 
store for four years. In the spring of 1862 he 
enlisted in Company I, Seventy-first New York 
Militia, for over three months being on guard duty 
in Washington, which was threatened by the en- 
emy, and was mustered out with his regiment at 
New York City, at the clo.se of his term of service. 
Then he turned his attention to bricklaying and 
plastering under Kernehan & Bro. , and about 
1870 became a member of the firm of Harri.son 
& McNeal. doing a general contracting and build- 
ing business for a few years, since which time he 
has been alone. Among the buildings he has put 
up are the beautiful Catholic Church at Middle- 
town, a business block in Warwick, and innum- 
erable stores, warehouses, public buildings and 
l)rivate dwellings in Newburgh and adjoining 
towns. Fraternally he belongs to Fullerton Post 
No. 58, G. A. R. He has never been an as- 
pirant for political honors, though he di.scharges 
his duties as a citizen by voting the Republican 
ticket. 

The first marriage of Mr. McNeal united him 
with Elizabeth Wiseman, who was born in this 
city and who died here in 1876, leaving five chil- 
dren, one of whom is now decea.sed. The others 
are Margaret, who is a dressmaker in Brooklyn; 
Susan, wife of Homer Warden, of New York 
City; Archibald, head of the muslin department 
in Macy's dr>-goods hou.se in New York City; 
and Joseph, who is in business with his father. 
The lady who now liears our subject's name be- 
came his wife in 1878. She was formerh- Mi.ss 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



395 



Frances Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Cameron, 
and was born and reared to maturity in this city. 
Mr. McNeal was for twenty-five years a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, but now attends the 
Congregational Church, of which his wife is aLso 
a member. 



3 AMES K. KERNOCHAN, the leading liv- 
eryman of Cornwall on the Hudson, furni.sh- 
es a good line of buggies and carriages to 
the traveling public, and keeps a fine grade of 
horses on hand. He is well and favorably known 
in this county as the proprietor of the Brookside 
Stable."^, and is a man of good business ability and 
a high sense of honor. 

William Kernochan, the father of our subject, 
was a resident of Coldenham, this county, where 
for many years he was a farmer. He later carried 
on a hotel and was the proprietor of a well fur- 
nished house at the time of his decease, Decem- 
ber 17, 1891 , aged fift}'-nine j'ears. He married 
Miss Celia Kent, who was born in Montgomery, 
this county, and was the daughter of Thomas and 
Juliette Kent. At the time of her decease, De- 
cember 17, 1894, she was fiftN'-six years of age. 

The parental family included eight children, of 
whom we make the following mention: William 
is decea.sed; George W. is, the proprietor of a ho- 
tel at Coldenham; Joseph is engaged in the hard- 
ware business at Patterson; James K., of this 
sketch, was the fourth-born, Frank D. is book- 
keeper for the Au Sable Horse Nail Company in 
New York Citj'; Thomas is salesman in a boot 
and shoe house at No. 202 Church Street, New 
York City; Sadie is deceased; and Andrew is en- 
gaged with our subject in the livery business. 

The original of this sketch was born in Colden- 
ham, July 6, 1867. He passed his youthful days 
attending school in Montgomery, and was for 
some time employed around his father's hotel. 
He remained at home until 1891, in which year 
he came to Cornwall on the Hudson, and for .six 
months was proprietor of the Elm Park Hotel. 
This venture not proving a ver\' successful one, 
he sold out and inve.sted his capital in the livery 



business, having for his first partner a Mr. Kent. 
In April, 1892, however, he severed his connec- 
tion with that gentleman and has since been 
alone, locating at that time at his present place. 
His establishment is known as the Brookside 
Stables, and his livery is well equipped in every 
respect. 

Mr. Kernochan is the architect of his own fort- 
une, having acquired his handsome property en- 
tirely through his own efforts. In politics he is 
now a Republican, although for many years he 
was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. 
Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, while his hon- 
ored father stood high in Masonry. 



ULLIAM TWEED is, with perhaps one or 
two exceptions, the oldest builder and con- 
tractor in Newburgh in point of years that 
he has been engaged in the business. Many of 
the handsomest residences and public structures 
in the city and vicinity stand as evidences of 
his ability and good workmanship. At one time 
he was Secretary of the Newburgh Carpenters 
and Builders' Employers' Association, and is a 
charter member and Director in the Builders' 
Eoan Association. 

The parents of the above gentleman, Thomas 
and Sarah (Magill) Tweed, were both natives of 
Ireland. The father owned a farm in County 
Antrim, and died thereon in 1846, when in the 
prime of life. His wife brought her five children 
to America in 1859, the voyage being made by 
way of Eiverpoo! and New York on the steamer 
"Vigo," which covered the distance in twelve 
days. Mrs. Tweed died in Newburgh when in 
her sixty-.sixth year. 

William Tweed was born in County Antrim, 
Ireland, in 1844, and as his father died when he 
was two years old, he has no recollection of him. 
His education was attained in the national schools 
of the Emerald I.sle, which he attended until he 
was thirteen years of age. Having come to New- 
burgh with the other members of the family, he 
attended the public schools here for a few years, 
and when seventeen commenced .serving au ap- 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prenticesliip uiuler Samuel McKee. At the end 
of four years he bought out his employer's busi- 
ness, the new firm becoming Tweed & Eaton. 
This partnership continued to exist for fourteen 
years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. 

In place of Mr. Eaton our .subject afterward 
admitted C. W. Woodruff, his brother-i.i-law, 
into the partnership, their office being located at 
No. 31 Lutheran Street. Among the dwellings 
they have put up in the city are those of Mr. 
Covert, Mr. Bradley, the two owned by Mr. 
Fowler, that of Mr. McEwen, Mr. Frew, Mrs. 
Chambers, William Hender.son and Colonel Can- 
tine. The\' also erected Columbus Hall, a num- 
ber of offices, storehouses, etc., at West Point, 
and numerous public buildings here. Altogether 
Mr. Tweed has been engaged in contracting for 
over a quarter of a century, and at present owns 
a residence on Dubois Street and one on City 
Terrace. The princijiles of the Prohibition party 
coincide with those of Mr. Tweed, and in the Re- 
formed Presbyterian Church, of which he is a 
member, he is holding the office of Deacon. 

Mr. Tweed was married, in this city, to Martha, 
daughter of Robert Barclay, of Ireland, but for 
years a resident of Newburgh. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tweed have four children, namely: William, Rob- 
ert, John and Jean. They are much esteemed 
by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and 
we take plea.surein adding their names to the roll 
of our leading citizens. At this writing, August, 
1895, the parents are visiting their old home in 
Ireland. 



3()HN S. WADDINGTON is a professional 
stair-builder, and has few, if any, equals in 
the F^ast in his cho.sen line of business. His 
well etjuipped shops and (jffice are at the corner 
of High Street and Broad wa\-. Evidences of his 
handiwork and skill are to be seen in all parts of 
the city and surrounding towns, his reputation 
having brought him in more than a local trade. 
He makes a specialty of all kinds of turned new- 
els, rails, balusters and cabinet-fini.shed slairca.ses, 
first-class work always being guaranteed. 



Our subject was born in Lincolnshire, England, 
January 20, 1863, being a native of Rawtenstall. 
of which village his father, VV'illiani, and grand- 
father, John, were early residents. The latter 
was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and 
the former was a cabinet-maker by trade. He 
was born in the same town as was our subject, 
and is now living in Clitheroe, Lancashire. His 
wife was in maidenhood Mary Spencer, and her 
father was a farmer in Lancashire. Mr. and Mrs. 
Waddington have five children, of whom John S. 
is the youngest and the only one in America. 

Our subject attended the common schools for a 
few years during his boyhood, and was in his 
thirteenth \ear only when he commenced .serving 
an apprenticeship to a stair-builder in his native 
place. He was thus employed for nine years, 
thoroughly ma.stering every detail of the trade, 
and later worked as a joiner about two years. 
March 17, 1886, he arrived in New York, having 
made the journey from England on the steamer 
"Arizona" in nine days. The young man pro- 
ceeded direct to Newburgh, and for a year was 
employed as a carpenter with the firm of Mead & 
Taft. The following year he engaged in contract- 
ing in this city, and then went back to New York, 
where he resided for a year and a-half. It was 
in 1889 that he started in business for himself in 
Newburgh, and in the few intervening years his 
progress has been rapid. His large shops are 
run by an engine of ten-horse electric-power. 
Among the many buildings on which he has been 
employed to furnish cabinet or stair work, are 
the City Hall, Columbus Hall, the officers' quar- 
ters at West Point, the residence of Colonel Can- 
tine, and M. E. Johnson, on Smoke Hill Turnpike, 
and scores of others. He is also employed fre- 
quently to put in finishings in residences of Cold 
Spring, Warsaw, Goshen and manv other towns 
within a radius of fifteen miles. 

In 1888 Mr. Waddington returned on a visit to 
his friends and relatives in England, and while 
there married Elizabeth Fillis Boothman, who was 
born in Yorkshire. The young couple have three 
bright children, William, Frank and Alice, and 
have a happy home at No. 235 First Street. Mr. 
Waddington is a man of wide information, and 




rROF. THEOnORK CEHRIG 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



has made a study i>f higher mathematics and ge- 
ometry, in which he is very proficient. Since be- 
coming a citizen of the United States, he has used 
his liallot in favor of the RepubUcan nominees. 
Tie and liis wife are members of tlie Church of 
Uie Good Shepherd, which he helped to organize. 
Formerly he was President of the Sons of St. 
Geore;e. but is now Tru.stee. 



r\ROF. THEODORE GEHRIG is amostcom- 
Lr petent and efficient instructor in vocal and 
fS instrumental music at Xewburgh, and comes 
from a race noted for its musical qualities. He 
was born in Gurkheim, Rhenish Bavaria, June 
9. 1S37, and his father, George C. Gehrig, M. A., 
was boni in W'urtemberg. The latter graduated 
fronj a college in Switzerland, and became editor 
of the Gurkheim Diiilj Xt"cs. He was a man of 
fine literary ability, an excellent musician, hav- 
ing a superior ba.ss voice, and gave concerts in 
connection with Mendelssohn in various parts of 
Germany. During the Revolution of 1832, he 
was one of the followers of Sieben Pfeifer, and 
for a year served as Burgomaster. He died in 
his native city in 186S. His father, John Gehrig, 
who was also a fine mtisician, was born in Wur- 
temberg, near Halbron. and there engaged in 
school teaching. The family was founded in 
Germany by three brothers who emigrated from 
England and settled in different parts of the Fa- 
therland. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Caroline Heigenell, and was boni in 
Rhenish Bavaria. She was a member of the 
Catholic Church, and died at the age of sixty- 
five. In the parental family were six children. 
Franc, who ser\-ed in the French army as Lieu- 
tenant, and took part in the Crimean War, was 
shot at the capture of MolicofF: Caesar, a printer 
of New York, died in 1S93: John, who graduated 
in Rome, is now a Catholic priest of Spier, Ger- 
many, and ranks very high in church circles; 
Theodore is the next of the family; Emma is 
living in Spier; and Armond died in Gennany. 

Professor Gehrig, of this sketch, was reared in 



his native town, and was graduated with honor 
from the seniinar\- at Spier, being third in the 
class of sixty-five. He then spent three years as 
a teacher in Ansbach, Bavaria, and in iS6ocame 
to America, sailing from Havre, France, on the 
"Fairfield," which dropped anchor in New York 
City after a voyage of thirty-seven days. He 
later went to Easton, Pa. , where he engaged in 
teaching for six months, and then accepted a 
position in the military' academy at Poughkeep- 
sie, where as teacher in nui.sic and German he 
remained for fourteen years. He also acted as 
organist of St. Peter's Church. 

In September, 1S61, Professor Gehrig enlisted 
in the Ninth Connecticut Regiment as assistant 
leader of the regiment band. Under the com- 
mand of General Butler, that was the first regi- 
ment to land at New Orleans. Stricken with 
yellow fever, Mr. Gehrig was honorably dis- 
charged by a special order in November, 1862, 
and returned at once to Poughkeepsie, where he 
remained until coming to Xewburgh, in 1874. 
Here he has since engaged in private teaching, 
and has served as organist of St. Patrick's Church. 
He is also Director of the Maennerchor at Port 
Jervis, and was Director of a similar society in 
Newburgh for twenty years, when he resigned. 
He has led choirs in various conventions where 
they have contested for prizes and has never failed 
to secure a prize, an almost unprecedented record. 
He has five times selected the choirs to head the 
sangerfest of the state, and throughout New York 
and the surrounding states has a high reputa- 
tion for his musical ability, which is of aven,- su- 
perior order. 

Professor Gehrig was married in Poughkeep- 
sie, in 1S62, to Miss Josephine, daughter of Jacob 
Corman, a merchant-tailor of New York City, 
which is the place of her birth. They now have 
five living children: Emma, Josephine, Annie, 
Allie and Theodore. Edward, who was a grad- 
uate of Siglar's Academy, died in 1892, at the 
age of twenty-one. Professor Gehrig is a mem- 
ber of Ellis Post, G- A. R., of Newburgh, and 
is an honorary- member of the \-ocal societies of 
Utica, Port Jer\-is, Albany, Scranton. Phila- 
delphia and New York. In politics he is a true- 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



blue Republican, unwavering in his supixjrt of 
the party. His work has made him widely 
known, and he is ackuowletlgetl as a musician of 
high order, and also is numbered among the es- 
teemetl residents of Xewburgh. 



IT KNOX LITTLE, proprietor of the Xew- 
j^ burgh Bottling Depot, at Xo. lo South Wa- 
^_ ter Street, Xewburgh. is one of the leading 
business men of the city. His birth occurred 
here on the 22d of June, i860, and he is of Irish 
descent. His great-grandfather, John Little, who 
was a fancy weaver in Belfast, Ireland, settled in 
Xewburgh at an early day. and here he followed 
the same occupation. Samuel Little, the grand- 
father, brought his family from Belfast in 1824, 
and, on locating at Xewburgh, first engaged in 
weaving, but later removed to a farm adjoining 
the city, where his death occurred at the age of 
.seventy-six. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Margaret Templeton. and who was also 
a native of the Emerald Isle, also died here. In 
their family were six sons, James, John, Andrew, 
Samuel, William and Robert, three of whom are 
deceasetl. James, Samuel and John. Andrew and 
William make their home in Xewburgh. and 
Robert in Xew York City. 

The father of our subject, Andrew Little, was 
born in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in 18 19, 
but most of his youth was passed in Xewburgh, 
where he learned carpentering and building. As 
a member of the firm of Little & Kelley he 
began contracting, their shop being located on 
Front Street, and they erected many important 
buildings, including Trinity Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, the Cranston Hotel. William E. 
Dodge's residence at Riverdale, X. Y., the court 
house at Riverhead, L. I., and the Westmin- 
ster Church of Xewburgh. besides rebuilding 
St. Patrick's Church, and remodeling the Xew- 
burgh Steam Mills. They were given the first 
contract for the Catholic Cathedral on Fifth 
Avenue, Xew York City, but gave it up, and 
erected the buildings for the Ringgold Hose Com- 
pany, and also for the Brewster Hook and Ladder 



Company. Besides the numerous residences the\ 
built in Xewburgh and vicinity, they had the 
contracts for thirteen churches, and were ranked 
among the leading contractors and builders of 
Orange County. 

Andrew Little has been three times married. 
his first union lieing with Mi.ss Xancy Peck, a 
native of Xewburgh, and to them were bom two 
daughters: Susan, who die<l in Xew Jersey: and 
Sarah L.. a resident of Xew York. His second 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann J. Jami- 
son, was also a native of Xewburgh, where her 
death occurred. Later he wedded Emil\ Will- 
iams, who was boni in Middletown, and to them 
were born four children, two of whom arc still 
living: Andrew R. T., who is connected with the 
United States Express Company of Xew York 
City: and E. Knox. After engaging for fifty 
years as a contractor, the father retired in 1888, 
and during the construction of the West Shore 
Railroad he was superintendent of the buildings. 
In early life he was connected with the Brewster 
Hook and Ladder Company and the Columbia 
Hose Company, in l)oth of which he served as 
foreman. He is the only charter member of 
Westminster Church still living, and is now act- 
ing as one of the ruling Elders. Politically his 
support is given to the Republican party. 

After completing his education in the academy 
of Xewburgh. E. Knox Little began clerking, at 
the age of sixteen, in the dr}--goods house of C. 
Brink, and later ser\ed in the same capacity with 
Gilles. Xeedham & Sands. In 1S79 he started 
in business for himself in the dr>--goods line, be- 
ing locatetl at Xo 54 Broadway, near Johnston 
Street, and a year later admitted his brother to 
partnership, the firm becoming Little Brothers. 
At the end of one year, however, he sold out to 
his brother, and went to Xew York City, where 
he engaged in contracting and building for eight 
years with good success, during which time he 
erected the Morning Side Flats, the Pha'uix 
Building, at the comer of Wall and Water Streets, 
and the Woman's Medical College. On leaving 
Xew York he returned to Xewburgh, and for 
three years ser\-ed as collector and salesman for 
the Charles K. Licht Highland Brewen, . In Oc- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



401 



tober, 1893, he started his present business, the 
Newburgh Bottling Depot, at No. 10 South Wa- 
ter Street, and his sales amount to two carloads 
per week. He handles the Bartholomew Brewing 
Company's beer, of Rochester, N. Y., and the 
Saratoga Victoria Water, running four delivery 
wagons. 

In Newburgh, in 1 881, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Mr. Little and Miss Eva Lena Bushfield, 
a native of Orange County, and a daughter of 
John W. Bushfield, an insurance agent and sur- 
veyor of Leptondale, N. Y. Socially Mr. Little 
is connected with the Masonic fraternit}', belong- 
ing to Crescent Lodge No. 402, F. & A. M., of 
New York; assisted in the organization and was 
the first Exalted Ruler of Elk Lodge No. 247, of 
Newburgh, and for three terms continued to fill 
that office; is a member of the Grand Lodge of 
Elks; and also belongs to North River Lodge No. 
1218. K. of H. He holds membership with the 
Orange Lake Club and the Newburgh Gun Club, 
in which he takes an active interest, while in 
politics he is a stalwart Republican. He is a 
worthy representative of one of the old families of 
Newburgh, and on account of his genial social 
qualities makes many friends. 

6^ ■^' [=J <"?'Ss ^ 



QOBERT A. BERARD. In giving the his- 
k% tory of this county, as told in the lives of 
p\ its citizens, mention should surely be made 
of the gentleman above named, who, during the 
years of his residence in Highland Falls, did 
much to aid the section of country in which he 
lived. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits 
until about thirteen years ago, when he retired 
from busine-ss, living in his pleasant home in the 
suburbs of the city until his death, which occurred 
July 27, 1892. 

Claudius Berard, the father of our subject, was 
of French extraction, and was professor of that 
language at West Point. He was a native of 
Bordeaux, France, whence he came to this coun- 
ty when nineteen years of age. Later he was 
married to Miss Mary Nichols at W^est Point, 
where thev both resided until their death. His 



demise occurred about forty-five years ago, his 
wife surviving him about fifteen years. To them 
were born six daughters and one son, five of 
whom are living at the present time. 

Our subject was born March 11, 182 1, at West 
Point, where he was reared to man's estate, and 
where he received a good education. At the time 
his father was appointed Postmaster he was made 
deputy, and gave his entire attention to the duties 
of that position, as.suming the responsibility and 
management of affairs. He lived at West Point 
altogether twenty-five years, and when he came 
to Highland Falls in 1845 at once engaged in the 
dry-goods business. 

Our subject and Miss Harriet W. Mearns were 
united in marriage December 12, 1842. The 
lady was born March 10, 1820, in Highland Falls, 
her parents being Alexander and Catherine Gar- 
rison (Niles) Mearns. She is now living in a 
pleasant home in this place where she has num- 
erous warm friends. A very refined and intelli- 
gent lady, she vvas of great assistance to her hus- 
band through their life-long journey together. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Berard there vvas born a family 
of six children. Claude has been in the employ 
of Tiffany, of New York Cit}-, for a period of 
twentj- years; he married Miss Ariadna Cre.ssay, 
of New York, and their four children are named, 
respectively, Emile, Ralph, Victor and Blanche. 
Grace married Lieut. H. M. Harrington, who 
was one of the victims of the Custer massacre; slie 
has two children. Aline and Harry B. Walter, 
who is a resident of Highland Falls, married 
Helen Whitney in 1891. Julia is now the wife 
of Deese Longstreet, and makes her home in 
Georgia; she has been twice married, and by her 
first husband had a daughter, Pan.sy. John H., 
who is a civil engineer, was formerly a West Point 
cadet, and for twentj- years lived in the South, 
but is now in Seattle, Wash. Minnie married 
Edward Matthews, and has been a resident of 
Texas .since 1878; her four children are Edwe, 
Berard, Jack and Harriett. 

Although in no sen.se of the word a politician, 
yet our subject was a true-blue Republican, and 
for a time was a member of the United American 
Order. He took an active and commendable in- 



402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terest in public affairs, and possessed much in- 
fluence in mercantile, religious and social circles. 
Besides being one of the pillars of the Presbyterian 
Church, he was al.so an Elder, and for .some time 
was Superintendent of the Sunday-.school. He 
was a Christian in every sense of the term, and in 
Highland Falls, where his name was the synonym 
for love and charity, his place can never be filled. 

NOX. HOWARD THORNTON, A. B., 
LI.. B. All who are familiar with the his- 
tory of Orange County will recognize the 
above name as that of an eminent member of the 
Bar of Newburgh, a stirring political worker, and 
the occupant of positions of public trust and re- 
sponsibility. He belongs to one of the oldest 
families of the state, many of whose members 
have gained distinction for intellectual ability and 
patriotic devotion to country. 

A innnber of the ancestors of Mr. Thornton 
were identified with the early struggles of the Re- 
public in acquiring its independence. His great- 
uncle, Matthew Thornton, was one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence. His paternal 
grandfather, John Thornton, was a Major of in- 
fantry in the Continental army; the paternal 
grandmother was the daughter of Gen. Samuel 
Clyde, of Cherry \'alley, and was one of the few 
children saved at the time of the Indian massacre, 
the mother covering her with her apron aTid hid- 
ing her in the woods. The maternal grandfather, 
Dr. Gilbert Smith, was a prominent physician of 
New York City, and the maternal grandmother, 
Helena DeWitt, was a member of a family prom- 
inently connected with the organization of the 
state of New York. 

The father of our suliject, Gen. William A. 
Thornton, U. S. A., was born in Albany, N. Y., 
and in 1825 was graduated from We.st Point Acad- 
emy, after which he served in the regular army. 
Under General Scott he took part in the Black 
Hawk War, also participated in the Seminole 
War, the conflict with Mexico and the Rebellion, 
being breveted Brigadier-General in recognition 
of his valor. Shortlv after the close of the Civil 



War he died, April 6, 1866, aged sixty-four years. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen 
Smith, is also now deceased. 

On Governor's Island, where nis father was 
then stationed, the subject of this notice was born 
February 25, 1849. Familiar from infancy with 
military affairs, he early cherished an ardent am- 
bition to enter the army, but by reason of his fa- 
ther's death he failed to secure the coveted ap- 
pointment to West Point. He therefore turned 
his attention to the legal profession, and on the 
conclusion of his literary studies in Union College, 
Schenectady, N. Y., in 1872, he entered the law 
office of Eugene A. Brewster, of Newburgh, un- 
der whose preceptorship he gained a rudimentary 
knowledge of Blackstone. Subsequently, enter- 
ing the Albany Law School, he was graduated 
with the Class of '74. He remained with Mr. 
Brewster until 1883, when he opened an oflice at 
No. 41 Third Street, and has .since conducted a 
large general practice in all the courts. 

A stanch Republican, Mr. Thornton takes a 
lively interest in the political questions agitating 
the minds of the people, and has a decided in- 
fluence, by reason of his mental ability, good 
judgment and pleasing personal qualities. In 
November, 1891, he was elected a meml)er of the 
Assembly, by a plurality of eight hundred and 
seventy-six, defeating Grant B. Taylor, who, al- 
though a Republican, had carried the di.strict in 
the fall of 1890. The following year he was re- 
elected by a plurality of eighteen hundred and 
ninety -two, again defeating Mr. Taylor, while in 
1893 his plurality over Edward D. Woodhull, the 
Democratic candidate, was two thousand, si.x 
hundred and eighty-three, the largest majority 
ever polled for As.seniblyman in this district up to 
that time. He served as a member of the Com- 
mittees on Codes, Cities and Education, and was 
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. His work 
in the As.senibly was of a most important nature, 
and he was active in introducing and .securing 
the passage of many bills and measures. 

Fraternally a Mason, Mr. Thornton became a 
member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & 
A. M., May 15, 1872, and in December, 1876, he 
was elected Master, .serving in that capacity for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



one year. He is also connected with Highland 
Chapter, R. A. M., and Hudson River Com- 
niandery, R. T. The Chi Psi fraternity num- 
bers him among its members, and he is a Trustee 
of his Alma Mater, Union College. He is a Trus- 
tee and Director of the Newburgh City Club, 
Director of The National Bank of Newburgh, 
attorney and Counselor for the Newburgh Build- 
ing and Loan Association, one of the Counsel- 
ors of the Home for the Friendless, an honor- 
ary member of Lawson Hose Company No. 5, 
also a member of the University Club of New 
York City, and the Loyal Legion of the United 
States. 

As would be naturally supposed, Mr. Thorn- 
ton chose for his wife an educated and refined 
lady, one who could enter into his plans and sym- 
pathize with him in his undertakings. He was 
united in marriage. May 23, 1876, with Miss 
Anna L. , second daughter of the late George W. 
Townsend, of Newburgh. In their cosey home 
at No. 314 Grand Street, they draw around them 
a pleasant circle of friends. 

s> c=:j •<" T ">• l^ <£ 

EALEB \V. WOODRUFF, a member of the 
firm of Tweed & Woodrufi", of Newburgh, is 
one of the most successful contractors and 
builders of the city. Though it is but five years 
since he started in business on his own account, 
he has met with unusual encouragement, and is 
rapidly coming to the front. He built his shop 
at No. 31 Lutheran Street, which is 50x150 feet 
in dimensions and three stories in height, and 
the two upper stories of which are used as flats. 
Storage rooms and sheds for lumber are in the 
rear. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
farmer, as was his son Harmon, the father of 
C. W. The father owned about sixty-five acres 
in the town of Wallkill, near Circk:ville, but 
died while still in the prime of life, being in his 
thirty-sixth year. His wife, Hannah Miller, was 
a native of the same locality. Her father, who 
served in the War of 181 2, owned a farm in 
Orange County, and later took up his residence 



in Montrose, Pa., where he passed his last years. 
Mrs. Woodruff died when sixty-two years of age, 
leaving four children, two others having died in 
infancy. The eldest son. Nelson, now living on 
a farm near the old home place, was in a New 
York regiment during the Civil War; our sub- 
ject is next in order; and Ransler lives in Mattea- 
wan, as does also Jo.sephine. 

The birth of C. W. Woodruff" occurred in Wall- 
kill, N. Y.. April 10, 1845, and from the time 
he was ten years old he was obliged to "paddle his 
own canoe, ' ' owing to the fact of his father's early 
death. He went to school during the winter and 
worked on farms the remainder of the year until 
the war broke out. In the fall of 1863, when a 
youth of eighteen years, he volunteered in Com- 
pany G, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, as 
a private. He was mustered into the service at 
Elmira, N. Y., and joined the regiment at Ft. 
Ethan Allen, Va., taking part in the battles of 
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Williamsburg, 
Reeves Station and Deep Bottom, besides numer- 
ous skirmishes. After Lee's surrender he partici- 
pated in the Grand Review at Washington, be- 
ing honorably discharged, and was mustered out 
at Hart's Island in August, 1865. 

For a year after his army life had terminated 
Mr. Woodruff worked on the farm, but in 1866 
came to Newburgh, and for three years served an 
apprenticeship under Samuel McKee, a carpen- 
ter. Then, entering the employ of Thomas Shaw's 
Sons, he remained with that firm for a period 
of twenty years, being foreman for a long time. 
A few years ago he met with an accident, his 
left leg being broken by the fall of some timber, 
but in time he recovered, and five years since, as 
previously stated,- started in busine.ss in partner- 
ship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Tweed. The 
firm has erected numerous Government buildings 
at West Point — the cavalry works, the commissar>- 
department offices and several of the officers' 
headquarters. In Newburgh they put up a large 
addition to one of the prominent tailors' establish- 
ments, built Columbus Hall, the Lyon's Build- 
ing on Broadway, the residences of Mr. Gavey 
and Colonel Cantine, besides others. 

The residence of Mr. Woodruff is at No. 39 



404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lutheran Street. His marriage was celebrated 
in this city, November 25, 1867, with Matilda 
Tweed, who was born in Ireland, and came to 
Xewburgh with lier parents. ( A sketch of the 
latter will be found in the biography of their son, 
William Tweed.) Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have 
five children: Annie L. , who is at home; Samuel, 
a member of Wa.shington Engine Company No. 
4, and who with his ne.xt younger brother, Nel- 
son, follows the carpenter's trade; William, a ma- 
chinist; and Charles, a silversmith. Socially Mr. 
Woodruff belongs to Fullerton Post No. 58, 
G. A. R., and his ballot he deposits in favor of 
Prohibition principles and candidates. For twen- 
ty years he has been one of the active members 
of the l-'irst Presbvtcrian Church. 



illTFIELD CREVLING is one of the 
active and prosperous young business men 
of Newburgh, and is rapidly forging his 
way lo the front among our leading contractors 
and builders. He is something of an architect, 
and has drawn capital plans for many private 
residences and public structures as well. In the 
busy season he gives emploxnient to as many as 
eighteen men and has all the work he can possi- 
bly attend to. 

Our subject is of English descent, and his 
grandfather, Henry Crevling, a mason contractor, 
was a native of Hamilton County, N. J. His .son 
George, a native of the .same county, was a life- 
long agriculturi.st there, and died in 1891, at the 
close of a busy and prosperous life, when in his 
eighty-fourth year. He was a stanch Methodist 
and a man who was beloved and respected by 
every one. His wife, formerly Miss Anna Lance, 
was likewise a native of Hamilton County. In 
the parental family were eleven children, all hut 
two of whom survive. 

Whitfield Crevling was born in the same coun- 
ty as were his ancestors for several generations, 
the event occurring in December, 1862, He was 
next to the youngest in his father's family, and 



remained on the old homestead until fifteen years 
of age, receivined the advantages afforded in the 
public schools. When in his sixteenth year he 
determined to learn the carpenter's trade in Ox- 
ford, N. J., and served faithfully for three years, 
after which he found employment at Westfield, 
Union County, that state, for a time. In Au- 
gust, 1887, he came to Newburgh and worked for 
W. H. Hilton and for Mr. Bates until 1.S90. In 
the year last mentioned he started in business for 
him.self as a contractor and builder, with his office 
at No. 234 Broadway, and from the beginning he 
has met with gratifying success. Among the 
.specimens of his handiwork are Captain Wool- 
sey's two flats; the Washington Heights Hou.se; 
the residence of Mrs. Ford on Third Street; the 
additions to the West Newburgh School; the 
Almshou.se and many of the handsome and well 
arranged flats and private houses of the vicinity. 
In 1893 Mr. Crevling and Ella Lent were 
united in marriage in this city. She was born in 
Orange County and is a daughter of Henry Lent, 
who was a soldier in the Civil War. One child, 
Raymond W., has come to brighten the home of 
the young couple. Mrs. Crevling is a lady of 
good education and social attainments and takes a 
very active part in the work of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Fraternally our subject is a 
member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. , 
and since attaining his majority has been identi- 
fied with the Odd Fellows' society, belonging to 
the lodge of Minerva, N.J. 



EHARLES BURANT is the Newburgh agent 
for the C. H. Elvans & Sons Brewery of 
Hudson, N. Y. During the six years of 
his coiniectit)n with this firm he has done them 
able service, having increased their trade to an 
amazing extent, and in the first two years brought 
to the firm over $40,000 as the result of his 
energetic efforts. 

Our subject's father, August Burant, was born 
in Alsace, and was the owner of over one thou- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



sand acres there, also dealing extensively in cat- 
tle. In the war with Denmark in 1861 and 1862 
he wa.s an officer in the German army. He died 
in 1875, in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to 
which he had long adhered. His wife. Lucinda 
Bauer, wa.s born in Alsace, and is still living in 
Germany. Of her six sons and two daughters, 
seven are still living', but Charles is the only one 
in America. 

Our subject was born September 9, i860, in 
Dansich, Prussia, and was reared on a large farm, 
receiving an excellent education. December 4, 
1877, he left his old home and sailed for America, 
soon after his arrival locating in Hudson, N. Y. 
He found employment with the firm of C. H. 
Evans & Son, April 22, 1878, as their local sales- 
man and collector. In 1880 he went out on the 
road, visiting points along both sides of the Hud- 
son, and thus pa.ssed the next nine years. In 
1889 he was located here as the agent of the con- 
cern, succeeding Mr. McCabe, and in 1893 was 
also made representative of all towns lying on the 
east side of the river between Fishkill and Wap- 
pinger's Falls and between Haverstraw and Mil- 
ton on the west side of the river, having agencies 
at Walden, Goshen, Middletown, Highland Falls 
and Ft. Montgomery. This city is the head- 
quarters of the large traSic along the river, ship- 
ments being made by boat during the summer, 
and in winter by freight trains. The storehouses 
have a capacity of eighteen hundred barrels and 
are two in number, being located at Nos. 7 
and 9 Water Street, where they have all mod- 
ern appliances for refrigerating, etc. Two truck 
wagons, drawn by fine draft horses, are used for 
delivering. They have fine .stables near Broad- 
way, where they have a good location for the 
purpose. 

When Mr. Burant took charge ot the business 
in 1889, in company' with Charles Mapes, the 
local trade reached scarcely five barrels per week, 
and these goods were little known, as they were 
.sold in three places only. At present about two 
hundred barrels a week are distributed from this 
point, and the products of this well known brew- 
ery have a wide and increasing reputation. Mr. 
Burant is a member of the Newburgh Liquor 



Dealers' Association. He also belongs to Hudson 
River Lodge No. 1218, to the Turn Verein, and 
to the Maennerchor. Politically he is identified 
with the Democratic party. 

-,^=^^ P • 



IILLIAM SIRRINE, a life-long resident ot 
Ft. Montgomery, was born in this place 
September 2, 1838, being the son of Ben- 
jamin and Sarah (Mandigo) Sirrine, natives, 
respectively, of Scrub Oak Plains, Westchester 
County, and Orange County. The latter was a 
daughter of Luke Mandigo, and died at the age 
of sixty-three years. The former, while still a 
resident of Westchester County, learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he subsequently followed 
at West Point and Ft. Montgomery. His death 
occurred here at the early age of thirty-six years. 

The parental family consisted of four children, 
of whom William is the eldest. Peter, next in 
order of age, is deceased; John is captain of a 
propeller, and lives in Tompkins County; Mary 
Eliza, the youngest of the family, is the wife of 
Townsend Drew, of Highland Falls. After 
spending a few terms in the schools of the neigh- 
borhood, our subject began boating on the Hud- 
son, and, being prospered in his undertakings, 
he at one time owned two sloops. Orphaned by 
his father's death when he was a lad of nine 
years, he was early obliged to assist his mother 
in the maintenance of the family, who were de- 
pendent upon her for support. Having no re- 
sources, she began in the potiltry business, to 
which, as her capital increased, she devoted more 
attention, and from it she derived a sufficient 
income to keep her family in comfort. Our 
subject, while assi.sting his mother, became 
familiar with the business, and has since had a 
fondness for raising chickens. On his place he 
now has an incubator, which has proved a 
success, hatching a large number of chickens. 

For thirty years Mr. Sirrine was engaged in 
boating, principally on the Hudson River, but 
of late years he has transferred his interests to 
the land. His marriage, August 10, 1861, united 
him with Miss D. Ann Owens, of West Point. 



4o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Six children comprised their family, as follows : 
Charles W.. a resident of Orange County; Annie, 
who married Louis N. Shelden, and has two 
children. Lulu and Clarence C.; Sarah, Mrs. 
Samuel Cronk, whose children are named Arthur, 
Flora, Annie and Sadie; Mathias, who married 
Jennie Serras, and at his death left one child, 
Allen; May, who is in New York City; and 
Margaret, who is with her parents. Mr. Sirrine 
is a stanch defender of Republican principles, 
which he lielieves will be most conducive to the 
prosperity of our country and the welfare of the 
people. His life has been an honest and upright 
one, and in all his actions he has been guided by 
principles of truth and honor. 



EAI'T. THOMAS S. MARVEL and John De- 
lany comprise the firm of Thomas S. Marvel 
& Co., proprietors of the iron .ship-building 
and engineering works at the foot of William 
Street, Newburgh. Ship-building has been one 
of the leading industries of this city from its ear- 
liest years. Situated on the great river of the 
North, accessible from the ocean, and convenient 
to the great connnercial centre of the countrj', it 
has every advantage for the business. Soon after 
the failure of Ward, Stanton & Co., Captain 
Marvel, who had been .superintendent of their 
shipyards, formed a partnership with Mr. De- 
lany, a member of the old firm, and began busi- 
ness on his own account, securing for the purpose 
a site near by. The members of the new firm 
combined for this common end large experience 
and ability in their calling. Each is a master of 
his respective branch, Captain Marvel being a 
marine architect and constructor of hulls, and Mr. 
Delauy a designer and constructor of marine en- 
gines. Their yard has been enlarged as it be- 
came necessary, and numerous buildings have 
been erected from time to time. Included in the 
etiuipment is a substantial marine railway, con- 
structed at a cost of Si 0,000, and capable of haul- 
ing out boats of the largest size. Among the 
boats they have built are the ferry "Bergen," 
the steamers "Homer Ramsdell." "Orange," 



"Montclair," "Bremen," "Hamburg," "Pier- 
niont," "Whitehall" and "Muntauk;" the pro- 
pellers "R. H. Rathburn, • George W. Wash- 
burn," and the yacht "Maria." 

Captain Mar\el was born in New York Cit> , 
May 16, 1834, and is a son of Thomas S. Marvel, 
who was bom at Newport, R. I., in 1808. The 
grandfather, who also bore the name of Thomas, 
was a native of Rhode Island, and by trade was a 
ship carpenter. He later joined the United States 
navy, but died in the senice, the vessel on which 
he sailed being lost. The family is of English 
descent, and the name was originally spelled Mar- 
ble. The father of our subject w-as also engaged 
in ship-building in New York City, and in 1839 
came to Newburgh, where he followed the same 
occupation until removing to Cornwall. Later he 
went to Haverstraw, where he was engaged at his 
trade until his death, at the age of sixty -three. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amelia 
Fitzenreiter, was bom in New York Cit>', and is 
of German descent. She is still living, making 
her home with our subject, at the age of eighty- 
.seven years. In the family were six children, 
all of whom are now living. 

The Captain was educated in the schools of 
Newburgh, and at the age of thirteen commenced 
work as a .ship carpenter. He liegan at the low- 
est round of the ladder, but he has worked his 
way up by industry and untiring energy, until he 
is now at the head of one of the most important 
enterpri.ses of Orange County. At the age of 
twenty he began business for himself as successor 
to his father, conducting a shipyard until 1861. 
At the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion 
he was Captain of the Continental Guards of 
Newburgh, and he then rai.sed Company A of 
the Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was made Captain. The company was 
nnistered in at Newburgh in July, 1861, after 
which it was sent to Washington, D. C. It par- 
ticipated in all the battles of the Peninsular cam- 
paign, but in the fall of 1862 Captain Mar\'el 
resigned and returned home. 

I'ntil 1865 the Captain then carried on a ship- 
yard in Newburgh, but at that time went to Sta- 
ten Island, where for a time he engaged in the 




ALEXANnER S. GRt^SSHT. 



PORTRAIT AXn HIOC.RAPHICAI, RICCORD. 



400 



same business. Later he went to Man land, but 
subsequently returned to Staten Island, where he 
reniainetl until 1S77. He then came to New- 
burgh, and was employeii in the ship\anl of 
Ward. Stanton & Co, until their taihuv, when 
the present firm was organized. They now em- 
ploy three hundred hands and are doing a paving 
business. The CajUain is al.so President of the 
Xewburgh Dredging Company, an incorporated 
company, of which Capt. George Fields is mana- 
ger. They have an Osgood Dreilge, which has a 
capacity of fifteen hundre<l yards per day. 

In 1S61, at Newburgh. Captain Mnrwl wed- 
ded Miss Hallie Hums, who was boiu in the 
town of Monroe, Orange County, and is a daugh- 
ter of John Hums, a mason and builder. To 
them have been born four children, all of whom 
are graduates of the Xewburgh schools. Jennie, 
who graduateil iVom the academy, is now teaching 
in the public sclux>ls: Harry, a draftsman, is con- 
iiecteil with his father in the building of .steel ves- ! 
sels: Gertrude is now Mrs. Miller, of Xewburgh; ; 
and Thomas is also a drattsmau with his tather. ! 
The family now resides at No. 53 Ann Street. 
The Captain is a member of the Society of Xaval 
.\ichitects and Marine Kngineers, and Xewburgh 
Lodge Xo. ,?oi), F. iv: A. M. He uses his right 
of franchise in the .support of the Republican 
party. He is a wide-awake citizen of liberal 
views, and heartily in sympathy with ever\- move- 
ment that in any way will add to the prosperity 
of the citv or benefit his fellow-men. 



f^ 



=»^-f^j~!i^'A- 



Gl LEXANDER S. GROSSET. who until Jan- 
L_| nary 10, 1S95, was tlie efficient superintend- 
I I ent of the Grove Paper Mills, and one of the 
most influential and esteemed business men of 
Newburgh, was born in Feuicuick, Mid-Lothian, 
Scotland, February 19, 1840. His parents, Will- 
iam and Ann (Shaw') Grosset, were al.so natives 
of the same country, and the father was a paper 
nuunitacturer. From a boy of ten years our sub- 
ject was connected with the same business, which 
he learneii in the parish of Currie with Mr. Hruce. 

16 



of the Kinlcitli I'.ipcr C<)nii>an\'. lb,' began at 
tlu- \'<.i\ bcginninj;, thonnighly mastering every 
detail o\ the Inisine.ss and slcadil\- working his 
wa\ upward. 

In that parish, in iS(\^. Mr. Gros.set married 
Miss Janet Finlay, who was born in the parish of 
Currie, as was her father, James L'inlay, an agri- 
culturi.st. He emigrated to Canada, and was 
connected with the Windsor Mills of Quebec for 
son)e time His last years were spent in retire- 
ment from active business, and he died at the age 
of sixty-four, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of I-'lizabeth Hunter, was al.so born in the parish 
of Currie, Scotland, and died in Ouebec at the 
age of eighty-three. In 1S64, with his wite and 
one child, Mr. Gros.set sailed from Glasgow on 
the steamer "St. George," and after seventeen 
days landed in Quebec:. He located in \'alley 
F'ield, in the province of Quebec, and was em- 
ployed as a machine-tender with the Alex Buiitin 
Paper Manufacturing Companx'. He was thor- 
oughly qualified for this work, and he afterward 
entered the employ of the Canada Paper Com- 
pany at Wind.sor Mills in the same capacity- , and 
was then in Wareham. Mass., on Cape Cod, with 
George Wheelwright, a large paper manufacturer. 
In Lawrence, Mass., in Rainbow, Coiui., and in 
Kingsey Falls, Canada, he was employed in 
paper-mills, in the latter place acting as general 
nuuiager for the Dominion Paper Conipanx for 
fourteen years. 

On the expiration of that period Mr. Grosset 
began in business for himself by purchasing the 
mills at Richelieu, Canada, which he operated for 
two and a-half years; but not achieving the suc- 
cess he anticipated, he sold out in 1S90, and in 
September came to N'ewburgh as sup2rintendent 
of the Grove Mills, owned by the firm of Adams 
& Bishop. His successful management maile this 
a very profitable undertaking, and within four 
years he had doubled the capacity of the mill and 
put in all modern improvements, manufacturing 
the finest grades of paper. He also became in- 
terested in real estate, and erected fourteen flats 
on Renwick Street, be.sides three stores and one 
flat on William Street. He became Trustee in 



4IO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Grove Mills and was quite prosperous in his 
undertakings after coming to Ncwhurgh, secur- 
ing a comfortable competence. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gros.set six children were 
horn. I^lizabeth F. , who graduated at Danville 
Academy and also at Richelieu College, is a young 
lady of superior ability, and was of great assist- 
ance to her father in business. Anna is the 
wife of E. H. Oilman. Alex, who graduated 
after completing a commercial cour.se from the 
College of the Sacred Heart, is now residing in 
New York City. James F. is machine-tender in 
the Grove Mills; and Philip and Garnet are at 
home. 

Mr. Grosset was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, to which his family also belong, and in 
his political views was a stalwart Republican. 
He was recognized as an honorable, upright bus- 
iness man, and won the confidence and respect of 
all with whom business or social relations brought 
him in contact. He died after a short illness, 
January lo, 1895, and the connnunity lost one of 
its valued citizens. His family reside at their 
pleasant home at No. 220 Renwick Street, and 
in social circles they hold an enviable po.sitioii. 



"n AMES J. DOUGHERTY, wholesale and re- 
I tail dealer in groceries, wines and liquors of 
(2/ Newburgh, is now serving as President of 
the Board of Almshouse Commissioners. His 
birth occurred in Newburgh, June 6, 1854, and 
he is a son of John Dougherty, who was born in 
County Donegal, Ireland, where he was reared 
on a farm. On leaving his native land he went 
to Scotland, being there employed until coming 
to America, when still a young man, and located 
in Newburgh in 1845. where he secured a po.si- 
lion with W. O. Mailler in his wholesale grocery 
house. Later he opened a meat-market on Broad- 
way, which he conducted until 1868, when 
he started in the grocery business on Water 
Street, carrying on the same until his death. In 
1849 he wedded Susan Scanlan, who was also a 



native of the Emerald Isle, and on her arrival 
in America came direct to Newburgh. when- 
their marriage was celebrated. Mr. Dougherty ' s 
death occurred in 1882, at the age of fifty-eight 
years and three months, and she survived him 
about four years, dying in i8,S6. They were | 
charter members of .St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1 
though formerly Mr. Dougherty had been a Trus- " 
tee in St. Patrick's Church for many years. 

In the parental family were eleven children, 
ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, 1 
and James J., of this sketch, is now the eldest of 
the six sur\-iving members. His education was 
nio.stly acquired in the common schools of New 
burgh, but he also took a course in mathematics 
and bookkeeping in the private school of O. M. 
Smith. On leaving school he entered his father'- 
grocery, and on the latter's death became his sue 
cessor. His trade has steadily increa.sed, until he 
is now one of the leading merchants in his line of 
business. In 1S91 he erected his fine brick block 
at the corner of Fifth and Water Streets, 26x100 
feet in dimensions and four stories in height, with 
a basement. He conducts a wholesale and retail 
trade and carries a full and complete line of gro- 
ceries, making a specialty, however, of imported 
wines, liquors and cigars. j 

In Newburgh was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Dougherty and Mi.ss Anna F. McCabe, who 
was born in that city, and who was a daughter of 
Francis McCabe. The latter, who is now de 
ceased, was formerly a grocery merchant of New- 
burgh. Our subject and wife have three children, 
John, Catherine and James. The parents hold 
membership with St. Mary's Catholic Church, in 
which they are active workers, while our subject 
is also a member of the Holy Name Society. 

In March, 1886, Mr. Dougherty was elected 
to the Board of Almshouse Commissioners, and 
re-elected in 1889 and 1892. He ser\ed as Chair- 
man of the Children's Home and House Commit- 
tees until made President of the board in 1890, to 
succeed C. J. Law.son, who was then elected Mayor 
of the city. Since his connection w ith the board a 
wing has lieen added to the Almshouse at a cost 
of §5,000, and the grounds have been greatly im- 
proved, making it a beautiful place. Mr. Dough- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



erty is prominent both in social and political cir- 
cles, being a member of the Orange Lake Club, 
and one of the influential men of the Democratic 
party in Orange County, attending as a delegate 
the state and county conventions, and has served 
as a member of the County Democratic Central 
Committee. He belongs to the Board of Trade of 
Newburgh, in which he has served as Committee- 
man, and is now on the Finance Committee. 



EAPT. GEORGE M. ROSS, a member of 
the Board of Education, is also a manufac- 
turer of cigars and a wholesale and retail 
dealer in tobacco of Newburgh. His birth occur- 
red in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1842, and his fa- 
ther, John, and his mother, Isabel Ross, were also 
natives of the same countr}-. They had a family 
of four children, three sons and one daughter, 
Alex, John, George M. and Isabel. In 1843 the 
family came to America, locating at Troy, N. Y., 
where the parents .soon afterward died. 

On the death of their parents the children were 
.scattered, and the whereabouts of each of the 
children were unknown to the others for many 
years. Our subject was taken by a farmer of 
Saratoga County, N. Y., and remained there 
until i860. About this time his brother Alex 
learned of his location and persuaded him to go 
to New York, where he was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of tobacco, and with him George began 
to learn the trade. He contiiuied to work for his 
brother until the breaking out of the Civil War, 
when he enlisted in Company A, Eighth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, and saw his first serv- 
ice at the first battle of Bull Run. He was mus- 
tered out at the expiration of his three months' 
service, and proceeded at once to Saratoga Coun- 
ty, N. Y., on a visit to old friends. 

While in that county the Seventy-seventh New 
York Volunteer Infantry, known as the Bemus 
Heights Regiment, was in process of formation. 
In this regiment Mr. Ross enlisted in November, 
1S61, and was assigned to Company G, of which 
he was appointed Third vSergeant. Its service in 
the three j-ears following was most conunendable. 



and the Lieutenant-Colonel, in speaking of Mr. 
Ross, prai-sed him in the highest terms for brav- 
ery displayed in the following engagements: 
Lee's Mill, Williamsburg, Golden's Farm, Me- 
chanicsville, Savage Station, White Oak vSwamp, 
first and .second battles of F^redericksburg, Frank- 
lin's Crossing, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Sta- 
tion, Mud River, and the battles of the Wilder- 
ness and Winchester. In many of these engage- 
ments the Seventy-seventh Regiment took a 
conspicuous part. 

On account of bravery, Mr. Ross was promoted 
fnmi time to time, until, at the battle of Spottsyl- 
vania, he was commissioned Captain of his com- 
pany. At Winchester, on September 19, 1864, 
while his regiment was manceuvering for position. 
Captain Ross was shot through the right arm 
near the shoulder. His first wound, however, 
was received at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 
when he was knocked senseless bj' a minie-ball, 
which fractured his skull. He was carried at 
once to the rear, and was in the hospital for 
about three months. In the Shenandoah Valley 
he rejoined his regiment, and in the very first 
battle received the wound through the arm 
which has already been spoken of. This inca- 
pacitated him for service for four months, when 
he again rejoined his regiment in front of Peters- 
burg. He commanded his company at Sailor's 
Creek, which was the last fight just before the 
surrender of Lee. At this time his regiment was 
a part of the Sixth Army Corps, which was then 
transferred to Danville, Va., to protect property. 
It remained in that vicinity but a short time, 
however, and was then ordered to Washington, 
where it participated in the Grand Review, and 
in July, 1865, was mustered out at Albany, 
N. Y. 

On the conclusion of his term of service Captain 
Ross returned to New York City, and soon after- 
ward engaged in the tobacco business, but re- 
mained there only until 1867, when he located in 
Newburgh. At present his place of business is 
No. 20 Colden Street, where he has built up an 
extensive trade in tobacco, and in the manufact- 
ure and sale of cigars. He had never visited 
Newl)urgh prior to his location here. 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



On his removal to Newburgh. Captain Ross 
was still a bachelor, but here he formed the 
acquaintance of and married Caroline Lawson, 
a native of New Brunswick, N. J., daughter of 
Robert Lawson. who is now living a retired life 
in this city. Five children have been born unto 
them: Robert L., now attending Yale College, 
in the Cla.ssof "96; Isabel, at home: George M., 
Jr.. engaged with his father in business: Albert, 
clerk for the Pennsylvania Coal Company: and 
Charles A. The family resides at No. 52 Ann 
Street. 

In 1891 Captain Ross was forced to accept the 
nomination of School Trustee on the Republican 
ticket. He was elected for a term of four years, 
and is now Chairman of the Finance Committee 
and member of the Building Committee, of By- 
laws and of Conference with the City Council. He 
is a member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607. 
F. & A. M. : and of Fullerton Post. G. A. R. 
Pohtically he is a Republican. His war record 
was a brilliant one. and his private life is such as 
to make him greatly esteemed and piopular with 
all who know him. 

HENRY WHITE. Not less for his person- 
al integrity of character and uprightness of 
life than for the success which has rewarded 
his efforts, is Mr. White esteemed among his ac- 
quaintances in Orange County. In 1862 he set- 
tletl upon a farm in New Windsor Town, where 
he has since continued to make his home. Al- 
though his attention for some years has been 
devoted mainly to agriculture, he is a mason 
by trade, and in former years gave his entire time 
to that occupation. 

The parents of our subject, James and Betsey 
White, were born, reared and married in Ireland, 
and there his birth occurred April 28, 18 19, in 
the county of Queens. He was the next to the 
youngest of seven children, the others being Fan- 
nie. Elizabeth. Susan. John. James and Thomas. 
The family came to America in 1823. but the 
mother died during the voyage across the Atlan- 
tic and was burietl at sea. The father, on land- 



ing in New York, proceeded to Orange Count \ 
and .settled in the town of Blooming Grove 
where he continued to reside until his death. 

Coming to America when four years of age. 
our subject knows no other home than Orange 
County. He was reared in Blooming Grove 
Town, and in the district schools received a fair 
education. At the age of nineteen he appren- 
ticed himself to learn the mason's trade, ser\-ing 
three years, and then began to work at the occu- 
patiiin which he has followed the larger part of 
the time since. He is an industrious, energetic 
man, and while he has not accumulated a fortune 
he has become the possessor of a comfortabk 
home and a well improved farm. 

The first marriage of Mr. White, in 1842, 
united him with Esther Benjamin. They had 
three children, two of whom died in infancy. 
Mary married John DeGrote, and lives in Go- 
shen. The mother of this family died in I84.'^ 
The second marriage of Mr. White occurred i:; 
1855, at which time he was united with Mis---. 
Eunice Clarke. Their five children are named 
Mary. Susan. Emma, Sarah and Charles. The 
family is held in high esteem by the people of the 
town of New Windsor, among whom they have so 
long resided. While Mr. WTiite is not a partisa: 
and does not take an active part in p>olitics, he i> 
nevertheless, a firm adherent of Republican prir. 
ciples. and rejoices in all the successes achievcvi 
by the party. 

^O W N S E N D DREW. The gentleman 
f C whose name appears at the head of thi.s 
VSf sketch is one of the prominent residents of 
Highland Falls, where, with the e.xception of in- 
tervals of a few years, he has resided since 184.'^ 
He was formerly one of the most successful of it> 
business men. hut is now retired from active bus- 
iness life, and is residing in a beautiful home on 
Church Street, which is in a beautiful prart of the 
village. 

The father of our subject, who also bore the 
name of Townsend, was bom in New Jersey, 
whence he came to this state when a young man . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413 



living first in Monroe, afterward in Cornwall 
and later in Highland. He was an extensive 
land-owner and lumber merchant, and at the time 
of his decease, which occurred when he was past 
seventy-one years, he was the possessor of a tract 
of four hundred acres. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Sarah Jane Babcock. She, too, was a native of 
New Jersey, and lived to be sixty-six years old. 
Of her ten children, our .subject was the young- 
est. William died at the age of sixt}- years. 
Ezra, who for a number of years has been Jus- 
tice of the Peace, occupies a fine estate located 
four miles from Highland Falls. Jeremiah, who 
was a very prominent politician, and who was 
the recipient of many Governmental pcsitions of 
trvi.st and responsibilitj-, died about ten years ago. 
For .some time he was Yardkeeper at Sing Sing, 
was later Harbor Master in the port of New 
York, and was United States Weigher in the Cus- 
tom Hou.se in New York. For seven years he 
was Supervisor of Highland Falls, and for over 
a quarter of a century was the moving power in 
all political conventions, being a man of great 
influence in the community. John, the fourth in 
order of birth, makes his home in this place. 
Eliza Jane married Mo.ses Clark, and is living at 
Ft. Montgomery. Ellen married Luke Wood, of 
Cornwall. Huldah, who is now deceased, mar- 
ried E. H. Taylor, who is also deceased. Albert 
was a carpenter by trade, and died in 1877. Sam- 
uel is also deceased . 

Our subject was born September 22, 1839, in 
the town of Monroe, but what is now the town 
of Woodbury. He was brought up to work on 
the farm, and lived with his parents until twenty- 
fi\e years old, in the mean time .securing such an 
education as could be gained in the district schools. 
After leaving home he went to Sing Sing, hold- 
ing the position of keeper in the pri.son for two or 
three years. We next find him in New York 
City, where for seven years he was an employe in 
the Weigher's department of the Custom House 
with his brother. 

In 1878 Mr. Drew came to this place and en- 
gaged in the livery business, conducting the sta- 
bles of the Cranston Hotel verv successfullv for 



many years. He was married, in 1S79, to Mi.ss 
Mary E., daughter of Benjamin Morgan and Sa- 
rah (Mandigo ) Sirrine, natives of Westchester 
and Orange Counties, respectively. vShe was 
born December 6, 1844, in Ft. Montgomerx-, and 
by her union with our subject became the mother 
of three children: Percy Ro.ss, who died at the 
age of four years and five months; and Fanny 
Herrick and Mabel E., now attending school. 
Mrs. Drew is a devoted member of the Presbj'te- 
rian Church, which Mr. Drew also attends. He 
iib identified with the Republican party in poli- 
tics, frequently attending the congressional and 
other conventions as a delegate, and is highly re- 
spected in the community in which he lives. 



+= 



^^r=:-z:-r=z^ 



GlLOYSE OBERLE. This young gentleman 
/ I is numbered among the live business men 
/ I of Highland Falls, where for several years 
he has been established in the grocery business. 
. In addition to this he now has a thriving coal 
trade, and is one of the leading boot and shoe 
merchants of the place. 

Our subject was born in that part of the 
German empire which was formerly owned by 
the French (Alsace-Lorraine), November 23, 
1852, and was a lad of eighteen years when he 
crossed the Atlantic and made his home in the 
New World. Prior to coming to America he 
attended the model schools of his native land, 
thus gaining a good common-school education. 
Upon landing in New York Harbor, after a very 
slow and tedious voyage, young Oberle made 
his way directly to Highland Falls, where for a 
period of eleven years he worked in the general 
.store of Daniel Zint. He was verj- observing, 
and during this time became fully acquainted 
with the method of carrying on a large business, 
.so that when ready to engage in business for 
himself he was capable of conducting it success 
fully. He was very frugal and industrious, and 
though his wages were by no means large, he 
made it a point to sa\-e the greater portion of 
them, and in this wav secured tlie means to em- 



414 



PORTRAIT AXn lUOnRAPIIICAI, RECORD. 



bark in a business ol" his own. At first lie l>egan 
in a modest way, but by paying strict attention 
to affairs and by fair and honest dealing, his 
trade rapidly grew, until to day he has his share 
of the patronage of the best residents of the place. 
Mr. Olx'rle was. married, on the 5th of June, 
1881, to Miss Mary Halpin. a native of Highland 
Falls, who departed this life March 26, 1S89, 
leaving a daughter and two sons. Mary, Joseph 
and James. She was a most worthy and pleasant 
lady and had numerous friends in Highland Falls. 
Mr. Oherle is a member of the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Legion, and is regarded as one of the ener- 
getic and progressive citizens of this community. 



••>•;• Q •:♦<•♦- •-« -.^^ 



rr HKXKZI:R \V. GR1-:ATSIXGI':R. when 
Kt) our country's liberties and .stability were 
|__ threatened, this gentleman was one of the 
first to go to her defense and fought long and 
valiantly for the Stars and Stripes, taking part 
in many of the most disastrous and notable bat- 
tles of the great Civil War. He is the owner of 
a valuable farm in the town of New Wind.sor, 
alx)ut three miles from the city limits of Xew- 
bnrgh and not far from Little Britain, but on ac- 
count of pcKir health was obliged to give up the 
acduous duties in connection with its manage- 
ment, and since 1892 has been a resident of Xew- 
burgh. He is in warm sympathy with the Grand 
Army of the Republic and X'eterans" Association, 
and at present is Junior \'ice-Commander of 
Kllis Post Xo. 52. 

Our suVyect's parents were Stephen and Emma 
(Dayton) Greatsinger, both natives of I'lster 
County, the former born in the village of Esopus. 
Stephen Greatsinger, Sr. , the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in the same section and was of 
Gennan descent. In his early life he enlisted as 
a private in the War of the Revolution, and after 
the young Republic's future was assured settled 
down to quiet agricultural pursuits. Stephen, 
Jr., was al.so a farmer, and dealt to some extent 
in lumlii-r. He cleared a farm in Chemung 



Count}-, which was a wilderness when he first saw 
it. At the time of the war he located in Craw- 
ford, and carried on agricultural i)ursuits until 
he retired. He is now living in Xewburgh, at 
the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His wife 
was a daughter of Jacob Daxton, a native of 
I'lster County, and of German- English de.scent. 
He, too, was one of the Revolutionary War 
heroes, and was also a tiller of the soil. Mrs. 
Greatsinger died when fifty-six years of age, and 
of her eight children all but two grew to ma- 
turit\-, one having since died. 

!•!. W. Greatsinger was born April 3, 1837, 
near bHuiira. Chemung County, and pas.sed his 
bo\hood on his father's farm, his time being 
spent in the usual manner of lads of that day. 
His school advantages were somewhat meager, 
and he was trained in useful and practical methotls 
by his worthy parents. As .soon as he had 
reached snitalile years he assisted his father in run- 
ing a sawmill, being thus employed when tl.e war 
broke out. InJiuie, 1861, he enli.sted as a private 
in Company D, Thirty-fiftlr Xew York \"olun- 
teers, and was a.ssigned to the Army of the Poto- 
mac, afterwards serving in the \'irginia campaign. 
He took part in many small engagements and 
skirmishes with the enemy, and \vas in the noted 
battles of White Sulphur Springs, \'a., Rappa- 
hannock, .second engagement at Bull Run, 
Mana.ssas, Antietam, South Mountain and Fred- 
ericksburg. He had not long been in the serv- 
ice before he was promoted, and at the time of 
his honorable di.scharge. in June, 1863, was mus- 
tered out as Fourth Sergeant. 

On his return from the South Mr. Greatsinger 
visited for some time in the town of Crawford, 
and then went to I'lster County, where he had 
charge of a farm for a year. The following four 
years he operated a large home.stead in the town 
of Crawlbrd, and in 1869 purchased one of seven- 
ty-three acres in the town of Xew Windsor, 
beautifullx' situated on the .shores of Washington 
Lake. This place, which is improved with good 
farm buildings, feiices, orchards, etc., the owner 
now rents to good paying tenants. In Xovem- 
ber, 1892, he was appointed janitor of Pri- 
mary .School Xo. 6, at the corner of Libertv and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415 



Renwick Streets, and is still holding the charge. 
He is a stockholder in the Anglo-American Build- 
ing and Loan Association. While a resident of 
the town of New Windsor, he was honored with 
the position of School Trustee, and for fifteen 
years was Sunday-school Superintendent. In 
politics he is a straight Republican. 

September 7, i,S64, Mr. Greatsinger mar- 
ried Sarah E. Fowler, who was born in Cold 
Spring, N. Y. They have become the parents 
of three children, all daughters, named in order 
of birth, Emma E., Mary J. and Anna E. The 
parents are members of St. John's Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and are highly regarded by all 
who know them as honorable, upright citizens. 



3^e 



r\ROF. JEROME DENNA has done much 
LX good for the county, materially, morally and 
fS educationally, and his life furnishes an ex- 
ample worthy of the emulation of the rising gen- 
eration. He is Principal of the public schools of 
Highland Falls, which responsible position he 
has held for the past nineteen years. His birth oc- 
curred in Sing Sing, this state, September 15, 1849, 
and he is the son of Peter and Catherine (Fer- 
ris) Denna, the former of whom was born in Put- 
nam County, in 1805, and departed this life at 
the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Denna, who 
was born in Putnam Count)-, was sixty-eight 
years old at the time of her demise, in 1863. In 
the parental family where seven children, of 
whom Allen, Mary, Eliza^and Calvin are deceased. 
Jerome, of this sketch, was the fourth-born, and 
the others are Hester and Elizabeth. 

Our subject attended private schools until a lad 
of thirteen years, after which his parents moved 
onto a farm in Putnam County. Not being well 
fitted for working on a farm, he took a course in 
Eastman's Business College at Pouj;hkeepsie, and 
later became a student at Mt. Plea.sant Acade- 
my. Sing Sing, N. Y., where he graduated fourth 
in a class of twenty members. His education, 
however, was completed in the State Normal at 
Albany, after which he was given a .school at 
Oregon, a small village three miles from Peeks- 



kill. He al.so taught one year at Ft. Montgom- 
ery, N. Y., with excellent success, but being 
offered a position in the schools of Hi.s^'hland 
Falls, came hither in 1876. Remarkable success 
has attended his efforts as a teacher, and he is sur- 
pas.sed by none. He has been an indefatigable 
worker and student all his life, and although set 
ting his mark high, has reached the desired goal. 
He has devoted twelve years to coaching candi- 
dates for the United States Military Academy at 
West Point, during this time also keeping his 
school foremost among tho.se of Orange County, 
and it is said that as a coacher for the United 
States Military Academj- he stands excelled by 
no other instructor in the business, getting in a 
general average of ninety per cent, of his candi- 
dates. 

Profcs.sor Denna and Mi.ss Mary Potter, of 
Highland Falls, were united in marriage in June, 
1878. The lady was born February 15, i860, 
in Orange County, and is the daughter of George 
and Nancy Potter, also natives of this county. To 
them has been born a daughter, Grace, an accom- 
pli.shed young lady, who is now pursuing her 
.studies in the state normal. In politics our sub- 
ject votes for Democratic candidates, and in social 
affairs is a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and the Free Ma.sons. The Methodi.st Episcopal 
Church finds in him one of its most valuable at- 
tendants and liberal contributors. A gentleman 
of culture and refinement, he is genial and cor- 
dial with all, and is very popular among the stu- 
dents of the school and with the citizens of 
Highland Falls. 



EHARLES W. HI:EL, Town Clerk of Bloom- 
ing Grove and Village Clerk of Washing- 
tonville, was first appointed to the former 
position to fill the unexpired term of Sanford Hal- 
lock in 1874, and has been chosen for the position 
at every successive election since that time. Feb- 
ruary 18, 1895, upon the organization of the mu- 
nicipality, he was appointed Clerk of the village, 
in which capacity he is rendering efficient serv- 
vice. As a bu.siness man he is well known, hav- 



4i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iiig carried on a large liardware trade since De- 
cemlier 5. 1876, when lie opened a store in 
Washingtonville. 

The Hull family is of Ki'glish extraction. Our 
subject's father. Wager Hull, was Iwrn in Ulster 
County, N. V., and there died when in the prime 
of life. His marriage united him with Mis.s 
Keziah Cooley, of Flea.sant \"alley, who was a 
member of a prominent (Quaker family ; she died 
at the age of fifty-seven years. They were the 
parents of five children, namely: James C, de- 
ceased; William F.. a resident of New York City; 
Mrs. Mary H. Havilaiid. a widow residing in 
Yonkers: Edward H., deceased; and Charles W. 

In Westchester County, X. Y., the subject of 
this sketch was born September 23, 1840. His 
boyh(H)d days passed uneventfully on his father's 
fann, and in youth he attende<l the common 
schools and a collegiate school at Cornwall, 
X. Y., where he enjoyed excellent educational ad- 
vantages. At the age of sixteen he went to Xew 
York City and secured a position as clerk in the 
dry-goods house of Havilaiid, Lindsley & Co., at 
Xas. 80 and S2 Chambers Street. During the 
eleven years that he remained in that po.sition, he 
gained an accurate and comjilete knowledge of 
the business in all its details, thus being fitted 
for the management of a conceni of his own. 

For a few years after amiing to Washington- 
ville, Mr. Hull was engaged in the lumber and 
coal business with Charles Coojjer as partner. 
There K-ing no hardware store in this place, he 
determii'.etl to embark in the business, and this he 
did, though discouraged in his attempt by many 
of his friends. The venture, however, proved 
the wisdom of his judgment, for it was suc- 
cessful from the outset and has proved remunera- 
tive up to the present time. 

The marriage of Mr. Hull, which occurred in 
Xew York City, united him with Miss Henrietta 
\'aii Cleft Gerow. daughter of Elias Gerow. of 
the town of Blooming Grove. Three children 
bless their union, namely: William G.. who is 
employed in the Chase Xational Bank of Xew 
York; FIdward Raymond, traveling .salesman for 
the music house of John Church & Co.; and 
Clara Deming, who is with her parents. The 



children were given excellent educational advan- 
tages, qualifying them for positions of usefulness 
and honor in busine.ss and social circles. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Hull is identified 
with the Masons and has been actively interested 
in that order. He is a Congregalionalist in re- 
ligions lielief and contributes liberally to denomi- 
national work. As one of the pioneer business 
men of Washiiigtonville, he is well known and 
highly esteemed, and his enterprise, industry- and 
sagacity have won for him a high ]>lace in the 
regard of his as.sociates. 



(p[ LH.\ H. KELLOGG, an enterprising and 
1 1 wide-awake citizen of X'ewburgh. is suj>erin- 
/ I tendent of the Xewburgh Electric-light and 
Power Company. He was born in Hyde Park. 
Lamoille County, \'t., in 1854, and is a .son of 
Hiram D. and Sarah ( Whittier) Kellogg, both na- 
tives of the Green Mountain State. The father 
was born in Stowe, and is .still a farmer of La- 
moille County. He is one of the prominent and 
leading citizens ol that community, and gives his 
earnest support to the Democratic party. 

Alba H. Kellogg is the eldest in a family t)f 
four children, but two have now passed away. In 
the public schools he acquired his education, and 
remained upon the home farm until he had reacheii 
the age of seventeen years, when he began learn- 
ing telegraphy with the Western Union Tele- 
graph Company, at Springfield, Ma.ss. In 1878. 
about the time telephones first began to be used, 
he was employed in putting them up in different 
cities, and in that capacity came to Xewburgh in 
1879. He was thus engaged for three years, aft- 
er which he returned to his Vermont home, but 
in 1S87 located here as a lineman. Later he be- 
came manager for the outside work for the Xew- 
burgh Fllectric-light and Power Company, which 
position he filled until the spring of 1893. when 
H. B. Odell, the superintendent, resigned, and 
he was appointed in his place. He now has from 
eight to eleven men under him. The plant is 
quite large, l^eing .supplied with twenty two dy- 




JDHN C. MARSHALI,. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



419 



namos, with a capacit)^ of over five thousand in- 
candescent and one hundred and sixty-five arc 
lights. The plant was erected since his arrival. 

In Newburgh, Mr. Kellogg was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Lydia Pine, who was born in 
this city, and who is a daughter of Mrs. G. G 
Pine. They have many warm friends in the city, 
and by all who know them are held in the high- 
est esteem. Mr. Kellogg casts his ballot in sup- 
port of the men and measures of the Republican 
party, and socially belongs to Mt. Vernon Lodge 
No. 8, F. & A. M., of Morri.sville, Vt. 



(TOHN C. MARSHALL, who is a well known 
I busine.ss man of Newburgh, and a member 
G) i.f the retail meat firm of H. W. Marshall & 
Sons, was born in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, 
December 15, 1864. His father, Henry W., also 
a native of Dutche.ss County, was born July 25, 
1832, being a son of Hiram and Hannah Mar- 
shall, natives ot the Empire State, the latter of 
whom was of Engli.sh descent. The great-grand- 
father, Willett Marshall, one of New York's na- 
tive-born sons, was a farmer by occupation, and 
served as an officer in the War of 1812. 

Orphaned at the age of eight years, Henry W. 
Marshall continued to reside upon the home farm 
with a brother until he was twenty-one years of 
age, when he embarked in the butcher's business 
at Hyde Park, continuing there until 1868. Dur- 
ing that year he came to Newburgh and opened 
a market at No. 1 1 Water Street, which was his 
location for three years. He then removed his 
store to No. 43 Water Street, where he has been 
ever since, the only change being in 1892, when 
he took his two .sons in as partners under the firm 
name of H. W. Marshall & Sons. While .still a 
member of the company, he is not so active!}' 
identified with the business as formerly, the jun- 
ior partners having relieved him of much of the 
responsibility. Socially he is a member of New- 
burgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. Among the 
improvements he has made may be mentioned the 



row of flat buildings which he erected on Ann 
Street. He has a beautiful residence at Mt. 
Baslia Lake, Monroe, Orange County, where, 
accompanied by all the members of his family, 
he sojourns during the summer months, and en- 
joys the health and comfort afforded b\- that pic- 
turesque and beautiful spot. 

The mother of our .subject, Matilda, was born 
in Dutchess County, and is a daughter of John 
C. Radcliff, a farmer there. In religious belief 
she is a devout member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, and her noble character and self-sacrific- 
ing benevolence endear her to all who know her. 
Her six children, all of whom remain under the 
parental roof, are Mary C, John C, Bedford H., 
Emily, Tillie and Irene. Bedford H., who is the 
junior member of the firm, .served for six years 
in the Tenth Separate Company, National Guards 
of New York. 

From the age of four years John C. Marshall 
was reared in Newburgh, his education being ac- 
quired in the schools of this cit^-. His vacations 
were spent in assisting his father, and upon the 
completion of his education he entered the busi- 
ness, he and his brother, Bedford H., becoming 
partners of their father in 1892, under the firm 
name of H. W. Marshall & Sons. He attends 
e.speciall}- to the buying and slaughtering of the 
cattle, this being the only firm in the city that 
does its own slaughtering. On West Broadway, 
just outside of the cit)' limits, they erected a large 
and substantial slaughter-hou.se, with a capacity 
of about ten beef steers and as many each of 
calves, lambs and sheep. The steers are bought 
in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess Counties, and the 
firm also pack the pork for their own retail 
trade. They have the finest quality of meat, and 
kill the largest beeves of any one in the city, and 
have also been in the business longer than any of 
the other meat dealers here. They have fur- 
nished families uninterruptedly ever since the day 
Mr. Marshall located here, twenty-seven years 
ago, which fact proves the excellence of their 
meats, and the confidence in which they are held. 
They also have the Jewish trade of the city and 
furnish tho.se of Hebrew descent with meat, after 
it has been inspected by the Rabbi. They have 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



killed stfcrs that on dressing weighed over four- 
teen hundred pounds, thus having a live weight 
of twenty-three hundred. The market is conven- 
iently arranged: the whole front on Water Street 
can lie thrown entirely open, making a full and 
fine display. One of the improvements of the 
market is a large refrigerator, with tracks around 
the inside. They also have an electric motor for 
running sausage machines in the winter, and 
electric fans for the summer. In addition to 
beef and jwrk, they handle poultr\' and game, 
and all kinds of vegetables in .season. 

While Mr. Marshall has given his attention 
principally to matters connected with his busi- 
ness, he al.so takes an intelligent interest in public 
afTairs, and suppwrts the principles of the Republi- 
can party, which he considers best adapted to our 
Government. For seven years he has been a 
memlier of the Ringgold Fire Company, and he 
is also connected with the Ringgold Veteran Fire- 
men's Association. 



EHARLKS NICOLL. Within the corporate 
limits of Washingtonville lies a farm of one 
hundred and forty-five acres, upon which 
have l>een made first-cla.ss improvements, and 
which tx-ars evidence of the supervision of an en- 
ergetic and capable man. This place has been 
the life-long home of Mr. Nicoll. and here he was 
txirn May 25, 1850. As the name indicates, he 
is of Scotch de.scent. The progenitor of the fiim- 
ily in America was Dr. John Nicoll. who emi- 
grated to this countr>- in 171 1 and settled in New 
York. He became one of the leading men of the 
colony and acquired the ownership of a large 
amoinit of projierty, having among his pos.sessions 
fourteen thousand, five hundred acres of land in 
the Minisink Patent. He died in 1743, at the 
age of sixty-four. 

The maternal ancestors of Mr. Nicoll were ot 
Welsh extraction, and it is believed that on ci>m- 
ing to America they settled first on Long Island. 
From there the maternal grandjiarents came to 



«-)range Countv in 1754, continuing to make this 
their home until death. Their married life, which 
was one of great happiness and mutual helpful- 
ne.ss. was protracted for the long period of sixtv- 
four years. The father of our subject, John 
Nicoll, was born in Hacketisack, N. J., in 1799, 
and in early life was engaged in the mercantile 
business in New York City, from which place he 
remove<l to Orange County in 1844. and con- 
tinued to make his home here until his death in 
1874, at the age of seventy -five. 

The first marriage of John Nicoll was to Juli- 
ana Thompson, and that union resulted in the 
birth of a .son, William, who died in Indiana at 
the age of twenty-six years. The second wife of 
Mr. Nicoll bore the maiden name of Elizabeth H. 
White, and was born in Blagg's Cove in 1808. 
She was first married to Har\-ey Denniston, by 
whom she had a son, Har\-ey A., who makes his 
home with our subject. Harvey Deiuiiston. Sr., 
died in 1829. 

The mother of our subject diet! in 1855, at the 
age of forty-seven years. By her marriage to Mr. 
Nicoll she had eight children, namely; John 
Morgan, deceased: Augustus White, who lives in 
Canaan, Conn.: Lsaac; Juliana, wife of John B. 
\'room, and a resident of Denver, Colo.: Charles, 
who dietl at four years of age: Edward, deceased; 
Charles, our subject: and Elizabeth White, wife of 
Andrew S. Glover, of New York City. During the 
Civil War Isaac eidi.sted in the I'nion anny and 
sened as Captain of Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry. While 
leading his company in the battle of Gettysburg 
in 1863 he was killed by a rifle-ball from the en- 
emy. There is a soldiers" uioniunent .standing at 
Salisbury Mills, ui>on one side of which is this 
in.scription. "To the memory of Capt. Isaac Nicoll, 
Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
N. Y. S. v., and the men from Bkxjming Grove 
who fought in the war for the unity of the Repub- 
lic, 1861-1865.'" I'poii the base of the monument 
under the inscription is the word " "Gettysburg,"" 
and upon the other sides of the ba.se are "Peters- 
burg."" "Appjinattox'" and "Plattsburg." 

In the district and l>oarding schools of Orange 
County our subject gained a fair education, qual- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



ifying him for active participation in business 
affairs. After the death of his father he assumed 
control of the old homestead, and here he has 
since made his home. In June, 1.S77, he estab- 
lished domestic ties, being then united in mar- 
riage with Miss Catalina \'room, of Jersey City. 
Their three children are named Isaac, Alfred V. 
and Elizabeth H. The elder son is attending 
school at Canaan, Conn., and the other children 
are carrying on their studies in the home .schools. 
In his political views Mr. Nicoll is a Republican, 
and is always pleased when his part\' scores a 
success at the polls. 



3I-:REMIAH drew. The simple record of 
an honorable life is the best monument that 
can be reared to any citizen, and we shall 
therefore not attempt to enlarge upon the history 
of the gentleman above named, who was formerly 
one of the most prominent residents of Highland 
Falls. He was for many jears intimately as.so- 
ciated with the political life of the community, 
holding various positions of honor and trust, in 
one and all of which he gave entire satisfaction. 

Our subject is the son of Townsend and Sarah 
Jane ( Babcock) Drew, natives of New Jersey, but 
who are now deceased. The father was an ex- 
tensive land-owner and lumber merchant and was 
a man greatly honored and respected by all who 
knew him. The parental family included ten 
children, of whom our subject was the third-born. 
His birth occurred Augu.st 15, 1823, in New Jer- 
sey, but for several years he lived at Cornwall, 
Orange County, where he was employed in sail- 
ing a sloop. 

I'pon leaving that place our subject made his 
way to New York City, where he worked in the 
machine-shops: afterwards he went to Ft. Mont- 
gomery , where he was appointed its first Postmas- 
ter, and still later held an official position at Sing 
Sing. When he came to this place it was as In- 
spector of Steamships, which position he held for 
two years, and then for the same length of time he 
.served as Harbor Ma.ster of the port of New York, 
being appointed to that office by Governor Fen- 



ton. On the expiration of his term he was again 
appointed to the same position, but the Senate 
failed to confirm the appointment, and he was 
then made Weighmaster. He was the recipient 
of many Governmental positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility. He was elected Supervisor of this 
town for seven years. In politics he was an en- 
thusia.stic Republican and never let an oppor- 
tunity pass when he could serve his partj" either 
by voice or vote. He was known in this section 
as a great lobbyist, and always went to Albany 
during important elections, using his influence 
in placing his chosen candidate in nomation. 

Mr. Drew and Miss Phebe E. Haight were mar- 
ried May 20, 1852. This lady was born in 1823, 
in Dutchess County, this state, and was a daugh- 
ter of Joseph B. and Phcebe ( Mapes) Haight. 
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Drew were 
seven in number, three sons and four daughters. 
Eugene for the past fourteen years has been an 
employe in the registry department of the general 
postoffice of New York City. For his first wife 
he married Myra Freeman, by whom he had one 
daughter, Edna, now living with her grand- 
mother and attending school in the Union Acad- 
emy in Highland Falls. He chose for his second 
wife Irene Wood, of Newburgh, and by this union 
there were born three children, Stanley (de- 
ceased), Helen and Dorothy. Charles De Witt, 
our subject's second child, is a resident of Brook- 
lyn and has been in the employ of the Govern- 
ment in the capacity of Weighmaster for the past 
twelve years; he married Mrs. Annie Sinunons, 
formerly Mi.ss Long, of Susquehanna County. 
Mrs. Drew had one daughter by her first mar- 
riage, Georgia Simmons Drew, a refined young 
lady and an artist of considerable note, now living 
with her parents and attending the Cooper In.sti- 
tute in New York City. Jennie is living in 
Texas. Mary, who makes her home in Okla- 
homa, married Dr. Allen M. Smith, an army 
surgeon, and the one son born to them bears the 
name of Richard. Josephine, who also makes 
her home in the Lone Star State, married Lieut. 
Alouzo Gray, formerly stationed at Ft. Myron, 
Wash., but now of Texas; their children are Olive, 
Alice and Eunice. Addie makes her home with 



422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



her sister in Oklahoma. Oscar is with his brother 
I^ Witt in the sus^ar-refining office at Vonkers. 
Mr. Drew departed this life at his home in 
Highland Falls in April. 1SS5. greatly mourned 
by all who knew him. He was a man of much 
bu-siness talent and financial ability . and by the 
judicious investment of his money acquired a val- 
uable property and became one of the substantial 
residents of the city. 

^^^) ^-^ 



(lOHN CLKMKNCE. Nowhere within the 
I limits of Or;tnge Count\ can there be ibund 
C2/ a "iai> who takes greater interest in its agri- 
cultural affairs than does John Clemence. Ev- 
er>- life has a histor>- of its own. and although in 
appearance it may possess little to distinguish it 
ftvm others, yet the connection of Mr. Clemence 
with the fanning interests of this region has con- 
tributed to give him a wide and popular acquaint- 
ance with the majority of the citizens of the coun- 
ty. He owns and operates ninety acres, compris- 
ing the old homestead originally purchased by 
his grandfather, the pTV»perty being situated in the 
towni of New \Vindsiir. 

Upon the fami where he now resides, our sub- 
ject was bom Februar>- 3. 1832, His father. 
Thomas, was boni on the same farm. July 25. 
179S. and the grandfather, Daniel, was bom in 
Maryland, December iS, 174S, being a descend- 
ant of Irisli ancestors. Grandfather Clenienc* 
was twice married, the family name of his first 
wife being Chandler, of his second Moffat, and 
by the two marriages there were seven children. 
Settling upon the farm now ownied by his grand- 
son, he continued to reside there until his death. 
Though a carpenter by trade, he gave consider- 
able attention also to fann pursuits, in which he 
was quite successful. 

The entire life of Thomas Clemence was spent 
upon the farm where he was bom He was 
prominent in local affairs, a Republican in poli- 
tics, and an active worker in the Presbyterian 
Chureh. At different times he w-as elected to 
towni offices, in all of which he rendered satisfac- 
torj- ser\ice. His wife passed firom earth May i , 



1S63, and he sur\-ived her ten years, his deal!, 
occurring November 2. 1S73. They were th<. 
parents of five children, namely : Phebe A. , widoxx 
of C. G. Huuser, of Brooklyn. N. Y : Samut; 
M. and Enos C deceased: Ruth D., widow i>; 
Fenlinand Griggs: and John, the youngest of thi 
family. 

Reared upon a farm, our subject grew to man- 
hood industrious and self-reliant, ready to begii: 
the battle of life and win his way upward; Hc 
received instruction in the school of his home dis- 
trict and. familiar with the daily round of farm- 
ing duties, upon attaining mans estate he began 
the occupation of an agriculturist for himself 
When about twenty-nine years of a^e he estab- 
lished domestic ties, his marriage, January 16, 
1861, uniting him with Mar>- C. Denton, an es- 
timable and highly respected lady, who ha> 
passed her entire life in this county. With the 
exception of one year, Mr. Clemence has never 
had any other home than the place where he was 
bom, and he enjoys a wide acquaintanceship 
among the p>eople of this localit>", who appreciate 
him as a substantial citizen, ever ready to assist 
in all matters pertaining to local affairs. 

Politically Mr. ClemeiKe has been a stalwart 
Republicati ever since attaining his majority. He 
is interested in both local and national issues, and 
is to-day. as indeed he has ever been, a true and 
loyal citizen, highly esteemed by his fellow- 
townsmen. He is a valued member of the Pres- 
byterian Chureh, and always ready to lend his 
assistance in religious work. 

gEORGE W. FLOOD. Highland Falls has 
its full quota of live business men, and the 
drug trade of this place is well represented 
by Mr. Flood, the enterprising pharmacist, who 
has been engaged in business here for the j>ast 
fifteen \-ears. His store is centrally located and 
is stocked with a fiill line of the purest medicines, 
paints, oils, wall paper, etc. 

Our subject is the son of Walter FKxxl. who 
departed this life in 1875, when in his fiftieth 
year. He was bom in Orange Coanty and al- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



42:; 



ways made this section his home. He was cap- 
tain of various sailing-vessels for many years, 
and in this capacity became well known to those 
whose trade took them up and down the river. 
His marriage uniteil him to Charlotte Potter, a 
native of Ft. Motitgomery. and to them were 
iKirn ten children, five of whom are deceased, our 
subject being the youngest but one. Thomas A. 
and Theodore D. reside in New York City: Ed- 
ward O. is living in Galveston, Tex.: and Arthur 
is captain of one of the boats which ply the 
Hudson River. 

The subject of this sketch, who was born in 
Highland Falls. October 8. 1S63. has made his 
mvu way in the world .since a lad of nine years, 
and his large fund of useful information has been 
gaineil solely through his own efforts. His first 
work was in "choring"" around a boarding-house, 
and later he began clerking in the drug store of 
H. P. Chase, with whom he remained for eight- 
een months, when he went to New York City, 
and for the following year was engaged with the 
custom-house broker. He next went to Dallas, 
Tex., where he obtained the position of assistant 
pas-senger agent on the Houston & Texas Central 
Railway, holding the same for a year, when he 
resigned and returned to this place, again enter- 
ing the employ of Mr. Cha.se. Three or four 
years later he was made a partner in the business, 
and in 18S7 purchasetl the interest of his employ- 
er in the stock of medicines, and has since con- 
ducted the business successfully alone. He has 
one of the best equippetl stores in the place, and 
oommauds a large share of the patronage of its 
best people. 

George \V. Flood and Miss Cora Parry, of 
Highland Falls, were united in marriage Xovem- 
ber :!3. 1SS7. The lady was bom about the year 
1S65. and is the daughter of Elwood Pany. a 
merdiant of Highland Falls. Our subject's fam- 
ily includes two daughters. Lucile and Hilda. 
Mr. Flood is very active in local politics and 
never fails to cast a ballot favoring Republican 
candidates. He was one of the organizers of 
Ondaro Lodge No. 305. K. of P.. although at 
that time he was not a memlier. He has been 
Town Clerk fyr two tenns. has been a member 



of the Board of Education for the past six years, 
and is Superintendent of the electric-light plant 
of this city, of which he was one of the organizers. 
Several years ago he learned telegraphy, and 
through his influence instruments were placed in 
the office here, he being installed as operator. 
He has .succeeded well in worldly affairs, and well 
deserves the good things which have come to 
him and the high character for probity which 
years of intimate business and social actpiaintance 
have brought him. 



r~RAXK E. ESTABROOK, who is one of 
rQ Newburgh's rising young business men, is 
I also one of her native sons. He is an archi- 
tect of recognized ability and talent, and though 
he has been in actual business in this line but a 
few years, has already made his mark, and bids 
fair to be a leader in his chosen profession. 

The father of the above-mentioned young man 
is the well known Charles Estabrook, who has 
been City Librarian for many years, and whose 
history appears on another page of this volume. 
Frank E., who was born July 10. 1S60. was a 
student in the public schools, and graduated from 
Newburgh Academy in 187S. Afterward he be- 
came Assistant Librarian, and served acceptably 
as such some two or three years. The following 
three years he spent in New York City, where he 
was employed as bookkeeper by Brooks Bros., 
clothiers. At this time he formed a taste for 
architectural work, and took up the study under 
Rossiter & Wright. Later, he was with the firm 
of Frederick B. Wight & Co. After the death of 
the senior member of the firm he became connec- 
ted with the successor to the business, Wilbur S. 
Knowles. In the meantime he attended lectures 
at Columbia College, taking a special architect- 
ural course. Once more he returned to the office 
of Mr. Knowles, and for a short period was with 
Mr. Kilborne. 

It was in 1S91 that Mr. Estabrook located in 
Newburgh and opened an office, since which time 
his progress has been most gratifying. Among 
the specimens of his skill are the City Hall, Col- 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



unibus Hall. V}«a*s!»«ck Bank. Grammar School 
Xo. 6. ami the residences of ex-Mayor C. J. 
Lawson. James S. Taylor. Colonel Weyganl and 
many others. In several adjoining towns he has 
designeil handsome buildings .ind pleasant homes, 
which give ample evidence of his originality of 
ideas, combinevl with a thorough knowledge of 
practical utility. His office is at Xo. 50 Third 
Street, in the Tiinier Building. 

In April. 1893. the marriage of Mr. Eslabrook 
and Miss Jessie F.. daughter of D. S. Waring, 
was celebrated in this city. The lady is a natix^e 
of Newburgh, and received fine educational ad- 
\ antages. The young couple had one child. Jen- 
nie, who died June 5. 1S95. Mr. and Mrs. Esta- 
baxik are members of Trinity Methtxiist Epis- 
cop;il Church. In his political belief the former 
is an anient and acti\-e Republican. 



3v>HN CORKEDALE is one of the most wide- 
awi»ke. enterprising and successful business 
men of Newburgh. where he has carried on 
operations for twelve years, dealing extensi\-ely 
in real estate. l>esides conducting a grocery store, 
tisl) and meat market and bakerv*. His success 
has all been due to his own perseverance and in- 
dnstr\-. unaided by influential friends or inherited 
wealth. 

Mr. Corkedale is a native of the Emerald Isle, 
boni in County Cavau, May S. 1S47. and is a 
son of Maxwell Corkedale. His grandtather. 
John Corkeilale. who was of Scotch descent, w-as 
a farmer and inn-keeper of Ireland, where his 
death occurreil at an ad\-anced age. He \*-as a 
Presbyterian in religious belief, and could trace 
his ancestry back tv^ the time of the Revolution 
in Ireland. The father, who was a land-owner 
and extensive fanner of his natix-e land, marrievl 
Jane Lorvl. a natixn? of County Meath. and a 
daughter i->f John Lonl. who by ixxtipation was 
a farmer, though he «-as also engaged as a land 
agent and collector. He was al>*> of Scotch de- 
scent, and died at the age of se\-enty-six years. 



in the faith of the Episcopal Chureh. The f.i 
ther of our subject died in 1S9;. at the age f 
seventy-six. and the mother passeil away in X>' 
vember. 1S93. They were l*resbyterians. an>-. 
reared a family of eight children, five sons and 
three daughters, all of whom are still living. 
John and Maxwell are residents of Xewburgh 
William lives in New York City: two sisters al.**' 
live in America, but the others still make their 
hcKtie in Ireland. 

John Corkedale. who is the third in the famil> 
was educate*! in the national schools and wa> 
reared on the home farm, where he remained un- 
til he had reached the age of eighteen years, 
when he came alone to the New World. leaxniK 
Londonderry on a steamer Iwund for New York 
In that city he first obtained employment as a 
porter with the ury-goods firm of Edward Ridle> 
& Son, at $5 per week. $4 of which he paid for 
board, and tor three years placed $5 in the hank 
e\-ery mcmth. He later drove a deliverx- wagon 
tor the dry goods hou<« of Lord & Taylor, for 
which he receix'ed $9 per week, his rvMite beinc 
firom Twenty-second to Fit\y-ninth Street, an^.; 
he remaijied with them for two years and a-hah" 
He then entered the Parkhnrst Hotel and Res 
taurant at Thirty-fourth Street and Brv>adwa> 
where he remained as storekeeper until 1S75, re 
ceiving $^v> per month and board. 

At that time Mr. Corkedale embarked in the 
grocery business for himself on Thirty -seventh 
Street, lietween Eighth and Ninth A\-enues, 
starting with a slock wc»rth S75. and at the end 
of a year removed to Nos, 505 and 506 Fit\y-firth 
Street, where he conducted a snccess^ful busines- 
until September. iSS,>, when he sold out fo: 
$1,500. and opened a grocery store at No. 3^:5 
Fil\y -third Street. He had made two trips to hi> 
old home in Ireland, where he poreha^^ a farm 
intending to remain there, but not liking the placv 
disposed of his property and returned to thi 
United States. 

In tJv<3 Mr. Corkedale located in Newborgh 
where he h.»d left his tamily on his last trip, auvi 
botight a stv^re at the comer of Ann and John- 
sttm Streets tor $3,000. There he started a little 
grocery business, which soon grew to soch pro- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



portions as to necessitate the enlargement of the 
building, requiring an outlay of 5S, 000. He soon 
followed this enterjirise by a large purchase of 
real estate at West Xewburgh, which he built up 
into one solid block, of business houses. He sold 
out one-half of the tract for $11,500. taking in 
exchange a vacant block on Washington Heights, 
which he soon covered with brick and frame 
buildings, mostly three stories in height, leaving 
only a hollow .square in tlie centre of the block. 
By his judicious investments he became pos.sessed 
of real estate valued at <50.ooo. 

Not content with this. Mr. Corkedale pur- 
chased property on the corner of Liberty and 
South William Streets, known as the "Sharkey 
proj'>erty," and erected a building' on the rear of 
the lot at an expense of $2,000. He next bought 
lots on the east side of Federal Street, on which 
he built two brick building's, which he sold for 
S5.000. and then Ixmght the Edgar C. Barnes 
property at the comer of Ann and Clark Streets 
for S3. 000. on which he put up a residence cost- 
ing S2.000. He next erected four neat and tasty 
dwellings on Benkard Avenue, at a cost of $7. 000. 
and six brick buildings at the corner of South 
William and Lander Streets, at a total cost of 
515.000. 

His increasing business permitted Mr. Corke- 
dale to buy the property on the northwest corner 
of Ann and Johnston Streets, opposite liis busi- 
ness stand, where he built three buildings, the 
entire corner, with the improvements, costing him 
.ibout 510.000. He erecteil a frame dwelling on 
Lake Street, also bought the Thomas Moore 
property at the comer of Clark and Washington 
Streets, a vacant lot at the corner of Lander and 
Spring Streets, three lots at the comer of Renwick 
and Clark Streets, and also three lots at the cor- 
ner of Benkard Avenue and Mill Street, at a cost 
of 52,000. Besides his property in Xewburgh. 
he is also interestetl in land in New Windsor, 
where he purchaseti lots from the D. P. Kelly es- 
tate amounting <o over 53oo, and erected eight 
houses. 

Mr. Corketlale Knight all materials for his 
buildings from Newburgh tradesmen, and em- 
ployed all his heljTers and mechanics in this city. 



thus materially benefiting the community at 
large. He has given his personal attention to 
the care and managenietU of his property, and at 
the same time has been conducting one of the 
largest grocery, meat, fish and bakery trades in 
the city, where he gives employment to ten men. 
He has greatly reduced the prices of the provis- 
ions he carries. b>- which he benefited the people 
and secured a liberal patronage. 

In New York City Mr. Corkedale was united 
in marriage with Miss Li/zie Anderson, a native 
of County Antrim, Ireland, and to them have 
been born seven children: John and Liz/.ie, who 
assi.st in the store: and Maxwell. Jane, Lovey, Ma- 
bel and Sarah, who are at home, Mr. Corkedale 
is a charter member of the Washington Heights 
Hose Company, and is a g^eat favorite among 
the firemen, as well as being highly esteemed by 
all his fellow-citizens. He is but in the prime ot 
life, and if his star of success continues to shine, 
as no doubt it will, there is no estimating the re- 
sults of his success as a business man. 

NILEND C. ROSE. Seldom does it fall to the 
lot of the biographical writer to record the 
life of one who, during a brief bu.siness ca- 
reer, achieved a success so remarkable as did the 
subject of this notice. The training received in 
boyhood and his natural tastes admirably adapted 
him for commercial life, for the management ot 
large interests, and the super\-ision of important 
affairs. With truth it may be said of him that 
he had one of the keenest intellects and brightest 
minds ever possessed by a citizen of Newburgh. 
It was, therefore, recognized as a public loss 
when, in the vigor of his manhood, his health 
failed, his retirement from busiuess was necessi- 
tated, and after a year of sickness his death oc- 
curred. 

Noting particularly the events that gave char- 
acter to the life of Hilend C. Rose, we find that he 
was bom in Marlborough. Ulster County, N. Y.. 
August 3, 1S60. An extended account of his 
parentage and ancestr\- appears in the sketch of 
his father, John C. Rose, presented on another 



426 



PORTRAIT AND HIonRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



page of this volume. His Iwyhood days were 
passed principally in Haverstraw on the Hud- 
.son, and in the public schools of that place he 
laid the foundation of the extensive knowledge he 
afterward possessed. Later his studies were pros- 
ecuted under private tutelage in Voukers, N. Y. 

When a mere boy, Mr. Rose gained, under his 
father's instruction, a thorough knowledge of the 
brick-manufacturing business, with which he was 
connected until his retirement. Being a young 
man of shrewd discernment, he investigated the 
locality in order to find a suitable site for brick 
works, and while prospecting in the neighbor- 
hood of Xewburgh discovered that the cla>- was 
well adapted for the manufacture of brick. Act- 
ing promptly upon this knowledge, he formed a 
partnership with his father, and established in 
business as the Rose Brick Company in iScS^. To 
his efforts was largely due the completion of the 
yards, which finally became the largest on the 
Hudson. One of his mo.st prominent traits was 
his ability as a financier, and to this quality his 
extraordinary prosperity was largely due. 

The mental .strain attendant upon the work of 
.Mr. Rose was too great for his jiliysical strength, 
and in 1892 failing health led him to sell his in- 
terest in the business to his father. The \ear 
1893 he spent principally in Colorado, being in 
Pueblo much of the time. I'nfortunately the 
change of climate was not followed by any per- 
manent benefit, and not long after his return to 
Xewburgh he died, September 22, 1894. Thus 
early in life peri.shed one of the most progressive 
and able men Orange County has ever had with- 
in its borders. He took an intelligent interest in 
all matters affecting the public welfare, and in 
his political Ix-lief was a Democrat. 

Surviving Mr. Rose are his widow and son, 
Hilend C. Mrs. Rose was formerly Miss Emma 
Davison, and was born at Nyack on the Hudson. 
She is the daughter of Benjamin and Margaret 
(We.st) Davison, natives, respectively, of Cran- 
bury, Middle.se.x County, N. J., and New York 
City. Her father was a graduate of the Phila- 
delphia Medical College, which conferred upon 
him the degree of M. D. He settled in Xyack, 
where he conducted a large and remunerative 



practice until death removed him from the scene 
of his lalxjrs. after thirty -eight years' practice. 
The girlhood years of Mrs. Rose were passed in 
Xyack, and she was the recipient of the Ijest ad- 
vantages that city afforded. She became the 
wife of Mr. Ro.se in Xew York City in 1889, and 
for five years, or until her husband's death, was his 
devoted helpmate. In unison with a character of 
the greatest refinement, she po.sse.sses a deep re- 
ligious belief, and is a consistent member of the 
Union Presbyterian Church of Xewburgh. 

gI-:ORGK L. KLHITZ. A history of High- 
land Falls would be by no means complete 
without a sketch of Mr. Kleitz, who is num- 
bered among the prominent contractors and build- 
ers of this section. He has pa.s.sed his entire life 
in this city, where he was born Xovemtjcr 30, 

1859- 

Lambert Kleitz, the father of our subject, was 
a native of Al.sace, Gernidtiy. He was well edu- 
cated in his native tongue, and early in life learn- 
ed the trade of a cooper and ship-carpenter. At 
an early day he emigrated to America, and for 
.some time thereafter plied his trade in this state. 
Subsequently he spent three years at West Point, 
and after coming to Highland Falls l^ecame well 
known as a reliable contractor and builder, to 
which business he educated our subject. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Elizabeth Wust. She, too, was born in Germany, 
in Bavaria, but met and married her hu.sband in 
the World's Fair City in 1S58. They came to 
this place shortly afterward, and are still living 
here. To them were born nine sons and daugh- 
ters, of whom George L. was the eldest; Eliza- 
beth is the wife of A. F. Warner, of Chicago: 
Barbara is deceased; Lambert is also a resident 
of the Garden City; William is a carpenter living 
in Highland Falls: Henrietta married Christian 
Miller, of Highland Falls: Philip is living in 
Chicago; Julia is at home; and .Arthur is de- 
ceased. 

After pursuing his studies for a number of years 
in the common .schools, our subject was trained 




CHARIJvS N. WdOI.I.I.V, .M. 1> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD, 



429 



to a full knowledge of the business of contracting 
and building, which came very naturall}- to him, 
and when quite young he was competent to per- 
form many particular and difficult pieces of work. 
He remained with his father until 1S83, when he 
assumed full control of the business, and has since 
that time carried it on successfully alone. 

Mr. Kleitz was married, August 26, 1885, to 
Miss Addie Sirrine, of Rockland County, this 
state. She was the daughter of John and Caro- 
line Sirrine, who are now living in that county. 
To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born five children, of whom Dais}- was born in 
July, 1886; Burt L. departed this life when five 
years of age; John died aged three and one-half 
years; Elizabeth was born in October, 1893; and 
Ruth in April, 1895. 

Our subject is greatly interested in the cause of 
education, and it is his intention to give his chil- 
dren the very best advantages possible. He is a 
true-blue Republican in politics, although in no 
sense of the term could he be considered an office- 
seeker. Religiousl}' he is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. His beautiful home, which is 
located in the western pait of the village, stands 
on an elevation, from which a splendid view of 
Highland Falls can be had. The lawn is large 
and well kept, and fruit and shade trees abound 
in great numbers, making it a very desirable 
place in which to live. 



EHARLES NATHAN WOOLLEY, A. B., 
M. D., stands pre-eminent in the medical 
profession in Newburgh, and since locating 
here in 1873 ^^^^ won the regard and esteem of 
all with whom he has been associated. His birth 
occurred in Southampton, L. I., October 8, 1838, 
and he is a son of Nathan and Eliza (Goodale) 
WooUey, both of whom were also natives of 
Southampton, and the former of whom was a sea- 
faring man. His death was caused by maligant 
scarlet fever, when only twenty-nine years old. 
Joseph Goodale, the maternal grandfather of 

17 



our subject, was born and reared in Southamp- 
ton, and was of English descent. In his birth- 
place he grew to manhood, and there he followed 
the plow until his death, in 1840, when he had 
reached nearly fourscore years. Two of his sons 
participated in the War of 1812. The maternal 
great-grandfather also bore the Christian name 
of Joseph. After remaining a widow for twenty- 
two years, Mrs. Woolley passed to her final rest, 
in 1862, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church. The only child born to her marriage 
was our subject. He attended the common schools 
of his home locality and also carried on his studies 
in Southampton Academj-. Later he embarked 
in teaching in the vicinity of his home, following 
this calling in the country for four years, and later 
became Principal of a school. 

Not being supplied with the ready means to 
carry him through college, our subject had to 
earn the wherewithal himself and this, no doubt, 
inspired him to make the most of every passing 
opportunity. In 1862 he entered the University 
of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 
1866, with the degree of A. B. It was while in his 
senior year in Ann Arbor that he began the study 
of medicine, and from there he came home to once 
more take up his former occupation, teaching. 
The following year, 1867, we find him a student 
in Bellevue Medical College, where he took a 
winter course. Later, in 1868, he entered Long 
Island College, at Brooklyn, N. Y. , and the same 
year was graduated with the degree of M. D. 
Walden was his first field of practice, but in 1873 
he came to Newburgh, where he has since been 
located, and where he has a large and paying 
practice, his office being conveniently situated at 
No. 137 Third Street. 

Southampton, the place of the Doctor's birth, 
was also the scene of his marriage, in 1868, to 
Miss Margaret B. Fithian, likewise a native of that 
village. Jonathan Fithian, her father, was born 
in Easthampton, and in Southampton followed 
teaching and farming. He was also a Notary 
and Justice of the Peace, and for years was the 
only legal man in the place. 

In 1889 Dr. Woolley was elected a member of 
the School Board, and for the past three years has 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



servetl as President of that bo<ly. Since 1892 he 
has held the important position of Chairman of 
the Teachers' Committee, and during this time 
School No. 6. at Washington Heights, has been 
erectetl. Aside from his multifarious professional 
and educational duties, the Doctor yet finds time 
to participate in social affairs. He is a member 
of Hudson River Lodge, K. & A. M.: Highland 
Chapter. R. A. NL; Hudson River Commandery, 
K. T. . and Kismet Shrine of Brooklyn. He is 
also identified with the American Academy of 
Medicine. Calvary Presbyterian Church claims 
him as one of its members and also as one of its 
Board of Trustees. Politicallx- he advocates the 
principles of the Republican party. 



^VSAAC T. MATHEWS, a member of the firm 
I of Sneed & Mathews, leading commission 
X merchants of Newburgh, was born in this 
city November 27. 1848. There were only two 
children in the parental family, the brother of our 
.subject being James H., a prominent business 
man of Larimore, N. Dak., where he is exteu- 
.sively engaged in stock-raising and dealing in 
grain, and is one of the Directors of the Larimore 
Bank. He was formerly in the provision business 
in Xewburgh, being a member of the firm of 
Mathews & Barnes, and was very successful. At 
the age of seventeen he became a member of the 
Seventh New York Independent Batter}-, known 
as P. C. Regan's Battery, and .served as a valiant 
soldier during the Civil War. In North Dakota 
he was a member of the Con.stitutional Conven- 
tion that framed the first constitution of that state. 
In 1872 our subject was in the employ of Sip- 
perley & Mathews, who were filling a Govern- 
ment contract in West Point, and remained there 
a year and .seven months, when he relumed to 
Newburgh and entered the employ of Mathews 
& Barnes, with whom he remained until starting 
in business for himself. On the 28th of October, 
i88,-?, the firm of Sneed & Mathews was formed, 
and thev have continued to conduct a lucrative 



business up to the present time. They purchased 
the building at No. 139 Water Street, but have 
since entirely remotleled it. It is 20x100 feet in 
dimensions, three stories in height, with a base- 
ment, and is also supplied with an elevator. The 
firm do both a wholesale and retail business, deal- 
ing extensively in provi.sions. and are numbered 
among the leading commission merchants of 
Orange County. 

In Newburgh Mr. Matiitws wedded Miss Mar>- 
McCartney, who was born in Binghamton, N. V.. 
and is a daughter of the late Robert McCartney, 
formerly a mason in Newburgh. Four children 
have come to bless this union; James R., who is 
in business with his lather: Edwin T., Charles 
P. and Catherine M. Mr. Mathews is connected 
with several orders, being a member of Newburgh 
Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. ; Highland Lodge 
No. 65, I. O. O. F. (which he represented in the 
Grand Lodge in New York): and also of the en- 
campment, and in the last two orders has filletl 
nearly all the offices. He is a member of the 
Butchers and Grocers' Association of Newburgh. 
of which he has been President: and also belongs 
to the Board of Trade. In political .sentiment he 
is a Republican, always giving his .support to that 
part v. 

■ — ^^^ #^£^=1^ 

IILLIAM H. BURTON. Among the na- 
tive sons of this state is this worthy gentle- 
man, a prominent contractor and builder 
of Newburgh. He was born in Milton. July 21, 
1849, ^"^ '* the son of George F. Burton, a na- 
tive of Leicestershire, England. His grandfa- 
ther, Joseph Burton, also lived and died in that 
countr>-. where he was a large land-holder. 

The father of our subject was a carpenter by 
trade, which business he leanied in England. 
He was there married, and in 1839, accompanied 
by his wife and one child, came to America, set- 
tling at Moodna, N. Y. He later removed to 
Milton, where he engaged in contracting and 
building. In religious belief he was a Quaker, 
and died in the above place in 185 1, when thirty 
years old. His wife. Martha Ward, also a native of 
England, trained her five children to good and use- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



ful lives. She remained in Milton for a time after 
the decease of her husband, but later moved her 
little family to Pleasant Valley, going from there 
to Wooding, and lastly to Newburgh, where her 
death occurred when fifty-two years of age. 

Our subject, although he attended the public 
schools of this city, gained most of his education 
at Poughkeepsie. When a lad of twelve years 
he began working in the cotton-mills, and later 
in the chair factory of that city. In 1865 he went 
West with his mother to Danville, 111., near which 
place he engaged in farming for three years. Not 
being satisfied with the country there, he returned 
to Newburgh, where for the following six months 
he worked at the mason's trade. He later en- 
gaged in carpentering under efficient instructors, 
remaining with Rider & Tower for about eight- 
een months. His coiuiection with that firm was 
severed on account of their going out of business, 
when young Burton entered the employ of John 
McClung and continued with him for three years. 
He then worked for the firm of Niver & Tice for 
about eight years, and after being employed by 
other firms until 1888, he bought out the firm 
mentioned, and continued the bu.siness at No. 3 
Front Street. He has erected some of the best 
stores and residences in the city, among them be- 
ing the storehouse of Stocker & Brill, a large and 
well constructed edifice. 

William H. Burton was married in this city, in 
1872, to Mi.ss Vashti Van Keuren, who was born 
in 1850 in Bloomingburg, Sullivan County. Her 
father, Syrenus Van Keuren, was a blacksmith 
and wagon-maker in Bloomingburg, and during 
the war the latter's .son, Charles B., was Post- 
master in that village. Her father was of German 
descent, but was born in New York. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Burton were born six children, two of 
whom are living, namely: William H., Jr., 
who is working for his father; and Abram V., a 
graduate of Spencer's Business College, who is 
engaged in the grocery busine.ss in Newburgh. 
Mr. Burton is a member of Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics never fails to 
cast a vote in favor of Republican principles and 
candidates. Socially he is a member of the An- 
golian Building As.sociation, as is also his .son. 



William H. Mr. Burton is a successful busine.ss 
man and commands the high regard and respect 
of all who know him. 

Of the brothers and .sisters of our subject we 
make the following mention: Ada, Mrs. Charles 
Brooks, resides at Moodna. Zillah, Mrs. James 
H. Smith, makes her home at Salisbury; her hus- 
band served all through the Civil War under two 
enlistments. Joseph saw two years' service in 
the late war, and was in the Seventh New York 
Battery; he is now a resident of Chicago, where 
he works at the carpenter's trade. 



ILLIAM H. EDSALL, M. D., a popular 
and succe.ssful physician of Highland Falls, 
is a graduate from the regular school of 
medicine, and has been practicing his profession 
here since April, 1878. During the intervening 
years he has built up a large and lucrative patron- 
age, and is well deserving of the success which 
has attended his labors. 

William Edsall, the father of our subject, was 
a native of Roxbury, N. Y., and for many years 
was a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Dela- 
ware County. He departed this life at Harpers- 
field, that county, in the spring of 1895, when 
.sixty-nine years of age. His wife, formerly Sarah 
J. Swartwout, of Tompkins County, is living in 
Harpersfield, Delaware County. She became the 
mother of four .sons and one daughter, of whom 
William H. was the eldest. Anna i.s' living on the 
old homestead; Arthur is a black.smith of Har- 
persfield; Irving is a prominent physician of 
Herkimer County; and James M. is Principal of 
one of the grammar schools in Brooklyn, N. V. 
The subject of this sketch was born in Dela- 
ware County, on the nth of December, 1852, and 
was brought up to farm work. Up to the time of 
reaching his sixteenth year he attended the dis- 
trict .schools, and then was sent to Stamford Semi- 
nary, in Delaware County, where he was a stu- 
dent for a period of three years. During his 
.school life he was thrown a great deal in the so- 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ciety of liis uncle, Dr. Henry M. Edsall, a noted 
physician, and when choosing that profession for 
his life work studied under his instruction until 
the death of that gentleman. He later entered 
the Albany Medical College, from which he was 
graduated in the spring of 1877 with the degree 
of Doctor of Medicine. Veiy soon thereafter he 
located at Highland Falls, where he has spent 
many of the best years of his life ministering to 
the sick of this locality. He is engaged in gen- 
eral practice, and stands high among liis brethren 
in the profession. 

In the fall of 1877 Dr. Edsall was married to 
Mi.ss Lucy Phillips, of Wurtsboro, N. Y., and to 
them has been born a daughter, Florence. In 
religious connections our subject is a Presby- 
terian. Socially he is a Kniglil of Honor and a 
Knight of Pythias, and in politics never fails to 
give his support to the candidates of the Demo- 
cratic party. He takes an active interest in the 
welfare and improvement of the community in 
which he lives, and is known as a man of ex- 
emplarx- life and honorable ])riiici])les. 

t= — -^ S "^~r~$"B "^ I 

HENRY M. LEONARD. The popularity 
of Mr. Leonard among the citizens of New- 
burgli is evidenced by the fact that, having 
been nominated on the Denux:ratic ticket in the 
.spring of i8go for the office of City Collector, he 
was elected by a majority of eleven hundred and 
seventy-five, notwithstanding the fact that the 
city is strongly Reinililican. He entered upon 
the duties of the office in March, 1890, and served 
with the greatest efficiency until the expiration of 
his term, in March, 1893. For two months after- 
ward he had charge of an estate in New York 
City for the admini.strator. In July, 1893, ''^ 
became connected with the Weston Transfer 
Company, the largest business of the kind in 
Xewburgh, and of this he has since been Super- 
intendent, relieving Major Weston of the detail 
work coiniected with the enterprise. 

The members of the Leonard family have al- 
ways been popular among the citizens of New- 
burgh, and this was especially true of our sub- 



ject's father, Chauncey M., who, though pa.ssed 
from earth more than twenty years ago, is still 
remembered with affection t)y the older residents 
of the city. He was born here in 1825, in a house 
that occupied the site of the Bigler Building, cor- 
ner of Third and Smith Streets. He was early 
orphaned by the death of his father, who was 
called from this life at the age of thirty. After 
having attended the Newburgh Academy for 
some years he went to New York and learned the 
trade of a painter. First as one of Hose Company 
No. 8, and later of Engine Company No. 5, he 
was identified with the old volunteer fire depart- 
ment of the metropolis, and was elected assistant 
foreman of the engine company. 

At the age of nineteen C. M. Leonard married 
Miss Rebecca Smith, of New York City, who died 
two years afterward, leaving a daughter, who be- 
came the wife of Thomas K. Rheutan. In 1848 
he was united with Miss Hope Smith, a sister of 
his first wife, and they became the parents of ten 
children, seven of whom attained years of matur- 
ity and three are now^ living. Henry M. is the 
subject of this sketch; and James J. is bookkeeper 
for S. M. Bull. Mrs. Hope Leonard was born 
near Liverpool, in Nova Scotia, and now resides 
with her son Henry M. 

In 1850 Mr. Leonard returned to his native 
city, where he continued to reside until his d^ath. 
He was employed as a painter by E. T. Comstock, 
and on the death of that gentleman in 1859 the 
firm of Ward & Leonard was formed. James J. 
Logan was later received into partnership and the 
firm name changed to Ward, Leonard & Co. In 
time the bu.siness reached extensive proportions 
and was then, as it still is, one of the most im- 
portant in the trade in the Hudson River Valley. 

While Mr. Leonard served his fellow-citizens in 
many useful ways, perhaps in no respect was he 
more helpful than through his services in the fire 
department. In 1853 he joined Ringgold Hose 
Company No. i, and became assi.stant foreman. 
In 1S61 he was cho.sen Chief Engineer of the fire 
department, and at each successive election there- 
after was elected to the same position until 
March, 1874, when he was called to take the 
higher jiosition of Mayor. After a few months' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



433 



service in the latter office, during which time he 
displayed the greatest efficiency and energy, he 
died at his residence. No. 62 Ann Street, Decem- 
ber 3, 1874. The funeral, which was held two 
days later, was one of the 'large.st the city has ever 
known. Places of business were closed and many 
buildings were draped in black. The funeral pro- 
cession was composed of the city officials, the 
clergy and physicians, and fifty Knights Tem- 
plar, he having been a prominent member of the 
latter organization and one of the organizers of 
Hudson River Lodge. The funeral discourse was 
delivered at Union Church by Rev. Wendall 
Prime, D. D., and the remains were interred in 
St. George's Cemetery. 

Reared in Newburgh, where he was born De- 
cember II, 1852, the subject of this sketch had 
excellent educational advantages in early boj-- 
hood, attending the high school and Chapman's 
private school. At the age of fifteen he became 
a clerk for Ward, Leonard & Co., and remained 
in their employ tor over twenty years. In i8go, 
as above .stated, he was elected Cit}- Collector, in 
which responsible position he rendered satisfac- 
tory service. In 1873 he joined the Ringgold 
Hose Company, of which he is .still an active 
member, and for three years he served as assist- 
ant chief engineer of the Newburgh Fire Depart- 
ment. He is also State Tieasurer of the Order 
of American Firemen, and formerly held the po- 
sition of Treasurer of C. M. Leonard Council, 
Order of American F'iremen. Aside from his 
other duties, he is Secretary of the Newburgh 
District Telegraph Company. Socially he holds 
fraternal relations with Hudson River Lodge, 
F. & A. M. A stanch Democrat in politics, he is 
one of the leading members of that party in the 
citj', and is at present serving on the City Demo- 
cratic Committee. At different times he has rep- 
resented the party as its delegate in local and 
state conventions. 

While he had the influence of his father's name 
to assist him to a .start in life, yet it is but fair to 
presume that had Mr. Leonard been the .son of a 
poor man he would nevertheless have worked his 
way to the front, for he possesses the qualities 
that almost invariahlj- bring success. He is 



known for his sound judgment as a business man 
and for the enterprise that has made him willing 
to undertake any venture that promises a success- 
ful termination, while his bu.siness transactions 
have been conducted with such a regard for fair- 
ness, honesty and integrity, that not a stain rests 
on his reputation. 

ILLIAM W. RUMSEY. This well known 
resident of Newburgh is alike prominent 
in business, musical and social circles, be- 
ing in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Com- 
pany, a member of Moscow's Orchestra, and Gen- 
eralissimo of Hudson River Commandery No. 35, 
K. T. He was born at No. 1 1 High Street, New- 
burgh, May 14, 1850, and is of English de- 
scent. His father, Alfred T., was born in the 
town of Monroe, in 1804, and grew to manhood 
on the farm of the grandfather, Jeremiah. Soon 
after his marriage he came to Newburgh, and 
continued to reside on High Street until his death, 
in February, 1878, at the age of about seventy- 
four years. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Catherine Alexander, and was born in 
Little Britain, Orange County, being a daughter 
of James Alexander, an old settler of that local- 
ity. Concerning the family histor}-, mention is 
made elsewhere in this volume, under sketch of 
James K. Alexander. She was reared to woman- 
hood in Little Britain and has spent her entire 
life within this county. Having been born in 
1813, she is now advanced in years, but retains to 
a large degree the possession of her mental facul- 
ties and phy.sical .strength. 

The parental family consisted of three sons and 
one daughter, all of whom are living. They are 
named as follows: James, who is a conductor on 
the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad; 
William W., of this .sketch; Frank M., who re- 
sides in Newburgh; and Anna, Mrs. A. E. Mc- 
Crea, a resident of New Rochelle, N. Y. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in Newburgh, 
and in boyhood attended the old high school, now 
known as the Second Ward School, graduating 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from it at the age of fourteen. In 1864 he entered 
the employ of the Penns\ivania Coal Company, 
beginning at very low wages and in an humble 
position, but in 1866 he was promoted to a clerk- 
ship, and has conliiuied with the firm since, one 
of their most trusted employes. 

In this city, in 1869, Mr. Runisey married Miss 
Margaret White, who was born here, and is a 
lady of culture. In 1871 Mr. Rumsey joined 
Xewburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A.M., in which 
he served as Junior Warden. He is also identi- 
fied with Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.,in 
which he held an official position for many years. 
As above stated, he is the present Generalissimo 
of Hud.son River Commandery No. 35, K. T. 
He belongs to Mecca Temple of the Noble Mystic 
Shrine of New York. In the Ma.sonic \'eterans' 
Association he is an active member, and is serv- 
ing on one of the committees of that organization. 
From the fall of 1868 until the spring of 1S72 he 
was coiniected with the Columbian Hose Com- 
pany No. 2, being its Secretary for two years. 
Politically he is an ardent Republican, always 
plea.sed when his partv scores a success. Since 
1871 he has been identified with musical organi- 
zations, and now plays the drum in Moscow's 
Orchestra. He is particularly interested in mat- 
ters relating to music, and is a good judge of the 
art. 



EAl'T. JOHN X. HOTALING. of Xewburgh, 
comes from one of the old Holland-Dutch 
families of I'l.ster County, the name having 
been originally spelled Houghtaling, but for con- 
venience it was abbreviated to the present style. 
The Captain is a veteran of the Civil War, and 
for many years was proprietor of the sloop "Henry 
Krouse," which he ran between Rondout and 
New York in the .general freighting busine.ss. 
He was captain of this ves.sel for nine years, 
when he .sold out his interest and engaged in 
building brick barges. In the spring of 189 1 he 
leased the northern brickyard owned l)y Mr. Jova, 
and has managed it ever since. 



The Captain's paternal grandfather, John I., 
was born in Point Young, Ulster County. The 
father, David L., was a native of the same local- 
ity, and a fanner by occupation. His wife, who 
was Miss Adeline Kll.sworth before their marriage, 
was also born in I'l.ster County, and is still liv- 
ing at Port Young, but her husband is deceased, 
his death having occurred at the age of fifty-six 
years. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, and a most worthy man in every particu- 
lar. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat. 
In the parental family were eight children, six of 
whom grew to maturity and are still living. 

J. N. Hotaling was born in the .same locality 
as were his parents, February 15, 1848, and was 
next to the eldest child. He was brought up to 
farm life, and attended the di.strict schools until 
his fourteenth year, when for two seasons he was 
steward or cook on a Hudson River sloop. Then 
for a year he ran on the schooner "Peter Rud- 
I der," and for the three years following was on a 
; Delaware & Hudson River coal barge, which 
1 brings his history up to the .spring of 1865. At 
I that time he enlisted and went South, subse- 
quently being a.ssigned to Company D, Ninety- 
second New York Infantry, and was mustered 
into the service in February. After .going to the 
front, he did duty in various parts of Virginia un- 
til the close of the war, being afterward retained 
for the protection of citizens until the last part of 
February, 1866. At that time he was mustered 
out and honorably discharged at City Point, his 
regiment being the last one to be released. For 
a year subsequently the Captain sailed on the 
.sloop "Iowa," of which he was mate for the next 
three years, and finally, as previously .stated, 
bought the "Henry Krouse, " of which he was 
captain some nine years. 

About the year 1880 Mr. Hotaling built the 
barge "Abraham Hyde," which had a capacity 
of one hundred and ei.ghty thousand brick. This 
boat he ran from Port Ewen to New York for a 
year, and then for two years between Haverstraw 
and New York. At that time he disposed of his 
interests in lier, but continued to operate the 
barge for two years more, when he constructed 
the barge known as "J. J. J. No. i." Later he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435 



built "J. J. J. No. 2," and still later the "J. J. J. 
No. 3." each of which barges he ran for two 
years. He still owns a part interest in these, in 
connection with Mr. Jova. 

In the spring of 1891 the Captain leased the 
new yards of the Jova Brick Works, the busine.ss 
of which has since greatly increa.sed. Three ma- 
chines are kept running, each having a capacity 
of twenty-two thousand brick per day. There 
are large sheds, kilns and improved appliances 
now used in the manufacture of brick in the yards, 
and about seven and one-half million of brick 
have been turned out per annum. Employment 
is given to about fifty hands and shipments are 
made direct to New York City. The engine which 
supplies power for the niachiner)' is one of one 
hundred and twenty horse-power. 

In 1882 Mr. Hotaling and Laurane Tremper 
were married in Port Ewen, of which place the 
lady is a native. Her father, Capt. McGregor 
Tremper, was a ship-carpenter by trade, and sail- 
ed on steamers plying the Hudson. Mrs. Hotal- 
ing's grandfather was the owner of a shipyard at 
South Rondout. The Captain and his wife have 
three bright children, Grover Cleveland, Nellie 
Newton and Lottie. The familj- residence is at 
Port Ewen, a pretty village just across the line in 
Ulster County. The Captain is a member of the 
American Reformed Church, and holds the office 
of Deacon in the congregation. vSocially he is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias. 



]^+^[ 



HENEZER C. LIKELY, junior member of 
^ the firm of Likely Bros. , has been engaged 
__ in business at Highland Falls since May i, 
iS-6. The firm has a finely fitted up meat-mar- 
ket, keeping constantly on hand all kinds of fresh 
meat, fish, canned goods, vegetables, etc., and 
commands a good share of the patronage of the 
best residents of the place. The business was 
established by their father, William C. Likely, 
formerly one of the well-to-do residents of High- 
land Falls. He is now decea.sed, having passed 
away at the age of seventy three years. 

The father of our subject was l)orn in Putnam 



County, N. Y., and for many years of his active 
life was an agriculturist of prominence in the 
Putnam \'alle3\ He later engaged in the meat 
business in Highland Falls, owning the market 
which is now carried on by his two sons. He 
was married to Julia Smith, of Putnam County, 
who lived to be eighty-seven years of age. To 
them was born a family of seven children, of 
whom the eldest, Martha, is deceased; Elizabeth 
is the widow of Edward L. Buckber, and makes 
her home in New York City; John S. is engaged 
in business with our subject; Emeline makes her 
home in this. city; James Henry died in infancy; 
the subject of this sketch was the next-born; and 
William G. , the youngest, is deceased. 

Ebenezer C. Likely was born in the Putnam 
Valley, April 30, 1852. His boyhood days were 
passed on his father's Putnam County farm, where 
he acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture. 
His education was acquired in the schools of that 
locality, which were not of the best. He has, 
however, gained knowledge by observation and 
business experience, so that he is to-day one of 
the best informed young men of the localit}-. 

When eighteen years of age our subject went 
to Hudson, and later to New York Cit}-, where he 
served an anprenticeship of four years at the car- 
penter's trade. Being a natural mechanic, it came 
very easy for him to handle tools, and he very soon 
became an expert workman, succes.sfully following 
his trade in that city until twent}'-eight years old. 
He was ambitious to gain a good start in life, and 
by saving his money was enabled, on the death of 
his father, to go into partnership with his brother, 
they purchasing the interest of the other heirs in 
the business in which they are now so pro.sper- 
ously engaged. 

Mr. Likely was married, in October, 1877, to 
Miss Eliza Lent, of Highland Falls. Their two 
children are Alice, sixteen years of age; and Sa- 
rah, who is fourteen. They are both being given 
every advantage to gain a splendid education and 
are bright and accomplislied young ladies. In 
politics Mr. Likely is a Republican, tried and true, 
and in social affairs is a Knight of Pythias and a 
Knight of Honor. Mrs. Likely belongs to the 
Methodist Ivpiscopal Church, bnt although our 



436 



I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subject is a thoroughly honest and upright citi- 
zen, he is not identified with any religious organiz- 
ation. His father, however, was a Haptist, and 
his mother a member of the Methodist Church. 
He takes great interest in local matters, and is one 
of the enterprising business men of the place. 

0R. LEXDON S. STRAW, who is a promi- 
nent dentist of Newburgh, and is a leader 
in business and social circles as well, has 
conducted a successful practice here since 1857. 
He was born in Hopkinton, N. H., January 22, 
1825, and is a son of Dr. Samuel and Malinda 
(Colby) Straw, both natives of Hopkinton. The 
Straw famil> was founded in America by three 
brothers, who left England to come to America, 
settling in New Hampshire. The grandfather, 
Samuel Straw, served in the War of 1812. 

The fiither of our subject graduated from Dart- 
mouth College with the degree of M. D., and 
practiced medicine about twelve years in New 
Hampshire, when he went to Boston and .studied 
dentistry with Drs. Harwood and Tucker. In 
1837 he went to Bangor, Me., where he practiced 
dentistry until the breaking out of the Civil War, 
when he becam« Surgeon of the Eleventh Maine 
Regiment. He assisted in the organization of 
two companies, and was made Captain of the la.st, 
but as he could not stand the arduous service, he 
resigned. After attending a course of lectures in 
Dartmouth College, where he formerly gradu- 
ated, he was appointed by General McDougal as 
Surgeon in the regular army, being stationed 
first at Lansingburg, above Troy, N. V., and 
later at the pri.soner hospital at Elmira, this .state, 
where he remained until the close of the war. He 
tlien came to the home of our subject, where his 
last days were spent, he dying in 1884. For .some 
time he engaged in practice in coiuiection with 
his son. He was quite a j>rominent man, being 
held in the highe.st respect by all who knew him. 
He was first a Whig, and, being a strong Aboli- 
tioni.st, on the formation of the Republican party 
he joined its ranks. 

Dr. L. S. Straw is tlie onlv surviving meniiier 



of the family, which comprised three sons. He 
studied dentistry with his father, and at the age 
of eighteen opened an office in Lowell, where he 
practiced for sometime, and then removed to Ban- 
gor, Me. In 1849, on account of ill health, he 
decided to go to California, and took passage on 
the sailing-vessel "Sulliote," going by way of 
Cape Horn, and was one hundred and fifty -six 
days in making the trip. On landing at San 
Franci.sco, he at once proceeded to the Southern 
Mines on the Mokelumne River, where he was 
engaged in mining through the winter. He then 
located in San Francisco, where he engaged in 
the practice of his profession, and during jiis resi- 
dence there .served as one of the Vigilance Com- 
mittee. Those were trying times, and the good 
men of the community had to do all in their pow- 
er to preserve order. He later operated a quartz 
mine in the interior, but in 1854 returned East by 
the Isthmus route, going by w'ay of the Pacific 
Mail to Panama, and by steamer from Aspinwall 
to New York. This journey occupied twent\ 
two days. 

Dr. Straw then remained in practice in Bangor, 
Me., until 1857, when, on the ist of July of that 
year, he located in Newburgh, entering into part- 
nership with Dr. Royce, which connection con- 
tinued for five years, and in 1864 he established 
his present office at the corner of Water and Sec- 
ond Streets. His practice has grown to such pro- 
portions that he requires the help of an assistant. 
He is one of the best dentists of Orange County, 
ranking high among his brother practitioners. 

At Poughkeepsie, N. V., Dr. Straw was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary Phalen, a native of 
Vermont, but who passed her girlhood in Pough- 
keepsie, this state. To them has been torn a 
daughter, Malinda. The family now resides at 
the plea.sant home which the Doctor erected at 
No. 197 Grand Street. He is a charter member 
of the City Club, of which he has toen a Director 
since its organization, and at the erection of tiie 
club house was Chairman of the Building Cotn- 
mittee. He is a member of the Board of Trade, 
and in Masonic circles .stands high, toing a mem- 
ber ot Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. &. A. M., 
of which he was Master for three years, and Dis- 




CHARLKS H. MEAI>. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



439 



tiict Deputy Grand Master two years. He is 
also ideiitifieil with Highland Chapter No. 52, 
R. .\. M.: and Hudson River Conunandery No. 
;,5, K. T. Religiously he is an Ivpi.scopalian, be- 
longing to St. George's Church of Newhurgh. 
His lirst \otc was in .support of the Whig party, 
antl since the organization of the Republican 
party he has been one of its ardent adherents. 

The Doctor has always been active in advanc- 
ing his profession. He became a charter member 
of the State Dental Association in 186S, with 
which he has ever since been prominently con- 
nected, lia\ing served as its President for three 
years, during which time he did much for its suc- 
cess. Dr. Holmes and him.self were sent as a 
committee to the Legislature to ask for the pass- 
age of a bill which required all dentists in the 
future to hold a diploma. It was paased and 
signed by Governor Robin.sou, and through the 
influence of the State Society it has since been 
greatl\- amended. The state is dividetl into eight 
judicial districts, each having a dental society, 
and he became the second President of the Second 
District Dental Association, of which he is still 
an active member. The Doctor has been con- 
nected with various enter^irises in Newburgh, 
where he is numbered among her honored anil 
mo.st highly respected citizens. 



EHARLblS II. Mb:.\D, of the firm of .Mead & 
Taft, at Cornwall, is well known throughout 
the state. The business of the firm was es- 
tablished by our subject in 1S53, and in 1S61 the 
present partnership was formed. The firm deal 
extensively in lumber, coal and building supplies 
of all description, and also conduct a real-estate 
bu.siness, and their reputation as contractors and 
builders is one of which they may well be proud, 
and from the time the business was established, 
trade has increasetl year by year. On the 29th 
of March, 1879, the firm met with a .serious 
loss in the burning of their building, but with 
characteristic energy a large and commodious 
building was at once erected and their business 
continued without dela\-. .\t the jire.sent time 



they have in their employ over six hundred men, 
their trade extending almost throughout the en- 
tire state. They have manufactured many port- 
able cottages for watering-places and have had the 
contracts for the erection of many large and ex- 
jien.sive buildings in New York and its sulnirbs. 

Joseph N. Mead, the father of our subject, was 
born near Norwich, Conn., and while a >oung 
man removed to Cold Spring, Putnam County, 
N. v., where he was engaged in running a sail- 
ing-packet which carried pa.ssengers and freight 
fronv Albany to New York. He subsequently 
ran the lioat from Cold Spring to New York, con- 
tiiniing thus engaged until the destruction of his 
vessel by fire. He was among the early sailing 
masters on the Hudson River, and was well and 
favorably known through a large .section of coun- 
try. After the burning of his vessel he located at 
Garrison's Landing, Putnam County, and built a 
dock, a residence and a store, continuing in trade 
there until the time of his death, which occurred 
in 1S41. He married Pheebe Garrison, a daugh- 
ter of Judge Harry Garrison, a representative 
of one of the families who early settled on Long 
Island. Judge Garri.son was for many years 
prominently identified with Putnam County and 
was a man of .sterling character. He was the 
owner of slaves, but gave them their liberty as 
early as 1823. Joseph N. and Phcebe (^ Garrison) 
Mead were the parents of six children. Mary 
Jane, now deceased, who married James D. Fau- 
rot, of Ft. Montgomery; Joseph Henry, deceased; 
Hannah PUizabeth, widow of Sylvanus Coursun; 
William Augustus, who passed away in child- 
hood: Charles Henry, our subject; and .Sidney, 
who died in infancy. The mother died in Janu- 
ary', 1879. The paternal grandparents of our sub- 
ject were Abram and Hannah Mead, and the lat- 
ter's father, Abram, was at one time the sole 
owner of Cold Spring, Putnam County, N. Y. 
The paternal great-grandmother was Elizabeth, a 
daughter of General Nicholson, of Revolutionary 
fame. 

Charles Henry Mead, who was born in Putnam 
County July 24, 183 1, remained with his parents 
until nine years of age, receiving his j)rimar\- ed- 
ucation under the direction of Rev. Mr. Williams. 



440 



PORTRAIT AND PIOGRAnilCAL RFXORD. 



an Episcopal clergyman. In iS^i he went to live 
with his sister. Mary Jane Faurot, at Ft. Mont- 
gomery, where his education was conlinueil in 
the c\>ininon sc1kh>1s. When seventeen years old 
he came to Cornwall and engaged to learn the 
trade of a carpenter with Daniel Taft. In June, 
1S54. he was nnite<l in marriage with Mar>- I{. 
Talt. and their union has been blesseil with twelve 
children. Charles, who has charge of the hard- 
ware store, married l{va Hrtxiks. and they have 
three children, Laura, Kiting and George. Liz- 
zie, who married Charles Mahler, is the mother 
of two children, James and Charles. Minnie, 
who marrieil Andrew B. Ryer, has two children, 
Kdith and Willie. Clara married Dr. Shelden, 
of New York, and they have two children, Mar- 
garet and Olia. Harry, wlio is engaged in the 
shipping business in New York, marrieil Marietta 
Reynolds, who dietl leaving two children, Harold 
and John. Jennie, now the wife of Roliert Tut- 
tle, resides in New York. The remaining chil- 
dren, who are yet ninnarried, are Frank, Ida, 
Lula, Clifton, Mabel and Walter. All have had 
excellent opportunities for an education, receiv- 
ing instruction in jirivate schools. 

Upoti all national issues Mr. Mead is a Repub- 
lican, but locally is not a .strict party man. So- 
cially he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight 
of Honor. In the Oild Fellows' lodge he is Past 
Grand, was for two years District Deputy, and 
lias lieeu Treasurer of the Knights of Honor since 
its organization. All the family but the young- 
est are members of the Episaipal Church, of 
which Mr. Mead is Senior Warden. 



<<y- 






-^ 



noSEPH H. ADOLPH, who is proprietor of 
I the Highland Meat- market, has one of the 
Qy best kK-ations in the city, and since 1S86, 
when first establishing in business here, has con- 
ducted a paying business. His father, who also 
bore the given name of Joseph, .servetl as a soldier 
in the regular army for about twenty-three years, 
and in the late war was a member of a detach- 



ment of artillery stationed at West Point. He 
was a native of Alsace and was born in 1829. 
His father, the grandfather of our subject, served 
through all the campaigns of NapiMeon. and was 
a j>ensioner of the French Government for man\ 
>ears. 

The mother of our subject, who was of German 
descent, departed this life when Joseph H was 
ipiite young. His brother, John A., is a farmer 
of Orange Countv, and Maggie makes her home 
in Highland F'alls. 

The subject of this sketch wis born December 
17, 1857, in Highland Falls, where he .spent his 
youthful days. He was not given many oppor- 
tunities for gaining an education, but the experi- 
ence which he has obtained since embarking in 
life on his own account has made him a practical 
business man. He is a natural mechanic and has 
the faculty of doing well whatever he undertakes. 

When a lad of eleven years our subject began 
the struggles of life. His natural aptness and 
energy, however, were strengthened and devel- 
oped by contact with the world, resulting in mak- 
ing him more than ordinarily successful. His 
first work was in a grocery store, he remaining in 
the enjploy of one man for a period often years, 
and as he made himself useful to those about him 
he was a trusted employe. At the end of that 
time he determined to .see something of the world 
and made his way to Milwaukee, where he re- 
remained for a number of years, working for the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- 
pany. He was steady and tenip>erate in his hab- 
its, and it was not long before he was recognized 
as a very valuable man in the yards, where he 
was engineer. He was promised a riui on the 
road, but his services were so satisfactor\- that he 
was retained in his former cap.acity until resigning, 
some time thereafter, at which time he was given 
a recommendation by the company, stating that 
he was an excellent and trusted employe and that 
he re.sigued on his own account. Mr. Adolph 
then returned l^ast, and for a few years made his 
home in Connecticut, where he engaged as a ma- 
chini.st at the Russel & Irwin Screw Factory at 
New Britain. Later the idea of starting in busi- 
ness for himself presented itself, and, coming to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



441 



Highland Falls, he embarked in the meat trade, 
in which he has continued ever since. He has 
invested considerable of his surplus capital in 
property in the city and is regarded as one of the 
substantial and well-to-do business men of the 
place. As we have already shown, he started 
out in life without means, and his present high 
standing attests his ability as a man of business 
and shows what can be accomplished by deter- 
mination and hard work. 

.May 4, 1885, Mr. Adolph and Mi.ss Mary Cam- 
])ion, of Hartford, Conn., were united in mar- 
riage. To them have been born three children, 
Joseph Henry, Mary and Raymond. Although 
in no .sense of the word a politician, yet our sub- 
ject never fails to ca.st his vote during elections, 
usually favoring Democratic candidates. He is 
a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, in 
which he has life insurance to the amount of 
$1 ,000, is also insured in the Mutual Life of Hart- 
ford for the .same amount, and holds a policy for 
$1,000 in the Germanic Company. 



y/lAX K. REPPENHAGEN. Through the 
y medium of his inventions Mr. Reppenha- 
(9 gen has gained a national reputation, and 
probably no citizen of Highland Falls is more 
widely known than he. He is known as the in- 
ventor of the Reppenhagen Reversible and Self- 
adjusting Razor vStrop, of which one hundred 
thousand are .sold annually. The .strop is the re- 
sult of the study of years, and is a combination 
of two carefullj- prepared strops, one of selected 
leather and the other of t cotch linen duck seam- 
less ho.se canvas. It is especially valuable on ac- 
count of the fact that it can be reversed length- 
wise, is guaranteed to adjust itself to the razor 
in any position, and has a swivel attachment at 
one end and a handle at the other, by which means 
either the canvas or the leather can be turned up 
at will. 

In addition to the manufacture of the strop, 
Mr. Reppenhagen has made a specialty of the 
preparation of the glycerine cream shaving and 
shamjiooing sf)ap, which those who have tried 



every kind claim has no equal. To prevent un- 
due waste of the soap, the Reppenhagen Soap 
Supporter was invented and patented. It is a lit- 
tle platform on which the soap is placed, and the 
whole is supported by a spring of sufficient ela.s- 
ticity, so that a slight pressure with the brush 
will partly immense the soap in the water and as 
.soon as released will again take its position above 
the water, thus preventing waste. 

The merits of the Reppenhagen razor strop 
having been thoroughly- tested, it has been adopt- 
ed by the United States Government and is being 
purchased by the Commis.sary General, United 
States Army, for the use of the regular army. 
It is supplied to the cadets of the United vStates 
Military Academy at West Point, and to the ca- 
dets of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., 
and to many of the Soldiers' Homes. Besides 
this, it has been sold in foreign countries and is 
gaining increased popularity. 

Born in Hamburg, Germany, February 24, 
1 85 1, our subject received an excellent German 
education, and served in the Franco- Pru.s.sian 
army. In 3'outh he learned the trade of a coif- 
feur, which he followed for a time in his native 
land. In 1872 he crossed the ocean, landing in 
New York, where he worked at his trade in the 
Metropolitan Hotel. Soon afterward he came to 
Highland Falls and opened up a business in the 
Stephens Hotel, but becoming homesick he re- 
turned to Germany. He saw, however, that his 
native country was not as good a place for a poor 
man as was America, and so came back to the 
United States, where he has .since been content to 
remain. A loyal American, he believes in the 
institutions fostered by our Government and aids 
all puplic-spirited enterprises as much as lies in 
his power. 

Prior to his return to America, Mr. Reppenha- 
gen visited England and Ireland, and then, cross- 
ing the ocean, traveled through Ohio, West \'ir- 
ginia and other .states, but finally came back to 
Highland Falls. In 1879 he married Anna D. 
Stewart, and afterward resided for a time in West 
Point, where he was engaged in his profession. 
Meantime he patented his valuable improvements 
and inventions, and acting on the advice of friends 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



organized a stock coni]iany. This, however, did 
not prove a satisfactory arranjjenient, and the 
corporation was dissolved, each stockholder receiv- 
ing the full amount of his investment, with six 
per cent, interest. From 1889 to 1890 he was in 
partnership with a Mr. Johnson, whom he bought 
out in the latter year and has since been alone. 
The i)usiiiess has been managed scientifically 
and successfully, and step by .step Mr. Reppen- 
hagen has advanced until the time is now near at 
hand when his will be the mo.st important in- 
dustry in Highland Falls. 

The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Reppen- 
hagen, Liela, Ernest and Anna, aged respectively 
thirteen, ten and eight, are bright and intelligent, 
and have a natural talent for music, in which 
they are l)eing trained. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of the School Board, and socially is a Mason. 
In the Presbyterian Church he is serving as 
President of the Board of Trustees. Politically 
he has often affiliated with the Democratic party, 
but its present position is not in accord with his 
views, and he may be classed as independent in 
politics. 



HENRY J. JOVA is manager of the Jova 
Brick Works at Roseton, near Newburgh, 
which business was establi.shed by his fa- 
ther, Juan J. Jova, a very enterprising and pub- 
lic-spirited man. The clay bank which is owned 
by the family is the highest and largest on the 
Hudson River, and by experts is pronounced the 
best in the country. The brickyards and kilns 
are conveniently located for loading barges with- 
out undue handling, and the products of the plant 
find a large sale in New York City and in towns 
along the river, as well as those at more distant 
points. 

Juan J. Jova was born in \"illa Clara, Cuba, 
while his father, Juan, was born in Spain. The 
latter emigrated to Cuba and engaged in sugar- 
growing. When a young man Juan J. came to 
New York City, and after mastering the English 
tongue, started in bu.siness, representing his 
home plantation and others as a general sugar 



broker. When the war came on he lost heavily, 
but continued the commission business, and about 
1874 purchased the land on which the present 
brick plant is located. However, he did not give 
up his brokerage business in New York until 
1885, at which time he opened a brickyard, con- 
tinuing to operate the same until his death, which 
occurred December 30, 1893, when in his sixty- 
first year. In his political lielief he was a Demo- 
crat, and was always in the front ranks of works 
of improvements. When the Catholic Church of 
Our Lad\- of Merc\- was constructed on a part of 
his homestead he furnished a large share of the 
money which was used in building the edifice, 
and managed to interest other wealthy men. 

The Jova Brickyards properly comprise two 
separate yards, one having five machines and the 
other three, with a capacity of twenty million 
bricks per year. The company owns three barges 
known as "J. J. J. No. i," "J. J.J. No. 2" and 
"J. J. J. No. 3," and the brick manufactory also 
goes by the three initials, the brand having be- 
come celebrated. There are two engines u.sed 
for running the machinery, one of these being 
sixty and the other one hundre<l horse-power. 
Two hundred and fifty men are constantly em- 
ployed in the yards, and a boarding-house is 
operated for their convenience. The firm has a 
local agency in New York City and keeps sales- 
men on the road. The estate of the senior Mr. 
Jova also includes a farm of one hundred and 
thirty acres. The homestead was one of the most 
costly on the Hudson at the time it was built, in 
1834. It is constructed of Yermont granite and 
cost $70,000. 

The wife of Juan J. Jova bore the maiden name 
of Mario \'atable. She was born in Guadeloupe, 
in the West Indies, and came with her j)arents to 
New York City when only two years old. Her 
father, Henry H., a native of the same city, was 
a sugar planter and aftenvards e.stablished a 
brokerage house, which still goes by its former 
title, H. Yatable & Sons, though he is decea.sed. 
Mrs. Jova is still living, making her home in the 
beautiful residence mentioned above. Of her 
eight children, Henry J., of this sketch, is man- 
ager of the brick works, as before mentioned; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



and the next younger sons, Jules J. and Edward 
A., are also connected with the business. Marie, 
wife of J. Diego Abreau, is a resident of Cuba. 
The younger members of the family are Horteiise, 
John, Joseph and Angel. 

Henry J. Jova was born in New York June 14, 
1872, and in 1891 took charge of his father's 
business, in which at present he is acting as his 
mother's representative. He is a yoting man of 
good business ability, and is discharging his 
duties in a capable maimer. Socially he is much 
esteemed, being a member of the Newburgh 
Canoe Club, the Powelton Club, the Ice Yacht- 
ing Club of L,ow Point Landing, the West 
Newburgh Gun Club, and is part owner of the 
beautiful ice yacht "Gracilla." 



y/|O.SEvS F. NELSON. There is no man in 

Y the vicinity of Highland Falls more widely 
(3 or better known than the subject of this 
sketch, who is the popular Town Clerk. He is a 
responsible servant of the people, who at all times 
have expre,ssed their full confidence in his ability 
and integrity of word aud action. He is now 
serving his third term in that office, being elected 
by a handsome majority each term. His entire 
life has been spent within the limits of this place. 
His father, Cornelius Nelson, was born in the 
town of Phillipstown, Putnam County, N. Y., 
May II, 1811, and for manj' years was engaged 
in farming on the other side of the Hudson River. 
He later engaged in the meat business, and after 
disposing of this removed to New York City, 
where he was engaged in trucking. About 1848 
he came to Highland Falls and for thirty years 
was Postmaster here, being the first to hold the 
office. At the same time he conducted a thriving 
grocery. Later he engaged in the fire-insurance 
bu,sine.ss, and in this branch gained the hearty ap- 
proval and patronage of his fellow-townsmen. 

The first marriage of Cornelius Nelson united 
him with Mi.ss E. Meeks, who died in 1863. His 
second marriage was with Mrs. Melis.sa G. 



Mearns, the widow of William Mearus. She was 
the mother of four children, three of whom are 
now living. By her union with Mr. Nelson she 
has one child. 

The subject of this notice was born at High- 
land Falls, August 29, 1867. He was early in 
life associated with his father in the insurance 
business, the firm operating under the style of 
Cornelius Nelson & Son. Since the death of the 
former he has conducted it alone and increased 
the bu.siuess of the company to large proportions. 
Added to the knowledge which he acquired in 
school, he has a good practical business education, 
and through determination and ambition to make 
a success of life he is now well-to-do. He repre- 
sents three of the be.st fire-insurance companies 
in the United States, and besides this is a Notary 
Public and a dealer in real estate. 

Mr. Nelson was married, September 19, 1893, 
to Miss Mary Adolph, a resident of this place. 
Socially he is a Knight of Honor and a Knight of 
Pythias. In political affairs he is a true-blue Re- 
publican and an active worker for that party, at- 
tending all its countj' conventions and in every 
way assisting its interests. He has held some 
public office ever since attaining his majority, first 
being Tax Collector, and is now the popular and 
efficient Town Clerk, the duties of which office he 
is discharging with entire .satisfaction. Mrs. Nel- 
son is a devout Catholic in religion, in which faith 
she was reared. 



pCJlLLIAM A. KILMER, one of the most 
\ A / clever business men of Newburgh, is Sec- 
Y V retary and Treasurer of the Kilmer Manu- 
facturing Company, one of the leading industries 
of the cit)\ Employment is given to from three 
hundred and fifty to four hundred hands, besides 
salesmen who travel aud sell the company's 
products in all parts of the United States, Cuba, 
South America and Europe. It is always inter- 
esting to trace the growth of any of our large 
busine.ss enterprises from a humble beginning, and 
it is especially so in this case. It was as late as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1S76 that our subject's father. Augustus Kilmer, 
luade an inveutiou whereby hay could be effect- 
ively aud cheaply baletl. The manufacture of 
the article was begun on his farm, but he was .soon 
unable to meet the demand. Improved machitiery 
became necessary, and from time to lime the works 
were enlargeti, until in 1879 afactor>- was opened 
at Schenectady. In the fall of 1SS7, when in- 
creased facilities were imperatively demanded, 
the Newburgh Board of Trade presented induce- 
ments which led the firm to remove their plant to 
this city. 

Mr. Kilmer was boni in Cobleskill. Schoharie 
County. X. Y.. August 16. 1866. on the same 
farm where his father. Augustus, and grandfa- 
ther. Daniel, were bom and reared. Early in 
1700 the great-grandfather of our subject emi- 
grated from German\- and took up his residence 
in the Empire State. Augustus Kilmer was a 
successful fanner and made a specialty ot raising 
hay. It was owing to the fact of the immense 
crops of this staple which his farm produced that 
he set his wits to work to invent a tie for baling. 
He has lived to see the wonderful results of his 
enter^^rise. and is still interested in the business, 
though he is now nearly seventy-two years of age. 
He was President of the couceni until shortly 
after the facton- was moved to this point, when 
he resigned. His wife, Vianna. who is also liv- 
ing, was bom in Schoharie County, being a 
daughter of David I. Barney, a fanner of German 
ancestry. Mr. Kilmer has been a Democrat since 
1873. Of his ten children, the following survive: 
Ransorae, who is interested in the manufactur- 
ing company: Martin L., a Director and shipping 
clerk for the same compony : T. S.. now Presi- 
dent of the concern: Melvin D.. Superintendent 
and a Director: E. E.. who is the western repre- 
sentative and resides in Chicago: William A., of 
this sketch: Luella. wife of E. Davis, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume: and 
Retta and Lemai. who are at home. Ir\ing A., 
who was Vice-President of the company, died in 
Newburgh in 1891, and Arthur, who also owned 
an interest in the comjjany. died in Schenectady. 

When W. A. Kilmer was a youth of thirteen 
vears he went to Schenectadv. and three vears 



later graduated from the high schtol. He then 
went into the oflSce of the Kilmer Company as 
iKHjkkeeper, holding that position and that of 
Assistant Secretar>- until the removal of the 
works to Newburgh, soon after which he was 
made superintendent, and in Januar\-, 1895. was 
elected Secretary- and Treasurer. The company 
has a capital stock of $500,000, but nearly a 
million is invested therein. The mills are lo- 
cated on a tract of twenty-six acres along Quas- 
saick Creek. The main building is a structure 
60x450 feet, being two stories in height, with 
three wings, two of these being 40x60. and the 
other one 6oxSo feet. The iron building or rod 
mill is 100x190 feet in siie. Here iron bars four 
inches square and two feet long are rolled into 
wires. No. 5 gauge is rolled out in lengths of 
fifteen hundred feet and with only one heating 
is made into wire in fifty-five seconds, making 
eighteen passes. The automatic reel, and many 
of the appliances for working the wire, are in- 
ventions of the compiany. In this mill is a 
twenty-four-horse engine, which turns out three 
hundred tons of wire per day. 

In the main building are the kneading -room, 
the barbed fence department and the machine- 
shop, with one two hundred and fifty and one 
seventy -five horse- power engine. The second 
floor is occupie<i by the baled-tie and fence de- 
pmrtments. Another building. 40x350 feet, is 
used for galvaniring the wire, one continuous 
operation. The storehouse, 70x180 feet, is used 
for the manufactured products, and in addition 
to those mentioned there are the oil storehouse, 
the paint building and the gas-producing plant, 
which supplies seven furnaces and in which eight 
tons of coal a day are consumed. A switch fi-om 
the West Shore Railroad affords ample shipping 
facilities from the different buildings, and there 
is also a large raceway and reser\-oir fi-om the 
creek. On the grounds stand three tenement 
houses and oflfices. During the War of the Revo- 
lution Washington utilized a foundry on this 
identical site for the manufacture of army sup- 
plies. Mr. Kilmer has in his possession some 
relics of the war found a year or two since on the 
site of their present works. In the fall of 1894 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



445 



the company branched out in another direction 

as in:\nntactnrers of adjustable lawn and field 
fencing. 

The residence of our subject is at No. 26 Henry 
Avenue. He was married in Newburgh, in 1S92, 
to Miss Angelique Parsons, who was born at 
Sharon Springs, N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Augustus Parsons, a farmer of that locality. The 
young couple have a little daughter, Beulah May. 
Mrs. Kilmer is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and is a lady of good education 
and social attainments. 

Fraternally our subject belongs to Newburgh 
Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. ; Highland Chapter 
No. 52, R. A. M.: Hudson River Commander}- 
No. ^vs, K. T.; and Mecca Temple, Mystic 
Shrine, of New York City. Politically he is 
identified with the Republican party. 



IlLLIAM TOLLMAN. Throughout Or- 
ange County this gentleman enjoys an en- 
viable reputation as a reliable citizen and 
upright man. His career as a farmer has been a 
u.seful and laborious one, and he has the satisfac- 
tion of knowing that the property of which he is 
now the possessor has been accumulated by his 
own shrewd, yet alwa3's honorable, business tac- 
tics. In the various callings in which he has 
been engaged, he has displayed an unusual 
amount of intelligence, and his practical ideas on 
all subjects are worthv of commendation. 

The farm of which Mr. Toleman is the owner, 
and upon which he has resided since 187 1, is .sit- 
uated in the town of New Windsor, and compris- 
es one hundred and twenty-five acres, devoted to 
general farm and dairy purposes. A native of 
the city of New York, he w^as born September 21 , 
1826, he and his brother James, now of New- 
burgh, being the only children of William A. 
and Elizabeth (Wilson) Toleman, natives, re- 
spectively, of England and Connecticut. His fa- 
ther, who was born in 1802, learned the trade of 
millwright in his native land, whence in 18 18 he 
came to America on a sailing- ves.sel, the vo\a"e 



taking six weeks. Landing in New York City, 
he worked at his trade there and in Brooklyn for 
a luimber of years, but in 1840 removed to Or- 
ange County, settling soon afterward in the city 
of Newburgh. There he continued to reside un- 
til his death, in January, 1871. He was buried 
in Mt. George Cemetery, near the place where 
for many years he had made his home. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Capt. Monmouth Wil.son, a gallant soldier in the 
War of 18 1 2, who conunandedthe troops stationed 
at Long Island during that conflict. Lewis, our 
subject's great-grandfather and the father of the 
last-named gentleman, was killed while serving 
in the Revolutionary War. 

At the time his parents came to Orange County- 
our subject accompanied them and here he has 
since made his home. September 19, 1S50, he 
married Miss Catherine Fitchie, and they became 
the parents of three children, namely: Willard P., 
who was born September 2, 1S53, ^""^ '* "o'^^' 
bookkeeper for E. D. Rier.son, of New York; 
Agnes, Mrs. James A. McClung, who died in 
1891; and Clara C, wife of J. K. Alexander, 
formerly Sheriff of Orange County. Mrs. Cath- 
erine Toleman died in 1870, and two years later 
our subject was luiited with Miss Susan Mar- 
shall, who bore him four children, Charles B., 
Mattie, Bessie and Mabel. Charles B., who is a 
young man of talent and great promise, is a grad- 
uate of the Newburgh Academy, and at present is 
a student in the Union Semitiary of New York, 
where he is studying for the ministry. 

When a mere child our subject became self- 
supporting. At the age of eleven years he se- 
cured a position as clerk in a general store in 
Brooklyn, where he gained a good business edu- 
cation. On coming to Newburgh he opened a 
grocery store on Broadway, where at that time 
there were only two stores of the kind besides his 
own. It was in 1846 that he embarked in the 
grocerj- business, and he continued, conducting a 
retail trade, until 1871, when he purchased his 
present farm. 

The Presbyterian Church finds in Mr. Tole- 
man one of its active and influential members, 
and the town in which he resides justly regards 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



him as one of its best citizens. He is a Democrat 
in politics and favors all progressive and elevat- 
ing measnres in his community. By close a]>pli- 
cation to the duties which lie around him, he 
ranks among the best agriculturists in this sec- 
tion, and mayju.stly be proud of the fact that his 
pos.sessions are the result of his )>ersistent indus- 
try and good management. 



y/|.\J. WII.IUR H. WINSTON, agent for 
y the New York Central, New York & New 
(S Ivngland, Newburgh, Dutchess & Con- 
necticut and VVe.st .Shore Railroads, and proprie- 
tor of the Weston Transfer Company of New- 
burgh, is j)rol)ably one of the best known men of 
the Hudson River Valley, and a sketch of his life 
will therefore possess more than ordinary inter- 
est for our readers. 

The progenitor of the Weston family in Amer- 
ica was John We.ston, who cro.s.sed the Atlantic 
from England in 1644 and .settled in Reading, 
Ma.ss. Our subject's great-grandfather, Jonathan, 
a native of Massachu.setts, was one of the heroes 
of Concord and Lexington, and three of his sons 
served through the entire period of the Revolu- 
tionary War. Grandfather Amos We.ston was 
'born in Reading, Ma.ss. , and was the only mem- 
ber of the family w'ho .settled in New Hamp.shire. 
He established his home in Manchester, and there 
died at an advanced age. A cousin of our sub- 
ject, James A. Weston, was twice Governor of 
New Hampshire. 

The fatlier of our .subject, Harrison Weston, 
was born in Manchester, N. H.. and in early life 
was a merchant, after which for ten years he was 
in charge of the locks on the Merrimac River, 
between Lowell and Concord. Later he began 
farm pursuits, in which he was engaged until his 
death at seventy-two years. In religious belief 
he was a Presbyterian. His wife, Betsey J., was 
born in Litchfield, N. H., and was a daughter of 
Josiah Richard.son, a farmer of that place and a 
Captain in the New Hampshire .Militia. Tlie 



Richardson family originated in England, and 
U]>on emigrating to this country .settled in Read- 
ing, Ma.ss. Many of its members were active in 
the Indian and Revolutionary Wars. 

Of six children, all of whom are still living, 
the subject of this notice is the third in order of 
birth. One of his brothers, William, was a mem- 
ber of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, 
and served throughout almost the entire period 
of the Civil War, being di.scharged in 1864 on 
account of disability; his home is now in Mat- 
teawan, N. Y. Wilbur H. was born in .Man- 
chester, N. H., February 11, 1851, and in boy- 
hood attended the public schools of his native 
city. After a course of study in the New Hamp- 
shire Conference Seminary at Tilton, he came to 
New York, March ii, 1871, and found employ- 
ment in a minor position with the Erie Railroad 
Company in Newburgh, where he remained un- 
til July, 1873. He was then appointed agent 
of the New York Central & Hud.son River, and 
of the Dutche.ss & Columbia Railroads ( the latter 
now known as the Newburgh, Dutchess & Con- 
necticut Railroad). In 1882 he was appointed 
agent of the New York & New England Rail- 
road. In 1883 he started the transfer business, 
which, requiring at that time only two hor.ses and 
three men, increa.sed to .such an extent that at 
one time nearly a hundred hor.ses were employed. 

Major Weston has been identified with many 
other enterprises that have proved of benefit to 
Newburgh. Active in the projection of the 
electric railroad, he was for a time a Director in 
the company, but later .sold his interest. He was 
a promoter of the Fishkill & Matteawan Electric 
Street Railroad, and is still a Director. In the 
newly built Walden & Orange Lake Road la- 
was actively interested, and has also been inter- 
ested in building the electric railway from 
Matteawan to Fishkill. He now has engineers 
surveying from that point to Wappinger's Falls, 
there making connection with the Poughkeepsie 
system of electric railroad. 

The marriage of Major Weston took place in 
this city in 1881, his wife being Mary C, daugh- 
ter of Henry Hornbeck, and a native of this city. 
They are the parents of two children, Ralph and 




CAPT, WILUAM CV»1.EMAX 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



-149 



Justine, who with them occupy the taniily rcsi- 
deuce on Grand Street. Mrs. Weston is iden- 
tifieil with the Atuerican Retbnnetl Church, to 
which the Major contributes and the services of 
which he attends. Politically he is a Republican. 

Interested in Masonn-, Major Weston is Past 
Master of Hudson River Lwlge, Past Com- 
mander of the Hudson River Comniandery. 
Trustee of Highland Chapter. R. A. M.. and of 
the Masonic Hall Association, and a Noble of 
Mecca Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of New York 
City. In 1S77 he helpetl to organize the Seven- 
teenth Battalion. New York National Guards, of 
which he was made Quartermaster, and later was 
promoteil to be Captain of Company A. afterwards 
bectnuing Major of the battalion, which office he 
held until the disbandment of the troops by act 
of the Legislature. Krmu his connection with 
militan," aftairs he aaiuired the title b\ which he 
is familiarly known. 

This review of the lite of Major Weston, while 
it does not present in detail the events ot his busy 
career, is of sufficient fullness to prove, even to 
those wliolly unacipiainted with him. the fact 
tliat lie is one of Newburgh's most progressive 
and enterprising citizens, one who has taken a 
warm interest in the development of important 
industries, atid who has himself been a vital 
factor in the growth of the place. 



EAPT. WILLIAM COLEMAN, of New- 
burgh, proprietor of the tug "James J. Lo- 
gan.'" has spent his entire life on the Hud- 
son. He was boni tiear this city in 1S34, and is 
of Irish descent. The paternal grandfather came 
from the Emerald Isle to America, following 
farming in Sullivan County. N. Y. . and his son. 
Deiniis Coleman, then a boy. located at Ann- 
strong, near Newburgh. where for many years he 
engaged in gardening. In the spring of 1S4S, 
while crossing the river in a rowboat between 
Low Point and Roseton. the father of our subject 
was nm over by a steamer aud drowned. He 
was then fifty-three years of age. In politics he 
was a \\"hig. a warm admirer of Henry Clay, and 



in religiovis belief was a Presbyterian. His mar- 
riage nnitetl him with Esther Ftrguson, who was 
lK>m in the town of Crawford. Orange County, 
and was left an oqihan when small. She died in 
1S47, at the age of fit^y-two years. In the fam 
ily were nine children: John, a river captain, who 
died in Newburgh: \'irgil. a river captain, who 
die^l in Groveland. Mich., in iSgi; Nathan, a 
river captain, who was drowned in 1S50: Alliert, 
who also foUowetl the river, and is now li\-ing in 
Texas: Erastns, who served in the Civil War, 
and has for many years been a captain on the 
river, and makes his home in New York; Mrs. 
Charity Smith, who was drowneti with her two 
children while in a sloop on the lower Hudson: 
Mary A., widow of Samuel B. Goodman, who 
was drowneil October 27, 1S67: William: and 
Blake, of New York City, who is also captain of 
a steamer. 

William Coleman was reared in his nati\e coun- 
ty, and at the age often years went on the Hud- 
son with his brother Nathan, on the sloop ""S.am- 
uel Gordon." and was with him when he was 
drowned. The steamer "Isaac Newton" ran into 
them, tipping over their boat, which was after- 
ward rightetl by the steamer wheel, and William 
was washetl into the cabin, thus escaping with 
his life. He afterward refitted that sloop, and 
was its cav>tain for three years, running between 
New York and Albany. He then sold the vessel 
at Norfolk, and upon his return purchased an in- 
terest in the sloop "Newburgh. of which he was 
captain for eight years, running on the Hudson 
during the summer, and on the James River in 
Virginia during the winter. In k*;6i he Ijecame 
a pilot on the Newburgh & Fishkill Fern,-, and 
at^er two years went on the propeller " Fu- 
nis. " towing between Troy and New York. Aft- 
er a year he returned to the ferr>-. and in the fall 
of 1S65 purchasetl an interest in the sloop "David 
Sands," carr>ing freight between Roseton and 
New York for two years 

In 1S67 Captain Coleman had another narrow 
escape from drowning, being ruti over by the 
steamer "Leo," in the mouth of East River. 
This was at two o'clock on the morning of Octo- 
ber 2-. and three men were lost, his partner. 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Capt. James Hazzard: his brother-in-law, Samuel 
B. Gootlmaii, and a colored man. but Captain 
Coleman and his brother Erastnswere saved. In 
the year iS6S our subject was Captain on the 
"Walter F. Brewster," a ves-sel engaged in the 
brick trade from Fishkill to New York. He then 
became connecleti with the towing business, and 
fonnetl a partnership with Captain Field in the 
spring of 1872, the connection continuing until 
the fall of 1893. when Iwth sold out. They Ixnight 
several boats and built two tugs, which were 
nameii the "George F'ield " and "William Cole- 
man." In I SS4 our subject built the tug "James 
J. Logan." which he has since opera tetl. engaged 
iti the towiug and dredging business. From 1890 
until 1S92 he was employed by the Government 
on the Raritan River, in carrying dynamite from 
New York to New Brun.swick. after which he 
would tow back a load of rock, and was engaged 
in the excavating and dredging bu.siuess gen- 
erally. 

Other interests have also engrossed the atten- 
tion of Captain Coleman, who is one of the origi- 
nal Directors of the Columbus Trust Company, 
and a member of the Newburgh Building and 
Loan Association. He is also the owner of a com- 
fortable residence at No. 50 Washington Place. 
He holds membership with the Associate Re- 
fonned Church, and in his political \-iews is a 
Democrat. 

In 1862, in Marlborough, N. Y., the Captain 
tuarried Electa A. Smith, who was boni in Wash- 
ington Place. Newburgh. She diet! December 
II. 1S92. in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. She was a member of St. John's Church, 
and had the respect of all who knew her. 



^ '^i=^^=i'^ > 



EHARI.ES A DIXON, a practical and ex- 
pert mechanical engineer, is the inventor of 
many excellent patents, mainly improve- 
ments on steam engines. He has made a life 
work of his calling, and fiimished engines for the 
Newburgh Railroad plant, four engines of four 



thousand horse-power for a railway compan\- on 
Long Island, those u.setl by the Waterbur> Filec- 
tric Railway, besides many others. The majority 
of these engines were constructed for electric- 
light and electric-railway puqx>ses, and embody 
the latest improvements and the highest skill of 
mechaui.sm. Mr. Dixon is a member of the 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which 
is international and the most select society of the 
kind in the world. He is also an honorar>' mem- 
ber of the Association of Stationary Engineers. 

Our subject is a native of Newburgh, having 
been boni here March S, 1856, to Augustus and 
Frances 1 Green ' Dixon. The former was also a 
native of Newburgh, where he engaged in luer- 
chaudising. He died almost at the beginning of 
his commercial career, but his widow, who was 
boni in Walden, N. Y., is still living, her home 
being in this city. Our subject is an only son. 
and on account of his father's death was thrown 
upon bis own resources when a mere lad. Never- 
theless he managed to obtain a good general edu- 
cation, and was a student in the free academy. 
As he had always manifested a taste for mechani- 
cal pursuits, when he was fifteen years of age he 
apprenticed himself to a pattern-maker, with the 
firm of Whithill. Wood & Co. On completing 
his trade he entered the machine-shop. and. un- 
der the direction of Edgar Penny, took up draw- 
ing and engineering. When Mr. Penny left the 
firm in 1S7S, young Dixon took his place as su- 
perintendent of the work, the firm then being 
kno^^^l as Whithill. Smith & Co. In 1892 Mr. 
Dixon resigueti his position to accept a place as 
general agent with Mr. Higginson, and for about 
six months was absent in France on business re- 
lating to the interests of his employer. 

Soon after Mr. Dixon returned home he startetl 
the Washington Iron Works, changing the name 
to the Dixon Steam Engine Works. His asso- 
ciates in this undertaking were Gardner \'an Os- 
trom and Homer Ramsdall. This concern em- 
ployeil from one hundred and seventy-five to two 
hundred and twenty-five men. and did a large 
business in general foundry- and pattern work, in 
addition to manufacturing the Dixon-Corliss 
Steam Engine. Our subject patented many im- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



451 



provements 011 this and other engines, and is con- 
stantly at work devising practical schemes. In 
September, 1894, the business was closed on ac- 
coinit of the death of Mr. VauOstroni. 

A Mason of high standing, Mr. Dixon belongs 
to Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M. : 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.: Hudson 
River Commandery No. 35, K. T. ; and Mecca 
Temple No. i , Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of 
New York City. For seven years he served in 
the Tenth Separate Company, New York Nation- 
al Guards, with the rank of Corporal, and be- 
longs to the Veteran Society of the .same. Four 
years he ser\-ed as a member of Washington 
Steamer Company, and has ever since been an 
honorary member of the Lawson Hose Company. 
His ballot is used by him on behalf of the nomi- 
nees and principles .set forth by the Republican 
party. 

In 1S75 Mr. Di.xon and Katie A. Harris were 
married in Newbnrgh. Mrs. Di.xon is a native 
of this state, having been born in Ros.sville, in 
1S57. The couple have two sons and a daughter, 
namely: Charles F., a graduate of the New- 
burgh Academ\', and now studying to become a 
pattern-maker: Addie L., a member of the Class 
of '96 of the academx-: and Warren E. 

(TOSEPH BROADHEAD. This prominent 
I resident and business man of New Windsor 
G/ is Treasurer, Secretary and Manager of the 
Patent Woolen Manufacturing Company, which 
makes a specialty of making blankets and over- 
coatings. Mr. Broadhead was born in Yorkshire, 
England, January 24, 1852, and is the son of 
James and Mary (Barlow) Broadhead. His fa- 
ther was a manufacturer in that countrw and 
came with his family to America in the year 
1856, locating at Utica, N. Y. Later he moved 
to Madison County, where he manufactured 
woolen goods until coming to Cornwall, in 1869. 
In that place he was engaged in running a woolen- 
mill, being in business with our subject until 
March, 1895, when he retired. The mother of 
our subject was born in Epworth, England, and 



departed this life in 1893, aged sixty-five. She 
reared a family of four children, of whom all are 
living. 

The subject of this sketch obtained his educa- 
tion in the common schools and in the Oneida 
Conference Seminary at Cazenovia. He later 
took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business 
College at Brooklyn, which fitted him for the 
work in which he desired to engage. From a 
boy he worked off and on in the woolen-mills, 
and when only seventeen years of age went to 
Seneca Falls, where, with his father, he operated 
the woolen-mills known as the PhcEnix Mills. 
In 1868 he and his father established the mills at 
Cornwall. The company was incorporated, our 
subject being made Secretary and Superintend- 
ent, and business was continued until 1884, when 
they sold their interest in the mill and moved to 
Walden. They incorporated another company 
known as the Patent Woolen Company, of which 
our subject was elected Secretary- and Treasurer. 
As before, they manufactured heavy woolen 
goods, turning out an average of from four to 
five hundred }ards per day for a period of five 
years. Mr. Broadhead then sold again and leased 
his present place, which is also incorporated. It 
is fitted up with all de.sirable machinerx-, includ- 
ing patent process needle looms, and is operated 
by water-power. It occupies five floors of a 
building sixty feet square, with a wing 30x60 
feet in size. The first and second floors are de- 
voted to the manufacture of the goods, the third 
is used as a finishing department, while the 
fourth and fifth floors are for drying and storage. 
Mr. Broadhead sells his own goods on the road, 
and has built up a very large and paying busi- 
ness in this way. The President is Holland Ems- 
lie; Col. James W. Meagher is \'ice- President, 
and Mr. Broadhead is Secretary, Treasurer and 
Manager. He is also connected with the Do- 
minion Blanket and Fibre Compan.\- of Montreal, 
Canada. 

Our subject was married in Newcastle, Eng- 
land, in 1880, to Miss Elizabeth Kyle, who was 
born there. To thcni ha\e been granted two 
children, Algernon P. and Mary E. In politics 
Mr. Broadhead is a stanch supporter of Repub- 



452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



licaii principles and in religious affairs is con- 
nected by membership with the Episcoi)al Church. 
He may be spoken of as self-made, as he has 
worked his way upward until he has acquired a 
handsome property and is numbered among the 
substantial and valued citizens of the community 
in which he lives. 

= -^#!#^l|^l..|^|i^^i=^ < 

(lOHN DENTON may \x considered (me of 
I the oldest residents of the town of Highland, 
Q) where he has passed his entire life. He was 
formerly the owner of the three hundred acre 
tract which he now occupies, but in 1894 .sold it 
to Pierpont Morgan, the well known banker and 
financier. On this place, which is pleasantl_\- lo- 
cated within two miles of Highland Falls, Mr. 
Denton erected a comfortal)le dwelling some 
thirty years ago, and in this he now resides, sur- 
rounded by all of the comforts of life. 

James Denton, the father of our subject, who 
was a native of tliis state, was a harness-maker 
by trade, but after following this for a number of 
years abandoned it in order to engage in farming, 
occupying a valuable tract of land near West 
Point. The lady to whom he was married was 
Hannah McCleiman, a native of this town and 
the daughter of Hugh and Lavina McClennan. 
She departed this life when within fourteen days 
of t)eing eighty -eight years old, passing away at 
the home of her son at Peek.skill. She was the 
mother of four cliildren, those besides our .sub- 
ject being Sarah, who died when eighteen years 
old: James, who died when seventy-two years 
old; and Hugh, who pas.sed away at about lliirt>- 
years of age. 

Our subject was born in the town of Highland, 
tnen known as Cornwall, January 29, 1821. His 
opportunities for gaining an education were very 
limited, for at the early age of fourteen years he 
was apprenticed to learn the trade of a wagon- 
maker. He was thus employed for about five 
years when he went to West Point, and was given 
a position in the store of John DeWitt, a Govern- 
ment sutler. Later he moved onto a farm, re- 
maining on rented property for a period of eleven 



years, when he purcha.sed three hundred acres, 
the same on which he is now living. It is a ver\ 
beautiful and valuable tract ol land, and, as be- 
fore stated, was purchased by a banker, who gave 
Mr. Denton a life lea.se. 

For twenty-two years our subject carried on a 
thriving bu.siness as liveryman at West Point, 
disposing of his horses and carriages, however, 
in 1890. In 1842 he was married to Miss Ro.sainia 
Mitchell, who was boni in Ireland, and whose 
parents were also natives of the F^merald Isle. 
Her death occurred about three years ago. She 
became the mother of two .sons, John and Jo- 
seph, both of whom are deceased, the former 
passing away at the age of eighteen years, and 
the latter when in his forty-seventh year. The 
.second marriage of Mr. Denton united him with 
Miss Magdaline Bath, who was born in We.s't 
Point, and who was the daughter of Michael 
and Catherine ( Much ) Bath. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat, although 
he voted for Abraham Lincoln on .serving his 
.second term. He favors the free coinage of sil- 
ver, seeing no good reason why the unit of value 
should have been changed from silver to gold in 
1873. Socially he is an Odd Fellow of good 
standing, and in religious matters is a devoted 
member ol the Methodi.st Epi.scopal Church. He 
is a pleasant, genial old gentleman, and has been 
an interested spectator and active worker in the 
development of the country round about for the 
last half century. He has many friends through- 
out the county, who will be ])lea.sed to have him 
represented in this work. 



•••>*i®^®>«<»- 



0AMI'EL WIvED is well and favorably known 
/\ to a host of acquaintances in Orange Coun- 
Vy ty. for he has been long and worthily identi 
fied witli its farming interests, and everything 
about his property indicates that he is an agricult- 
urist of great energy and di.scrimination. I'pon 
his present farm in the town of New Windsor he 
has made his home almost uninterruptedly since 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453 



1839, and during all the intervening years has 
given his attention to its cultivation. The place 
consists of seventy-eight acres, improved with a 
substantial set of buildings, good fences and mod- 
ern machinery, andis justly considered one of the 
best estates in the town. 

The Weed family have been established in 
America for several generations, and the grand- 
father of our subject was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War. The father, Samuel, Sr., was a 
native of Ulster County, N. Y., but removed 
thence to Orange County, where the greater por- 
tion of his life. was passed. In his family there 
were four daughters and six sons, of whom the 
only survivor is the subject ot this notice. The 
latter was born upon a farm in the town of New- 
burgh, February 20, 1813, and at an early age 
gained a thorough knowledge of agricultural pur- 
suits. Much of his time was devoted to farm 
work, though .such intervals as he had were given 
to his studies, which were carried on in the pio- 
neer schools of the period. At the age of nine- 
teen he began in life for himself, and since that 
time has succeeded in accuuuilating a comfortable 
property, the result of his own energetic efforts. 

.September 23, 1836, occurred the marriage of 
Samuel Weed to Miss Jane H. Morrison, and 
they became the parents of three children, namel\ : 
Sarah J.; Harriet, who died in 1878; and Samuel 
K., a farmer of this town. The only son married 
Miss Emma McCartney, and they have three chil- 
dren, Clarence K., Marion H. and Maria G. 

Upon starting out in life, Mr. Weed cultivated 
a portion ot his pre.sent farm for some years, and 
in 1839 settled on the place where he has resided 
contiimously since, with the exception of two 
years. To his original tract of seventy-one acres 
he has added fifteen and a-half acres, and has 
placed the land under excellent cultivation, mak- 
ing it one of the best estates in the neighborliood. 
He met with a heavy loss in the death of his 
wife, who passed away in 1883 and was buried in 
the Patton Cemetery. A lady of many noble 
traits of character, she endeared herself to her as- 
sociates, and was beloved by all who knew her. 
While Mr. Weed has never displayed any parti- 
.sanship in political matters, he is a l(>>al Demo- 



crat and uniformly supports the platform of his 
party. He has never been an office-seeker, how- 
ever, preferring to devote his time to his farming 
intere.sts, in which he has met with signal suc- 
cess. His prosperity is the reward of his own ef- 
forts, and he is truly a self-made man, deserving 
all the praise which that term implies. 

% ■^'^^^'Y'^S— §) 

HON. ABRAM S. CASSEDY. It may with 
ju.stice be said that no attorney in the val- 
ley of the Hud.son has displaxed more pro- 
found knowledge of the law or keener di.scrimina- 
tive qualities than the gentleman whose name in- 
troduces this sketch, and who is conceded to stand 
among the leading members of the Bar in the 
state. With his son, William F., he conducts a 
large and remunerative general practice, extend- 
ing into the various courts. Since 1865 his 
offices have been located on Third Street, where 
he occupies two floors, and he has one of the 
most exteiLsive law libraries in Orange County. 

In the neighboring county of Rockland, in the 
town of Ramapo, the subject of this notice was 
born November 28, 1833. On the paternal side 
he is of Iri.sh descent, his grandfather, Archi- 
bald Ca.ssedy, who was born on the 21st of No- 
vember, 1757, having emigrated from the North 
of Ireland about the time of the Revolution and 
settled near Ramapo, where he engaged in farm 
pursuits. He possessed the indomitable industry 
and moral principles characteristic of the Scotch- 
Irish, and became a prosperous agriculturist. In 
religious belief he was a Pre.sbyterian. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Sherwood, daughter of Dr Sher- 
wood, a lady of English descent, and died in 
18 19, his .wife surviving him; she lived to reach 
the age of ninety-six years. Among their chil- 
dren was Archibald, our subject's father, who 
was born in Ramapo, August 28, 1794, and who 
engaged in farming and merchandising in his 
native place. In the War of 18 12 he was Lieu- 
tenant and Adjutant, From 1844 to 1847 he 
was Sheriff of Rockland County, having been 
elected to that office upon the Democratic ticket. 



454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



At a somewhat advanced age he moved to Brook- 
lyn, and there died in 1S62, aged sixty-seven 
years. 

The mother of the subject of this sketch. Lydia 
Guniee, was Ixini in Raniapo, December 3, 1796. 
and diet! in Brotiklyn, N. V.. aged eighty- seven 
years. Tlie Guniee family was of Huguenot 
origin, and the name was originally Gamier, the 
ancestor living in Paris. Isaac Gamier, a de- 
scendant, livetl in Westchester County, and died 
leaving a wife, Elizabeth, and three children,- one 
of whom was Francois. He movetl to a place 
that was then known as Kakiat, now in the towni 
of Ramajxi, in 1729. He left ten children, one of 
whom was John, bom in 1729, who married 
Abigail Coe. daughter of John Coe. They left 
several children, one of whom was John J., born 
March 13, 1763, who married Nancy Stn,-ker, of 
New Jersey, who was of Holland descent. They 
left several children, and among them was Lydia. 
our subject's mother. Of her union, four children 
were Iwm. of whom Abram S. is the only son and 
now the only sur\-ivor. His e<lucation was com- 
menced in the district sc1kk>1s and further prose- 
cuted in the Nonnal School of Albany, from 
which he was graduated. Ambitious to enter the 
legal profession, he began the study of law under 
Judge Frazer. of Rix'kland County, later reading 
with Wilkin & Golt. of Gi^hen. Shortly alter 
his admission to the Bar in 1857. he was appoint- 
eil I^puty County Clerk under Charles Drake, 
and ser\'e*l in that capacity for two years, after 
which he oj^ned an office for the practice of his 
profes.sion in Newburgh. 

While in the main Mr. Cassedy has devotetl his 
attention to professional duties, yet he has at 
times been cho.sen to serve his fellow-citizens in 
an official capacity. Though invariably declin- 
ing nominations for legislative or congressional 
pixsitions, he has always lieen willing to promote 
the welfare of Newburgh by accepting such iK>si- 
tions as it seemed best, in the interests of the peo- 
ple, for him to fill. In 1862 he was elected Dis- 
trict Attorney of Orange Coiuity, and continued 
in that pcwition until 1S65 In iSSo and iSSi he 
was electeil Mayor on the IX-nuxrratic ticket, not- 
withstanding the fact that Newburgh usually 



gives a large Republican majority. During his 
administration the Quassaick Creek Bridge was 
tmilt, the West Shore Railnxid was amimenceii 
and the first steps were taken to perfect arrange- 
ments for the Centennial Celebration 

From 1S69 to 1S.S3 Mr. Cassedy was in part 
nership with Charles F. Brown, the firm of Cas 
sedy M: Brown acquiring a large clientage. Tlu 
connection was dissolved when Mr. Brown Ik 
came a Judge of the Supreme Court. Since iSS' 
Mr. Cassedy has lieen in partnership with his son 
under the firm name of A. S. & W. F. Cassetly 
In 1S75 he was chosen Corporation Counsel, fill 
ing the jHxsition for three years. In 1S74 he w.i- 
made a nieml>er of the Board of Education, an.'. 
serve*.! one year as its President, lieclining nomi- 
nation for a second term. 

Perhaps Mr. Cas.sedy gained greater distiiu 
tion through his connection with the West Shor^ 
Railroad than in any other enterprise with whicli 
he has l>een identified. He was attorney at New- 
burgh tor the North River Construction Compan\ 
that built the West Shore Rtxul. In liehalf of tl.^ 
ctMupany his firm paid out alwut S700.000 to pro 
cure the right of way through the cit>- and ini 
meiliate vicinity. He was local attorney for tlu 
West Shore, and atlerward for the receivers. 1: 
Octolier. 1SS5. the court appointed him referee i: 
the matter of the tbreclo.sure sale of the raid, ar.^ 
in Noveml>er of that vear he sold the road at tlu 
Newburgh Court House for $22,000,000. and di> 
tributed the proceeds among the creditors. It i> 
worthy of note that in making this distribution 
he issuetl one check for Si.o6S,ock), and threi. 
others for more than Ssoo.ooo each. Fonuerlv 
he was local attomey for the Erie, and now holds 
a similar jKisition with the West Shore and Wall 
kill Valley Railroads. 

F'or many vears Mr. Cassedy has lieen a Direc 
tor of the Quassaick National Bank and is als(.> 
its attomey. His pmperty interests in Newburgh 
and St. Paul are valuable and extensive. Iv 
partnership with K. T. Skidmorc, he bought tlu 
A. J. Downing property of ex-Mayor Carson ir. 
1889. and on a jwrtion of this he erecte<l a han^'. 
some residence for his family. In 1S61 he w.is 
luiiteil in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Draki 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



455 



who was born in Ulster County, and is a daugh- 
ter of Dr. Charles Drake, a prominent physician 
of Newburgh and at one time Clerk of Orange 
County. They have two sons, William F. and 
l''rank H., and both were admitted to the Bar on 
the same day, the former being in partnership 
with his father, while the latter is engaged in 
practice alone. Sociallj- Mr. Ca.ssedy is a de- 
niitted member of the Masonic fraternity. In 
religious belief he is a Presbyterian and is Trus- 
tee of the First Church. 



i':^ 



-^■^ 



•'H:f^illlv^'>^ 



-XL! 



EAPT. ANDREW JACKSON TRKMPER is 
one of the oldest river captains now sailing 
on the Hudson, and since 1886 has been a 
resident of Newburgh. In 1894 he took charge 
of the freight and passenger steamer "Peekskill," 
which plies between New York and the village 
after which it is named. There are few whose 
record of life on .sailing crafts extends over a 
period of lialf a century, as does his own, for he 
was only a lad of nine years when, in 1845, he 
l)ecame assistant cook on the sloop "Mary Wall- 
ing," and from that time until the present he has 
served in one capacity or another on various 
kinds of ships and steamers. 

Our subject was born in Clarkstown, Rockland 
County, N. Y., August iS, 1836, and his father, 
Jacob J., was also a native of that county. The 
paternal great-grandfather of the Captain served 
in the War of the Revolution, and was one of the 
early settlers of Rockland County. His wife lived 
to attain the extreme old age of one hundred and 
seven years. Grandfather Tremper, who was a 
hero of the War of 181 2, was the proprietor of a 
small farm and was a shoemaker by trade. The 
family is of Holland-Dutch descent, and has long 
been numbered among the sturdy and patriotic 
residents of the Empire State. Jacob J. Tremper, 
like his father, followed the shoemaker's trade, 
but devoted his last years to agriculture. He 
died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he was a stanch adherent, when 



sevent\-(ine \ ears old. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Catherine Gootchess, was of 
F'rench de.scent and a native of Rockland County. 
Her death occurred when she was about Inrly 
eight years of age. 

Captain Tremper is the fimrth in a fainlK- of 
eight children, two of whom are deceasetl. His 
boyhood was pa.ssed in his native couiit\-. on his 
father's farm, and, as previously stated, he was 
in his tenth year when the attractions of life on 
the ocean overmastered his desire for obtaining 
learning, and, leaving home, he found a position 
as cook. He was thus employed seven years, 
running between Haverstraw and New York City. 
Then for a like period he was .sailing-master on 
the "Ann Maria," a responsible position for so 
young a man, but he proved efficient and capa- 
ble. Later he was on the "Sarah Frances," the 
schooner "Ben Franklin" and the "Peter C. 
Bush," buying an interest in the latter \essel 
when only twenty-two years of age. Afterward 
he sold out and became a partner in the sloop 
"Archer." During all this time he was engaged 
in the freighting business, running between Hav- 
erstraw and New York City. It was during the 
days of the war that he was on the "Archer," 
and later became part owner of the schooner 
"N. B. Fox," which for a few years ran between 
tlie metropolis and Hackensack. For some sea- 
sons following he was master of vessels for the 
Knickerbocker Ice Company, and was also in 
charge of the schooner "Sarah" on Long Island 
Sound. .Subsequently he was a pilot cm the 
steamers "Quaker City," "Baltic," "William 
Earl" and "Hercules," the tug "C. W. Stand- 
ard," the "D. H. Mead," of the Cornell line, and 
at different times was on boats of the Ram.sdell 
line. Prior to taking the captaincy of the "Peeks- 
kill," he was in command of the "M. F. Jones." 
At times he has made trips from Troy to New 
London, Conn., passing through three districts 
of the United States in.spectorship. He is a mem- 
ber of the First American Association of Ma.sters 
and Pilots of New York City, and is very popu- 
lar among river men. 

January i, i860, Mr. Tremper was married, in 
Rockland Comity, to Rebecca Gurnee, one of the 



456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native daughters of that region. She died in 
Haverstraw, leaving two children: Elenora. now 
the wife of George Lang, of Kingston; and Mary, 
who died in Xewburgh in April, 1893. The sec- 
ond marriage of the Captain took place in Kings- 
ton in 1 878, the lady of his choice being Mrs. 
Jo.-^ephine C. Tubby, who was born in Eddyville, 
Ulster County, being a daughter of Abraham and 
Sarah Atkins. The former was an old river cap- 
tain, who died at Kingston. Mrs, Treniper was 
the widow of James Tubby, a painter by trade 
and a resident of Kingston. By that union she 
had three children: Albert A., who is a marine 
engineer of Xewburgh; Edward, a pilot on the 
Hudson: and Wallace, a boatman, who was acci- 
dentally drownetl at Coxsackie. on the Hudson, 
when but eighteen years of age. Captain Trem- 
per and wife have two children, Blanche and 
Martha. Mrs. Tremper is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church, and is a most estimable lady. The 
Captain belongs to the Knickerbocker Mutual 
Benefit Association of New York City, and in his 
political affiliations is a true-blue Republican. 



ROBERT BROWN. While he has been in 
the florist's business for a comparatively 
brief period, Mr. Brown has already taken 
his place among the leading men of his occupa- 
tion in Newburgh. He enjoys the distinction of 
having the largest greenhou.ses in the city, hav- 
ing twenty thousand square feet of glass on Quas- 
saick Creek, and a splendid assortment of plants, 
including almost all known varieties. His spe- 
cialties are roses, carnations and violets. Aside 
from his regular retail and decorating business in 
this city, he has a large wholesale trade in New 
York, his .sales footing up a large amount anmial- 
ly. The greenhouses are located on tiie corner 
of West and Washington Streets, while the retail 
business and .showrooms are No. 49 Second 
Street. 

The success which Mr. Brown has gainetl is 
esf)ecially notable when we consider that he was 
born in 1867, and is therefore still quite young. 
Glenluce. Scotland, is his native place, and his 



parents, John and Mary (Thompson) Brown, 
were born in the same village, his father having 
been Superintendent of Public Roads there. He 
was a Presbyterian in religious belief, and died 
in that faith some years ago. The widowed 
mother resides in the old home in Scotland. 

All but one of the children comprising the pa- 
rental famih are still living, and ofthe.se Robert 
is fourth in order of birth. He was reared in 
Glenluce, and at the age of fourteen began a five- 
years apprenticeship to the trade of a florist, in 
which way he gained a practical knowledge of 
the work. In 1889 he came to America, via Liv- 
erpool to New York, and from thereto Newburgh, 
where he secured a position as head florist for W. 
H. Cornish, having charge of the business. In 
January, 1895, he purcha.sed the plant which he 
is now carrA'ing on with flattering success. The 
entire work is under his personal supervision, 
there being five men under him. On coming to 
this country- he introduced the Chel.sea Gem ger- 
anium, a variety universally admired for its beau- 
ty. In everything pertaining to floriculture he 
takes a warm interest, and is actively connected 
with the American Florists' Society. Politically 
he is a Republican, and in religious belief a Bap- 
tist, holding member.ship with the Memorial Bap- 
tist Church in Newburgh. Possessing the .sturdy 
thrift characteristic of the Scotch, it is not sur- 
prising that his efforts have been successful, and 
without dou])t he will enjoy a steadily increasing 
prosperity as the years pass. 

^^ 



GlLEXANDER YOl'NG. One of the oldest 
/ I residents of Orange County and a plea.sant 
f I gentleman of the town of Newburgh is the 
subject of this notice, who has made his home in 
this town since 1S48. His farm lies on an emi- 
nence overlooking the Hud.son at Hampton Ferry, 
and is one hundred and sixty acres in extent. On 
it he has macfe many improvements, and dfeVotes 
a considerable portion of it to fruit-growing. 

Our subject was born in Marlborough. Ulster 
County, N. Y., July 6. iSio. His father, who 
bore the name of Edward Young, was a native of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



459 



the same place, and was born in 1775. He in 
turn was the son of John Young, a native of Eng- 
land, whence, early in the seventeenth cen- 
tury, he crossed the Atlantic and made his home 
in America with his brother Alexander. The 
grandfather located upon Long Island, and upon 
deciding to make a change went to Marlborough, 
X. Y., locating on a tract of one hundred and 
twenty acres, where his death occurred about 1778. 
His son Edward was born on this estate, and 
upon attaining mature years was married to Han- 
nah Halstead. To them was born a family of 
six children, of whom John was the eldest. The 
others were named, respectively, David, Alexan- 
der. Edward, William B. and James, the last-men- 
tioned dying when a child. The father of this 
family was a fanner and the first fruit-grower in 
the town of Marlborough, in which occupation 
he was fairly successful. He departed this life in 
1852, on the farm where our subject was bom. 
His good wife preceded him to the laud beyond, 
passing away in 184S. 

Alexander Young acquired a common-school 
education and began to make his own way in the 
world when a lad of fourteen years, although he 
continued to live with his parents until the age of 
twenty-two. At that time he made a purchase of 
land, which he farmed profitably until 1848, the 
year of his advent into this county. He at once 
bought the tract on which he now lives and has 
made it his home ever since that time. 

Our subject was married, September 3, 1840, to 
Miss Deborah Ann Harcourt, who was a native of 
Ulster County, and who departed this life June 
10. 1889, leaving two children: Marietta, who was 
born in 1S42, and is now the wife of Charles G. 
\'elie, and resides in this town: and William, who 
was born January 1 1, 1S44, and is managing the 
old homestead. Mr. Young has enlarged his es- 
tate until now it embraces one hundred and fifty 
acres the same being devoted to fruit-raising and 
general farming. 

Our subject is a very prominent man in his 
neighborhood and takes an active interest in all 
that pertains thereto.. Since 1879 he has been a 
Director of the Ouassaick National Bank of New- 
burgh, which is an old and reliable institution, 



and which does a large amount of business. In 
politics he is a true-blue Republican and is greatly 
pleased at the recent triumphs of the party. He 
is .self-made in the truest sense of the term and is 
a man of sterling integrity, having the respect 
and confidence of all who know him. His good 
wife departed this life January 10, 1S89, and her 
remains were interred in Cedar Hill Cemeterv. 



^^HOMAS OHARA, well known in New- 
f C burgh as an eiiergetic and pushing young 
Viy business man, is one of the leading con- 
tractors and builders of the city. He is a native 
of this state, having been born in Amenia, Dutch- 
ess County, Februan,- iS, 1862. His parents 
were John and Bridget (McMannus) O'Hara, 
natives of County Cavan, Ireland. 

The father of our subject was reared in his na- 
tive isle, and came to America when a young 
man. He first made his home in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., but later removed to Litchfield 
Count}-, Conn., where he is now living on his 
valuable farm. His estimable wife has aided him 
very materially in attaining his present high 
standing among the well-to-do agriculturists of 
their comnuinity. They became the parents of 
nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are liv- 
ing. 

Of the above large faipily, our subject was the 
eldest. He was reared in Putnam County, N. Y., 
whither his parents lived after their removal from 
Dutchess County, and before they settled in the 
Nutmeg State. He attended the public schools 
luitil reaching his seventeenth year, when he was 
apprenticed to learn the <5a.rpenter's trade at 
Brewster, Putnam County. He worked at this 
business just one year at that place, and in March, 
1884, came to Newburgh, at once entering the 
employ of John Bayne as journeyman contractor 
and builder, by whom he was employed for six 
months. Then for six years he was in the em- 
ploy of two different contractors. 

In 1890 Mr. O'Hara began contracting for him- 



46o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



self, and under his supenision have been built 
many of the l)est residences of the city, including 
those of Mr. Coffey. John McAllister, John 
Meany and two for Mr. Horton. He also erected 
for himself two houses, which were planned for 
stores underneath. They are fifty feet front and 
three stories in height, located at Nos. 78 and 80 
William Street. Besides these he also owns a 
residence on Hasbrouck Street, that is two stories 
high, with twenty-two feet frontage. 

Mr. OHara and Miss Bessie Cardie, also a na- 
tive of Ireland, were married in Brewster, X. Y., 
February 6. 1880. Mrs. OHara departed this 
life in January, 1894, lea\-ing a family of five 
children, Thomas, Jr.. Mar>-. Winnie. John and 
Rosa. Our subject was afterward married, in 
October. 1S94. to Miss Anna Dunning, a native 
of Wisconsin . Mr. O' Hara is a devout member 
of St. Patricks Catholic Church. 



EAPT. ELLSWORTH DAVIDSON, of the 
town of New Windsor, sailed for ten years 
on his fathers bai^e, the "Maria Da\-id- 
son." and gradually worked his way upward 
until he was made Captain. Uj)on his father's 
death he became a member of the firm of Hugh 
Davidson's Sons, and embarked in the manu- 
facture of brick at this point. 

The Captain, who was bom in Dutchess Coun- 
ty, February 7. 1S61. is a son of Hugh and 
Maria 1 Barber^ Davidson, whose history- appears 
more fully in the sketch of our subject's brother, 
Hugh Davidson, Jr.. which is published else- 
where in this volume. The Captain was reared 
in Haverstraw. Newburgh. and in the town of 
New Windsor. His elementary- education was 
received in the public schools for the most part, 
though he attended a private school kept by O. 
M. Smith for a short time. He early started on 
a business career, and for six years ran on the 
river between this point and New York City or 
Brooklyn. On one occasion, while on the "Ma- 
ria Davidson. " in the East River, near Sixty- 
second Street, the tug 'Dora E. Emery " blew 
up and tore the side out of the barge on which he 



was standing. Fortunately the barge was not 
loaded, or it would have been lost. As it was. 
it sank, going down under the Brooklyn Bridge. 
The crew were rescued by the "Vosburg." which 
managed to tow the "Maria Davidson" to the 
dry -dock, though the barge was full of water. The 
repairs cost upward of Si. 000. but the Captain 
and crew were glad to escape with their lives. 
When the Captain s brother Robert was killed 
on the West Shore Railroad, he took his place as 
foreman or supierintendent of the yards, and is 
still thus occupied, having charge of the men. 
In his political aflfiliations he is a true and tried 
Republican, and his liberal and enterprising wa> 
of doing things wins him friends wherever he 
goes. 

The marriage of our subject and Laura A. 
Da\-idson took place in Youngstown, Ohio, in 
18S9. Mrs. Davidson, who is a native of Pitts- 
burg, received a liberal education, and is uni- 
versally esteemed. The Captain and his wife 
have three children: Helen M.. Kenneth Hugh 
and Howard Leslie. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and take great interest in 
reliffious and charitable acti\-ities 



^ 



(I AMES McCLUNG. In the perusal of this 
I volume the reader is doubtless impresseil 
(2/ with the fact that it is not accident that helps 
a man in the world, but persistent energy and 
unceasing industr\-. The life of James McClung 
affords an illustiation of the fact that he who is 
shrewd to discern opportunities and quick to seize 
them will attain a hi.gh place in the regard of his 
fellow-men. A laborious, painstaking man, his 
has been a life of diligence and honor, and now 
as the sun of time is sinking toward the horizon 
of eternity, he is spending his days quietly and 
happily, somewhat retired fi-om the active business 
cares that thronged other years. His home is in 
the town of New Windsor, where he owns and 
occupies a well improved fann. 

A native of Ireland, bom August 26, 1816, our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



subject is the son of John and Esther McClung, 
whose family consisted of four sons and three 
daughters. He was reared to the age of about 
ten years in the North of Ireland, and thence 
emigrated to America, coming to Orange County, 
N. Y., and making settlement in the town of 
Newburgh, where he was employed on a farm for 
a time. At the age of thirty he began to work 
at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for 
thirty years, and during the last thirteen years 
of that time he was in business for himself as a 
contractor and builder. Many of the substantial 
business blocks and elegant residences of New- 
burgh were erected under his personal supervi- 
sion, and some of them still stand as monuments 
to his enterprise and ability. 

The marriage of Mr. McClung, September 17, 
1845. united him with Miss Harriet S. Brown, 
and they had three children, namely: Harriet B.; 
James, deceased: and Anna B. In 1864 Mr. 
McClung retired from the business which he had 
followed for thirty years, and, purchasing a coun- 
tr\' home in the town of New Windsor, has since 
resided here. The farm consists of ninet\--eight 
acres, upon which are raised the various cereals 
adapted to the land, and which is one of the val- 
uable estates of the town. 

During his long residence in Orange County, 
Mr. McClung has been known as a liberal and 
public-spirited citizen, ever ready to assist in lo- 
cal enterprises and with generous heart extend- 
ing aid to those less fortunate than himself He 
has always been deeply interested in religious 
matters, and is a devoted member of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he was been Elder for 
twelve years. In politics he is inclined tobe in- 
dependent, supporting measures rather than party, 
and availing himself of that freedom of thought 
which became his upon assuming the duties and 
privileges of American citizenship. 



!^4^[ 



I^^ATHANIEL M. BROWN. Of that sturdy 
I / and independent class, the farmers of New 
\ IS York, none possess more genuine merit or 
a stronger character than the subject of this bio- 



graphical notice. In his calling as an agricult- 
urist he has attained more than ordinary .success, 
and wherever known is recognized as an ener- 
getic and progre,s.sive farmer. He is the owner of 
a well improved estate of seventy-three acres, ly- 
ing in the town of New Windsor, and containing 
all the improvements of a model estate. The 
homestead is a valuable one, and its attractive- 
ness is enhanced b}' its large and beautiful trees, 
the most of which were planted by the present 
owner, ^'ery soon after coming here, he planted 
six cedar trees, eighteen inches in height, which 
are all living and are about forty feet high. 

On both sides of the house, Mr. Brown is the 
descendant of patriotic forefathers. His maternal 
grandfather, Samuel Weed, served throughout 
the entire period of the Revolutionary War, and 
died at- the age of ninety-three years. His father, 
Ho.sea Brown, was a soldier in the War of 18 12, 
and died at *he age of eighty-five years. By the 
marriage of Hosea and Jane ( Wted ) Brown, 
there were born seven children, nameh": Addison, 
who died in 1882; Nathaniel M.; Silas, who is 
living in Wappiuger's Falls, N. Y.; Anna E., 
Mrs. Garrison White, deceased: Harriet, wife of 
John White; Charles, deceased; and Matilda, 
wife of Daniel Gardner. 

The subject of this notice was born on Meadow 
Hill, in the town of Newburgh, December 30, 
18 19, and spent his boyhood days at the place ot 
his birth. In 1S42 he married Miss Caroline 
Merritt, and thirteen children were born of their 
union, seven of whom are deceased. Those who 
survive are, Adelia, Ellen, Adelaide, Tres.sa, 
Henrietta and Amy J. For two years after his 
marriage our subject lived on a part of his father's 
farm, and then for five years lived at Orange 
Lake, after which he was for ten years a resident 
of the town of Newburgh. In 1866 he .settled 
upon the farm where he has since made his home, 
engaging in general farm pursuits and in the 
dairy business. 

A man of intelligent ideas, liberal views and 
pronounced opinions of his own, Mr. Brown is a 
progressive and liberal-spirited citizen, an active 
and industrious farmer, and an accommodating 
neighbor. His moral worth and integrity are 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



uiiquestioned. In politics he is a Rfpublicaii, 
and wliilf he has never sought office, he lias l)een 
elected to a number of local positions, including 
the offices of Trustee, Poor Master and Constable, 
the duties of which he has discharged in a man- 
ner highly creditable to himself. In the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he is a member, he has 
officiated as Trustee for the past six years. His 
wife, who al.so belonged to that denomination, 
passed from earth December 13, 1885, aged fifty- 
nine years and six months, and her body was 
laid to re.st in the W'oodlawn Cemetery. 

0.\ \" I D B. HOWIvI.L. Material wealth 
must not exclude the riches of character 
and ability in the recountal of the values 
which have been brought to Orange County by 
its citizens; and among its most precious treasures 
must be estimated the lives of those citizens who, 
by their intelligence and uprightness, have as- 
sisted in raising the standard of life and thought 
among the people. No one has done more in this 
line than the gentleman of whom we write, and 
who, like many other prominent citizens, is a na- 
tive-born son of the county and a de.scendant of a 
family long identified with the history of this lo- 
cality. 

From the genealogical records of the Howell 
faciuily we learn that they are of Welsh extraction, 
and were represented in America as early a.s the 
seventeenth century. Grandfather Silas Howell, 
who was born in the town of Newburgh, followed 
the trade of a millwright throughout his entire 
life, though for a time he also carried on agricult- 
ural pursuits. He died when advanced in years 
and was bnried in the old town cemetery. His 
children, four in number, were Fanny, Ren.sler, 
Charles and S. Jones. 

The father of our subject, Reiisler Howell, was 
born in the town of Goshen, in 1797. When 
qifi tea child, his father. Silas, purchased a proper- 
ty five miles we.st of the village of Newburgh, 
and here Rensler grew to manhood. The home 
place contained one hundred and fifty acres, and 
here the father continued to reside until his death. 



in 18S3. A Democrat in politics, he held the office 
of Justice of the Peace and officiated in other ca- 
pacities. He Ijegan in life with little of this 
world's goods, but by frugality and industry he 
accumulated a competence, and in his declining 
years was surrounded by all the comforts of ex- 
istence. A man of progressive spirit, taking an 
intelligent interest in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of his fellow-men. he enjoyed the es- 
teem and confidence of his associates, who appre- 
ciated the nobility of his character. 

The mother of our subject, Olive ( Belknap 1 
Howell, was born in tlie town of Newburgh in 
1800, and died during the '60s. Five children 
were born of her marriage, namely: David B.: 
Rensler. a retired business man residing in New- 
burgh: John Calvin, who occupies the old home- 
.stead; Mary F., who died at the age of thirty-five; 
and Sarah, who died in infancy. Our subject 
was born in the town of Newburgh, August 31, 
1822. In boxhood he attended the district and 
private schools of the home neighborhood, 
thus gaining a practical education. He remained 
with his parents until his marriage, in 1852, to 
Miss Martljp J. Stewart, a native of the town of 
New Windsor. This estimable lady remained his 
faithful companion and helpmate until her death, 
which occurred in 1890. During the same year 
their daughter Anna also passed from earth. 
Charles, the only surv'iving member of the 
family, makes his home with his father and assists 
in the cultivation of the farm: he married Mi.ss 
Jennie Fulton, and they are the parents of a 
daughter. Manon F. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Howell settled uji- 
on the farm in the town of New Wind.sor where 
he has since resided and which, under his intelli- 
gent supervision, has been converted into one of 
the mo.st valuable estates in the neighborhood. 
It embraces one hundred and fifty-six acres, de 
voted to general farming and dairy purposes. 
Finding that his personal affairs demand his close 
attention. Mr. Howell has never been active in 
politics, although he never fails to cast his iiallot 
for Democratic candidates at local and general 
elections. In religious belief he is a Pre.sbyte- 
rian, and his wife al.so belongs to that church. In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



all things that contribute to the good ofthecoun- 
t\ he may be counted upon to take an active part, 

and as a farmer, citizen and neit;hbor he stands 
second to none. 



3ACOB 1". GIDNICY, one of the old residents 
of the town of Newburgh, was burn in the 
house where he is now living, and with the 
exception of .seven years, which he passed in the 
West, has always dwelt on this farm. His great- 
grandfather, who was of French descent, and a 
native of Westchester County, X. V., was the 
first one of the Gidney family to settle in this 
county. Coining here in 1794, he located on a 
farm a short distance from the village of New- 
burgh, and purchased a tract of two thousand 
acres all in one bodj', a portion of which now 
belongs to our subject. He was accidentally 
drowned while crossing the river at the High- 
lands. 

Our subject's father, Isaac Gidney, was born 
in this county, in 1792, and was reared to farm 
life. Soon after his marriage with Sarah Purd)-, 
who was born March 2, 1802, he removed to this 
section of the original two thousand acre tract, 
and here passed the remainder of his days. He 
died July 4, 1870, and his remains were placed 
in the old town cemetery. His wife, who died 
March 4, 1894, was laid to rest by his side. They 
were the parents of six daughters and three sons, 
namely: Mary, who married Richard Downing; 
Sarah E., Mrs. James G. Baldwin, of Racine, 
Wis.; Fannie, wife of Robert .Snider; Levina P., 
wife of Abraham Snider; Phoebe, Mrs. Abram 
Simons, of Petersburg, Va. ; Charles, who died 
in 1876; Samuel, who.se death occurred in 1867; 
Cynthia, who married Robert Rogers, but is now 
deceased; and Jacob P. 

The boyhood of J. P. Gidney was devoted to 
the acquisition of a common-school education 
and to learning the various duties pertaining' to 
farm work. In 1861 he went to Wisconsin, set- 
tling at Racine, and obtained a position as a pas- 
senger conductor on the Western Union Railroad. 
After remaining there seven vears, he returned to 



his old home. Besides running his farm, he also 
operates what is known as Gidney's Hotel, two 
and one-half miles northwest of Newburgh, and 
situated in hand.some grounds on the old plank 
road. Mr. Gidney has always been very fond of 
hunting and is a member of the West Newburgh 
Gun and Rifle Association, which has a club 
house situated on his farm. He has al.so been 
identified with the Masonic order for many years. 
In his political faith he is a Reptiblican, and for 
some two years he served to the full satisfaction 
of his friends and neighbors in the capacity ot 
Exci.se Commissioner. 

December 17, 1862, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Gidney and Miss Sarah Harris, who was 
born in Ulster County, N. Y., and is a daughter 
of Uriah and Mary (Halsted) Harris. 



P\HILIP I. RONK. In every locality reside 
Ly those who have .successfully accomplished 
f^ their life work atid have earned a sea.son of 
rest, while the work is resigned to younger 
hands. This is the case with the subject of this 
sketch, who is a retired business man of New 
York City, living on a good estate in the town of 
Newburgh. He was born in Ulster County, near 
New Hurley Church, October 14, 1814, and is 
the son of John and Julia Ronk, both natives of 
Ulster County. 

The parental household included six children, 
four sons and two daughters. Philip I. was 
reared to a full knowledge of farm work, and 
lived under the home roof until attaining his ma- 
jority. Upon starting out for himself, he began 
in business at New Hurle>-, conducting a gen- 
eral .store, but after a few years went to Platte- 
kill, conducting the same business with marked 
success for a period of six years. He then moved 
onto a farm, and for two years was employed in 
its cultivation, but at the* end of that time he 
gave up his lea.se, and, going to New York City, 
engaged in the general produce and commission 
bu.siness, making his residence in the metropolis 
for fortv years. During this time he accumu- 
lated a handsome fortune, and, lieing ready now 



464 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to retire from the active cares of business, came 
to this town and purchased the estate on which 
he now resides. 

The lady to whom Mr. Rouk was married in 
1S40 was Miss Deborah Sloat, who was born in 
rister County, and who was the daughter of 
Cornelius and Maria Sloat. To our subject and 
his wife were born two daughters and three sons, 
only one of whom is now living, Hezekiah, who 
is now residing on the old homestead, carrying 
on the farm for his father. In November, 1S76, 
Mrs. Ronk died at their residence in New York 
City, and was buried at Xew Hurle\- Church, 
Ulster County. 

Mr. Ronk is very much interested in all things 
looking toward the improvement of this section, 
and the town of Newburgh counts him as one of 
her enteqirising farmers. Energetic, honest, pro- 
gressive and upright, he is one of those persons 
who will build up any section. In politics he is 
indejx;ndent, and in religious affairs a member of 
the Methodist I{piscopal Church. 



•■ » ^1 



(lAMKS McKI.ROV. The farming class of 
I .\merica. and especially of the northern tier 
Q) of states, is notable for the degree of intelli- 
gence that is possessed by its representatives. 
Though of Irish birth, Mr. McElroy is in every 
other respect a thorough .American, loyal to the 
institutions of our Government, and intere.sted in 
the progress of our coinitry. He is one of the 
thrifty and energetic farmers for which Orange 
County has become well known, and in the con- 
duct of his agricultural affairs has shown good 
judgment and business foresight. For many 
years he has made his home in the town of New 
Windsor, where he owns a large and valuable 
farm. 

Boni in iS.;,;, the subject of this notice is the 
son of William and Sarah McElroy, also natives 
of the Emerald Isle. He was one of seven chil- 
dren, and his father also had two children by a 
previous marriage. Reared to manhood in the 
land of his birth, he had the intelligence to dis- 
cern that Ireland offered meager opportunities to 



an ambitious and aspiring young man, and his 
thoughts therefore turned towards America, 
where advantages were .so numerous and opjx)r- 
tunities so plentiful. In company with his moth- 
er and other members of the family, he crossed 
the Atlantic in 1847 and, reaching this country, 
sojourned for a short time in Brooklyn. 

June, 184S, was the date of Mr. McElroys ar- 
rival in Orange County, at which time he located 
in the town of Montgomery, and there for four 
years he worked in the employ of others. Later 
he of)erateil a rented farm for five years, and then 
purchased the place where he still resides. The 
one hundre<l and thirty-two acres comprising the 
estate have been brought to a high state of culti- 
vation, and all the improvements of a modern 
fanu have been introduced. 

The lady who, since 1863. has l>een the de- 
voted counselor and helpmate of Mr. McElroy 
bore the maiden name of Jane R. Arbuckle, and 
by her union with him has had four children, 
namely: Sarah, who lives in Brt)oklyn: Anna 
and Emma, deceased: and Maggie, who is at 
home with her parents. l"pright and conscien- 
tious in the daily dis<?liarge of duty, Mr. McEl- 
roy gives earnest consideration to the affairs of 
the day, and in local and general elections g^ves 
his support to the candidates of the Democratic 
party. In religious belief he is a memlier of the 
American Reformed Church. Now, nearing the 
evening of his age, he may with pleasure review 
his unblemished record as a friend, neighbor and 
citizen, and rest content in the knowledge of the 
esteem and high regard in which he is held by 
his fellow-citizens. 



ROBERT B. HALL. Among the many n- 
muucrative tanns in Orange County, that 
of Mr. Hall, in the town of New Windsor, is 
noticeable for the air of neatness which prevails 
and the value of the improvements which have 
been made ujwn it. It comprises eighty acres, 
which, under careful and intelligent handling, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465 



produce abundantly and afford a profitable main- 
tenance, together with a comfortable provision 
for a "rainy day.' ' 

The Hall family is of Irish origin, and the 
first of the name to come to America was Samuel, 
our subject's father, a native of Ireland, who 
crossed the Atlantic in 1809, and settled in Or- 
ange County. For a number of years he engaged 
in school-teaching. Shortly after his arrival in 
this country the War of 18 12 broke out, and he 
entered the service, becoming First Lieutenant of 
the United States array stationed at Sandy Hook. 
After the war he returned to New Windsor, where 
he continued to make his home for many years. 
In 1840 he removed to a farm in the town of that 
name, and there he resided until his death, March 
2T,. 1864. His remains were buried in the Little 
Britain Cemetery. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Mary Burnett, died in 1841. Ever in- 
terested in public aflfairs, he served as County 
Coroner for a number of years, and filled other 
local offices. 

The parental family consisted of the following 
children: Margaret and Mary J., deceased; Ra- 
chel; Moses D. and John J., both of whom live 
in the city of New York; and Robert B., of this 
sketch. The last-named was born in the village 
of New Windsor, February 13, 1823, and has 
spent his entire life in the immediate locality of 
his birth. When a youth of seventeen, he re- 
moved from the village to a farm in the same 
town, and since that time he has given his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. When twenty-five 
years of age he began life for himself, renting 
a farm until 185S, when he purchased his present 
property. 

October 29, 185 1, was the date of the marriage 
of Robert B. Hall and Sarah A. Little, and unto 
them were born five children, namely: Mary 
Catherine, Frances L., Charles B., Helen B. (de- 
ceased ) and Samuel. The present wife of Mr. 
Hall, with whom he was united February 14, 
1877, was Miss Phebe T., daughter of Jacob and 
Catherine La Tourrette, and an estimable lady 
who enjoys the friendship of her circle of ac- 
quaintances. 

The political belief of Mr. Hall has brought 



him into active co-operation with the Democratic 
party, and at every election he may be relied 
upon to cast his ballot for the candidates of that 
]iarty. He is a member of the American Re- 
formed Church, and contributes to its suppoit as 
liberally as his means permit. He has been true 
alike to every public and private trust, and has 
won the confidence and high regard of all with 
whom business or social relations have brought 
him in contact. His life has been a successful 
one, and he well deserves the prosjieritN- which 
has crowned his efforts. 

*ySAAC H. BIRDSLEY. The subject of this 
I sketch is a man whose history it is a pleasure 
Jt to place in this volume, from the fact that his 
success in life is an admirable example to the 
younger members of oursociety , and because a rec- 
ord of his faithful and courageous service during 
the war cannot fail to be of interest to the general 
reader. Mr. Birdsle}- is at present living in High- 
land Falls, where for the past twenty-five years 
he has been one of its leading grocers. 

Homer V. Birdsley, the father of our subject, 
was a prominent and substantial farmer of Orange 
County, and lived to be about sixty-five years of 
age. His estate was located in the western part 
of Orange Count}', and was one of the best im- 
proved and most productive in the vicinity. He 
married Miss Hannah Horton, who was born in 
Orange County, and who at the time of her de- 
mise was also sixty-five years old. She became 
the mother of six sons and four daughters, of 
whom our subject was next to the youngest. 
Henry, Norman, Jane, Fannie and Smith are all 
residents of Highland Falls. 

Isaac H. Birdsley was born in the town of 
Highland, November 29, 1848, and attended the 
subscription schools near his home until attaining 
his eleventh year, when his services were needed 
on the farm. Two years thereafter, or at the re- 
markably youthful age of thirteen and one-half 
years, he enlisted in Company A, United States 
Engineers, at West Point, as drummer-boy, con- 
tinuing throughout the entire war. This was Sep- 



466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tember 27, 1.S60. The troops were ordered South 
to Santa Rosa Island. Fla., and remained there 
at work until fall, when they returned to Wash- 
ington. The succeeding spring they joined Mac- 
Clellan on his peninsular campaign, which was 
one of the most dangerous expeditions under- 
taken during the Civil War. Onr subject, al- 
though but thirteen years of age, was strong and 
brave, and with his command aided in the con- 
struction of bridges, during which lime they were 
subjected to e.^cposures and hardships, to say noth- 
ing of the danger in which they were placed when 
opposing the enemy. 

Mr. Birdsley served his countr\ faillifulls ami 
well during the entire period of the conflict, .serv- 
ing under the principal commanders. He was 
with Grant at the time of Lee's surrender at Ap- 
pomattox, and participated in the Grand Review 
at Wa.shington in 1865, on the return of the 
army to the North. He was one of the youngest 
boys in the army, and to-day' is the youngest 
man living who served through the entire war. 
On his return home he received an honorable dis- 
charge, and although in many engagements, es- 
caped without a .scratch. When in his nineteenth 
year he attended the academy at Charlotteville, 
N. Y., for one year, paying for his education out 
of his savings during the war. Immetliately after 
leaving school he began clerking in a store in 
New York City, remaining in that capacity four 
■years. During this time he gained a good knowl- 
edge of the grocery business and later came to 
Highland Falls and opened up an establishment 
of his own, which he has conducted with marked 
success. 

Mr. Birdsley and Miss .\ugusla I,. Hunt were 
united in marriage in 1870. The lady was the 
daughter of Rev. Aaron and Caroline F". (Finch) 
Hunt, natives of Dutchess County. Her father 
was a minister of the Methodist Kipi.scopal Church 
of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for many years, but is 
now living retired at Hud.son, N. Y. 

To our suliject and his wife there were born 
two children: lidith, whodied when two years of 
age; and Ralph Y., who is now fifteen years old, 
and is attending school at Highland Falls. Mr. 
Birdsley is a true-blue Republican in politics, and 



in religious matters is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. He is largely interested in all 
measures that tend to benefit the community in 
which he lives, and is justly regarded as one of 
its best citizens. He is entirely self-made, and to 
his indomitable pluck, energy and economy is 
due the fact that he gained a good education, 
was enabled to engage in business when reaching 
the age of maturity, and acquired a competenc\' 
while yet in the prime of life. 

OC ^^~^^^^^Vw^»^^»^•4^ j^ ^H•^^»^•^^+^■^^+^ 

<v''HOMAS J. WOOD, an enterprising and 
I C prosperous business man of Cornwall on the 
V2/ Hudson, has been engaged as a tinner and 
plumber here for the past four years. He also 
carries a well .selected .stock of stoves, in short 
has everything usually found in a first-cla.ss tin- 
ter's establishment. After he came to his present 
location it was not long before he had built up a 
truly enviable name for integrity, fair dealing and 
courtesy toward his customers. He is a man who 
is thoroughly informed regarding his business 
and is an experienced workman. 

Thomas M. Wood, the father of our subject, 
was born in England, and for a number of years 
was engai<ed as a wholesale stationer and also as 
a printer of note in London. He made a success 
of this branch of business and became well-to-do 
in this world's goods. His death occurred in 
London, when he was sixty-eight years of age. 
His good wile, who bore the maiden name of 
Georgiania Yalentine Belou, was also a native of 
England, and was sixty-eight years old at the 
time of her decease. 

To Thomas M. Wood and wife there were born 
fifteen children, eleven of whom are living at the 
present time, and most of them in England. Of 
these Thomas J. was the eldest but one, and was 
born June 24, 1849, in London, England. He 
was given very fair opportunities for attending 
sclux)l, and when a boy began work in that city. 
He first learned the printer's trade and later the 
art of lithographing in his father's establishment, 
but upon attaining his eighteenth year concluded 
to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly he 




CHARLES H \AL1-NT1.\K. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



took passage on a steamer of the Inman Line and 
arrived in due time in New York City. Here he 
found himself a stranger in a .strange land, but, 
being an expert in his line of business, he found 
no difficult) in obtaining employment. He soon 
made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was 
engaged for eleven months, after which he re- 
moved to Baltimore, where he remained for two 
months. His health began to fail rapidly and he 
was advised by his physician to abandon the prin- 
ter's trade and seek work in the open air. With 
this end in view he came to Cornwall on the 
Hudson, engaging in ditching, but subsequently 
sought and found farm work, and as this kind of 
life agreed with him, he continued to be thus en- 
gaged for a number of years. In the mean time 
he acquired a thorough knowledge of the busi- 
ness of a tinner and plumber, and about four years 
ago opened a store in this place, which he has 
successfully followed since. He is reliable in his 
workmanship and never fails to give satisfaction 
to his customers. 

Mr. Wood and Miss Ann Eliza Clark were 
united in marriage August 16, 1871. The ladj- 
was born March 4, 1846, in Cornwall, and is the 
daughter of Francis and Elizabeth ( Shaw) Clark, 
natives of Orange and Dutchess Counties, respect- 
ively, both of whom are now deceased. In poli- 
tics Mr. Wood is a strong supporter of Repub- 
lican principles, and socially is a Knight of 
Pythias. He is a genial, whole-souled gentle- 
man, and is regarded as one of the influential and 
consistent members of the Episcopal Church of 
this place. 



SHARLES H. VALENTINE, owner of one 
of the finest drug stores in Newburgh, is an 
enterprising business man, and as he is con- 
sidered one of the best prescription druggists in 
tliis locality, is well patronized. He was born in 
this city in 1867, and is the son of James H. \'al- 
entine, a native of Peekskill. The grandfather, 
Abram Valentine, was a farmer of Westchester 
County, and was well-to-do in this v^'orld's goods. 
The Valentine family is an old and honored 



one in the history of New York. The records 
have it that three brother.s, French dragoons, 
came to the United States, two locating on Val- 
entine Hill, Westchester County, and the third 
going to Canada. All trace of the latter has been 
lost. 

The father of our subject, who was a mason by 
occupation, is now living retired in Newburgh, 
in which city he has erected many of its best resi- 
dences and public buildings He married Miss 
Mary E. Austin, who was born in Westchester 
County, and who was the daughter of Isaiah Aus- 
tin, a farmer. They became the parents of four 
children, only two of whom are living. Of this 
household Charles was the youngest. John H. 
was at one time Trustee of the School Board, and 
also President of the Orange Count\- Democratic 
Association. 

When six years of age, the subject of this sketch 
was sent to school at Wappinger's Falls, attend- 
ing there for three years. He next went to Mid- 
dle Hope, where he was a student until a lad of 
thirteen years, when he returned to Newburgh 
and began his career as clerk in the stores of the 
various merchants of the city. Then for a time 
he was in the employ of the Jesse Oakley Perfume 
Company, and on attaining his fifteenth year be- 
gan the study of pharniac>- with Theodore Mer- 
ritt. He continued with the latter gentleman for 
three years, then studied under F. W. A. Ren- 
ter, in whose store he worked for two years. At 
the expiration of that time he engaged as travel- 
ing salesman for J. G. Powers, of New York 
City, traveling, in that city and vicinity for a 
time, then went to Brooklyn, where he clerked 
in a drug house for over three years. He was 
afterward bookkeeper for Chapman & Lathrop, 
contractors for the building of the Adirondack 
& St. Lawrence Line, at Saranac Lake, Franklin 
County, N. Y. 

Mr. Valentine was then engaged by William H. 
Shefflin, of New York City (who was one of the 
oldest wholesale druggists in the United States), 
in the essential-oil department, but resigned at 
the end of a year and engaged in the real -estate 
business in Brooklyn, his office being located at 
No. 1480 Myrtle Avenue. After eight months. 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



however, he came to Xewburgh and heljjed or- 
gani/.e the Granite State Proviik-nt KiiildiDg and 
Loan Association, of which lie was made Secre- 
tary. He held that position for a time, when he 
resigned and engaged in the drug business. In 
order to review his knowledge of the business, he 
clerked for a time, and in February, 1893, pur- 
chased the .stock of goods from S. A. Johnson. 
He has since continued at the old stand, at the 
corner of Courtney Avenue and Landers Street, 
carr\ ing a general stock of drugs and conducting 
a fine prescription trade. He manufactures Val- 
entine's Magic Ointment and Magic Remedies, 
which he has recently placed on the market, and 
which are destined to have a wide sale. 

Our subject and Miss Eva \'ineer were married 
in Brooklyn in 1S8S. The lady was born in that 
city, and was the daughter of Capt. Robert Vin- 
eer, now deceased. To them has been born a 
.son. James H. Mr. \'alentine is prominent in 
local affairs, and on one occasion was Superin- 
tendent of lilections. He is a .supporter of Dem- 
ocratic candidates, and in religious matters is a 
consistent member of the Congregational Church. 



•.>^. 



i'i*^* -*-• 



(IdHX F. LIXEHAX. In the career of this 
I gentleman we find a .striking example of 
\Z/ what a man can accomplish who is possessed 
of good business judgment and is intelligent and 
persevering. When Mr. Linehan commenced 
in life lor himself he was practically without a 
dollar, and although at this writing he is still a 
comparatively young man, he has gained a place 
among the well-to-do businessmen of Xewburgh, 
in which city he is well known as a .successful 
contractor and builder. 

Mr. Linehan was born in the city of Cork, 
Ireland, May 9, 1S65. His father, John Line- 
han, who.se birth likewise occurred in that city, 
was a mason and builder, and died there at the age 
of si.\ty years. The grandfather, who bore the 
name of Thomas, was a ma.son in Cork, where he 
lived to be eighty-one > ears old. The mother of 



our subject, who was known in maidenhood as 
Mary Kidney, was the daughter of Patrick Kid- 
ney, and both were born in the Flmerald Isle. 
She is still living and makes her home in her na- 
tive city, Cork. She reared a family of six .sons 
and one daughter, of whom four are living. Of 
these our subject was the third-born and the only 
one to emigrate to America. He was graduated 
from the Christian Brothers' monastery in Cork, 
after which he became an accountant in a gei>- 
eral merchandise establishment in that city, hold- 
ing this position for eighteen months, when he 
began learning the trade of a mason under the 
instruction of his father, continuing to work with 
him until 1885. July 3 of that year we find him 
•Stepping from a vessel in New York City, whence 
he made his way to Fishkill, and there found em- 
ployment with James Forrcstal. After six months 
spent with him he came to Xewburgh and en- 
gaged to work for a Mr. Hopper, of New York 
City, who was then building the Tower of Vic- 
tory at Washington's Headquarters. After this 
he worked on the Academy of Music with Wil- 
son Bros., was subsequently in the employ of 
Edward Howell for two years, and afterwards 
was with Edward Martin. Mr. Linehan then 
began contracting on his own account, continu- 
ing alone until 1890, when he took m as partner 
William Lahey, the firm continuing as Linehan 
Cfc L,ahey until the spring of 1893, since which 
time our subject has superintended his building 
alone. 

Our subject is a practical workman and has been 
given the contract for building many of the fine 
re.sidences and stores of this and other cities. In 
one year he erected as many as thirty- three dwell- 
ings, including that of Patrick McGuire, on the 
Heights; three stores for the same gentleman on 
Freemont Street; the residence of Owen Clark on 
Liberty Street; two large residences in Fishkill, 
and several stores and flats in various parts of the 
cit\-. 

The marriage of Mr. Linehan and Miss Mary 
Brown occurred in this city June 26, 1889. The 
ladv was Ijorn in County Derry, Ireland, June 
2^1, 1864, and is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza 
i)eth ( Mawhinnev ) Brown. She came to Amer- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



ica in 1887, unattended bj' any of her family. 
Her father is deceased and her mother still re- 
sides in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Linehan are both 
members of the Catholic Church, and the former 
belongs to the Catholic Benevolent Legion and 
the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, also 
to St. \'incent's Society of Foresters. 



3 AMES M. SMITH, proprietor of one of the 
finest drug stores in Cornwall, manifests ex- 
ceptional financial ability in carrj'ing on his 
business, and although it has been less than a 
year since he established this store, he has al- 
ready taken his place among the leading business 
men of the place. Mr. Smith is especially skilled 
as a prescription druggist, in which he has been 
fully prepared by careful study and a large expe- 
rience in compounding medicines. 

Charles Smith, the father of our subject, was 
born January 23, 1825, in the town of Go,shen, 
and departed this life January 20, 1S85. He 
was for man)' years one of the prominent dry- 
goods merchants of Newburgh, and was a man of 
genuine worth of character and business ability, 
one who was always ready to aid his communitj- 
in any and all laudable enterpri.ses. His father, 
who bore the name of Abel G. Smith, was born 
in the town of Goshen, July 12, 1794, and at the 
time of his removal from Chester to New York 
was the proprietor of a first-class hotel. 

The father of our subject married Miss Maria 
Gardner, daughter of Dr. J. M. Gardner, a noted 
physician and skilled surgeon of Newburgh. She 
died in 1885, leaving two sons, James M. and 
Charles Tustin, the latter of whom is a book- 
keeper for a IargemercantiIehou.se in Newburgh. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New- 
burgh Angu.st 2, 1852, and attended its schools 
until nineteen years of age, when he went 
to New York City and carried on his studies in 
pharmacy, receiving his diploma from the State 
Board. On receiving his diploma he returned to 
Newburgh and for the following three years 



clerked in his father's store. In 1878, however, 
he came to Cornwall and established himself in 
the drug business. On changing his location 
some time later, he went to Yonkers, remaining 
there similarly engaged for five j-ears. His bus- 
iness there was a very paying one, but on the 
death of R. P. Hazen, of this city, he thought it 
a good investment to purchase his stock of drugs 
and locate here. The business was established 
manj' years ago, and Mr. Smith now brings to it 
that thorough knowledge of pharmacy which 
makes his store second to none in point of excel- 
lence and purity of materials sold. 

Our subject and Miss Fannie W., daughter of 
Louis and Ellen Fancher, of Cornwall, were 
united in marriage December 26, 1877, at this 
place. The lady was born October 28, 1856, and 
is now the mother of two sons: Walter G., aged 
si.xteen years; and Duncan M., a lad of eleven. 
In politics Mr. Smith supports the Republican 
candidates. The Episcopal Church finds in him 
one of its most consistent members and liberal 
contributors. Taken all in all, he is one of the 
most active and successful business men of the 
place, and is given his share of the patronage of 
the people of Cornwall, who recognize in him a 
man of superior ability in his particular line. 



f RANK J. ZINT. The commercial world is 
fS ^o crowded with bread-winners, anxious and 
I ready to accumulate the ' 'almighty dollar, 
that to achieve marked success a man must pos- 
sess not capital only, but shrewd judgment and 
tact While a professional man may require more 
book learning, it does not call for more mental 
labor than does the successful management of an 
extensive mercantile establishment. The force 
of this statement is fully appreciated by such men 
as Mr. Zint, who day by day must plan and buy 
to suit the capricious taste of his customers. His 
enterprising character and business tact, together 
with honest dealing, have brought him the good- 
will of a large circle and given him an established 
reputation as a prominent bu.siness man of High- 
land Falls. As a grocery dealer he is wideU' and 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



favorably known, having two stores, one located 
on Prospect Hill and the other on Main Street. 

The business which our subject is conducting 
so sutvessfuUy was established by his father, 
Daniel Zint, wlio died about three years ago. He 
was born in Alsace, Germany, whence hecrcssed 
the Atlantic in 1S32, when eighteen years of age. 
Coming hither with a determination to make a 
name for him.self he was ready to engage in any 
hone.st work which wt)uld prove remunerative. 
The fact that he had a relative living in High- 
land Falls decided him to locate here. He found 
work in a stone-quarry, but as this employment 
did not prove exactly what he wanted, he soon 
abandoned it. and. going to West Point, learned 
the trade of a shoemaker. He continued to work 
at that business there until ready to embark in a 
business of his own at this place, at first making 
a specialty of boots and shoes, but as he became 
more prosperous addetl a stock of groceries. As 
a man he was genial and courteous, and by his 
straightforward honesty won the confidence of the 
people. 

Daniel Zint married Mi.ss Mary Lorentz, also 
a native of Germany, who now sur\'ives him. She 
became the mother of fi\e children, of whom 
Frank J., of this sketch, is the eldest. Sophia 
married W. G. Elson, and lives in Brooklyn; 
Charles H. operates the coal-yards managed by 
our subject: Augeline is at home: and George is 
•also employed on the estate. 

The subject of this sketch was born in High- 
land Fall.s, August 3, 1S62. He attended the 
common schools for a number of years, after 
which he was a student in Manhattan College. 
Soon thereafter he entered his father's store and 
with characteri.stic push and energy he acquired 
a full knowledge of the busine.ss, thus greatly re- 
lieving his father, who had sf)ent so many years 
in building it up. 

Our subject was married, Augu.st 3, 1888, to 
Miss Nellie L. Conway, of Newburgh. Her par- 
ents, Charles and Louisa 1 Nolan ) Conway, now 
make their home in Highland Falls, where they 
are greatly esteemed, the former being engaged 
in the clothing and men's furnishing-goods busi- 
ness. Three children have l>eeii l)orn lt> Nlr. and 



Mrs. Zint, viz.: Marie, Zita and Daniel. In pol- 
itics our subject is a stanch supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles, and in religious affairs is a de- 
vout Catholic, and belongs to the Catholic Benev- 
olent Legion. 



n AMES STF:\VART, oneof the foremost build- 
I ers and contractors of Newburgh to-day, is a 
V2/ practical business man. courteous and affable 
with his customers, and enjoys a reputation for 
being a man of his word and strictly honorable in 
all his dealings. He has taken and executed the 
contracts for the brick and stone work and plas- 
tering of many of the handsome and substantial 
public and private buildings of this city. 

A native of the Emerald Isle, Mr. Stewart was 
born in County Derry, in 1845, being a son of 
Henn,- and Belle (Johnston) Stewart, both 01 
whom were also natives of County Derr>-. The ! 

father was a farmer, as was also his father, James [ 

Stewart. Our .subject is oneof five children, and 
the only son. Two of his sisters are now in Amer- f 

ica, but the other members of the family are still = 

in Ireland. He received a good common-school 
education, and was trained by his excellent par- 
ents with a strict regard to his duties toward his 
fellows. 

It was in 1S64 that James Stewart left the 
scenes of his youth and his early friends to .seek a 
home and fortune in the United States. He .sailed 
from Liverpool in the good ship "Consolation," 
which was tossed to and fro on the briny deep for 
six weeks and two days. At length it safely 
pulled into port at New York Harbor, in which 
city young Stewart found employment as a team- 
ster and at other occupations for a year. In 
1S65 he came to Newburgh, working for a year 
in the Washington Foundn. , and afterward served 
an apprenticeship under John Little for four years, 
becoming master of the brick and stone laying 
business. For the next five or six years he was 
employed as a journeyman, and in 1876 com- 
menced taking contracts. About a vear later he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 



took in as partner Hugh McLernon, the firm 
continuing as Stewart & McLernon until 1892, 
since which time Mr. Stewart has been alone. 
He put up Gerhart's Building on Broadway: 
twenty-two re.sideiices for Mr. Fullagar on Lib- 
erty Street; the Washington Heights Hose Com- 
pany Building, and many on the Heights. 

In 1866 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage 
with Eliza J. McLernon, at the home of her par- 
ents in Albany, N. Y. She was born in County 
Berry, Ireland, and departed this life in New- 
burgh, in 1882. Of her six children, the eldest, 
Mary, became the wife of George Moo.sdon, and 
is now decea.sed; Maggie is Mrs. Charley Tag- 
gart, of this city; Henry is a mason in his father's 
employ; Mrs. Sarah Blair resides in Newburgh; 
and Lizzie and Annie are at home. In 1889 Mr. 
Stewart married Sarah J. Hyndman, a native of 
Newburgh, and they have one child,' James, Jr. 
Mr. Stewart is a Trustee and is Vice-President of 
the Board of Officers of the United Presbyterian 
Church. In all works of religious and charitable 
import he takes great interest and contributes 
both of his time and substance to the support of 
many 'such enterprises. His ballot he uses on be- 
half of the Republican party platform. 



L-T- 






_^ 



^ 



<5?^HOMAS L. BROOKS. Upon the organi- 
J C zation of the municipality of Washington- 
Vy ville, February 18, 1895, Mr. Brooks was 
elected President of the Village Board, which 
honorable position he now fills. He is justly 
numbered among the most progre.ssi\-e citizens of 
the place, and has been a prime factor in every 
public-.spirited enterprise. To him, as much as 
to any other per.son, may be attributed the es- 
tablishment of water-works in the town, and 
other improvements maj- also be traced to his 
energy and influence. He is engaged in the fire- 
insurance business and represents a number of 
reliable and old companies of the East. 

The father of our .subject. Charles E. Brooks, 
was born in the town of Blodniiug Grove, of 



which he was a life-long resident, his death oc- 
curring here at the age of .seventy years. By oc- 
cupation he was a farmer. His wife, Adeline 
Cannon, who died at the age of sixty-nine, was 
a member of an old Huguenot family, whose rep- 
resentatives were prominent and influential among 
the early Knickerbocker residents of New York. 
Cannon Street, in New York City, was named 
after the family. 

The eleven children comprising the family ol 
Charles E. and Adeline Brooks were as follows: 
Thomas L.; Annie E. : Francis Denni.son. de- 
ceased; John I., who is employed in the depart- 
ment of public works in New York City; Ed- 
ward C. and Mary, deceased; William Henrx 
Harrison, a resident of Salt Lake City; Fletcher 
M., proprietor of a store in Washingtonville; 
Henry Clay, also a resident of this village; 
Charles P., a civil engineer by occupation; and 
Madison, who died in boyhood. 

The eldest of the family, Thomas L., was born 
February 15, 1829, in the town of New Wind.sor, 
just over the line from Blooming Grove. His 
early years were pas.sed upon a farm, and he was 
a student in the neighboring schools. At the 
age of nineteen he went to St. Louis, where he 
clerked in a store and meantime attended night 
school. After spending two years in the West, 
he returned to Orange County, and remained on 
the home farm until twenty-three years of age. 
Then, going to New York City, he embarked in 
the provision bu.sine.ss, which he carried on for 
thirty-one years. During the first part of this 
time he was remarkably successful and gained a 
fortune, but his later ventures were less success- 
ful, and he lost much of his property. At the 
expiration of thirty-one years he came back to 
Orange County, not expecting to engage in busi- 
ness any more, but soon took up the agenc.\- for a 
number of fire-insurance companies, which he 
still represents in this district. 

While in New York City Mr. Bnwks married 
Mi.ss Mary Healy, and they became the parents 
of three children, one of whom died in infancy. 
Adeline, the only daughter, married James Bir- 
mingham, who, though a resident of Washing- 
tonville, does bvisiness in New York Cil\-, having 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been connected with tlie Niiitli National Bank 
there for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Birming- 
hani have two children, Pauline and Jay. The 
only son of our subject, Edward H., lives at 
Passaic, and does business on Cliff Street, New 
York City; he married Mary Byrn, and they 
have two daughters, Ethel and Miiniie. 

Politically Mr. Brooks is a Republican, and a 
strong protectionist. He belongs to the Grand 
Army of the Republic, having Vieen in the state 
militia during the Civil War. With the .Seventy- 
first New York Infantry he was in Pennsylvania 
just prior to the battle of Gettysburg. In carry- 
ing out the plan of the campaign, the state militia 
made marches and counter marches in front of 
the enemy, giving them the impression that they 
had to fight only the militia, but upon commenc- 
ing battle, they found that the militia withdrew, 
uncovering the Army of the Potomac. In that 
way the Confederates were given more business 
than they cared to have. 

While in New York City Mr. Brooks was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church on the cor- 
ner of Fourteenth Street and Second Avenue. 
His membership is now in the Presbyterian 
Church at Washingtonville. He is justly con- 
ceded to be one of the most influential citizens of 
his community, and is entitled to the high regard 
in which he is held. 






H1-:XKV M FITCH. The popular drug store 
and pharmacy of Wa.shingtonville arc per- 
.sonally conducted by the subject of this no- 
tice, a registered pharmacist, who established 
the business here April i, 1895. Possessing the 
peculiar (jualifications necessary for the success- 
ful prosecution of business affairs, he has already 
gained the confidence of the people, and his pro.s- 
perilv will undoubtedly increase as the years 
pass by. 

Referring to the history of the Fitch family, 
we find that the parents of our subject, Butler 
and Anna (Moffat^ Fitch, were natives of Orange 
County, the mother being a daughter of Joseph 
Moffat, of the town of Blooming Grove. The 



father, who formerly engaged in the drug busi- 
ness in Delaware County, has been for ten years 
past, and until recently, employed in the Sur- 
geon-General's office at Washington. D. C. At 
present, however, he makes his home in Wa.sh- 
ingtonville. He and his wife were the parents 
of six children, as follows: Clarence, deceased: 
Henry M., the subject of this notice; Currence, 
wife of K. R. York, of Taconia, Wash.; Arthur 
C., who lives in Wa.shington. D. C: Florence, 
deceased; and Anna P.. who resides with her 
parents. 

About one mile from Washingtonville, upon a 
farm in the town of Blooming Grove, occurred 
the birth of Henry M. Fitch, Septeml>er 2, 1863. 
When one year old he was taken by his parents 
to Delhi, Delaware County, where his father car- 
ried on a drug busine.ss for sixteen years. For 
some years he attended the public schools of that 
place. His first work for himself was upon a 
farm in the town of Blooming Grove, at the age 
of seventeen years. From there he went to Jersey 
City, where for one year he worked in the em- 
ploy of the lumbering firm of A. M. Dodge & 
Co. Subsequently he was employed in a drug 
store for two years, receiving a diploma as a phar- 
macist. Desiring his brother to get started in 
business, he resigned to him the position he had 
held in the drug store, and then went to Brook 
lyn, where he secured a position with J. H. 
Williams & Co., drop-forgers. While in their 
employ for eighteen months, he traveled through- 
out the Ignited States, gaining in this way an 
extended knowledge of the country and people. 

On resigning from that position, Mr. Fitch re- 
turned to his birthplace. Shortly afterward the 
firm of Jaques & Bro. . knowing him to be ca- 
pable and reliable, and desiring to dispose of 
their wine plant, employed him to negotiate a 
sale for it. With this object in view, he went to 
New York, where he made a sale to the Emer- 
sons, who now own the plant, and in whose em- 
ploy he remained for four years. His next ven- 
ture was the purchase of a drug business at 
Monroe, where he remained for a few years. 
During the World's F'air at Chicago, he had 
charge of the wine exhibit of the Emerson Com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



475 



pany, and, being a shrewd exhibitor and an en- 
ergetic worker, that firm is now reaping the 
benefits of his efficient service. 

At the close of the Exposition Mr, Fitch i)nr- 
chased a general store at Salisbury Mills, but 
this he sold in June, 1894, and after six months' 
work in a drug store opened a pharmac)- at 
Washingtonville. This store, though but re- 
cently established, has already gained a large 
proportion of the trade of the village, and is one 
of the most successful enterprises of the place. 
Socially Mr. Fitch is a Mason and a Knight of 
Pythias, and has been active in both organiza- 
tions. In 1888 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Julia Halstead, of Salisbury Mills, a niece 
of Judge Fullerton. He is a popular man, which 
fact is evidenced bv his election as Town Clerk 
of Monroe for two terms, notwithstanding that 
he was the Republican nominee and the town 
was strongly Democratic. 



aOSIiPH I. KAMPE. For a number of years 
this gentleman was the owner of a fine mer- 
chant-tailoring establishment in Newburgh, 
hut in 1S95 li*^ di.sposed of the business to Jones 
iS: Preslcr, who have since had charge of the con- 
cern. His connection with the business interests 
of this city, extending over a long period, was 
such as to reflect credit upon his integrity and 
abilitw He is associated with many of the enter- 
prises that have contributed to the prosperity of 
the place, being a stockholder in the Palatine 
Hotel Company and the Muchattoes Lake Ice 
Company, and also a member of the Board of 
Trade. 

Horn near Breslau, East Prussia, in 1840, the 
subject of this sketch is the eldest .son of Lsaac 
and Rachel Kampe, also natives of Prussia. His 
father was engaged in general merchandising, 
and was a successful bu.sine.ss man. Both he and 
his good wife passed their entire lives in the Fa- 
therland. Of their six children, three sons and 
one daughter are now living. Jo.seph I. attended 



the common schools until he was fourteen years 
of age, when he was apprenticed to a well known 
merchant tailor. In 1856 he went to Manches- 
ter, England, where he worked at his trade as a 
journeyman. In 1859 he sailed from Liverpool 
in the "Neptune," and about five weeks after 
starting reached New York. For a time he 
worked at his trade in that city, then went to 
Huntington, L. I., where he was eniplo\ed b>' a 
merchant tailor. 

During the late war Mr. Kampe participated in 
many of the important campaigns, and did effect- 
ive service in numerous battles and minor engage- 
ments. Augu,st 18, 1862, he volunteered in Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Twenty-.seventh New 
York Infantry, known as the "Monitors," and 
was mustered into service on Staten Island. The 
following were among his army experiences: the 
defense of Washington ; advance on Norfolk : .siege 
of Suffolk: expedition to Richmond; engagement 
at F'ortre.ss Monroe; the battles of Folly Island, Ft. 
vSumter, Charleston and Bull's Island; the cam- 
paign against Johnson; assault on Ft. Johnson and 
Battery Simpkins by water; expedition again.st the 
Charleston & Savannah Railroad; battles of Honey 
Hill, Gregory's Landing, Deveaux Neck and 
Mackay's Landing; second action on the Charles- 
ton & Savannah Railroad; then on duty with 
Sherman's forces; skirmish at Greentown, and 
Savannah Swamp. After being in garrison at 
Charleston, S. C, he was mustered out on the 
30th of June, 1865. He was wounded with 
buckshot ill the battle of Pocotaligo, S. C, and 
was discharged from service with. the rank of 
Corporal about the ist of July 1S65, in the 
general muster-out in New York Cit\-. He is 
now a member of Fullerton Post, G. A. R., and 
also belongs to the Society of the Veterans of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York 
Volunteers. 

Desiring to better qualif}- himself for his future 
bu.sine.ss, Mr. Kampe took a course of training in 
the art of cutting and fitting garments, and then 
took a po.sition as cutter for a large establishment 
in New York City. In 1869 he came to New- 
burgh and worked as a cutter until 1878 for two 
diflferent firms. Then, starting in business for 



476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



himself, he was in partnership with a brother for 
two years, hnt from then np to the time he sold 
ont was alone in business. His first location was 
at No. 29 Second Street, from there he removed 
to No. 74, then to No. 84 Water Street, and in 
1894 removed to No. 108 Water Street. His .suc- 
cessors are located at No. 74 Water Street. 

In 1885 Mr. Kanjpe and Mary Furgerson were 
married in Newburgh. They have never had 
any children of their own, but adopted little Louis 
Gura. Mrs. Kampe was born in western New 
York, and grew to wonianluiod in this city. The 
family residence is at No. 122 Montgomer>- 
Street, the place being owned by our .subject. He 
is a member ot the Orange Lake Gun and Ice 
Clubs. He is also connected with the Manner- 
chor, and belongs to Hudson River Lodge No. 
607. F. & A. M.. and the \'eteran Masonic As.so- 
ciation of Newburgh. For a year he was a 
member of Company E, Seventeenth Battalion of 
State Militia, and was then promoted from the 
ranks by Governor Cornell to be Second Lieuten- 
ant and transferred to Company D, Nineteenth 
Regiment. Later he was commissioned First 
Lieutenant of this company by the same Gover- 
nor, serving until the battalion was disbanded. 

■ ^ ^ C^ • 



NKXRV C. SMITH was for .some \ears pro- 
prietor of one of the leading grocery estab- 
lishments in Cornwall on the Hudson. He 
is a practical and progres,sive man of business, and 
has invariable' prospered in his undertakings. In 
his store were found the choicest variety of both 
staple and fancy groceries, and the customer was 
always well pleased with the courteous treatment 
which he received. He recently sold his business 
and expects to go West soon. 

George G. Smith, the father of our subject, was 
born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, February 
II, 1823, and is at present engagetl in the real- 
estate business in this place. He married Mar- 
garet Jokle, who was lx>rn in Germany, alxnit 
1830, and by whom he has become the father of 
seven children. Of these the eldest is Paul, now 
living at Cornwall Landing; Henry C. was the 



.second-born; George G.. Jr. is engaged in the 
clothing business in this city; Anna is now Mrs. 
R. B. Elmer, and resides in Cornwall; Charles H. 
is a baker in EnglewtKHl, N. J.; Ennna I), is at 
nome; and Carrie M. married Dana Beiuiett. and 
lives in Cornwall. 

The subject of this sketch, who was born in 
New York City, March 19, 1853, was only two 
years old when his parents came to this place. 
Nine years later, however, he was sent back to 
the metropolis in order that he might attend 
school, and for three years was a student there. 
On his return home at the end of that time he ob- 
tained a situation in the .store of Charles E. Cocks, 
for whom he worked for nine years. Subsequent- 
ly he was in the employ of other business men, 
and during all this time made it a point never 
to spend all his income. By so doing he was en- 
abled to purchase property and go into business 
for himself His trade increased so rapidh in the 
grocery line, that he was obliged to rebuild, and 
about three years ago took pos.session of the prem- 
ises that he occupied until he .sold out. He has 
been the architect of his own fortune, having l)e- 
gun at the bottom of the ladder and mountefl* to 
a position among the best and most substantial 
business men of the place. Although not in the 
enjoyment of robust health, he has performed 
much hard work, and succeeded in his business 
far beyond his expectations. 

Politically Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, 
and takes a deep interest in the success of his 
party. He is an ardent meml>er of the Presby- 
terian Church, and contributes liberally of his 
means toward its support. Socially he is a Knight 
of Honor, and one of the much respected citizens 
of Cornwall on the Hud.son. 



RICHARD FICKEN was born in Scharm- 
beck, Prus,sia. May 8, 1S41, of which place 
his father, Frederick, was also a native. The 
latter, who was an architect and cabinet-maker, 
was a man of great .skill and ability. He learned 
his profession at the Schtxil of Architecture in Bre- 
men, and Inrcame so proficient in it that his former 




EUWARO M MIRTFELDT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



479 



preceptor otleii consulted him on matters of im- 
portance. For years he wa.s at the head of a 
school of architecture, and at the same time he 
carried on work at his trade. A long lawsuit 
with a brother alienateil them and involved 
hinj to such an extent that in his old age he was 
dependent upon his children, being cared for by 
Richard until his death. 

The mother of our subject. Annie Wetjen, diet! 
when he was an infant, and he was reared by his 
step-niollier. wlnve maiden name was Katherine 
Gruben. She was as kind to him as his own moth- 
er could have been, and of her he always speaks 
with veneration and love. He is the youngest of 
five sons, the others l>eing as follows: Frederick, 
who lives in New York City: John, who makes 
his home in California: Hennan, who was killed 
in a .sand bank at the age of twelve years: and 
Gotfried, a resident of Hamburg, and the only 
member of the family remaining in Gennany. 

The boyhood of our subject passed by unevent- 
fully until his confirmation in the Lutheran 
Church at the age of fifteen. Soon afterward he 
started for America, taking passage at Bremer- 
haven on the ship "Elizabeth, "" which landed in 
New York after a voyage of some six weeks. 
He was treated with great cruelty on the way, 
being confined in the hold of the vessel, his trunk 
broken open and ever>thing of value taken, so 
that he was penniless when he reached America. 
When the captain of the ship learned that he had 
well-to-do relatives in New York, he endeavored 
to make some amends for the treatment he had 
received. 

For thirty-five months, without losing a day. 
Mr. Ficken clerketl in the grocer\- store of his 
uncle. Louis Ficken. in Brooklyn. Afterward 
he was clerk for a ^[r. Sterling in Xew York for 
about one year. When nineteen years of age, 
he and a friend of seventeen bought a store and 
embarked in business for themselves, but they 
were unfortunate, and the man of whom they pur- 
chased the business ibreclosed the mortgage, leav- 
ing them with noiliing. Assisted by his uncle 
and a friend, our subject went into the liquor bus- 
iness, but it was not to his liking, and as soon 
as possible he abandoned it, and entered the flour 



and feet! business at West Falls, now in the city 
of Xew York. The man with whom he forme*! 
a partnership was ver>- honorable, but a poor 
business manager, and crippled the enter^^rise by 
giving bad credit, and the connection was .soon 
dissolve*!. 



---i- 



DWARD M. MURTFELPT. There are 
^ few of the citizens of Xewburgh whose names 
^ are better known, either in business or po- 
litical circles, than that of tlie gentleman above 
named, who fills the honored position of Presi- 
dent of the Common Council, and is also serving 
as Aldennan-at-Large. The furniture and under- 
taking business of which he made so conspicu- 
ous a success, and to which his energies for so 
many \ears were g^ven. was situated on Water 
Street, where he occupied a five-story building, 
witli.a frontage of forty -six feet and a depth of 
eighty five feet. The basement was utilizeii for 
storage and manufacturing purposes, the first, 
second and third floors as salesrooms, while 
above that were the upholstering and finishing 
rooms. Connection between the difterent floors 
was made by means of an elevator 

A native of the city where he now resides, the 
subject of this sketch was boni in 1S53. His 
boyhood years were passed on his father's farm, 
three miles from this place, whence at the age of 
sixteen he came to Xewburgh and apprenticed 
himself to the ftimiture trade under Peck & \"an 
Daltsen. The family of which he is a member 
originated in Gennany. from which countn.- his 
grandfather. William Murtfeldt. emigrated to 
America when Henr>- W.. our subject's father, 
was fourteen years of age. From Xew Orleans 
he took his family to St. Louis, and later went to 
Rockford. 111., where he tbllowed the tailoring 
business and also became a land-owner. Finally 
he came to Xewburgh, where his last years were 
pwssed in retirement. 

For a time H. W. Murtfeldt engaged in the 
liven.- business in St. Louis, where he ran a stage 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



line. He then setlletl on a I'ann near Rockford, 
111., and from there, in 1848, came to Newburgh, 
when it was a small and unimportant village. 
Purchasing a farm three miles distant, he em- 
barked in agricultural pursuits, and has since 
made his home there, being now seventy-six 
years old. He owns a large lx)arding-house on 
the banks of the Hudson and forty-seven acres of 
finely impnned land surrounding. 

The mother of our subject was in maidenhood 
Mary Frances Worden, and was boni in Brook- 
lyn, X. V. Her father was a .sea-captain and on 
retiring from that occupation came to Newburgh, 
where his la.st days were pas.sed. Her brother 
Henr> , who resided near Boston, was formerly a ; 
tea merchant, owning vessels that sailed l>etween 1 
this country and China. In the family of H. \V. 
and Mary F. Murtfeldt there were ten children, 
and all but one of the number are still living, 
Edward M. being the fourth in order of birth. 

Entering the employ of Peck & Van Dalfsen in 
1869. our subject began at the bottom of the lad- 
der and worketl his way up until he had gained 
a thorough knowledge of the business. In 1S79 
he purchased from Joseph \V. Powell the under- 
taking and furniture establishment, which, in 
fiartnership with Alonzo Krom, he conducted up 
to March 9. 1S95. the finn being Murtfeldt & 
Krom. The business had l>een in the hands of 
the Powell family for ninety-nine years, and Mr. 
•Murtfeldt occupied the same site, though the 
building was enlarged and remodeled under his 
supervision. At present he is conducting an un- 
dertaking business at No. 69 Chambers Street. 
As a funeral director his ser\ices are in frequent 
requisition, not only in Newburgh, but also in 
adjoining towns and in Dutchess County. He is 
President of the Highland F'urniture Manufactur- 
ing Company and ai^istetl in its organization in 
Januan.-, 1S94. The company was incorporated 
with a capital stock of $20,000, and turns out from 
its factory the finest quality of furniture. 

In Newburgh. in 1S72. occurred the marriage 
of Edward M. Murtfeldt and Miss Anna A. Mc- 
Cord. Mrs. Murtfeldt was boni in this city and 
is a daughter of William McCord, a manufacturer 
of brushes, now residing in California. They are 



the parents of six liviui; children, all of whom are 
in .school except the eldest, H. Worden, a grad- 
uate of the academy at this place, and at present 
bookkeeper in the wholesale grocery hou.se of J. 
W. Mathews & Co. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Murtfeldt is prom 
inent in public affairs. At the death of Alder- 
man-at-Large George C. Wenzel. he was appoint 
ed to succeed to that office, the appointment being 
made by Hon. Michael Doyle, the Democratic 
incumbent of the Mayor's office. In 1890 he was 
elected to fill the unexpired term, and was alsn 
made President of the Council. In March, 1893, 
he was again selected to fill the office of Alder- 
man-at-Large and succeeded himself as President 
of the Council. At the present time t 1893 1, in 
the absence from the city of the Mayor, he is act 
ing Mayor. The progress made bv Newburgh in 
ever>- line of activity is largely due to the energ> 
and shrewd judgment of Mr. Murtfeldt, who has 
given much of his attention to the development 
of those interests calculated to promote the growth 
of the place. 

As in commerce and politics, so in social mat- 
ters Mr. Murtfeldt is influential and prominent. 
In 18S0 he joined Htidson River Lodge No, 607. 
F. & A. M.. with which he has since been act- 
ivelv connected. In 18S2 he became a companion 
of Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., and for 
several years was its Principal Sojourner, being at 
present its High Priest. In i88,'^ he became con- 
nectetl with Hudson River Commandery. K. T.. 
in which he is Past Commander and Grand Rep 
resentative of the Grand Commandery of New 
York State. At present he is representative of 
the Grand Commandery of the .state of Dakota 
near the Grand Commanden.- of the state of New 
York, and is also identified with Mecca Tempi i 
and the Order of the Mystic Shrine in New York 
Citv. In addition to the organizations named 
he is Past Regent of Newburgh Council, R. A 
and its Past District Deputy and Supervising 
Grand Regent: a member of the Fraternal I'nion 
of Annointed High Priests: ex-President of the 
Orange County Undertakers" Association, and i- 
connected with numerous other fraternal bodie> 

From the brief review we have given of thelik 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



of Mr. Murtfeldt it will be seen that he is one of 
Nevvburgh's best known and most progressive 
citizens, and certainly it is true that he deserves 
to be clas.'ied in the annals of the city among its 
most prominent men. 

ISAAC B. WHEELER, the well known under- 
taker and furniture dealer of Highland Falls, 
carries an extensive line of goods in his estab- 
lishment. He engaged in business here over 
seven 3'ears ago, and from the very first gained 
success, and has in every instance made friends of 
his customers. He is a man of upright life and 
fair dealing, and merits prosperity on account of 
his vvorth\- characteristics and his good business 
methods. 

The father of our subject, Daniel Wheeler, was 
overseer of a farm of six hundred and eleven 
acres in Dutche.ss County. He was born in Sus- 
quehanna County, Pa., but at the time of his de- 
cease, in 1S62, at the age of sixty-five years, he 
was living in East Fishkill, Dutchess County, 
having resided there for fifty-three years. He 
married Miss Jane Vantassell, who on the 19th of 
July, 1895, was ninety years of age. 

The parental family included five children, of 
whom Joseph, Daniel I., John and Mary Eliza 
are deceased. Isaac B., of this sketch, was born 
in East Fishkill, December 29, 1854, sn<i was 
brought up to farm work. He acquired a good 
education in the common .schools and a.s.sisted his 
father in work upon the farm until attaining his 
eighteenth year, when he began to do for himself, 
first entering a store of general merchandise with 
L. W. Geming at Johnsville. 

Mr. Wheeler was married in October, 1876, and 
for the following three years lived on the old 
Wright homestead in Phillipstown, Putnam 
County. He next removed to Cold Spring, and 
worked at the carpenter's trade, of which he had 
gained a fair knowledge, being a good workman 
and handy in the u.se of tools. While in the em- 
ploy of John Y. McKeel for a period of eight 
years', he applied himself to learn the business of 
an undertaker, and after acquiring all the infor- 



mation he could there, he went to New York 
City and made a study of embalming. Now he 
is regarded as one of the most proficient in this 
business in the county, acting as funeral director 
for many wealthy residents of New York who 
have died at this place. Without any aid what- 
ever, he has worked his way from the bottom of 
the ladder of fortune to the topmost round, and 
now stands on an equal footing with any other 
man engaged in the same business. 

The maiden name of our subject's wife was Miss 
Sarah E. Wright. She was born at Phillipstown, 
Putnam County, in 1853, and is the daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Huestis) Wright, who 
were also natives of Phillipstown, but who are 
now decea.sed. 

In politics our subject supports the principles 
of the Republican party and is an active worker 
in that organization. However, he has neither 
sought nor desired public office, as he finds his 
time fully taken up with the demands of his busi- 
ness. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias in good 
standing, and at present is Chancellor Com- 
mander. 



OC »»»-i-»»-S"5-» - 3"i"i- ^ ^4"5-»4"i-»-5"S-»»'5- X> 

/TjlHARLESJ. BURNS. This gentleman has 
I r been a resident of Washingtonville since 
\J 1854, and during the intervening years he 
has become widely and favorably known as a 
contractor and builder, having in his chosen oc- 
cupation met with commendable success. He 
possesses considerable natural ability, and this, 
added to his painstaking care and efficient work, 
enables him to satisfj' even the most critical 
taste. As a workman he is skilled, careful and 
industrious, and his contracts are invariably satis- 
factory to the other party. 

Mr. Burns is the son of John and Sarah ( Bel- 
cher) Burns, natives of the town of Monroe, Or- 
ange County. His father, who followed the trade 
of a wagon-maker, removed to Ohio some years 
after his marriage, and died there when only 
thirty-five years old. His wife survived him for 
many years, passing away at the age of about 
sixtv-eight vears. Their six children were as 



4^-' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



follows: Sarah, who makes her home in Erie, 
Pa.; Benjamin, wlio died at the age of sixty- two: 
Charles J., of this sketch: Harriet, wife of Thomas 
Marvel, of Xewburgh: John, deceased: and Mar\\ 
who died in Pennsylvania. 

Born in the town of Monroe, Orant;e County, 
December 2, 1S33, our subject was taken by his 
parents in infancy to Broome County, settling 
near Bingiiamton. There they resided some 
years, returning to Orange County when he was 
about t\vel\-e years of age. The ensuing \-ears 
until he was twenty-one were pas-sed in New- 
burgh, where for five years he worked in a fac- 
tory, and at other times followed any honest em- 
ployment he could obtain. Being a natural me- 
chanic, he turned his attention to the carpenter's 
trade, which he soon learned. After a time he 
began contracting for himself, a branch of busi- 
ness in which he has met with deser\-ed success. 

In 1876 Mr. Burns was bereaved by the death 
of his wife, Sarah E., an estimable lady, and a 
daughter of Hiram H. Tuthill, of Oxford, Or- 
ange Comity. She was a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which Mr. Burns 
attends, though not identified with it. Their 
union was blessed with two children, of whom 
the son, Herbert, is an attorney-at-law in New 
York City, and the daughter, Mary, remains 
with her father. While Mr. Burns has never 
taken an active part in politics and is by no 
means a partisan, he nevertheless is a stanch 
champion of the Democratic party, and never 
fails to cast his ballot for its nominees. 



>" -IvJ+i- 



'i+^«- 



(lOHN W.MATTHEWS. The development 
I of the commercial interests of Newburgh is 
(2/ due as largely to Mr. Matthews as to any 
other resident of the city. Through his connec- 
tion with one of the leadiii.g business establish- 
ments of the place, he has proniote<l not only his 
personal prosperity, but that of his fellow-citi/ens 
as well. His name is indi.ssolubly associated with 
the largest wholesale grocery business of Orange 



County, of which he has been the liead for eleven 
years, and in securing the success of which he 
has been the most important factor. 

The storehouses of J W. Matthews & Co., 
which were remodeled in 1894, are situated at 
Nos. 16-22 Froiit Street. The building has a 
frontage of one hundred and ten feet, with a 
depth of fifty feet, the old portion having four 
stories above a basement, while the new building 
has five stories. The location is most convenient 
for shipping purposes, being on a branch of the 
Erie Railroad, and having elevators on each end. 
The sale.sroom is situated on the first floor, the 
offices on the second floor, and the balance is de- 
voted to storage purposes. The firm carries on 
a ver\- large flour busine.»is, receiving the various 
brands direct from the mills in carload lots. Em- 
ployment is furnished to ten traveling .salesmen 
and about twenty-five men in the storehouse. 

In former years the idea prevailed that a whole- 
sale business could be conducted in no other city 
than New York. This opinion, however, has 
been proved erroneous, and the prejudice against 
buying .supplies outside of the metropolis has 
been disp)elled. The fact that Newburgh is fa- 
vored with excellent transportation facilities ren- 
ders it a splendid location for a large wholesale 
business. Numerous competing railroads stretch 
away from here to all parts of the country, and 
ocean vessels are constantly seen at the docks. 
.\dded to these advantages may be mentioned 
the fact that expenses are lower here than in New- 
York City, and therefore goods can be sold at 
clieai>er rates. 

Among the specialties of the firm may be men- 
tioned Arnold's "SuiJerlative" brand of flour and 
■"Highland" brands of canned goods, of which 
they are sole proprietors. They are wholesale 
agents for the Humboldt Flouring Mills, of Minne- 
apolis, Minn., manufacturers of the "Bonanza" 
brand of flour; the Florence Mill Company, of 
Stillwater, Minn., manufacturers of the "Butter- 
fly" brand: and Heinz Bros. & Co., manufact- 
urers of the "Heinz" brand of pickle.s. They 
are among the largest buyers of teas in the 
niarket. and are also large dealers in coffee and 
.spices. In canned goods they conduct a very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



large business, their contracts calling for an in- 
creased number of cases every j-ear. 

The gentleman to whom the remarkable suc- 
cess of the company is principally due, and whose 
name introduces this sketch, was born in the 
town of Olive, Ulster County, N. Y., September 
29, 1854, the family removing to New York trom 
the eastern part of Massachusetts. The father, 
Jeremiah, who was born in Olive, engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in his native town, where for 
a long time he served as Supen-isor and Magis- 
trate. Upon retiring from business he settled at 
Kingston, where he now makes his home. He 
is an official member of the old-.school Baptist 
Church, in which he has been licensed to preach. 
His wife, Angeline (Phillips) Matthews, was 
born in the town of Hurley, Ulster County, and 
was the daughter of Richard O. Phillips, a farm- 
er, who resided for a time in Dutchess County, 
but later removed to Ulster County. 

The parental family consisted of three sous and 
one daughter, the latter now deceased. The sons 
are John W., of this sketch; Elmer E. , a mem- 
ber of the firm, having charge of the tea and 
coffee department; and Frank B., also a member 
of the firm, and now traveling for the house. In 
addition to the three brothers, Messrs. Leach and 
Harrison are members of the firm. 

After obtaining a good education in the com- 
mon schools and the Delaware Literary Institute 
of Franklin, Mr. Matthews began his business 
career in 1872 as an employe of the Romer & 
Tremper Steamboat Company. Four years later 
he secured a position as bookkeeper for a whole- 
sale grocer}' house in Newburgh, and in 1879 be- 
came an equal partner in the business. The part- 
nership expired by limitation in 1884, at which 
time the present firm of J. W. Matthews & Co. 
was organized. He is a member of the Board of 
Trade, of the Wholesale Grocers' Association of 
Xew York and vicinity, and of the New York 
Produce Exchange. Socially he has fraternal re- 
lations with the Powelton and Newburgh City 
Clubs and the Reform Club of New York City. 

In his political views Mr. Matthews is a Dem- 
ocrat, but does not take an active part in public 
affairs. Bv his marriage with Miss Harriet Lar- 



away, of Albany, N. Y., he has one daughter, 
Maude. In the First Baptist Church he is serv- 
ing as Trustee, and is also a Director of the Young 
Men's Christian Association. 



REUBEN CLARK is carrying on a splendid 
freight and forwarding business at Corn- 
wall Landing, in connection with' his broth- 
ers, Henry R. and Richard. He was named for 
his grandfather, Reuben Clark, one of the most 
prominent business men of this place. The latter 
was one of the first to engage in general mer- 
chandising here, and many years ago built the 
dock and a portion of the store in which the three 
brothers now conduct their business. He was 
also a freighter on the Hud.son River, and con- 
ducted a large trade in the sale of plaster. In or- 
der to handle this commodity with convenience 
and rapidity, he caused the dock to be built. To 
him was also accorded the distinction of erecting 
one of the first gristmills in this section. It was 
located on Idlewild Creek, one mile from this 
place, and was conducted by him for some time. 
He lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight 
years. He had three brothers, David, Francis 
and Joshua, all of whom lived to advanced years. 

Reuben Clark, Sr. , married Miss Mary Con- 
nell, and to them were born ten children: Abigail; 
Daniel, who was a merchant in New York City; 
Noah, who was captain on a river boat; Cornell 
S., who was formerly a brick manufacturer of 
Cornwall; Nathan, formerly a merchant of Corn- 
wall; Birdsell, who died in AustraHa; Josiah, 
who is a fruit-grower of Orange County; David, 
formerly engaged as a miller in Cornwall; and 
John, who was accidentally killed when a lad of 
nine years. Of this family all are deceased with 
the exception of Josiah. He was born in Corn- 
wall, March 15, 1822, and early in life learned the 
trade of a miller. Subsequently he spent thirty 
years as a merchant in New York City, and is 
now living in retirement at this place. 

Nathan Clark, the father of our subject, was 



484 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAl'HICAL RECORD. 



born March ii, 1816, in Cornwall, and upon at- 
taining mature years was married to Mary P. 
Birdsell, a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah ( Hal- 
leck ) Birdsell. She lived to be seventy-six years 
old. Nathan Clark was one of the old-time gro- 
cery dealers of Cornwall , making this place his 
home until his decease, March 12, 1S87, at which 
time he was .seventy-one years of age. He be- 
came the father of three sons, of whom our sub- 
ject was the eldest. The others, Henry R. and 
Richard, are carrying on the busine.ss which their 
father established, operating under the name of 
Nathan Clark. 

Reuben Clark was born at Cornwall Landing, 
Februan,-2i, 1842, and until sixteen years of age 
attended .school very regularly, a part of the time 
being a student at Poughkeepsie. His vacations 
were passed in working in the store, and in 1870 
he embarked in life for himself, being appointed 
freight agent at Cornwall Landing for Skidmore 
& Co., owners of a line of .steamboats. He re- 
mained with them for one year, and then was em- 
ployed for the same length of time by Carpenter 
& Co. From that time to the present he has rep- 
resented various lines of steamboats as agent at 
Cornwall Landing, and now transacts the busi- 
ness for .several reliable companies, being a valu- 
able man, as he is familiar with the busine.ss, and 
is well known to all the shippers. 

The lady to whom our subject was married, 
February 21, 1871, was Mi.ss Orvetta D. Atkin- 
son. She departed this life November 28, 1871, 
and April 15, 1875, Mr. Clark married Fannie 
Dorsey, of Maryland. She was the daughter of 
Walter and Julia (Forsyth) Dorsey, fanners of 
the above state, where they owned much prop- 
erty. Mrs. Clark has three sisters and one broth- 
er. They are Julia, the widow of Dr. Wilhelra, 
who lives with her mother in Cooksville, Md. ; 
Franklin W., a farmer of Carroll County, Md. ; 
Mary E., Mrs. J. M. DeLashmutt, of Howard 
County, Md. ; and Sallie, who married C. E. Syd- 
more, and lives in Cooksville, Md., where her 
husband is engaged in merchandising. The fa- 
ther of this family died December 18, 1891, when 
about seventy -two years of age. Mrs. Dor.sey is 
now sixty -eight years old. 



To Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been granted a 
family of four children. Orvetta wasboni March 

27, 1876, and is bookkeeper and stenograjjher in 
her father's store; Anna Augusta was lx)rn June 

28, 1877, and is now attending the Peekskill 
Academy: Walter D. was born November 27. 
1878, and is at present office boy for the Ontario 
& Western Railroad Company: and Fannie R. 
was born April 18, 1884. 

The father of Mrs. Clark was a very prominent 
and popular man in his community, and on one 
occasion served as Sheriff of the county. In poli- 
tics our subject is a Republican, tried and true, 
and socially is an Odd t'ellow of good standing 
and a Knight of Honor. He belongs to the So- 
ciety of Friends, and altogether is a gentleman 
greatly honored and esteemed for his worthy and 
upright life. 



(ILLIAM E. GWYER, one of the substan- 
ti.il and enterprising young citizens of 
Cornwall on the Hudson, is the possessor 
of a delightful home on Bay \'iew Avenue, which 
is beautifully located. The premises are kept in 
excellent order, and abound in fruit, shrubs and 
flowers of every variety. Mr. Gwyer has a fine 
greenhouse on his place and the grounds are made 
more attractive by living springs, the water be- 
ing supplied by "rams," which furnish .sixteen 
hundred gallons per day. In addition to this 
pleasant home, he also owns a valuable estate, 
comprising two hundred and si.xty-five acres, sev- 
enty-five of which are within the corporate limits 
of Cornwall. Mr. Gwyer has lived here for the 
past thirteen years, and is therefore well known 
to all the residents of this vicinity. He does not 
carry on farming, but gives his attention to man- 
ufacturing .souvenirs from Storm King Mountain 
and other noted places. He carries on this busi- 
ness in connection with a Mr. Caldwell, an expert 
turner of wood, and the many fancy articles 
which they manufacture are readil\- purcha.sed by 
the people who visit the place. 

Mr. Gwyer, who was born in New York City, 
P'ebruary 22, 1857, is a ^^'^1' educated gentleman 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



485 



and a graduate of Mt. Washington Collegiate In- 
stitute. He came to Orange County about sev- 
enteen years ago, and during thirteen years of 
that time has resided in Cornwall on the Hudson. 
His mother, who is a most estimable and worthy 
lady, makes her home with him. 

Mr. Gwyer is independent in politics, reserving 
his right to vote for the man who, in his judg- 
ment, will best fill the oflBce, regardless of part}- 
lines. He is a member of the Cromwell Guards, 
and was one of the principal organizers of the 
Pastime Club, a social order just established. In 
public affairs he takes great interest, and at one 
time was a member of the Village Board. Of 
late, however, he has refused to accept office, as 
lie prefers to be free to come and go as he chooses. 
He is one of the largest taxpayers in this com- 
munity, and has hosts of friends among young 
and old, rich and poor. 



IILLIAM SCHOUDEL, one of the enter- 
prising sons of Germany who have sought 
and found homes in the New World, is 
now living retirad from business of any kind in 
Highland Falls. He was born June 28, 18 17, in 
Baden, Germany, and continued to make his 
home in the Fatherland until twenty-three years 
(jf age. In the mean time he acquired a splendid 
education in the model schools of that country, 
after which he learned the cutler's trade. 

After thirty-seven days spent on the Atlantic 
in a sailing-vessel bound for the New World, our 
subject landed in New York City, where he 
worked at his trade for three months. He next 
went to West Point, where he enlisted in the 
regular army and served for a period of thirty- 
three years, after which he continued to reside 
in that city for eleven years. 

In 1884 Mr. Schoudel came to Highland Falls, 
where he has resided ever .since. He was mar- 
ried in this place to Mary Long, who was born 
in Germany in 18 19. To them were born four 
children, of whom Elizabeth is deceased. Will- 



iam is out West. Eouisa, Mrs. Frank Buck, 
makes her home in Poughkeepsie, and has six 
children, Frank, Clara, Lillie, Edward, Harrv 
and Hattie. Albert is engaged in the insurance 
business in New York City. In politics Mr. 
Schoudel is a true-blue Republican, keeping him- 
self well posted regarding the party's issues, and 
is a firm believer in its principles. He has never 
aspired to political honors, content to let those 
serve who desire to do so. In religious affairs 
he is a devoted member of the F^piscopal Church. 



&Z 



V-*7- 






-^T) 



=^") 



G| BRAHAM S. CLARK has made his home 
Li in Cornwall on the Hudson for the past six- 
I I teen years, and is considered one of the lead- 
ing citizens of the place. His residence is de- 
lightfully located on Bay View, from which the 
visitor can command a fine view over river and 
mountain. It is very fittingly called "Prospect 
Place," and during the summer months many- 
people from the city find rest and comfort here. 

Reuben A. Clark, father of our subject, was 
born in Cornwall, the grandfather, David Clark, 
being one of the earliest settlers of this region, 
and one of the first millers in the county. Reu- 
ben Clark, upon attaining mature years, moved 
to New York City, where he became a prominent 
business man and entered actively into public 
life, being for many years on the police force. 
He married Rebecca Cleveland, daughter of Fred- 
erick and Anna Cleveland, who are related to 
the Clevelands, the original proprietors of the 
Royal Baking Powder concern, selling out their 
interest in- the business to the present owners. 
Mrs. Clark became the mother of eight children, 
and departed this life when in her forty -eighth 
year. Of her famil)-, Elmira and Elizabeth are 
deceased; James died during the late war, while 
serving as a Union soldier in a Ma.ssachusetts 
regiment; our subject was the next-born; Mar- 
garet, Henry Theodore and John are deceased, 
Theodore also being killed while in the army. 

The subject of this sketch was born Septem- 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



ter 12, 1843, in New York City, where he took 
advaiUaije of the splendid opportunities granted 
him for attendiii)^ school, and after the removal 
of the family to this place he was a student in 
Rose Academy. He spent many years of his 
early life in Westchester County and New York 
City, but, his health failing, he sought a more 
congenial atmosphere and came to Cornwall on 
the Hudson. He at once located at his present 
delightful spot, and makes an excellent host for 
the summer boarders who each year visit "Pros- 
pect Place." 

Mr. Clark was married, in 188.4, to Mi.ss Mary 
Farmer, a native of the North of Ireland, and of 
Scotch extraction. She was born in County 
Monaghan, August 17, 1856, and is the daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Jennie ( Clark) Farmer. 

Our subject is descended from the family of 
Clarks who, many years ago, were large prop- 
erty-owners and wealthy people in the vicinity of 
Cornwall. He is a gentleman of integrity, and 
the^eparting traveler leaves with regret his well 
conducted and homelike dwelling and returns 
the following summer witli pleasure. In politics 
he is a true-blue Republican, and in religious af- 
fairs both he and his wife are members of the' 
Societv of Friends. 



^; 






'r\ROF. ELWOOD PIANO, one of the most 
L/^ prominent and efficient vocal and instru- 
fS mental teachers of mu.sic, resides at High- 
land Falls, where he has a large number of pu- 
pils. He is a skilled performer upon the piano 
and organ, and understands thoroughly the art of 
teaching voice culture. In both these depart- 
ments of music he has been remarkably success- 
ful in this place, and also has many patrons in 
West Point, a number of whom have now gone 
to foreign countries to perfect their musical edu- 
cation. The Profes-sor is quite a genius, and so 
well does he understand the mechanism of an 
organ that he could ea.sih- construct one, had he 
the proper materials. 

Our subject was born near West Point, N. Y., 
October 5, 1857, a'"' '^ ^^e son of George Piano, 



now decea.sed. The latter was in his fifty-ninth 
year at the time of his death, and for forty years 
had been a member of the We.st Point Military 
Band, which bore a reputation second to none in 
the state in point of excellence. Both he and 
his wife were natives of this state, and the latter 
was known in her maidenhood as Laura Jane 
Bird.sley. The five children born to them were 
Ada, Mary Emma and Harry, deceased; George, 
Jr., a resident of this city; and our .subject. 

The subject of this sketch may be said to have 
inherited his musical talent to a large degree, as 
his ancestors as far back as he has any record 
were musicians, some of them possessing a na- 
tional reputation. Elwood made his home in 
West Point until attaining his fifteenth year, 
when he came to Highland Falls, whither his fa- 
ther had removed and built a comfortable home. 
After two years" study under good instructors 
he went south to Alabama, still devoting his 
time to music, and gaining during this time a 
good knowledg#of the construction of the organ. 
He traveled for some time with Ostendorf, an 
organ builder, his duty being to exhibit the ex- 
cellency of this gentleman's work in con.structing 
these instruments. As he was an expert in hand- 
ling the organ, he could bring into notice the 
best qualities of that in.strument. 

.Subsequenth' Professor Piano accepted a posi- 
tion with F. L. Fryer, a nuisic dealer of Atlanta, 
Ga., and was engaged in his store for about five 
months. Upon leaving that state, in 1880, he 
moved northward to Tennessee, and for several 
years thereafter was employed as a salesman, ex- 
hibitor and teacher in Memphis. In 1888 he 
made a permanent location in Highland Falls, 
where he has met with such phenomenal success. 

Prof. Elwood Piano was married, in 18X3, to 
Miss Emma Young, whose birth occurred in 
Na.shville, Tenn. Her parents were Acton and 
Elizabeth Young, also natives of that state. The 
former was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and died in the summer of 1878, during 
the yellow-fever epidemic. The mother is still 
living in Memphis. To our subject and his wife 
there have been born three children, Harry M., 
Fannie M. and Theodore, all of whom manifest 




AVM \R VAN HURKN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



489 



marked musical talent. In politics our subject 
is a supporter of Democratic principles. He is 
organi.st of the Episcopal Church in this city, 
with which he is also connected by membership. 



(SlYMAR VAN BUREN was born in New 
r I York City, January 10, 1837. His father, 
/ I Col. John D. Van Buren, was likewise a na- 
tive of the metropolis, which was also the birth- 
place of his grandfather and great-grandfather. 
The parental family of our subject included five 
children, of whom four are living, Aymar, of 
this sketch, being the eldest of the household. 
John D., who makes his home in Nevvburgh, 
graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic School 
of Troy, N. Y., and during the war served in 
the United States navy; at one time he held the 
position of State Engineer under Governor Til- 
den. Elizabeth Van Buren is now Mrs. White, of 
Tuckahoe, Westchester County, N.' Y. Robert 
was also a graduate of the Polytechnic School of 
Troy, and for a number of years was Chief En- 
gineer of the Brooklyn Water Works. 

The subject of this sketch attended the private 
schools of New York until attaining his four- 
teenth year, when he came to Newburgh, receiv- 
ing instruction from a private tutor. In 1862, 
upon completing his education, and when ready 
to commence life for himself, he purchased a por- 
tion of the farm belonging to Edmund Morton in 
the town of New Windsor, and the following year 
was married to his daughter. Miss Margaret. 
Edmund Morton was an old and highly respected 
citizen of the county. Mr. Van Buren lived on 
this farm of ninety acres until 1882, wheij he 
sold out and became a resident of the old Morton 
homestead. Although retired from the active 
work of carrying on the farm, he gives consider- 
able attention to raising .standard-bred horses, 
two of his animals, "Effie" and "Lottie," having 
made a fine record, the former trotting in 2:25}^, 
and the latter in 2:28. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Van Buren there were born 



three children. Annie died at the age of four- 
teen; Caroline M. is now Mrs. W. V. V. Powers, 
of Cornwall; and Ednumd M. is engaged in the 
insurance business in New York City. While in 
New Windsor, our subject was a member of the 
Board of Health for many years; also School 
Trustee, and for twenty j^ears served as Road 
Overseer. During this time he was active in the 
building of Quassaick Avenue, which has since 
become the principal street of New Windsor. In 
religious matters he is a member of the Episcopal 
Church, which for a number of years he served 
as Warden, Vestryman and Treasurer. Like his 
father before him, Mr. Van Buren has always 
taken a very active part in politics, voting the 
Democratic ticket. He has represented his party 
at various times in county conventions, and was 
Chairman of the Town Committee for many years. 



Gl LSOP P. TUTHILL, who is engaged in the 
LI grocery business, has the finest class of trade 
I I in Newburgh. He handles a full line of do- 
mestic and imported wares, and occupies a build- 
ing 25x100 feet in dimensions, three stories and 
basement, at the corner of Third and Liberty 
Streets. Though he has been located in this city 
but seven 3'ears, having succeeded James H. H. 
Chapman, his success has been almost phenom- 
enal. He pays strict attention to the wants of his 
customers, and caters only to the best trade. 

Our subject's grandfather, James Tuthill, was 
born in Washington ville, Orange County, and was 
a farmer by occupation. His son George H., fa- 
ther of our subject, was born in the same locality, 
and, like his father before him, gave his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. For many years his 
home was in the town of Blooming Grove, but in 
1893 he retired from active affairs and came to 
make his home with our subject. His wife, who 
was formerly Miss Jane A. Purdy, was born near 
Goshen, and was a daughter of Abraham Purdy, 
a farmer. Both Mr. and Mrs. George Tuthill 
have long been identified with the Congregation- 
al Church. 

A. P. Tuthill was born in Washingtonville, 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



November 15, 1855, being next lo tlie eldest of 
six chililreii. one of whom is now deceased. Our 
subject was reared and received his education in 
the vicinity of his birthplace, remaining at home 
until fourteen years of age. Then for a year he 
was employed in a gro«."ery in the town, and at 
length went to New York City, where for two 
years he worked for Underbill & Westervelt, at 
the corner of Bleeker and McDougal Streets. 
Later he was with the firm of Park & Tilford, at 
the corner of Broadway and Twenty-first Street, 
remaining in their employ as .salesman for fifteen 
years. It was in 1888 that he decided to embark 
in busine.ss for himself, and settled uptin New- 
burgh as a favorable place in which to begin his 
new enterprise. Since opening his store he has 
been obliged to enlarge it, and now employs six 
men, some ol whom take orders from private fam- 
ilies regularly. Three delivery wagons are used 
for delivering goods. Besides a purely local trade, 
he has cu.stomers in several adjoining towns and 
the surrounding country. 

The marriage of Mr. Tutiiill occurred in Corn- 
wall on the Hudson in iSSo, Miss Jennie Ward 
being the lady of his choice. She was born at 
Cornwall, and is a daughter of Joshua Ward. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tuthill have two children, Mary 
Augusta and Carrie Ward, both bright and prom- 
i.sing pupils in the local schools. Mrs. Tuthill, 
•who is a lady of good education and social graces, 
is a member of Calvarv Presbvterian Church. 



.^^!^)j^.4. 



r^ 



@TK1'HHX DKCATIK HARKISOX, A. B.. 
Ny M. I)., the leading physician of Cornwall on 
Cy/ the Hudson, has established an enviable rep- 
utation since coming here in 1889. His father, 
who also bore the same name, was formerly one 
of the prominent business men of New York City, 
owning and conducting an extensive bu.siness as 
a cotton merchant and lard-oil manufacturer. 
He was also one of the founders of the Cotton 
Exchange, of which he was made President, hold- 
ing that honored position for many years. He 
was born in New Jersey in 1816, and after an act- 
ive and useful life, died in 18S1. 



Our subject's mother, formerlj' Martha R. 
Holmes, was also a native of the above state, and 
at the time of her demise, in 1878, was fifty-five 
years of age. She became the mother of eight 
children, of whom tho.se living are: Stephen De- 
catur, of this sketch: Elizabeth \'., a resident of 
Jersey City: and Holmes, who resides in New 
Orleans, La., where he deals in builders' special- 
ties. 

The subject of this sketch was born September 
2, 1855, at Jersey City Heights, N. J., where the 
first few years of his life were sjieiit. He was 
given excellent opportunities for obtaining an ed- 
ucation, attending the Hasbrouck Institute, and 
for two years was a student at St. Paul's Scluxil 
at Concord, N. H. He then entered Yale, from 
which institution he was graduated with the Class 
of '76. He naturally inclined toward the study 
of medicine, and alter pursuing the desired course 
in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York City, was graduated therefrom in 1879. He 
stood at the head of his class, and after a compet- 
itive examination was appointed to a position in 
the New York Hospital, which honor he refused. 
After passing another competitive examination in 
1879, he entered Charity Hospital, and subse- 
quently was ph>sician in the Chambers Street 
Accident Hospital. After some time spent there 
he was made phy.sician for the out-door depart- 
ment of Bellevue Hospital and of Roo.sevelt Hos- 
pital, this work fitting him for the successful prac- 
tice of his profe.s.sion. He first engaged in private 
practice at No. 714 Madison Avenue, and in 1885 
removed to Palmyra, N. Y., where he engaged 
in practice until 1889. the year of his advent into 
Cornwall on the Hud.son. Upon locating here 
he purchased the property of Dr. Birmingham, 
and succeeded to his large practice, which was 
the leading business in this part of Orange 
County. 

The lady whom our subject chose as his wife, 
and with whom he was united in 1882, was Miss 
Agnes C. Nicoll, a native of New Haven. Conn., 
and a daughter of Dr. John and C. E. ^Comstock) 
Nicoll, both of whom were born in Connecticut. 
Her father was a member of the same family as 
that to which Lieutenant-Governor Nicoll (the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



491 



first Lieutenant-Governor of New York ) belonged. 
Dr. and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of two 
sons: Stephen D., a lad of ten years; and Robert 
Nicoll, aged .seven. 

In politics the Doctor gives his adherence to 
the Democratic party. Socially he is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of 
Honor. In the line of his profes.sion he is con- 
nected with the Medical .Society of the county of 
New York, the Medico-Surgical Society of New 
York, the Alumni Society of Charity Hospital, 
and is also consulting physician of St. Luke's 
Hospital in Newburgh. 



a#^ 



n OHN C. ROSE is one of the leading examples 
I of the self-made men of Orange County, and 
O is proprietor of the village and brickyards of 
Ro.seton, which are .situated about four miles 
north of Newburgh, on the We.st Shore Railroad. 
His success is largely the result of his idea that 
barges for transporting brick could be constructed 
in a cheap and easy manner, and this plan he .suc- 
ces.sfully carried into effect. He owns sixteen 
brick machines and has a bank of the finest clay 
for the purpose. 

Our subject is of Holland-Dutch descent, but 
his grandfather, Jacob Rose, was born in the 
United States, and was formerly an agriculturist 
of ULster County. John, father of J. C. Ro.se, 
was a native of ULster County, where he operated 
a farm and carried on a blacksmith shop. His 
death occurred in Poughkeepsie. at the age of 
seventy-nine years. His wife, Sybil, likewise 
born in Ulster County, was a daughter of John 
Beaver, of English de.scent. He was one of the 
proprietors of the town of Esopus, N. Y., and 
was a very wealthy man in his da)-. His wife, 
who was formerly a Miss Clark, came from an 
old New England family. Mrs. Rose, who was 
a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, died when in her eighty-second year. 
John C. Rose was born October 4, 1828, in 
Esopus, Ulster County, this state, and 'is one of 
the six surviving children of his father's family, 
four others being deceased. He attended the 



district schools of his home neighborhood, and 
was married in Dutchess County, in 1856, to Miss 
Phcebe Myers, daughter of William A. Myers, a 
farmer of that county. The young couple con- 
tinued to reside in Dutchess County until 1865, 
when they removed to Haverstraw, v.here Mr. 
Rose embarked in the manufacture of brick in 
partnership with his brother, Hilend R. A year 
later he sold out his interest and engaged in 
boating, con.structing barges for the transporta- 
tion of brick. The first barge thus made was 
called "Silas G. Mackay," and the .second "Hi- 
lend C. Rose," after which man\- others were 
built in rapid succes.sion. 

In 1875 Mr. Rose resumed the manufacture of 
brick at Haverstraw, where he had six machines, 
and this plant he continued to operate uninter- 
ruptedly until 1882, when he sold out. Then, 
on account of failing health, he traveled in Europe 
for part of a year, receiving great benefit. In 
1883 he once more embarked in business on his 
present site, where he purchased a large tract ot 
land, buying out various parties, until he now 
owns altogether two hundred and fifty acres. 
His .sixteen brick machines have a capacity of 
twenty-four thousand bricks per day each, and 
the two engines which run the same are of one 
hundred and one hundred and .seventy horse- 
power, respectively. On an average about forty - 
four million bricks are turned out of this factory 
annually, the larger portion being shipped to 
New York City by barges. About seven of 
these are constantly used in transportation, and 
in busy times five hundred employes are on the 
pay-roll, there being an average of about four 
hundred hands. 

After locating here Mr. Rose secured a post- 
ofBce, which was called in his honor Roseton, and 
his son H. C. was appointed first Postmaster. 
Another son, Elbert, is the present incumbent of 
the office. The town contains the numerous 
homes of the employes, a general merchandise 
store, a schoolhouse and a church, the two last- 
mentioned structures having been put up by our 
subject. The town is a model one in every re- 
spect, and has a good station on the West Shore 
Railroad. In 18S4 the firm of Ro.se & Co. was 



492 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



incorporated with a capital of Syo.ooo. John C. 
Rose being President and Treasurer, and his son 
Hilend C. Vice-President and Secretary. For the 
last three years the business has been carried on 
under the name of John C. Rose & Co. 

In 1870 Mrs. Ph(L'l)e Rose was summoned to her 
final rest, leaving four children to mourn her 
loss. The third child in the family, Hilend C, 
died in Newburgh, in 1894; Adaleiue J. is at 
home; Klbert D. W. is Postina.ster of Roseton, and 
Joseph H. completes the number. The .second 
union of Mr. Ro.se occurre<l in 1873, at Marlbor- 
ough, Ulster County, with Martha Bailey, who died 
in 1876, leaving one son, John B., who is now at- 
tending Yale College. The present wife of our sub- 
ject, formerly Miss Martha Rowley, was born in 
England. Mr. and Mrs. Ro.se are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the 
former has held various offices, and is now Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-.school. Since 1876 
he has been active in the ranks of the Prohibition 
party; he is Trustee of the national funds, has 
been Chairman of the County Committee and has 
helped to nominate candidates for different offices 
of importance. He is well acquainted with the 
leading Prohibitionists of the country, and is 
thoroughly in sympathy with the party's jirinci- 
ples. 



RUFUS BARRATT, who resides in the town 
of Newburgh, is one of the oldest pioneers 
of this place living here at the present time. 
He is a:i Englishman by birth, having been born 
July 19, 1819, in Nottinghamshire, to John and 
Annie (Scattergood) Barratt, al.so natives of the 
British Isle. To them was born a family of five 
sons and four daughters, to whom they gave the 
best educations which their circumstances in life 
permitted. 

John Barratt was a merchant in his native 
place, and also engaged in manufacturing hosiery 
for many years prior to his emigration to Amer- 
ica. In 1829 he gathered together his household 
effects, and with his family set sail for the New 
World, being thirty-two days on the Atlantic. 
They landed safelv in New York Citv, whence 



they made their wa>- to Poughkeepsie and there 
lived for a short time. The father finally came to 
Orange County and bought the farm of one hun- 
dred and twelve acres on which his .son now re- 
sides, it being situated five miles from the city of 
Newburgh. Here he lived until his decea.se, 
which occurred in the year 1856. The farm is 
admirably adapted to general farming and fruit- 
growing, and our subject makes a specialty of 
raising grapes. 

The mother of our subject was fairly well edu- 
cated, and died after coming to the Ihiited States 
in 1844. Her son Rufus, of this sketch, was 
married, December 3, 1855, to Miss Annie Pier- 
son, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, her 
birth taking place December 14, 1831. Her par- 
ents, John and Mary (Mee) Pierson, came to 
America about 1840, and settled in Canada. 
Their daughter, Mrs. Barratt,. was a resident of 
Brooklyn at the time of her marriage. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Barratt there have been 
born five children, of whom the eldest, John, died 
in 1863. Rufus, Jr., whose birth occurred June 
I, 1858, is now residing at home. Mary was born 
January 30, i860, and died in infancy. Mary (the 
.second of that name), who was born June 30, 
1 86 1, is the wife of Frank W. Cosman, a farmer 
residing near Marlborough; they have one daugh- 
ter, Aiuiie E. Ella A. was born in 1867, and 
married Frank K. Gillies, who is engaged in the 
flour and feed business in New York City. 

Mrs. Barratt is a member of the Methodist 
Church, while her husband attends the Bapti.st 
Church. Both are held in high esteem in the 
community where so many years of their lives 
have been passed. 



III.I.IAM A. AUSTIN. The gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this 
sketch is well known in the city of New 
Windsor, as he is one of its most honorable busi- 
ness men. He is at present the superintendent 
of the Carson Brickyards, near the city, and in 
carrying on the work of the same meets with 
flattering results. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



493 



A native of this state, Mr. Austin was born in 
Putnam County, February i8, 1833, and was the 
son of Daniel Austin, also a native of that place. 
The paternal grandfather, Isaac Austin, was a 
farmer in that county, which occupation Daniel 
al.so followed with success. The latter married 
Abigail Likely, a native of Putnam County, and 
the daughter of James Likel}-, a well-to-do agri- 
culturist of that portion of the state. 

The parental family included eight children, 
seven of whom are living. William A., who was 
the third-born, was reared on the home farm, and 
until seventeen years of age attended the schools 
taught in his di.strict. About that time he went 
to Dutchess County, and at Fishkill obtained em- 
ployment in a cotton factory. He worked there 
for two years, then learned the trade of a house car- 
penter, which he followed for the next nine years. 
During this time, in 1856, he came to Orange 
County, and for one year lived at New Windsor, 
where he was engineer in a brickyard. At the 
end of that time he returned to Fishkill, working 
as a carpenter, and remained there until 1865, 
when he again came to this county, and for two 
years was engineer for Cowin & Upright, brick- 
makers at New Windsor. For the same length 
of time he worked for Mr. Brower, then went to 
Rockland County, and after two years returned 
to Orange County, in the capacit\- of superinten- 
dent for Mr. Brower. 

At Fishkill Mr. Austin and William Laliey 
started in the brick business for themselves, oper- 
ating a yard for one year. Later Mr. Au.stin and 
Mr. Gilbert leased the old Christy yard and oper- 
ated it for two years. In i8gi Mr. Austin went 
to Catskill as chief engineer in the brickyard there, 
but one year later returned to New Windsor as 
engineer for Hugh Davidson & Sons. In 1895, 
however, he was made superintendent of the 
David Car.son yards, and there he has .since re- 
mained. He has entire supervision of the plant, 
and has thirty men under him, turning out thirty 
three thou.sand brick per day. 

Mr. Austin was married, at Fishkill, to Miss 
Mary Derbyshire, who was born in Putnam Coun- 
ty. To them have been granted three children: 
Winfield, an engineer at Coeymans, N. Y. ; Mar>-, 



who married William R. Moores, a carpenter and 
builder of Newburgh; and Lewis, engaged in the 
trucking business at Catskill. .Socialh- our sub- 
ject was formerly an Odd Fellow, but is now a 
demitted member of the order. He is not con- 
nected with any religious denomination, although 
his estimable wife is a valued member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. 



NE. WINANS, M. D., is one of the leading 
physicians and surgeons of Newburgh, 
where he has been practicing his profession 
since February, 1889. He is a homeopathi.st, 
and, being a careful student of his profession, has 
gained an extensive practice, which is well merit- 
ed. He was born in Caldwell, N. J., on the 14th 
of July, 1864, and is a son ofDr. H. D. Winans, 
whose birth occurred near Goshen, Orange Coun- 
ty. The paternal grandfather, William Winans, 
was a native of the Empire State, and for many 
years was a farmer ot Orange County. The fa- 
ther graduated from the university of New York 
City with the degree of M. D., after which he 
there engaged in practice for three years. He 
then located in Caldwell, N. J., where he contin- 
ued the prosecution of his profession until his 
death, on the gth of September, 1889, at the age 
of sixty-two years. In the latter part of his ca- 
reer he became a homeopathist. He .served his 
city as Justice of the Peace for many years. In 
New York City he had married Miss Mary E. 
Hotto, who was there born and who was of Ger- 
man descent. She is a daughter of Harold Hot- 
to, who was a cabinet- maker by occupation, and 
who aided his country in the War of 1812. 

Dr. H. E. Winans is one of a family of seven 
children, four of whom reached adult age, but 
only three are now living, he having two .sisters. 
His boyhood and youth were passed in Caldwell, 
and after graduating from the academy at that 
place he studied in a private .school. He began 
reading medicine with his father, and in 1885 en- 
tered the New York Homeopathic College and 
Hospital, where he took the regular course and 
was graduated in the Class of '88, receiving the 



494 



PORTRAIT AXI) I!I()('.kAlMIICAI, RECORD. 



degree of M. D. For about a year lie llicii rt.- 
inaiiied in practice with his father, but in P^ebru- 
ary, 1889, located in Xewbur^h aiul has since en- 
gaged in general practice. For the last two years 
he has had his office at No. 206 Liberty Street. 
He makes a specialty of electrical treatment, in 
which he uses a };alvanic and farradic i)attery of 
his own invention and manufacture, it having 
seven different currents. 

In Newburgh was celebrated the marriage of 
Dr. Winans and Miss Frances Leon. Mrs. Win- 
ans was born here and is a daughter of David D. 
Leon, who resides on Gidney Avenue, and who 
is one of the oldest citizens of this place, being 
now .seventy -three years of age. He is a dealer 
in agricultural implements, and is .serving as a 
member of the Hoard of Aldermen, in which he is 
acting on the House Committee. The grandfa- 
ther of Mrs. Winans, Pedro Leon, was born in 
Madrid, Spain, where he remained until he had 
reached the age of eighteen years, when he came 
to America, locating at Newburgh, where he re- 
sidetl until called from this life. The Doctor and 
his wife have many frieiuls in this comnnmity, 
where they are widely and favorably known, and 
with the Reformed Fpiscopal Church they hold 
niend)ersliip. Besides his general practice Fie is 
serving as examining pin siciar. for six insurance 
companies. 



1 I. I, 1 .\ M S.VC.liR. I'ew of the nianx 
builders and contractors of Newburgh have 
a better reputation for excellence of work- 
manship, faithfulness in the performance of every 
detail of their contracts, and general reliability, 
than Mr. Sager. In a very few years he has won 
a foremost position among our local business men, 
and man>- evidences of his handiwork and skill are 
to be seen in this city and vicinity. He employs 
from twenty-six to thirty-two men, and super- 
vises their work continually. His shop and office 
are at No. 2,^3 Washington Street. 

Mr. Sager comes from an old Holland- Dutch 



faniil\- on the ])alernal side. His grandfather, 
Daniel, was born in this county, where he oper- 
ated a farm in his mature life. He was a hero of 
the War of 18 12, and died in Newburgh at the 
age of seventy- nine years. Our subject's father, 
Samuel Sager, was born in the .same liK^ility as 
was his grandfather, and followed the same voca- 
tion. His farm is located in the town of Mont- 
gomen,-, and at present he is a resident of New- 
burgh, being in his eighty-first year. His wife, 
who was known as Hannah French in her girl 
hood, was a native of Kngland, where she resided 
until fourteen years of age, then coining with her 
father to this city. Her death occurred here in 
1887. Samuel Sager and wife were the parents 
of four children, one son and three dau.uhters, all 
of whom survive, and with one exception all are 
residents of this city. 

The birth of our subject occurred August 24, 
1845, in Montgomery. He received a liberal ed- 
ucation in the public schools and in the jirivate 
one conducted by Professor Brown. On attaining 
his twenty-first year he connnenced .serving an 
apprenticeship to the moulder's trade in Connor's 
foundry. At the end of three years he abandoned 
that business, which appeared to affect his health 
unfavorably, and after recuperating about a year 
he apprenticed himself to learn the mason's trade 
with a Mr. Hammond, of his native town, for 
whom he worked for about two years. After- 
ward he was with Brown & McMeekin, l)eing in 
their employ as a journeyman for some nineteen 
years, eight of which time he was their tried and 
trusted foreman. When the partnership was dis- 
.solvetl. he continued in the same capacity for Mr. 
Brown up to 1887, when he starteil in the same 
business on his own account, meeting with unu- 
sual success. Among the many structures which 
he has put up, are the following: the residences of 
Mayor Cas.sedy, Judge Hir.schberg. Mr. Taylor, 
Mr. Norton, Mr. Jungman: the Salisbury Paper 
Mills, Taylor's Mills; part of Chadwick's Bleach- 
ery, and the Delany Boiler Works. He also built 
his own reside.ice at the corner of .Vini and Will- 
iam Streets. 

Mr. Sager's marriage took place in New York 
Citv, in 1869, when Miss Hmuia Noyes became 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



495 



his future companion and helpmate along life's 
journej'. vShe is a native of that city and a 
daughter of Benjamin G. Noyes, who has been 
on the police force there for twenty-seven years. 
Mr. and Mrs. vSager have five daughters, namely: 
Lulu, Bertha, Klla, Flora and Lillie. Mrs. Sager 
is a member of the Methodist Kpi.scopal Church, 
and is a lady who is greatly beloved by all. Mr. 
Sager deserves great credit for the success he has 
achieved in the business world, and for the man- 
ner in which he has discharged his duties as a 
citizen, neighbor and friend. In his fraternal re- 
lations he is a member of Highland Lodge, 
I. O. O. F. He is a true-blue Repulilican, and 
ahvay takes a great interest in the adx-ancement 
of his party. 



<^H(;MA.SJ. inVVKR, proprietor of the 
I Q Orange County Nurseries at Cornwall on 
\^ the Hud.son, came to this place in 1884 from 
the town of New Windsor. He was born at 
Newburgh, February 19, 1856, and is the .son of 
Michael and Mary ( F'ogarty ) Dwyer. Tlie>- 
were the parents of seven children: William, now 
decea.sed: Thomas J., our subject; Ellen, who is 
with her mother; Michael J., a prominent stone 
contractor of Newburgh; James G., a .successful 
agent; Edward, deceased; and Mary, wife of 
Nicholas Courtney. The father of these children, 
Michael Dwyer, was a gardener by occupation, 
and thoroughly understood his calling. He died 
at the age of eighty years, but his widow is .still 
living on the old homestead at Cornwall. 

The subject of this sketch received but a lim- 
ited education, attending the common .schools 
during the winter months only until thirteen 
years of age, when he engaged as a clerk for 
four years. When a boy he worked with his 
father, receiving valuable instruction in garden- 
ing, which proved of much benefit to him in his 
after life. After coming to Cornwall he first en- 
tered the employ of E. P. Roe, the author, and 
was with him for five or six years, during which 
time he gained a good knowledge of the nursery 
business. On leaving the latter's employ, he 



went to New Jersey, where he was employed by 
the Lovett Nursery Company, having full charge 
of their business. After remaining there two 
\ears, he returned to Orange County, and was 
employed by A. H. Havemeyer to lay out and 
adorn his place in the town of New Windsor. 

Desiring to better him.self in life, Mr. Dwyer 
determined to .start in business on his own ac- 
count, and purcha.sed ten acres of land near the 
village of Cornwall, embarking in the nursery 
business with a cash capital of $180. The first 
year his sales amounted to only $160, but in 1894 
they reached upward of $16,000, and his bu.siness 
is constantly increa.sing. He has been succe.ssful 
beyond his expectations, and has added to his 
nur.ser)' many branches, his trade now extending 
to all parts of the United States. His semi-an- 
nual catalogue requires about one hundred octavo 
pages to enumerate the various kinds of fruit and 
ornamental trees that he now has for sale, and he 
also is.sues a summer catalogue. No man in the 
business enjoys a better reputation for upright and 
thorough business methods. By hard work and 
scrupulous care in bu.siness, he has won a name 
of which any man might well be proud. His 
customers of the past look to his catalogue for an 
honest decision on the merits of anything new, 
and invariably find it in preci.se and unmistakable 
lauLjuage. 

Mr. Dwyer was married, in 1879, to Miss Jo- 
hanna Healy, of Orange County, and thej' have 
.seven children: Michael J., Annie, Marj- Ella, 
Edward, Margaret. Thomas J., Jr., and William 
John. Politically he is a Democrat, and relig- 
iou.sly a Roman Catholic, and, all in all, he is a 
genial, accommodating and pleasant gentleman. 
A .self-made man in every particular, he has ad- 
vanced step by .step until he occupies a po.sition 
that commands the re.spect of all. He is a great 
reader, but has learned much by observation, and 
his contributions to horticultural and agricultural 
journals attract great attenti(jn. While giving 
his attention i)rincipally to his nur.ser)- business, 
he yet finds time to devote to land.scape garden- 
ing, and is always called upon whenever fine 
places are to be opened. Among the country 
])Iaces laid out b\- him are the A. H. Havemeyer 



496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the F. W. Senff places at New Windsor: 
the James Stillinau and the David Goldschmidt 
places at Cornwall. In each case the grounds 
were given to him in the rough, and in the course 
of a few months' time were thoroughly over- 
hauled, manured and planted with trees, shrubs 
and fruits of all kinds. He also made roads, 
paths and flower-beds, and all other improve- 
ments that were necessary to be made. 



IILLIAM BREWSTER, a well-to-do and 
thrifty farmer of Orange County, has a 
splendid tract of land, seventy-five acres iu 
extent, which lies in the town of Cornwall, near 
the postoffice of that name. This locality is also 
his home, and he is well known as one of the most 
successful fanners and fruit-growers in the vi- 
cinity 

The father of our subject, Oliver Brewster, was 
bom at West Point, whence he came to this com- 
munity nearly a half-century ago. He was an 
ambitious, industrious man, and as fast as he 
made money invested it in land and made im- 
provements on his property. He "grubbed" the 
stumps from the place, removed the stones atid 
rocks, and ditched and graded the land, making 
of it one of the most fertile and productive tracts 
in the county. He was a wagon-maker by trade, 
and worked at his calling in. Canterbury. His 
land is devoted principally to the raising of fruit, 
as it seems to be peculiarly adapted to that branch 
of farming. 

The lady whom Oliver Brewster married was 
Miss Harriet A. Crissey, of Cornwall. She was 
born in New York, and was fifty-six years of age 
at the time of her decease. She became the 
mother of three children, of whom James C. is 
engaged in the dr>--goods business in New York 
City; oursubject was thesecond-lx)rn: and Henr>- 
C. is a prominent painter, decorator and paper- 
hanger, his place of business being at Cornwall 
on the Hud.son. 

William Brewster, for whom our subject was 
named, came over in the "Mayflower," and was 
the progenitor of the Brewsters in America. Dyer 



Brewster, the grandfather, was an early settler in 
Yermont, and later in life held a Govenuiient po- 
sition, dealing out supplies, etc., to the soldiers 
at West Point. He had large landed interests in 
this section, his pos.sessions extending over a 
considerable territory, including the e.state of the 
late E. P. Roe. 

The subject of this sketch was born Jaimary 20, 
1854, at Cornwall. He attended school until 
reaching his twentieth year, and worked for his 
father until the latter' s decease, when, with his 
younger brother, he assumed the management of 
the farm, on which he has since made his home, 
being very successful in its operation. Mr. Brew- 
ster was married, in June, 1892, to Miss Angie 
Taylor, daughter of Charles and Mary Taylor, 
natives of Carli.sle. The lady was born in the 
latter place February- 20, 1870, and has become 
the mother of a daughter, Alice. 

Mr. Brewster is a genial, pleasant gentleman, 
and an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. 
His good wife is a consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, in the work of which she is ac- 
tively engaged and a great helper. 



EHAKLES HENRY JOHXSUN SMITH, 
one of the solid citizens of Cornwall on the 
Hudson, has made his home here for the 
past forty-three years, and during that long pe- 
riod has maintained the deepest interest in the 
progress of the place, and contributed to the de- 
velopment of its material resources. He came 
here from New York City, and such have been his 
industry and f)erseveraiice that he is now living 
retired from business of any kind and enjoying to 
the full the comforts which his snug fortune 
brings. 

John F. Smith, the father of our .subject, was 
an expert at his trade of a painter, working at that 
business in New York City for some time. He 
acquired a good competence in this way and was 
recognized as one of the most prosperous men of 
his communi^v. He was boni in Newburgh in 
1810, and was in his forty-seventh year at the 
time of his decea.se. His marriage united him 




WILLIAM H. KEEFE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



with Miss Nanc)' P. Thompson, also a native of 
Newburgh, who died when seventj'-three j^ears of 
age. To them were born seven children, all of 
whom are deceased with the exception of the 
eldest, Charles H. J., of this sketch. The others 
were named, respectively, Anna E., Emily, Au- 
gustus, Sarah, Barker and William L. 

The subject of this notice was born in New 
York October lo, 1835, and attended the com- 
mon schools until a lad of sixteen years, when he 
began to make his own wa)' in the world. He 
came here over forty-three years ago, in company 
with his mother, and has since that time made his 
home in this place. Success followed every en- 
terprise in which he engaged and he is enabled 
at the present time to live retired. He is a man 
whose upright conduct and fidelity in every rela- 
tion of life have won for him the esteem of his ac- 
quaintances. As a citizen he is progressive, able 
and honorable, and although in no sense ot the 
term an office-seeker, is interested in all measures 
calculated to improve his community. In politics 
he is a Republican and invariably votes for the 
candidates of that party. 

' Q ^ P ' 



jILLIAM H. KEEFE. The success which 
has come to the editor of the Newburgh 
Daily iVt'Ti's is the result of personal ef- 
fort, and is therefore especially deserving of com- 
mendation. Fiom a very small beginning he 
has brought the publication up to its present 
high standing, and notwithstanding meager fa- 
cilities and more than ordinary obstacles, he has 
pressed forward, until he is now at the head of 
one of the most important newspapers of the Hud- 
son Valley. The circulation of the Daily Ncivs 
is about forty-five hundred, and is steadily in- 
creasing. It is a favorite medium for advertisers, 
and is popular among all classes of people. 

Though a native of Newburgh, the subject of 
this notice is of Iri.sh parentage and descent. His 
father, William Keefe, was born in Ireland about 
1830, and died in Brooklyn, N. Y., at the age of 
sixty-four years. Throughout life he followed 
the trade of a tailor, and to this occupation he 



gave his entire attention, being recognized as a 
workman of unusual skill. His marriage, which 
occurred in 1850, united him with Miss Sarah 
Jane Taylor, who was born in Orange County, 
N. Y. , about 1832. They became the parents of 
five sons and four daughters, of whom four sons 
and two daughters are still living. 

The birth of our subject occurred in New- 
burgh, May II, 1854, and of this city he has been 
a life-long resident. His educational advantages 
were exceedingly meager, for at an early age he 
was obliged to become self-supporting. In this 
city, March 14, 1875, he was united in marriage 
with Mary Louisa Miller, and unto them were 
born twelve children. Seven of the number (two 
of whom are twins) are now living, the eldest 
being a boy of fifteen. 

A history of Mr. Keefe's connection with the 
newspaper business will be of interest to our 
readers. In the summer of 1885, as the result of 
the changing fortunes of politics, he lost a small 
Government position which he had for some time 
filled, and was therefore left without employment. 
Through eleven years' experience in different de- 
partments of a newspaper and printing office, 
however, he had gained a considerable knowl- 
edge of the business, and with a good deal of 
confidence, but only $600 in capital, he embarked 
upon the stormy .sea of journalism, undertaking 
the serious task of establishing a daily paper in a 
city of twenty-five thousand inhabitants. The 
first issue of the paper appeared September 5, 
1885, and was quite unpretentious, being but a 
five-column folio, the pages only 12x19 inches. 

Not only was Mr. Keefe editor of this paper, 
but business manager, reporter, solicitor and 
bookkeeper as well, filling, in fact, almost every 
position but those of pressmen and typesetters. 
The outfit was crude and the facilities deficient, 
but, notwithstanding this, the paper struck the 
popular chord and was received with enthusiasm. 
The sub.scription list has steadily increa.sed in 
magnitude, and the advertisements have also 
proved a profitable source of revenue. On ques- 
tions of national importance the paper has always 
taken a bold stand, and it is equally aggressive 
and fearless in matters affecting the welfare of the 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



people of Newburgh. Like its editor, it is de- 
cidedly Republican in principles, but at the same 
time it never displa3'S partisan spirit, but adheres 
to an independence of thought and opinion. 

In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Keefe 
carries on the largest job-printing and book-bind- 
ing business ever known anywhere within the 
limits of Orange County. The plant includes 
presses, type and the various appliances requisite 
for the printing, publishing and book-binding 
business. The success which has rewarded the 
efforts of Mr. Keefe is the result of his earnest 
perseverance, and to no one has prosperity come 
more deservedly than to him. Socially he is a 
member of various fraternities. 



jILLIAM BROOKS. Orange County is 
conspicuous for its fine farms, that are 
faultless in the way of management and 
the order in which they are kept. Those in the 
town of New Windsor are especially advantage- 
ously located, the land being fertile and pro- 
ductive, rolling and well watered. On the east 
is the majestic Hudson, with its delightful scen- 
ery; to the north stands the city of Newburgh, 
with its far-reaching commercial interests; and to 
the south and west may be seen fields of waving 
grain, and farm houses of neat and substantial 
appearance. 

No one is more to be complimented on the per- 
fect order with which his agricultural affairs are 
conducted than the subject of this biography, who 
for many years has been a resident of the town. 
He has now reached a period of life when, having 
ceased manual labor, he lives to some extent re- 
tired from active farm work, though still main- 
taining the supervision of his place. His has 
been a u.seful and busy life, and he well deserves 
the comforts he now enjoys. 

William Brooks was born in the town of Mon- 
roe, October 6, 1817. His father, J. Mathias, 
was a native of the same town, whither the grand- 
father, John, had emigrated from England and 



established his permanent home. The former 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a farm- 
er by occupation, being thus engaged in Monroe 
Town until his death. By his marriage with 
Miss Sarah Elli.son he became the father of five 
sons and three daughters. 

The boyhood daj-s of our subject were unevent- 
fully passed on his father's farm. At the age of 
twenty-three years, December 16, 1840, he was 
united in marriage with Mi.ss PhebeJ. Rumsey, 
who was born February 20, 1824. They became 
the parents of the following-named children: 
Charles B., Samuel R., Mariette, Carohne, Will- 
iam. Sarah, Hannah, George H. , Alice C, Mill- 
ard F., Alpha, Israella and William H. The 
wife and mother passed away December 29, 1880, 
and was buried in the Highland Mills Cemetery. 

After his marriage Mr. Brooks tilled the soil of 
a rented farm for seven years, after which a sim- 
ilar period was spent in New York City. On his 
return to Orange County he operated a rented 
farm for eight years, and then purchased the one 
hundred and forty-six acres constituting his pres- 
ent e.state, where he has since carried on general 
farming and dairying, giving some attention also 
to fruit-growing. In 1840 he voted for William 
Henry Harrison, the famous "hero of Tippeca 
noe," and is now a Democrat, giving his advo- 
cacy to the free-trade principles of that party. 

lILLIAM R. MOORES comes from one of 
the old and respected families of Orange 
Count)', and is one of the clever and suc- 
cessful business men of Newburgh. He is a con- 
tractor and builder by occupation, having his shop 
at No. 95 Fiont Street. A charter member of 
Washington Heights Hose Compan}' No. 3, he 
now holds the position of foreman in that organ- 
ization. His entire life, as well as that of his fore- 
fathers for several generations, has been closely 
associated with the annals of this county, and it 
is most fitting that his name be given a place in 
the records of her pioneers and representative 
men. 

Daniel Moores, .Sr. , great-grandfather of our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



501 



subject, was a farmer in the town of New Wind- 
sor, as was also his son Daniel, Jr. The latter 
lived to attain the good old age of eighty-two 
years, while his wife reached her eighty-seventh 
year. Our subject's father, George H., was born 
on a farm in the same town, and is still living on 
the old homestead near Little Britain, being 
now sixty-eight years ot age. His wife was a 
Miss Clara Sayre, a native of Little Britain, and 
her father, Capt. William Sayre, of Long Island, 
at one time owned a farm in the town of New 
Windsor. He was captain on a boat plying 
the Hudson between Newburgh and New York 
City, and owned several boats as well. He died 
on his farm at the age of seventy-six years, but 
his wife lived to be nearly ninetj'. Mrs. Moores 
is now in her sixty-fourth year. She has been an 
active and useful member of the Presb)'terian 
Church tor many years, as was her husband. 

W. R. Moores was born May 31, 1857, in Lit- 
tle Britain, being one of eight children, and the 
third in order of birth. He was reared to farm 
life, his home being only four miles and a-half 
from Newburgh, until he was twenty-two years 
of age. His education was such as was afforded 
by the district school, and he supplemented it by 
reading and private study. On embarking in his 
business career he served an apprenticeship at the 
carpenter's trade with Harvey Alexander, of his 
home neighborhood, for four years. In 1884 he 
located in Newburgh, being employed by Thomas 
Shaw's Sons for a year, afterward was with Mar- 
tin Bros, for tv\o seasons, and still later was 
with William S. Theall. In 1890 he concluded 
to start in business for himself and now employs 
six or more hands. He has erected over thirty 
residences in different parts of the city, among 
the.se being the homes of Robert Hill, Mrs. Hun- 
ter, Mrs. Ross (on Third Street), DeWitt War- 
ing, Mrs. Perrin and Robert Curtis. He also 
built his own residence at No. 47 Henry Street, a 
pretty and comfortable dwelling. 

In 1884 Mr. Moores was married, in the village 
of New Windsor, to Miss Mary I. Austin, a native 
of that place. The young couple have become the 
parents of two children, named, respectively, War- 
ren and Clarence. They are members of the 



United Presbyterian Church, and possess the 
good-will and sincere regard of a host of friends. 
In his political belief Mr. Moores is a Republican 
of the mo.st ardent and enthusiastic order. 



^^H^i 



j AWRENCE M. HANRETTY. Among the 
I C well known business men of Newburgh and 
I J New York City is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article. He has large real-estate inter- 
ests in both places, and builds residences, which 
he disposes of to those in search of homes. Un- 
der his supervision and enterprise most of the 
houses on Hasbrouck, William and Concord 
Streets have been erected; a block at the corner 
of First Street and Robinson Avenue was put up 
by him, and many other structures in many parts 
of the city stand as monuments to his foresight 
and good business judgment. Besides his busi- 
ness here he is financially interested in real estate 
in Matteawan, Dutchess County. 

The parents of our subject were Owen and Ann 
(Brown) Hanretty, the former of whom was a 
bookkeeper in England for many years, and was 
a man of superior ability and intelligence. In 
i860 he brought his family to the United States, 
taking up his place of abode in Newburgh, where 
he resided until his death. His faithful compan- 
ion and helpmate died at her pleasant home in 
1894. 

L. M. Hanretty is the eldest of eleven children, 
only four of whom survive. His birth occurred 
in County Meath, Ireland, in 1844, but he grew to 
manhood and received a good education in Eng- 
land. He was an infant of only twelve months 
when his parents took him to Lancashire, and 
until he was over sixteen years of age he resided 
in the vicinity of Manchester, attending the pub- 
lic schools of Bolton. In i860 he sailed from 
Liverpool on the good ship "Resolute," and after 
a voyage which cou.sumed six weeks and three 
days, arrived at his de.stination. New York City. 
The same year he came to Newburgh, and on the 
I St of September apprenticed himself to John Ged- 
des, a carpenter, for whom he worked three years. 
Then for .several years he was employed as a jour- 



502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



neyman, both in Newburgh and New York City, 
and about 1874 commenced contracting on his 
own account. As soon as he had accumidated a 
Httle capital he invested it in land, buying from 
ten to fifteen lots during a season, and in nearly 
every portion of the city. Of late years his in- 
vestments include New York propertj^ and build- 
ings, and by the good judgment and foresight he 
has manifested he is rapidly becoming well-to-do. 
The marriage of Mr. Hanretty and Eliza Fitz- 
gerald, a native of the Emerald Isle, resulted in 
the birth of seven children, three .sons and four 
daughters, namel)': Owen F., a carpenter and 
builder of New York City; Robert, who is in bus- 
iness with his father; Sadie, Charlotte, Elizabeth, 
Jennie and Lawrence, Jr. The children have all 
received good educational advantages, and the el- 
der sons are practical and reliable young bu.siness 
men. The family attends St. Patrick's Church, 
and enjoys the friendship and esteem of a large 
circle of acquaintances. In his political affilia- 
tions Mr. Hanretty is a Democrat of the Jefferson- 
ian .school. 



EHARLES E. COCKS, conducting an excel- 
lent business under the name of Charles E. 
Cocks & Sons, is one of the substantial and 
influential citizens of Cornwall on the Hudson, 
where he has lived for so many years. His fa- 
ther, who bore the name of Anthony Cocks, de- 
parted this life in Cornwall, at the age of sevent\' 
years. For many years during his earlier life he 
was a piano varni.sher in New York City, but 
later, however, abandoned that occupation in 
order to engage in farming and blacksmithing. 
His blacksmith shop was located at Salisbury 
Mills. 

The Cocks family is of Welsh extraction, and 
was first introduced into this country by Henry 
Cocks, the great-grandfather of our subject, who 
made his home on Long Island. Our subject's 
mother, formerly Maiy A. Rider, died when 
about sixty years of age. In the parental family 
were six children, of whom Charles E. was the 
eldest; Jacob is a well-to-do farmer in Dakota; 



Margaret and Mary are deceased; Phebe, Mrs. 
Banunu, is a widow and resides in New Jersey; 
and Emma also makes her home in Dakota. 

Thesubject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Monroe in 182 1. He gained a good common- 
•school education in New York City, where his 
parents were then living, attending what was 
called the American School, taught by William 
A. Walker. He had for his playmates John 
Stewart, Edward Cooper and others who after- 
ward became noted men of the state. He early 
evinced an aptitude for commercial pursuits, and 
when .seventeen years of age began clerking in a 
store of general merchandise at Salisbury. He 
there learned the detail work to be done in car- 
rying on a large business, and gave his employer 
satisfaction by the efficient and business-like man- 
ner in which he performed his duties. At the 
same time he greatly felt the need of that knowl- 
edge which books alone can give, and, being 
given the privilege of access to the library of 
Judge Dennison, who lived about a mile and 
a-half distant, he availed himself of every oppor- 
tunity to visit his home, and in this manner 
gained an extensive knowledge of the higher 
branches of stud}-. 

Mr. Cocks came to Cornwall in 1850, and, in 
company with William Cocks, established him- 
self in business at the Landing. His parents 
were in limited circumstances and were unable to 
give him any aid, but as he had about $300 in 
money, he embarked in business with it, soon 
accumulating a handsome propert}' by giving 
close attention to the matter in hand. He has 
been active in public enterprises for man}' years, 
and is now President of the Cornwall Savings 
Bank, a most reliable institution, which is well 
patronized by the business men of the place and 
farmers of the surrounding country. He has al- 
ways been interested in educational matters in 
his community, and whenever he could do so 
has served acceptably as a member of the School 
Board. In politics he is an out-and-out Repub- 
lican. January i, 1861, he was appointed Post- 
master of this city, being the first to ever hold 
the office, and filled the same until June, 1877, 
a period of over fifteen years. His homelike res- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



503 



ideiice occupies a very attractive location, and 
the family' of Mr. Cocks is surrounded by all the 
comforts of life. He is a member of the Society 
of Friends, and one of the mo.st valued workers 
in that body. 

February 26, 1850, in Monroe, occurred the 
marriage of Charles E. Cocks and Miss Margaret 
Campbell. Mrs. Cocks was born in Monroe, No- 
vember 2, 1830, being the daughter of Alexander 
Campbell, and her death occurred February 14, 
1884. By this union were born the following 
children: Charles C, Martha C, Mary A., An- 
thony D. (deceased), Hannah S., Isaac M., Mar- 
garet, and William, deceased. Charles C. and 
Isaac M. are in bu.siness with their father. They 
are shrewd, progressive young business men and, 
following in the footsteps of their honored father, 
will doubtless make a name for themselves in the 
business world. 



r" RED BOOTH is Superintendent and Secre- 
1^ tary of the Firth Carpet Companj-, whose 
I factory is located on Moodna Creek, West 
Cornwall, on the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railroad. He has had wide experience, both in 
England and the United States, in this particular 
line of work, and was chosen Secretar)- of this 
company at the time of its organization, in 1888. 
Its officers are Thomas F. Firth, President; Al- 
gernon F. Firth, Vice- President; and Lawrence 
Winters, Treasurer. The capital stock of the 
company amounts to $300,000, and they employ 
on an average three hundred workmen. Their 
sole agents are the H. B. Claflin Company, lo- 
cated at the corner of Church and Worth Streets, 
New York City. 

Henry Booth, the father of our subject, was 
born in England, and was sixty-two years old at 
the time of his demise, in 1878. His wife was 
prior to her marriage Miss Hannah Moore, and 
now lives in England, where she has spent her 
entire life. Her family comprised six children, of 
whom the two youngest died in infancy. The 



others besides our subject are Rebecca, Elizabeth 
Ann and Albert, all of whom make their home 
in England. 

The subject of this .sketch was born in York- 
shire, England, February 16, i860. His educa- 
tional advantages were limited, and in early life 
he entered the carpet mill of T. F. Firth & Sons 
(Limited) in his native land, where he learned 
the business in all its details. He was later taken 
into the office of the company in the capacity of 
a clerk, and while there became familiar with the 
methods of carrying on the enterprise, which was 
conducted on an extensive scale. 

Mr. Booth was sent to the United States in Feb- 
ruary, 1884, and occupied the position of clerk in 
charge of the T. F. Firth & Sons (Limited) Car- 
pet Works, of Philadelphia, where he remained 
three years. Later he as.sum'ed the management 
of the mill at West Cornwall, which has greatlj' 
prospered under his care and oversight. 

Mr. Booth was married, in 1885, to Miss Lydia 
Hirst, of Yorkshire, England, whose birth oc- 
curred in October, 186 1. To them have been 
born two daughters: Annie, aged seven years; 
and Marian Rebecca, now three years old. In 
religious affairs Mr. Booth belongs to the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church, in which he is Vestryman. 
He is rather conservative on the question of poli- 
tics, but always votes the Republican ticket. His 
Old World experience in his business stands him 
in good stead, and with judgment and discretion 
usually attained by men twice his years, he is 
meeting with success. 



HECTOR CRAIG. The founder of the Craig 
family in America was Hon. Hector Craig, 
the grandfather of our subject, who emi- 
grated from Scotland in 1791, and settled in 
Orange County, becoming the founder of the 
place known as Craigville. He was born in Pais- 
ley, May 8. 1775, and after coming to this coun- 
try located at Newburgh. He subsequently es- 
tablished the mills afterwards purchased by the 
Walsh family, and later bought a tract of land at 
Craigville, where he made surveys and erected a 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



large paper-mill. While residing at Craigville, 
his father, James Craig, who had come to this 
countr}- after his son's emigration hither, was 
accidentally killed, October i6, 1817. The mills 
subsequently fell into the hands of Mr. Ames, 
a .son-in-law of Hector Craig, who, however, 
changed it from a paper to a woolen-mill, con- 
tinuing the business until the mill was destroyed 
by fire. About this time Hector Craig moved to 
the city of New York. 

The fir.st wife ol' Hon. Hector Craig bore the 
maiden name of Sarah Chandler, and was born 
in Blooming Grove, Orange Count3% in 1776. 
By that union the following-named children were 
born: Mary C, wife of Barrett Ames; James J.; 
JohnC; Hector McNeil; Phcebe, Mrs. Kirby; 
Laura M., Mrs. Randolph; John G. ; and Sarah 
A., who married William F. Havemeyer. The 
latter was for three times Mayor of New York, 
and died in that city in 1884. He was also one 
of the founders of the Havemeyer sugar busi- 
ne.ss. By the second marriage of Hector Craig, 
which united him with Hannah Sell, he had no 
children, and his wife survived him a number of 
years. 

When Mr. Ames took charge of the mills, Mr. 
Craig removed to New York Citj-, and for some 
time was Collector of the Port of New York, un- 
der one of the earlier administrations. In 1825 
he was elected to represent his district in Con- 
gress, and for four years he occupied that re- 
sponsible position, discharging its duties to the 
satisfaction of his constituents and with credit to 
himself. He was a man of progressive disposi- 
tion and active temperament, deeply interested in 
everything pertaining to the welfare of the peo- 
ple and the promotion of the commercial and ed- 
ucational interests of the country. His death oc- 
curred January 31, 1862, and he was buried in 
the family cemeterj-. 

Next in line of descent was James Jefferson 
Craig, who was born in Craigville, September 14, 
1799, and died in New York City, December 26, 
1872. For some years he was engaged in a 
wholesale grocery business on Front Street, New 
York, in partnership with George W. Lane, un- 
der the firm name of Craig & Lane, but retired 



from all active business cares many years before 
his death. A man of keen discernment, he ac- 
cumulated a comfortable property through his 
commercial transactions, and in his last years he 
was surrounded bj' all the luxuries of life. Po- 
liticall}' he adhered to the Democracy. 

The marriage of J. J. Craig united him with 
Harriet R. Phillips, who was born in Phillips- 
burg, this county, where her father, Dr. Gabriel 
Phillips, was a prominent physician and woolen 
manufacturer. She remained there until her 
marriage, after which she resided in Craigville 
for a time, but soon removed to New York City, 
where she died, February 21, 1861. She was born 
April 21, 1800, and was therefore nearly sixty- 
one years of age at her demise. Her member- 
ship was in the Presbyterian Church of Goshen. 
Her body lies beside that of her husband in 
Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. She was a lady 
of noble character, and belonged to a prominent 
family, being able to trace her ancestry back to 
Rev. George Phillips, who emigrated to this 
country with Governor Winthrop, of Massachu- 
setts. She had a son and daughter, of whom the 
latter, Elizabeth, married twice, and died in New 
York City. 

The only son of J. J. and Harriet R. Craig is 
the subject of this notice, Hector Craig. He was 
born in Craigville, December 19, 1828, and was 
reared in New York, receiving his education in 
the private schools of that city. His marriage 
took place in Orange County, in the city ol Mid- 
dletown, December 22, 1875, his bride being Miss 
MsLTv W. Darrach, a native of Glenham, Dutch- 
ess County, born January 5, 1839. Her father, 
James, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and her 
grandfather, James Darrach, Sr. , was a native of 
Delaware, but for some time engaged in the 
woolen manufacturing business in Pennsylvania. 
The great-grandfather of Mrs. Craig, Thomas 
Darrach, emigrated from County Antrim, Ire- 
land, and settled in Dover, Del. He it was who 
established the family in America. His wife, 
Eliza Bradford, was a great-great-granddaughter 
of William Bradford, who came to America with 
Penn, was the first printer in New York, and 
printed the first prayer-book in the middle colo- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



505 



nies. This William Bradford was printer for 
Peim's colony for a time, but not being satisfied 
there, he went to New York. Though born a 
Quaker, he adopted a more orthodox belief on 
coming to this country, and for many years was a 
Vestryman in Trinity Church, New York. His 
great-grandson, William, was a Colonel in the 
Revolutionary War, and was wounded in the bat- 
tle of Princeton, as was also Thomas, the next 
in line of descent. Both held the rank of Colonel. 

The father of Mrs. Craig, James Darrach, was 
graduated from Yale with the degree of A. B., in 
1828, and was for many years superintendent of 
the New York Ho.spital. He learned the woolen 
manufacturing business at Fishkill, where he 
married. With his brother Thomas, he started 
the mills at Manayunk, near Philadelphia. In 
1837 he settled in Orange County, and engaged 
in farming near Walden. His last years were 
spent in retirement, and he died at Fishkill, in 
1888, when he was in his eighty-third year. He 
was a man of literary tastes, well versed in his- 
tory and literature. In politics he was first a 
Whig, and later a Republican. He was a man of 
charitable disposition, and interested in religious 
enterprises, and was an Elder in a Presbyterian 
Church in New York City. 

The marriage of James Darrach united him 
with Mi.ss Helena White, who was born in Fish- 
kill. Her father, Hon. Bartow White, M. D., a 
native of Westchester County, was born in 1776. 
The grandfather. Dr. Ebenezer White, was a 
surgeon in the Colonial army during the Revolu- 
tionary War, and was a prisoner for seven months, 
being confined in the hulks of the "Jersey." He 
was one of the most prominent citizens of West- 
chester County, and there married Miss Helena 
Bartow, a descendant of Rev. John Bartow, who 
came from England, settled in Westchester, and 
established the Episcopal Church in that locality. 

Dr. Bartow White married Miss Anna, daugh- 
ter of Henry Schenck, of Fishkill, who was a 
Major in the Revolutionary War. The family 
came to America from the island of Zealand, Hol- 
land. On settling in America, the)- made their 
home in Long Island, thence went to New Jer- 
sey. One of that name went to Dutchess Coun- 



ty, N. Y., where he married Miss Hannah Brett, 
a descendant of Madam Brett, the first white 
woman who settled in the county, and the wife 
of Lieut. Roger Brett, with whom she settled on 
twenty thousand acres of land. After the death of 
her husband, she continued to make her home on 
that place, and, being a splendid financier, she ac- 
cumulated a large amount of valuable property. 
Her death occurred in 1764. 

Commencing his medical studies under Dr. 
Seaman, Dr. Bartow White later received the de- 
gree of M. D. from the University of New York, 
in 1845, and later he practiced in Fishkill, where 
he remained for more than forty-five years. Mean- 
time he also gained prominence in public affairs. 
In 1824 he was elected to Congress, and in 1840 
he was a Presidential Elector of New York. In 
the medical fraternity he held a high rank, and 
he was often called long distances as consulting 
physician. He was identified with the American 
Medical Society of New York. His death oc- 
curred at his home in Fishkill, in 1862, at the 
age of eighty-six, his birth having occurred in 
1776. The mother of Mrs. Craig resides in New- 
ark with a son, and though .she is now in her 
ninetieth year, her mind is still clear and unim- 
paired by age. In religious belief she is a Pres- 
byterian. 

The family of which Mrs. Craig is a member 
consisted of nine children, of whom she is next 
to the youngest. Four are living. Samuel A., 
the inventor of the Darrach Trolley-car Fender, 
resides in Newark. Bradford is engaged in the 
insurance business on Wall Street, New York. 
Rev. William B. is a Presbyterian clergyman. 
Bartow, who was a physician and a graduate of 
the Philadelphia Medical College, located at 
Quincy, 111., and during the Civil War held the 
rank of Surgeon of the Army of the Tennessee, 
under General Grant. He was one of the par- 
ticipants in the battle of Osawatomie, Kan., with 
John Brown. During the siege of Vicksburg he 
took a prominent part, and shortly after the sur- 
render of the city he died from overwork. An- 
other brother, William B., who has been men- 
tioned above, was Chaplain in a New York regi- 
ment of sharpshooters. 



5o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Craig was educated in private schools in 
New York. By her marriage she has two chil- 
dren: Frederick Phillips, who is attending .school 
at Poughkeepsie; and Harriet Ruenna. Aside 
from the supervision of her home, she has been 
interested in many prominent societies and chari- 
ties. For eleven years she was one of the managers 
of the Newburgh Home for the Friendless, and 
for five years was fir.st Directress. She is also 
connected with the Newburgh Historical Societ}-, 
the Daughters of the American Revolution, and 
the Woman's North River Presbyterial Society. 
In politics Mr. Craig is a Republican, but not 
active in party affairs. Now retired from life's 
active labors, he and his wife make their home in 
their plea.sant residence on Carpenter Street, 
near Castle Aveiuie. 

' — Q #^ P — • 



0AVID G. WARWICK, one of the worthy 
citizens of Highland Falls, has been engaged 
in business at this place for over twenty- 
eight years, and has been in a large measure 
blessed with success in his undertakings. For- 
nierlj- he was one of the most active citizens of 
Highland, but for some time has been retired 
from working at his trade, that of a carpenter. 
Previous to coming to this county, in 1852, he 
worked at his trade in Chicago, 111., Texas, and 
various other cities and states. 

Our subject was born in the North of Ireland 
in the year 1831. After acquiring a verj' meager 
education in the .schools of that country, he 
learned the carpenter's trade. Being convinced 
that he should receive better pay for his labors in 
the New World, he emigrated hither in 1852, 
being five weeks in crossing the Atlantic. From 
New York City he made his way to Newburgh, 
this county, and for three years lived in that 
place, plying his trade with fair success. After 
this he went to Chicago, thence to Texas, and 
some months later returned to the Empire State, 
where he has lived ever since. 

Mr. Warwick is the son of William C. and Nan- 
cy (Richey ) Warwick, who were also natives of 
the Emerald Isle, but who arenow decea.sed. Our 



subject married Miss Sarah H. Barcla}-, Novem- 
ber 12, 1866, and they now occupj- a comfortable 
residence in the best part of the village, their 
home being on a beautiful elevation, which gives 
them a fine view of the surrounding farming 
country. 

Since becoming an American citizen, our sub- 
ject has never failed to cast a vote supporting 
Republican principles and candidates. He has 
held the office of Assessor three jears, and is at 
all times interested in the welfare of his commu- 
nity, losing no opportunity to help forward those 
measures introduced for its benefit and elevation. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
an active worker in the same. A gentleman of 
genial manners, honorable in all his dealings, and 
kind to those in distress, he is a person who com- 
mands the confidence and esteem of all his asso- 
ciates. 



HUGH E. CLARK, D. V. S., needs no intro- 
duction to the citizens of either Orange 
County or Cornwall on the Hudson, where 
he is so widely and favorably known as a success- 
ful veterinary surgeon. He has a well established 
reputation, built up by a careful and systematic 
preparation for the work in which he is engaged. 

Dr. Clark is the son of James Clark, a well-to- 
do farmer of this county, who has spent his entire 
life within its bounds. He married Ann Martin, 
a native of Ireland, and by his marriage became 
the father of a large family, including ten chil- 
dren. Of these, John is motorman on the elec- 
tric road at Brooklyn; Hugh E. was the next- 
born; Mary and Catherine make their home in 
Brooklyn; James is a carpenter of this county; 
Barney and Patrick are also residents here; and 
Ella, Philip and Thomas are at home. 

The subject of this sketch was born August 2, 
1866, in Newburgh, and was reared to a thorough 
understanding of farm work. He received a good 
education in the district .school, and from his boy- 
hood days seemed naturally adapted for the care 
of horses, being verj- .successful in breaking and 
training them. Being very desirous of becoming 




SAMUEL CRAWFORD MILLS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



well informed regarding the treatment of these 
animals, he took a four-years course in the vet- 
erinary college at New York, from which he was 
graduated March 20, 1894. He is a young man 
of excellent reputation, one who is bound to suc- 
ceed in his chosen calling, and as he is the prin- 
cipal surgeon in the city, he is well patronized by 
horsemen. He is a member of the New York 
Mutual Building and Loan Association. 

Mr. Clark affiliates with the Democratic party 
in politics, but has never been an office-seeker, 
nor has he ever been desirous of filling public po- 
sitions, as he finds his time fully occupied in at- 
tending to his profession. He is a devout Cath- 
olic in religion, in the faith of which church he 
was reared. 



MAMUEL CRAWFORD MILLS until about 
^\ ten years ago was one of the leading busi- 
\~J ness men of Newburgh, but since that time 
he has been retired, his home being in a beauti- 
ful residence at No. 272 Libert)- Street. He 
comes from some of the best families in Orange 
County, the history of the .same having been 
identified with that of this region for many gen- 
erations. Besides being a charter member of the 
Board of Trade, he also belongs to the Newburgh 
Club, and for the past six years has .served on the 
Board of Health. In his political faith he is 
a Republican, true and faithful, and has ver)- 
strong convictions in regard to the success and 
benefits which the party's reign brings to the 
Government. 

In tracing the ancestry of our subject we find 
that one George Mills emigrated from England to 
Jamaica, L. I., in 1656, and his son Jonathan, 
with his wife, Martha, afterwards resided in 
Springfield, towu of Jamaica, L. I. His son 
Timothy, born in 1667, had two wives, the first 
bearing the Christian name of Elizabeth, and the 
second that of Sarah, and both lived at Mills 
Pond, on Long Island. The latter place was 
named in honor of this Timothy Mills. His 
son Isaac, a child o" his first marriage, was born 



March 13, 1697, and died July 8, 1767. His 
wife was a Miss Hannah Miller, of Miller's Place, 
and their son, Isaac, Jr., was born there February 
19, 1727. The latter married his cousin, Sarah 
Phillips, who was born February 26, 1730, and 
after the death of Mr. Mills, which occurred 
April 25, 1783, she became the wife of Captain 
Wicks, and died a few years later, April 29, 1790. 
Isaac Mills, Jr., was the great-grandfather of our 
subject, and in Colonial days was on the Com- 
mittee of Safet}- and was one of the .signers of the 
document drawn up b)- them. Bj' his marriage 
with Sarah Phillips he had a son who bore the 
same Christian name as himself This Isaac, 
the third, was born July 25, 1769, near Mills 
Pond, and married Annie Longbotham in 1797. 
She died July 23, 1837, having survived her hus- 
band about four years, as he died December 31, 
1833, in East Middle Island, whither he had re- 
moved in 1804. 

Horace Mills, father of our subject, was born 
near Mills Pond, L. L, November 26, 1800, and 
was reared at Yap Hank, Middle Island. He 
learned the tailor's trade in New York City, after 
which for two years he was in business in Goshen, 
Orange County. Thence going to Blooming- 
burg, he opened a merchant-tailoring establish- 
ment, which he conducted until 1846, from which 
time until his retirement he cultivated his farm 
in the town of Wallkill. In 1869 he took up his 
residence in Newburgh, where his death occurred 
February 4, 1868. He was a strong anti-slavery 
man, a Whig, and later a Republican, and while 
living at Bloomingburg he was Justice of the 
Peace. Augu.st 18, 1827, he was made Sergeant 
of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment 
New York Militia, and was commissioned Lieu- 
tenant of the same October 11, 1828, by Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Thorp. June 23, 1836, he re- 
ceived from Governor William L. Marcy a com- 
mission as Captain of a company in the same 
regiment. In early life he was a member of the 
Episcopal Church, but subsequently joined the 
Dutch Reformed denomination, being an Elder 
and Deacon for years, and held the latter office 
in the American Reformed Church of Newburgh 
until his deatli. 



5IO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD. 



January 21, 1828, Horace Mills married Jenette, 
daughter of John and Mary (Crawford) Duryea. 
The former was born in Blooming Grove, Orange 
County, in 1778, and was a descendant of one 
George Duryea, who emigrated from Long Is- 
land to Orange County about 1700, settling in 
Blooming Grove, where he died in 1760. He had 
three children, George, Garrett and Hannah. 
George, the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
Captain of a company of cavalry under Colonel 
Woodhull, in Cornwall command. He was a 
farmer and took a very prominent part during 
the stirring scenes of the Revolution, being a 
member of the Committee of Safety. His mar- 
riage united him with Hannah Hudson, of 
Goshen, by whom he had nine children, namely: 
George, John, Henry, Garrett, Hudson, Hannah, 
Dollie, Betsey and Mittie. His death occurred 
when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty- 
six years. John, our subject's grandfather, 
learned the blacksmith's trade in early life, and 
February 18, 1800, wedded Mary Crawford, of 
the town of Montgomery. The same year they 
removed to the town of Wallkill, locating on a 
farm two miles east of Bloomingburg. There 
his death occurred January 21, 1859, while his 
wife's demise took place November 27, 1857. 
Their children were Nancy, Jenette, Hannah, 
Mary A., John H., Samuel C, Jonathan C, 
and two others who died in childhood. John 
Hudson Duryea, our subject's uncle, graduated 
from Rutgers College in 1832, preached for fifty 
years at Patenson, N. J., and at present is liv- 
ing retired. 

Mrs. Jenette Mills was born October 31, 1803, 
and died July 21, 1884. The Crawfords, from 
whom she descended on the maternal side, were 
of old Norman extraction, and it is presumed 
were of the Richmond famil}'. Mary Crawford, 
her mother, was born May 12, 1778, and was a 
daughter of Samuel I. and Janet (McCurdy) 
Crawford. The latter was a daughter of Robert 
and Marj' McCurdy. Samuel I. Crawford was 
born December 17, 1750, in the town of Craw- 
ford, and died October 17, 1822. Tradition says 
that he was in the Revolutionary War, and 
the name of Samuel Crawford is shown in the 



archives, but not Samuel I., but as he frequently 
wrote his name without the middle initial they 
are undoubtedly identical,, and his grandchildren 
remember his tales of his life in the cavalry 
service. It is in his honor that our subject was 
named. In 1749 the father of Samuel I., James 
Crawford, married Jane, daughter of James and 
Mary (Wilkin ) Crawford, who, although bearing 
the same name, was not a relative. He was born 
in 1 719, at Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ire- 
land, and was early left an orphan. His father, 
Moses, was a native of the same district as him- 
self, but his grandfather was a native of Scotland, 
and was one of the famous men of Enniskillen. 
Moses started for America in 1731, and as the re- 
sult of scanty rations and the long and stormy 
voyage, was taken sick and died of fever. James 
Crawford should have fallen heir to the money 
which his father possessed, but the dishonest cap- 
tain claimed the most of the sum by fraud. The 
destination of the vessel was a point on the Vir- 
ginia coast, but on account of the adverse winds 
it landed at the nearest port, New York. James 
Crawford lived from that time until he was twen- 
ty years of age with one John McNeal, of Wall- 
kill, Orange County, and later was employed in 
the Greenwood Iron Works. Subsequently he 
bought land near the present town of Crawford, 
which was named in his honor, and this farm is 
now owned by Mrs. Charles H. Winfield, a di- 
rect descendant. The homestead was a wilder- 
ness when he settled thereon and an Indian camp 
was located nearby. After bringing his wife and 
family to his new home they narrowlj' escaped 
an Indian massacre, being warned by a friendlj' 
squaw. James Crawford died Februarj^ 23, 1802. 
His wife, who was born March 3, 1724, departed 
this life August 14, 1795. 

The brothers and sisters of S. C. Mills were 
three in number, but William Horace, who re- 
sides on the old homestead, is now the onlj- sur- 
vivor. Ann Janet was the wife of James I. Bak- 
er, and died July 22, 1853, in Bloomingburg, 
N. V. John Hud.s5n died October 13, 1856, in 
early manhood. The first seven years of our 
subject's life were passed in Bloomingburg, Sul- 
livan Countv, where he had been born March 9, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



511 



1839. He attended the public schools and when 
in his fifteenth 3-ear obtained a clerkship in a 
local store, where he remained for three years. 
On the ist of April, 1857, he came to Newburgh 
and entered the drj'-goods house of Stephen Ha^-t 
& Co., in the same capacity, continuing with this 
firm for nearly six 3'ears. 

In 1863 Mr. Mills entered into partnership 
with John Schoonmaker and A. Y. Weller, pur- 
chasing the stock of Lsaac Wood, Jr., at the cor- 
ner of Third and Water Streets. They were very 
successful in their enterprise, and in 1878 were 
forced to move to larger quarters. Accordingly 
they erected the building known as Nos. 94 and 
96 Water Street, and were there established until 
1885, when Mr. Mills retired from the firm. In 
1889, in order to be of assistance to his former 
clerks, Mes,srs. Schuart & Embler, he became a 
silent partner in the firm, but later turned the 
interest over to his son, Stephen McDonald. For 
many years he has been a Director of the Quas- 
saick National Bank, one of the Trustees of the 
Newburgh Savings Bank, and also a member of 
the Finance Committee. He was one of the pro- 
moters of the Edison Electric-light Company, in 
which he was a Director until 1893, when he .sold 
out his interest. Besides his other interests he 
owns several tracts of real estate, and for several 
years has been one of the executors of his father- 
in-law's estate in Elmira, N. Y. 

In 1863 Mr. Mills was married, in this city, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Raymond Vail. She was 
born in Chester, N. Y., an<l died here in 1866. 
The second union of Mr. Mills occurred in El- 
mira, N. Y., the lady of his choice being Sarah, 
daughter of Hon. Stephen McDonald. The latter 
was a native oi Highland Mills, town of Monroe, 
and was closely associated with the welfare of 
Elmira for many years, being Mayor of the city 
for two terms. At first he conducted a tannery 
and shoe manufactory, and subsequently owned 
large real-estate interests. Politically he was one 
of the leading Democrats of that section. His 
wife, Sarah, was a daughter of William Vail, of 
Highland Mills. The latter's wife was a Miss 
Denton, whose ancestry can be traced back to 
Rev. Richard Denton, of Long Island. His son, 



Daniel Denton, a literary man, wrote the first 
history of New York State. Mrs. Sarah Mills 
received her higher education in Emma Willard's 
Female Seminary of Troy, N. Y. By her mar- 
riage she has had two children: Stephen Mc- 
Donald, who was educated at Mr. Siglar's .school 
in Newburgh, and is engaged in the dry-goods 
business in this city; and Mary Duryea Mills, 
who is a graduate of the Misses Mackie's school. 
Mrs. Mills and her daughter are both members 
of the Quassaick Chapter of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution. The family are mem- 
bers of St. George's Episcopal Church, Mr. 
Mills being a member of the Vestry and Treasurer. 



ILLIAM H. BAKER is the proprietor of 
three well equipped meat-markets in New- 
burgh, where he carries on a thriving 
wholesale and retail trade. His birth occurred 
in Milton, Ulster County, this state, January 24. 
1865, while his father, Fred Baker, was a native 
of He.sse-Darmstadt, German}-. The latter came 
to America when a boy, landing in New York, 
and has continued to make his home in the state 
ever since. He at once found employment in a 
meat-market, and so thoroughly did he learn the 
business that it was not long before he was en- 
abled to carry on a market df his own. A shrewd 
and successful business man, he soon became a 
wholesale dealer in meats of all kinds. He is 
now living in Newburgh and is agent for Swift & 
Co., of Chicago. 

The father of our subject married Miss Cath- 
erine Speck, also a native of Germany, and to 
them was born a family of eight sons and daugh- 
ters, of whom William H. was the fifth in order 
of birth. He was reared on his father's farm, 
and when not in school spent a great deal of time 
in the meat-market, learning the business. In 
1882 he embarked in business for himself, pur- 
chasing the market of J. O. Smith, which he still 
continues at the old stand. In addition to this 
he owns the new market at No. 52 Water Street, 
and in the spring of 1891 established a business 
house at No. i 27 South Street, all of the places be- 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing fitted up with the best appliances for storing 
and keeping meats of all kinds. Besides manufac- 
turing sausage b)' electric power and packing his 
own pork, he also deals in poultrj', game, vegeta- 
bles, etc., in large quantities. He is patronized 
by the best people in New burgh, and in turn they 
receive the very choicest of meats and game in 
their season, and Mr. Baker makes it a point to 
deliver goods promptly, thus giving .satisfaction 
to all concerned. 

Since July i, 1892, our subject has been em- 
ployed by the Government to furnish fresh meat 
at West Point, and for this purpose established a 
market there. In the branch of the Co-operative 
Building and Loan Association at Newburgh he 
is a Director, and in many other ways is con- 
nected with enterprises established for the benefit 
of the community in which he lives. 

Mr. Baker was married, in 1883, '^o Miss So- 
phia Seinor, of Highland Falls. She was born 
in Orange County and departed this life in Octo- 
ber, 1886, leaving a son, Fred H. Our subject 
was afterward married to Miss Jennie Wallace, 
of Salisburj-, and their one child is named Will- 
iam H., Jr. Socially Mr, Baker is a Mason of 
high standing, belonging to Hudson River Lodge 
No. 607, and is also a Knight of Honor. In po- 
litical affairs he is a Democrat, but takes no very 
active part in politics, other than to cast a vote for 
the candidate of that particular party. He has 
been Assistant Foreman and Secretar}- of Colum- 
bia Hose No. 2 and takes great interest in the 
same. In religious affairs he is a Presbyterian, 
holding membership with the Union congrega- 
tion at Newbur""h. 



'.-y 






-e,' 



["red D. TUTHILL, one of the nio.st enter- 
ic prising farmers of Orange County, lives in 
I the town of Blooming Grove, and since 1876 
has made his home upon the well improved es- 
tate of one hundred acres which he owns and op- 
erates. For many years he has been prominenth' 
identified with the asrricultural interests of his 



town and county, in the progress of which he has 
been an important factor. In 1887 he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Dairy Commissioner, and upon 
the merging the office into that of the Department 
of Agriculture, he was retained in the same posi- 
tion, which he still holds. Fully alive to the best 
interests of his county and state, he is an excel- 
leni and efficient worker in the field and has 
gained a large acquaintance among agriculturists 
of the state. 

The Tuthill family has been established in 
Orange County for four generations. Grandfa- 
ther Jesse Tuthill, the .son of Benjamin and Susan 
(Sayer) Tuthill, was born here in 1789, and died 
in the fall of 1877, when eighty-eight years old. 
The father of our subject, Benjamin, was also 
born in Orange County, and still makes his home 
in Washingtonville, being now (1895) seventy- 
one years of age. He married Anicartha, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Ananias and Ann Lucretia (Cameron) 
Brewster, the former a son of Daniel and Esther 
(Chatfield) Brewster, the latter a member of an 
Ulster County family and daughter of Alexander 
and Jemima (Van Der Mark) Cameron. Our 
subject's maternal grandmother was Margaret, 
daughter of Phineas and Mary (Dobbins) Heard. 

In the family of Benjamin and Anicartha Tut- 
hill there were five children, those besides our 
subject being Jesse, who is connected with the 
wholesale dry-goods house of Sweetzer, Pem- 
broke & Co., of New York City; Hector M., who 
occcupies the old homestead: Ella W., who resides 
with her father; and Cora, widow of Charles H. 
Brew.ster, who died in Blooming Grove Town in 
1890. She and her four diildren now live in 
Washingtonville. 

Born on the old homestead August 20, 1852, 
our subject began his studies in the district 
.schools and afterward attended the Middletown 
Academy for two years. In December, 1875, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Ruth D., 
daughter of David R. and Julia Aim (Ketchum) 
Seeley, of the town of Chester. They are the 
parents of nine children, to whom they are giv- 
ing the best educational advantages possible, and 
who are being prepared for honorable po.sitions in 
society or business. The eldest is attending the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



normal school, while the others are carrying on 
their studies in the home schools. They are 
named as follows: Agnes S., Annie B., Clara S., 
Cora, Ruth, Margie, May, Fredericka and Ben- 
jamin, Jr. 

In farming operations Mr. Tuthill makes use 
of the most modern improvements, and he keeps 
pace with every development made in the calling. 
On his farm he has a neat mechanical device by 
means of which water pas.ses to the cows auto- 
matically and is always within reach of the stock. 
His barn is commodious and well arranged, and 
the other outbuildings are adapted to their differ- 
ent purposes. While the management of his 
place engrosses his attention, it does not exclude 
an active .sympathy with and participation in 
public affairs. In national affairs he is a Demo- 
crat, and always gives his party the influence of 
his ballot. 



^'♦•{•♦•i'l 



|ILLIAM D. BARNS, a prosperous farmer 
of the town of Newburgh, is the descend- 
ant of a famil)' that has been long and hon- 
orably identified with the history of the Eastern 
States. There is a tradition that the first repre- 
sentatives in this country were three brothers and 
two sisters, who emigrated from Wales, and set- 
tled in Connecticut or Long Island. Mathew 
Barns, one of their descendants, was a farmer at 
Amagansett, L. I. His death occurred suddenly 
about 1763. It is said that one day, while gath- 
ering his hay crop, he complained of a pain in his 
side, and, .sending the load of hay home by the 
usual way, he started by a shorter route. When 
the team reached the house he had not arrived, 
and, upon search being made, he was found dead. 
The children of Mathew were Isaiah, Jona- 
than, Mathew, Isaac, Sallie and Hannah. At 
the time of his father's death, Lsaiah, the eldest 
.son, was engaged in the coasting trade between 
.some port in Connecticut and New York City. 
According to the laws of that time, he was sole 
heir of his father's estate, but with a commenda- 
ble sense of justice, and with great generosity, he 
divided the property equally with his brothers. 



Jonatlian settled on Long Island, near Montoux 
Point. Mathew, it is thought, located in Dela- 
ware County, N. Y. Matilda and Nancy, who 
married brothers, Isaac and Harry Ha.sbrouck, 
of Stone Ridge, Ulster County, N. Y., are be- 
lieved to be his daughters, Isaac, the youngest 
.son, was born in 1757. 

The last-named, at his father's death, was ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of tanner and currier, 
and also learned the shoemaker's trade. When 
twenty-one he married Miss Mary Huntting, of 
Southampton, L- L Having sold his patrimony, 
he purchased a farm and tanyard in Litchfield, 
Conn. , and lived there until about the close of the 
Revolutionary War. Soon after .settling in that 
place he found the title to his property was worth- 
less, the person of whom he bought being irre- 
sponsible, and in consequence of the swindle he 
was left almost penniless. 

Accompanied by his wife and two sons, Isaac 
Barns removed to Schoharie County, N. Y., set- 
tling about thirty miles from Albany. Joseph 
Huntting, a brother of Mrs. Barns, accompanied 
them, and made his home with them. After a 
period of eight or ten years in that county, during 
which time he followed the shoemaker's trade, 
Mr. Barns went to Otsego County, this state, 
where he purcha.sed property of Dominie Hart- 
wick. While he was preparing a home for his 
family, Jonathan, his eldest son, took charge of 
the younger children. Hannah, who had mar- 
ried a Mr. Page and lived at Springfield, near the 
head of Otsego Lake, took charge of Nathaniel, 
our subject's father. A daughter, Betse}-, was 
taken by her mother to Long Island and left with 
her sister there. Another child, Jo.seph, was 
kept in Schoharie County by his uncle, Joseph 
Huntting, Jonathan, the eldest of the familj-, 
spent the latter part of his life in Tioga County, 
his home being on a farm between Waverly and 
Ithaca, on the banks of Shepherds Creek. Our 
subject, in company with his father, visited him 
in 1849. 

Nathaniel Barns, father of our subject, was 
born in Litchfield, Conn., September 23, 1782. 
About 178S he accompanied his parents to Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., and four years later went 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to Hartwick, Otsego Count}-, where he remained 
until 1803. Upon attaining his majorit}- he en- 
tered the employ of a contractor and assisted in 
opening roads. After two years thus spent, he 
himself became a contractor and carried on busi- 
ness successfully until 1828, when he came to 
Orange County. The following 3'ear he settled 
on a farm at Middle Hope, town of Newburgh, 
and there he remained until his decease, in 1879, 
at which cime he was the owner of three hundred 
acres of fine farming land in this count}". 

January 21, 1828, Nathaniel Barns married 
Efiie Dusenberre, who was born at Hemp.stead, 
L. I.. April 13, 1796. To them were born four 
children, namely: William D., Nathaniel, Don- 
ald D. and Marj- E. Isaac, a brother of our sub- 
ject's father, settled in Haverstraw, Rockland 
County, N. Y., and bj' his marriage had six sons 
and three daughters, of whom Nathaniel and 
Mathew re.side near Joliet, 111., and Belding and 
Joseph live in Haverstraw. Betse}% a sister of 
Nathaniel, married Joseph Raynor, and at the 
time of her death was a resident of Cato, Cayuga 
County, N. Y. She had two sons and four daugh- 
ters, of whom Joseph lives on the home farm in 
Cato; May resides at Princeton, 111.; and Janet, 
Mrs. John Earl, at Hudson, Mich.; the others 
are deceased. Joseph Barns, when a young man, 
went to Georgia and engaged in a mercantile 
business there. He had a son and daughter, of 
whom the former died unmarried; the latter, Jo- 
cintha, married a Mr. Richards, and at her death 
left two sons and one daughter. Arial Barns was 
married in Rockland County and afterward set- 
tled in the town of Sterling, Cayuga County. 
Later he .settled on a farm near Hebron, Wis. 
He made his home with his two widowed daugh- 
ters, Hester and Mary, and died in 1894, when 
past ninety-nine years of age. He had five sons 
and three daughters, of whom Armenia, Mrs. 
Joseph Miner, resides in Hebron, Wis. ; Arial is 
a resident of Auburn, N. Y. , and David of Holly 
Springs, Miss. Huntting, who died in Iowa, had 
five sons and one daughter, of whom Huntting 
and Townsend are the only survivors. Mary, a 
twin of Huntting, married Samuel Somes, and 
died near Jack's Reef, Onondaga County, N. Y.; 



and Mrs. May Carmon is a resident of Hebron, 
Wis. Of her three sons and four daughters, all 
but one daughter are living. They are: Nathan- 
iel, Joseph, Hannah (Mrs. Thomas Fields), and 
Mrs. Betsey Cavenor, all of whom live near Jack's 
Reef; Samuel and Mary Elizabeth, who live in 
LaGrange, Ind. Mathew Barnes settled in Corn- 
wall, Orange County, and had seven .sons and 
three daughters. Of his sons, Isaac and William 
live near Turners, Orange County, Nathaniel in 
Mountainville, and Milton at Central Valley, also 
in this county. Mrs. Mary Eliza Pinckney, Mrs. 
Sallie Freer and Mrs Phoebe Thorn also reside in 
this county. Hannah married James Young and 
lived in Weedsport, Caj-uga County, having two 
sons and a daughter. Of these, Sylvester resides 
near Weedsport; and Permelia, Mrs. R. M. Rose, 
lives in Auburn, N. Y. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Newburgh, October 16, 1828, and was about 
twenty-five years of age when he assumed the 
managementof the home farm. Since the death of 
his father he has owned the homestead, which he 
is now carrying on in a most profitable manner, 
in connection with his eldest son, Edwin W. 
The farm is devoted to fruit-growing, Mr. Barns 
being one of the most extensive fruit-growers of 
the count}-. January 25, i860, he married Miss 
Elizabeth A. Carpenter, who was born August 
29, 1828. They are the parents of five children, 
namely: Edwin W., living at home, born Decem- 
ber 7, 1861; Mary, June 15, 1863; George D., 
February 23, 1865; John S., January 9, 1867; and 
Nathaniel H., who was born March 22, 1868, and 
died March 15, 1886. J'ohn S. is at home, and 
George D. is at present in St. Louis, Mo. The 
wife and mother departed this life January 29, 
1890, and her body was interred in Cedar Hill 
Cemetery. 

In religious belief Mr. Barns is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church. In politics he votes 
for Democratic candidates. He is prominent in 
public affairs, and has been the incumbent of 
many offices of trust and honor, among them 
that of Almshouse Commissioner of the city and 
town of Newburgh. It was mainly through his 
influence that the Children's Home was estab- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



515 



lished and the plans for its management were 
drafted by him. Under Governor Flower, in the 
spring of 1893, he received the appointment of 
member of the Board of Control of the New York 
State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, 
N. Y. In 1855 he was Census Marshal for the 
town, and in manj' other ways he has officiated 
M'orthily. For the past ten years he has been con- 
nected with the Orange County Agricultural Soci- 
ety, of which he is Vice-President and member of 
the Board of Manaa;ers. 



+= 



^+ 



^OHN DELANY, the junior member of the 
I firm of Thpmas S. Marvel & Co., is a native 
\~) of Kilkenn}", Ireland, born in 1840, and is 
a .son of Michael and Catherine (Sweeney) De- 
lany. In 1848, after his father's death, his 
mother brought the family to America, and after 
residing a year in New York City came to New- 
burgh. As soon as his years permitted, John be- 
came a wage-earner, and at the age of seventeen 
was apprenticed to George M. Clapp, superin- 
tendent of the Washington Iron Works, to learn 
the machinist's trade. During his employment 
at these large works he was thoroughly .schooled 
in the mechanical and theoretical principles of 
engine-building. He became a master workman, 
and for several years worked on the gunboats 
which were being built for the Government. For 
about six years he was in Cuba .studying up ma- 
chinery for the company on different parts of tlie 
i.sland. 

In 1867 Mr. Delany was united in marriage 
with Sarah E., daughter of John Touhy, who 
was a farmer residing near Newburgh. Seven 
children have been born to them. Catherine is a 
graduate of Newburgh Academy. John, who re- 
ceived his literary education in Newburgh, and 
who graduated at Notre Dame Unix'er.sitj', near 
vSouth Bend, Ind., as a mechanical engineer, is a 
draughtsman in Delany's boiler works. Joseph 
graduated from the commercial course at Notre 
Dame, and is a bookkeeper for the firm of Thomas 



S. Marvel & Co. Francis is attending college at 
Georgetown, D. C. William is attending the 
Spencerian College in Newburgh; and Mary and 
Elizabeth are receiving their education at Mt. St. 
Mary's Academy. 

About 1868, soon after his return from Cuba, 
Mr. Delany bought out the interest of the junior 
partner in the firm of Melrose & Moss, general 
machinists, doing business on South Water Street 
near South William, and subsequently became 
sole proprietor of the business. He was quite 
successful, and .soon after enlarged his business by 
purchasing the machine-shop of George Hunt, 
which adjoined his own. In 1872 he formed a 
partnership with Samuel Stanton (formerly su- 
perintendent of the Washington Iron Works), 
and Euther C. Ward, who had been business 
manager of the same firm, and under the firm 
name of Ward, Stanton & Co. the business was 
continued. They took po.ssession of a large brick 
building and an adjoining dock propert}' on the 
east side of South Water Street, near the foot of 
South William. The new works were designated 
as the Highland Iron Works, and at first the 
firm manufactured engines and general machin- 
ery, but after a time they engaged in iron .ship- 
building as a specialty, though wooden ve.ssels 
were built as well. Within a few 3'ears the works 
were greatly enlarged, three hundred men being 
employed, and it became the largest concern in 
Newburgh. A great many boats were constructed, 
principally steam yachts, ferry-boats and towing 
propellers. They not only designed and con- 
structed hulls, engines and boilers, but furnished 
boats throughout. The fine steam yachts ' 'Na- 
mouna," "Polynia," "Rhada," "Vidette" and 
"Shaugraun" were built b\- this firm. In 1882 
the works were nearly destroyed bN- fire, and in 
1884 the finu failed. 

Soon after the failure of the Highland Iron 
Works, Mr. Delany formed a partnership with 
Thomas S. Marvel and continued in the same 
business in which he was formerly engaged. From 
a small beginning the present large and flourish- 
ing establishment grew up. Remarkable success 
has attended the firm of Thomas S. Marvel & 
Co. , which is now one of the leading manufactur- 



5i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing industries of Newburgh. Mr. Delan}^ is one 
of the most enterprising and liberal residents of 
the cit}-, and well deser\'es the success that has 
crowned his efforts. 



NGN. CHARLES J. LAWSON, ex-Mayor of 
Xewburgh, has an exceptional record as a 
leader in the Republican part}', and as one 
of the best business men of this city. It is con- 
ceded by all that TSTewburgh has never had a 
more public-spirited and judicious chief executive 
than Mr. Lawson, for he carried in his official re- 
lations the same good judgment and superior 
ability which he has alwa3s manifested in the 
marts of trade. A man of strong convictions, he 
makes up his mind what is best to do, and he dares 
to carry out to a successful close whatever he un- 
dertakes. He is President of the Lawson Hard- 
ware Companj', with which he has been connected 
since it was duly incorporated February i, 1893, 
and is Vice-President of The National Bank of 
Newburgh, having served in this capacity for 
some five 3'ears. Moreover, he is one of the char- 
ter members of the Board of Trade, and helped 
to organize the Newburgh Building and Loan 
Association, of which he is now Treasurer. 

The Lawsons are among the oldest families of 
Dutchess Count\-, N. Y., and it is supposed that 
the first white child born within the county limits 
was one William Lawson, an ancestor of our 
subject. Andrew, the grandfather, was a native 
of the same county, and was a merchant tailor 
by occupation. For some years he pursued his 
calling in New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie, and 
afterward located in Newburgh. His son James 
T., father of Charles J., was born in New Ham- 
burg, and was also a tailor bj- trade. About 
1835 he came to this city, opening a place of 
business on Water Street. He has been very 
.successful, and is now practically retired, giving 
his attention to the management of his property 
interests, which are in this place and in Baj' 
Cit}-, Mich. For two j-ears he was the Republi- 
can Alderman from the Fourth Ward. His wife, 
who was a Miss Anstis Hutton, came from an 



old Rhode Island family. At her death, which 
occurred when our subject was a lad of but seven 
years, she left two children, the one beside 
Charles J. being Mrs. C. A. Walsh, a physician 
of Seattle. Wash. 

C. J. Lawson was born at No. 48 Water 
Street, Newburgh, February 23, 1845, and ob- 
tained a good education in the public and private 
schools of this cit}-, which he attended until 
1 86 1. His first venture in commercial circles 
was as a clerk in a hardware store, his employer 
being James S. Brown, who ran the business 
which had been established by his father in 1798. 
Three ^-ears later Mr. Lawson went to New York 
Cit3', and clerked in wholesale hardware stores 
until 1868, when he returned to Newburgh. En- 
tering into partnership with L. M. Smith, under 
the firm name of L. M. Smith & Co., he began 
in the wholesale and retail hardware business at 
his present site. In 1871 he bought out his part- 
ner's interest and continued alone until the pres- 
ent company was formed, twentj'-two years sub- 
sequently. It has a capital stock of §30,000 and 
a large business is transacted yearly. Their 
building has a frontage of twenty-six feet on 
Water Street, and extends back one hundred 
and fourteen feet. It is four stories and base- 
ment in height, and is supplied with elevators 
and all modern appliances. Our subject is Presi- 
dent of the concern, H. M. Smith \'ice-President, 
Frank J. Lawson Secretary, and James T. Law- 
son, Jr., is Treasurer. 

Mr. Law-son has always taken a very promi- 
nent part in social organizations, and belongs to 
Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M.; High- 
land Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson River 
Commandery No. 45, K. T. ; and Mecca Temple 
of the Mystic Shrine of New York City. He is 
also Past Regent of the Ro3-al Arcanum, and is a 
member of C. M. Leonard Coimcil, Order of 
American Firemen. From 1877 to 1892 he was 
one of the Almshouse Commissioners, and was 
President of the board for about ten years. His 
record in this direction is an unusual one, as he 
served for five terms in succession, the longest of 
any one in the county. For a period of fourteen 
years he was Chairman of the Cit)- Committee, 




LOnS A. HARRIS, M. U. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



519 



resigning the same in order to accept the office of 
Ma5^or. He has also been one of the Park Com- 
missioners of Newburgh, and in many other 
practical waj'S has been identified with her pros- 
perit}'. Among the various concerns in which 
he has been interested are the Newburgh Dis- 
trict Telegraph Company, of which he was 
President, and the Edison Illuminating Elec- 
tric-light Company, which he served as Treas- 
urer, For years he has been a very active mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and has served as 
Treasurer and Trustee of the board and as Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school. 

The marriage of Mr. Lawson and Anna J. 
Whitehead was celebrated in Newburgh Septem- 
ber 5, 1867. Mrs. Lawson is a native of this 
city, and is a daughter of John J. Whitehead, 
who was one of the old merchants of the place. 
Mr. and Mrs. L,awson have a pleasant home at 
No. 369 Grand Street, and their family consists 
of two sons, Frank J. and James T., Jr., pre- 
viously mentioned. 



I GUIS A. HARRIS, A. B., M. D. This well 
! C known and prominent gentleman of Orange 
|_J County is physician for the Newburgh Alms- 
house and Orphans' Home. He was born March 
12, 1859, in Annandale, Dutchess Count}', where 
also his father, Aaron Harris, was born. The 
latter is the .son of Peter Harris, who was a car- 
penter and builder of Annandale, and who was 
of Scotch and German descent. The family is 
an old and honored one in Dutchess County, and 
almost without exception its various members 
are connected with the German Reformed Church. 
Aaron Harris is a carpenter and contractor, 
following that occupation with success, although 
now in his sixtieth year. He married Miss Rachel 
J. Lewis, who was also born in Dutclicss Count)-. 
To them were born two children, the sister of 
Louis A. being Edith, a resident of Annandale. 
There the former was reared to mature years, and 
in 1880 was graduated from St. vStephen's College 



with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The fol- 
lowing year he spent in teaching school, after 
which he began the study of medicine, and in 
1 88 1 entered the Albany Medical College, from 
which he was graduated with the Class of '84. 
He at once located for practice at Valley Falls, 
Rensselaer County, where he remained but six 
months, when he returned home and spent the 
following two months. In November, 1885, we 
find the Doctor located at Rosendale, Ulster 
County. His stay there, however, was also of 
short duration, for three months thereafter he be- 
gan practicing at Fly Mountain, that county, 
where he remained for two years. 

In the fall of 1887 Dr. Harris came to New- 
burgh, and in February of the following year 
opened a drug store on Broadway, which he car- 
ried on in connection with his practice. After 
continuing thus for five years, his .services were 
in such demand that he was unable to give any 
attention to his drug business, and since dispos- 
ing of the same has given his undivided time to 
his profession. At the time of selling his drug 
store he was appointed physician to the Alms- 
house and Orphans' Home of both the city and 
town of Newburgh, and such perfect satisfaction 
has he given that he has been retained in office 
up to the present time. For the past two years 
the Doctor has been one of the health officers for 
the town, and in addition to the positions men- 
tioned carries on a large and lucrative general 
practice. Among the members of the profession 
he is considered a man of superior ability, and 
has many sincere friends throughout the county. 

On the 22d of January, 1895, Louis A. Harris 
and Sarah Elizabeth Coles were united in marriage 
at East Orange, N. J., she being a daughter of 
Jacob L- and Sarah Snyder (Morningstern ) Coles. 
The latter died August 4, 1894, and Mr. Coles is 
now living retired at East Orange, N. J. 

Socially the Doctor is connected with Christian 
Lodge No. 379, I. O. O. F., in which he has been 
Past Grand; New York Encampment No. i, of 
Albany; the Sexennial League, and the Order of 
American Firemen, and is also identified with the 
Knights of Pythias and Elks. For five years 
he .served in the Tenth Separate Company, Na- 



520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tional Guards, as a private, and when he resigned 
at the expiration of five jears was Assistant Sur- 
geon, with the rank of First Lieutenant. He is 
now a member of the veterans of the Tenth 
Separate Company and Company E. The Doctor 
also belongs to Newburgh Lodge No. 7256, A. 
O. F., of which he is examining physician and a 
Director; is physician for Hudson River Lodge 
No. 276, Sons of St. George, and is also Medical 
Examiner at Newburgh lor the Odd Fellows' 
Mutual Aid and Accident Association of Piqua, 
Ohio. 

^^=0# P ' . 

QETER E. BENNETT is head foreman of the 
L/^ Jova Brick Works at Roseton, near New- 
JS burgh, though his home is at Middle Hope. 
He is a practical brick manufacturer, thoroughly 
understanding every detail of the business, and has 
met with deserved success in his inidertaking. 
His new and handsome residence is situated on a 
small fruit farm of nine acres, about three-quar- 
ters of a mile from his place of business, and here 
he delights to .spend his leisure time in gardening, 
raising all kinds of fruits in large quantities. 

Patrick Bennett, father of the above gentleman, 
was born in Comity- Westmeath, Ireland, and 
started in trade there as a coach-builder. He 
came to America when in his seventeenth year, 
first settling in Roseton, on the Hudson, and 
later moving to Clarke Landing. Under Mr. 
Frederickson he learned the brick business, and 
later was employed bj^ Leander Clark, Jr., as head 
foreman. In 187 1 he settled in Fall River, Mass., 
where he made his home for a year and a-half, 
and then for six months was a resident of Hav- 
erstraw. Later he was emploj-ed in the Roseton 
Brick Works until he retired from business. He 
died in the faith of the Catholic Church in 1888, 
at the age of sixty-four years. His wife, Bridget, 
also a native of Ireland, was a daughter of Peter 
Segriff, a farmer. For some years he owned a 
place in the town of Newburgh, but passed his 
last years in Haverstraw. Mrs. Beimett is still 
living, her place of abode being Marlborough. Of 
her five .sons and four daughters, one daughter is 
deceased. 



Peter E. Bennett was born where the Roseton 
depot now stands, January 4, 1863, being the 
fourth in his father's family. With the excep- 
tion of two years, he passed his boyhood in this 
locality. He attended the schools of Middle 
Hope, and on arriving at a suitable age com- 
menced working in the brickyards owned by 
Charles Griggs, remaining with that concern for 
five years. Later he became an employe of James 
Mead, below Low Point. Two years later he 
commenced working for the Jova Brick Works, 
and in 1884 received his first promotion. Of late 
years he has acted in the capacitj' of head foreman 
and has full charge of the manufacturing depart- 
ments. In his political faith he is a Democrat, 
though he is not desirous of public office, prefer- 
ring to give his time to his business and family 
affairs. 

January i, 1888, Mr. Bennett was united in 
marriage with Kate Gallagher in Marlborough. 
She was born in Hampton Ferry. Orange County, 
and was a daughter of Patrick Gallagher, a fruit 
farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have three bright 
children, namely: William, Frank and Freddie. 
The parents are members of the Catholic Church 
and enjoy the sincere regard of all who know 
them. Mr. Bennett is a self-made man and has 
gradually worked his way toward a secure com- 
petency and a position of influence in the conunu- 
nitv. 

IILLIAM LAHEY is now serving his third 
year as Asse.ssor of the town of New Wind- 
sor, having been elected to this position on 
the Democratic ticket. He is a business man of 
exceptional abilit5',,and is the owner of an exten- 
sive brick manufactors- on the banks of the Hud- 
son, between Fishkill Landing and Low Point, 
and also a plant in New Windsor. He .superin- 
tends both yards, the output of which is over 
twenty million brick per season. 

Our subject's father, Joseph Lahey, who died 
in Cornwall, at the age of seventy-six years, was 
a native of Ireland. He operated a farm until 
1850, when he came to the United States and for 
about two years engaged in agricultural pursuits 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



521 



near Cornwall. His wife, formerly Miss Ann 
Powers, is still living, her home being in the 
town of New Windsor. William Lahey is the 
eldest and the only survivor of eight children. 
He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 
1847, and when five years of age emigrated to 
America. His boyhood was passed in the vicin- 
ity of Cornwall, where he obtained his education, 
and when only twelve years of age he commenced 
working in a brickyard in Cornwall. Five years 
later he came to this town, and then for a time he 
worked in the Erie carshops at Ramapo, as a 
carpenter, learning his trade, and subsequently 
he became foreman for Hugh Davidson, Benjamin 
Walsh and Warren Brower. 

It was in 1875 that Mr. Lahey embarked in the 
manufacture of brick at Fishkill Landing. After 
remaining there for a year, he came to New 
Windsor and was employed in the Christy yards 
until 1879, when he bought his present place, 
formerly the old Carpenter estate. It was later 
known as Long Dock, and at the time of Mr. 
Lahey's purchase it was styled the Griggs estate. 
The plant was turning out only thirty thou.sand 
brick a daj-, but the fine clay banks and the sand 
in the vicinity promised well for" the future. 
Three times has Mr. Lahey been obliged to en- 
large the works, and has now six brick machines 
and pits, having a capacity of one hundred thou- 
sand brick per day. Shipments are made by boat, 
Mr. Lahey being the proprietor of two barges 
here, the "Margaret Lahey" and the "C. K. 
Buckley." He also owns two barges which are 
used for shipping brick from Fishkill, the "Ann 
Lahey" and the "William Lahey." The four 
barges have a capacity of eleven hundred thou- 
sand brick. In 1889 our .subject lea-sed a portion 
of the S. Van Planck estate, near Fishkill, and 
there runs three machines, which have a capacity 
of seventy-two thousand brick per day, sixt5^-five 
hands being employed. He owns seven resi- 
dences there and also runs a boarding-house. In 
New Wind.sor he has eight hou.ses and employs 
one hundred and ten hands. The bricks turned 
out from his works are all .stamped "Lahey." 
The brand has become well known, and there is a 
large sale to the Newburgh trade. 



The first marriage of our .subject occurred in 
Cornwall, in 1873, with Miss Margaret Carroll, a 
native of Ireland, who died in 1885. Three of 
their seven children are decea.sed, namely: Mary, 
Margaret, and Mary, the second of the name. 
The others are Ann, Nora, Joseph and Sarah. 
In 1888, in this city, Mr. Lahey was married to 
Julia Mara, who was born in Orange County, 
N. J. The)' have two children, namely: Will- 
iam, Jr., and Julia A. Mr. Lahey is a member of 
St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Politically he is 
a Democrat and has frequently been sent as a del- 
egate to county and congressional conventions. 



■•♦>»^*^)®^t<»- 



(Tames TODD, of the firm of Hamilton & 
I Todd, contractors and builders of Newburgh, 
(2/ is now serving as Alderman from the First 
Ward. He is a native of the Emerald Isle, born 
in Bally gawley, in November, 1848, and is a 
son of Samuel Todd, who was also born in the 
same place. The grandfather, Nathaniel Todd, 
who was a native of Scotland, located in Coun- 
ty Down, Ireland, where he engaged in fancy 
weaving, but later removed to Count}' Antrim, 
where he died in early life. The father, who 
followed the same occupation, married Jane 
Hunter, who was of Scotch descent, and a native 
of County Antrim, where their marriage was 
celebrated. She was a daughter of vSamuel Hun- 
ter, a farmer by occupation. Mr. Todd remained 
in his native land until 1882, when he crcssed 
the Atlantic, and still makes his home in this 
country'. Religiously he is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. In the family were eleven 
children, who grew to manhood and womanhood, 
and nine are still living, all residents of the United 
States with the exception of one. 

James Todd, whose name heads this record, is 
the oldest of the family. He received his educa- 
tion in the national schools, and at the age of ten 
years went to live on a farm. In May, 1869, he 
took pas.sage at Londonderrj- on a .steamer, and 
after a voyage of sixteen days landed at New 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York City, alone in^ strange land, without money 
or friends. He came to Newburgh, and for three 
3-ears worked as an apprentice for Samuel Mc- 
Ke}', a contractor. Later he was a journeyman in 
the employ of Tweed & Eaton, remaining in 
their employ until 1882, when, in connection with 
William Hamilton, he began contracting and 
building, under the firm style of Hamilton & 
Todd. They were old friends in Ireland, and 
their business connection here has been both 
profitable and pleasant. They have erected many 
of the best buildings of the city, including Siglar's 
School, the Arnold Flats, and the residences of 
Rev. Mr. Thomp.son and Rev. Mr. Fuedlajer, 
besides the home of Mr. Todd at No. 25 Clark 
Street. Our subject is a member of the local 
building and loan association, of which he is Di- 
rector, and is serving on the Appraising Commit- 
tee. 

At Newburgh, July 24, 1875, Mr. Todd mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Perrott, who was born in 
County Cork, Ireland, and is a daughter of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Kingston) Perrott, both of 
English descent and natives of County Cork. 
The paternal grandfather was Richard Perrott. 
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, took 
his family to London, England, where he re- 
mained for nine years, after which he brought 
them to America, locating in Newburgh, where 
his death occurred at the age of si.xty-eight. His 
wife died in 1892. at the advanced age of eight}-- 
one years. In their family were .six children 
who reached maturity, and five are still living. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Todd were born six children; 
Jennie, who graduated from the Spencerian Busi- 
ness College; Elizabeth, a pupil in the academy; 
Minnie, deceased; Annie L. and William J., at 
home; and Samuel, who died at the age of one 
year and nine months. Both Miiniie and Samuel 
died in November, 1890, of diphtheria. 

In 1892 Mr. Todd was nominated and elected 
Alderman from the First Ward on the Republi- 
can ticket, two years later was re-elected, and is 
now filling the office to the entire satisfaction of 
his constituents. He is a member of the Law and 
Ordinance and Sewer Committees, and is Chair- 
man of the Committee on Streets, besides being a 



member of the special committee on the con- 
-struction of the City Hall. In the growth and 
upbuilding of the city he has ever taken a prom- 
inent part, doing all in his power for its advance- 
ment and welfare. He and his wife belong to 
the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is 
a Trustee and Ruling Elder. His political affili- 
ations are with the Republican party, and he is 
numbered among the influential and prominent 
citizens of Newburgh. His present prosperous 
condition is due to his own industry and energy, 
as he came here without capital, and to-day is at 
the head of a lucrative business. 



(Joseph B. BURNET. identified with the 
I histor}' of Orange County from an early pe- 
C2/ riod of its settlement, the representatives of 
the Burnet family have been men of energy, 
force of character and honorable principles. As 
early as 1727, before the arrival of the Clintons, 
Robert Burnet, our subject's great-great-grandfa- 
ther, came hither and purchased two hundred 
acres, on which he continued to reside until his 
death. His farm has since been owned by his 
descendants, and is now the property of our sub- 
ject. 

In the town of New Windsor, upon the farm 
where he now resides, the subject of this notice 
was born March 18, 1819, beingthe son of Charles 
and Mary R. (Barber) Burnet. His maternal 
grandfather, Capt. Joseph Barber, was a resident 
of the town of Montgomen,-, and won his title bj- 
gallant service in the Revolutionary War. Both 
the father, Charles, and grandfather, Robert, were 
born on the old Burnet homestead. The former, 
whose life occupation was that of a farmer, died 
on the home place and was buried in the Little 
Britain Cemeterj'. He was a man of Christian 
character, holding membership in the Presbyte- 
rian Church. In public affairs he was prominent, 
and held a number of local offices, including that 
of Assessor. He was also Justice of the Peace for 
many years, and was executor of the James Clin- 
ton estate, as well as of many other large estates. 
The parental family consisted of four children. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



523 



one of whom died in infancj'. Those beside our 
subject are Jane A., wife of George Clelland; and 
Charles F. , a resident of Washingtonville. Joseph 
B. passed his boyhood years in an uneventful 
manner, receiving an excellent education. After 
leaving the common schools he entered Mont- 
gomery Academy, where he remained until his 
graduation, meantime taking a special course in 
civil engineering. On the conclusion of his stud- 
ies, he was engaged in surveying in connection 
with civil engineering for many years, but for 
some time past has given his attention entirely to 
farm pursuits, owning and cultivating one hun- 
dred acres of fertile land. 

In Orange County, June 15, 1870, occurred 
the marriage of Joseph B. Burnet and Mi.ss Eliza- 
beth Scott, an estimable young lady, who was 
born and reared in the neighborhood. He is 
quiet and unassuming in manner, and has never 
sought public positions of trust and honor, pre- 
ferring the part of a private citizen, whose duties 
he has at all times striven to fulfill. His political 
affiliations are with the Democratic party, the 
principles of which he never fails to support. For 
many years he has been identified with the Pres- 
byterian Church. He is one of the few men who, 
after a long life in a community, are spoken well 
of b\- everybody; one who has sustained the char- 
acter of a Christian, and who, in his declining 
>ears, has the .satisfaction of knowing that he has 
wronged no man, but has endeavored, by a con- 
sistent Christian life, to fulfill his duty to man- 
kind and God. 



. DMUND LANG, a well known brick man- 
'y ufacturer of the town of New Windsor, since 
^ 1 89 1 has operated the Walsh yards, which 
he leases of the proprietor. He also operated the 
Christy yard twelve years, it being known as the 
"steam yard." Besides his interest in the yards 
he also owns two farms in the town of Montgom- 
ery, one ofthe.se being a tract of ninety-four acres, 
and the other containing one hundred and si.xty 



acres. Both places are well improved and are 
now rented to tenants. 

Mr. Lang, who is of Scotch descent, is a na- 
tive of New York City, born October 21, 1822. 
His father, Ebenezer Lang, was born in Ports- 
mouth, N. H., and at an early day became a res- 
ident of New York, where he followed the car- 
penter's trade. Our subject's mother, prior to 
her marriage, was a Miss Mary Raynor, a native 
of Long Lsland. After her husband's death, 
which occurred when he was in the prime of life, 
she removed to Suffolk Count}', N. Y. , and later 
to Ulster County, where she reared her family, 
which consisted of three sons and a daughter. 
John is a merchant in Sullivan County; George 
is a farmer in Shawangunk, LTlster County; while 
the daughter, Marj- A., who married Andrew 
Snider, is now deceased. Later Mrs. Lang settled 
near Wallkill, Ulster county, and died in 1887, 
when in her eighty-sixth year. 

Edmund Lang resided on Long Island until he 
was ten )-ears of age, and from that time until 
reaching his majorit}- he was reared on a farm in 
Ulster County, attending the public schools of 
The Plains. Going to New York City, his first 
business employment was as cartman, and later 
he engaged in the feed business. Making a suc- 
cess of this undertaking, he very soon bought and 
ran three or four teams, supplying regular cus- 
tomers. He continued in the business about four 
years, making a good income and la5'ing aside 
each j'ear a certain sum, and by so doing became 
well-to-do. During the war he enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Fourth New York Artillery, state troops, 
and in 1863 was called out to defend Gettysburg, 
but was released at the end of thirty days. His 
rank was that of Sergeant. 

In his younger days Mr. Lang had worked at the 
brick business, and in 1879 he came to the town 
of New Wind.sor and leased the Christy yards. 
The plant was equipped with four machines, 
and he operated the same from 1879 until 1891. 
For a few years John Adams was in partnership 
with him, but he later retired from the firm and 
Mr. Lang has since conducted the business alone. 
The present factory of our subject is also fitted out 
with four machines, having a capacity of sixty- 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



six thousand brick per da\', and is run by steam 
power. A force of seventj* men is kept employed 
around the works, and the output is shipped by 
boat and rail to New York City and various 
points along the Hudson. Mr. Lang owns the 
barge "Annie B. Emmons," which is used for 
transportation between here and New York. 

In 1846 the marriage of Mr. Lang and Keturah 
C. Thorne was celebrated in Newburgh. Mrs. 
Lang's parents were Solomon and Jane Thorne, 
old settlers and farmers of this county. To our 
subject and wife have been born three children, 
two sons and a daughter: James, who is in the 
trucking business in New York City; Solomon, 
in partnership with his father; and Mary, Mrs. 
John N. Frazer, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Formerly Mr. Lang was affiliated with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now as- 
sociated with the Sons of Temperance. He be- 
longs to Calvarj' Presbyterian Church of this city, 
and can always be relied upon to advance worthy 
enterprises. Since becoming a voter he has de- 
posited his ballot in favor of Democratic nom- 
inees. 

I UKE F. GILLESPIE, .superintendent and 
IC general manager of the Hudson River Wool- 
[_2f en-mills, of which he is also a stockholder, 
understands the practical part of every department 
of that industry, having worked his way up from 
the lowest po.sition in woolen manufacture. His 
birth occurred in Sturbridge, Mass., on the i8th 
of December, 1857, and he is a son of Luke and 
Martha Matilda (Douty) Gillespie, both natives 
of Ireland, where their marriage was celebrated. 
Their ancestors were of the Scotch-Presbyterian 
faith, but they both became devout members of 
the Catholic Church. The mother died in Charles- 
town, Mass., when about the age of seventy 
years. The father was born in County Meath, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade, and soon 
after his marriage came to America, locating in 
New York City, where he worked at his trade 
and at cabinet-making. On leaving that city he 
, went to Sturbridge, Mass. , and later became a 
resident of Charlestown, where he followed his 



trade for twentj'-eight years, but is now living 
retired there. In the familj- were twelve chil- 
dren, six of whom grew to maturitj', but only 
four are now living. One brother of our subject, 
Patrick, who was a member of the Thirty-sixth 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was taken a 
prisoner at Belle Isle, and .sent to Andersonville, 
where he was starved to death . 

In Charlestown, Mass., L F. Gillespie was 
reared to manhood, receiving his education in 
the public schools, and there he learned the car- 
penter's and machinist's trades. In 1877 he ob- 
tained employment with the Lake View Woolen 
Manufacturing Company, beginning in the card- 
ing-room, and then successively was in the spin- 
ning, weaving and finishing rooms. He held 
the position of overseer of the finishing depart- 
ment for several 3'ears. On leaving the employ 
of the company he went to Oxford, Mass., where 
he started a mill of his own, being a member of 
the firm of Gillespie & Sullivan. They remod- 
eled a mill and engaged in the manufacture of 
woolen goods very successfully for two and a- 
half years, when their plant was destroyed by 
fire and they lost nearly everything. 

In 1 891 Mr. Gillespie came to Newburgh for 
Mr. Mendelshon to superintend the erection 
of the Hudson River Woolen-mill, which was 
started on the 15th of December, and was com- 
pleted and running by the 15th of March of the 
following year. It has since continued in opera- 
tion, and by being enlarged now has a capacity 
of sixteen hundred spindles. The first floor of 
the main building is used as the finishing-room, 
the second floor as the weaving-room, and the 
third as the carding and weaving- room. A pack- 
ing house and storerooms also form part of the 
property. The mill is located on Quassaick 
Creek, at the bridge, and is furnished with both 
steam and water power, having a two-hundred 
horse-power engine. The wool is shipped in from 
New York, and the products, which include 
shirtings, suitings and dress goods, are .sold from 
the main office, at No. 20 White Street, New 
York City. Employment had always been fur- 
nished to eighty men until the spring of 1895, 
when the plant was enlarged, giving a capacity 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



525 



of six hundred and twenty-four spindles more, 
which necessitated the Iiiring of from twentj'-five 
to thirty more employes. Since its foundation 
Mr. Gillespie has been one of the stockholders of 
the mill, and to him a great deal of its success is 
due, as he has worked'untiringly for its interests. 
Being a skillful workman him.self, familiar with 
all branches of the enterprise, he can understand- 
ingly direct its operation. 

At Rutland, Mass., in 18S1, Mr. Gillespie was 
married to Miss Julia Delehanty, a nati\'e of that 
place, and a daughter of Frederick Delehanty, a 
farmer by occupation. They now reside at the 
corner of Monument and Bay View, and their 
home has been made glad by the presence of four 
interesting children, Sarah, George, Mathew and 
James. In politics Mr. Gillespie generally votes 
with the Democratic party, though he is not 
strictl}- partisan. Since coming to this city he 
has gained many warm friends, and by all who 
know him he is held in the highest regard. 



(^ 



(^ 



M^ 



'-P^W 



l^)s4 i 



m^ 



HENRY RUDOLPH, who represented the 
Fourth Ward in the Newburgh City Coun- 
cil in 1 89 1, was elected on the Republican 
ticket, though his ward usually polls a "Demo- 
cratic majority. During his year's service he was 
Chairman of the Committee on Laws and Ordi- 
nances, and also .served on others. He has been 
chairman of ward committees, and has often 
been sent as a delegate to county conventions. 
Besides being a member of the Board of Trade, 
he has been a successful business man here for 
many years. 

Our .subject was born in He.s.se-Cassel, Ger- 
many, January 15, 1853, being a son of Henry 
and Wilhelmina ( Helfinch ) Rudolph, who were 
natives of the same province. The former was a 
manufacturer of furniture on quite an exten.sive 
-scale, and his death occurred in the Fatherland, 
when he was about eighty years of age. His wife 
also died in Germany. Our subject's grandfa- 
ther, Henry Rudolph, was a miller by trade, and 



the whole family were identified with the Luth- 
eran denomination. Our subject is one of four 
children and the only one in America. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the common schools of 
Hesse-Cassel, which, according to law, he at- 
tended until he was fourteen years of age. 

In his fifteenth year Henry Rudolph was ap- 
prenticed to learn the baker's trade, working for 
one emplo3^er about two years and a-half In 
1870 he left his home and friends to seek a liveli- 
hood in the New World, and sailed from Bremen 
on the steamer "America," arriving in New 
York City at the end of a sixteen-days voyage. 
There he continued for four or five years, work- 
ing at his trade, and then went to Matteawan, 
N. Y., where he was in business some two years. 
Then going back to the metropolis, he made that 
city his home until May, 1880, when he came to 
Newburgh. He was first employed here by Mr. 
Cavanaugh, and two years later started a bakery 
of his own at No. 267 Water Street, building an 
oven and providing other necessary articles. His 
business has steadily increased and is now one of 
his most important features in the wholesale 
trade, his goods being shipped to adjoining vil- 
lages in Orange and Dutche.ss Counties. His 
ovens have a capacity of from fifty to sixty bar- 
rels of flour each week, made up into bread, cakes, 
pies, etc. Four bakers are employed and two 
wagons are used for delivering goods. Mr. Ru- 
dolph built the place he occupies, it being 25X 
100 feet, three stories in height, with the oven in 
the rear. 

The first marriage of our subject occurred in 
Red Bank, N. J., the lady of his choice being 
Dinah Snyder, a native of that place. She died 
in this city, and of her four children but one 
survives, Minnie, who is bookkeeper for the firm 
ofThing&Co. December 16, 1883, Mr. Ru- 
dolph married Miss Mary, daughter of Fred 
Hartig, who was formerly engaged in the shoe 
business in this city. Mrs. Rudolph is a native 
of Newburgh, and by her marriage has become 
the mother of two daughters. May and Clara. 

Socially our subject belongs to several organi- 
zations and is very popular among his fraternal 
brethren. He belongs to Highland Lodge, I. O. 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



O. F. ; Hudson River Lodge No. "607, F. & A. M. ; 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson 
River Comraandery No. 35, K. T., and is also a 
Knight of Honor. He is Vice-Dictator of Muchat- 
toes Tribe of Red Men, and an honorary member 
of Leonard Steamer Company No. 3, also belong- 
ing to the Veteran Association of the same. For 
years he was Trustee and Chairman of the board 
of the Newburgh Turn Verein, and for two j-ears 
was its President. Religiously he and his wife 
adhere to the faith of his forefathers, being identi- 
fied with the Lutheran Church. 



(TOSEPH E. BOARD, one of the leading citi- 
I zens of the town of Blooming Grove, is now 
(2/ serving his third year as repre.sentative of the 
town upon the County Board of Supervisors. 
Not only in this capacity, but in other important 
positions, he has rendered excellent service in be- 
half of his fellow-townsmen. A stanch Republi- 
can in political belief, he has represented his 
partj^ in v^arious conventions, and was a delegate 
to the Saratoga Convention which nominated the 
winning ticket in 1894. He is an ardent advo- 
cate of protection for home industries, which he 
believes to be the basisof our national prosperity, 
and therefore gives his earnest support to the 
part}' which, in his opinion, stands for justice, 
honor, prosperity and good citizenship. 

The paternal ancestors of Mr. Board were of 
English extraction and were identified with the 
Reformed Church. His parents, Edmund K. 
and Abigail (Heard) Board, were natives, respec- 
tively, of Newjer.sey and Orange County, N. Y. 
In 1872 thej- came to the town of Blooming 
Grove, and the mother died the first year of their 
settlement in her native town. The father, who 
was a representative of the prosperous farming 
community, died here at eighty-three years of age. 
Four .sons and three daughters comprised the 
parental family, namely: Samuel, deceased; Marj-, 
wife of Albert Matherson, an attorney of New 
Haven, Conn. ; Nathaniel, a civil engineer of 
New York: Matilda, wife of E. Gilbert, of East 
Haven, Conn. ; Joseph E. ; Isabella, wife of George 



A. Owen, who owns a store in Washingtonville; 
and Frank, who is clerking in the grocery of 
A. P. Tuthill, of Newburgh. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Board- 
ville, N. J., November 28, 1853, and was reared 
upon a farm, with the exception of one year spent 
in New York City. The .school which he at- 
tended was taught by a gentleman who also offi- 
ciated as preacher and who was a fairly good in- 
structor. Our subject, being an apt pupil, gained 
a better education than manj- whose advantages 
were better than his own. He accompanied his 
parents to Orange County in 1873, and spent the 
ensuing three years upon a farm in the town of 
Blooming Grove. Having a natural ability for 
civil engineering, he then turned his attention to 
that occupation and was emploj'ed at railroad 
work in Pennsylvania for one 3ear, Michigan one 
3'ear and North Carolina a similar period. His 
last work in that line was done on the cable road 
on One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street in New 
York City. 

On his return to Orange Count}-, Mr. Board 
came to Washingtonville and entered into part- 
nership with a Mr. Fulton, embarking in the 
milling, feed and coal business. This relation con- 
tinued until Thomas Brewster, a brother-in-law 
of Mr. Board, bought out Mr. Fulton's interest, 
since which time the enterprise has been carried 
on under the firm title of Board & Brewster. In 
January. 1876, Mr. Board married Carrie H. 
Brewster, a native of this town, and they are the 
parents of three sons, Henry, Charles and Will- 
iam. In religious connections the family is iden- 
tified with the Congregational Church. Fra- 
ternally our subject belongs to Blooming Grove 
Lodge No. 639, I. O. O. F., with which he has 
been connected since its organization. 

|ILLL\M HENRY DENNISTON. In the 
United States, where change seems to be 
the ruling law of nature, it is but seldom 
that we find a homestead where four successive 
generations have resided, and such a place, when 
found, is deemed worthv of mention bv the histo- 




JAMES VAN KEUREN, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



529 



rical or biographical chronicler. One of these 
farms is the Denniston homestead, where our sub- 
ject, his father and grandfather first opened their 
eyes to the light of earth. It is situated in the 
town of New Windsor, about six miles southwest 
of Newburgh, and comprises one hundred and 
twent3--three acres of well improved land, devoted 
to general agricultural purposes. 

The first member of the family to emigrate to 
America was Alexander Denniston, a native of 
County Longford, Ireland, who came to this 
country about the same time as did the Clintons. 
His son William, our subject's great-grandfather, 
was the first of the name to own this place, and 
he made settlement here in the year 1762, upon 
the farm now owned by William Henry. Here 
he continued to reside until death. Grandfather 
Isaac Denniston was born on this place, and 
passed his entire life here, devoting his attention 
to farm work. 

The father of our subject, Alfred, was born on 
the Denniston homestead October 26, 1809, and 
here he grew to manhood. He was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary A. Morrison, who was 
born in the town of Cornwall, December 26, 1812, 
being a daughter of John and Jane (Neely) Mor- 
rison. Three children were born of the union, 
namely: Jane E., wife of Jonathan Steward, and a 
resident of the town of Newburgh; Su.san E. and 
William H. Since coming to America, farming 
has been the cho.sen occupation of the Denniston 
family, and in it they have accumulated compe- 
tencies. 

Always maintaining a deep interest in politics, 
Alfred Denniston was a stanch supporter of 
Democratic principles. With the exception of 
five years, which were spent in Cornwall, he 
passed his entire life upon the family homestead, 
and here his death occurred August 27, 1878. 
His body was buried in the Little Britain Ceme- 
tery, near the scene of his lifetime labors and not 
far removed from the home that was so dear to 
him. He was a consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and departed this life in the glo- 
rious hope of eternal happiness beyond. His life 
was one of the utmost probity, and he carried 
into his business transactions the principles of 



honor which formed the basis of his character. 
By those of his associates who still survive, he is 
remembered as one of the persevering and indus- 
trious citizens of New Windsor, to whom its pros- 
perity is largely due. 

On the place where he now lives, William H. 
Denniston was born April 14, 1846, and here has 
been the only home he has ever known. As soon 
as old enough, he began to assist his father in the 
cultivation of the farm, on which he now engages 
in the dairy business and general farm work. 
Careful and shrewd in his financial dealings, 
painstaking and energetic in farm work, and genial 
and companionable with friends, he is a man who 
has won the esteem of his neighbors and the re- 
gard of all with whom he is thrown in contact. 



(1 AMES VAN KEUREN, M. D. As one who 
I contributed in no small degree to the growth 
(2/ of Orange Count3^ and who for many years 
was an influential member of its medical frateniit}', 
the name of Dr. Van Keuren well deserves men- 
tion in this volume. The following brief outline 
of his life is a tribute to his memory given by her 
who was his faithful helpmate for many years 
and who since his death has continued to reside 
upon the old homestead. 

The Van Keuren family was established in New 
Amsterdam during the days of its settlement by 
the Dutch, and from that time to this it has had 
representatives among the thrifty and prominent 
residents of New York. Our subject's grandfa- 
ther, Capt. Henry Van Keuren, participated in 
the memorable engagement at Ft. Montgomery, 
and won his title by gallantry in war. James and 
Margaret were the only children of Henry and 
Nancy (Sutter) Van Keuren, and both were born 
in the town of Montgomery, the former June 22, 
1809. 

Arriving at man's estate, the subject of this 
sketch established domestic ties, being united in 
marriage with Miss Eunice W. Crawford, who 
was born in the town of New Windsor, Orange 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County, December 6. 1808. She was a daughter 
of Samuel and Jane (Burnet) Crawford, and a 
granddaughter of Francis Crawford, one of the 
prominent early residents of Newburgh. The 
Crawford family was niunbered among the early 
settlers of the county, in the history of which its 
members have been influential. The only child 
of Dr. and Mrs. ^'an Keuren is Francis C, a 
farmer now living in New Jersey. 

In youth the Doctor enjoyed excellent educa- 
cational advantages. For some j'ears he was a 
student in Montgomery Academy, from w-hich he 
w'as graduated. He then entered Jefferson Med- 
ical College of Philadelphia, remaining in that 
institution until his graduation in 1829. At once 
after completing his medical studies he returned 
to Orange County and settled upon the farm in 
the town of New Windsor where the succeeding 
years of his life were busily and u.sefully spent in 
relieving the physical ailments of the people and 
in administering to the comfort of his fellow- 
meu. His was an honorable, a noble existence, 
and there were many who mourned his death as 
a personal loss. He passed away November 6, 
1868, and was buried in the Washington ville 
Cemeter)-, near the scenes endeared to him by the 
associations of a life time. 

All enterprises that had for their object the 
good of his county or locality, or the increase of 
its material wealth, always found in Dr. Van 
Keuren an advocate and friend, ready to give them 
substantial aid, and that, too, without hoping to 
reap any direct personal advantage. He was a 
man of firm religious faith, a devoted member of 
the Presbyterian Church and an Elder in the con- 
gregation to which he belonged. Fortunate in 
his undertakings, he nevertheless had the great- 
est .sympathy for those who were less successful, 
and was as liberal-hearted as he was kind and 
considerate. 

Since the death of her hu.sband Mrs. Van 
Keuren has continued to live on the old home- 
stead, where sixtj-four years of her life have 
been passed. Associated with the recollections 
of her early married life and of her maturer 
years, the place naturally has a value in her eyes 
even beyond its intrinsic worth. Here, in the 



midst of many kind friends who delight in minis- 
tering to her comfort, she is quietly passing the 
twilight of her life, waiting for the .summons 
which will call her from earth to the glorious 
realit\- of heaven and to a happy reunion with 
him whose faithful wife she was until death did 
them part. 



K: 



LBERT H. F. SEEGER is one of the most 
successful attorneys, not only in Newburgh, 
but in Orange County, and is an exceeding- 
ly popular member of the Bar. He is a native of 
German}', his birth having occurred in Stuttgart, 
Wurtemberg, February 20, 1859, but since he 
was two 3'ears of age he has resided in the United 
States, and is one of our loyal and most patriotic 
citizens. 

The paternal grandfather of our .subject, Louis 
Seeger, was a practicing physician in Germany, 
but died in the beginning of his professional ca- 
reer. John, the father of the gentleman whose 
name heads this .sketch, was a cabinet-maker by 
trade, and belonged to a sharpshooter corps in 
Germany. In i86i he came to the United States 
and engaged at his trade in Goshen, N. Y., six 
years later coming to Newburgh, Here for a 
time he continued as a cabinet-maker and then 
became a stair-builder for Charles Volckmer. His 
death occurred in 1888, when he had reached the 
age of fifty-seven years. In his religious faith he 
was a Lutheran. His wife, who was a Miss Lou- 
ise Hammer before her marriage, was born in 
Laufen, on the Neckar, Germany, and is still liv- 
ing, her home being in Newburgh. One of her six 
children has passed from this life and our subject 
is the eldest of the famih-. 

Mr. Seeger was reared mainly in Newburgh, 
where he attended the public schools, and in 1875, 
when in his seventeenth \ear, graduated from the 
Free Academy. Soon afterwards he entered the 
law office of Col. William D. Dickey, with whom 
he pursued his studies until being admitted to the 
Bar, in May, 1880. For the next .six years he 
practiced in partnership with his former precept- 
or, gaining experience in practical wa}'s, and fi- 
nallv, in 1886, .started out alone. For three years 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



531 



he was a member of the firm of McCroskerj- & 
Seeger, but is now once more alone, with his 
business office in the Brewster Building. He 
conducts a general law practice and frequently 
appears before the local courts. His first impor- 
tant criminal case was that of the people versus 
John M. Pollock. His client had been convicted 
of grand larcenj-, but no stay could be had in the 
proceedings and he had commenced serving a term 
of five 3ears. Mr. Seeger took the case to the 
Supreme Court, which reversed the decision, 
and later all the indictments were set aside. One 
of his most celebrated civil cases was that of 
Quackenbush versus ex-Senator Richardson, the 
action being for malicious prosecution. The 
plaintiff, who was a debtor of the defendant, on 
account of the illness of his wife, left the state 
with her, the impression being that he had ab- 
sconded. The Senator had liim arrested. Mr. 
Seeger procured the plaintiff's release and had a 
clear case against the senator. He prosecuted 
him forthwith and obtained a judgment of $3,000, 
the largest sum ever realized in a similar case in 
this county. 

In 1885 the marriage of Mr. Seeger and Miss 
May E. Riker, a native of Chester, took place at 
the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. H. M. Riker, 
of Newburgh. They have had born to them one 
sou. Mr. Seeger is a member of Hudson River 
Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M., and also belongs to 
the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is an active 
and strong Republican. 

■"DWARD T. McENANY. This enterpris- 
'y iiig and popular gentleman is Chief Clerk of 
_„ the Cadet Quartermaster's Department of the 
Military Academy at West Point. He was born 
in this city, February 22, 1853, and is the son of 
Thomas McEnany, a native of Belfast, Ireland. 
The father served as a soldier in the English 
army under Havelock, and his brother Edward 
was also a soldier in the .same regiment. They 
served in the East Indies for ten years, Thomas 
being Sergeant of his company. On being hon- 
orably discharged, the brothers immediately em- 



barked for America, setting .sail for the New 
World in 1850. They entered the service of the 
United States army, the father of our subject 
being under George B. MacClellan. He was 
stationed at West Point until 1857, when he 
went to Ft. Sumter, S. C, and remained for 
two 3-ears. Afterward he was sent with his com- 
pany to California, and after remaining on the 
Pacific Coast for two years was honorably dis- 
charged, returning thence to West Point. Set- 
tling down to civil life, he aided in building Ft. 
Clinton. In 1862, however, on the outbreak of 
the Civil War, he enlisted in a detachment of ar- 
tillery as First Sergeant. On the expiration of 
his term of three years, he again offered his serv- 
ices to the Government, and was retained for 
five years more. He then became Corporal of 
Companj' A, United States Engineer Corps, and 
was later promoted to be Sergeant. In Febru- 
ary, 1885, he was retired, having served as a sol- 
dier in both the English and American armies 
for a period of forty-five years. His death oc- 
curred February 21, 1894, when advanced in 
years. 

Our subject's mother, Mrs. Margaret (Grant) 
McEnany, was a native of County Antrim, Ire- 
land, and died in 1884. She was a member of the 
Methodi.st Episcopal Church, and active in all 
good works of that denomination. Her family 
consisted of eight sons and daughters, of whom 
our subject was the second-born. Robert J. is 
Chief Clerk of the Quartermaster's Department in 
the Department of Columbia, Washington; Will- 
iam H. also makes his home in that state, and is 
engaged in the fruit business; James B. is a resi- 
dent of Newburgh; Eva M. lives in Philadelphia, 
Pa., which city is also the home of Lillie J., 
Grant and Susan. 

The subject of this sketch entered Mt. Pleas- 
ant Militarj- Academy at Sing Sing in 1870, and 
was graduated from that institution in the Class 
of '74. He then spent a short time in New 
York City, and August 10, 1874, became a 
clerk in the Cadet Quartermaster's Department of 
the Military Academy at West Point. In 1885 
he was commissioned Chief Clerk, and has ac- 
ceptably filled the position ever since. 



532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. McEnaiiy was married in this cit}-, De- 
cember 17, 1879, to Miss Clara Parry, who was 
born in Highland. Her parents were Elwood 
and Lettie ( Nelson 1 Parry, natives of Orange 
County, the former a miller at Highland Falls. 
To our subject and his wife there have been born 
four children, namely: Elwood P., Thomas Ed- 
ward, Robert Nelson and Guy Grant. Mrs. Mc- 
Enany is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and conscientiously lives up to what she believes 
to be right. In politics our subject affiliates 
with the Democratic part}-, and in social affairs is 
a Knight of Honor. 



— ♦>K«{®)®^»<«- 



KWARD S. DENTON is one of the far- 
^ seeing and intelligent business men of West 
^ Point, which fact is shown by the success 
which has crowned his efforts, for he is the pro- 
prietor of the only general merchandising estab- 
lishment in the city, and is also prominent in both 
.social and commercial circles. He is a man of 
much practical talent and financial ability, and by 
judicioush- investing his money has become the 
owner of valuable propert}-. 

Our subject was born in May, 1851, in Highland 
Falls, and is the son of James Denton, ^Iso a resi- 
dent of this city. His grandfather, who also bore 
the name of James, was born in Newburgh, but 
at the time of his death, which occurred in early 
life, was a citizen of West Point. Hugh Mc- 
Clellan, of West Point, the great-grandfather, 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

James Denton, Jr., the father of our subject, 
was a merchant at Highland Falls for many years, 
and there his death occurred, in July, 1894, when 
.seventy-two years of age. He was a Mason so- 
cially, and in politics affiliated with the Repub- 
lican party. For many years he was an active 
worker in the Methodist Church. 

Our subject's mother was formerly Lavina 
Rundell, a native of Poughkeep,sie, this state, and 
the daughter of Jesse Rundell, who.se birth oc- 
curred in Litchfield Countv, Conn. In that state 



his father, John Rundell, was born, and there he 
enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He was one 
of the fifteen men killed at the battle of Stony 
Point, where he was buried. Jesse Rundell, the 
maternal grandfather of our subject, was a school 
teacher in Poughkeepsie, where he was living at 
the time of his death. Mrs. Denton is still living 
and makes her home in Highland Falls, in which 
place she has resided for many years. She be- 
came the mother of four children, one of whom is 
deceased. Edward S. was the eldest of the fam- 
ily. He was reared to mature years in Highland 
Falls, obtaining his education in the public and 
private schools of that place and West Point. 

In 1876 our subject established his general 
merchandise business at this place, the build- 
ing which he occupies being 45 x 60 feet in size. 
The first floor is devoted to the sale of all those 
articles found in a first-class establishment of the 
kind, including cut glass, silver, etc., and he 
makes a specialty of art china. The second floor 
of the building is fitted up as a fine restaurant. 
Mr. Denton imports his goods direct from the 
cities of the Old World, and his trade, which is 
one of the largest in the county, extends to points 
all over the state. A very active and public-spir- 
ited man, he is an influence for much good in his 
city, his every deed and act being guided by the 
highest principles of truth, integrity and moral- 
ity. He is a firm believer in the political doc- 
trines of the Republican party, casting his vote 
with that party. He is a member of the Board 
of Managers of the Church Publishing Society of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. 



NUGH McGUIGAN is one of the pro.sperous 
citizens of Newburgh, where he is engaged 
in the manufacture of fine office and bar fix- 
tures. Commencing his business career a poor 
boy without means, he has risen gradually to his 
present po.sition and fortune. He is thoroughly 
conscientious in conducting his afiairs, and his 
cu.stomers are invariably numbered among his 
friends. 

Mr. McGuigan was born June 16, 1854, in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



533 



County Antrim, Ireland, where also his father, 
Robert, and his grandfather, Hugh, were born. 
In early life the father was a bleacher, but later 
abandoned that business in order to engage in 
fanning. He married Miss Bridget Mullan, 
whose father was Peter Mullan. Eleven children 
were included in the parental family, all of whom 
grew to mature years, and three sons and two 
daughters are now living, all of them, with the 
exception of Lizzie, residing in this city. 

Our subject was educated in his native isle, 
and in 1873 came to America on board the steam- 
er "Adriania." On landing in New York City 
he made his way almost immediately to New- 
burgh, where until the fall of 1875 he was en- 
gaged as a carpenter. He then returned to the 
Emerald Isle, but very soon went to Scotland, 
and in the city of Glasgow apprenticed himself to 
a .ship-joiner in order to learn the busiiiess. He 
proved a very apt pupil, and six months after he 
entered the shop was given charge of his depart- 
ment. After remaining there until 1879, he went 
to sea as assistant joiner on board the "Ancho- 
ria." In twelve months he made nine trips 
across the Atlantic, and finally landed in Florida, 
where he lived until 1881, when he again came to 
Newburgh, and for the following year engaged to 
work for his brother-in-law, Henry Towers. Later 
he was employed in Whitehill's foundry, and 
a few months subsequently went to work again 
for Mr. Towers. From that time on until 1883, 
he worked for various parties. His marriage oc- 
curred that 5'ear, and he also engaged in business 
for himself the same year. Three years later he 
erected three stores and two residences, with fifty - 
feet frontage, in one of which he runs a bar. He 
has also done much contracting and building in 
the city, erecting some of the best residences in 
Newburgh. In 1893 ^^r. McGuigan began the 
manufacture of office and bar fixtures, and has a 
well equipped shop in the reaf of his stores. He 
manufactured the fixtures used by Thomas Ryan, 
John Fisher, Mr. Gregory and Peter McCoy, 
those in the Howland Hotel at Fishkill, and 
numerous others. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary 
Hemmington, who was born in Count>- Cork, Ire- 



land, took place in Newburgh, November 28, 
1883. To them has been granted a family of 
three children, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. They 
are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 
and Mr. McGuigan belongs to the Catholic Be- 
nevolent Legion, of which he is a charter mem- 
ber, and also to the order of Foresters, in which 
body he is an official. He is now serving on the 
Executive Committee of the Liquor Dealers' As- 
sociation, and belongs to Chapman Steamer No. i . 
A stanch Democrat in politics, he is quite promi- 
nent in the councils of his chosen party. 



I EWIS M. SMITH, one of the most promi- 

I I nent and influential business men of New- 
LJ burgh, is a native of this state, born at Mon- 

ticello, Sullivan County, on the 8th of January, 
1833, and is a son of J. Warren and Delia (Bene- 
dict) Smith. His grandfather, Nehemiah Smith, 
was born in Putnam County, N. Y., and about 
1793 became one of the pioneers of Sullivan 
Count3^ removing there when the only buildings 
to be found were log cabins, and the .settlers had 
to blaze their way through the forest in order that 
they might find their way home. The Smith fam- 
ily is an old and honored one of the Empire State, 
where many of its members have become influen- 
tial citizens. The birth of the father of our sub- 
ject also occurred near Monticello, and he was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, which he con- 
tinued to follow until 1837, when he removed to 
Hudson, N. Y. In that city he engaged as a hat- 
ter and furrier until his death, in 1846, at the age 
of forty-two years. He there served as Alder- 
man, and was one of the leaders of the Democratic 
party. Mrs. Smith was born in Norwalk, Conn., 
in 1800, and was a daughter of Aaron Benedict, 
who became a leading farmer of the town of 
Thompson, Sullivan County, N. Y. She spent 
her last days in the home of our subject, where 
her death occurred in 1886, and her remains now 
lie buried in Woodlawn Cemetery of Newburgh. 
She was a faithful member of the Presbvterian 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Church. In the family were three children who 
grew to an adult age, and our subject now lias a 
sister living, Julia, Mrs. Arkills, who resides near 
Otisville, Orange Countj-. 

When six years of age Mr. Smith, whose name 
heads this record, removed with his parents to 
Hud.son, where he attended the public schools and 
Hudson Acadeni)-. On the death of the father 
the family returned to Monticello, where our sub- 
ject remained until July 15, 1848, when he came 
to Newburgh and found employment as a clerk 
in the hardware store of James S. Brown, with 
whom he remained until 1863. During this time, 
however, in 1855, he had established a sash and 
blind factor}- and a planing-mill, which for five 
years he conducted alone, when William H. Wood 
was admitted to partnership, the firm becoming 
L. M. Smith & Co. In 1863 they engaged in the 
manufacture of box and cattle cars for the At- 
lantic & Great Western Railroad Company, now 
the New York, Peimsylvania & Ohio Railroad, 
carrying on this business for three years, when 
the plant was destroyed b}- fire. The firm then 
purchased the business of James S. Brown, but 
on the ist of August, 1 871, our subject sold his 
interest. 

In 1869 Mr. Smith had purchased an interest in 
the firm of Chadborn, Coldwell & Co., in the 
manufacture of lawn-mowers, then in its infancj'. 
On the 1st of January, 1870, a stock company was 
organized, of which he was elected Treasurer, 
which position he still retains. He became inter- 
ested in the Newburgh Steam Engine Works 
September i, 1870, and the firm was known as 
Whitehill, Smith & Co., under which name it 
continued operations for twentj- years, when, in 
1890, it was absorbed by a corporation known as 
the Whitehill Engine and Pictet Ice Machine Com- 
pany, with Mr. Smith as Treasurer. The lawn- 
mower business, however, has received his special 
attention, and from a small beginning he has been 
instrumental in making it one of the largest in- 
dustries of its kind in this or any other country. 

On the 6th of September, 1855, Mr. Smith was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Martin, a 
daughter of Isaac Martin, and to them six sons 
have been born. Lewis M., Jr., is now connected 



with the Chadborn & Coldwell Manufacturing 
Company; Edwin T. is Secretary of the same 
company: Henn,- M. is Vice-President of the Law- 
son Hardware Company; George K., a graduate 
of Colgate University, of Hamilton, N. Y., is at 
home; and William L. and Nathaniel D. are also 
under the parental roof 

Although a very busy man, Mr. Smith still 
finds time to give attention to matters connected 
with the welfare of Newburgh, and takes more 
than a passing interest in the duties devolving 
upon a good citizen. He was Cit}' Treasurer in 
1869-70, a Commissioner of the Water Board in 
1875-76, and a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion from 188 1 to i88g, for five years of which 
time he served as its President. During his term 
of service the new academy was erected, and he 
presided both at the farewell to the old academy 
and at the dedication of the new. For thirty 
3-ears Mr. Smith has been a Trustee of the First 
Baptist Church of Newburgh, and also a member 
of the Standing Committee. He was Superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school for nineteen years; was 
President of the Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation in 1888 and 1890; and for a number of years 
has been one of its Directors. His connection 
with the fire department commenced with his 
joining Washington Engine Company No. 4 in 
early life, and he has been Treasurer of the New- 
burgh Fire Department Fund for twenty-two 
years, which office he is still holding. He is also 
President of C. M. Leonard Council, Order of 
American Firemen. He was one of the incorpor- 
ators and has ever since been a Trustee of Wood- 
lawn Cemetery, and was its first Treasurer. He 
is also a Director of the Highland National Bank, 
and a Trustee of Washington's Headquarters. 

On the 17th of April, 1863, Mr. Smith was made 
a Master Mason in Newburgh Lodge No. 309, 
F. & A. M., and is also a member of the chapter 
and commandery, in all of which bodies he has 
held various offices. In political opinions he sides 
with the Democrats and is an important member 
of that party. He has .several times been Chair- 
man of the County Committee, and has often 
been solicited to permit his name to be used for 
various local offices, but with few exceptions he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



535 



has declined. By his social, genial manner Mr. 
Smith wins many friends, and by all who know 
him he is held in the highest respect and confi- 
dence. 



IILLIAM O. MAILLER, Vice-President of 
the Quassaick National Bank, and senior 
member of the firm of William O. Mailler 
^: Co., wholesale grocers, is a native oi New- 
Ijurgh, born May 26, 1831. The first representa- 
tive of the Mailler family in this country was 
John Mailler, who emigrated from Scotland a few 
years after the American Revolution, and after 
residing for a few years in New York and West- 
chester County, settled permanently in the town 
of Cornwall. His son Bartholomew married 
Julia, daughter of Samuel Ketcham, of Cornwall, 
and had one child, William Ketcham Mailler, who 
was born in Cornwall on the Hudson, August 17, 
1805. 

William K. Mailler, the father of our subject, 
came to Newburgh at the age of eighteen, and 
entered the employ of Francis Crawford & Co. 
Soon after entering the employ of this firm he was 
admitted to partnership, and from that time until 
i860 was in reality the head of the firm. He was 
a man of strict integrity, plain and unassuming, 
liberal in his charities, kind in the discharge of 
his parental duties and cheerful in the social 
circle. He married, June i, 1830, Hannah P., 
daughter of Jacob Oakley, of Coldenham, N. Y. 
Her father was born in the town of Goshen, N. Y. , 
and was of English descent, his parents, Jacob 
and Susanna Oakley, emigrating from their na- 
tive country at an early day. Mrs. Mailler was 
the eldest of a family of ten children. By her 
marriage she became the mother of three chil- 
dren who grew to maturity: William O.; Mary 
H., who married M. C. Belknapp, and is now de- 
ceased; and John D. 

Our subject has always been a resident of his 
native city, and since reaching manhood has been 
an active and influential bu.siness man. In 1858 
he was taken into partnership with his father in 



the wholesale grocery trade, and in i860 became 
the sole proprietor. In 1859 he married Antoin- 
ette W. Conkling, who was born in Morristown, 
N. J., and they have two children. Edward, a 
graduate of Newburgh Academy, who is now as- 
sisting his father in business here; and Mary, 
now Mrs. J. S. Radway, residing at No. 129 
Montgomery Street, New York City. 

As has already been stated, Mr. Mailler has al- 
ways been a practical buisiness man. He was in- 
deed reared to the business, the firm of which his 
father was a member being one of the oldest and 
the leading firm of Newburgh. The old firm of 
Francis Crawford & Co. underwent many changes 
in its organization, and from the time that Will- 
iam K. Mailler was admitted to partnership in 
1827, there has always been a representative of 
the Mailler family in it. The business had its 
beginning in 1791, when Hugh \A'alsh purchased 
the northeast corner of Water and Third Streets, 
where he built a dock and storehouse for a gen- 
eral merchandising and freighting business. He 
ran a sloop from Newburgh to New York and Al- 
bany, and had a large trade with the farmers of 
the surrounding country. The transportation 
business was conducted entirely in a sloop until 
1830, when a half-interest was purchased in the 
steamer "Baltimore," the first steamboat in the 
Newburgh trade. In 1831 Crawford & Co. be- 
came sole proprietors of the boat, and continued 
to run the same on the Newburgh and New York 
line until 1835. In the mean time, in 1833, the 
firm had constructed another steamer, the "Wa.sh- 
ington." The freighting business was continued 
until 1873, when the barge "Newburgh" and a 
full cargo of freight and also their storehou.se, 
etc. , were destroyed by fire, and the firm retired 
from the freighting busine.ss. The storehouse 
was immediately rebuilt, and since then the firm, 
now composed of William O. and John D. Mail- 
ler, has been principally engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery trade. Their place of business is at 
the foot of Third Street, where they own two 
hundred and twelve feet on Front Street, and ex- 
tending back to the Hudson River. The build- 
ing is four stories in height, besides the base- 
ment. The\- have a dock in the rear, and own a 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



half-interest in the steamer "Emeline," which 
the}' run as a passenger and freight boat between 
Haverstraw and New burgh. 

In addition to his business as wholesale grocer, 
Mr. Mailler is Vice-President of the Quassaick 
National Bank, with which he has been connect- 
ed for man}- years, and of which he is now the 
oldest Director. He is also a Director in the 
Newburgh Savings Bank, in which capacity he 
has served for many years, and is now probably 
the oldest Director connected with that bank. 
His father was one of the incorporators and one 
of the first Directors of the Newburgh Savings 
Bank, and also of the Quassaick National Bank. 
vSocially Mr. Mailler is a member of Hudson Riv- 
er Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M., and has ever 
taken an active interest in that fraternity. He is 
a charter member of the Board of Trade of New- 
burgh, and a stockholder in the Palatine Hotel 
Company. In his younger days he was connect- 
ed with Lawson Hose Company No. 3, of the 
Newburgh Fire Department. Politically he is a 
Republican, and religiously he is connected with 
the First Presbyterian Church, being one of its 
Trustees and also one of its most active and 
liberal members. A successful business man, 
hone.st and upright in all his dealings, no man 
in the city of Newburgh .stands higher in the 
estimation of its people than does the .subject of 
this sketch. 



EHARLES E. HUGHES is a member of the 
firm of Kernaghan & Hughes, who transact 
the most extensive business in gravel-roof- 
ing in the city of Newburgh. He is one of the 
native sons of Orange County, his birth having 
occurred in Cornwall, April 10, 1853, and nearly 
his entire life has been passed in this vicinity, in 
the progress of which he takes an interested part. 
When he was a lad of about twelve years he com- 
menced to make his own way in the world, and 
has certainly succeeded to a flattering degree, 
owing to his natural business talents and well di- 
rected energy. 

The grandfather of the above-named gentleman. 



James Hughes, operated a farm in Ulster County 
for many years. His son William, father of our 
subject, was born in that county. August 31, 
1816. On arriving at maturity he engaged in 
teaming in the village of Cornwall, and then re- 
moved to Craigsville. For some years prior to 
his demi.se, which occurred April 14, 1890, when 
he had passed his seventy-third birthday, he 
served as Constable, having been elected on the 
Republican ticket. His wife, Sarah M. Rhoads, 
as she was in her girlhood, was born in Ulster 
Count}' and died in Craigsville, June 27, 1870, 
when in her fifty-sixth year. Of their fourteen 
children, three died in infancy, and only five sur- 
vive. Four sons were in the Civil War, Eli and 
Cornelius being members of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Regiment. The 
former, who belonged to Company G, under com- 
mand of Colonel Weygant, was wounded at Chan- 
cellor.sville, and was captured by the enemy. 
His injuries necessitated two amputations of the 
leg below the knee, resulting in his death in 
Andersonviile, May 11, 1862. Cornelius, also a 
member of Company G, was likewise wounded 
at Chancellorsville, but managed to escape capt- 
ure, and is now a veterinary surgeon at Port 
Jervis, N. Y. James, who died in that city in 
1891, enlisted for several terms of service in the 
war and sustained injuries to his left arm in one 
engagement. John, a resident of Terre Haute, 
Ind., served from the beginning to the end of the 
war, in the Fifty-sixth New York Infantr}'. 

C. li. Hughes was the youngest son in his fa- 
ther's family, and grew up in Craigsville and in 
Bloomintj Grove. His educational advantages 
were limited, as he was a mere boy when he com- 
menced working in a cotton factory. Afterwards 
he was employed on a farm for a few years, and 
then worked in the hub factory at Craigsville, 
running the business for a year, when he came to 
Newburgh. He was variously employed for two 
or three years, and later resumed farming near 
Rossville for some two years. 

In 1875 Mr. Hughes married Eunice Weygant, 
who was born near Rossville, and whose father, 
Kel-sey Weygant, was one of the leading farmers 
of that section. Mr. Hughes continued to culti- 




JOSEPH V. JdRIJAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



vate his farm for three years, but in 1878 decided 
to settle in Newburgh, where he has since made 
his home. About tliat time he embarked in his 
present business, working for others until 1891, 
when he entered into partnership with H. L,- 
Patterson, under the firm name of Patterson & 
Hughes. Two j-ears later this connection was 
dissolved b}- mutual consent, and the present 
style is Kernaghan & Hughes. Our subject has 
placed gravel roof on the well known Kilmer Wire 
Works, the Higginson Pla.ster Works, the New- 
burgh Steam Mills, Taylor's Woolen-mills, the 
Newburgh Electric-light and Power House, the 
Adams & Bishop Paper-mill (the last four by 
contract), many of the leading busine.ss blocks, 
and nearly all of the fire companies' houses in the 
city. 

Our subject owns two substantial residences at 
Nos. 84 and 86 Carson Avenue. Socially he is a 
member of Acme Lodge No. 469, L O. O. F., 
and has passed all the chairs in Muchattoes Tribe 
of Red Men. His political affiliations are with 
the Republican party. Both he and his estimable 
wife are valued members of Trinity Methodist 
Epi.scopal Church, and always take an active part 
in religious and benevolent enterprises. 



(^ 



L*7- 






^ 



30SEPH V. JORDAN, one of the public- 
spirited citizens of Newburgh, is connected 
with many of her leading entei prises and in- 
du.stries and is a Director in The National Bank 
of Newburgh. For a number of years he has 
been engaged in the business of selling dairy 
products in wholesale quantities, and commands 
a larger trade than any other man in his line in 
this vicinity. He has an office at No. i Front 
Street, and for three years has had a branch office 
at No. 157 Court Street, Brooklyn. He handles 
the products of six or seven creameries in this 
localitj', besides others elsewhere. 

The paternal grandfather of the above gentle- 
man, John Jordan, was a farmer by occupation 
and died in this cotnitv when he was but thirtv- 



three years of age. His son, Licrease Crosby, 
father of J. V. Jordan, was born in Wallkill, and 
re.sided on his father's old homestead until his 
death, which occurred in 1879, he then being 
about sixty-four years of age. In politics he was 
a Republican, and religiously was identified with 
the Reformed Dutch denomination. His wife, 
who was formerly Miss Susan T. Losey, was born 
in the town of Crawford, this county, and is now 
living in Boston. Of her eight children all but 
two survive. 

J. V. Jordan, who is next to the youngest of 
his father's family, was born January 6, 1856, on 
the old farm in the town of Wallkill, and there 
passed his boyhood. He received a good general 
education, graduating from Wallkill Academy 
when in his seventeenth year, after which he 
attended Eastman's Bu.siness College at Pough- 
keepsie, from which celebrated institution he also 
graduated. After teaching .school for a few terms 
in Hamptonburg, the young man began his 
business career near Deckertown, Sussex County, 
N. J., there dealing in wholesale dairy products 
for two years. In 1879 he located in Montgom- 
ery, Orange County, where he engaged in the 
same business until 1882, when he permanently 
settled in Newburgh. For .some time he was in- 
terested in transportation, in partnership with 
Capt. Walter Brett, of Fishkill Landing, running 
the steamer "James T. Brett," which made daily 
trips for three years between Newburgh and 
New York. Mr. Jordan ships goods extensively 
over the Erie Railroad, besides shipping from 
several points on the New York & New England 
and the West Shore Railroads, and by the Rams- 
dells' boats. Since 1892 he has been a Director 
in The Newburgh National Bank, and is- also a 
Director of the Palatine Hotel Company. He is 
a member of the Board of Trade and at present is 
Chairman of the Finance Committee. Of late 
years he has been connected with the Newburgh 
Electric-light Company, is a Director in the Cold- 
well Lawn-mower Company, and is interested in 
other enterprises. He is a Knight-Templar Ma- 
son and belongs to the Mecca Temple Shrine of 
New York City. Politically he is a supporter of 
the Republican ]>arty. 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1882 Mr. Jordan married, in Montgomery, 
Anna D. Leeper, who was born in Newburgh. 
They have four children, namely: Edith L., Mary 
T. , Henry C. and Frances, who are all at home. 
The family residence is a commodious and pleas- 
ant one, situated on Grand Avenue, in the loveli- 
est part of the cit}-. Mrs. Jordan's father, Col. Jo- 
seph M. Leeper, served in the Union army during 
the Civil War, enlisting from Kentucky, and is 
now a practicing attorney. His brother, Col. 
Bartram Leeper, won his title and distinction in 
the war as a member of General Grant's .staff. 



^= 



=+ 



IILLIAM R. BROOKS. Within the cor- 
porate limits of Washingtonville lies a fine- 
ly improved farm of one hundred and ten 
acres, devoted to general farm and dairy purposes. 
A large and substantial residence adorns the 
place, and there are also commodious barns and 
other outbuildings for the shelter of stock and 
storage of grain. Through a good system ot 
fencing, the land is divided and subdivided into 
fields and pa.stures, and the neat appearance of 
the place indicates that the owner is a man of 
thrift and energy. 

This farm, which lies in the eastern part of the 
village, has been in the possession of the Brooks 
family for three generations. The father of our 
subject, Fletcher Brooks, came here with his par- 
ents at the age of three years, and continued to 
make it his home until his death, at the age of 
seventy-seven. His life-long occupation was that 
of a farmer, in which, while not gaining wealth, 
he was successful and accumulated a comfortable 
competency. He pas.sed his life quietly and un- 
eventfully, and passed from earth with a record 
as a good man, a conscientious citizen and a kind 
father. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah 
E. Welling, and was a native of the town of War- 
wick; .she died on the old homestead when fifty- 
six years old. 

In the famil\- of Fletcher and Sarah E. Brooks 
there were four children, three sons and one 



daughter, namely: Thomas W., who resides with 
our subject; Virginia, who married David Fitz- 
gerald and lives near the old homestead; Edward, 
also a resident of Blooming Grove Town; and 
William. The last-named was born on the place 
where he now resides, the date of his birth being 
August 29, 1854. Between the years of six and 
fourteen he was a student in the neighboring dis- 
trict schools, after which for two years he was in 
school at New York City, thus obtaining a fair 
education. Since his return from New York he 
has continued to make his home on the farm 
which he now owns and operates. 

Interested in local politics, Mr. Brooks gives 
his allegiance to the Republican party, and at the 
organization of the village he was elected one of 
its Trustees, which position he now holds. In 
his social relations he is connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a regular 
attendant at the services of the First Presbyterian 
Church, of which he is a member. As a citizen 
he is warmly in sympathy with all projects for 
the benefit of the people or the progress of the 
town and the development of its material inter- 
ests. 



•»>*^« 



!;+c;»- 



ROBERT S. STRONG is representative in 
Newburgh of the Howard & Childs Brew- 
ery of New York City. He became con- 
nected with this company in 1883, being their 
only agent here at the time, and he has suc- 
cessfully gained for them a large trade, not only 
here, but at various points along the river, es- 
tablishing branches at Fishkill Landing and at 
Poughkeepsie. For many years he has been an 
active worker in the Republican party. For 
.seven years he was Inspector of Elections, was 
Chairman of the Ward Committee for .several 
years, and has been a delegate to county conven- 
tions on numerous occasions. In 1890 he was 
appointed Sewer Inspector, serving as such until 
the office was abolished. 

Mr. Strong was born Jaiuiary i, i860, and is 
a son of Simon and Esther (Smith ) Strong, both 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



541 



natives of Ireland. The former was born in 
County Cavan and came to America in his joiith, 
first engaging in farming, and afterward running 
a grocer}- at the corner of Ann and Liberty 
Streets, Newburgh. He was an active member 
of the Building Committee of the Church of the 
Good Shepherd. The parents were married in 
Newburgh, July 19, 1848, and Mrs. Strong, who 
makes her home in this citj', is a member of the 
Episcopal Church. She, in company with seven 
brothers and sisters, came to the United States 
about 1842. Of her eight children, four only are 
living. George W. is a grocer well known in 
Newburgh; John J. is foreman in the pattern de- 
partment of the White Hill Engine Company; 
and Maggie E. is the wife of Robert J. Hill, of 
this city. 

Our subject was reared in Newburgh, and at- 
tended the public schools until he was about fifteen 
years old. His father had been engaged in the 
teaming business, and the young man took charge 
of the same until 1883. At present he has an of- 
fice on Front Street, at the foot of Carpenter, 
and storehouse for his goods in the Ramsdell 
Transportation Company Store at the foot of 
Carpenter Street. The refrigerators have a ca- 
pacity of three carloads, the same being shipped 
by rail here on a siding from the Erie Road, and 
in the summer boats are used as a means of 
transportation. Mr. Strong has the agency for 
the whole of Orange County, and keeps three 
wagons to deliver goods. 

Mr. Strong is also one of the founders of Glen- 
wood Park, a delightful summer resort in the 
suburbs of Newburgh, and one of the most pleas- 
ing and picturesque spots of Orange County. 
Its attractions are becoming more widely known 
each year, and it is rapidly increasing in popu- 
larity. Families resort to it for pleasure picnics 
and restful quiet. There are twenty-one acres 
of woods, and a large lake is in anticipation. 
Many improvements have been made in the park 
and others are contemplated. The dancing pavil- 
ion is 80x65 feet in dimen.sions, with edge-grain 
Georgia pine flooring, two-inch face, and a steel 
roof covering over the pavilion, which is lofty 
and is illuminated by electric lights, making it 



the finest in this portion of the country. The 
association was formed by Robert S. Strong, 
Henr>- B. Lawson and John H. Williams, Mr. 
Strong acting as President. 

Since 1881 Mr. Strong has been an active mem- 
ber of C. M. Leonard Council No. 11, O. A. F., 
and since 1882 he has been connected with the 
Brewster Hook and Ladder Company. Socially 
he is identified with the Foresters and the Benev- 
olent and Protective Order of Elks. 



EALEB MERRITT bears the distinction of 
being one of the oldest merchants in New- 
burgh, and is the owner of a large establish- 
ment devoted to the sale of house-furnishing 
goods, hot-air furnaces, etc. He was born in Marl- 
borough, Ul.ster County, this state, in 1817, and 
is descended from George Merritt and Glorianna 
Purdy, who came to the town of Newburgh in 
1748, in company with the Purdy and Fowler 
families, all of whom were related by marriage. 
Thirteen children^ the fruits of this marriage, 
came with them, and their direct and collateral 
descendants have been identified with the historj- 
and development of the town and city almost from 
the time of their founding. His lineal descent is 
from Josiah, son of Underbill, the son of Hum- 
phrey, the son of George, the son of John, Sr. , 
who came from England in or about 1680, and 
settled in Rye, Westchester County. The home- 
stead of the family at Middle Hope was purchased 
by Humphrey Merritt in 1748. 

Our subject's father, Josiah Merritt, was a na- 
tive of Middle Hope, this county, and the grand- 
father. Underbill Merritt, was born in Westchester 
County. After attaining mature years the latter 
came to Orange County, engaging in the harness 
busine.ss, which he had learned. His son, the 
father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, 
and also taught .school successfully for man}- 
years. 

Our subject's mother, who was known former- 
ly as Catherine Fowler, was the daughter of Jo- 
seph Fowler, a farmer. To them were born ten 
children, of whom three are now living. Our 



542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subject was the eldest of the family. In 1825, 
when a lad of eight years, he came to this county 
and made his home with Gilbert Holmes until 
attaining his fifteenth year. In 1833 he came to 
Newburgh, where he apprenticed himself to Rob- 
ert Philps, a tinsmith, working for him for five 
and a-half years before completing his apprentice- 
ship. He continued in Mr. Philps' employ, how- 
ever, until 1853, when he engaged in business 
for himself in this city, where for a period of over 
forty years he has continued without interruption. 
His building is 27x85 feet in dimensions and is 
located on Water Street. He does a general job- 
bing business in tin and sheet-iron roofing, and 
carries a complete line of ranges, furnaces, etc., 
besides a good stock of household goods. As a 
business man he is shrewd and far-seeing, and by 
conducting his affairs in an honest and straight- 
forward manner, has met with success in all his 
undertakings. His residence is located at No. 12 
Montgomer}' Street, where he has made his home 
for some forty jears. 

Mr. Merritt was married in Newburgh, July 
14, 1845, to Miss Elsie, daughter of John Bolton, 
a farmer of this localitj-. She departed this life 
in 1875, leaving two children: Frances, at home; 
and Charles, engaged in business with his father. 
In politics our subject is a stanch supporter of 
Republican principles, and during the war be- 
longed to the Union League. 

' g ^ P ' 



GIdRIAN KISSAM, Supervisor from the 
Ll Fourth Ward of Newburgh. is a native of 
/ I this city, his birth occurring November 27, 
1847, and he is a son of Richard \\ and Maria E. 
(Latourette) Kissam, the former a native of New 
York CitJ^ The latter was a native of Jersey 
Cit}-, but was of French-Huguenot descent, and 
her grandfather Latourette was captain of a mer- 
chant vessel during the Revolutionary War. She 
died in 1890, when past eighty 5'ears of age. 
Richard W Kissam, the father, was of the old 
Knickerbocker stock, and the family was one of 
considerable wealth. The father, who was a 
graduate of Yale College, about 1835 located in 



Newburgh, where he bought a tract of land 
northwest of the city, con.sisting of fifty acres, all 
of which now lies within the city limits. He lived 
on this homestead until his death in 1869, being 
then past seventy years of age. Religiously he 
was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
and politically he was a stanch Democrat. His 
father was in the War of 18 12. In the family of 
Richard V. and Maria E. Kissam were fourteen 
children, seven of whom grew to maturity, but 
only two are now living, our subject, and Anna, 
now Mrs. Blake, of this city. 

Adrian Kissam grew to manhood in his native 
city and received his education in private schools. 
When but sixteen years of age he began travel- 
ing over the United States. He first went to 
California, by way of Mexico and Cape Horn, 
the journey, which lasted three months, being 
made in the steamers "Sacramento" and "Moses 
Taylor. ' ' For several years he spent the time on 
the plains and on the Pacific Coast; in fact, he 
traveled extensively all over the West, and after 
his father's death returned home by way of Pan- 
ama to New York Cit}'. He took charge of his 
father's estate, settled it up, and ever since has 
continued to make Newljurgh his home. He 
has a place adjoining the old homestead compris- 
ing thirty-three acres and lying within the city 
limits, the family residence being located on 
Pierce Road. 

In 1892 Mr. Kissam engaged in the livery bus- 
iness, purchasing the old Orange Hotel Stable, 
which was the oldest in the city, located on Third 
Street. In this business he has been eminently 
successful and is popular with all who have busi- 
ness with him in that line. Being an old settler 
himself, he is well acquainted with ever>- one in 
all the region roundabout, and as a proof of his 
popularity it may be stated that in 1893 he was 
elected Super\'i.sor from the Fourth Ward on the 
Democratic ticket, being the only one elected on 
that ticket. He was re-elected in 1894 without 
opposition, his name appearing on both tickets. 
He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, of which he is a Director; a member 
of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M.; the 
Newburgh Gun and Rifle Association, of which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



543 



he is a Director; and of the Orange Lake Club. 
He is a good shot, and stands at the head of the 
local rifle team. For fourteen years Mr. Kissam 
was connected with the New York Militia, as a 
member of the Nineteenth Regiment, and later of 
the Seventeenth. He has been a member of the 
fire department of Newburgh from a youth, and 
has been very active in all matters pertaining to 
its welfare. Politically, as might be inferred, he 
is a Democrat. 

Mr. Kissam and Miss Mary Donahue, a daugh- 
ter of Patrick Donahue, were united in marriage 
in Newburgh, of which city she is a native. 
They have five children, Adrian, Jr., Richard V., 
Maria E., Benjamin and Charles. 



gEORGE W HARRIvS, a hero of the Mexi- 
can and Civil Wars, is one of the old and 
honored residents of Newburgh, and few 
have fought more bravely and valiantly in de- 
fense of the rights of their native land. He is 
now retired from business, his poor health being 
due to the various wounds, privations and dis- 
comforts of his army life. In 1887 he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the old building known 
as Washington's Headquarters, a distinction which 
he well merited, but at the end of fourteen months 
he was obliged to hand in his resignation to the 
Trustees. He is a member of the Mexican Vet- 
erans' Legion of Honor, and belongs to Emslie 
Po.st No. 546, G. A. R., of Cornwall. 

John Harris, father of the above gentleman, 
was born in Upper Newbury Parish, Kirkpatrick, 
Dumfriess-shire, Scotland, July 24, 1786, and aft- 
er his marriage emigrated to America, settling at 
Matteawan, N. Y. Later he moved to Walden, 
and finally to New York City, in all of which 
places he was employed as a machinist. His 
death occurred in January, 1857. His first wife 
was Miss Hannah Boyd, and his second compan- 
ion was Miss Catherine Cooley, who was born 
near Elmira, N. Y., and was a direct descendant 
of Henry Hudson. Mrs. Harris died July 6, 
1872, leaving two sons and three daughters, three 



of whom survive. By the first marriage there 
were five children, but three are deceased. 

George W. Harris was born in Walden, this 
county, July 27, 1831, and was reared there and 
in Newburgh and Cornwall. October 6, 1846, 
he enlisted in the United States army for the 
Mexican service, and after being drilled at Gov- 
ernor's Island was assigned to Company C 
Eighth United States Infantry, and sent to Mex- 
ico. Under General Scott he participated in the 
battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and Chapulte- 
pec, at the latter engagement being wounded by 
a sabre cut while scaling the walls. Nevertheless 
he continued and helped capture the city of Mex- 
ico. Going to Missouri, he was mustered out at 
Jefferson Barracks in 1848, and three days after 
reaching home entered the United States navy. 
Then for more than four years he was on the 
high seas, on the United States sloop of war ' 'St. 
Mary' s. ' ' He went on a voyage around Cape Horn 
and was afterward stationed along the Pacific 
Coast and at the Sandwich Islands. At length 
he returned home in the frigate "Wavash," this 
time crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and was 
mustered out in the Brookhn Navyyard.* How- 
ever, he re-enlisted a short time afterward on the 
frigate "Cumberland," which coasted in Atlantic 
waters. 

In 1857 ^^^- Harris was married, in Vail Gate, 
to Abigail Brooks, who was born November 3, 
1835, in Rockland County, N. Y. Her parents, 
William and Mary A. Brooks, were early settlers 
of Moodna. The former was a blacksmith by 
trade, and a thorough machinist. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harris became the parents of eight children, of 
whom Capitola and Mary I. are deceased. Nor- 
man C. is an engineer in the electric works; War- 
ren is an employe of the Wilcox Foundry; Cath- 
erine M. is at home; George W., Jr., is a machin- 
ist; William L- is a wireman of this city; and 
John I. is in the employ of Alexander Goldberg. 

When the War of the Rebellion came on, Mr. 
Harris felt it his duty and privilege to take up 
arms in defen.se of the Stars and Stripes, and as- 
sisted in rai.sing forty-two men for Company I, of 
the Fifth New York Cavalry. They were mus- 
tered in at New York City, Mr. Harris refusing a 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



commission and becoming Orderly-Sergeant. He 
was in the following engagements: Port Repub- 
lic, Harrisonburg, first and second battles of Win- 
chester, first and second battles of Woodstock, 
Middletown, Harper's Ferr\-, Charleston, Cul- 
peper Courthouse, Rapidan Station, Orange 
Courthouse, Cedar Mountain, Keller's Ford, sec- 
ond battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, Thoroughfare 
Gap, Hampton Crossroads, Hanover Courthouse, 
Cedar Creek, and many others. After the second 
battle of Bull Run he was detailed asHeintzel- 
man's escort, continuing with him for a little over 
a year at Warrenton Junction. He was then for 
four months in the Eighth New York Cavalry, 
after which he was in Company C, of the same 
service, and took part in the engagements in 
front of Petersburg. Though he was often urged 
to accept a commission, he persevered in his re- 
fusal, though he drilled the Third Battalion. He 
was never wounded, but was ill on several occa- 
sions, and in 1862, at Winchester, was severely 
injured, his horse falling upon him. He was 
mu,stered out June 27, 1865, and was paid off at 
Rochester, N. Y. Altogether his service in the 
United States army and nav}- covered a period of 
seventeen years and four months. He decided to 
make Newburgh his permanent home, and be- 
came a stationary engineer. Since he cast his 
first Presidential vote, he has been firm in his 
allegiance to the Democratic party. He has a 
medal presented him bj' the Government, with 
the Legion of Honor of the Mexican Veterans; 
he also has one presented by the Regimental As- 
sociation of the Fifth Cavalrv. 



EHARLES F. ALLAN, M. D. S., is one of 
the most successful men in his profession in 
Newburgh, and enjoys the finest line of cus- 
tom. His office is central!}' located, being at the 
corner of Montgomen,- and Second Streets. He 
endeavors to keep posted on everything related to 
his chosen work, and is a member of the Odon- 
tological Society of New York Citj-, of the Second 
District Dental Society, and the American Dental 
Association. 



The birth of Dr. Allan occurred November 2, 
1844, in the beautiful city of Cleveland, Ohio, 
where his boyhood was pleasantly passed. After 
leaving the grammar school he became a student 
in the Central High School, from which he was 
dulj- graduated. In 1S62 he volunteered his 
services in defense of his country, becoming a 
member of Company H, Eighty-third Ohio In- 
fantry. After being mustered in at Camp Denni- 
son he was sent to the front, being placed in the 
Arm}' of the Tennessee. He was activelj' en- 
gaged in the manoeuvres around Vicksburg, par- 
ticipating in the battles of Arkansas Post, Port 
Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and 
Black River. He was Orderly-Sergeant in the 
assault on Vicksburg, which city he entered July 

4, 1863. On account of illness he was confined 
to the hospital for about eight months at Benton 
Barracks, and was then assigned to special dutj- 
in St. Louis, being thus employed until he was 
mustered out in the summer of 1865. 

That same j-ear Dr. Allan came to Newburgh 
and began the study of dentistry under Dr. George 

5. Allan, now a practitioner of New York City. 
Young Allan was engaged in practice with his pre- 
ceptor until the senior Dr. Allan left Newburgh, 
since which time he has conducted an office alone 
with the best of success. 

The home of Dr. Allan at the corner of Clinton 
and Montgomer}' Streets is presided over by his 
wife, who was formerly Miss Mary Crawford Mc- 
Camly. Their marriage took place in April, 
1 88 1, and one child, Frances, has come to bright- 
en their home. Mrs. Allan, who was born and 
grew to womanhood in Newburgh, is a grand- 
daughter of the old pioneer, David Crawford, a 
participant in the War of 18 12, and several of 
whose relatives fought in the struggle for Colo- 
nial independence. Mrs. Allan is much interested 
in all charitable works, being especially occupied 
with the work of the Newburgh Home for the 
Friendless, of which she has been First Directress 
for several years. She is also a member of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution, and is the 
present Regent of Quassaick Chapter. 

In matters of national importance. Dr. Allan 
is always to be found on the side of the Demo- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



545 



cratic party, though he is not a politician in the 
general acceptance of the term. He was former- 
ly an active and is now an honorary member of 
Lawson Hose Company No. 5. Religiously he 
is an Episcopalian and is now a Vestryman of St. 
Paul's Church. 



(71 T. PATRICK'S CHURCH was established 
/\ in Newburgh in 1838, with Rev. Patrick 
\~/ Duffy as the first permanent pastor. The 
following year the erection of the church was 
commenced, but it was not completed until 1849, 
when it was formally dedicated by Bishop Hughes. 
In 1850 a school was begun in the basement, and 
the following year Rev. Edward J. O'Reilly be- 
came pastor, remaining until 1867, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. Edward S. Briady, who en- 
larged the parochial residence which Father 
O'Reilly had 'built. In July, 1879, 'Very Rev. 
Dean Mooney was appointed pa.stor, and during 
his stay made many improvements in the church 
edifice and other propertj' belonging to the church. 
In March, 1890, Father Penny was appointed 
to the irremovable rectorship of St. Patrick's 
Church, to succeed Father Mooney, who then 
took charge of the Sacred Heart Church of New 
York. In 1893 ^^^ built Columbus Hall at a cost 
of $25,000, which has a seating capacity of over 
twelve hundred people, and is used by the so- 
cieties of the church. 

At present St. Patrick's congregation numbers 
about three thousand and five souls, and Father 
Penny, with two assistants, ministers to its .spirit- 
ual wants. There are seven hundred and seven- 
ty-five pupils in the schools, the male and female 
departments being entirely distinct; they occupj- 
separate buildings, each having its own teachers, 
and both are sub-divided into academic, inter- 
mediate and primary departments, while prepa- 
ratory to each is a kindergarten school. The 
boys' school is known as St. Patrick's Institute, 
presided over by four brothers and three lady 
teachers, and the girls' school, known as St. 
Patrick's Parochial School, is presided over by 



six sisters of charit)', one other lady teacher, and 
the teacher of vocal and instrumental music, 
making fifteen in all. 

The congregation is organized into various so- 
cieties adapted to the particular needs and bene- 
fits of its several ages and classes: the Society of 
the Holy Name for men, having a membership 
of two hundred; the Lyceum for young men, 
having sixty-five; a Sodality of the Blessed Vir- 
gin for the larger boys; a Confraternity of the 
vSacred Heart for the younger ones; an Associa- 
tion of the Children of Mary for young ladies; 
and a society of Holy Angels and a society of the 
Sacred Infancy for tho.se who are .still in .school. 
There are besides organizations for the Holy 
Rosary and Sacred Heart for all indiscriminately, 
having large memberships, as well as a mutual 
benefit organization under the charter of the 
Catholic Benevolent Legion. In all of these or- 
ganizations Father Penny is the general director. 

In July, 1890, Father Penny was appointed 
Dean of Orange and Rockland Counties by Arch- 
bishop Corrigan, and has acquired a strong hold 
on the affections of his people. He has reduced 
the debt on the property $4,000 since his arrival 
in Newburgh; has added music, drawing, Latin, 
shorthand and type-writing to the .school course; 
and has in other ways greatly strengthened the 
church. He is an able pulpit orator, a popular 
platform speaker, and has done a large amount 
of work as a lecturer since he has been a priest, 
organized many societies, and exercised .special 
care in school matters. 



GlBRAHAM LINCOLN MILLIKEN, engi- 
r \ neer on the "West Shore Railroad at New- 
l\ burgh, was born in Sharpsville, Mercer Coun- 
ty, Pa., in August, 1864, and is a son of John and 
Caroline (Hewett) Milliken, the former a native 
of Ireland, and the latter of Huntingdon County, 
Pa. The father came to America when a boy, 
locating in Mercer County, where he engaged in 
farming, and where his death also occurred. The 
mother yet resides in Sharp.sville. They were 
the parents of six children, two sons and four 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughters. One son, George G., has for years 
been a conductor on the Valley Railroad, and re- 
sides in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Mr. Milliken, of this sketch, the third in the 
parental family, grew to manhood in Sharpsville, 
and there received his education in the public 
schools. From the time he was a mere boy he 
has earned his own livelihood, and in March, 1881, 
when but seventeen years of age, he entered the 
employ of the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad as 
brakeman, running between Sharpsville and Erie. 
On the 15th of December, 1884, he came to the 
West Shore Railroad as brakeman, his run being 
between Cornwall and Ravena. On the 3d of 
April, 1885, he began service as fireman on a 
freight between Ravena and Weehawken, N. J., 
and continued to hold that position on freight and 
pas.senger trains until 1889, when he was made 
an engineer and given a run on a freight train 
on the same line. He continued on that run un- 
til September, 1893, when he was appointed en- 
gineer in the Newburgh yards, and was also given 
charge of the local Sunday passenger train to and 
from Weehawken, N. J. 

While still residing in vSharpsville, Mr. Milli- 
ken was united in marriage with Miss Edith Mc- 
Mullen, a native of that city. Four children have 
been born unto them: Ida, Grace, Irene and Hel- 
en. Mr. Milliken is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, and of the Brother- 
hood of Locomotive Engineers, his membership 
in the last order being in Division No. 235, of 
Union Hill, N. J. Politically he is a Republican. 

g ;, g=1 <.X.>g ^ ^^ 

gEORGE W. KENT, one of the influential 
and enterprising business men of Cornwall 
on the Hudson, has been for about five years 
proprietor of the best livery stable in the place, 
prior to which time he owned the Brookside 
Stables. An indu.strious, self-respecting and self- 
made man in a business sense, he well deserves 
the prosperity he now enjoys. 

Thomas Kent, the father of our subject, was 
formerly one of the substantial and well-to-do 
agriculturists of this county, and for some time 



prior to his decease, which occurred at the age of 
sixty-six years, he was a resident of Montgom- 
ery. He married Miss Juliet Warren, who at 
that time was eighteen years of age. She be- 
came the mother of twelve .sons and daughters, 
and died at the age of forty -seven. Of her chil- 
dren, Caroline Augusta is now the wife of Otis 
B. Cobleigh, of New York; Celia is deceased: 
George W. was the third-born; Henrj- is de- 
ceased, as is also Granville; James C. is a farmer 
near Montgomerj'; Juliet is living on the farm 
with her brother; Sarah is deceased; Mary is the 
wife of Charles E. Heil, of Montgomery; Thomas 
is in Cornwall, in the employ of James Stillman: 
Henry is deceased; and the twelfth child died in 
infancy. 

The birth of our subject occurred in this coun- 
ty. May 26, 1843, on his father's farm, and he 
was trained to a full knowledge of agriculture. 
His education was very limited, as his services 
were needed at home when he was of sufficient 
age to be useful. He remained under the par- 
ental roof until twenty years of age, when he 
went to New York City and found work in a gro- 
cery store, and also acted for some time as bar- 
tender, subsequently going into the wholesale 
and retail liquor business for himself. A few- 
years thereafter he returned to the farm, and for 
six 3'ears gave his undivided attention to its cul- 
tivation, having during this time a great deal of 
livestock. At the end of that time he moved into 
this city, where he was soon given a goodl)- por- 
tion of the patronage of its residents. 

Miss Louisa A. Heil, to whom our subject 
was united in marriage in 1870, was the daugh- 
ter of Frederick and Margaret Heil, and departed 
this life February 17, 1891. The seven children 
of whom she became the mother were, respect- 
ively: Charles E., engaged in railroading; Au- 
gusta, deceased; Arthur, living at Peekskill; Ce- 
lia, Elmer, Cora and Irvington, at home. Mr. 
Kent was afterward married to Miss Edith L. 
Wiley, and to them has been granted a son, 
James C. 

Our subject is a very accommodating gentle- 
man, reasonable in his prices and honorable and 
upright in all his dealings. He is a devoted 




CAPT. J. ALFRED WALKKR^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



549 



member of the Presbj-terian Church, and has 
many warm friends among his neighbors and 
acquaintances. Politically he is a Republican, 
and socially is a Knight of Pythias, also belong- 
ing to the Cromwell Guards. 



EAPT. J. ALFRED WALKER, who for a 
long time has been a pilot and captain on 
the Hudson River, has also gone on many 
voyages on the Gulf of Mexico and the Missis- 
sippi and Red Rivers. In manner he is as good- 
natured and jolly as the proverbial sea-captain, 
and is withal as intelligent and well read as the 
heroes of our youthful dreams. For the past 
four years he has been captain of the tug "R. G. 
Davis," and owns her in partnership with J. H. 
Horton. He has run back and forth on the Hud- 
son River ever since 1873, ^"'^ is well known in 
all the towns along the line, where his cheery face, 
is a welcome sight. 

The Captain was born at Coxsackie, Greene 
County, N. Y., July i, 1847, and is a son of 
John and Mary (Kennedy) Walker. The great- 
grandfather, Ephraim Walker, was of the old 
Plymouth Rock stock, and lost his life in the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill. His name was inscribed on 
the monument atthat place as one of the heroes 
of the celebrated engagement. John Walker was 
born in the Green Mountains, and in early life 
followed agricultural pursuits. After locating in 
Coxsackie, N. Y., he operated a brick manufac- 
tory, superintending every detail of the business. 
His death occurred when he was in his seventy- 
fourth year. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of 
Duncan Kennedy, who was born in Scotland, and 
who came to America when a mere youth, .set- 
tling near Coxsackie. He married Miss Lampman, 
whose ancestors had emigrated from Holland. 
Mrs. Walker is still living on the old home.stead, 
being now in her .seventy -fifth year, and seven of 
her three sons and five daughters who grew to ma- 
turity are still living. One son, Capt. William, 
has been with the Schuyler towboat line since 1862 

23 



and is now captain on the .steam tow "America." 
Another son, George, is pilot on the Starin line 
of boats running between New York and New 
Haven. 

After receiving a good common-school educa- 
tion Captain Walker entered the emploj^ of the 
Schuyler towboat line in 1865, on the "Baltic," of 
which his brother William was then a pilot. For 
two years he served in the capacity of a deck hand, 
running between Albany and Rondout, but in 
1867 was promoted to be watchman on the ' 'Eras- 
tus Corning," a freight boat plying between Al- 
bany and New York. Later he became foreman 
on the steam tow "Anna," which was used to 
tow freight barges between Coxsackie and the 
metropolis. Subsequently he occupied a similar 
position on the steamer ' 'Eagle, ' ' the trip being 
from Newburgh to Albanj', and at the end of two 
years was made fireman on the "Fanny Garner," 
a steam ferry running between Newburgh and 
Dutchess Junction. At the end of a year he was 
licensed as chief engineer. 

In 1872 Captain Walker commenced sailing on 
the Mississippi River, as chief engineer of the 
steam tug "Protection," which was engaged in 
a live-oak trade, and stopped at various points 
between Memphis and New Orleans. For nine 
months he was in the swamp region to a greater 
or less extent, and was taken with the malarial 
fever common there. He returned home, and 
after recuperating accepted a position as chief en- 
gineer of the tug "Samuel Rutan," of New York 
City. When he was again well and strong, he 
went back to New Orleans, and resumed his 
former po.sition. From time to time he made 
expeditions up the Mississippi and Red Rivers, 
and on one occasion, at Duval's Bluff, picked up 
a raft of logs, which were strewn along about four 
hundred miles, and after getting them all to- 
gether left them at the mouth of the White 
River, whither he returned the following spring. 
He then chartered the towboat "Charles L. 
Mather, ' ' which he ran on the Hudson for about 
twelve months, and in 1875 ran as chief engineer 
on the "Medina," for Coleman, Field & Horton. 
LTltimately he became captain of the tug, which 
he operated from 1875 until 1891, inclusive. In 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



the \ear last mentioned he |entered into'partner- 
ship with one of the members of the old firm, and 
had the "R." G. Davis" built at Athens, N. Y. 
He has since been captain and part owner of the 
same, though Mr. Field has sold out his interest 
to J. H. Horton The tug runs bj' steam, has a 
keel of fifty-five feet, is fifteen feet wide, and has 
a cjlinder of fourteen square inches. It runs in 
the vicinit}' of Newburgh Ba^-, sometimes going 
to Albany and New York City. The Captain 
attends to all repairs on the engine and machinery 
and keeps a constant watch over the management 
of the boat. Owing to his extreme carefulness, 
he has been very fortunate in never losing the 
lives of passengers or crew. He owns a master's 
license, one as chief engineer, and one as a first- 
class pilot. 

In 1870 Captain Walker and Anna \'an Hagen 
were married in this city. She was born in Stock- 
port, Columbia Count}', and is a daughter of 
Joachim Van Hagen. He was likewise a native 
of Columbia County, and was an architect by 
profession. Both he and his wife, who was for- 
merly Miss Maria Burhyte, a descendant of an old 
Puritan family, died in this city. Of the six 
children born to the Captain and wife, but two 
are living, namely: Alfred, who is business with 
his father; and Edna, who is at home. The Cap- 
tain and his family are members of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church. Fraternally he belongs to the 
Knights of Honor, and politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 

QAMES L. TELLER, one of the leading busi- 
I ness men of Newburgh, is Secretarj- and 
(2/ Treasurer of the Fishkill Landing Machine 
Company, which was organized in 1853, and with 
which he has been connected as a stockholder and 
as Secretar}' for the past twenty-six years. Both 
he and his estimable wife are very popular, and 
take an active part in church and musical circles. 
For some years he was organist "at St. Paul's 
Church; then for a short time held a like position 
at St. George's, later at the Reformed Church at 
Fishkill Landing, and for twenty-three years vv'as 
connected with the choir of the Union Presbyte- 



rian Church. For three 3-ears he was organist, 
and for two decades he has been choir-master. 
His wife is also connected with the choir, having 
been an alto singer in the same for more than a 
quarter of a century. Several times he has been 
President and Secretarj^ of the Orange County 
Musical Association, serving in the same capaci- 
ties with the Newburgh Choral Society, and has 
been a member of the Newburgh Musical Insti- 
tute, the Concordia and the Church Music Asso- 
ciations. 

Our subject's paternal grandfather, Jacobus 
Teller, was of French and Holland-Dutch extrac- 
tion, and followed milling at Glenham, Dutchess 
County, N. Y. Capt. Charles W., father of 
J. L. Teller, was born in Glenham, and followed 
the busine.ss of a merchant tailor in his native 
town, at Fishkill Landing and in New York City. 
Later he turned his attention toward daguerro- 
typing, locating in Newburgh in 1848, where he 
conducted a photograph gallery until about 1875. 
His death occurred November i, 1886, at the ripe 
old age of eighty-four years. In former years he 
was an ally of the Democracy, but transferred his 
allegiance to the Republican party on its organi- 
zation. While a resident of New York City he 
belonged to the militia and was Captain of the 
first company of the Twenty-seventh (now the 
Seventh) State Militia, acting with the regiment 
in suppressing several riots which occurred in the 
metropolis. Afterward he joined the Veteran 
Association of the Seventh Regiment, Uniformed 
Battalion. He was a member of the Episcopal 
Church, and upon his decease was placed to rest 
in Rural Cemetery at FishkilL His wife, Caro- 
line Matilda Thompson, as she was in her girl- 
hood, was born in Bennington, Vt., and died in 
August, 1876, in her seventy-third year. 

James L. Teller was born in New York City, 
February 5, 1839, and was the only child in his 
parents' family who grew to maturity. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the common schools, sup- 
plemented by a course at the old Newburgh Free 
Academy. In 1855 he entered the employ of 
Stephen Hayt & Co., dry-goods merchants, near 
the corner of Water and Third Streets. A year 
later they moved to No. 66 Water Street, Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



Teller continuing to act as salesman and book- 
keeper until 1865. At that time he took a posi- 
tion as a bookkeeper with the Washington Iron 
Works, and later was for two 3'ears and a-half 
cashier of the same. In 1868 he was offered a po- 
sition as bookkeeper and manager of David N. 
Selleg's furniture establishment on Water Street, 
remaining there for seventeen months. Since 
then he has been connected with the Fishkill 
Landing Machine Companj-, the Pr&sident being 
Robert J. Halgin and the Vice-President William 
F. Sage. This concern has a world-wide reputa- 
tion, their machines being sent to all parts of this 
and other countries. They manufacture Corliss 
steam engines of from twenty-five to one thousand 
horse-power, and a general line of machinery be- 
sides. In the immense works, which have a river 
frontage of six hundred feet and comprise a num- 
ber of buildings, one hundred and fift\' hands are 
constantly employed. 

May ID, 1870, Mr. Teller and Anna Scott were 
united in marriage. She is a daughter of William 
Scott, who was born in Little Britain, Orange 
County, October 8, 1788, and granddaughter of 
David Scott, a native of Dundee, Scotland. The 
latter after his marriage came to America, locat- 
ing near ex-Governor Clinton's home in New 
Windsor, this state. His wife, Margaret Couper, 
of Scotland, was a descendant of the royal line of 
Stuarts, that being her mother's maiden name. 
William Scott participated in the War of 18 12, 
being on duty at Staten Island. He was reared 
on a farm, and when about nine years of age com- 
menced learning the cabinet-maker's and under- 
taker's business with Hugh Speir in this city, 
later becoming proprietor of the e.stablishment. 
He conducted business on Colden Street from 
185 1 until he retired on account of ill-health, his 
death occurring in 1863. In politics he was an 
old-line Whig, and was Superintendent of the 
Poor for .several years. In St. George's Episco- 
pal Church he was very prominent, being a Ves- 
tryman and Warden, and having served on the 
Building Committee. His first marriage was 
with Sarah Speir, who was born February 8, 
1789, in the province of Nova Scotia, her parents 
being John and Ann Speir. Both she and her two 



children are deceased, the daughter, Margaret, 
dying in girlhood, and Francis in 1883. Francis 
Scott was Cashier of the old Newburgh Bank, and 
for thirty-eight 5-ears was head bookkeeper in The 
National Bank of Newburgh. For man}' years 
he was City Collector, and for some time was 
City Treasurer. He was also a Vestryman of 
St. George's Church for a long term of years. 
The second wife of William Scott was Catherine, 
the third daughter of Joseph II. Hoffman. She 
was reared in this city and died in 1884, when 
over eighty-two years of age. She became the 
mother of nine children, five of whom lived to 
manhood and womanhood. Of these, Maria Jane 
is the widow of Calvin Sloat, and resides in New- 
burgh. Harriet L., Cornelia E. and Sarah E. 
also live in this city. William Scott was County 
Coroner for many years and was foreman in the 
first hose company in Newburgh. 

Mrs. Teller was born in Newburgh and re- 
ceived her higher education at the old academy. 
Her two children, Anna and Caroline, also grad- 
uated from the academy. Mr. Teller was for- 
merly a member of the old Union League and was 
Secretary of the same. He is a supporter of the 
Republican partj' and is a true and patriotic citi- 
zen. For years he has been one of the sustaining 
members of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, and in early manhood was active in Sunday- 
.school work. He and his estimable wife are 
members of St. George's Episcopal Church. We 
have previously referred to the interest he has al- 
ways taken in musical organizations, but perhaps 
it is not generally known that he is a composer of 
no small merit, some of his pieces having been 
published and highly commended by good judges. 



3^^P 



IILLIAM WARD, Clerk of Cadet Records 
at West Point, is probably the oldest official 
connected with that department. He is of a 
modest and retiring disposition, but his influence 
in matters relating to the department over which 
he presides in the military academy is univer- 
sally recognized. Mr. Ward was born at West 
Point, April 19, 1829. 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The father of our subject, Bryan Ward, was a 
native of Ireland, and, on coming to America en- 
gaged in clerical work in New York City. On 
account of failing health, however, he removed 
to West Point, becoming clerk in the hotel here, - 
and later was made Adjutant's clerk in this place, 
holding the position for a period of fifteen years. 
He died in 1851. His wife, prior to her mar- 
riage, was Phebe Gee, a native of New York, 
and she became the mother of three children. 
Thomas, one of her sons, was graduated from 
West Point in 1863, and is now Assistant Adju- 
tant-General of the United States Army, with the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, being stationed at 
Denver, Colo. 

Our subject received his education in the pri- 
vate schools of his native place, as there were no 
public schools there at that time. On the death 
of his father he was sufficiently qualified to fill 
the office he had vacated, and so well and faith- 
fully has he performed every duty devolving upon 
him that he has been retained ever since. He is 
now Clerk of Cadet Records, both military and 
academic. At the time he assumed the responsi- 
bilities of this office he was able to carry on the 
work alone, but of late years the academy has 
increased in size, so that now it takes four or five 
men to look after the records, Mr. Ward being at 
the head of his department. 

Mr. Ward was appointed Notary Public by 
Governor Hoffman, February 10, 1869, and each 
two years, as his term expires, he is re-appointed, 
and has now been the incumbent of the office for 
over a quarter of a century. He is, therefore, 
one of the oldest notaries in the state, and on him 
devolves the duty of "swearing in" all the cadets. 

The lady to whom our subject was married at 
Cold Spring, in 1855, was Miss Margaret A. De- 
laney. The children born to them were, respect- 
ively, William D., who is married and engaged 
in clerical work in New York City with Cooper, 
Hewitt & Co. ; John B., who is married and also 
resides in the metropolis, where he is connected 
with the New York Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany as a clerk; Kate, now Mrs. F. P. Connely, 
of Brooklyn; and Eva M., Violet L. and Jennie 
M., at home. For sixty-six years our subject 



has been identified with the history of this vicin- 
ity, and he is highly regarded by the people of the 
community, among whom he has pa.ssed his en- 
tire life. 



SEORGE H. HUNTER, junior member of 
the firm of H. R. & G. H. Hunter, proprie- 
tors of a fine meat-market in Cornwall, has 
been a partner in this business for the past three 
years. Although very young in years, he pos- 
sesses those qualifications necessary for a success- 
ful and prosperous business career and is bound 
to make his mark in life. 

Henry R. Hunter, the father of our subject, is 
the other member of the firm, and has been en- 
gaged in the meat business for a period of thirty- 
three years. He was reared in this town, and 
is therefore widely and favorablj' known. Be- 
sides his market interests he also conducts a well 
cultivated farm, from which he reaps a fine in- 
come, but devotes considerable time to his other 
lines, finding it to be a more profitable business 
than giving his exclusive attention to farm work. 

On the paternal side our subject is of English 
de.scent, while his m'other's family were natives of 
Germany. His paternal great-grandfather came 
to America many years ago and was the first of 
the family to locate in the New World. Our sub- 
ject's mother, formerly Hannah Smith Barton, 
was a native of Cornwall. She became the 
mother of seven children, of whom Charles is liv- 
ing in Poughkeepsie and is designer for a wall- 
paper firm. Emma is deceased. Annie married 
H. Taylor, a machinist of Cornwall. James and 
Susie are deceased. George H. was the sixth- 
born; and Edward, the youngest of the house- 
hold, is at home. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Corn- 
wall May 19, 1872, and has always made this 
place his home. When joung he made good use 
of the advantages given him for attending school. 
When a lad of fourteen years, however, he com- 
menced working in his father's market, remaining 
in his employ until about three years ago, when 
he was taken into the business as a partner. 

March 22, 1894, Mr. Hunter, of this sketch, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



553 



was married to Miss Jennie C, daughter of Har- 
mon J. and Alice Lasher. She was born in 
Dutchess Conntj' in 1873, and has one daughter, 
named Mildred Hannah, who was born February 
24, 1895. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter move in 
the best circles of society in this place, and as 
they intend to make it their permanent home 
contemplate the erection of a beautiful residence 
in the near future. 

Politically our subject is a Prohibitionist, which 
is also the political faith of his father. They are 
both honest in their convictions and much prefer 
to be on the side of the right, even though it is at 
present the weakest party. Religiously the fam- 
ily belongs to the Society of Friends. 



=^ 



r"RANK J. BRADLEY, wholesale and retail 
jM dealer in carriages, wagons, sleighs, har- 
I ness, etc., in Newburgh, has a fine carriage 
repository, the largest in the cit^-, and does an 
extensive business. In January, 1847, he was 
born in Somers, Conn., his parents being John 
and Laura (Woodruff) Bradley, the former a na- 
tive of Stafford, and the latter of Hartford, Conn. 
The Bradley family is an old one, having been 
founded in America by two brothers at an early 
day. The father of our subject, who was an agri- 
culturist, was a Trustee in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church for many years, and in politics first 
supported the Whig party, but later became a 
Republican. His death occurred at the age of 
.sixty-five years, and his wife departed this life at 
the age of seventy-six. They were the parents 
of nine children, all of whom grew to manhood 
and womanhood. The family was well- repre- 
sented in the Union army during the Civil War, 
and one son, Henry, served all through that ter- 
rible struggle. He never fully recovered from 
the wounds he received, and his death occurred 
in Connecticut in the year 1892. Samuel, a resi- 
dent of Westfield, Ma.ss., belonged to a Connecti- 
cut regiment for nine months, and a son-in-law 
was also in the service for the same length of 
time. 

Frank J. Bradley was reared in the usual man- 



ner of farmer lads, receiving his education in the 
common schools and assisting in the labors of 
the fields until eighteen years of age. In 1865 
he came to Newburgh, in the employ of his 
brother, George W. Bradley, a wholesale dealer 
in notions and fancy goods, and traveled for him 
for three years, being paid $150 per year. He 
then secured a wagon of his own and for five 
3ears traveled over the same route, during which 
time he saved $800. He then purchased the 
Westchester County route and outfit, and for 
seventeen years and a- half made the same trips, 
every six weeks doubling his route, but always 
returning to his home in Newburgh ever}- Satur- 
day night. Some of the experiences he encoun- 
tered during this time would make an interesting 
story. For two years he then traveled through 
Orange County, after which he gave up that 
business. 

In 1884 Mr. Bradley started in his present line 
of trade, which he has since successfully con- 
ducted. He bought out the Benjamin Conkling 
business, carrying it on for one year at the old 
stand, where it was first started by Col. Isaac 
Wood as an old-time auction mart. He carries 
a full and complete line of Columbus (Ohio) and 
Babcock carriages, sleighs, harness and harne.ss 
supplies, bob .sleds and wagons of all kinds, 
which he obtains in carload lots. He also manu- 
factures harness, and to some extent used to man- 
ufacture wagons, but this he has given up. At 
the Orange County Fair, held in Newburgh in 
1894, he received twelve first premiums, having 
the finest display of the kind given. His reposi- 
tory is located at the corner of Fourth and Front 
Streets, is 80x60 feet, and three stories in height, 
the lower floor being used for wagons, the sec- 
ond for carriages and sleighs, and the upper floor 
contains the paint shop. 

In Newburgh Mr. Bradley was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Marguerite Covert, a native of that 
city and a daughter of Jacob Covert, a farmer 
and brick manufacturer. To them were born 
three children. Willie and Wilbur died in in- 
fancy; and Delia May died at the age of eight 
years. Mr. Bradley has the reputation of being 
a straightforward and reliable business man, and 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is devoted to the best interests of the community. 
He is a faithful worker in Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, which for a number of years 
he served as Steward. Later he was made Class- 
Leader, which position he fills ver)- acceptably 
at the present time. On account of his strong 
temperance sentiment, he votes with the Prohibi- 
tion party, b}- which he was nominated for the 
office of Mayor of Newburgh in 1894. He has 
been a delegate to the senatorial and state con- 
ventions of his party, and in 1884 was sent to the 
National Convention at Syracuse, N. Y. His 
pleasant residence is at No. 203 Liberty Street. 



QrOF. CHARLES E. MOSCOW, one of the 
L/' highly esteemed citizens of Newburgh, has 
K) devoted his life to the art of music, and is 
now an instructor on all stringed instruments and 
the leader of the Academy of Music Orchestra. 
He was born in Muehlburg, Germany, August 
I, 1835, and is a son of John Moscow, who was 
born in Eisenach, in July, 1809. His grandfa- 
ther, John Moskovskie, was born in Moscow, 
Russia, aud was descended from an old Russian 
family, whose members were among the first fol- 
lowers of Luther, the great-grandfather remov- 
uig with his wife and children from Rus.sia to 
Germany . 

The Professor's father was a builder and wheel- 
wright. In 1846 he brought his family to Amer- 
ica, sailing on a two-mast vessel, which after 
sevent}-two days reached the harbor of Galves- 
ton, Tex. Thej' then went up the Mississippi 
and Illinois Rivers to Chicago, Buffalo and West 
Point, at which latter place the father secured 
work as a wheelwright, for his money was all 
gone. In 1847 he enlisted in the Government 
service as a wheelwright for five years, and aft- 
erward located on a farm near Elmira, N. Y. 
His last days, however, were spent in retirement 
in Newburgh, where he died October 2, 1889. 
He married Miss Maria Christina Spittel, who 
was born in Germanv, August 16, 1808, and 



died May 14, 1879. In the family were two 
children, our subject and Mrs. Louise Walsh, of 
Elmira, N. Y. 

Professor Mo.scow was reared at West Point, 
and acquired part of his education under Gen. 
George B. MacClellan, who then conducted a 
night school there. In 1848 he enlisted in the 
United States service as a musician, being at- 
tached to a corps of cadets, and six months later 
was made Fife Major. He remained in the serv- 
ice until 1853, when he went to Scranton, Pa., 
where he served an apprenticeship as machinist 
for two years. Later he was in Elmira, N. Y., 
and then went to Boston, where he was in the 
employ of the Chickering Company as a piano- 
tuner for a jear. His next service was as a mem- 
ber of the band of River's Circus, and he then 
traveled with Phelps & Thayer's Clown Show, 
as leader of the band. 

In 1 861 Professor Moscow volunteered in the 
United States service as a musician in the West 
Point Band, enlisting for two terms of three 
years each, and in 1867 was honorably dis- 
charged. He then came to Newburgh, wrhere he 
began teaching violin and cornet music, and es- 
tablished the Newburgh City Brass Band, which 
afterward became the Nineteenth Regiment Band, 
National Guard of New York. When this regi- 
ment was disbanded it became the band of the 
Seventeenth Battalion, a'nd all this time Professor 
Moscow served as leader. He has also been en- 
gaged to drill and conduct the Newburgh Phil- 
harmonic Society. When the academj- was built 
he merged his orchestra into what became known 
as the Moscow Academy of Music Orchestra, of 
which he is still director, and for many years has 
furnished the theater and opera music in this 
city. This is the oldest orchestra in Newburgh, 
and numbers twelve pieces. For six j-ears he 
was also a member of the firm of Fielding & 
Moscow, wholesale and retail dealers in music 
and musical instruments. 

Professor Moscow is one of the best known and 
popular musicians in the Empire State, and has 
acquired a wide reputation. His work in con- 
nection with the operas must satisfy a very 
fastidious and critical taste and an intelligent 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



555 



public, whose conception of the art and science 
of music is unquestionably technical and exact- 
ing. He has won note as a composer, and among 
his compositions are the "Seventeenth Battalion 
Quickstep," the "Idlewild Gallop" and the 
"Eclectic Waltz. ' ' He is the posses.sor of a Stainer 
violin, for which he has refused $1,500, and 
which at the time he purchased it in Germany 
was over one hundred years old. In 1875 he 
went to Europe on a three-months trip, traveling 
through England, Germanj' and Switzerland, 
and met Wagner, Boehm and other musicians of 
great note. When he returned to Nevvburgh he 
was greeted with an ovation, for the residents of 
this city appreciate his superior ability and his 
devotion to his art, in which his zeal and energy 
know no bounds. 

Professor Moscow was married in Highland 
Falls, in 1867, to Miss Lena Rausch, who was 
born in New York City, and who is a daughter 
of Charles Rau,sch, a business man of Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. They have three children: Will- 
iam R., who graduated from the academy in the 
Class of '95, and is editor and proprietor of the 
East, published in Newburgh; Nellie E-, who be- 
longs to the Class of '97; and Gustave R. The 
Professor is a member of the City Club, and be- 
longs to Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M.; 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.: and Hud- 
son River Commandery No. 36, K. T. 

(TjAMUEL E. SHIPP, a member of the firm of 
/\ Shipp & Osborn, real-estate and insurance 
Viy agents of Newburgh, was born near Norfolk, 
Va. , February 20, 1848. The fovmder of the fam- 
ily in America, William Shipp, came from near 
Canterbury, Kent County, England, in 1635, set- 
tling on a plantation near Norfolk, Va. (the deed 
for which our subject now has in his pos.session ) , 
and became the first Clerk of the count\^ His 
son William took part in the Indian Wars, and 
his grand.son, who also bore the same name, 
served as a .soldier during the Revolution. The 
latter's son, John Shipp, was the grandfather of 
the gentleman who.se name heads this sketch. 



He was born in Princess Anne Count}', Va., and 
while participating in the War of 18 12 was 
wounded at Craney Lsland. 

The father, Samuel E. Shipp, whose birth also 
occurred in Princess Anne Countj', was Colonel 
of Militia in that county. He wedded Amy Hud- 
dlestone, a native of the .same place, and a daugh- 
ter of Cason Huddle.stone, a planter, who was of 
Scotch descent. By this union four children 
were born, three sons and a daughter, of whom 
our subject is the youngest. Both parents are 
now deceased, the father dying about 1894. By 
occupation he was a planter. 

In private schools Mr. Shipp of this sketch re- 
ceived his primary education, and in 1863 entered 
Columbia College of Wa.shington, D. C, where 
he pursued his studies for three years, after which 
he became Cashier in the postofBceat Richmond, 
Va. , under Dr. Sharp. After serving in that po- 
sition for four years, he removed to Norfolk, ' 
where he began in the real-estate business, which 
he followed until 1885, during which time he also 
served as City Treasurer. He then returned to 
Washington, D. C, where for three years he 
dealt in real estate. 

In 1888 Mr. Shipp arrived in Newburgh, where 
he bought the business of E. S. Turner, who had 
established an insurance and real-estate business 
here in 1873. The firm is now Shipp & Osborn, 
and they do an extensive business, buying and 
selling large tracts of land. Their real -estate 
business is one of the largest in the state outside 
of New York City, where they also own some 
property. Besides dealing in lands in this por- 
tion of the country, they have interests in the 
West. Mr. Shipp has been prominently coimect- 
ed with the leading business enterprises of New- 
burgh and vicinity since his arrival, being one of 
the incorporators of the street railwaj-, and is a 
leading member of the Board of Trade. He is a 
Director of .several important coinpanies, includ- 
ing the North End Land Improvement Company, 
the South Land Improvement Company, and the 
Newburgh Real-estate Company, besides several 
corporations in Virginia, in which he owns a con- 
siderable interest. Together with three others, 
he was one of the promoters and builders of the 



556 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



famous Virginia Beach Hotel. Mr. Shipp is 
President of the Underwriters' Association, and 
the Landlords' Protective Association, both of 
Newburgh. 

Our .subject was united in marriage with Mi.ss 
Nellie Maltby, a daughter of O. E. Maltby, and 
to them has been born a son, Maltb)- Shipp. Al- 
though he is comparativelj- a recent arrival in 
Newburgh, no one is more interested in the de- 
velopment and upbuilding of the city than Mr. 
Shipp, who has been connected with many worthy 
enterprises. In business he is honorable and 
upright, and well deserves the success he has 
achieved. He takes an active part in the Masonic 
fraternit)', belonging to Hudson River Lodge No. 
607, F. & A. M.; Highland Chapter No. 52, R. 
A. M.: and Hudson River Commander}^ No. 35, 
K. T. Religiously he is a member of St. George's 
Episcopal Church. 



^ILDEN H. WILSON, who died at his home 
I C at No. 29 South Miller .Street, Newburgh, 
VJy on the 19th of March, 1893, was one of the 
honored and respected business men of this city. 
He was a native of Ohio, born in Delaware Coun- 
ty, in 1846, and with the family removed to New- 
burgh in 1857, where he attended Mr. Cavan's 
private school as well as the public schools. In 
1862 he entered the army as a member of the 
Nineteenth New York Regiment of Volunteer 
Militia. On returning home he engaged with 
Frank Gerard to learn the mason's trade, serv- 
ing a four-j-ears apprenticeship, after which for 
two years he followed that trade in New York 
City. Returning to Newburgh, he formed a part- 
nership with his brother, Jonathan D. Wilson, 
and they carried on a business as masons and 
builders until our subject's death. Thej^ also 
carried on a real-estate business, and on South 
Miller Street erected thirty or thirty-five houses. 
At Newbugh, in Januarj', 1873, Mr. Wilson 
was united in marriage with Miss Jennie W. 
Murray, a native of this city. He was alwaj-s a 
man who commanded the respect of many friends, 
and in the councils of the Democratic party held 



an influential place, rendering efficient ser\Mce 
in its behalf. From 1883 until 1886 he was a 
member of the Board of Almshouse Commis.sion- 
ers, was the first Inspector of Buildings in New- 
burgh, and was one of the Board of Water Com- 
missioners from 1889 until his death, having just 
been made President of the board. He was a 
.stockholder and Trustee of the Academy of Mu- 
sic, and was also an organizer and stockholder of 
the Columbus Trust Company. He was a mem- 
ber of the Board of Trade, and belonged to the 
Chapman Hose Company. 

Socially Mr. Wilson held membership with 
Acme Lodge of Odd Fellows; Ellis Post, G. A. R. ; 
and was a prominent Mason, belonging to New- 
burgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., in which he 
had filled all the chairs; Highland Chapter No. 
52, R. A. M.; and Hudson River Commandery 
No. 35, K. T. He was alwaN's a faithful attend- 
ant at Calvary Presbyterian Church. At his 
death he was buried with Masonic and Grand 
Arm}- honors, on the 21st of March, 1893, ^'^d 
resolutions of respect were passed by all the .socie- 
ties with which he was connected . He was a man 
who had the confidence of all with whom he came 
in contact, and everybod}- who possessed his 
friend.ship esteemed it higlil}-. Of excellent habits, 
he was upright and honorable in all his dealings 
with his fellow- men, and was ju.sth' regarded as 
one of the leading citizens of Newburgh. 



r^ATRICK DELANY is a member of the firm 
y/^ of P. Delany & Co., owners and proprietors 
fS) of the Newburgh Steam Boiler Works, the 
largest business of the kind between New York 
and Troy. In the parental famih- were the fol- 
lowing children: Margaret Hayes, of Newburgh; 
John, who is connected with the firm of T. S. 
Marvel & Co., of Newburgh; and our subject. 

Patrick Delany received a practical education 
in St. Patrick's School, of this citJ^ where he re- 
mained until twelve years of age, after which he 
entered the boiler works of Alexander Cauldwell, 
with whom he remained until 1870, when he be- 
gan business on his own account. He is highly 




CAPT. GEORGE D. WOOLSEY. 



, PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



559 



regarded in trade circles for his integrity and me- 
chanical skill, and is the patentee of the improved 
ice buoy used by the United States Government. 

In 1870, in connection with John Boland, Mr. 
Delany established the Newburgh Steam Boiler 
Works on South Water Street, near William, one 
of the largest and best equipped boiler works in 
the state. From 1878 until January, 1890, Mr. 
Delany carried on operations alone, but at that 
time admitted to partnership Albert N. Chambers. 
They are engaged in the construction of all kinds 
of boilers, and the United States Government has 
been a substantial patron in the purchase of the 
patent whistling buoy. They have also engaged 
extensively in the manufacture of marine boilers, 
which are used in many of the boats and tugs on 
the Hudson and in New York Harbor. Annually 
about one hundred of their boilers are sent to 
New York and Brooklyn, being used in places of 
business, hotels, theaters, etc. They furnished 
six boilers to the Hudson River State Hospital at 
Poughkeesie, N. Y. , which weighed eighteen tons 
apiece, besides which their boilers can be seen at 
the W^est Point Military Academy and the State 
Homeopathic Hospital at Middletown, N. Y., 
and almost every factory in Newburgh has from 
one to five. 

The shops of this progressive and enterprising- 
concern are located at the corner of Golden and 
Renwick Streets, the building being 100x200 feet 
and three stories in height. The tools used in 
the manufacture of their .specialties are large and 
expensive, and when it is considered that thej- 
possess tools which are capable of punching a six- 
inch hole out of a steel plate an inch thick, it is 
easily seen that their equipment of modern tools 
includes the most elaborate and best. Their prod- 
ucts are not only sold in New York State and vi- 
cinity, but are sent to Cuba, Mexico, and all over 
North and Sputh America. They now employ 
about one hundred and fift)' men in the shops, 
and, large as the business is, it is con.stantly in- 
creasing. The)' aLso handle machinists' supplies, 
in the .sale of which they have one man on the 
road. Their work bears a high reputation and 
the partners are in excellent repute in everyway. 

The business energy of Mr. Delany has done 



much to build up the extensive trade of the firm, 
and for his success he deserves much credit, as 
from an early age he has been dependent upon 
his own resources, receiving no assistance on 
starting out for himself, and his accumulations 
are the just reward of his own industry and econ- 
omy. He is an honorary member of the Chap- 
man Steamer Company, and belongs to the Fire 
Department Fund Association, of which he was 
Vice-President one year. Religiously he is a 
member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, while 
in politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, 
and represented the First Ward as Alderman one 
term. 



EAPT. GEORGE D. WOOLSEY, the owner 
of the vessel "Samsondale, " and one of the 
oldest captains on the river, was born in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., October 12, 1829, and 
came to Newburgh in 1831. His father, Elijah 
L. Woolsey, was born in Milton, Ulster County, 
as was his grandfather, Nathaniel Woolsey, who 
there followed fanning until his death. He mar- 
ried Miss Rhodes, whose father and two eldest 
brothers were in the Revolutionary War, and 
were all killed at the storming of Stony Point. 
The Woolsey family is of English descent, and 
Elijah W^oolsey was a river captain, who sailed 
the .sloop "Intelligence," also the steamer "Eady 
Richmond" and the "Richard Davis." He was 
on the river thirty-five years in all. In 1831 he 
removed from Poughkeepsie to Newburgh, and 
at the age of sixty-five left the water, being suc- 
ceeded by his son, David C, who is now captain 
of the "Emeline." The father, who died in 
1867 and was buried in Newburgh, was a sup- 
porter of the Republican party, and a member of 
the Methodi-st Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject was in her maiden- 
hood Phcebe Crawford, a native of Ulster Coun- 
ty, and a daughter of Absalom Crawford, a 
fanner. She died in 1886, at the age of eighty 
years. In the Woolsey family were nine chil- 
dren, six of whom reached mature years. Mrs. 
Louise Fuller, whose husband was killed while 
serving in the war as a member of a Ma.ssachu- 



56o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



setts regiment, is now residing in New York 
Cit}-. Mary died in 1846. Rachel became the 
wife of E. W. Cousins, and died in New York. 
George D. is the next of the family. Nathaniel 
died in New York City in 1862. David C, a 
river captain, is living in Haverstraw. Angelia 
became the wife of Harry Wood, and died in Syr- 
acuse, N. Y. : and John and Charles died in 
childhood. 

Since the age of two years our subject has lived 
in Newburgh. He attended the old Glebe School 
and the free academy, in which latter institution 
he was a schoolmate of William Belknap, ex- 
Secretary of War. He graduated at the age of 
seventeen, and then attended the theological 
seminary for a short time, after which he went 
with his father on the boats as a cook . He grad- 
uallj- worked his way upward, and within two 
years was placed in charge of a vessel. He be- 
came captain of the sloop "Samuel A. Cunning- 
ham," running between Newburgh and New 
York, and the "Walter F. Brewster," and after- 
ward purchased and operated the sloop "Sophia 
Ann," running between Albany and New Ha- 
ven. In 1 86 1 he sold that vessel, and the fol- 
lowing year bought the sloop "Samsondale, " 
which had then been running for eleven years, 
and has since been in almost constant operation. 
In 1888 he had the boat almost entirely rebuilt, 
and converted into a derrick lighter. It has a 
capacity of one hundred and thirty tons, a sev- 
entj'-foot keel, and draws about seven and one- 
third feet of water. He is mosth- engaged in 
Government work. 

Captain Woolsey was married in Newburgh, 
in 1851, to Miss Timna Quick, who was born in 
Milton, Ulster County, a daughter of Reuben 
Quick, a farmer. They became the parents of 
the followmg children: Anna H., wife of John 
Cosman, of Middle Hope; Harriet, wife of Dan- 
iel Gardner, at home; Charles C, who died at 
the age of four years; and George D., who died 
at the age of two and a-half years. Their home 
is a double brick residence on Grand Street, and 
is one of the good homes in the cit3\ In politics 
he is a stanch Republican. 

The Captain is a scholarh- gentleman, of broad 



mind and general information, and is well read in 
classics. He has a fine libran- of modern and an- 
cient works, possesses an excellent memory, and 
has published many able articles on the subject 
of Christianity. He is an excellent Bible student, 
and, though connected with no church, is en- 
gaged in preaching in Temperance Hall in New- 
burgh . 



0AMUEL EMSLIE. As a representative of a 
7\ well known famih- of Orange County, Mr. 
\~} Emslie adds luster to the honored name he 
bears. His accurate judgment and .superior abil- 
ity have been displa}'ed in the successful manage- 
ment of his large and well equipped meat-market 
at Cornwall, in which line of business he has 
been engaged for the past fifteen years. 

James Emslie, the father of our subject, was 
born in Scotland about 1825, and is now deceased. 
His marriage united him with Miss Jane Weston, 
a native of England. (The reader will find a full 
histor}' of this worth}' couple on another page in 
this volume.) The}' were the parents of a fam- 
ily of seven sons and daughters, of whom Samuel 
was the youngest but one. He was born in Corn- 
wall, December 12, 1853, and, like most of the 
lads of that day, attended the district school, 
where he gained a fair knowledge of the common 
branches taught. He had to work verj- hard 
when a boy, and early in life learned the trade of 
a baker under the instruction of his father. He 
followed this industry until attaining his twenty- 
fifth year, being obliged to remain at home until 
reaching that age, or until his youngest brother 
was old enough to take his place. He then be- 
gan in life for himself, first hiring out to work for 
Charles Cornell, a butcher, under whom he soon 
became acquainted with the business. In fact, 
it was but a few months before he assumed full 
charge of the market, keeping books, collecting, 
etc., and performing the work of two men. Be- 
ing obliged to work, night and day, his health 
soon began to fail, and at the end of the j-ear he 
resigned his position, soon thereafter engaging in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



561 



business for himself. He began with httle capi- 
tal, but has worked his way up, step by step, un- 
til he now ranks among the sub.stantial business 
men of the place, being respected by all who 
know him. 

Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss Belle, 
daughter of Henry and Christina Thorn, natives 
of Orange Countw To them have been born 
three children: Irving, Weston and Edna Belle. 
The eldest of this family, now a lad of thirteen 
years, is a bright and promising scholar, and is 
naturally gifted both in literature and music, and 
if his health does not fail him will doubtless make 
his mark in the world. The other children are 
also remarkably studious, and the parents have 
good reason to be proud of them. In politics 
Mr. Emslie is a Republican, tried and true, and 
in social affairs belongs to the Knights of Pythias. 
He is an official member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and is regarded as one of the most 
valued workers in that congregation. 

' g ^ P ' 



(Stephen ABRIAL, superintendent of 
/\ Little Falls Paper Company of Newburgh, 
ilJ/ was born in Livingston, Columbia Count}', 
N. Y., in 1S48, and is a son of William and Myra 
(Reiilenberg) Abrial, both of whom were natives 
of New York. His father was an agriculturist, 
and is now living in Columbia County, at the age 
of seventy-three years. There were seven chil- 
dren in the parental family, of whom our subject 
is third in order of birth. 

Stephen Abrial was reared in his native county, 
receiving his education in the public schools, and 
when eleven years of age he began to learn the 
paper trade at Blue Store Mills, in Columbia 
County, these mills being engaged in the manu- 
facture of straw wrapping-paper. He was there 
employed for a period of twenty-four years, be- 
ginning at the bottom as a cutter, and working 
up in every department, through the feeder, ma- 
chine, bleaching, pulp and finishing rooms. He 
became foreman in the mills when twenty years 
of age, and when thirty years old was made su- 
perintendent. He continued in the latter capac- 



ity for two years, when he removed to Linlithgo, 
and was employed by the Livingston Paper Com- 
pany, manufacturers of toilet-paper, as a machine 
tender. He soon after became superintendent of 
the mills, but remained there only a short time, 
when he went to Cairo, N. Y., and engaged with 
C. J. Case& Co. as superintendent of their paper- 
mill, where he remained three years. He then 
returned to the Livingston Paper Company, and 
was superintendent of their mills for a time, re- 
moving thence to Penn Yan, N. Y., where he en- 
gaged as superintendent of the Cascade Mills. 

In the fall of 1893 Mr. Abrial severed his con- 
nection with the Cascade Mills, and came to New- 
burgh as superintendent of the mills of the Little 
Falls Paper Company, manufacturers of toilet- 
paper. The mills are located on Quassaick Creek, 
and have an average capacity of eight tons per 
day. The paper is manufactured from wood pulp 
and old bagging. About sixteen men are there 
given employment, and the mill, which ranks as 
the best in its line of work, is run by .steam and 
water-power. There are three boilers, with a ca- 
pacit)' of three hundred horse-power each, and 
three engines with the same capacity. 

In Columbia County, N. Y., Mr. Abrial was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Millius, a 
native of that county. They are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Demo- 
crat, though not partisan. 



0AMUEL FRAZER is President and Man- 
?\ ager of the Storm King Pants Company, 
\2) Limited, of Newburgh. They are practical 
merchant tailors, carry a well selected stock of 
goods, and transact a large bu.siness. Their 
.store, which is supplied with modern appliances, 
such as electric motor, etc., is located at No. 78 
Water Street, at the corner of Third. Mr. Frazer 
is a well known member of the Veteran Associa- 
tion of the Leonard Steamer Company, served his 
time ill the fire department, and now belongs 
to C. M. Leonard Council No. 7, O. of A. M. 
For seven years he belonged to Company E, 
Seventeenth Battalion, National -Guards of New 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York, and is now identified with the Veteran As- 
sociation of the Tenth Separate Company. 

Mr. Frazer was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, on the 26th of June, 1853, and is a son 
of the late David Frazer, who was a native of 
the same county. The latter was superintendent 
of a linen-mill in that locality-, and later resided 
in Belfast and in Dungannon, County Tj'rone. 
About 1870 he emigrated with his family to 
Newburgh, embarking in the grocer\- business at 
the corner of Mill and Washington Streets, but in 
a short time retired. Returning to Ireland, he 
once more obtained a position as superintendent 
in a linen-mill, and was thus occupied until his 
health failed. His last j-ears were passed in 
Brooklj'u, where he died in 1891, aged sixty-five. 
His wife, Anna E., was a daughter of James 
Shaw, a farmer of Newr3-, County Down, and 
there Mrs. Frazer was born. She adhered to the 
old Presbyterian faith, and is still living in New- 
burgh. Of her eight children, four are deceased, 
and Samuel is the eldest of the familj-. 

Young Frazer attended the national private 
schools in Ireland, and was sixteen years of 
age when his parents concluded to emigrate to 
America. In 1870 he left Liverpool on the 
steamer "Java," of the Cunard Line, and nine 
days later arrived in New York. Coming to 
Newburgh, he obtained a position as clerk in 
the merchant-tailoring establishment of Sterling 
& Owen, at the corner of Third and Front 
Streets. He remained with the firm for twelve 
years, becoming thoroughly familiar with the 
business in its various departments, and making 
a specialty of cutting. In 1882 the partnership 
was dissolved, Mr. Sterling opening a store on 
Fourth Street and placing Mr. Frazer in charge 
of the cutting department. In 1S85 Mr. Ster- 
ling's brother-in-law, W. E. R. Gleason, as- 
sumed the management and proprietorship of the 
business, retaining our subject in his former ca- 
pacity until the latter resigned, in 1887. He or- 
ganized the Storm King Pants Company, with a 
capital stock of $10,000, and has been its Presi- 
dent and Manager from the start. W. E. Mc- 
Cutcheon is Treasurer; William G. Hunter Sec- 
retary-, and Joseph Carriet and L. W. Y. Mc- 



Croskery are Directors and stockholders in the 
concern. The business is now well under way, 
and by judicious advertising has become widely 
and favorably known. Three cutters are em- 
ployed constantly, besides other hands. Mr. 
Frazer is a charter member of Newburgh Lodge, 
B. P. O. E., and belongs to Newburgh Lodge 
No. 309, F. & A. M. In his political affiliations 
he is an ally of the Democracy. 

In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Frazer 
and Agnes Cameron in Newburgh. The lady 
was born and grew to womanhood in this city, 
her death occurring herein February 25, 1895. 
She was a daughter of David and Elizabeth Cam- 
eron, formerh' well known and respected citizens. 



•gEORGE B. GOLDSMITH, one of the most 
_ enterprising merchants of Highland Falls, 
^ is the proprietor of the only exclusive cloth- 
ing store in the place. His career as a citizen has 
been a verj- honorable and useful one, and he is 
well esteemed throughout the county, numbering 
as friends all with whom he has business deal- 
ings, a fact which speaks very highly of his up- 
right character. He established his business 
here in 1884, and from that time to the present 
has carried on a thriving trade in the .sale of 
men's clothing and furnishing goods. 

Born in Haverstraw, Rockland County, June 
18, 1863, the subject of this .sketch is the son of 
Alexander Goldsmith, a native of France, and 
now a prosperous clothing merchant of Haver- 
straw. The mother, who is also living, bore the 
maiden name of Delia Mentannia, and their union 
resulted in the birth of four children, namely': 
Sarah, who is the wife of John Sherwood, and 
resides in New York City: Kate, Mrs. Edward 
Coe, also a resident of New York City; George 
B., of this sketch; and James, who resides at 
home. 

The boyhood daN'S of our .subject were pas.sed 
in his native place in attendance at the public 
schools, where he acquired a useful fund of in- 
formation. Eleven years ago he came to High- 
land Falls and started a business for himself, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



563 



which he has carried on in a ver)- prosperous 
and highh' commendable manner. In 1889 he 
was married to Miss Jennie Hoag, a resident of 
Highland Falls and a native of Garrison, N. Y. 
A son and daughter have been born of their 
union, Alexander M. and Margaret. 

Mrs. Goldsmith is an active member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and in the various depart- 
ments of the congregation at Highland Falls is 
an ardent worker. Our subject is a Democrat in 
politics, never failing to cast his vote in support of 
that party's candidates, and socially is a Knight 
of Honor. He is one of the prominent young 
business men of the place, and is honored and re- 
spected by all who have the pleasure of his ac- 
quaintance. 



I E ROY AKINS, one of the nio.st influential 
I C and worthy citizens of Cornwall on the Hud- 
l_2f son, is efficiently discharging the duties per- 
taining to the office of Postma.ster. Few men in 
the community are better known or more sincere- 
ly esteemed by one and all, for he is faithful to 
the best interests of the public, and has always 
had its welfare deeply at heart. Mr. Akins was 
formerly in the employ of Mead & Taft, promi- 
nent business men of this place, for a period of 
thirteen years, which fact speaks well for his faith- 
fulness as an employe. 

Peter B. Akins, the father of our subject, is a 
prominent lawyer, having his office located in 
Livingston Manor. He is a finely educated gen- 
tleman, and is well known among his professional 
brethren. His marriage united him with Miss 
Phebe A. Leroy, a native of New York, while 
he was born in the city of Hudson, Columbia 
County. Of the nine children born to them we 
make the following mention: Le Roy, of this 
sketch, was the eldest; William is deceased; Mary 
C. is living at Livingston Manor; Lincoln is de- 
ceased; Kate P. makes her home in this place; 
Franklin is deceased; Miimie L. is the wife of 
Theron A.. Ray, of Sidney, Delaware County, 
N. Y.; Floyd is deceased; and Edna resides at 
home in Livingston Manor. 



The birth of our subject occurred October i, 
1851, in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, N. Y. He 
was given a good opportunity for attending school, 
and upon completing his education was appren- 
ticed to learn the painter's trade. He worked at 
this for six years at Livingston Manor, and at 
the end of that time, upon coming to Cornwall, 
was engaged by Mead & Taft, the leading con- 
tractors of this place, serving in the capacitj' of 
foreman. He is a thorough and trustworthy bus- 
iness man, and his popularitj- among the residents 
of this place led to his appointment as Postmaster 
in 1895. 

Mr. Akins and Miss Helen E. Benton were 
united in marriage October 6, 1877. The lady 
was born at Liberty, Sullivan County, this state, 
and is the daughter of I. B. and Margaret (Chap- 
man) Benton, both of whom are deceased. To 
our subject and wife were born three children, of 
whom Grace L-, a most intelligent and accom- 
plished young lady, is engaged as clerk in the 
postoffice with her father; Mabel is deceased; and 
Marion J. is at home. Politically Mr. Akins has 
always been a stanch supporter of Democratic 
principles, and takes a deep interest in the suc- 
cess of that party. Although never having act- 
ed in a public capacity before, he is thoroughly 
efficient, and is giving entire satisfaction to all 
concerned . 



EURTIS STANTON, superintendent of the 
Water Works of Newburgh, was born in this 
city on the 12th of November, 1842. His 
paternal grandfather removed from Long Island 
to Matteawan, Dutchess County, where Isaac 
Stanton, the father of our subject, was born. The 
latter learned the cabinet-maker's trade in New- 
burgh, where he wedded Miss Buchanan, a 
daughter of Hugh Buchanan. The latter was 
born in the Highlands of Scotland, and, coming 
to America when a young man, was here married. 
By occupation he was a farmer and also engaged 
in the butcher and provision business. He died 



564 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the age of eight\-seven years, in the faith of 
the Presbyterian Church. After the death of the 
mother of our subject Mr. Stanton married Mar- 
garet Buchanan, a sister of his first wife, by whom 
he had two children, who are still living. In 
North Newburgh the father engaged in the foun- 
drj- business in connection with Edson L. Clark, 
the firm being Stanton, Clark & Co., which con- 
tinued operations for many years. He was the 
projector and builder of the original Washington 
Iron Works, being a member of the firm of Stan- 
ton & Mallory, and later of Stanton, Raines & 
Co. On .selling out, he returned to Newburgh and 
became connected with his former foundry, there 
building the engine and boiler for the United 
States steamer "Marblehead." He is now living 
at the age of eighty- two j-ears, retired from active 
business life. Politically he is an old-line Whig, 
and religiously is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Curtis Stanton is one of the children born 
of his father's first marriage, only two of whom 
are now living. Samuel, who died in New Jer- 
sey, was one of the promoters of iron shipbuild- 
ing in Newburgh, being a member of the firm of 
Ward, Stanton & Co. Elizabeth died in New- 
burgh: and John H. is a draughtsman of this city. 

After completing his education in the Academy 
of Newburgh, Curtis Stanton, at the age of six- 
teen, was apprenticed as a pattern-maker under 
his father, with whom he worked until Septem- 
ber, 1863. At that time he became a volunteer 
in the United States navj-, and was appointed 
third assistant engineer, being ordered on the 
second "Monitor," built at Green Point. He was 
later made second engineer, with the rank of 
Lieutenant, and remained on the James River un- 
til the close of the war. Still continuing in the 
service, however, he was for two months on Lake 
Michigan, when he was transferred to the United 
States steamer "Canandaigua," being made sec- 
ond assistant engineer and sent to European ports. 
For the following three years, under Admiral 
Farragut, he visited every country and port in 
Europe, and on his return in March, 1869, was 
honorably discharged. 

Mr. Stanton then continued pattern-making 



with Ward, Stanton & Co. until 1884, at which 
time he entered the employ of the Hoboken Land 
Improvement Company as clerk, remaining with 
them for fourteen months. For the following 
fiv'e years he served as clerk for the Erie Rail- 
road Company, but in the spring of 1891 was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the Water Works of 
Newburgh, which position he still continues to 
fill, to the satisfaction of all concerned. 

In Lawrence, Mass., was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Mr. Stanton and Miss Harriet E. Harab- 
let, who died in 1891, leaving four children: 
Harry, who is in the employ of the Erie Railroad, 
and Ella, Frank and Grace. In 1883 and 1884 
Mr. Stanton served as Alderman from the Second 
Ward of Newburgh. For some time he was con- 
nected with the Ringgold Hose Company, of 
which he was Secretary, and is a member of the 
Ringgold Veteran Association. Fraternally he 
is connected with Hudson River Lodge No. 309, 
F. & A. M.; and Ellis Post, G. A. R. Mr. Stan- 
ton is one of the popular and well known citizens 
of Newburgh, and his name deser\'es an honored 
place in the history of Orange County. 

-^=^)^ P • 



EAPT. EZRA I. HUNTER, now captain of 
the steamboat "James H. Baldwin," was a 
pilot for forty-seven j-ears, during which 
time more trusty hands never turned a steering- 
wheel. His birth occurred in Yorktown, West- 
chester Count j', N. Y., June 24, 1826, and he is a 
son of Gilbert Hunter, a native of the same county, 
and an exten.sive business man, operating a farm, 
blacksmith-shop, sawmill and fulling and carding 
mill on a branch of the Croton River. His death 
there occurred at the age of sixtj'-six years. The 
mother, who bore the maiden name of Phoebe 
Horton, and was also born in Westchester County, 
was a daughter of William Horton, who belonged 
to the Societj- of Friends, and by occupation was 
a farmer and blacksmith, making a specialty of 
edged tools. He was a Whig in politics, and died 
in Westchester County. The mother of our sub- 
ject, who was also a Quaker, passed away at the 
age of fortj'-three years. Bj' her marriage she 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



565 



had six children, five sons and one daughter: 
David, who died at the age of tvventj'-one; Mrs. 
Hannah Loder, who died in Peekskill, N. Y. ; 
WilHani, who was his father's successor, and la- 
ter became a contractor and builder of Peekskill, 
where his death occurred; Ezra I., of this sketch; 
Charles, who has a foundry in Fredericksburg, 
Va.; and George, a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. 

Ezra I. Hunter is almost entirely self-educated, 
his school pri\ileges having been very meager. 
When a very small lad the ambition to steer a 
steamboat possessed him, and when only eleven 
years old he left home and shipped as a cabin-boy 
on a North River sloop, the "Mona Ritter, '" ply- 
ing between Croton and New York. In this 
school of navigation he learned the intricacies of 
the river, how to reef and steer, and all the tech- 
nicalities of boating. In 1 843 he was hired as mate 
on the steamer "Croton," and the following year, 
when only eighteen years of age, was in the pilot 
house, duly commissioned to steer a steamboat. 
For a number of years he was pilot of vessels 
around New York Harbor, and in 1848 and 1849 
was captain of the steamer "Stranger, " in the 
employ of the Commissioners of Immigration and 
Almshouse, running between the city and Staten, 
Randall's and Blackvvell's Islands, transporting 
paupers, criminals and immigrants, and seeing a 
great deal of the miseries of New York life. 

In 1850 Captain Hunter came up the river and 
piloted the steamer "Mazeppa," then running be- 
tween Rondout and Albany, though the following 
year the route was extended to Poughkeepsie. In 
1855 that boat was replaced by the "Eagle," and 
in 1859 the route was extended to Newburgh, 
and has continued between Albany and Newburgh 
ever since. For thirteen years he steered the 
"Eagle," when he was transferred to the .steamer 
"Milton Martin," on which he remained for sev- 
enteen years, or until the former was burned. In 
1884 the "Jacob H. Tremper" was built, and Mr. 
Hunter was given the navigation of the new 
boat. Since 1850 he has been with the Romer & 
Tremper Company, and has been longer in their 
service than any other man. At first he ran 
their only boat, but as their business increased, 
more boats were added and larger ones built, and 



during all this time he has had charge of the 
leading boat. He makes a daily trip of one hun- 
dred miles in nine hours, stopping at twenty-five 
different landings, and once a week goes as far as 
Troy. He knows every turn of the river, up and 
down, between Sandy Hook and Troy, and in all 
the years he stood at the wheel he never had a 
mishap to his boats. For thirty years he and 
Capt. Henry Fairbanks and Engineer William H. 
Berry sailed together in the "Eagle" and "Mar- 
tin," and for thirty successive Thanksgiving Days 
they ate their dinner together on their boats. 

On the i6th of August, 1848, Captain Hunter 
was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Theall, 
who was born in New York City, a daughter 
of Robert Theall, also a native of that city, where 
he dealt in real estate and was an oil inspector 
until his death, at the age of fifty- four years. 
Her mother, formerly Margaret Davis, was born 
in New York, where she passed away at the age 
of seventy-six years. In the family were two 
children who grew to maturity, but Mrs. Hunter 
is the only one now living, Robert having died 
in New York many years ago. For man}- years 
the Captain and his wife have been residents of 
Newburgh, having arrived here in 1859, and 
have gained a ho.st of friends, who esteem them 
highly. Since 1869 he has been Steward of Trin- 
ity Methodist Epi.scopal Church, being one of its 
active and liberal members, and also belongs to 
the Pilots' Harbor of Rondout. His political 
views coincide with those of the Republican 
party, of which he is a stalwart supporter. 

EOL. CHARLES L. BROWN is part mana- 
ger of the Brown Lime Company, and is also 
interested in a fire-insurance business. He 
is an active Republican, and is now serving as 
Supervisor from the Second Ward of Newburgh. 
He was first honored with this position in 1887, 
and was re-elected every year afterward until 
1894, when he was elected for two years under 
the new law. He has served on the Armorj' 
Committee as Chairman, and has been a member 
of others. Formerly he was Lieutenant-Colonel 



566 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of a companj' of state militia, while his brother, 
W. R. , was Brigadier-General of the Twentj-- 
second Brigade New York National Guard. In 
1866 he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-Gen- 
eral on the staff of Gen. William R. Brown by 
Governor Hoffman, and for some years had the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Our subject's father, David Brown, was born 
in Flushing, L. I., and with his parents came to 
Newburgh, where he was reared. He learned 
the cooper's trade and went into business on a 
large scale, owning several shops in the vicinity. 
During his last years he was engaged in manufact- 
uring lime. His death occurred in 1869, when 
he was in his eightieth year. A participant in 
the War of 1812, he ser\-ed under General Har- 
rison in Ohio, when but eighteen years of age. 
Until the war came on he gave his allegiance to 
the Democratic party, but after Ft. Sumter was 
fired upon became a strong Republican. Relig- 
iously he was an Episcopalian. His wife, Sarah, 
who was born in Newburgh, was a daughter of 
Gen. Chauncy Belknap, who was born in Orange 
County and built the old frame flourmill on Quas- 
saick Creek. The old structure has been re- 
placed bj' a brick one, but the same race and dam 
are used. The General won his title while serv- 
ing in the .state militia. His family were old 
and prominent in this region, having emigrated 
here from England. Mrs. Sarah Brown died at 
the age of fifty-two years, and of her three sons 
and one daughter, our subject is the only survivor. 
His brother, William R. , was a Colonel of the 
Nineteenth Regiment during the late war for 
three months, and helped to raise the One Hun- 
dred and Sixty-eighth Regiment, which he took 
out and commanded for fourteen months. After 
the war he was Brigadier-General of the National 
Guard of New York, and died in Newburgh from 
the effects of his .services in the army. 

Colonel Brown, of this sketch, was born March 
I, 1827, in a house which stood on the laud ad- 
joining his present residence. He received a 
good education and was graduated from New- 
burgh Academy, after which he assisted his fa- 
ther in the manufacture of lime until 1869, when 
he and his brother, W. R., conducted the busi- 



ness until the latter' s death. The present com- 
pany was formed in 1878, since which time the 
plant has been greatly increased in capacity. 
They sell lime at retail and wholesale, and va- 
rious kinds of building material, excepting lum- 
ber. They own about sixty acres of land, includ- 
ing quarries, and four perpetual or draw kilns, 
having a capacity of about seventy thousand 
bushels a j'ear. Employment is given to a dozen 
or more -men the year round,* and in order to 
afford shipping facilities a switch half a mile long 
has been laid from the Erie Road. Since 1879 
the firm has also been engaged in the fire-insur- 
ance business, representing the leading companies 
in the United States. Mr. Brown is a member of 
Highland Steamer Fire Company No. 3, and is a 
member of the Order of American Firemen. He 
also belongs to Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & 
A. M.; Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; 
Hudson River Commaedery No. 35, K. T. ; and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a 
past officer of Highland Lodge. 

The handsome brick residence owned by our 
subject at No. 21 West Street was erected by him 
a few jears since. His first wife was a Miss 
Stephens, who died leaving no children. In 1866 
he married Martha Harrison, who was born in 
New Jersey. Her father, Joshua Harrison, was a 
native of Yorkshire, England, and was proprietor 
of a woolen factor}- in North Branch, operating 
the same until 1844. About that time he came 
to Newburgh and ran the old woolen-mill on the 
Quassaick until he retired from business. He is 
-Still living, having attained his eighty-second 
year, but his wife, who was a Miss Mary A. Ems- 
ley, and who was also a native of England, died 
in 1884, aged sixty-nine years. Mrs. Brown 
is one of nine children, of whom two sons and 
two daughters survave, and one of her brothers, 
John J. E., was in the service during the late 
war. Mrs. Brown was reared and educated in 
Newburgh, and by her marriage has become the 
mother of three children. William J. is employed 
in the New York City Postoffice; Charles L.. Jr., 
is also a resident of the same city, and is in 
the ofiice of the New York & Ontario Railroad: 
Clarissa B., the only daughter, is with her par- 




'mtf 




HUGH DAVIDSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



569 



eiits at home. The family are members of Grace 
Methodist Episcopal Church, the Colonel having 
been a member of the Building Committee and 
Treasurer of the same. He has served on the 
Board of Trustees, and for many years has been a 
teacher and Treasurer of the Sunday-school. 
The ground on which the church stands was 
given to the congregation by himself and his 
brother, William R., who have always been noted 
for their generosity in religious enterprises. 



!^+^l— 



HUGH DAVIDSON is senior member of the 
firm of Hugh Davidson's Sons, extensive 
manufacturers of brick in the town of New 
Windsor. Their yards are the only ones com- 
pletely covered, about 150x250 feet being de 
voted to ;heds. The kilns are also roofed, and 
by this plan brick can be manufactured no mat- 
ter what the weather may be. This is one of the 
oldest and largest concerns of the locality, as it 
has been in running operation for nearly a quar- 
ter of a centurj'. 

William Davidson, the grandfather of Hugh, 
was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America at 
an early day, settling in Craigsville, this county. 
His last years were spent in Newburgh, where 
his death occurred. Our subject's father, Hugh 
Davidson, Sr., was also a native of Ireland, and 
learned the boiler-maker's trade. For sometime 
he was foreman in the Washington Iron Works, 
but before the war came on went to Virginia, 
building and superintending two brickyards 
owned by James Bigler. On account of the war 
he returned North and was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of brick at Haverstraw. Subsequently 
he purchased the yards now owned by his sons, 
and was successfully engaged in business until 
shortly before his death, which occurred in 1891, 
just twenty years after he had become proprietor 
of this plant. Politically he was a Republican, 
and was always devoted to the intere.sts of his fel- 
low-citizens. His wife. Miss Maria Barber, came 
from an old and long established family of Steu- 
ben County, N. Y., and her death occurred 
about 1887. Both parents were members of the 

24 



Presbyterian Church. Of their seven sons, five 
grew to maturity, but only three survive, namely; 
Hugh, Elsworth and Frank, who are all inter- 
ested in their father's brick factory. Robert was 
killed while crossing the West Shore Railroad 
tracks at Newburgh, in 1886; and George died 
when sixteen years of age, while at the Peekskill 
Military Academy. 

Hugh Davidson, Jr., was born in Newburgh in 
i860, and was brought up in this town, first at- 
tending the public schools, and later the high 
school at Newburgh. From his boyhood he was 
interested in the brick business, and ran the en- 
gines for his father until the latter's death. Since 
that time he has been superintendent of the plant, 
which covers thirty acres lying along the Hudson 
River. Three machines, each having a capacity 
of thirty-five thou.sand brick per day, are in con- 
stant use, the power being furnished by a forty- 
five horse-power engine, and employment is given 
to thirty-five hands. The location is historical, 
as prior to being sent to the front the Thirty -.sixth 
New York Infantry camped here, the old guard- 
house having since been pulled down. A switch 
from the West Shore Railroad makes transporta- 
tion convenient, and some eight hundred car- 
loads of wood are used in the kilns each year. 
At high tide the brick barges can come to the 
side of the kilns, which obviates unneces.sary 
handling. The brand put out by the firm is 
known as the North River Hard Brick, which 
finds a ready market in New York and other 
points. 

January 5, 1892, Mr. Davidson was married, 
in Newburgh, to Anna, daughter of John H. 
Armstrong, who was employed as a printer by 
the publishing house of Harper Bros., in New 
York. Afterwards he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and became identified with the Methodi.st Book 
Publishing Company. Both he and his wife 
(whose maiden name was Harriet Walsh) died 
in that city. Mrs. Anna Davidson is a native of 
New York City, and by her marriage has become 
the mother of one child, Virginia. 

Our subject takes quite an active part in polit- 
ical affairs, having been a delegate to numerous 
county and congressional conventions of the Re- 



570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



publican party, and has served on petit and 
grand juries. At present he is serving his third 
term as Road Commissioner. During his incum- 
bencj- three or four loads have been built and 
needful improvements made on others. Relig- 
iously Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are members of 
the Baptist denomination. 



G: 



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r^ROF. WILLIAM H. G. REPP, who is in- 
L/' structor on the violin and piano in New- 
K3 burgh, is also teacher of vocal music, and is 
the leader and teacher of the Matteawan Maen- 
nerchor. He is a native of Newburgh, born Au- 
gust 5, 1869, and is of German descent, his fa- 
ther, Charles Repp, having been born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, of which country his moth- 
er, Pauline (Hoffman) Repp, was also a native. 
The father was an amateur musician of more than 
ordinary ability, but was educated for the profes- 
sion of teaching. He did not follow that, how- 
ever, but instead learned the trade of cabinet- 
making, which has been his life work. He came 
to America when aj'oung man, and here married, 
and has been a resident of Newburgh about thirty 
years. He is a veteran fireman, having been a 
member of Washington Steamer No. 4, and re- 
ligiously is connected with the Lutheran Church. 
In the parental family, which consisted of three 
children, our subject is the eldest. 

Professor Repp grew to manhood in his native 
city, receiving his primary education in its public 
schools, and is a graduate of the Newburgh Acad- 
emy ot the Class of '87. From a mere boj' he 
made a study of music, receiving instruction 
from Professor Moscow on the violin and cornet, 
and on the piano from Professor Diemer. In the 
fall of 1887 he went to West Point and enlisted in 
the military band, playing the cornet. He con- 
tiiuied in Governmental service for three years 
and three months, when he secured his discharge. 
In 1890 he went to Europe and entered the Royal 
Conservatory of Music at Leipsic, where, under 
eminent professors in their special lines, he stud- 



ied violin, piano and vocal music. Professors 
Herman and Becker were his instructors on the 
violin, the latter being a son of the celebrated 
Jean Becker. Our subject graduated in Septem- 
ber, 1893, when he returned to Newburgh and 
commenced his career as a teacher of vocal and 
instrumental music. Though only a young man, 
he has already made a reputation as a teacher on 
the violin and piano, and also of vocal music. He 
was the first instructor of the Matteawan and 
Fishkill Maennerchor, and is a member and lead- 
er of the Young Men's Christian Association 
Orchestra of Newburgh. vSociallj' he is a mem- 
ber of Bismarck Lodge No. 420, I. O. O. F., of 
which he is Noble Giand, and also belongs to the 
Elks. Religiously he is a member of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Church. 

@ ''—^^<T^ \=n " (Si ) 



EAPT. WILLIAM H. SMITH, superinten- 
dent of the Laflin & Rand Powder Company, 
and one of the promineut citizens of New- 
burgh, has been a leader in business and official 
circles for some j-ears. At this writing he is a 
member of the Board of Water Commissioners, 
and was formerly a member of the City Council. 
He was born in Westfield, Mass., February 20, 
1852, and his father, John Smith, and his grand- 
father, Solomon Smith, were also natives of that 
place. The latter was a powder manufacturer of 
Westfield, and built the powder-mills of South - 
wick, Mass., to the ownership of w-hich the father 
succeeded, and there continued until 1857, when 
he removed to Kingston, N. Y., and purchased 
and remodeled the old powder-mills. In 1859, in 
association with A. T. Rand, he purchased and 
improved the powder-mills at Newburgh, and 
under the firm name of Smith & Rand continued 
the business until 1864, when it was incorporated 
under the name of the Smith & Rand Powder 
Company, w-hich in 1869 was consolidated with 
the Laflin Powder Cempany of Saugerties, as 
the Laflin & Rand Powder Company. The' fa- 
ther of our subject died in 1864, in New York 
City, at the age of forty-six. His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Catherine Stevens, was born 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



571 



in Huntingdon, Pa. Her fa.ther, Benjamin Rice 
Stevens, was a native of England, and was a man 
of state reputation in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Smith 
was left an orphan at the age of fourteen, and 
went to Massachusetts, obtaining her education 
in Lee and Stockbridge. She was of Scotch de- 
scent on the mother's side, while the Smith fam- 
ily was of English origin. With the Presbyterian 
Church she held membership. She died January 
5, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years. 

In the parental family were seven children, one 
of whom, Albert J., was a Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Fifty -sixth New York Infantry. 
He served for about two years, taking part in the 
Red River expedition; he now resides in Chicago. 
Asa is engaged in the manufacture of powder in 
Schuylkill County, Pa. Nathaniel is an attorney 
of New York City; and the Captain is the young- 
est son. 

William H. Smith was reared in Kingston from 
the age of five years, and was educated in the 
district schools and the academy, and then spent 
three years in the institute in Pittsfield. In 1869 
he went into the main office of the Laflin & Rand 
Powder Company of New York City, where he 
continued until 1876, when he came to New- 
burgh to accept the position of superintendent of 
the powder-mill at this place. The works are 
located on Orange Lake Outlet, three miles from 
the Hudson, and have a capacity of five thousand 
pounds per day. They maTiufacture only fine 
sporting powder and have an excellent trade. 
Captain Smith is one of the .stockholders in the 
company and is a man of excellent business ability. 

In 1877, in Kingston, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Captain Smith and Mi.ss Mary Booth, a 
native of that place and a daughter of James A. 
Booth, a native of England and a large dealer in 
blue stone. They have three children, Nathalie, 
Kenneth and Catherine. In politics Captain 
Smith is a Democrat and has served as Chairman 
of the City Committee, was one term Alderman 
from the Third Ward, .since 1890 has served as 
Water Commissioner, and was President of the 
Board in 1893. He has also been connected with 
the Board of Trade. He was one of the original 
members of Company E, Seventeenth Battalion, 



National Guard of New York, of which he served 
as Lieutenant, and when that cpmpany was 
merged into the Tenth Separate Company he 
was commissioned First Lieutenant by Governor 
Cleveland. Afterward he was promoted to the 
rank of Captain by Governor Hill, thus .serving 
from 1878 until 1887, when he resigned; he is a 
charter member and Treasurer of the Veteran As- 
sociation of the latter company. He takes quite 
an active interest in military affairs, and is a 
faithful citizen, devoted to the welfare of the com- 
munitv in which he resides. 



y yilSS MARY CARROLL, who is engaged 
y in the maiuifacture of soda water at New- 
(g burgh, is a native of this county, and is a 
daughter of Patrick and Susan (Gough) Carroll, 
both of whom were natives of County Tyrone, 
Ireland. Her grandfather, James Carroll, was a 
prominent citizen of the latter count j-, and for 
many years was engaged in raising flax and man- 
ufacturing it into linen. Her father grew to 
manhood on a farm in his native county, and 
there married Susan Gough. Soon afterward he 
came to America, located in the town of New- 
burgh, and there engaged in farming rnitil his 
death, in 1856. The mother now resides with 
the subject of this sketch. In the parental fami- 
ly were five children. James G., a contractor 
and builder, residing in Brooklyn, N. Y., was in 
the United States navy during the Civil War; 
Bernard is engaged in the liquor business in 
Newburgh; Edward, now decea.sed, was for a 
time engaged in the manufacture of soda water; 
Mary is next in order of birth; and Abram J. 
now resides with his sister. 

As already stated, Miss Carroll was born in the 
town of Newburgh, and there grew to woman- 
hood, receiving her education in public and pri- 
vate schools. In 1 88 1 she bought the soda-water 
manufacturing business that had been established 
by her brother Edward in 1865, it being the old- 
e.st of its kind in the city. She moved it to its 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



present location in 1884, at Nos. 26 and 28 Mill 
Street, and in the manufacture of soda " water 
eniplo5-s eight hands, besides having three deliv- 
ery wagons in the city. She manufactures all 
kinds of soft drinks, and is also engaged in deal- 
ing in soda fountains and soda supplies. 

Miss Carroll is a member of St. Patrick's 
Catholic Church and of the Ladies' Catholic Be- 
nevolent Association, and is an active business 
woman. 

■ ^ P • 



[~RANCIS N. BAIN, in connection with his 
ly brother Horatio N., is proprietor of The 
I ^ Palatine, of Newburgh, the leading hotel in 
the Hudson Vallej-. He is a native of the Em- 
pire State, born in Chatham in 1856, and is a son 
of Milton and Minerva C. (Nash) Bain, both na- 
tives of New York, the former born in Columbia 
County. For many years he engaged in the 
hotel business in Chatham, Palmyra, Brewster, 
Dover Plains and Poughkeepsie, at the latter 
place having charge of the Poughkeepsie Hotel, 
now an annex of the Nelson House. At the time 
of his death, in 188 1, at the age of fifty-five years, 
he was proprietor of the house last mentioned, 
and had been in the hotel business for twenty- 
five years. His wife died in 1880, leaving three 
sons, who were reared in the hotels: Francis N., 
Horatio N., and Ferdinand, a real-estate dealer 
of Poughkeepsie. 

At the age of nine years, Francis N. Bain left 
Chatham, going with his parents to Palmyra, from 
there to Brewster, thence to Dover Plains, where 
he remained until the age of eighteen, during 
which time he was educated in the Amenia Semi- 
nary. In 1875 he went to New York as clerk in 
the First National Bank of that city, with which 
he was connected for eighteen years, becoming 
one of the head bookkeepers. In June, 1893, 
when The Palatine was completed, he formed a 
partnership with his brother, the firm being H. 
N. Bain & Co., proprietors of that hotel. His 
brother is also proprietor of the Nelson House of 
Poughkeepsie. 

The name of The Palatine was suggested by 
the fact that the early settlers of Newburgh 



were Palatines, who had been driven from their 
homes on the Rhine, and after ten 3'ears of wan- 
dering, finally found their way to the most beau- 
tiful spot on the Rhine of America. The hotel 
is situated on the southeast corner of Grand and 
Third Streets, eleven hundred feet from the Hud- 
son River, and has five stories and a basement, 
with a broad piazza on the fifth story, extending 
across the rear of the Third Street wing. It is 
supplied with elevators, steam heat, gas, electric 
light and all the latest hotel improvements. On 
the ground floor are kitchen, dining-room, cafe 
and billiard-rooms, barber-.shop, telegraph office, 
large rotunda, ladies' reception-room, gentleman's 
reading-room, etc., while above are one hundred 
and sixteen rooms, two large parlors and a recep- 
tion hall. The Palatine was opened to the public 
July 6, 1893, and has since had a liberal patron- 
age, as its excellent management well deserves. 
In New York City Mr. Bain wedded Miss 
Amelia McQuoid, a native of New Orleans, and 
to them has been born a daughter, Helen. So- 
cially our subject is prominently connected with 
several leading organizations of Newburgh, be- 
longing to the City Club, Powelton Club and the 
Orange Lake Yacht Club, while he is also con- 
nected with the Board of Trade, the Royal Ar- 
canum, and is a member of the Hotel Men's As- 
sociation of the United States. He is a Republi- 
can in political faith, giving his earnest support 
to the principles of that party. 



•>i^s«)®^|. 



^OHN M. WILSON, a pleasant, companion- 
I able gentleman, is one of the esteemed citi- 
C2/ zens of Newburgh, where he is now serving 
as Supervisor of the First Ward, and where he 
has long made his home. He was born in New 
York City, July 14, 1836, while his father, George 
Wilson, and his grandfather, Thomas Wilson, 
were natives of England. He was the eldest in a 
family of four sons and a daughter, and between 
the ages of four and twenty years he lived on a 
farm in Berlin Township, Delaware County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



573 



Ohio. In 1857 he came to Newburgh, where he 
engaged in the bakery business in connection 
with his father, under the firm name of George 
Wilson & Son, which connection continued until 
1873, when the father retired and William Wilson 
was admitted to partnership, the firm st}-le be- 
coming J. M. Wilson & Bro. The latter's death 
however, occurred the following year. 

Mr. Wilson had a well appointed bakery at the 
corner of Chambers Street and Broadway, and 
did a large bakery and confectionery business, 
having a trade that netted him an excellent in- 
come. In 1884 he sold out there and embarked 
in the wholesale flour business, representing the 
firm of Boughton & Geer, of Albany. He was 
thus employed for six years, traveling in Orange, 
Rockland, Dutchess and Putnam Counties, but 
making his headquarters in Newburgh. In 189 1 
he severed his connection with that firm and has 
.since lived retired, enjoying the rest which he has 
truly earned and richly deserves. He has in- 
vested to some extent in real estate, and built 
three residences in Washington Heights, at the 
corner of Lander Street and Courtney Aveiuie. 

Mr. Wilson has been tw-ice married. In New- 
burgh, he wedded Miss Mary F. McMillan, a na- 
tive of Scotland, who died in 1872, leaving three 
children: Mrs. Hattie F. Topping, of Newburgh; 
and George and John M., who follow the ma.son's 
trade. All are graduates of the academy. In 
1873 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with 
Mrs. Lucy J. Leake, a native of Newburgh, and 
a daughter ot John Van Ta.ssel, who formerly re- 
sided in Putnam County. 

In politics Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and 
has been President of the City Republican A.sso- 
ciation and of the Ward Republican As.sociation, 
continuing in that capacity until he resigned. 
In the spring of 1891 he was elected Supervisor 
from the first Ward, although it is usually a 
Democratic ward, and he has been re-elected each 
succeeding year, in 1894 being elected for two 
years. For the past three years he has been 
Chairman of the Jail Committee, is now a member 
of the Building Committee, and took an active 
interest in the remodeling of the court house at 
Goshen. His career as a fireman was begun in 



1857, he being with different companies for a 
long period. He is now Vice-President of the 
Washington Heights Ho.se Company, of which 
he was a charter member. Religiously he be- 
longs to St. John's Methodi.st Episcopal Church, 
and was formerly a member of its Board of Trus- 
tees, but is now serving as Vice-President. His 
life has been well spent, and he is a popular man, 
whom to know is to honor. 



I EDSON COLEMAN, a resident of Goshen, 
liL is one of the oldest engineers on the Erie 
LJ Railroad. B3' careful attention to the details 
of his work he has avoided the mistakes so often 
made by those of his profession , and his long ca- 
reer as an engineer has been remarkably free 
from accident. He has been successful financially 
and owns a comfortable home on Murray Ave- 
nue, where he and his wife are spending their 
days in comfort, much esteemed by all who know 
them. 

Our subject was born June i, 1833, near Scotts- 
town, this county, and is the son of Alfred Cole- 
man, who was born near Amity. The ances- 
tors of the Coleman family came from E!ng- 
land, and his grandfather, Joel Colenmn, emi- 
grated to this country and located on Long Island. 
He was an agriculturist, and later came to this 
county, locating near Amity, but subsequently 
removed to Hamptonburg. He was a .soldier in 
the Revolutionary War, and served faithfully dur- 
ing that struggle. 

Alfred Coleman, our subject's father, was also 
a farmer, and in 1855 went to Deposit, Delaware 
County, where he engaged in the wood business 
in the interests of the Erie Railroad Company. 
There he remained several years, and then went 
to Middletown, where he was engaged as a watch- 
man for the above-mentioned company. Upon 
leaving that position, became to Goshen, where 
he lived retired until his death, which occurred 
at about the age of eighty-seven years. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Sarah J. Kirk. She was born in Middletown, 
and was the daughter of Robert Kirk, who was 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



a farmer and a brave soldier of the War of 1812. 
His death occurred near Middletown. She is of 
Scotch descent, and is still living, making her 
home in Goshen. She is the mother of two chil- 
dren: Frances M., who died at the age of twenty- 
four years; and our subject. 

L. E. Coleman spent his earlj- years on the 
home farm, attending the district schools during 
the winter terms, and assi.sting in farm work dur- 
ing the summers. Having made some degree of 
advancement in the district schools, he went to 
Middletown, where he attended the academy for 
some time. In 1855 ^^'^ located in Deposit, and 
entered the employ of the Erie Company in the 
capacity of baggage-master. In 1857 he became 
fireman on the Eastern Division, running between 
Port Jervis and Jersey Citj', and continued work- 
ing on that division until 1864, when he received 
promotion, and became engineer on the Eastern 
Division and branches. Remaining on this branch 
of the road for three years, he afterward had the 
run between Port Jervis and Jersey Citj-, and 
continued on this line of the road for fourteen 
years. He then took charge of a switch engine 
in the compam^'s 3'ards at Goshen, and worked 
there six years, when he was placed in charge of 
the "Pusher," in the same yards, on the Goshen 
Grade. 

The marriage of our subject united him with 
Mary F. Wells, who was born near Ithaca, N. Y., 
but since a child has lived at or near Goshen. 
They were the parents of seven children, all of 
whom are still living. Fannie, Mrs. J. Hagerty, 
makes her home in this city. Alfred W. is the 
next in order of birth. William E. is a tele- 
graph operator in New York City. Irene I., 
now Mrs. Glover, makes her home in this city. 
Howard C. is also a resident of Goshen. Lewis 
H. is in the employ of the Goshen Street Rail- 
way, and resides in Middletown; and Charles L. 
is an engineer on one of the elevated railroads of 
Chicago. 

Mrs. Coleman is the daughter of Alfred Wells, 
who was born in the town of Goshen. Her 
grandfather, Joshua Wells, was also a native of 
Orange County. He was a farmer, and died at 
the age of eighty-nine years. The family were 



of English descent, and Mrs. Coleman's father 
was also a farmer near the town of Goshen. He 
owned a large farm, which he cultivated until his 
death, in 1891, at the age of eighty-seven years. 
Her mother wasfonuerly Lj'dia Nyce, a native of 
Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of John 
Nyce, who was a farmer of Pike County, Pa., 
and was descended from German ancestors. Mrs. 
Nyce reached the age of sixty-three years, dying 
in October, 1873. The family were Presbyte- 
rians, and were thoroughly identified with the 
good works of that organization. They had eleven 
children, and all grew to years of maturity. 
Eight of the family are .still living Of this fam- 
ily we make the following mention: Jerome, the 
eldest, is deceased; Edward is a farmer; John N. 
is a resident of San Francisco, Cal. ; Mary F. is 
the next in order of birth; Kate, now Mrs. 
Slaughter, makes her home in Orange County; 
George W. is a physician of Brooklyn; Moses 
A. is interested in real estate in Chicago; Eugene 
F. and Lewis are deceased; Charlotte, now Mrs. 
Slaughter, lives at Waverly, N. Y.; and Charles 
S. is on the home farm. 

Politically Mr. Coleman is affiliated with the 
Republican party, the principles of which he 
heartily espou.ses, and in the ranks of which he 
is an active worker. He is a member of the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and, as 
has been said, is one of the oldest members in 
point of years of service. He and his family are 
much esteemed in this community, and are well 
known in the surrounding countr}-. 



|ILLIAM PEACEY, oneofthe most able, 
prominent and influential of the citizens 
of Newburgh, is successfully engaged as a 
contractor and builder. He owns much valuable 
property in the city, and makes a business of 
building houses and flats, which he sells on easy 
payments, thus proving himself to be the true 
friend of the workingman. Not only as an ex- 
tensive real- estate dealer has he aided in the up- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



575 



building and development of the city, but in 
many other ways has he proved an interested 
factor. 

Mr. Peacey is an Englishman, his birth occur- 
ring August 6, 1832, at Charletonkings, Glouces- 
tershire, where also his father, William, and his 
grandfather, John, were born. Both of the latter 
were masons by trade and passed their entire 
lives in their native land. The grandfather was 
a builder of wide reputation, and it was undoubt- 
edly from him that our subject inherited his lik- 
ing and ability for this industry. 

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Charlotte 
(James) Peacey, was also a native of England, 
and the daughter of George James, a farmer. 
She became the mother of five children, and 
passed to her final reward in her native land. Of 
her sons and daughters only two make their 
home in the United States. William, of this 
sketch, who was the eldest of the family, at- 
tended the private .schools near his home until a 
lad of eleven, when he began to learn the trade 
of a plasterer under the instruction of his father, 
working for him until eighteen. He then found 
plenty to keep him busj' in the eniplo)- of others 
until 1872, the j^ear in which he set sail for the 
United .States. Going by way of Liverpool to 
Quebec, he thence made his way to Chicago, and 
was employed as a contractor in plaster work in 
both Cook and Kane Counties for a period of 
fifteen j'ears. 

In 1888 our subject came on a visit to friends 
at Newburgh, and .so well pleased was he with the 
location and the outlook for his business, that he 
decided to remain here. For a time he devoted 
himself to his trade, but .soon began to purchase 
old houses, which he remodeled and sold at a 
good advance in price. In this way he acquired 
considerable property, which increased in value 
as the years pas.sed by, so that he was enabled to 
engage in the work on a more extensive scale. 
He has erected in all thirty-three residences on 
Benkard and Carson Avenues, all of which he 
has sold with the exception of four. He makes 
his own plans, and .so conveniently and beauti- 
fully are his dwellings arranged that they sell 
without difficulty. Mr. Peacey makes this his 



sole business, and is kept busy building both sum- 
mer and winter. His residence, which is located 
at No. 14 Benkard Avenue, is a model of archi- 
tectural beauty. 

Mr. Peacey was married in England, August 
30, 1857, to Miss Annie E. Russell, also a native 
of Charletonkings. Our subject is a member of 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, with which 
denomination his estimable wife is also con- 
nected. He belongs to the Plasterers' Union, 
and in politics never fails to cast his vote and in- 
fluence in favor of Republican candidates. Wifh 
many of the enterprises of the city which are des- 
tined to be of benefit to the place, he is promi- 
nently identified, and is highly regarded by all 
who know him, both rich and poor, high and low. 



— ^♦♦♦♦/jj 



EORNELIUS M. BROWN, general foreman 
of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's ship- 
yard at Newburgh, has been in the service 
of the company since 1865. He was born near 
Algerville, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1827. His 
father, Henry Brown, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and in Ulster County married Catherine 
Mars, a native of that county. She died in 1829, 
leaving only one child, the subject of this sketch, 
who grew to manhood in Ulster County, and was 
educated in its district schools. 

When nineteen years of age, Mr. Brown was 
apprenticed as a house carpenter at Phillipsport, 
Sullivan County, and after learning his trade re- 
moved to Schenectady, where he engaged as a 
journeyman. In 1850 he went to Hawley, Pa., 
where he engaged as a boat-carpenter, and there 
remained for nine years with the Pennsylvania 
Coal Company. In 1865 he came to Newburgh, 
in the employ of the same company, being made 
foreman at this place. Two years later he became 
general foreman of the shipyard, and has since 
continuously occupied that position. He has 
thirty men under his direction, and is engaged in 
building the canal-boats that are run by the com- 
pany. He thoroughly understands his busine.ss, 
and is one of the mo.st faithful employes that have 
ever been with the Pennsylvania Coal Company. 



576 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



While residing in the Keystone State, Mr. Brown 
was united in marriage wnth Miss Nancy Bemer, 
a native of that state. They have become the 
parents of two children, Dellophine and Laura. 
Socially Mr. Brown is a member of Highland 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and politically he is a Re- 
publican. 



>= 



=+ 



jILBUR F. WEYANT was born May 28, 
1844, in the town of New Windsor, of 
which he is still a resident. The farm of 
which he is the owner, and to the cultivation of 
which he gives his attention, lies four miles south- 
west of Newbiirgh and has been in the family for 
three generations. It consists of two hundred 
and thirty -acres, a portion of which is devoted to 
the raising of cereals, and the remainder to the 
pasturage of stock. In addition to general farm 
pursuits, he carries on an extensive dairy busi- 
ness, and finds this branch of agriculture remu- 
nerative. He is a progressive, enterprising man, 
and in his various undertakings has met with a 
success of which he is eminently worthy. 

The first representative of the Weyant family 
in Orange County was our subject's grandfather, 
Francis, who was born at Ft. Montgomery, N. Y., 
and came to this county about 1831, settling upon 
the farm which he had previously purchased and 
which is now the property of Wilbur F. Two 
hundred and eighteen acres were comprised with- 
in its boundaries, and under his persevering and 
intelligent management the place was brought to 
a high state of cultivation. Mr. Weyant married 
Miss Abbie Rider. His death occurred in August, 
1876, and his remains were interred in the Mt. 
Belle Cemetery. 

George W. Weyant, father of our subject, was 
reared in this county, and here married Miss 
Amanda Decker, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancy. The six 
who survive are named as follows: Wilbur F. ; 
Mary, wife of M. R. Van Zyle; Georgiana, who 
married Louis V. Cooper; Fillmore, Abbie and 
Ada. The father, whose principal occupation 



has been that of a farmer, now makes his home 
in Washingtonville, and is living retired from ac- 
tive business cares. « 

Alternating attendance at the district schools 
with work on the home farm, our subject passed 
the years of his youth. He was united in mar- 
riage. May 28, 1868, with Miss Marj- E. Hunter, 
who was born in Monroe Town, this county, Oc- 
tober 29, 1846, being the daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Hunter. They have two children, 
Estelle and Frank. The former, who was born 
November 28, 187 1, is the wife of Robert E. 
Morrison, a farmer of the town of New Wind- 
sor. Frank, who was born June 15, 1877, is a 
graduate of the high school of Washingtonville, 
with the Class of '94. 

In 1867 Mr. Weyant came to the place where 
he now lives, and here he has since made his 
home, with the exception of three years spent in 
Highland Falls. Previous to 1883 he rented the 
farm, but in that year purchased the property, 
the value of which has since been increased un- 
der his capable and efiBcient management. Po- 
litically he is in sympathy with the platform of 
the Republican party, the candidates of which, 
it is needless to add, receive his hearty support. 
He has served as Justice of the Peace, and has 
filled other local ofiices of trust and responsibil- 
ity, the duties of which he has discharged in a 
manner creditable to himself and satisfactory- to 
the people. 



3 AMES H. CASE, a member of the Board of 
Water Commissioners at Newburgh, is a na- 
tive of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, born 
May 17, 1832. His father, Elijah Case, was 
born in Granby, Conn., and was of Welsh de- 
scent. He was married in his native state to 
Lydia A. Phelps, also a native of Connecticut, 
where they were married. Soon afterward thej- 
removed to Hyde Park, and later to New York 
City, where the father died in 1837, and the 
mother in 1849. Of their family there are three 
living children, our subject being the youngest 
and onlv son. 




z -J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



579 



Mr. Case, of this sketch, was reared in New 
York City, and educated in its public schools. 
When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed 
to William H. Webb, the owner of one of the 
yards in New York City, to learn the trade of a 
ship-joiner, serving and learning his trade under 
Jonathan Jarvis. Mr. Webb was a noted phil- 
anthropist, and built a home for worn-out ship- 
carpenters. After the expiration of his term of 
apprenticeship Mr. Case continued with the firm 
for three years, aud then worked in other yards, 
becoming a foreman. In 1859 he began in busi- 
ness for himself on South Street with about 
twenty men, taking contracts for ship-building, 
together with steamboats and all kinds of work 
in that line. Later he located on West Street, 
North, where he continued in business until 1863, 
and then removed to New Baltimore, Greene 
County, N. Y., where he continued in the same 
line, together with the building of barges and 
propellers. After remaining there for fourteen 
years, or until 1879, he located in Newburgh. 
While in the employ of Ward & Stanton as fore- 
man, he completed the vessel "Cadet." He 
continued in their employ as long as they were 
in bu.siness, after which he engaged in contract 
ship-joining work for James Bigler. He did the 
joiner work on the yachts "Henriette," "Paul- 
ina" and "Phenewinonia," also on several large 
propellers and ferry-boats for the Hoboken Ferry 
Company, and is now the only ship-joining con- 
tractor in Newburgh. He has in his employ at 
all times from twenty-five to thirty men. 

In 1 85 1 Mr. Case was united in marriage with 
Mi.ss Mary Ducy, a native of New York City. 
Eleven children were born unto them, of whom 
four grew to maturity and are now living: 
Charles and William, who have both learned the 
ship-joiner's trade, and reside in Newburgh; Ida, 
Mrs. Stewart, whose husband is a lumberman of 
Newburgh; and Anna, Mrs. Vanderpole, who.se 
husV)and is a professor of manual training in the 
city schools of Brooklyn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Case live in an elegant home 
at No. 65 Ann Street, and he has built three 
houses on Liberty .Street in Washington Heights. 
Politically he is a Republican, and in 1892 re- 



ceived the nomination and was elected on that 
ticket as Water Commissioner. He is now Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee of that board, and 
in 1894 was Chairman of the Improvement Com- 
mittee. In the management of the water works 
he has taken great interest, and the system is 
said to be one of the best in the state. The 
reservoir covers one hundred and eighty-one 
acres, and the water is conducted into the city 
through a twenty-four-inch main. Mr Case af- 
filiates with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and is a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, 
F. & A. M. He stands high in the community 
in which he has so long resided. 



WILLIAM H. BROOKS. This affkble old 
gentleman has held the position of Engi- 
neer of the Steam-Heating and Ventilat- 
ing Apparatus of Public Buildings in the United 
States Military Academy at West Point for the 
past twenty-three years. He is very popular with 
the cadets, and is highly regarded in the com- 
munity where the best years of his life have been 
spent. His birth occurred at Ft. Montgomerj', 
August 27, 1844, and his father, William R. 
Brooks, who was also a native of this state, was 
for many j-ears a prominent merchant of Ft. Mont- 
gomerj'. He also ran a market sloop, the ' 'Thom- 
as Connely," and died in the above place when 
ripe in years. The grandfather, John Brooks, 
who was born in New York City, became a farm- 
er in the town of Monroe, owning and operating 
a valuable tract of land. 

Mrs. Betsy (Slauw.son) Brooks, the mother of 
our subject, was born at High Ridge, Conn., and 
was the daughter of Daniel Slauwson, also a na- 
tive of the Nutmeg State, where he was a manu- 
facturer of staves, and also dealt in ship timber. 
He lost his life on a steamer which he was ex- 
amining, it being the first which had ever blown 
up in this locality. Although in her eighty-sev- 
enth year, Mrs. Brooks is .still living, and makes 
her home in Hoboken. She is a member of the 
Methodist Epi-scopal Church, with which she has 
been coiniected for many years. Of her large 



s8o 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



family of nine children, all are now li\-ing. and 
three of her sons are engineers. John participa- 
ted in the late war as a member of Company E, 
United States Engineer Corps, and is now living 
in New York: Theodore is chief engineer of the 
'"Garrison,'' a ferry-boat. 

The subject of this sketch spent the first eight- 
een years of his life on his father's farm near Ft. 
Montgomer>% and then went on the river as fire- 
man of the boat "Moses Taylor." Fotu" 5-ear5 
later he was made chief engineer of the same 
boat, operating mosdj- in the New York Harbor 
in the emplo>' of the Government. He occupied 
the same position on nnmerous other vessels until 
1872, when he was appointed to his present re- 
sponsible position. At the time he assumed the 
duties of the same, there were but five steam- 
boilers used: now, however, there are over thirty- 
three, and eight firemen are employed. Mr. 
Brooks superintends the whole, making all the 
needed repairs, etc. In 1872 the fire department 
was organized, having two engines and hose 
carts, complete in everj- particular, and of this he 
is virtually the chiefl 

The ladj- to whom Mr. Brooks was married at 
Ft. Montgomery-, in 1875. was Miss Eliza Faurot, 
who was bom there, and who was the daughter 
of James Faurot, the owner of a market sloop, 
which he ran up and down the river. In social 
a&ii5 Mr. Brooks is an Odd Fellow, and has 
passed nearly all the chairs in Highland Falls 
tx»dge. He is also a Knight of Pj-thias and a 
demitted Mason, formerly being connected with 
the organization at Phillipstown. X. Y. 

E.-.PT. ZACH ROOSA, who is weii known in 
the Hudson \'alle}' as the captain of the 
steamer "Jacob H. Tremper." was bom at 
Stone Ridge. Ulster Connt>% in June, 1851. He 
is the son of Isaac Z. and Charlotte A. /Wood) 
Roosa, natives, respectivelj-, of Stone Ridge and 
Rosendale, Ulster Count>-, the latter of whom 
died in 1S59. Grand&ther Zachariah Roosa, also 
a native of Stone Ridge, was a farmer b\- occupa- 
tion, while his father, whose name was the same 



i as his own, was a soldier in the War of the Revo- 
lution. The &mily is of Holland descent, but 

' has been represented in America since Ctdonial 
days. 

■ For nineteen years the &ther of our subject 
was engaged in the manufacture of carriages at 
Sfeme Ridge, but he then transferred his atten- 
tion to agriculture, which he still follows, though 
not as actively as in his younger days. He ma^^ 
his home in Marbletown, Ulster County, and is 
now '1895; seventj- -five years old. His wife was 
the daughter of an officer in the Revolutionary 
War, and her mother was a Miss Henderson. 
Four daughters and one son comprised the pa- 
rental family-, of whom three daughters and otu* 
subject are living, he being next to the eldest. 
He was reared in LTster County, and received a 
fair education in the comnum schools. His time 
was devoted to bam work until 1873, when he 
entered the employ of the Tremper Steamer Com- 
pany at Rondont, and »nce that time he has been 
in the employ of the company. Until 1879 he 
was in the freight house at Rondout, after which 
he was clerk on the steamer "Eagle," remaining 
with that boat until she was burned on the river 
at Milton. This dreadful catastrc^he occuired in 
August, 1883, when, during a trip on the Hud- 
son, fire broke out in the cabin under the floor 
and made such a headway before it was discov- 
ered that it was impossible to stop or extinguish 
the flames. Fortunateh'. through the arduous 
exertions of the crew, the passengers were brought 
safely to land. 

Two days after the loss of the "Eagle," our 
subject was made clerk of the "Martin," with 
which he remained for four weeks, being then 
transferred to the "General Sedgwick," and serv- 
ing as captain of that boat until the spring of 
1885. His next position was that of captain on 
the "Martin." running between Xewburgh and 
Troy, in which capacity he was employed fcR- ax . 
years. He then became captain of the "Jacob 
H. Tremper, ■ running between Newburgh and 
Troy, which responable position he is filling with 
the greatest efficiency and success. It is worthy 
of special note that, since he became captain, no 
one has ever been injured on his boat. Another 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



581 



remarkaUe iact is that, since taking up the life of 
a sailor, he has never lost a day from his duties 
on account of sickness. The steamer of which 
he is captain is one of the fastest on the river, 
and is a fine and well constructed side-wheeler. 
The residence of Captain Roosa. at No. 197 
North Miller Street, is presided over by his ami- 
able wife, with whom he was united in marriage 
at Stone Ridge, January- 23, 1877. She was Miss 
Ida Ten Eyck, daughter of James K. Ten Eyck. 
a farmer and business man of that place. They 
are the parents of two children Uving. Charles 
Ten Eyck and Ethel. Prior to 1888 Captain 
Roosa made his home in Kingston, but in that 
year he came to Newburgh. where he has since 
resided. Pohtically he is a Republican. whUe in 
hii fraternal relations he is connected with Ron- 
dout Lodge No. 343. F. & A. M., and the Na- 
tional Order of Masters' and Pilots' Association. 
Harbor No. 3. of Rondout. 



^^#1=-. 



Gl BRAM FULLER. Among the many who 
L| enlisted in the defense of the Union during 
I I t'ne dark days of the Rebellion, none served 
with more fidelity- than the subject of this sketch. 
He was twice wounded in battle, and his health 
was seriously impaired b^- these wotmds, as well 
as by the hardship and exposure incident to armj- 
life. It is. therefore, especialh" appropriate that 
a record of his Ufe be placed in this volume, which 
is dedicated to the public-spirited men of the 
3>unt>-. 

The Fuller family is of Holland-Dutch descent, 
but has been represented in the United States 
since Colonial days. John, our subjects grand- 
father, was bom in Connecticut, but spent many 
years in Ulster Countj-. N. Y.. where he followed 
the trade of a carpenter, and his death occurred 
in the West. The father of our subject. Jonathan 
Fuller, was bom in New Paltz. Ulster County. 
N. Y.. and was a farmer by occupation. Though 
somewhat advanced in years when the Civil War 
broke out. he enli-Sted and ser%ed for three vears 



in the army, b^ng a member of the same com- 
pany as our subject. On his return from the 
army he resumed farm work, which he carried on 
until his death, at the age of seventy-sis. 

Our subject's mother. Mar^-. was bom in Ul- 
ster Count\-, where her father. Abram Steen. was 
a farmer and nursery-man. The family is of 
Dutch descent. By her marriage she had six 
children, all but one of whom attained mature 
years. Hattie, who married Edward Bodle>" in 
Rosendale, N . Y. . is now deceased : William makes 
his home in New Paltz: Catherine M. married 
George Kimbark. and lives in Rochester: and 
Abner is a resident of Marlborough. N. Y. 

The subject of this sketch was bom in New 
Paltz. Ulster Countj-. N. Y., February 22, 1846. 
and was reared on the home farm, receiving a 
public-school education. August 12, 1862, he 
volunteered in the Union ser\-ice and became a 
memijer of Company A. One Hundred and Fifty- 
sixth New York Infantr>', which was mustered 
in at Kingston and sent by boat to New Orleans. 
He took part in the battles of Port Hudson and 
Alexandria, and for meritorious service he was 
commissioned Corporal. Returning North, he 
was in Washington for a time, and then with 
General Sheridan marched through the Shenan- 
doah Valley. At Winchester he was wounded, 
September 19. 1864. being first shot in the left 
shoulder with a shell. However, he continued 
at his pKJSt of duty, and almost immediately after- 
ward he was shot through the left forearm. 
Making his waj- back in the field, he had his 
wound dressed, but continued on the battleground 
until the following night, when he was taken to 
the city of Winchester, thence to Harper's Ferr\-, 
and from there to Frederick Citj-. Finally he 
reached the Chestnut HiU Army Hospital at Phil- 
adelphia, where he remained until June. 1865, 
and wa^ then mustered out and honorably dis- 
charged, the war ha\-ing closed. 

So severe was the injur>- received that for two 
years after returning home Mr. Fuller was unable 
to use his arm. He learned the painters trade, 
but his health did not permit him to follow that 
occupation. He then went to Poughkeepsie, 
where he carried on a restaurant business for six 



PORTRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



montlis. In 1873 be came to Goshen, and for die 
twelve ensuing years be bad a restaurant on Main 
Street. In 1887 be entered tbe emplor of the 
Pooghkeepae Cracker Company, wbom he rep- 
resents in Orange County and parts erf Pennsjl- 
vania and Sev Jersej-, Ulster and Rockland 
Counties. For five 3-ear5 he raised &nc}- poult- 
r>-, carrying on an ezten^ve bn^ness in that 
line,' but bis entire attention at present is en- 
grcesed b\- bis work as traveling salesman. 

In Xew Paltz Mr. Fuller and ML<s Mar>- L. 
Shaffer, a native of Greene County, X. Y., were 
united in marriage. January 11, 1872. Tbe\- are 
tbe parents of two children li^'ing, )Iinec4a and 
Cora Ree\-es. Socially Mr. Fuller is connected 
with the Odd Fellows. In religious belief he is 
a member of tbe Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and is sending upon the Board of Stewards and 
as Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday -scbooL 
PoUtically he is a stalwart Republican. 



r^ETER H. DE GARMO. Tbe pre£x L.^ 
l/^ proves that Mr. De Garmo comes of a noble 
|>3 Xorman iamil}-. Tbe first ancestor of whcan 
we have any account, a native of Xormandj-, was 
outlawed for an act of daring patriotism and es- 
caped to Holland. After a brief sojourn in that 
asylum for political offenders, he sailed for Amer- 
ica, where he arrived almost twentj- years later than 
the bercHC men and women of the "Maj-flower," 
nameh- in 164.0, and Mr. De Garmo. tbe gentle- 
man of whom we write, has therefore a fiiller 
claim to the prond and pri\-ileged name of Amer- 
can than most. 

The paternal grandfather ai Mr. De Garmo. 
Peter, was bom in Dutchess Count}-, X. Y., 
where for a time he owned and operated a tan- 
nery and later a farm. Leaving that location, 
he bought a fiarm in Pleasant \'alle\', in the same 
state, and there he died, at the patriarchal age of 
eighty-three. He was a descendant of an old 
Quaker iamily on the Hudson, and wema\- there- 
fore be assured that he came of a line of honest, 
sober. God-fearing men and women. His son 
William, the father of Peter H., iamiliarh- known 



as "Unde Billy," was bom in Foa^ikeepae^ 
and for some years fcdlowed tbe business of a 
hardware metcfaant. and later that of a grocer. 
Posse^ng a fiill share of the public oonfidenoe. 
he was elected Aldennan £tom the Fifth Ward of 
his native town, and also served a^ Supervisor. 
In pc^itics he was a stanch RepuUican. After 
leaving the grooeni- business he engaged in other 
entesprises. His death occurred early in the win- 
ter of 1895. Adhering to the &ith of his fore- 
fatheis. he belonged to the Soci^y of Friends. 

The mother of Peter H. De Garmo in her 
maidenhood bore the name of Mary R. Vllxson. 
and was a daughter of EQram Wisson, a iaxtaer 
of Dutchess Cotuity, X. Y., where his daughter 
^lary was bom. She was reared and educated 
in her native county, and passed awa}^ there after 
3 blamdess life, leaving three <diildren: Mrs. 
Hannah S. Arnold, erf Boston Comers, with whom 
the father Uved at the time of his death; Robert M. , 
whoreddes at Pongbketfisie; and the gentleman 
of whom we write. The latter, who was bom in 
Pougbkeepsie. September 30, 1855. was reared 
and educated in the schot^ of his native town. 
attending private institutions until his twelfth 
year and then the public schools. In 1873 here- 
moved to the cit}- of Rochester, in the same state, 
where be became shipping clerk for a salt-manu- 
facturing company. Lea%4ng Rochester, he re- 
turned to bis native town and entered the em- 
ploy of Samuel P. Palmer, a wholesale dealer in 
drugs, for whom he traveled a year. He later 
became an employe of the Pougbkeepsie & East- 
em Railroad in its freight office. The next step 
he took in railroad work was to bectwne a con- 
ductor on a train running between Poughkeej^ie 
and MUlerton, a position he held for seven years, 
making his total term of service with the com- 
pany nine years, during all of which time he 
filled his responsible positions to the satisfaction 
of his employers. 

In 1883 Mr. De Garmo gave up his situation 
with the railroad to engage in the business of 
manufacturing and bottling soda-water in Pougb- 
keepsie. In 1884 he came to Goshen and started 
in as a manu&cturer of soda-water on Main 
Street, afterward moving to the comer of Mur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



583 



ray Avenue and Scottstown Street. He has now 
a well arranged establishment, with a capacity of 
from three hundred to five hundred dozen bot- 
tles a day of every class of "soft" drinks. He is 
a Director in the Mt. Eve Granite Company and 
a member of the Goshen Driving Park Associa- 
tion. 

At Pittsfield. Mass., June 6, 1878, Mr. De 
Garmo mairied Miss Mary E. Gauthier, who 
was born in that locality, and is a daughter of 
Francis and Mary (Merrill) Gauthier, her father 
being a farmer there. Mr. Gauthier was a 
Canadian by birth, and his ancestors were French. 
The Merrills were pionters of Pittsfield, Mass., 
and Capt. Hosea Merrill was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. Mr. De Garmo is a mem- 
ber of the Order of Foresters. He has been fore- 
man of the engine and ho.se company, and is still 
a member of that useful organizatiou. Like his 
father, he is a stanch Republican. 



0AXIEL JACKSON STEWARD comes from 
one of the old and honored families of 
Orange County, and resides in a beautiful 
country home adjoining the village of Goshen. 
The residence is surrounded by nearly four hun- 
dred acres of fine land, covered with an abun- 
dance of grand forest trees. The original part of 
the liou.se was built about 1740, and the newer 
portion about 1864. During the winter season, 
the family reside in New York City, their home 
being at No 10 Grammercy Park. Mr. Steward 
is noted for his liberal encouragement and patron- 
age of the arts and sciences, and, being fortunate 
in having independent means, has been able to 
gratify his tastes and to devote much study and 
re.search to his chosen field. 

Born at Hanover Square, N. Y., October 12, 
1 8 16, our subject is a son of John and Martha 
1 Jackson ) Steward. The former was born on 
the old Orange County farm, where his father. 
Judge John Steward, was born in the early part 
of the last centurj-. He was very patriotic in 
the Revolutionary period, and was one of the first 
Judges of the new count)-. When the Hessian 



pri.soners were being transferred to Philadelphia, 
the officers in charge of them were quartered in 
the worthy Judge's home, while the others were 
accommodated in the stables and other buildings. 
The father of Judge Steward, John, Sr. , was born 
in the northern part of Ireland and was of Scotch 
descent. He was one of two brothers who emi- 
grated to America together, the other settling in 
Newport and becoming the father of the talented 
arti.st, Gilbert Stuart (that branch of the family 
.spelling the name differently), while John, Sr. , 
located on this farm and married Elizabeth Brad- 
ner, daughter of the first regular clergyman in 
Goshen. This divine was noted fiom the fact that 
he eloped with a daughter of a French nobleman 
by the name of Colville, then residing in Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, a Hugeuot refugee. Mr. Brad- 
ner had a college education and was tutor to two 
of Colville' s sons, and while there fell in love 
with the daughter of the house. Meeting with 
.strong opposition, they eluded the parental wrath 
by fleeing to America. Our subject's father was 
successfully engaged in mercantile operations in 
New York City for many jears, and died at his 
home on Fifth Avenue in 1856, aged about four- 
score 3ears. He was twice married, his first wife 
being Martha Jackson, who was born near Ches- 
ter and who was a daughter of Daniel Jackson. 
Of John Steward's ten children, only two now sur- 
vive. John, the eldest son, is a resident of New 
York City. 

D. J. Steward was reared in the metropolis and 
was graduated from Princeton in the Class of '34, 
later receiving the degree of Master of Arts from 
his Alma Mater. He was a leading member of 
the Cliosophic Society, and was especially brilliant 
in the scientific branches of study. He took great 
pride in gathering rare shells, and his collection, 
which was the finest in the state or country, he 
presented to the American Museum of Natural 
Histon-, Central Park, New York City, as well 
as a fine assortment of Indian relics. His resi- 
dence in the latter city is filled with many of the 
choicest specimens of the early and later schools 
of painting, among which are works by Murillo, 
Salvator, Morales and many others. He was 
First Vice-President of the American Museum of 



584 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Natural History, Vice-President of the New York 
Bible Society, Fellow of the National Academy of 
Design, patron of the Metropolitan Museum of 
Art, and a member of the New York Academy- of 
Science, of the New York Lyceum of Natural 
History, and the American Geographical Society. 
For years he was one of the Board of Managers of 
the House of Refuge on Randall's Island, and is 
now officially connected with the Port Society' of 
New York, a seaman's benefit organization. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Reformed Dutch 
Church. 

Mr. Steward was united in marriage with Miss 
Bogert, a representative of an old New York fam- 
ily and the daughter of Henry K. Bogert. Mr. 
and Mrs. Steward have four daughters, all living. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 






^ 



EAPT. GEORGE FIELD, a stockholder and 
manager of the Newburgh Dredging Asso- 
ciation, who throughout his life has been 
connected with work on the river, was born in 
Saugerties, Ulster County, N. Y. , Novembers, 
1845. His father. Captain John Field, and his 
grandfather, Oliver Field, were both natives of 
England, and the latter brought his familj- to 
America, locating first in New York Citj-. Later 
he removed to Sing Sing, where he owned the 
homestead known as Mt. Pleasant, and his last 
days were spent in Saugerties. 

Capt. John Field was reared on the banks of 
the Hudson, and was always connected with the 
water, running a packet, and owning a line of 
boats used in freighting. He purchased property 
in Saugerties, and engaged in the retail coal bus- 
iness and in general freighting until he had be- 
come the possessor of a comfortable competence, 
when he retired to private life. During the Civil 
War his boats were used in the Government serv- 
ice. He died in 1870, at the age of seventy-five. 
In politics he was a Whig, and religiously was an 
active and consistent member of the Reformed 
Church, serving as Elder for a number of years. 



His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah M. 
Krows, was born in Saugerties, and was a daugh- 
ter of Frederick Krows, a native of Holland, who 
left home at the age of twelve years, and shipped 
before the mast, following the high seas for a 
long period. He then became one of the early 
settlers of Saugerties, and for years kept what 
was known as the Krows Tavern, and later built 
the Exchange Hotel, which was carried on b\- 
his son. His death occurred at the advanced age 
of ninety. Mrs. Field died in 1869. By her 
marriage she became the mother of nine children 
who grew to mature years, but only three are 
now living. John, who was an Ensign in the 
navy, is deceased; Augustus, who enlisted in the 
infantrj-, and afterward was transferred to the 
navy as pilot, has also passed away; Thomas 
served as an engineer in the naval department, 
and was also in the Quartermaster's department; 
Charles, who engaged in business with his father, 
is deceased; and Ferdinand is a carpenter of 
Saugerties. There were also three sisters, but 
the only one living is Mrs. Overbaugh, of Chi- 
cago. 

George Field was reared in his native town, 
and acquired his education in a public school and 
an academy, and from his earliest youth has been 
upon the water. He is o!ie of the most familiar 
and most esteemed men who have long been con- 
nected with the Hudson. At the age of eighteen 
he became assistant engineer on one of his broth- 
er's boats, and eight months later was made cap- 
tain of the boat "Campbell," with which he con- 
tinued for about two j-ears. He was afterward 
engineer on a river boat, for two years, then spent 
a year on Lake Champlain. In the spring of 
1870 he came to Newburgh, and for one year was 
engineer in theemploj^ of Isaac Wood. He after- 
ward purchased an interest in three tugs, and en- 
gaged in the towing business for many years with 
good success, continuing his efforts in that direc- 
tion until 1889, when he sold out. In that time 
his firm built the tug "Field," and also the tug 
"Coleman." The firm style was Coleman, Field 
& Horton, and the connection was continued un- 
til 1889, when the .senior member sold out. 

Captain Field then went to Little Falls, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



585 



purchased an interest in a paper-mill, the proper- 
ty of the Little Falls Paper Company, engaged in 
the manufacture of tissue paper. He was for two 
years in charge of the business, and his capable 
management made it a paying investment. In 
1 89 1 he sold out, and returned to the river, build- 
ing the "R. G. Davis," a boat sixty feet long, 
which he operated for two year* On selling he 
embarked in the dredging bu.siness in coimection 
with the firm of Thomas S. Warvel & Marvel, 
remodeled the dredge, and put in an Osgood im- 
proved dredge and six scows. In 1893 the 
"Homer," a new tug, was built, and ot the en- 
tire bu.siness Captain Field is manager. He is 
one of the best known men on the river, and in 
his undertakings he has been very successful, ac- 
quiring a well earned prosperity. 

The Captain was married, in Catskill, N. Y., to 
Sarah E., daughter of Abraham Post, a farmer of 
that place, where the daughter was born, reared 
and educated. They now have two children, 
Bessie and George. Mrs. Field is a most excel- 
lent lady, possessing a refined and cultured taste, 
which is manifest in her beautiful home, and the 
grace with which she presides there. The Cap- 
tain belongs to Confidence "Lodge No. 51, F. & 
A. M., of Saugerties, also to the Odd Fellows' so- 
ciety of that place, and in politics is a Republican. 

1^^ i^i-^ J, ^n=i - , "» 

g= *^<?S&=' (a 

r~RANK A. SCOTT, President of the Board 
fy of Excise Commissioners, and an architect 
I ^ and builder of Newburgh, has been a life- 
long re.sident of this city, and was born here July 
18, 1830. He is a son of John and Jane (Ged- 
ney) Scott, the former of whom was born in Ab- 
erdeen, Scotland, but emigrated to America in 
early manhood and settled in Rah way, N. J., re- 
moving thence to Newburgh and engaging here 
at his trade of builder. In this city he married a 
daughter of John Gedney (whose family name 
was originally .spelled Gidney), who was born at 
the old Gidney homestead in Newburgh Town- 
ship, adjoining the cit}- limits. 

The Gidney family is of French- Huguenot or- 
igin. The great-great-grandfather of our sub- 



ject, David Gidney, came, in company with three 
brothers, from France to the United States, and 
with them settled in Westchester County, N. Y., 
and in 1754 removed to Orange County, and set- 
tled in Newburgh Town. Grandfather Gidney 
was in the War of 181 2. For a time he engaged 
in farm work," but afterward sold his place and 
.settled in the village of Newburgh, where he made 
his home until death. After leaving the farm he 
engaged in the transportation business on the Hud- 
son, between Newburgh and New York City. He 
married a daughter of John Barry, a native of the 
North of Ireland and a man of great talent and 
superior education, who was proprietor of a school 
to prepare young men for college. The Gidney 
family is among the oldest in the county, and its 
representatives have been known as men and 
women of culture and refinement, broad knowl- 
edge and progres.sive spirit. 

After his marriage John Scott engaged in busi- 
ness as a builder and mason, in which manner 
his time was occupied until his death. He is re- 
membered as a gentleman of great industry, per- 
severance and skill in his chosen occupation, and 
his death, which occurred in Newburgh, was 
mourned by all who knew him. His wife, who 
was born in 1799, died in 1882, at the age of 
eighty -three. Her children were eight in number, 
all but one of whom attained 3'ears of maturit}-, 
and two are now living. The eldest son was one 
of the earliest pioneers of California, having gone 
there prior to the Mexican War. The long jour- 
nej' to the Pacific Coast was made in Stephenson's 
Company B, as a member of a regiment ordered 
to California for the purpose of settling that part 
of the country. He was first an Orderly-Ser- 
geant, but afterwards was promoted to Lieutenant. 
After some years he returned East, but later went 
back to California as a member of Walker's ex- 
pedition, he being captain of the company. He 
traveled with the regiment as far as Nicaragua, 
but died there. A younger brother, William, 
enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War, 
took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and later ac- 
companied General Sherman on his memorable 
march to the sea, he being a member of the 
Fourth Minnesota Batter\'. From the effects of 



586 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the hardships and exposure of forced marches and 
camp life, illness was brought on, and his death 
resulted. A sister, Harriet, is now Mrs. Jacob 
M. Sloutenburgh. and resides in Newburgh. 

In boyhood our subject attended the old Glebe 
School, where he was under the preceptorship of 
Professor Goodsell. At the age of seventeen he 
went to Xew York City, where he was appren- 
ticed to the builder's trade. At the same time he 
studied architecture in night schools. In 1854 
he returned to Newburgh, where he worked at 
his trade and continued the study of architecture. 
In 1863 he went to Omaha. Xeb., where he en- 
gaged in freighting with ox-teams. He made 
one trip to Montana, via Salt Lake and the North 
Platte to Sweet Water and South Pass. The 
winter was spent in Salt Lake City, from which 
place he went back to Denver and remained there 
during the summer, engaged in business. In 
December. 1865, he returned to Newburgh. but 
in the spring of the following year he again went 
West, settling in St. Joseph. Mo., where he en- 
gaged in contracting and building. While in 
that citj- he superintended the erection of the old 
Pacific House, the largest hotel there. 

Returning to Newburgh in 1872. Mr. Scott has 
since made this city his home and is engaged in 
business as an architect and contractor. The 
quality of his work, and his recognized skill, have 
secured for him considerable i>atronage from other 
cities, and he has had contracts for buildings in a 
number of cities in the Hudson Vallej'. His res- 
idence is .situated at No. 127 Johnston Street, and 
his office is at No. i Front Street. 

At Plattekill, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1852, 
occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and Miss Mar>- 
Banks, who was bom in that village, her father, 
William, having been a farmer of ULster Cotmty. 
The>' have two children : Elsie Banks, a graduate 
of Newburgh Academj-, in which she is now a 
teacher; and Annie Gednej-, also a graduate of 
the academy. In 1894 Mr. Scott received from 
Maj-or Odell the appointment of Excise Commis- 
sioner, and is now President of the board, his as- 
sociates being Robert J. Hill and Hiram Lozier. 
He was made a Mason in St. Joseph 'Mo.; Lodge 
No. 78, and is now a member of Hudson River 



Lodge No 607, F. & A. M. In religious belief 
he is a Unitarian and is one of the Trustees of the 
church in Newburgh. Politically he fevors Re- 
publican principles. 



J-f^ 



=»-5 



EA P T. ROBERT S. CLARK, a pleasant, 
genial gentleman, who is a captain on the 
river, and makes his home in Newburgh. 
was born in New York Citj-. October 30, 1864, 
and there remained until fifteen 3-ears of age, at- 
tending the public schools. At the age of eight- 
een he began sailing on the steamer ''Sunshine." 
running between Hartford and Sag Harbor, and 
later on the ''Port Ro3-al" for a 3-ear, running 
between the same points. He began at the bot- 
tom of the business and worked his way steadilj- 
upward, until to-day he is recognized as one of 
the most careful pilots on the river. 

On the 2d of March, 1882, Captain Clark came 
to Newburgh and secured a jjosition as wheel- 
man on the "Harte." Two years later he was 
made pilot, and after three years became captain 
on a vessel which plies between Newburgh and 
Fishkill. transporting cars for the New York. 
Lake Erie & Western and the West Shore Rail- 
roads across to Fishkill, N. Y., and for the New 
York & New England at that place. The last- 
named companj- owns the boat of which he is 
captain. It takes on twentN'-four cars on the 
Newburgh side, and makes two landings for each 
road. The winter of 1894-95 the Captain says 
was the hardest he ever experienced, the boat 
having constantly to guard against wrecking on 
the ice, but, nevertheless, he did not lose a single 
trip all winter, and kept boat-tracks open and 
clean. 

The Captain was married in 1887. in Meriden, 
Conn., to Miss Addie Lewis, who was bom in 
Clinton, Conn., where her father was engaged in 
the manufacture of bits. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of the New York Building and Loan Associa- 
tion, and has a beautiful home at No. 12 Libert}- 
Street, Washing^n Heights. He is a member 




J^wm ii^^ -^ 




\ * 



RKV. JESSK r. SHAFKR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



589 



of Lavvson Hose Companj- No. 5, is an hon- 
orary member of the Newburgh Firemen's Vet- 
eran Association, and is also a member of the 
^-Etna Boat Chib. In his political views he is a 
Republican. 



— .•>^* 



«>»«;♦•■ 



KEY. JESSE F. SHAKER, one of the old 
and honored residents of Newburgh, is pass- 
ing his declining years at his pleasant home 
on Washington Heights, surrounded by the beau- 
ties of nature. For several 3'ears he was a min- 
ister in the Presbyterian Church, but was obliged 
to give up that work on account of the failure of 
his voice. Formerly he did most effective cam- 
paign service, and in the fall of 1867 was Repub- 
lican candidate for the office of Surrogate of Or- 
ange County, though he was beaten by the op- 
position. During the earl)' part of the war, at 
Kingston, N. Y., he assisted in raising men for 
the Eightieth Regiment of New York Volunteers. 
The great-grandfather of our subject, Frederick 
Shafer, emigrated in boyhood from Hanover, 
Germany, with his father, Dedrick, and at first 
settled in Pennsylvania, but removed to Mont- 
gomery, Orange County, before the War of the 
Revolution. The family were Lutherans in re- 
ligious faith, but our subject's grandfather, Dan- 
iel, became a member of the Reformed Dutch 
Church, attending the old brick house of worship 
in Montgomery. Daniel Shafer, Sr., was a farm- 
er and a tanner by occupation, his home being in 
Keysertown, town of Montgomery, Orange Coun- 
ty. His son Daniel, Jr., married Catherine, a 
daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Youngblood) 
Decker. The former, who was of German and 
Holland-Dutch ancestry, was a farmer of Shaw- 
angnnk, Ulster County, while his wife, Susan, 
was of German lineage and a daughter of John 
William Youngblood, whose old stone house, 
built at the time of the French War, is still in a 
fair state of preservation. This building, which 
is .situated in the town of Montgomery, about 
three miles northwest of the village of that name, 

25 



was used as a German school fourteen years be- 
fore the War for Independence. Mrs. Decker died 
in 1870, at the great age of ninety-three years. 

Jesse F. Shafer was born October 12, 1828, to 
Daniel Shafer, Jr., and his wife, Catherine, in 
Montgomery, Orange County. In their family 
of eight children, five were sons, and all are de- 
ceased except our subject. He was reared on a 
farm, and graduated from Montgomery Academy 
in 1848. When only sixteen years of age he 
taught his first term of school at Kerhonkson, 
ULster County, and afterwards taught at other 
places, passing altogether about four years in that 
occupation. In 1849 he took up the study of law 
with Hon. Hugh B. Bull, of Montgomery, but 
for a time was obliged to discontinue his work on 
account of poor health. In 1851 he attended the 
State and National Law School at Ballston Spa, 
Saratoga County, N. Y., the celebrated orator, 
John W. Fowler, being the Principal at the time. 
Here Mr. Shafer learned the art of ready and ac- 
curate extemporaneous speech, which has been 
of great .service to him throughout life. In 1852 
he again studied law with his former preceptor, 
Mr. Bull, and in July of that year was admitted 
to the Bar. In 1852 he commenced practice in 
Goshen, being in the office of the late Hon. C. H. 
Winfield, an eminent advocate, who was then 
District Attorney of the county. In 1854 and in 
1855 he was in the office of Hon. Stephen W. Ful- 
lerton, at Newburgh, and with Hon. J. W. Fow- 
ler, also of this place, and the County Surrogate. 
Here Mr. Shafer was of much service, helping in 
the office business and in the Justice Court. 

In May, 1856, our subject went westward, in- 
tending to settle in practice in Kansas, but arriv- 
ing there during the height of the border ruffian 
troubles, he deemed it best to return East, for a 
season at least. During the winters of 1856-57, 
he had charge of a school at Diamond Valley, 
Orange County, and in the year last mentioned 
went to King.ston, Ulster County, where he be- 
came a partner of his brother, Jo.seph D. , a lawyer 
and District Attorney of the county, and together 
they built up a large and successful practice. 
During the campaign of i860 our subject made 
eloquent speeches in Kingston, Woodstock and 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



many points in Ulster County for Abraham Lin- 
coln, and after Ft. Sumter was fired upon made 
ardent and patriotic addresses, not only in Ulster, 
but in Orange and Delaware Counties. He was 
successful in helping to fill up the ranks of the 
Eightieth New York Infantry Volunteers, then 
preparing for three j'ears' service at the front. 
His old friend, Hon. C. H. Van Wyck, then of 
Bloomingburg, Sullivan County, was engaged in 
raising the Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer 
Infantry, then being organized at Camp Van- 
Wyck, near Newburgh, and Mr. Shafer conclud- 
ed to enlist in the regiment. October i, 1861, he 
gave up his practice and comfortable home to 
work in his country's cause, being assigned to 
duty as Quartermaster-Sergeant, John C. Gerard, 
of Newburgh, being Quartermaster. After serv- 
ing in this capacity until June 10, 1862, he was 
promoted to be Second Lieutenant of Company 
K, same regiment, and was with it in all its ar- 
duous service under MacClellan. August 15, 
1862, he was made Acting Quartermaster of the 
regiment, and November 17 of the same year was 
commissioned First Lieutenant and Regimental 
Quartermaster, acting as such until he tendered 
his resignation, October 15, 1864. During Feb- 
ruary and March of 1863 he was Acting Quar- 
termaster of Colonel Howell's brigade at St. Hel- 
ena Island, S. C, and in the early part of 1864 was 
Post Quartermaster at Beaufort, S. C. He was 
always found where duty called him and was fre- 
quently under fire. By long exposure to the ma- 
laria of the pestilential swamp of Chickahominy 
and of the islands off the coast of South Carolina, 
he was much broken down in health. In 1862 
his partner left Kingston and his clients became 
scattered, consequently' his law practice was bro- 
ken up. He returned to his parents' home in 
Montgomer}' and worked on the farm, hoping to 
recover his health. 

In 1866 Mr. Shafer actively championed the 
project to construct a new county out of parts of 
Orange and Ulster Counties, to be called Highland, 
with Newburgh as the countj- seat, but was not 
successful in having the plan carried out. The 
following year he helped to frame the first rail- 
road district of the town of Montgomerv, which 



was bonded for $60,000 to complete the Mont- 
gomery & Erie Railroad from Goshen to Mont- 
gomerj', and but for this amount the road would 
have been stranded. From 1869 to 1873 Mr. 
Shafer owned and operated the old Youngblood 
Farm, adjoining his father's, but his health was 
not strong enough for such arduous work, and in 
September, 1873, he moved to Newburgh, where 
he practiced law for a year or so. In 1874, ow- 
ing to a change of mind and heart, he decided to 
prepare for the ministry, and devoted his whole 
energies, night and day, to that end, being coun- 
seled and advised from time to time by Rev. W. 
H. Gleason and Rev. J. H. Carroll, D. D. In 
the latter part of 1876 Mr. Shafer was licensed to 
preach, and was ordained in November, 1877. 
He occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church 
at Audenried, Carbon County, Pa., for a few 
weeks, and a little later accepted a call from that 
church, remaining in charge of this congrega- 
tion for nearly five years, and being very success- 
ful in his work. The village is situated in the 
middle of the anthracite coalfields, and he became 
a member of the Lehigh Presbytery. Later he re- 
signed his charge and in 1882 became stated sup- 
ply of the Presbyterian Church at Hughsonville, 
Dutchess County, N. Y., remaining in this capac- 
ity until 1889, when, as before mentioned, the fail- 
ure of his voice caused him to retire. Occasionally, 
however, he engages in general evangelical work, 
besides devoting considerable attention to the pen- 
sion and bounty business, and in his hours of 
leisure writes for the newspapers and engages in 
historical research and study. He is Chaplain of 
Ellis Post No. 52, G. A. R., and is also Chaplain 
of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Veteran A.ssociation. 
frequently making patriotic addresses before these 
bodies. 

March 11, 1869, our subject married Ann H., 
daughter of Col. James I. Crawford, of Thompson 
Ridge, this county. She came from one of the 
oldest families in this portion of the state, whose 
history is indissolubly interwoven with its an- 
nals. After a long and happy married life Mrs. 
Shafer was called to the home beyond, June 10, 
1 891. She left one daughter, Susie C, who was 
married June 12, 1895, to Walter Carvey, of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



591 



Newburgh. Mr. Shafer now makes his home 
with his daughter and son-in-law at No. 15 Ov-er- 
look Place. Now, as ever, he looks on the bright 
side of life, and with philosophy and Christian 
resignation contemplates the past and has firm 
trust and faith in a glorious future. 



<^HOMAS ELLISON. A position of influence 
I Q among the citizens of Newburgh is held by 
Vy the gentleman whose name introduces this 
sketch, and who is numbered among the oldest 
residents of the town of Newburgh. He is a native 
of this county, having been born at New Wind- 
sor in 18 1 3, to Thomas, Sr. , and Harriet (Rum- 
sey) Ellison, the former of whom was born in 
New York City, January 29, 1774, while the lat- 
ter was born in the state of Maryland. She was 
the daughter of Charles Rumsey, an officer in the 
Revolutionarj' War. 

The first member of the Ellison family came 
to America from England in 1668, landing in the 
city of New York. The family has since grown 
to be very large, and its members are highlj' re- 
spected wherever known. To Thomas and Har- 
riet Ellison there were born the following chil- 
dren: Mary J., who died September 14, 1842, and 
who was the wife of Thomas James DeLancy; 
John, who died March 29, 1835; Eliza, who died 
in 1882; Henrietta and Caroline, deceased; Will- 
iam, who died at the age of sixteen; Thomas, 
our subject; and Emily, who is the wife of John 
Morton, and resides in New York Cit}-. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Thomas, 
died in this count}- in 1724, leaving four sons, 
John, Thomas, William and Joseph. He was a 
farmer, but a man of large means for that period, 
and resided on his farm until his death. The fa- 
ther of our subject died in 1822, at New Wind- 
sor, while his wife died five months afterward, in 
New York City. 

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood 
days in Westchester County, N. Y., and when 
.sixteen years of age entered Columbia College, 
where he pursued his studies for some time. On 
attaining his majority, he came to Orange Coun- 



ty and located on a portion of his father's old 
homestead, which aggregated two hundred acres. 
This place he made his home for some time, and 
in 1875 we find him a resident of the estate which 
he now occupies. 

The lady to whom Mr. Elli.son was married in 
1836 was Miss Mary A. Ro.ss, a native of West- 
chester County, N. Y. To them were born four 
children, viz. : Mary A. ; Thomas W., who resides 
in Texas; Anson McKnight, who died when 
young; and one child who died unnamed in in- 
fancy. Mrs. Mary A. Ellison departed this life 
September 30, 1846, and the lady to whom our 
subject was united April 17, 1849, was Elizabeth 
M. Baker, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. The son 
and daughter born of this marriage were Archi- 
bald, now deceased; and Matilda, who is at 
home. Mrs. Elizabeth M. Ellison died in 1888, 
greatly mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Elli- 
son and family are members of the Episcopal 
Church, with which denomination the family has 
been identified for many generations. In politics 
he is a stanch Republican, and as an earnest, en- 
ergetic citizen he has proved an important factor 
in the upbuilding and advancement of his com- 
munity. 



CV-RVING OLIVER. This prominent young 
I man of Cornwall on the Hudson is one of 
J^ its best business men, ably carrying on a 
splendid trade in the grocery line. He faithful- 
ly carries out the wLshes of his patrons in every 
detail, and therefore is well deserving of the suc- 
cess which has attended him from the very first. 
The father of our subject, Frank Oliver, is at 
present living in Amsterdam, this state, where he 
is agent for an express compau)'. His marriage 
with Miss Lydia Reed resulted in the birth of 
two sons and two daughters. Of these, Irving is 
the eldest; Benjamin is an employe in his store; 
and Frances and Augusta are living in Amster- 
dam . 

The subject of this sketch was born in Fish- 



592 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kill. N. Y., December 25, 1862, but spent his 
boyhood clays in Cornwall, whither his parents 
had removed. His education was obtained in 
both the common and private schools, and he is 
well informed on all subjects of interest. Prior 
to engaging in business for himself, he worked 
for eleven years in a grocery store, during which 
time he became familiar with all the detail work. 
He then bought out his employer and took in as 
partner Charles Bogart. the firm's style being 
Oliver & Bogart. The partnership was contin- 
ued for two years, when the senior member sold 
his interest in the business to his partner and lo- 
cated elsewhere. He then engaged in business 
with George Chatfield, but three years later that 
gentleman retired, and Mr. Oliver has since con- 
ducted the business successfully alone. His store 
is conveniently located in the business portion of 
the city, and is well .stocked with every variety 
of fancy and staple groceries. 

Mr. Oliver was married, in i8gi, to Miss Net- 
tie, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Griggs) 
Ward, of Cornwall. She was born in Grassy- 
Point, November 7, 1871, and by her iniion with 
our subject has become the mother of a daughter, 
Florence, who was born May 30, 1892. Socially 
Mr. Oliver is an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a 
, true-blue Republican. He has many warm friends 
in the Baptist Church, with which he has been 
connected for several years. He is a- young man 
of considerable financial ability, and ranks among 
the prosperous men of Cornwall on the Hudson. 



(John p. cox very is one of the old and 
I honored residents of Newburgh, and for 
(2/ thirty years has been engaged in contracting 
and building in this place. Many of the finest 
public and private structures were erected under 
his super\-ision, and give abundant proof of his 
ability. His reputation for excellence of work- 
manship, faithfulness to his contracts and reason- 
able prices has been the means of his obtaining 
much of the best trade in the city and surround- 
ing towns, and during the busy season he has 
employed as many as one hundred hands. For 



six years he was President of the Journeyman's 
Association, and at one time was President of 
the Builders' Union. 

A native of Ireland, our subject was born in 
County Derry, about 1835, being a son of Hugh 
and Mary (O'Neilj Convery. The father was 
an agriculturist, and made a good living for hi> 
family by dealing in livestock, as he shipped cat- 
tle from Ireland to the English markets. In 
1838 he brought his children to the United States 
(his wife having previously died ) , and took nj) 
his residence in New York City. There he en- 
gaged in steamboating for many years, or until 
shortly before his demise, which occurred in 1865. 

J. P. Convery is the next to the eldest of five- 
children, one of whom is deceased. He was only 
three years old when his father came to the 
United States on the good ship "Henrietta 
Mary," the voyage from Liverpool to New York 
taking five weeks. Young Convery attended the 
public schools until 1848, when he began .serv- 
ing an apprenticeship as a brick-mason in Hobo- 
ken, N. J., where he resided for three years. In 
1853 he came to Newburgh, being employed by 
Francis Boyd, VV. Girard, and others for a tmm- 
ber of years. In 1865 he concluded to engage 
in contracting and building, and has since given 
his energies to this calling. As is well known 
here, he built St. Mary's Church, the First Ward 
Schoolhouse, St. John's parsonage at Monticello, 
N. Y., the residences of William Bourley and 
Captain Keals on Grand Street, the home of 
Captain Barry on Lander Street, some eighty res- 
idences at Newport on the Heights; finished the 
Palatine Hotel, and at pre.sent owns three house>, 
Nos. 108, 1 10 and 112 Renwick Street. He also 
built the Catholic Lyceum on Liberty Street. 
Shaw's shops, Colonel Weygant's and Mr. Cath- 
cart's residences, besides portions of the Delany 
boiler works and Chadwick's building. At 
Haverstraw he built for William Lyle one of 
the finest residences on the Hud.son. 

The union of Mr. Convery and Ann O'Neil 
was celebrated in Newburgh. October 14, 1854, 
the lady being a native of County Derry, Ireland. 
Ten children have been born to this worthy 
couple. Mary and Tillie make their home in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



593 



New York City; John is a resident of Florida; 
Daniel J. is a mason and builder of Brooklyn; 
James and Joseph, both of whom are also masons, 
reside in Newburgh; Annie and Blanche are at 
home; Charles L,. is an architect and mason of 
this cit)-; and Francis is still at home. 

From 1856 to i860 Mr. Convery lived in Iowa 
City, Iowa, and while there assi.sted in changing 
the old capitol into a state university. He is a 
firm believer in the principles of the Democratic 
party, but has never been an office-seeker. Re- 
ligiously he is connected with St. Patrick's 
Church, and belongs to the Holy Name Society. 
Personally he is very pleasant and courteous to 
one and all, and is highly esteemed by his fellow- 
citizens. 



HiHI 



=+ 



0AVIN R. M. WILCOX. So many men in 
I— these days of large chances have made hand- 
\J{ some competencies, having begun business 
with nothing, that such cases have ceased to be 
remarkable. The qualifications, however, neces- 
sary to bring about such success can never cease 
to be worthy of our admiration. The gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch is one of the 
army of progressive, pushing and capable men 
who are never satisfied short of success. In early 
life he had neither money nor influence, but by 
the exercise of his fine executive and financial 
ability he has succeeded in achieving prosperity 
and gaining a high social position among the res- 
idents of Newburgh. 

A native of Scotland, Mr. Wilcox was born in 
Wigtonshire May 16, 1849. He is of English 
de.scent, his paternal grandfather, Edward Wil- 
cox, having spent his entire life in that portion 
of Great Britain, where he was engaged as a miner 
in the lead and tin regions. The father, John 
Wilcox, was born in Cornwall, England, near 
Land's End, and in boyhood learned mining. 
While in the employ of an English companj^ he 
was sent by them to Wigtonshire for the purpose 
of developing a lead mine at Black Craig. This 



he operated for a time, but later was engaged in 
mining for coal in Ayrshire, where he was super- 
intendent and manager of a mine. 

While in Scotland John Wilcox married Jessie 
McGregor, a native of Wigtonshire and a daugh- 
ter of Douglas McGregor. The latter was a typ- 
ical Highlander, of the Rob Roy type, and fol- 
lowed the business of a land steward. In 1866 
John Wilcox brought his family to America, and 
settled in Newburgli, where he died soon after- 
ward, at the age of fifty-three. His wife died in 
this city in September, 1894, at seventy-three 
years. The father was twice married, having by 
his first union two sons, both deceased. By his 
second marriage he had two sons and three 
daughters, of whom one son and one daughter are 
living. 

At the age of five years our subject was taken 
bj^ his parents to Ayrshire, where he passed his 
boyhood years, and for some years attended the 
high school at Darniellington. In August, 1866, 
he took passage, with the other members of the 
family, on the sailing-vessel "William Tapscott," 
and after a voyage of six weeks from Liverpool 
he arrived in New York. Soon alter arriving in 
this country he was apprenticed as a pattern- 
maker under Charles Brett, with whom he served 
four years. He then took a position in the Sev- 
erance Paper Machine Works, where he remained 
until the factory was burned down, seven months 
later. In 1871 he became an employe of the 
Newburgh Steam Engine Works, and the fol- 
lowing year was promoted to be foreman, which 
position he held until 1883, resigning to engage 
in business for himself. 

Forming a partnership with Thomas and Will- 
iam H. Coldwell our subject embarked in the 
manufacture of general light machinery and 
.steam-heating apparatus, the factory being situ- 
ated on Washington Street. After one year the 
firm of Coldwell, Wilcox & Co. purchased the 
old Thomas Speir Foundry on Broadway, and this 
they operated as a foundrj' and machine works 
until the spring of 1889. They then purchased 
their present site and built the works on the New 
Windsor river road, adjoining the city limits, 
where they own a lot 175x700 feet. In May, 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



1890, the business was incorporated as the Cold- 
well- Wilcox Company, with a capital stock of 
$53,000. The officers are Theo. W. Pierce, of 
New York City, President; Albert S. Pierce, of 
Newburgh. Treasurer; and G. R. M. Wilcox, 
Secretar}^ and General Manager. 

The main building is 170x130 feet in dimen- 
sions and two stories in height. There are foun- 
dr>', machine, blacksmith and pattern depart- 
ments, each fully supplied with necessary equip- 
ments. Among the products are rock-crushers, 
elevators, high-pressure steam valves and all 
kinds of heavy valves, as well as sugar machin- 
ery for the Cuban trade. Employment is fur- 
nished to one hundred hands, and the concern is 
one of the most extensive of its kind north of New 
York City. 

In Newburgh, in 1872, Mr. Wilcox married 
Miss Alice E. Van Duzer, who was born in 
Mountainville, Orange County, and is a daughter 
of Henry O. Van Duzer, at one time a merchant 
of Newburgh. They are the parents of five chil- 
dren, G. Ruby, Ivie, Ethel, Frank and Annetta. 
In politics Mr. Wilcox favors Republican prin- 
ciples. 

HENRY M. ROE, a native of Orange Coun- 
ty, born in the town of Chester in 1852, is 
the youngest son of Nathaniel and Sarah 
(Board) Roe, both of whom were natives of Or- 
ange Count}-. Here the former spent his entire 
life, dying December 9, 1884. The latter is yet 
living, and, at the age of eighty years, enjoys 
good health. The father was a good, honest 
citizen, one who treated his fellow-men well, and 
one who was content to fill his humble part in 
life, never striving for public honors. The only 
official position filled by him was that of Super- 
visor of his town. In his death the communitj' 
lost a valuable citizen, the wife a kind husband, 
and the children an indulgent father. 

Henry M. Roe was reared on a farm, and re- 
ceived his primary education in the district 
schools of Oxford, in the town of Blooming Grove, 
and subsequently attended Chester Academy. 



With the exception of the time spent in school, 
he has resided upon the farm where he now lives 
since the age of three years. He owns two hun- 
dred and twenty-three acres of nicely improved 
land, and is extensively engaged in the dairy 
business. His comfortable and substantial resi- 
dence is ju.st outside the corporate limits of the 
town of Chester, and his outbuildings, which are 
large and roomy, give shelter to over sixty milch 
cows. All of his milk is shipped direct to New 
York City. When the water-works plant was 
placed at Chester, in 1892, the pipe was run 
through his land for a distance of six thousand 
feet, and was placed within thirteen feet of his 
residence, thus giving him good water privileges, 
and making his farm one of the best in the county. 
Our subject was married, May 13, 1885, to 
Miss Helene Seeley, a daughter of David R. See- 
ley, a native of Orange County. Three children 
have been born to them: Seeley, Sarah Board 
and Henrj- M. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are members 
of the Presbyterian Church at Chester, of which 
the former is a Deacon, and in the same church 
his father was an Elder for many years. He 
takes an active interest in the Master's work, 
and is a radical temperance man, using his whole 
influence against the manufacture and sale of in- 
toxicating liquors. Our subject is a Democrat at 
all times and under all circumstances, and has 
never desired public office. Few men in the 
town of Chester are better known, and none are 
more highly respected. 



^HOMAS W. BIRDSALL is one of the 
f C wealthy agriculturists of the town of New- 
V2/ burgh. His birth occurred on this home- 
stead, which contains between two hundred and 
fift}' and two hundred and sixt}- acres of land, 
which he inherited from his father, he being 
the only son. He was very successful in general 
farming and stock-raising, and for a number of 
years has given considerable attention to growing 
fruit. He was earh^ trained to habits of industry 
and perseverance in all his undertakings, and has 
steadily prospered by his exercise of these charac- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



595 



teristics. He was a dutiful son, is a good hus- 
band and father, and as a neighbor and citizen is 
highly regarded by all who know him. In all re- 
lations of life he endeavors to do his duty and to 
advance the welfare of others rather than his- own. 

Our subject's grandfather, Barack Birdsall, was 
of English ancestry, and a native of Westchester 
County, N. Y. He was one of the first bearing 
the name to settle in Orange County, whither he 
came as early as 1784 and bought a large tract of 
land, which has since been in the possession of 
his descendants. His death occurred here when 
he had attained a good old age. His son, Thomas 
P., father of our subject, was born on this farm 
March 14, 1797; here he was reared and here he 
also died, April 9, 1853. When he arrived at 
mature years he married Hannah T. Pine, who 
was born December 5, 1800, and who bore him 
four children, namely: EHas, deceased; Sarah C, 
the widow of George Hallett; Thomas W.; and 
Helen, who is deceased. Mrs. Birdsall died June 
16, 1853. 

The birth of Thomas W. Birdsall occurred Au- 
gust 15, 1832. On arriving at .suitable years he 
wedded Catherine Birdsall, their union being 
celebrated March 29, 1855. Their eldest son, 
Thomas P., is a successful physician of Pattenson, 
N. Y. He married Cynthia Green March 20, 
1879. They have four children, T. Walter, Gregg 
C, Lewis and Rollin. George H., the .second 
son, assists his father in business. He married 
Ella Fowler February 15, 1893, and they have 
one child, William T. Charles C, who lives at 
home, is a successful school teacher. Helen mar- 
ried Eugene J. Fowler June 19, 1895. Following 
his forefathers' example, Mr. Birdsall has always 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and dur- 
ing his youth became thoroughly familiar with 
its various branches. He was scarcely twenty- 
one years of age when he assumed entire manage- 
ment of the farm which he has since conducted. 

In his religious belief Mr. Birdsall is identified 
with the Orthodox Society of Friends. He takes 
an active part in church work and has been an 
Elder and Overseer. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican, and has served as Town Trustee and 
as Commis.sioner of Highways. His private life 



is above reproach, for he is always desirous of 
putting in practice the teachings of the Golden 
Rule, and is strictly honorable in all his dealings. 



(^ 



er- 



'?^ 



1^^, 



=^ 



(lONATHAN D. WILSON is one of the 
I most successful and prominent contractors of 
\~) Orange County, his home being in New- 
burgh. He started out in life for himself a pen- 
niless boy, dependent entirely upon his own ef- 
forts, and has steadily worked his way upward, 
achieving prosperity as the result of honest and 
diligent effort. His excellent workmanship and 
his scrupulous fairness have gained him an ex- 
tensive patronage, and he is now numbered 
among the wealthy men of Newburgh. 

Mr. Wilson was born near Delaware, Ohio, on 
the Sciota River, on the 8th of May, 1850. His 
father, George Wilson, was a native of Hastings, 
England, and there acquired a common-.school 
education and learned the baker's trade. In 
i829,"^t the age of eighteen, he sailed to New 
York, where he was employed as a bookkeeper, 
and afterward engaged in the milk business. In 
1842 he removed to Delaware County, Ohio, 
where he carried on farming, and in 1857 came 
to Newburgh, where he bought out his brother 
Henry and conducted a bakerj' until his retire- 
ment from active business. He married Priscilla 
Selmes, who was born in Hastings, England, and 
when a child of seven years came to America with 
her parents. Her brother was Tilden Selmes, 
the extensive milk dealer of New York City, who 
removed to Hannibal, Mo., where he served as 
Mayor and spent his remaining daj's. He was a 
Colonel in the Union arm5', commanding a Mis- 
souri regiment during the Civil War. 

George Wilson died iu 1881, at the age of sev- 
entj'-two years, and his widow resides in New- 
burgh, at the age of seventy -nine. She is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church. Their children are 
John M., Supervisor of Newburgh; Mrs. vSuther- 
land, of this city; William, who died in 1873; Til- 
den H., who was senior partner of our subject for 



596 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



twentj--four years, or until his death, March 19. 
1892. When only fifteen jears of age he enlisted 
in the three- months ser\'ice in the Nineteenth 
New York Infantrj-. 

J. D. Wilson is the \-oangest of the family, and 
from the age of seven was reared in Newburgh. 
When a youth of fifteen he was apprenticed to 
Franklin Gerard, a mason and ornamental plas- 
terer, with whom he remained for three years, 
when he went to New York Citj-, where he se- 
cured work on many fine buildings and received 
$5 per daj- for his ser\nces. After a year he re- 
turned to Newburgh, and in June, 1869, formed 
a partnership with his brother Tilden H. as a 
contractor and builder. Before he had attained 
his majoritj- he had erected a residence of his 
own, and has since followed contracting. The 
firm has taken contracts for more than four 
hundred buildings in Newburgh, including the 
Academy of Music, in which Mr. Wilson is a 
stockholder: the Jewish Synagogue, the parson- 
age of the First Methodist Church, the Schaffer 
Building, the residences of C. J. Lawson, Major 
Weston, Capt. Joseph Dickey, Colonel Cantine, 
and two residences for W. H. Fowler, The Na- 
tional Bank of Newburgh and the Quassaick 
Bank (two of the finest business blocks in the 
citj-), and the fire-engine house of the Leonard 
Steamer. The firm also erected nearh- all the 
residences on South Nliller Street, which thej- 
sold, together with man^- others in Washington 
Heights and elsewhere in the cits-. 

Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Katie A. 
Todd, a native of Paterson, N. J., and a daugh- 
ter of William Todd. They have one son, Jon- 
athan D., Jr., who graduated from the academN- 
at this place and is now studying in Yale College 
as a member of the Cla.ss of '97. The mother 
and son are members of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and Mr. Wilson and his family are 
people of prominence in this community". Their 
beautiful home is located at No. 26 South Miller 
Street, and in addition Mr. Wilson owns much 
valuable city property and is a stockholder in the 
Quassaick National Bank. 

For six years Mr. Wilson has ser\-ed as As- 
sessor of the Second Ward, and is now a member 



of the Board of Civil Ser\4ce Examiners. He was 
on the Board of Education in 1893. and served as 
Chairman of the Finance Committee, but de- 
clined a re-election. In pohtics he was formerly 
a Detnocrat, but for the last six or seven 3-ears 
has been a Republican. Sociall}- he is connected 
with Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. ; 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson 
River Commander\- No. 35, K. T.; and is a de- 
mitted member of Acme Lodge, I. O. O. F. He 
carries forward to successful completion whatever 
he undertakes, is a citizen devoted to the best in- 
terests of the community, a man whose well s|)ent 
life is worth}- of emulation, and an important fac- 
tor in the development and progress of the 
count V. 



HORACE E. HURD. one of the enterprising 
young farmers of the town of Newburgh. 
owns the original farm on which his father 
first settled. For the past fifteen 3-ears he has 
found it verA- profitable to give the main part ot 
his time and attention to the dairj- business, and 
to raising fruit, for which his farm seems adapted. 
He comes from an old famil\- of New England, 
and has in his possession a genealogical table and 
history which trace the Hurds back as far as 
1680. Man\- of his ancestors have been noted in 
the professions, and have distinguished them- 
selves as patriots. One of his great-uncles served 
in the War of the Revolution. 

The parents of our subject were Burr and Eliz- 
abeth (Lee) Hurd, natives of Sullivan Countj-. 
N. Y., and Yermont, resf>ectively. The former 
was a son of Isaiah Hurd, who was a native of 
Connecticut. Our subject's parents were married 
in Newburgh, April 27, 1847, and had two chil- 
dren, of whom the only daughter. Mar>- E., died 
in 1874. Mr. Hurd was a farmer by occupation, 
and became a resident of this count)- in 1828. 
settling in the town of Newburgh, and for some 
seven years leased land. In 1835 he purchased 
the farm on which his son is now living, and here 
he continued to dwell until his demise, which 
occurred April 12, 1882. He was interred in 




NATHAN S. TAYLOR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



599 



Woodlawn Cemeten-, and ere long his faithful 
wife was placed by his side, her death occurring 
July 5 following. They were both members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and were loved and re- 
spected by all who had the pleasure of their ac- 
quaintance. 

Horace E. Hurd was bom June 4. 1S54. on 
the farm which he now manages,- and of which 
he is the proprietor. Alter attending the district 
schools until he was fourteen years of age, he en- 
tered a private school at Cornwall, from which 
he graduated in his seventeenth year. As he was 
the only son. he always remained with his father, 
and after completing his education assumed the 
work and care of the homestead. 

May 10. 1S75, Mr. Hurd married Sarah B. 
Hasbrook, who was bom in Ulster Count}.-. X. Y. . 
February- 13. 1S53. The couple have one son. 
Harry H.. who was bom Febniar3- 9, 1877. and 
who is a youth of much promise. The cause of 
education has always found a warm friend in our 
subject, who has frequenth- ser\-ed as School 
Trustee in his home district. He takes an inter- 
ested part in the various acti\-ities of the Presby- 
terian Church, to which he belongs, and of which 
he is now an Elder. He has also ser\"ed as Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school. On political 
matters he prefers to give his allegiance to no 
particular party, being very independent in his 
^•iews. 



^^- 



SATHAX S. TAYLOR, instructor in vocal 
music and Director of the First Presbyterian 
Church choir in Xewburgh, is a recognized 
leader in musical circles, and organized the 
Amphion Quartet, whose services are in great 
demand in this \-icinit>-. Without exception, he 
stands at the head of the profession in the county, 
and outside of New York City is the finest tenor 
in the state. 

The birth of our subject occurred in Oxford, 
in the town of Blooming Grove, September 16, 
1S53. His father. Peter B. Taylor, is represented 
in the histoiy- of our subject's brother. Grant B.. 



whose sketch appears on another page of this 
work. From 1S62 youug Taylor resided in Xew- 
burgh. attending the public schools and academy. 
He was a mere boy when his taste for music be- 
came eWdeut, and he was given instruction un- 
der the best teachers, among whom was M. L. 
Bartlett. who is well known in Xew York Cit>\ 
For about five years he was in the employ of 
Messrs. Fowler & Yelie, who carried on a mer- 
cantile business in Xewburgh, but at the end of 
that time he left them to devote his entire atten- 
tion to the musical profession. For the past 
twenty years he has been agent for the Fischer 
piano, and also has the agenc\- for the Hamilton 
S. Gordon piano. As a piano-tuner he is an ex- 
pert, and his patrons are scattered over a wide 
extent of countr\-, many of them being in Dutch- 
ess, Rockland. Putnam and Ulster Counties, as 
well as in the cities of Xew York and Brookh-n. 

Mr. Taylor took a course of instruction in vocal 
music from William C. Courtney, the great Eng- 
lish tenor, and in 1SS3 commenced giving lessons 
in voice culture. From 1872 until 187S he was 
the tenor in the First Presbyterian Church choir: 
in the last-mentioned year he became chorister 
in the American Reformed Church, and in 1886 
was induced to assume the directorship of the 
First Presbyterian Church choir. The Amphion 
Quartet, of which he is the leader, comprises 
himself, his two brothers. Grant B. and Peter B. , 
Jr.. and G. W. Peck. Several times during the 
season the pupils of Mr. Taylor give a musicale 
under his direction, and. it is needless to say. ac- 
quit themselves with credit. 

In 1876 Mr. Taylor was married, in Xewburgh, 
to Miss Xellie Kidd, who was bom in Ga\lords 
Bridge, Conn. Her parents are Andrew and Marv 
(Ca n field ' Kidd, the former bom in Montgomery- 
Town, September 27, 1S27. and the latter a na- 
tive of Xew Milford. Conn. The great-great- 
grandfather of Mrs. Taylor. Robert Kidd. was a 
native of England, and was one of the early settlers 
of the town of Montgomen.-. He participated in 
the War for Independence, and was present at the 
battle of Ft. Montgomerj". By trade he was a tail- 
or, being employed at that business in Connecticut 
until 1855. when he came to this city, and for 



6oo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



many years was a presser of straw hats, but at 
present is a merchant on Water Street. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ta5-lor have but one child, a daughter, 
Carolyn R. 

Socially Mr. Taylor belongs to Hudson River 
Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M.; Newburgh Coun- 
cil No. 1320, R. A., and in his political belief is a 
stanch Republican. Both he and his estimable 
wife are members of the American Reformed 
Church, in which he holds the office of Deacon. 
He is Chairman of the Music Committee of the 
congregation, and is director of singing in the 
Bethel Sundav-school. 



y ♦}2+^®^S)®J*<^«- 



["* R A N K L I N MULLINER is engaged in 
ift general farming in the town of New Wind- 
I ^ sor, where he has resided for over sixty 
j^ears, and for more than half of that period has 
lived on his present homestead, which is well im- 
proved and which is considered one of the best in 
this locality. He is always foremost in the sup- 
port of worthy public enterprises, and has been 
one of the Town Trustees for a number of years, 
to the entire satisfaction of those concerned. 

A son of Franklin Mulliner, Sr. , our subject was 
born April 22, 1832, in another portion of this 
town, of which the father was likewise a native. 
William Mulliner, grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Ireland, and at an early day left there to 
seek a home and fortune in the New World, tak- 
ing up his permanent residence in this vicinity. 
Franklin Mulliner, Sr., married Jane Morrison, 
and their union was blessed by four children, of 
whom the three eldest, William, Robert and Da- 
vid, are deceased. The father died Ma}- 3, 1870, 
and was buried in Goodhill Cemetery. The 
mother departed this life in 1836, thus leaving 
our subject the only representative of the family. 

On arriving at man's estate, Franklin Mulliner 
of this sketch removed to the farm where he is 
now living, although until twenty-six years old he 
assisted his father in the management of his farm. 
November 11, 1857, he married Miss Maria L. 



Miller, and they have two children, a son and 
daughter: Augustus D. , who is his father's right- 
hand man in business: and Mary L., who has re- 
ceived a superior education and is still at home. 
She is a graduate of the high school at Newburgh 
and is an accomplished young lady. 

\Mien Mr, Mulliner became the owner of this 
farm it comprised two hundred and fifty-two acres, 
but since then he has steadily added to it, tuitil he 
now has six hundred and eighty-four acres, most 
of which is valuable and well improved land. 
For upwards of twenty years he has been inter- 
ested in raising fine Holstein cattle of the thor- 
oughbred variety, making a good income from 
this source alone. Politically he is a Republican 
and for the past twelve years has been Postmas- 
ter of the village of Rocklet. For many years he 
has been an active member of the Presbyterian 
church and contributes liberally toward religious 
purposes. 



(Tames FINNEGAN. At No. 330 Liberty 
I Street, in that portion of Newburgh usually 
(2/ known as the ' 'old town, ' ' stands the grocery 
store owned and carried on by Mr. Finnegan. 
Though a native of Ireland, his life has been al- 
most entirely spent in Orange County, and he is 
a loyal American citizen, contributing to measures 
calculated to advance the welfare of city and 
country. He started in business without capital, 
but having used good judgment in his various 
enterprises he has gained a competence. 

The father of our subject, Stephen Finnegan, 
was born, reared and married in Ireland, and 
after emigrating to the United States spent sev- 
eral years in Newburgh, but returned to his na- 
tive land, where he resided for a short time. 
Shortly after the birth of his son James, which 
occurred in Count}- Meath, Ireland, in 1847, he 
again crossed the Atlantic, bringing his family 
with him. He was the first engineer in the powder- 
mills near Orange Lake, and later embarked in 
the grocery business at No. 330 Liberty Street, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



60 1 



Newburgh. His death occurred in this city in 
1887, when he was seventy -five years of age. 
His wife, Bridget (McGinnis) Finnegan, was a 
native of Ireland, and at present makes her home 
in Newburgh. 

James is the youngest surviving member of the 
four children compri.sing his father's famih'. His 
boyhood years passed without any incident ot 
importance. He was a lad in his teens when the 
Civil War broke out, and at once offered his serv- 
ices to the Union. Enlisting in the ranks, he be- 
came a member of the Thirty-seventh New Jer- 
se)^ Infantrj', in which he remained until the ex- 
piration of his term of .service. Upon returning 
home he resumed work in his father's store, 
which has since become his own property. By 
his marriage with Miss Ellen, a daughter of 
Thomas Ryan, five children were born, two of 
whom are deceased. Tho.se living are Mary, 
Stephen and James, all of whom are attending 
school in Newburgh. Socially Mr. Finnegan is 
identified with J. W. Fullerton Post, G. A. R., 
in which organization he takes an active interest. 



30SIAH M. WARD, M. D. , who .since June 
1893, ti^s been engaged in the practice of his 
profession in Goshen, is rapidly building up 
a good business, being well versed in all that per- 
tains to his profession. He was born in Wilson 
County, N. C, March 17, 1866, while his father, 
D. G. Ward, was born in Onslow Count}', that 
state. He was a wealthy southern gentleman, 
and the son of Joseph Ward, a native of Wales. 
The latter was graduated from a noted medical 
college in London, England, and during the War 
of 1812 served as surgeon in the Briti.sh navy. 
When peace was established he remained in the 
United States, locating in Onslow County, N. C, 
where much land had been given him, and where 
he became an extensive planter. He was a very 
able surgeon for his day, and until retiring from 
practice had a large patronage. 

The father of our subject followed in the foot- 



steps of his honored sire and also chose the med- 
ical profession for his calling in life. He was 
graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, at 
Philadelphia, and located for practice in Wilson 
County, N. C, where he was one of the finest 
physicians and surgeons for a period of fifty years. 
He then retired to his valuable farm and passed 
the remaining years of his life in peace and quiet, 
dying in 1887, at the age of seventy-two years. 
He was greatly interested in political affairs, and 
for three terms represented his district in the Leg- 
islature of North Carolina. He also held nearly 
all the offices of his county, in one and all of 
which he gave perfect satisfaction. 

Our subject's mother, Adelaide Moye, was a 
native of Pitt County, N. C. , and the daughter 
of Hon. Macon Moye, who was also born in that 
state, of French descent. He, too, was a large 
and wealthy planter, and at different times was a 
member of both the State Legislature and Senate. 
Mrs. Ward, who died in her fiftieth year, be- 
came the mother of four sons and two daughters, 
of whom our subject was the third-born. 

The subject of this sketch attended the district 
school of his native count}', after which he was 
sent to the Bingham Military School, from which 
he was graduated. He then entered Wake For- 
rest College in North Carolina, and after complet- 
ing the junior cour.se became a student in the 
Bellevue Ho.spital College in New York, taking 
a .special course of six years. From this noted 
institution he was graduated in 1889, with the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine. The first year he 
was engaged in practice in Brooklyn, but at the 
end of that time, being obliged to go elsewhere on 
account of failing health, he sought his southern 
home. After spending some time in rest, he re- 
turned north and located in Goshen, where he 
has a conveniently arranged office in his residence 
on Main Street, and where he devotes his entire 
time and energies to his calling. 

Dr. Ward was married in New York City, in 
1887, to Miss Kate Hamilton, who was born in 
Delaware County, N. Y. To them has been born 
a daughter, Ruth. Socially the Doctor is a Ma- 
son, having attained the degree of Knight Tem- 
plar. In politics he casts his vote in favor of Dem- 



6o2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ocratic candidates. Mrs. Ward is a most esti- 
mable and accomplished lady and a devoted mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Churdi. 



MEORGE H. MA PES is one of the promi- 
|_ neut citizens and agriculturists of the town 
\ji of Chester, and was bom in 1S37, on the 
farm where he now lives. He is the sixth in a 
jamily of eight children bora to John and Eliza 
(Denton^ Mapes, both of whom are natives of 
Orange County, the former born upon the same 
farm on which our subject now resides. His en- 
tire life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and he 
died early in the ^os. The mother was born in 
the town of Warwick, and died about 1S73. 

The subject of this sketch, like so many residents 
and respected citizens of Orange County, was 
peared on a farm and has always followed the 
occupation of a farmer. His primary education 
was received in the district schools, and subse- 
quently he attended Chester Academy for a short 
time. His farm consists of one hundred and sev- 
enty-five acres of well improved land, and in ad- 
dition to general farming he is extensively en- 
gaged in the dair>- business. On his farm are 
found many head of fine horses and cattle. Of 
the former he has a few that have developed con- 
siderable speed, ■ "Lizzie M." possessing a mark 

of 35.^4 - 

On the 2Sth of April, 1S6S, Mr. Mapes was 
united in marriage with Miss Clara DeKay. who 
was a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth DeKay, 
and who was born on tlie old homosiead in Or- 
ange Count>-, situated just northeast of Goshen. 
The great-grandfather of Mrs. Mapes on the 
maternal side was Col. Thomas DeKay. i, 1774. ^ 
His father, also named Thomas, and the pioneer 
of the family, was a French- Huguenot, and is said 
to have located in New York, where he obtained 
sixt\- acres of land. This he exchanged .some 
ten years after his first purchase for one thousand 
additional acres of the Wawayanda Patent. In 
the subsequent adjustment of the boundar>- line 
between Xew York and New Jersey, his residence 
came within the latter state. It is still in pos- 



session of Henr\- B. DeKay at Vernon, one of 
the Directors of the Warwick Valley Railroad. 
Maj. Thomas B. DeKay. the grandfather of our 
subject's wife, was born on the homestead in Xew 
Jersey, as was her mother. Elizabeth. Maj. T. 
B. DeKay was a man of wealth and prominence 
in the community, and at his demise his loss was 
universally felt. Four children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Mapes: Elizabeth, wife of Will- 
iam F. Durland. of the town of Chester; Thad- 
deus D.. Grace H. and John C, all of whom re- 
main at home with their parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mapes and their daughter are 
members of the Presbyterian Church in Chester 
In politics he is a Democrat and has served b> 
town as Road Commissioner, Excise Commissiou- 
er, Roadmaster and School Trustee. He is a 
man universally respected, and a most worthy cit- 
izen of Orange Couutw 



|Jj.\THAXIEL VAX SICKLE. Among the 
[y successnil business men of Goshen is th:> 
I Id gentleman, who comes from an old and prom - 
iuent family in the Eastern States, and, as h:> 
name indicates, is of Holland-Dutch descent, his 
ancestors having settled at a remote period ou 
Long Island. Of late years he has been li\ing 
retired fix)m active business, but looks after his 
property interests and other enterprises. He :- 
a stockholder in the Goshen Xational Bank, and 
has contributed considerably toward building 
Orange Avenue. 

Our subject was born in Susisex Count\-, X. J., 
near the Orange County line, Mareh 11. 1S25. 
His father, Andrew, was a native of the same 
countj-, having been born in Wantage Township. 
The grandfather. Andrew, Sr., who was born 
near Philadelphia, Pa., married a Miss Louden, 
and subsequently settled on a farm in Wantage 
Township, where he died when he had reached 
fourscore years. Andrew Van Sickle, Jr. , owncxi 
three hundred acres of land, which was mainly 
devoted to dairy purposes. When <Mily seven- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



60.1 



teen years of age he enlisted in the War of 1812, 

nd in later life held a number of township and 
: >unt>- offices. Like his father, he lived to attain 
a ripe old age. dyins: when in his seventy-ninth 
year. His wife. Elizabeth (Reed > Van Sickle, 
was bom in Orange County, and lived to be sev- 
enty-seven years of age. Of her nine children, all 
but one grew to maturit>\ Mar\- A., Mrs. Mey- 
ers, died at the age of sevent\- years: William de- 
ixirted this life in Sussex Count}.- : Capt. Daniel 
:~ referred to later in this article: Bowdawine. a 
farmer of Sussex Conntv. died at the age of sixt\- 
years: our subject is the next in order of birth: 
Peter, who was Count}.- Clerk of Sussex Couutj- 
from 1S70 to 1S73 is now Uving retired in Port 
Jer^ns: Walter died in Sussex Count}- : and Eliza- 
beth, wife of Arra Van Sickle, died in Goshen. 

The early education of our subject was ob- 
tained in the district schools in the \-icinity of his 
father's farm. He remained at home uutU he 
was twent\--two years of age. and in 1S47 engaged 
in farming. In 1S54 he purchased a farm in the 
town of Goshen, the tract comprising one hun- 
dred and thirt}- acres. For a few years he was 
in partnership with his brother Daniel in the 
butter business. bu}-ing and selling dair}- prod- 
ucts. While he lived on the farm he was one 
of the Directors of the Orange Count}- Agricult- 
ural Societ}-. and dealt extensively in cattle. He 
laid out a driving-park, which was noted for hav- 
ing-the best half-mile track in the state, and here 
the count}- agricultural fair was held each year. 
In 1S73 he sold out these interests and came to 
this place, erecting a good brick residence on 
Church Street. He uses his ballot in behalf of 
the Democracy, and has frequently ser\-ed as dele- 
gate to conventions. 

In 1847 Mr. Van Sickle was married, in this 
count}-, to Mary- A., daughter of John Wilcox, who 
owned Merrett"s Island, some six hundred acres 
altogether. Mrs. Van Sickle was boni there, and 
was called to her final rest October 2, 1S92. Her 
only child. Annie, a graduate of the Goshen 
-chools, is now living with her father 

Daniel \'an Sickle, a brother of our subject, 
was bom in 1821. in Wantage Township. Sussex 
Count}-, N. J., and was married in that state to 



Harriet Edwards, a native of Orange County, 
X. Y. She was a daughter of Rev. John Ed- 
wards, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the owner of a valuable farm. Mrs. 
Van Sickle died in 1S52. leaving three children: 
Andrew, now of New York City: Edward, for- 
merly a practicing attorney of the metropolis, but 
who died in Goshen at the age of forty-two years; 
and Addie. who married John D. Tuthill. for- 
merly a native of Goshen, but now deceased. 
Their only child. Francis Dean, is engaged in the 
real-estate business in Xew York Cit}-. In May. 
1895. Mrs. Tuthill married Wells Hulse. of Go- 
shen. 

In 1S51 Daniel Van Sickle located in this place, 
where he became a commission butter merchant, 
and controlled the market in Xew York City for 
seventeen years, having a branch store on Reed 
Street. In 186S he was elected on the Demo- 
cratic ticket to ser\-e as Sheriff of the count}-, and 
ser%-ed from January, 1S69. to Januar}-, 1S72, 
making a faithftil and efficient officer. He in- 
vested a large sum of money in a tract of about 
fort}- acres, and commenced building and plant- 
ing the same. Golden Hill, the extension of 
Murray Avenue, is situated in this portion of the 
town, and over fort}- residences belonging to our 
best citizens have been constructed thereon. Mr. 
^"an Sickle died in Goshen, at the old home on 
Main Street, in 1S91. 



:#*#G 



WILLIAM B. MEAD, editor of the Goshen 
Democrat, is senior partner of the firm of 
Mead & Roys. The journal of which they 
are the proprietors is well known in the newspa- 
per world, and is one of the oldest in the state, 
having been established in iSoo. Since the or- 
ganization of the Republican part}- it has been 
recognized as a strong and loyal advocate of the 
principles and platform upheld by the same. 
Though in a certain sense conservative, it takes 
the lead on many of the practical questions of 
the day. and endeavors to give in a concise and 
newsy way a summar}- of current events. 

W. B. Mead was bom in Goshen, March 6, 



6o4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1843. When a boy he attended school at Farmer's 
Hall Academy, under David L. Towle, Principal, 
and later went to the private school of Rev. 
Daniel Wells. Since the fall of 1858 his Hfe 
history has been interwoven with that of the 
Democrat, as at that time he entered upon his 
journalistic career as an apprentice in its office. 
During the six years which followed he was em- 
ployed in various capacities, becoming thorough- 
ly acquainted with the details of the business, 
and in March, 1864, was promoted to the position 
of foreman. On New Year's Day, 1865, he be- 
came a member of the firm of Charles Mead & 
Son, which connection existed for twenty-seven 
years, or until the senior member retired, Jan- 
uary I, 1892. The latter's interest was pur- 
chased by Edwin L. Roys, and the firm has since 
been known as Mead & Roys. The editorial 
management of the paper is under the direction 
of the subject of this sketch. 

Charles Mead, the father of William B. , was a 
son of Xenophon and Abigail (Burr) Mead, the 
latter being a relative of Aaron Burr, of Revolu- 
tionary fame. Charles Mead was born in New- 
burgh, November 19, 1819, and at the age of fif- 
teen years began learning the printer's trade at 
Goshen, where he remained until 1839. He then 
moved to Carbondale, Pa. , where for a year he 
edited and published the Carbondale ycwr^z^/. In 
the years 1841-42 he was employed as a com- 
positor on "Graham's Magazine," published in 
Philadelphia. 

May 9, 1842, he married Caroline A., daugh- 
ter of the late Daniel Warden, of Goshen, and 
they became the parents of two sous, William B. 
and Charles A. The mother was born April 1 1 , 
1821, and died November 11, 1880. Two )'ears 
later Mr. Mead married Fannie J., daughter of 
the late Charles T. Jackson, of Goshen. About 

1842 Mr. Mead purchased the /?««orra/, and con- 
tinued as its editor a period of fifty years. From 

1843 until 1854 he did the printing for the New 
York & Erie Railroad. January i, 1865, he took 
into partnership with him his son William B., 
and thus the firm continued until January i, 
1892. His death occurred but little more than a 
year later, on the 22d of April, 1893. He was 



a man who was highly esteemed by his large cir- 
cle of acquaintances, and by his upright, straight- 
forward life won the respect of every one. 

October 18, 1865, William B. Mead was mar- 
ried, in Goshen, to Miss Susan E. Coleman, eld- 
est daughter of Bradner Coleman, now deceased. 
Mrs. Mead is a native of Orange County, and is 
a ladj- of good education and social attainments. 



RICHARD MILBURN, a prominent citizen 
of the town of Chester, was born in Sussex 
County, N. J., in 1809. He is the eldest of 
three children born to Samuel and Catherine 
(Demerest) Milburn, both of whom were born in 
New Jersey, and there spent their early lives, 
but who came to Orange County when Richard 
was a youth. Samuel Milburn was a blacksmith 
by trade, and followed that occupation for many 
years. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and 
died respected by all who knew him. His esti- 
mable wife, the mother of Richard, died when he 
was but eight years of age. 

Richard Milburn had very limited advantages 
for an education. After his mother's death he 
made his home with strangers, but they kept 
him at work instead of sending him to school. 
He was reared to farm work, and at the age of 
twenty-one began life's struggles for himself. 
After attaining his majority, he began work as a 
farm laborer, pursuing that occupation for a 
while. From his earnings he saved enough to 
purchase a farm in Delaware County, where he 
lived four j^ears, when he sold out and returned 
to Orange County. Soon afterwards he went 
West to seek his fortune. He stopped in Iowa, 
expecting to purchase land, but not being satis- 
fied, he again returned to Orange County and 
embarked in the creamery business at Sugar 
Loaf, being thus successfully engaged for sixteen 
years. About 1885, however, he sold out and has 
since been living in retirement at his pleasant 
home near Sugar Loaf. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



605 



Richard Milburn was married, in 1835, to Miss 
Mary Ann Conklin, a daughter of Lewis and 
Hannah (Tidd) Conklin, of New Jersey, but who 
later came to Orange County, where Mrs. Mil- 
burn was born. Two children were born to our 
subject and wife: Anna Amelia, wife of Dr. A. 
P. Furris, a practising physician of Florida; and 
James N., who lives at Sugar Loaf. Mrs. Mary 
A. Milburn died in 1876, and Mr. Milburn sub- 
sequently married Elizabeth Holbert, a native of 
Orange County, who died in 1889. One child 
was born of this union, Charles, who lives at 
home with his father. In politics Mr. Milburn is 
a Democrat, but has never aspired to official 
honors. As a citizen, he is esteemed and re- 
spected by all who know him. 



(^ 



,^111 



■-^^lll^ 



(S\ ARON INNIS. Those interested in pioneer 
I 1 experiences would derive much pleasure 
/ I from conversation with this gentleman, who 
well remembers many incidents of early life in 
this locality. He was born in the town of New- 
burgh, where he is at present residing, June 27, 
182S, to William and Elizabeth (Waring) Innis. 
The father was also a native of this town , and was 
born October 31, 1783. He was in turn the son 
of James Innis, one of the earliest settlers of 
Orange County, who came hither from Scotland. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Innis was born here November 
22, 1787, and was the daughter of James and 
Phila Waring, also natives of this county. She 
was killed in 1S44, by being thrown from a 
wagon. 

The parental household included the following 
sons and daughters: Sarah M., who was born 
May 13, 181 1 ; Benjamin R., December 2, 1813; 
Rebecca, October 19, 1815; James W., April 6, 
1819; John G. , April 27, 1821; Philena, May 30, 
1823; William T., June 24, 1826; and Aaron, of 
this sketch, who was the youngest of the house- 
hold. The father of this family was a hatter by 



trade. When a young man, and after becoming 
fully acquainted with this industry, he went to 
New York City, where he was employed at his 
trade for five years. At the expiration of that 
time he returned to Orange County, working for 
others until about 1803, when he began in busi- 
ness for himself, manufacturing a high grade of 
hats. Success followed his efforts, and he built 
up a large and paying business in Orange Coun- 
ty. He departed this life April 2, 1879, and his 
remains were interred in Fostertown Cemetery. 

The original of this sketch was reared to ma- 
ture years in this town, and gained a moderately 
good education in its district schools. When 
ready to embark in life for himself, he was mar- 
ried, February 20, 1850, to Miss Phoebe A. War- 
ing, who was born March 25, 1823, in Orange 
County. Her parents were Matthew and Jane 
Waring, both of whom are now deceased. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Innis there have been born four 
children. Albert, who was born November 7, 
1853, married Lucinda Griggs, and their children 
are James W. and George; William B. was born 
in January, 1855, and is now living in Nebraska, 
engaged in farming and in raising seeds for the 
market; Matthew W. , who was born July 8, 
i860, now makes his home with our subject; and 
Lizzie J., born December 15, 1865, is also at 
home. 

Upon attaining his majority, our subject learn- 
ed the butcher's trade, working for two years at 
F'ostertown, after which he went to Virginia, 
where he was employed in farming for a twelve- 
month. Later he returned to his native county 
and purchased a farm of sixty acres, upon which 
he made his home until coming to his pre.sent lo- 
cation in 1861. His farm, which is devoted to 
fruit-growing and dairy farming, comprises eighty 
well cultivated acres. 

Mr. Innis is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in which he has held the positions 
of Treasurer and Steward. He has been As.ses- 
sor of his town for the past three years, and in 
this capacity discharges the duties of the office 
in a most satisfactor}- and efficient manner. In 
politics he is a Prohibitionist, and through his in- 
fluence many voters have been persuaded to 



6o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



change their views. He is largely interested in 
public measures that promise to benefit the coni- 
munit)- in which he lives. 



y yi ISS MARY A. MOSvS. Among the promi- 
y nent women of Newburgh we are pleased 
to present the name of Miss Moss, who is 
well known as an efficient and successful piano 
instructor, having happily those talents which 
qualify her for imparting knowledge to others. 
The famih- of which Miss Moss is a member is 
noted for musical ability. Miss Moss is a native 
of Manchester, England, and is a daughter of 
John R. and Hannah J. (Kenworthy ) Moss, who 
with their family came to America, and for a 
few years resided in Brooklyn, N. Y. L,ater 
they moved to Newburgh, where Mrs. Moss died 
shortly afterward. John R. Moss devoted him- 
self to the musical profession, and there are many 
of our townspeople who well remember him as 
a gifted musician, an excellent teacher and a gen- 
tleman in every sense of that term. In 1859 Mr. 
Moss married again, his second wife being Eliza 
Wood, a daughter of Joshua Wood, of Cold 
Spring, N. Y., who survives him. 

During the Civil War Mr. Moss served as Band 
Master of the Hawkins' Zouaves, with a commis- 
sion as Second Lieutenant. He was captured by 
the Confederates, and for some time was confined 
in Libby Prison, but was finally exchanged and 
honorably discharged from the service at Wash- 
ington. At the close of the war Mr. Moss be- 
came associated with Chickering & Sons, piano 
manufacturers, of New York City, where he re- 
mained until his death, in 1887, at the age of 
sixty^-eight years. By his first marriage he had 
seven children, of whom five are living: Of these 
Jennie Holmes Harcourt is well known in New- 
burgh as a former teacher here, and as the wife 
of the late Charles Fletcher Holmes. Her daugh- 
ter, Miss Madeleine Holmes, is an enthusiastic 
teacher of the piano and organ at Marlborough, 
N. Y. Mary A. Moss is the subject of this sketch. 
John H. Moss is an esteemed and respected citi- 
zen of Newburgh, and the inventor and manu- 



facturer of the Standard Dumb-waiter. His son, 
Clarence B. , is one of the rising young lawyers 
of this city. Joseph W. Moss is a well known 
and pro.sperous merchant of Matteawan, N. Y., 
whose son, George H., is associated with him in 
business. George A. Moss is a prominent mer- 
chant of San Francisco, Cal. 

Six children of his second marriage are living. 
Frank Moss is a lawyer of New York Citj', well 
known there and throughout the state for his con- 
nection with the Society for the Prevention of 
Crime (Dr. Parkhurst's), of which he is a Direc- 
tor and counsel. Lincoln Moss is first assistant 
engineer of the Manhattan Elevated Railroad, of 
New York City. Adrian Moss holds a position 
in the same company. Jessie Moss is a public- 
school teacher in Nev.- York Cit}-. Olive Moss is 
also a public-school teacher in New York City. 
Aldine is the wife of Edwin M. Carter, well known 
in banking circles in New York City. It is a 
noteworthy fact that musical ability is very 
marked in both branches of the family. 



<y^HADDEUS S. DURLAND is a native of 
I C . the town of Chester, and was born in 1848. 
\fj He was the third child born to Andrew J. 
and Elizabeth (Barney.) Durland, both of whom 
were also natives of Orange County. The father 
was reared a farmer, and spent his entire life in 
agricultural pursuits. About the year 1850 he 
left home, intending to go to New York City, 
but, as he was never afterward heard from, the 
general supposition is that he was murdered. 
His good wife, the mother of our subject, closed 
her eyes in death in 1854, leaving a precious 
memory. Four children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Durland: Jane, the wife of John F. Mackie. 
of Chicago; Charles, deceased; ThaddeusS. , our 
subject; and Andrew J., who also is deceased. 

When but a boy of two years, Thaddeus S. 
Durland was sent to live with his uncle, Gabriel 
Seeley, by whom he was reared. He attended 
the district schools and spent his early life upon 
the farm, assisting in the general work, and since 
attaining his majority has been actively engaged 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



609 



in farming and stock-raising. He has now three 
hundred acres of land lying along the Lake Erie & 
New York Railroad, and personally superintends 
the farm work, though making his home in the 
village of Chester. 

In national and state affairs Mr. Durland al- 
ways supports the Republican party, but in local 
affairs he is con.servative and votes for the man 
that he considers best fitted for the office. Never 
aspiring to an official position himself, he has 
usually refused office of everj' kind, but has 
served his fellow-citizens in several local positions 
and is at present a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Chester, and aLso one of the Water Works 
Commissioners. 



HOLLAND EMSLIE. The old adage that 
"practice makes perfect" is fully "verified in 
the case of Mr. Emslie, who was apprenticed 
to learn the carpenter's trade in 1867. At the 
pre.sent writing he is one of the leading contract- 
ors and builders of Orange County, his place of 
business being at Cornwall Landing, although he 
resides at Cornwall. He has built some of the 
handsomest dwellings in this section, besides 
many of the large office and public buildings. 

James Em.slie, the father of our subject, was 
born in Aberdeen, Scotland, about 18 18, and his 
death occurred when he was seventy-four 3'ears of 
age. He was a baker by trade, and for many 
years carried on this business in connection with 
conducting a thriving trade as a groceryman at 
Cornwall, which place, many years ago, was 
called Canterbury'. Our subject worked for him 
until a lad of sixteen years, when he began to 
make his own way in the world. 

The maiden name of the mother of Holland 
was Jane Weston. .She was born in London, Eng- 
land, and was sixty-nine years of age at the time 
of her decease, in 1889. She became the mother 
of five sons and two daughters, of whom we make 
the following mention: William H. enlisted, on 
the outbreak of the late war, in 1861, in the 

26 



Second Regiment of New York Cavalry; as a 
member of Company E, he participated in all the 
engagements in which his regiment fought, and 
while on picket duty was captured and confined 
in Andersonville Prison, where he died in June, 
1863. Sarah Emslie married John Hancon, and 
is now living at Cornwall; Mary became the wife 
of Daniel Lunsman, a carpenter by trade, who is 
now in the employ of our subject; James, like his 
father, was a baker, and the owner of a grocery 
until his death, which occurred about three years 
ago; our subject was the next-born; Samuel is 
engaged in the meat business at Cornwall; and 
Richard is traveling salesman for a large grocery 
house of Newburgh. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Corn- 
wall, October 15, 1851. His educational oppor- 
tunities were very limited, as he was compelled 
to drive a bread wagon for three days of each 
week, thus leaving only two days in which he 
could go to .school. He was very quick to learn, 
however, and in this most unsatisfactory manner 
gained a fair knowledge of the common branches 
taught. 

Mr. Emslie, as before .stated, began to learn 
the carpenter's trade when sixteen years old. 
The finst year as an apprentice was spent at Corn- 
wall, after which he went west to Dutchess Coun- 
ty, but after eight months returned home. The 
greater portion of this time was lost, as he had 
been stricken down with typhoid fever, which 
compelled him to abandon all departments of la- 
bor for several weeks. After completing his 
trade, however, he went to work for Mead & 
Taft, of this place, and so valuable did he prove 
to these gentlemen that he was soon made fore- 
man and later became superintendent, having 
charge of their immense business. He continued 
with them for sixteen years, and then determined 
to carry on a business of his own. About nine 
years ago the firm of Taylor & Emslie was or- 
ganized, with our subject as junior partner. 
Four years thereafter he sold his interest to Mr. 
Taylor, and, purchasing the property where his 
factory is now located, has operated alone since 
that time. He soon built up an extensive trade, 
his bu.siness each year amounting to about $300,- 



6io 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ooo. An energetic and reliable business man, he 
never fails to meet with a cordial reception in any 
communit\- where his business takes him. 

When twent3--three years of age Mr. Emslie 
was married to Miss Ora L- Griffin, of Kingston, 
this state. She was born in Ulster County, Oc- 
tober 1 6, 1852, and is the daughter of David 
Griffin. In our subject's family are three chil- 
dren: Richard, who is associated with his father in 
business; Eva and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Emslie 
are identified with the Episcopal Church, in 
which he has been an active worker and Vestry- 
man for many years. In politics he is a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles, and on this 
ticket was elected Supervisor in the spring of 
'93, for a term of two j'ears. He has been 
greatly interested in educational matters and has 
rendered efficient serA-ice as Trustee of the School 
Board for the past nine years. A thoroughly re- 
liable citizen and intelligent bu.siness man, he is 
one whose life wins respect from those about 
him. 



|ILLI.\M H. SENIOR, a leading business 
man of Montgomery, is head of the firm of 
William H. Senior & Co., dealers in gen- 
eral merchandise. For half a century the name 
of Senior has been connected with the business 
history of this place, the first company being 
composed of his father and uncle, George and 
Thomas H. Senior, and was known as George 
Senior & Co., which name was retained for some 
years. About twenty-five years ago our subject 
was also admitted to partnership, and on the 
withdrawal of his uncle the firm name was 
changed to George Senior & Son, and remained 
thus for about six years. Later it became Will- 
iam H. Senior & Co., our subject's brother, 
George E., being connected with him. 

The firm occupies a double three-story build- 
ing, 44x85 feet, erected in 1890, which is entire- 
ly occupied by the business. They carry a full 
and complete stock of general merchandise, con- 
sisting of dry goods, clothing, furnishing goods, 



groceries, boots and shoes, etc. The stock is 
valued at about 520,000 and the annual business 
done amounts to about $35,000. Mr. Senior is 
an enlightened, prosperous merchant, and his 
store on Clinton Street is one of the largest and 
most complete emporiums of supplies in this sec- 
tion of the state. Four assistants are employed. 

In Dutchess County, N. Y., near Fishkill, 
Mr. Senior was born on the 31st of July, 1843, 
and vi'as about one year old when he became a 
resident of this village. The family is of English 
origin and may be traced back for many genera- 
tions as a very substantial people, belonging to 
the middle class in the commonwealth in Eng- 
land. Its chief stronghold is in and about the 
precincts of Dorsetshire. It was about 1830 that 
William Senior, the grandfather of our subject, 
concluded to better his condition by leaving the 
home of his ancestors and becoming a citizen of the 
great Republic of the West, then under the ad- 
ministration of President Andrew Jackson. With 
his family: consisting of his wife and two sons, 
Thomas and George, he crossed the Atlantic, lo- 
cating in Dutchess County, N. Y. After fourteen 
years' residence in that county the sons removed 
to this village. These gentlemen are still living, 
and in their retirement from a long and honorable 
business career enjoy universal respect and con- 
fidence. 

William H. Senior obtained an excellent edu- 
cation in the Academy of Montgomery, and, 
choosing the mercantile profession, was for sev- 
eral years a clerk in the store of which he is now 
proprietor. On the 13th of December, 1872, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Hada- 
way, of New York City, and to them were born 
four children, one daughter and three sons: Will- 
iam, who is in his father's store; Julia, who died 
at the age of four years; Harry, who is learning 
the jeweler's trade; and Renwick, who is still in 
school. 

Mr. Senior has no desire or taste for notoriety 
and prefers quiet to noisy fame, substance to show, 
and though positive in his convictions and in- 
dependent in action, has never aspired to lead- 
ership, office or place. He has clear, compre- 
hensive and sagacious business judgment, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



6ii 



is obliging, candid, neighborly, upright and pro- 
gressive. He welcomed and aided the advent of 
the Montgomer)' & Erie Railroad; sturdily helped 
to secure that most wise and efficient measure, 
the corporation of the Academy of Montgomery, 
or the union free-school system of his district, 
and his name appears on the list of the Board of 
Education of the "Academic and Union School 
of Montgomery." He is a stanch Republican, a 
strong protectionist and an admirer of the gallant 
Ohio statesman and Governor, William McKin- 
ley. Religiou.sl}' he is a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Church. 



G] ITGUSTUS D. BURNET, who is engaged in 
LJ general farming and dairying on a valuable 
/ I tract of land in the town of Montgomery, 
has for about forty-five years, or during the span 
of his lifetime, been identified with the affairs of 
this section, where he has numerous warm friends 
and acquaintances. He was born May 30, 1850, 
in this town, and was the eldest of the three chil- 
dren comprising the family of Jacob R. and Eliz- 
abeth G. (Roberts) Burnet. The former was born 
in Eittle Britain, in the town of New \Vind.sor, and 
was there reared and married. Soon after his mar- 
riage he came to this town, purchasing a farm 
near the village of Montgomery, where he made 
his home until his decease, which occurred when 
he was seventy-seven years old. As an agricult- 
urist he made a decided success, being well and 
favorably known, and was classed among the 
substantial residents of the localitj-. His parents 
were also natives of New York, and for several 
generations back the records show the family to 
be prominent in the state. Mrs. Elizabeth Bur- 
net was born in the town of Blooming Grove, 
this county, and her death occurred in i8gi. 

Augustus D. was given the advantage of ob- 
taining a good education, and after reaching ma- 
ture years he was married. For the finst two 
years after .starting in life for himself, he rented 
property, after which he purchased the land on 
which he has made his home ever since. The 
ladj' who became his wife January 28, 1880, was 



Miss Mary Van Alst, daughter of Charles J. Van 
Alst, whose sketch may be found on another 
page in this book. The four children granted to 
them were: Bessie R., born March 2, 1883; Flora 
May, March 17, 1885; Charles A., February 12, 
1887; and Mary Edith, September 7, 1890. In 
political faith Mr. Burnet affiliates with the Re- 
publican part}^, which he believes to be in the 
right. He has never been an aspirant for office, 
much preferring to devote his time to his private 
interests, and finds that he has all he can do to 
operate his farm. His estate includes one hundred 
and five broad acres, embellished with a plea.s- 
ant residence and all the buildings necessary to 
carry on a first-class farm. The family are sur- 
rounded by every comfort that can enhance their 
happiness, and enjoj- the esteem of all to whom 
they are personally known. Mr. Burnet is a 
member in excellent standing of the Reformed 
Church, and aids in everyway that he can to ex- 
tend the boundaries of the good work in the 
county. 



— »-• — ♦}3*I®^8)®^t<»- 



(John C. HOWELL. The gentleman whose 
I honored name appears at the opening of this 
(*/ sketch is a representative of the men of en- 
ergy, ability and enterprise who have made 
Orange County so prominent in the state. His 
name is associated with the agricultural interests 
of the town of Newburgh, where he owns and 
operates a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty 
acres. The place contains all the improvements 
of a model estate, including a set of neat and sub- 
stantial farm buildings. 

Upon the farm where he now resides Mr. How- 
ell was born July 23, 1829. He is a son of Rens- 
selaer and Olive (Belknap) Howell, the former 
born on Long Island, March 23, 1797, and the 
latter born in this county, November i, 1800. 
They became the parents of five children, namely: 
David B., living in Newburgh; Rensselaer, who 
makes his home in that city: John C, of this 
.sketch; Mary F., who died in 1877; and Sarah, 



6l2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who departed this life in 1 842 . The father of this 
family came to Orange County in 1819 and set- 
tled on a tract of two hundred acres, where he 
resided for two years. He then moved his fam- 
ily into a rude cabin, which still .stands on the 
home farm. This tract was then a wild, un- 
broken wilderness, and in order to erect a dwell- 
ing the trees had to be cleared from the spot 
selected. On this place the father died in Decem- 
ber, 1884, and the mother in i860. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
old homestead, of which he assumed the manage- 
ment in 1870. He was married, September 7, 
1854, to Miss Mary E. Brewster, and to them 
were born two children. David B., who married 
Kitty McCortney, resides with his father; and 
Sarah F. is now the wife of Henry J. Reilly, a 
resident of Montgomery. The wife and mother 
died November 10, 1883, and the lady whom our 
subject chose for his second companion and to 
whom he was married March 31, 1885, was Mrs. 
Catherine (Drake) Derland. 

In politics Mr. Howell affiliates with the Dem- 
ocratic party, and in religious affairs he belongs 
to the Presbyterian Church, worshiping with the 
congregation nearest his home. He has been a 
very hard worker and his fine farm and comforta- 
ble buildings prove his industry. He has made 
most of the impro\'ements on the place himself, 
but gives his attention especially to dairy farm- 
ing, having on his place about twenty-five milch 
cows of the Holstein breed, which he finds to be 
the best. Thus briefly we have tried to outline 
the life of one of the oldest residents of Orange 
Gounty, who counts his friends here as legion. 

0AVID B. PARSHALL. The residents of 
the town of Montgomery are well acquaint- 
ed with Mr. Parshall, who has passed his 
entire life here and has taken an active part in 
the development of its material interests. He was 
born in the village of Waldeu, this town, and 
having always lived in the same locality has been 
a witness of its growth and an important factor in 



its development. The farm upon which he re- 
sides is one which his wife inherited from her fa- 
ther. Its value has been largely increased by the 
improvements he has made, and the neat appear- 
ance of buildings, fences, etc., indicates the thrift 
of the owner. 

The father of our subject, David Parshall, was 
of French lineage and was born in Little Britain, 
whence in 1822 he came to Walden. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and followed that calling 
successfully until his death, at the age of forty- 
eight years. He was a soldier in the War of 
1812. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Christina Kidd, was of American parentage and 
of Irish descent; she was born in Walden, when 
that now flourishing village was a sparsely pop- 
ulated hamlet, and here she died at the age of 
sixty-seven. 

The youngest of the family of eight children, 
David B. Parshall was born in Walden, August 
II, 1826, and in the common and select schools 
of his native place his education was obtained. 
On attaining his majority he inherited a farm 
that now lies within the corporate limits of Wal- 
den, and this he sold about 1865 for $200 per 
acre. Since that time he has made his home on 
the farm bequeathed to his wife by her father, 
and here he engages in general farming and in 
the dairy business. Interested in educational af- 
fairs, he has served as Trustee of the schools, and 
has been elected to other local offices upon the 
ticket of the Democratic party, of which he is a 
member. In religious belief he is an Episco- 
palian. 

The lady who presides over the pleasant home 
of Mr. Parshall was known in maidenhood as 
Susan Bogart. She was born in the town of 
Montgomery in 1833, being the daughter of- 
David G. and Hannah (Dill) Bogart. Her pa- 
ternal grandfather, Nicholas Bogart, was num- 
bered among the earliest settlers of this locality, 
and was for years one of its influential citizens. 
In addition to farming he carried on a silversmith 
business. By the marriage of our subject and his 
wife, which was solemnized October 10, i860, 
there were born three children, namely: David 
B., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



613 



the old homestead; Isabelle, wife of William S. 
Hanlon, of Montgomery; and Alice, a popular 
and accomplished young lady, who is with her 
parents. 



GlSAHEL H. COOLEY, a leading farmer and 
1 I stock-raiser of the town of New Windsor, is 
/ I widely known on account of the interest he 
takes in fine cattle and the prizes he has won at 
various county and state fairs. Wherever he 
has exhibited his valuable Jersej- cattle, he has 
taken premiums, and at the World's Fair, where 
he had twelve animals on exhibition, he was 
honored with ten premiums, which indicates the 
high grade of his stock. 

Justus Cooley, father of A. H., was born in 
Ulster County, near Plattekill, where his father, 
also Justus, of English descent, had settled at 
an earh' day. The father, was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and in 1841 moved to Orange Coun- 
ty, settling on a farm of two hundred and ten 
acres, now owned by our subject. Here his death 
occurred June 14, 1879, and his remains were in- 
terred in the cemetery at Pleasant Valle}-, ULster 
County. His wife survived him some ten years. 
They were members of the Society of Friends, 
and were most worthy people. The wife bore 
the maiden name of Elizabeth Pine, and by her 
marriage became the mother of nine children, as 
follows: James H., decea.sed; Fannie, wife of Dr. 
J. A. Maubey, of Newburgh; Asahel H.; Mary; 
Elizabeth; Justus, a resident of Plainfield, N. J., 
and a practicing physician; Charles, a farmer; 
Helen, who is engaged in teaching in New York 
City; and Maurice, a civil engineer of Toledo, 
Ohio. 

The birth of A. H. Cooley occurred July i, 
1844, on the homestead, and until he was four- 
teen years of age he attended the district schools 
of the neighborhood. He then went to New 
York City in order to have better educational op- 
portunities and was a student there for two years. 
Returning to the farm, he remained here, gradual- 
ly assuming much of the care pertaining thereto. 



and after his father's death took charge of the 
place and named it Chestnutwood Farm. 

In 1878 Mr. Cooley commenced breeding reg- 
istered Jersey cattle on a small scale and has since 
increased his herd to seventy-five. Of the twelve 
head of cattle sent by him to the World's Fair 
every animal received a prize but two, and they 
were highly commended. He took second prize 
on the herd of one bull and five cows, and second 
prize on "Mahkeenac Second" (23703) in aged 
bull class, also second on bull-calf; first prize on 
two animals, the produce of one cow, and second 
prize on "Minette Pogis" (15525) for get of one 
sire; second prize on three-j^ear-old cow, also on 
two-year-old cow, and third prize on heifer calf 
All the above winners were bred at Chestmit- 
wood Farm. At the New York State Fairs he 
has won seven gold medals and a large number 
of class prizes. He has also won herd prizes at 
New Jersey and Connecticut fairs. ' 'Mahkeenac' ' 
has won more prizes than any bull of his age in 
the state, having been shown since he was a calf, 
and has won prizes in every class. Mr. Cooley 
owns the well improved farm of two hundred and 
ten acres formerly owned by his father, where 
he raises a general line of crops common to this 
locality. Like his father before him, he is a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends. Politically he is 
affiliated with the Republican party. 

^RVING H. LOUGH RAN. Prominent 
I among the men who have the interests of 
X Walden at heart may be mentioned Mr. 
Loughran, who is an influential attorney and also 
Justice of the Peace of this city. He is a native 
of New York, for his birth occurred in Ashland, 
Greene County, September 17, 1855, and in this 
state the first three years of his life were .spent. 
His parents were Ferdinand and Margaret (Rog- 
ers) Loughran, who in 1858 removed with our 
subject to Newark, N. J. The father, who was a 
hatter by trade, later moved to Matteawan, N. Y. , 
where they remained until the son was ten years 
of age. 

Mr. Loughran was the recipient of a fair educa- 



6i4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion. He first attended the public schools, and 
after graduating from the high school attended 
an academy. At the age of eighteen he began 
reading law in the ofSce of Henry H. Hustis, a 
practicing attorney of Fishkill, N. Y., remaining 
with him until his admission to the Bar, in 1880. 
He took his examination in Brooklyn, before thfe 
general term of the Supreme Court, and at once 
began practicing, locating in Walden. Here he 
has been quite successful and has practiced in all 
the courts. His popularity as a Justice of the 
Peace is shown by the fact that he has served 
the public in that capacity for three terms of four 
j-ears each, and at the March election was chosen 
for a fourth term. 

At the present time our subject is Supervisor 
of the town of Montgomen,-, having been the in- 
cumbent of that office for three terras of one year 
each, and for one term of two j-ears. He is also 
a member of the Law Committee of the Board of 
Supervisor's, and has faithful!)- fulfilled the duties 
pertaining to his office. He is a man much in- 
terested in public enterprises, and can be depend- 
ed upon to aid in all movements for the upbuild- 
ing of his town and county. 

Politically Mr. Loughran is a stanch Republi- 
can and a firm believer in the principles espoused 
by that party. He is generally sent as a delegate 
to the district conventions, and was for a time a 
member of the Count\- Central Committee. He 
has a great deal of influence politically, and in 
campaign times has "stumped" the county in the 
interests of his party. He is one of the largest 
stockholders in the Wallkill Valley Electric-light 
Compan}-, in which he is holding the office of 
Secretarj-, and of which he is a Director. This 
company was organized in the year 1893, and 
has a plant which cost $16,000. Our subject is 
also attorney for the Walden Savings Bank . He 
is identified with the New York State Bar Asso- 
ciation. 

Socially Mr. Loughran is a Mason, being con- 
nected with Wallkill Lodge No. 627, and High- 
laud Chapter and Hudson River Commandery 
No. 35, K. T., both of Newburgh. He is also 
connected with Mecca Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine, of New York City, and belongs to Wal- 



den Lodge No. 267, K. of P., and to the New- 
burgh Lodge of Elks. In all these organizations 
he has been very active and is recognized as a 
valuable worker in whatever he undertakes. 



nOHN B. ROGERS, E. E., until May i, 
I 1895, was Treasurer of the Highland Furni- 
v2/ ture Manufacturing Company of Newburgh. 
He is a representative of a prominent family, and 
was born in Oshkosh, Wis., February 12, 1872. 
while his father, John B. Rogers, Sr. , and his 
grandfather, Daniel T. Rogers, were both natives 
of Newburgh. The great-grandfather, Daniel 
Rogers, was a native of Rhode Island, and was 
the owner of a line of coasting-vessels. He re- 
moved to Newburgh, and established the Orange 
County Powder Works, three miles from the city, 
developing there a good business, which is now 
conducted under the name of the Laflin-Rand Pow- 
der-mill Company. On selling out he lived re- 
tired until his death, in 1880, at the advanced 
age of ninety-two. He uas a direct descendant 
of John Rogers, the martyr. His father, Col. 
Daniel Rogers, also resided in Rhode Island, and 
was a .soldier of the Revolutiouar}- War. 

The grandfather of our subject studied law, 
but did not practice it, giving his attention to 
other interests. He was the first Superintendent 
of the Water Works after their establishment, 
and for man^' years ser\'ed on the Board of Edu- 
cation. He was one of the organizers of the 
Church of the Corner-stone, or the Reformed 
Episcopal, and in politics was a Republican. He 
wedded Mary Brown, a native of Newburgh, and 
a daughter of Rev. John Brown, D. D., an Epis- 
copal minister, who was born in New York City, 
and who e.stablished St. George's congregation 
and built the church. He also organized St. 
Thomas' Church of New Windsor, and there 
erected a house of worship. He continued his 
pastoral duties until his death, which occurred 
at the advanced age of ninetj-seven. His mar- 
riage united him with Miss Frances Ludlow, a 
sister of Lieut. August Ludlow, of the United 
States navv, who was on the frigate "'Chesa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



615 



peake" with Lawrence when the latter uttered 
the memorable words, "Don't give up the ship." 

The grandfather of our subject died in 1883, 
at the age of sixt)--three. John B. Rogers, Sr. , 
was reared, educated and married in Newburgh, 
and then removed to Oshkosh, Wis., where he 
engaged in business as a hardware merchant. 
He afterward went to Philadelphia, Pa., where 
he lived retired. He next located in Warwick, 
N. Y., and thence came to Newburgh, where he 
died in 1881, at the age of thirtj^-three. He 
married Elizabeth T. Jordan, who was born in 
Sullivan County, N. Y., daughter of William 
Jordan, an extensive tanner of Newburgh, who 
on his retirement from business life located in 
Brooklyn, where his death occurred. Mrs. Rogers 
is still living in Newburgh, and is a member of 
the Reformed Episcopal Church. Her grand- 
mother was of Holland descent. In the family 
were three children, John B., Mary and William 
J., all of whom are in Newburgh. 

It will thus be seen that our subject comes of a 
family that has long been connected with the 
history and development of this region, and he 
worthil)' bears the honored name. He was 
reared in Philadelphia, Warwick and Newburgh, 
and pursued his education at Cornwall Heights, 
tnen attended Holbrook Military Academy at 
Sing Sing until 1890, when he entered the Junior 
class of Union College, and was graduated in 
I S92 with the degree of Electrical Engineer. Dur- 
ing all this time he was working in Edison's shop. 
He then spent eighteen months as a clerk in the 
Western National Bank of New York City, and 
in June, 1893, returned to Newburgh, becoming 
one of the organizers of the Highland Furniture 
Manufacturing Company, of which he was Secre- 
tary and Treasurer until 1894, holding the latter 
position until May i, 1895. The shops have two 
departments — the wholesale department, where all 
kinds of chairs are manufactured, and the cabinet 
department, where they do all kinds of special 
cabinet-work and interior wood-finishing. Since 
resigning from the latter company, Mr. Rogers 
has been connected with the New York Life In- 
surance Company as special agent. 

As a member of the Edge Hill Mining Com- 



pany, our subject is interested in a gold mine in 
Nova Scotia, near Truro, the company being 
formed by a number of bank clerks in New York, 
and incorporated under the laws of Kentucky. 
He is also interested in a lumber business in 
Orange County, and is a .stockholder in a na- 
tional bank of Newburgh, and in the Anglo- 
American Building and Loan A.s,sociation, of 
which he is agent, in Warwick. He is interested 
in the fire department, being a member of Wash- 
ington Steamer No. 4, and belongs to the Sons oi 
the Revolution, while politically he is identified 
with the Democratic party. 

In October, 1893, Mr. Rogers was united in 
marriage with Miss R. G. Belknap, the wedding 
ceremony being performed in Newburgh. The 
lady is a native of this city, and a daughter of 
Moses Cook Belknap, late President of the High- 
land National Bank. By this union one son has 
been born, John B. 



ROBERT KEARNS, M. D. The medical 
profession opens an inviting field for j-oung 
men of energy, decision of purpose, keen 
discriminating powers and large intellect. To 
such a one the study of the science is attractive, 
its rewards assured. Nor are the physicians of Or- 
ange County deficient in skill and intellectual ac- 
umen; in fact, in many respects, they lead the 
profession in this portion of the state, and by their 
knowledge of the medical science have enlarged 
the usefulness of the work. 

To no one do the.se words more aptly apply 
than to the subject of this notice, a popular phy- 
sician of Montgomery, and one who, by his de- 
cided talents, has won recognition not often ac- 
corded to men so young as he. He is skillful in 
the diagnosis of cases and wise in the selection of 
remedial agencies. His experience has been a 
varied one, and has included practice in almost 
every department of the profession, his hospital 
work having been especially helpful to him. 

The .school days of Dr. Kearns were passed in 



6i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Paterson, N. J., where he was bom February lo, 
1866, and where his father, Robert, was a ma- 
chinist in the locomotive works. He attended 
the public schools of his native place and complet- 
ed the studies of the high school, from which he 
was graduated. Resolving to enter the medical 
profession, he began his readings under private 
tutelage, and after two years thus spent he en- 
tered the College ot Physicians and Surgeons in 
New York City, remaining in that institution 
until his graduation with the Cla.ss of '88, at the 
conclusion of a four-years course. He had some 
practical experience in professional work at the 
House of Relief on Chambers Street, and served 
for one year as house physician in St. Joseph's 
College at Paterson N. J., where he had exten- 
sive experience in general practice. 

Opening an office for practice at Paterson, the 
Doctor, however, soon came from that city to 
Montgomery, where he has conducted an increas- 
ing practice since January, 1891. He is interest- 
ed in everything pertaining to the profession, 
and is an active member of the Orange County 
Medical Society, the meetings of which he at- 
tends whenever his professional duties permit. 
He is a careful, painstaking, conscientious physi- 
cian, and takes a personal interest in the welfare 
of his patients, who in turn have the fullest confi- 
dence in his skill and ability. Since coming to 
Montgomery he was married, June 10, 1892, to 
Miss Carrie Probasco, a cultured lady, in whose 
death, January 27, 1894, he suffered a deep be- 
reavement. He has made many friends among 
the people, both of Montgomery and the sur- 
rounding country, and has the regard of all with 
whom he has had professional or social relations. 

_:=£)^ P • 



IILLIAM CRABTREE, senior member of 
the firm of Crabtree & Patchett, manu- 
facturers of woolen goods at Montgomery, 
is an enterprising business man and reckons as 
his friends all with whom he has had dealings, 
a fact which speaks well for his upright character. 
Mr. Crabtree is of English birth, and was born 



October 30, 1840, near Bradford, Yorkshire. His 
parents, John and Hannah (Battersby) Crabtree, 
had born to them three children, of whom Will- 
iam was the eldest. Mary married James Sheard, 
and now resides in Montgomery- ; the other daugh- 
ter died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his 
native shire, and as soon as old enough entered 
a worsted factory, learning a branch of the busi- 
ness with John Foster & Son, owners of one of 
the largest worsted manufactories in the world. 
In 1864 young William decided to try his fortune 
in the New World, and, coming at once hither, 
located in Philadelphia, where he remained at 
work until 1880. In 1869 his parents moved to 
Warren County, 111., and made their home on a 
farm. There the father died in his fifty-third 
j-ear, his wife surviving him man)' years, and pass- 
ing away at the advanced age of seventy-five 
years. 

On coming to Montgomery in 1880, Mr. Crab- 
tree purchased a worsted-mill in company with 
Mr. Patchett. In 1891 the original factory was 
burned, but thej' at once erected the present mill, 
and the plant is now valued at $75,000. On an 
average they employ one hundred hands, and 
make large quantities of worsted yarns, which 
are used almost entirely for knitting purposes. 
The enterprise is one of the important industries 
in the county, and that the firm has shown itsell 
fully capable of its management is evident by the 
confidence reposed in it by the merchants and 
moneyed men of the place. 

July 30, 1867, occurred the marriage of Will- 
iam Crabtree and Miss Harriet Patchett, also a 
native of Yorkshire, England. Her birth occurred 
about 1842, and she is the daughter of Edmund 
and Elizabeth (Robertshaw) Patchett. By her 
union with our subject she has become the moth- 
er of five sons, namely; Harrj-, engaged in the 
factory; Edward, John A., William E. and 
Charles B. The older sons have charge of cer- 
tain departments in the woolen factor)', in which 
special lines they have been well trained. 

Our subject is a Republican in politics, and so- 
cially belongs to W^allkill Lodge No. 627, F. & 
A. M. In him the Reformed Church recognizes 




JOHN DONOHTE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



619 



one of its most valued members. He is an hon- 
ored resident of the community, and during the 
years of his residence here has maintained an un- 
blemished cliaracter. 



+= 



z^ 



30HN DONOHUE, superintendent of the 
Piaker-Rose Gold Cure Sanitarium, located at 
Cornwall on the Hud.son, has met with phe- 
nomenal success in the management of this insti- 
tution, as well as in carrying on others of a similar 
character. It occupies one of the most attractive 
locations in the world, and is well adapted in every 
particular for carrj-ing on the work for which it is 
intended. Mr. Donohue has been at the head of 
this noted institution for two years, but during 
tliat short lime has instituted many reforms in its 
management, and is one of the most popular men 
in the place. 

The sanitarium was originally established by a 
company who controlled the Baker-Rose cure, for 
whom our subject came here as superintendent. 
It was not long, however, before he obtained con- 
trol of the in.stitution and made it a private sani- 
tarium. The business of the same has increased 
under his management to such an extent that ad- 
ditional room is needed. It has been found nec- 
essary al-so to open an office in New York City for 
the transaction of business, their location being 
at No. 156 Fifth Avenue. No in.stitution of the 
kind in the United States has met with such 
marked success, and the patronage and results 
abundantly testify to the efficiency of the system. 

Our subject comes from an illustrious family. 
His father, Daniel Donohue, a native of County 
Carey, Ireland, was one of the wealthy family of 
Donohues which figured .so prominently in Parlia- 
ment. His mother, who bore the maiden name 
of Mary O'Coiniell, also came from a family 
which took a noted part in public life in the Em- 
erald Isle. She departed this life at the age of 
thirty-nine years, while her hu.sband lived to the 
age of sixty-three. They were the parents of 
twelve children, .six of whom are now living, as 



follows; John, the subject of this sketch; Maggie, 
who makes her home in New York City; Nellie 
and Minnie, who live in Albany; Jeremiah, follow- 
ing the trade of a .stone-cutter in Saratoga; and 
James, whose home is also in that city. 

Our subject was born in Greenfield, Saratoga 
County, N. Y., June 3, 1858. He attended the 
common schools until a lad of thirteen years, 
when, his mother dying about this time, he left 
home and began to do for himself He is, how- 
ever, a well read man, pos.se.ssing a .sound practi- 
cal education, obtained by observation and actual 
contact with the world. 

Upon leaving home our subject first obtained a 
position as a watchman on the Lakes, but was 
.soon promoted to be Quartermaster. After fol- 
lowing the Lakes for three years he returned home 
and learned the mason's trade from his father. 
Later he was made foreman of the work at differ- 
ent points on the West Shore Railroad, with 
which he remained until 1883, when he located at 
Utica, where he purchased a home and accumu- 
lated considerable property. In the latter place 
he first engaged in contracting, and later was in 
the fire and life insurance bu,siness. 

In 1892 Mr. Donohue entered the law office of 
M. H. Sexton, a prominent attorney of Utica, 
and under his instruction read Blackstone for two 
years, although he never made the profes.sion a 
business for any length of time. His knowledge 
of the Baker-Rose Gold Cure connnenced with his 
personal use of the same treatment received. He 
was then made superintendent of the .sanitarium 
at Saratoga under the original company control- 
ling the cure. Cornwall on the Hudson was se- 
lected as an eligible site for an institution of this 
kind, and as soon as the buildings were completed 
the patients from vSaratoga removed hither. Mr. 
Donohue was installed as superintendent, and, 
as before noted, the ownership was afterward 
changed, he becoming the proprietor. 

Mr. Donohue was married, in February, i88i, 
to Miss Sarah J. O'Neal, a native of Mechanics- 
ville, Saratoga County, N. Y. To them were 
born the following six children: Annie, John, 
Willie fdecea.sed), Thomas, Willie (the second 
of that name) and James, the eldest eleven and 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



the youngest three years of age. When our sub- 
ject located at this place it was with the intention 
of making it his permanent home. Although a 
comparatively new comer, he is widely and favor- 
ably known and commands the respect and confi- 
fidence of the best people of the community. He 
posses.ses the requisite amount of push and energy 
to make a success of his undertakings, and is al- 
together a genial and pleasant gentleman. So- 
cially he is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and in politics is a stanch sup- 
porter of Democratic principles. He was reared 
in the faith of the Catholic Church, of which he 
is a devout member. 



JJJATHANIEL TUTHILI. is a native of 
I / Orange County, his birth having occurred 
I iJj) on the farm where he is now residing in 
1820. His estate, which is one hundred and 
eighty-five acres in extent, is one of the best sit- 
uated in the town, and b}' former years of indus- 
try he has acquired sufficient means to enable him 
to pass in comfort the remaining j'ears of his life. 
His parents, Joseph W. and Catherine (Denton) 
Tuthill, were also natives of Orange County, the 
father's birth occurring in this town. He was a 
well-to-do farmer of this locality and was well 
known in public life, having served acceptably as 
Town Afssessor for a period of fifteen years. He 
was a hard-working, honest man, and accumu- 
lated a fair share of this world's goods. His 
death, which occurred in 1850, was greath- la- 
mented, for in him the community lost one of its 
best residents. His wife survived him some 
years, dying in 1857. The paternal grandfather 
of our subject was born on Long Island, and dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War served as a soldier in 
the ranks of the Continental army, and was pres- 
ent at the siege of Ft. Montgomery. 

The subject of this sketch, who was next to the 
eldest in the parental family, first attended the 
schools taught in his district, and completed his 
education in Farmers' Hall Acadeni}-, at Goshen. 
He afterward returned to the home place, where 
he was well trained in the duties pertaining to 



farming, and has made this his home ever since, 
lyike many of the large farmers in this vicinity, he 
is greatly interested in the dairy business, which 
he finds to be very profitable. The buildings on 
the old place are substantially made and are such 
as are usually found on a first-class farm. 

Miss Hannah Hawkins became the wife of our 
subject in 1854. She was the daughter of Ira and 
Hannah (Vail) Hawkins, the latter ofwhom was 
the daughter of General Vail, and all of whom 
were born in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Tuthill there were granted four children: Ira H., 
who died when a lad of six years; Mary Kate, 
the wife of Sylvanus J. Howell, of this county; 
Emma W. and Nathaniel, Jr., at home. The 
wife and mother passed to the land beyond in 
1885. 

Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of Go.shen, in which he has been Trustee 
for the past twelve years. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and though never aspiring to ofiicial 
positions has never let an opportunity pass to vote 
for the success of the party of his choice. Mr. 
Tuthill, now in his seventy-sixth year, is enjo)'- 
ing good health, and it is the sincere wish of his 
many friends that he may live many years. He 
is a great reader, and the writings of the best 
prose and verse writers may be found in his home. 
By those who are well acquainted with him he is 
held to be a man of sterling worth and integrity, 
and with pleasure we represent him in this volume. 



|J\ICHOLAS I. QUACKENBOS. During the 
Y I early days of the settlement of America, 
1^ when large numbers of sturdj' Dutch pio- 
neers crossed the Atlantic and founded New Am- 
sterdam, two brothers named Quacken Boss came 
to this country, one ofwhom, settling in Albany, 
took the name of Ouackenbush, while the other, 
remaining in New York City, adopted the name 
of Quackenbos. From the latter of the two broth- 
ers, the subject of this notice is descended. For 
generations the family has been one of wealth, 
prominence and influence, and it has given to 
New York many of its leading merchants, attor- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



621 



neys and physicians. One of its most prominent 
members was George P. Quackenbos, the noted 
school-book author, who was a cousin of our sub- 
ject. 

The family are heirs to a large estate at The 
Hague, Holland, which was left by a Mrs. Web- 
ber, an eccentric old ladj-, who bequeathed it to 
her descendants in the fifth generation. In the 
eighteenth century an effort was made to secure a 
division of the property and Aaron Burr was sent 
to Holland for that purpose, but he was unsuc- 
cessful, as indeed have been all those who have 
endeavored to get action on the fund. The fa- 
ther of our subject, Mangle Minthorn Quacken- 
bos, was a descendant, through his mother, of 
the Tompkins family, one of the old established 
families of Staten Island. He was born in New 
York City December 2, 1792, and spent his life 
there principall}% though for a short time he so- 
journed in Canada. Being a man of keen insight 
into intricate commercial affairs, he was prospered 
in his undertakings, and became the owner of a 
large amount of valuable real e.state, in addition 
to the property which was bequeathed to him. 
The old homestead was situated on Third Street 
and the Bowery, the property extending across 
the island and comprising about two hundred 
acres. For some years after 18 12 he kept a large 
military guard on his place. 

Identified with the early history of New York 
City, M. M. Quackenbos served for a number of 
years as one of its Aldermen, and was in other 
ways prominent in public affairs. He was se- 
curity on the bond for a Government Custom 
Collector, and, difficulty arising, he was for a 
long time in litigation with the Government, and 
after his death the e.state paid $100,000 to the 
Government in order to adjust the claim. He 
passed away July 17, 1864, when less than .sev- 
enty-two years of age. His wife, Juliana M. 
Clark, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 20, 
1795, and died in New York, March 20, 1889, 
aged ninety-three years. She was a member of 
one of the old and influential families of New 
York, and was a lady of most estimable character, 
a worthy descendant of her honored ancestors. 

The family of M. M. Quackenbos consisted of 



thirteen children, five of whom attained years of 
maturity. An elder brother of our subject, John 
M., who was born July 10, 1817, is still living, 
and makes his home in New York City. A sis- 
ter, lyouisa C, became the wife of C. W. Wads- 
worth, the late Minister to Mexico, and since his 
death she has continued to live in the city of 
Mexico. Nicholas I. was born at No. 25 River- 
ton Street, New York City, April 14, 1838, and 
is the seventh generation in descent from the 
original representative of the family in America. 
The rudiments of his education were gained in the 
public schools, and afterward he attended the 
Poughkeepsie Collegiate School. 

At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Quacken- 
bos came to Montgomery, Orange County, where 
he purchased a tract of land and has since en- 
gaged in farming. He is the owner of one hun- 
dred acres lying in the city, and this is well im- 
proved, being one of the most beautiful suburban 
homes of the county. The residence, built ac- 
cording to a modern style of architecture, is com- 
modious and elegantly appointed, and the sur- 
rounding farm buildings are first-class. In many 
respects it is an ideal home, comfortable, attract- 
ive and inviting, the abode of a refined and cul- 
tured family. 

The first marriage of Mr. Quackenbos occurred 
November 2, 1859, when he was united with Miss 
Mary, daughter of John Carvey, of Montgomery. 
This ladj- was born August 9, 1841, and died 
Februarj' 12, 1875. They were the parents of 
three sons and two daughters, namely: John C, 
Edward M. and Robert, all of whom are con- 
nected with the Home Building and lyoan Asso- 
ciation at Reading, Pa. ; Jennie S. , an accom- 
plished and popular young lad}'; and Susan C, 
Mrs. E. G. Swezey, of Goshen, N. Y. Mr. 
Quackenbos was again married, September i, 
1875, his wife being Mi.ss Catherine Rowena 
Mould, who was born February 24, 1850, and is 
the daughter of John and Emily (Douglas) 
Mould, of Orange County. Four children bless 
their union, named as follows: Julia Minthorn 
(known as Minna), Harrison M., Frederic A. and 
George N. 

While Mr. Quackenbos has ne\-er been pre- 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RKCORD. 



vailed upon to accept public office, he is inter- 
ested in municipal matters and politically gives 
his vote to the candidates and principles of the 
Republican party. He is a frequent attendant at 
the meetings of the Republicans of the county, 
and in conventions his voice may often be heard 
in explanation or defense of some progressive 
measure. He was reared in the Episcopalian 
faith, but is now identified with the Dutch Re- 
formed Church in Montgomery. 

■ ' — ^m-^ — 



^HOMAS HARVEY SENIOR, a retired 
f C merchant of Montgomery, is one of the 
VJ2/ worthy citizens that England has furnished 
to the Empire State. He was born in Dorsetshire, 
September 22, 1819, and with the family came to 
the United States in 1830. His boyhood days 
were quietly passed, and at the age of seventeen 
he began to learn the hatter's trade in Danburj', 
Conn., serving a four-years apprenticeship. For 
his ser\'ices he was given $40 per year and his 
board, and so proficient had he become during 
the last two years that he was able to earn jour- 
neyman's wages of $7.50 per week. Thus at the 
end of his apprenticeship he had saved about 
$200. After working as a journeyman in Con- 
necticut for a year, he established a business of 
his own in Danbur\ , which he successfully con- 
ducted for five j^ears, and then removed to Mont- 
gomerj', N. Y. 

In 1846 Mr. Senior began business in this 
place, and engaged in hat-making for four years, 
after which he joined his brother George in busi- 
ness as a general merchant. They continued op- 
erations together for seventeen years, their efforts 
being crowned with prosperity. Our subject 
then retired from the firm, and in companj- with 
his son, Thomas W., then just from college, he 
established a grocery and meat-market, with 
which he was connected for four years. Since 
then, however, he has practically lived a retired 
life, for his industrj- and enterprise in former 
j-ears have brought to him a comfortable compe- 
tence, and he is resting in the enjoyment of the 
fruit.s of his former toil. For forty-five years he 



has lived at his present home place, which con- 
sists of a small tract of land, and to a limited ex- 
tent he carries on gardening. Thus he occupies 
his time, for indolence and idleness are utterly for- 
eign to his nature, and he finds it almost impos- 
sible to retire altogether from work. Almost from 
its organization he has been one of the stockhold- 
ers of the Montgomery & Erie Railroad. 

In 1848 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Senior and Lucinda F. Sears, daughter of Simon 
Sears. Their only child, Thomas Weller, is en- 
gaged in the engraving business and makes his 
home with his parents. Mr. Senior is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
has served as Trustee and Steward for some years, 
and his wife belongs to the Dutch Reformed 
Church. In politics Mr. Senior was formerl}- a 
Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist. He has 
served as Trustee of Montgomery on various oc- 
casions and has always given his support to meas- 
ures that are calculated to promote the general 
welfare and to every interest that will prove of 
benefit either .socially, morally or intellectuallj-. 
He is well known as a most earnest temperance 
worker and has been identified with temperance 
movements since the days of the old Washing- 
tonian Societies. A pleasant, intelligent gentle- 
man, he has hosts of warm friends, and all who 
know him esteem him highly. 

i» ■" i=iJ<"T "^-S^^ ^^ 

EYRUS A. BOWNE. As a representative of 
a well known family of Orange Count}-, Mr. 
Bowne has added luster to the honored name 
he bears. His accurate judgment and superior 
abilit\' have been displayed in the successful man- 
agement of his business affairs. Throughout the 
town of Montgomery-, where his farm of one hun- 
dred and nine acres is located, he is regarded with 
the highest respect and confidence as a man of 
unimpeachable integrity. He was born on this 
farm March 16, 1857. Mr. Bowne is known 
throughout the state as a maker of a fine grade 
of butter, which he markets at fancy prices in the 
large cities, and has customers whom he supplies 
the year round. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



623 



Our subject was the youngest member of the 
family of nine sons and daughters born to Cyrus 
H. and Hester (Wood) Bowne. Of these, Anna 
married Jenson Fowler, and died when fifty years 
of age; Susan is the wife of William Y. Dennis- 
ton, a farmer of this town; Samuel W. is a mem- 
ber of the firm of Scott & Bowne, of New York 
Cit)-, and is engaged in the manufacture of Scott's 
Emulsion, on the corner of Rose and Pearl Streets, 
in the Scott & Bowne Building. Mr. Bowne gives 
his attention to the business in the United States, 
while the senior partner looks after the foreign 
trade. James H. Bowne, the fourth of the family, 
is living in Duluth, Minn. ; Agnes is the wife of 
Jonas Hawkins, a farmer of this town; Obediah is 
superintendent of the compounding room for the 
Scott & Bowne Company of New York; Ennna 
married John Campbell, and resides on Long Isl* 
land; Kate is unmarried, and re-sides with the 
family of William Y. Denniston. 

The father of this family was born in Dutche.ss 
County, N. Y. , where he was reared on a farm. 
He came to Orange Count}' when a young man, 
starting out in life for himself being accompanied 
on the trip by his widowed mother. In 1834 he 
married and purchased the farm on which his 
son, our subject, now resides. This he was ver\' 
successful in operating, and made it his home un- 
til his decea.se, which occurred when he was fifty 
years of age. He was a member and Trustee of 
the Goodwill Presbyterian Church, with which 
he had been connected for many years. Mrs. 
Hester Bowne was born in Orange County, and 
was the daughter of Washington Wood, a specu- 
lator and prominent man of his community. He 
was seventy-four years of age at the time of his 
decease, in September, 1891. 

The subject of this .sketch remained at home 
until attaining his majority, with the exception 
of the time spent in school at Walden and Hud- 
.son. When eighteen he assumed the manage- 
ment of the homestead, it being the wish of his 
mother that he should remain with her. She is 
now deceased. She was an intelligent lady, re- 
.served and quiet in disposition, and a devoted 
member of the Goodwill Pre.sbyterian Church. 

September 19, 1883, Cyrus A. Bowne was mar- 



ried to Miss Corinne H. Miller, of the town of 
Hamptonburgh, this county. Their union was 
blessed by the birth of three children, namely: 
Carrie, who died when a year old; Ernest and an 
infant. In politics our subject is a Republican on 
national issues, but during local elections casts a 
ballot in favor of the man whom he considers will 
best fill the office. He, too, is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

(lOHN L. D. EAGER, Police Justice and Jus- 
I tice of the Peace of Montgomery, is one of 
(2/ the leading bu.siness men of this place, where 
he is connected with the hide and leather busi- 
ness. He was born in Walden, May 20, 1S51, 
and is a son of Paul Isaac L. and Fanny M. ( Bo- 
dine) Eager, both still living in Montgomery. 

At the age of eighteen years, John L. D. Eager 
left home, going to Newburgh, where for eight 
years he clerked for the firm of Homer Ram.sdell 
& Co. , after which he embarked in the coal trade 
for himself at Montgomery, carrying on a suc- 
cessful business until 1893. During that time he 
also dealt in hide and tallow, and is a member of 
the National Hide and Leather A.ssociation. He 
does an extensive hide business, preparing sheep- 
skins for the tannery, and handles about thirteen 
thousand pelts per year. He occupies a two-.story 
building, 28x67 feet, supplied with the latest ma- 
cliiner)- for the trade, and deals mo.stly in coun- 
try hides. The hide and leather paper of Chi- 
cago speaks quite highly of his business, which 
he conducts on honorable, straightforward prin- 
ciples, and the goods which he turns out are of 
the highest grades. He works in close connec- 
tion with the woolen-mill in Montgomery. The 
wool is removed by modern process, and the hides 
are taken to a tanner)- in Middletown, where they 
are worked into glove and shoe leather. He has 
an almost exclusively out-of-town trade, and is 
meeting with a well deserved success, as his work 
justly merits. 

On the 17th of March, 1876, Mr. Eager was 
united in marriage with Miss Emma Decker, a 
daughter of William and Maria (Russell) Deck- 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



er, who belonged to the family of that name in 
Deckertown, N. J. She was born in Syracuse, 
N. Y., where her father was a leading merchant, 
and is a granddaughter of John B. Decker. Mr. 
and Mrs. Eager have become the parents of three 
sons, Leonard, Clarence and Ray. 

In political matters Mr. Eager has ever taken 
an active part, and casts his ballot in support of 
the Republican party, being numbered among 
the leading advocates of its principles. In both 
town and county politics he is very active. For 
eight years he has served as Justice of the Peace, 
and for fourteen years has been Police Justice, 
during which time his rulings have always been 
impartial, meting out justice without fear or fa- 
vor. Socially he is identified with the Order of 
Foresters of America. Upright and methodical in 
all his business methods, he has gained the con- 
fidence and esteem of all with whom he has had 
anv transactions and his friends are many. 



3 AMES E. WELLS. The family of which 
this gentleman is an honored member has 
been represented in Orange County since 
1740, John Wells, the first of the name, having 
located here many years before the Revolutionary 
War. Succeeding generations have been closeh- 
identified with the growth and development of 
this community. To' its progress they have con- 
tributed liberally of their toil and their means, 
and it .stands out to-day conspicuously as a mon- 
ument to their enterprise and thrift, a spot to 
which the entire state can point as a fitting result 
of the labor and intelligence of the original pio- 
neers, whose brawn and sinews have erected a 
center of wealth and modern progress. 

Tradition says that the Wells family originated 
in France, and that the name was originally De 
Wells, the prefix, however, having been dropped 
on their removal to England. Rev. William 
Wells, the first of the name concerning whom we 
have any authentic record, was rector of St. Pe- 
ter's Church, Norwich, England, from 1598 to 
1620. His son, Hon. William Wells, was born 
in Norwich in 1608, and in 1635 emigrated to 



America on the ship ' 'True Love, ' ' which landed 
him in Boston. From there he wenttoSouthold, 
L. L, and in that city continued to reside until 
his death, November 3, 1671. His profe.ssion 
was that of an attorney, and he was prominent 
both in England and in Long Island. 

Next in line of descent was Justice Joshua Wells, 
a native of Southold, L. L, born in 1664 and 
died in 1744. His son John was born in South- 
old in 1689, and remained in that place until his 
death. John, Jr., was born in Southold in 1715, 
and became the founder of the family in Goshen, 
N. Y., where he died July 4, 1776, expiring 
about the time of the famous Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. Joshua, son of the last-named John 
Wells, was born in Goshen, N. Y., May 2. 1747, 
and died in this town December 23, 1820. Fol- 
lowing him was Joshua, Jr., who was born Sep- 
tember 6, 1779, and passed from earth November 
24, 1867. His son Alfred, our subject's father, 
was born November 17, 1805, and died June 7, 
1 89 1. He married Lydia Westbrook Nyce, of 
Pike County, Pa., the daughter of John and 
Lana (Westbrook) Nyce. The Nyce family 
trace their ancestry back to Crefeld, Germany, 
and the first to emigrate was Hans DeNuse (as 
the name was formerly spelled), in 1683. He 
settled at Germantown, near Philadelphia, and 
died there in 1736. From him descended the 
Nyce family in America. For many years the 
father of our subject was a successful business 
man of Goshen, and is remembered as one of its 
progressive and upright citizens. Politically he 
affiliated with the Whigs until the disintegration 
of that party, after which time he advocated the 
principles of the Democracy until his death. 

The old Wells homestead, situated in the town 
of Goshen and about one and one-half miles west 
of the city of that name, is now in possession 
of the fifth generation of the family, having been 
originally .settled by John Wells. The famil}^ of 
which our subject is a member consisted of the 
following children: James E.; John N., a resi- 
dent of San Francisco, Cal.; Marj' F., wife of 
Lewis E. Coleman, of Goshen, N. Y. ; Kate R., 
Mrs. Samuel M. Slaughter, efCrj-stal Run, N. Y. ; 
Dr. George W., of Richmond Hill, L. L, now 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



625 



Medical Director for the Manhattan Life Insur- 
ance Company of New York, and also editor of 
the Medical Examiner, a journal devoted to life 
insurance; Moses A., of Chicago, 111.; Charlotte, 
widow of S. W. Slaughter, and a resident of 
Waverly, N. Y.; and Charles S. , of Goshen, 
N. Y. Jerome, Eugene F. and Lewis A. are de- 
ceased. 

The education of our subject was mainly ac- 
quired in the Farmers' Hall Academy at Goshen, 
of which he is a graduate. Arriving at man's 
estate, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, 
which he has since fohowed, though not con- 
stantly. Some years ago he was appointed by 
the Farmers' Milk Company, of Orange County, 
as their agent in New York and Jersey City. 
He had charge of their business in those cities 
about one year, after which he became a partner 
in the firm of Wells & Stage, commis.sion dealers 
in milk on the Erie Railroad and branches, with 
office at No. 284 Greenwich vStreet, New York. 
The enterprise proved a profitable one, and Mr. 
Wells' connection with it was a source of revenue 
to himself 

For some years Mr. Wells has devoted his at- 
tention principally to the cultivation of his val- 
uable farm in the town of Goshen. The place 
comprises one hundred and thirty acres, embel- 
lished with all the modern improvements, and 
is numbered among the most comfortable rural 
homes of the county. The marriage of Mr. 
Wells united him with Miss Frances E., daughter 
of William S. and Sarah T. (Wood) Conkling, 
for many years residents of Orange County. Mrs. 
Wells was born on the farm where she now re- 
sides, which was the old Conkling homestead, 
and by her marriage has become the mother of 
two children, William A. and Selena, both of 
whom are at home. She is a devoted member of 
the Presbyterian Church at Goshen, to which our 
subject also belongs. A Republican in politics, 
he was elected upon his party ticket to represent 
the town of Goshen upon the County Board of 
Supervisors, in which capacity he has served 
.since the spring of 1894. Fo^ the la-st fifteen 
years he has been a Director of the Orange Count}- 
Agricultural Society. He is a man who has ever 



maintained a deep interest in the welfare of the 
people and the progress of the county and state, 
and his labors have been instrumental in accom- 
plishing many needed reforms. He deservedly 
ranks as one of the best citizens of the county, 
and one who, by his strict sense of probity and 
honor, has won a position of prominence among 
his fellow-men. 

(John T. HOWELL, M. D., of Newburgh, 
I is a member of a family of English origin, 
(2/ which was identified with the early history 
of Long Island. From Southampton, in 1775, 
Edward Howell and his three brothers removed 
to Orange County and settled in the vicinity of 
Goshen. The next in line of descent was his 
youngest son, Josiah, whose youngest son, Abra- 
ham P., is our subject's father. He was born in 
1 82 1, and is still an active and well known resi- 
dent of Middletown. His wife is Hannah Smith, 
a daughter of Joshua Smith, who was a member 
of an old family in the town of Goshen. 

In the parental family there were five children, 
and all but one of the lunnber are still living, 
John T. being the youngest son. He was born 
near Middletown, April 23, 1862, and was named 
for his uncle, Dr. John Taylor, a physician of 
that town. He received his education at Wall- 
kill Academy, and began his medical studies in 
1881, graduating from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of New York (the medical depart- 
ment of Columbia College) in 1884. He after- 
ward received the appointment of surgeon in 
Bellevue Hospital, where he remained for two 
years. 

On leaving the ho.spital Dr. Howell opened an 
office on the corner of Grand and South Streets, 
Newburgh, which property he purchased and im- 
proved. Soon after coming to this city he received 
the appointment of surgeon to St. Luke's Hos- 
pital, and has since served in that capacity, also 
becoming consulting surgeon to the ho.spital. In 
1892 he was elected to the office of President of 
the Medical Society of the County of Orange, and 
is still actively connected with that association. 



626 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He is a member of the Medical Society of the 
State of New York, the New York Academy oi 
Medicine, and the Society of Alumni of Bellevue 
Hospital. While conducting a general practice 
he has made a specialty of surgery, and his suc- 
cesses in that department of his profession have 
been notable. 

Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and in 
religious belief is a Presbyterian, adhering to the 
faith of his forefathers. His marriage, which 
took place in this city in 1889, united him with 
Miss Sarah T. Steele, of Newburgh, daughter of 
Robert Steele, deceased. They are the parents 
of three children, named Mary T., John T., Jr., 
and Josephine C. 



(^ 



'^111®^' 



^ 



TU 



<^HEODORE D. BARKER, who is engaged 
I C in the harness and saddlery trade, is one of 
v2/ the .successful business men of Walden. He 
established his business here in 1856, and, having 
been in the city thirty-nine years, is one of the 
oldest business men in the place. Starting with 
an investment of $200 in stock, he located on 
the street where he has ever since remained, and 
has gradually extended his business as his pros- 
perity has increased. 

The present store of our subject was erected 
by himself, and was completed about two years 
ago. For thirty years previous to that time he 
had occupied the building on the opposite side of 
the .street, but on account of a new foundation be- 
ing placed under the building next to his it caused 
his own to collapse, and the floor and ceilings fell 
in, necessitating his removal. His present build- 
ings, which are very comfortable and commodious, 
con.sist of a double and a single store, with about 
fifty feet frontage. 

Mr. Barker's residence is one of the old land- 
marks, known as the old Capron residence, and 
is in the very heart of the town. It is one of the 
largest and most extensive places in the cit)-, and 
is as quaint as it Isold. Our subject's birth oc- 
curred in Warwick, Orange County, August 17, 
1837, and he was the son of Dayton Barker, a cab- 



inet-maker and an old-style pettifogger, who died 
when Theodore was only two years old. He also 
was a native of this county, his birth occurring 
in Hamptonburgh. His father, whose name was 
William, emigrated from England, locating in 
the town of Hamptonburgh. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Mary Bailey, and her early death left our subject 
an orphan at the age of three years. He was the 
next to the youngest in a family of seven children, 
and is the onh' one of the family now living. He 
was reared by his brothers and sisters who were 
old enough to keep the family together, and when 
he was twelve years old went to live with an 
uncle, with whom he remained until old enough 
to learn his trade, they making their home on his 
grandfather's old farm in the town of Hampton- 
burgh. At the age of fifteen he began to learn his 
trade at Otisville, and before reaching his major- 
ity had gone into business for himself. He has 
also been interested in real estate, and has made 
man}' improvements on his property. 

When twenty years of age Mr. Barker was 
married to Miss Sarah Jane McDougall, of Mont- 
gomery. She died after a married life of fifteen 
years, leaving no children. His second marriage 
united him with Miss Josephine Todd, of East 
Walden, who bore him one son, Theodore James 
Todd Barker, now fourteen years old. She died 
ten years after her marriage, and Mr. Barker was 
a third time married, this union being with Mrs. 
Mary A. (Surdan) Harlow, also of Walden. Both 
our subject and his wife are esteemed members of 
the Reformed Church, belonging to the old church 
on the hill. In this congregation our subject has 
served as Deacon and Elder for manj- years. So- 
cially he has been identified with the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty years. 

Politically our subject is a Democrat, and has 
served his town in many offices. He was Trus- 
tee of the village for fourteen years, and was 
President of the board for some time. 63- a ma- 
jority of twenty-five, in a town of two hundred 
and twent)'-five Republican majority, he was 
elected Collector on the Democratic ticket. He 
has been verj' active in politics, and always sup- 
ports the candidates of his party. 




WILLIAJI C. SMITH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



629 



WILLIAM COLEMAN SMITH was born in 
New York City, Julj' 19, 181 1, and was 
therefore in his eighty-second year at the 
time of his decease, May 28, 1893. He moved to 
the farm in the town of Woodbury where his 
family now resides many years ago, and was 
very successful in its cultivation, laying aside a 
snug little fortune to keep him in his later years. 
He learned the trade of a mason in his young 
manhood, and later spent some time in the gro- 
cery business. In March, 1854, he came to the 
old homestead, where he led a quiet rural life 
until his death. 

The lady to whom our subject was married 
was Miss Mary Fullmer, who was born in New 
York City, July 4, 1830. She was the daughter 
of Hon. Peter Fullmer, a distinguished politician 
and Alderman of the Sixteenth Ward of that cit}-. 
His wife was Miss Catherine Anderson, a lady of 
German descent. Peter Fullmer was born in 
Herkimer County, May 6, 1804, and died No- 
vember 28, 1876. A brother of Peter, whose 
name was Christian, settled in Michigan in the 
early part of this century. There he and a 
brother were killed by the Indians. A sister was 
scalped at the same time, but lived to be quite 
old. Peter and his sister Nancy hid themselves 
in a haystack, while the mother fled and was 
saved. After the death of his father Peter was 
bound out, but was so cruelly used that he ran 
away and returned to his mother, who was living 
sixty miles distant. He later learned the trade 
of a wheelwright and established a large and pay- 
ing business, which is still being carried on. He 
became very wealthy, and spent the latter years 
of his life retired from work. He was a true 
Christian gentleman, and for many years was a 
Deacon in the Eighteenth Street Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. He was very prominent in his lo- 
cality, and was Captain of the Light-horse Brig- 
ade. Mrs. Smith has in her possession the 
epaulets of his uniform, to which is tied the 
crape bow worn at Harrison's funeral. An old 
book of Psalms, printed in the German language 
in 1730, and owned by his grandfather, is also 
among the relics kept by Mrs. Smith. Mr. 
Smith was a Thirty-second Degree Ma.son and a 
27 



warm friend of the Vanderbilts, Astors and many 
of the distinguished residents of the city. Atone 
time he was nominated for Mayor of New York 
City and was defeated by only three votes. 

William Coleman Smith was a son of Obediah 
and Elizabeth (Coleman) vSmith, natives of Corn- 
wall on the Hudson. His father was a native of 
England, and his mother was of Welsh origin. 
By his marriage with Miss Fullmer our subject 
became the father of ten children. Sarah, the 
eldest, married William Crawford, who is now re- 
siding near Turner; Catherine Ann is deceased; 
the third of the family died unnamed; Martha 
Washington married Timothy L- Sturtevant, who 
was killed by a train in 1888; Peter is baggage- 
master on the Erie Road at Chambers Street, 
New York City; the next in order of birth was a 
daughter who died in infancy; William C, Jr., 
is baggagemaster on the Erie Road at Twenty- 
third Street; Ella Wallace and Mary F. are at 
home; and Arrainda T. died when fourteen years 
of age. Mrs. Smith has been connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church since her nineteenth 
year. Mr. Smith was a life-long Republican in 
politics, but in no sense of the word was he an 
office-seeker. He was greatly devoted to his 
wife and family, and was interested in everj' 
movement tending to improve his home locality. 
Religiously he .was a Quaker. 



••>*<®(^)®^*<«- — 



pGjADE BUCKLEY, one of the leading citi- 
\ A / zens of Germantown, a suburb of Port 
Y V Jervis, is a man who combines the virtues 
of energy and industry with excellent judgment, 
which have brought great .success to his efforts 
and labors. He has been connected with several 
of the most important enterprises of Orange 
County, and as a business man ranks among the 
foremost. 

Mr. Buckley was born only a few miles from 
Port Jervis, in Hardeston Township, Sussex Coun- 
ty, N. J., January i, 1823, and is the youngest 
child of Reuben Buckley. The family is an old 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one, and among the early settlers of this state was 
Rev. Dr. Buckley, a noted Methodist Episcopal 
minister of New York, who later removed to New 
Jerse}'. John Buckle\-, the grandfather of our 
subject, with several brothers, located in Hacketts- 
town, N. J. In his family were seven children, 
George, Reuben, Jones, John, Robert, Amos and 
Anna. His son Reuben settled in Hardeston 
Township, Sussex County, and there wedded 
Sarah Wade, daughter of Simon Wade, who went 
to that county during the Revolutionary War. 
Mr. Wade there purchased a farm of Robert Og- 
den, and wedded Abigail Beardslee, of Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. His death occurred on the 21st 
of September, 18 17, at the age of sixty-eight 
years. He had a brother, Nathan Wade, who 
was killed at the massacre of Minisink during the 
Revolution, and his name appears on the monu- 
ment in Goshen. The parents of our subject 
spent their entire lives in Sussex County, N. J., 
where the father died in 1827, at an early age, 
his birth having occurred April 9, 1778; and the 
mother departed this life on the 17th of January, 
1867, at the age of .seventy-eight years. In their 
family were the following children: Simon, 
Robert, Edwin, Charles, Clarissa and Wade. 

On attaining a sufficient age Wade Buckley 
began farming, in connection with his brothers 
Edwin and Charles. They operated a farm about 
twelve miles from Port Jen-is, but on the con- 
struction of- the railroad to this place in 1846, 
they here located and engaged in the butchering 
business, supplying meat to the contractors of the 
railroads. In connection with the two butcher- 
shops, Mr. Buckley also purcha.sed considerable 
land along the Delav.-are River, extending up the 
river west of the suburb of Germantown, as far as 
Sparrow Bush. He carried on farming until 
about a year ago, when he sold out. He dealt 
extensively in cattle, most of which he shipped to 
New York City. He laid out an addition to 
Port Jervis, and has done much for the advance- 
ment and welfare of the village, having there 
erected several buildings. 

In 1874, in .connection with Charles Bro.x 
(whose sketch appears on another page cf this 
work), Mr. Buckley built the glass factory, which 



he operated for several years, employing one 
hundred and thirty men. Later he erected the 
shoe facton,-, which gave employment to one hun- 
dred and twenty hands, but difficulties arose with 
the employes, most of whom were members of the 
Knights of Labor. After suffering los-ses that 
would tend to discourage any business man, and 
not meeting with the sj-mpathy and backing his 
cause deserved from the business men, he finally 
closed the factory and later sold the same to the 
present compan}'. For ten years he has been a 
Director of the Water Works Companj-, was a 
stockholder and Director of the First National 
Bank for some years, and is still a stockholder of 
tlie same, but has repeatedly refused to become a 
Director again. 

Mr. Buckley was married, Maj' 29, 1854, in 
Sussex County, N. J., to Miss Anna Maria West- 
brook, but his wife died March 21, 1856, leaving 
one child, Edwin, who died three daj-s later. 
His second marriage, which occurred March 15, 
1870, united him with Miss Emeline Whittaker, 
of Deckertown, N. J. She is a daughter of Jona- 
than Whittaker, deceased, formerl}' President of 
the bank at that place. Mrs. Bucklej^ is a ladj' of 
culture and refinement, and an artist of no mean 
ability, as her admirable paintings will show. 
She has received excellent training in this line, 
and has done considerable work in oil, including 
flowers, fruit, landscape and portrait painting. 
The two brothers of Mr. Buckley who for some 
time were connected with him in business are now 
both deceased. Edwin died October 23, 1882, at 
the age of seventy-one years and twenty -three 
days, and for the last twenty-five years of his life 
had lived retired; and Charles passed away Octo- 
ber 20, 1884, at the age of seventy years, eleven 
months and twelve days. His wife, formerly 
Rachel Chandler, of Orange County, died in July, 
1894, at the age of eighty years. 

In politics Mr. Buckley takes no active part, 
but generally votes the Democratic ticket, and has 
served his village as Trustee. In the Presbyte- 
rian Church, of which he is a member, he is 
serving in the capacity of Elder. He has ever 
been an excellent business man, a careful inves- 
tor and has been strictly honest in his transactions. 



PORTRAlV AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



631 



He alwa3's pays his debts, and as he has dealt 
extensively in real estate, he has been a heavy 
tax-payer. His pleasant home is in the suburb of 
Germantown, where he and his estimable wife 
extend a courteous hospitality to their many 
friends and acquaintances. 



[q5 EORGE S. GILLETT. Situated in the sub- 
|_. urbs of Middletown is a tract of land occu- 
^jl pied by the subject of this sketch. This is 
one of the prettiest homesteads of the town of 
Wallkill, and its pleasing improvements attract 
the favorable notice of the passer-by. The fam- 
ily residence is a building of modern design of 
architecture, and its interior furnishings hap- 
pily correspond with the exterior appearance, the 
whole forming a harmonious picture in the land- 
scape of the region. 

Not alone as a business man, but also as a vet- 
eran of the late war, Mr. Gillett is entitled to the 
regard of his associates. He spent several of his 
best years, hazarding strength, libertj' and even 
life, in the service of his countrj-, displaying gal- 
lantry which won the recognition of those above 
him in authority. He is a native of this county, 
and was born in the town of Wallkill, Augu,st 
20, 1843, his parents being Charles and Julia 
(Reeves) Gillett, also natives of this county. His 
father, an agriculturist by occupation, devoted 
his life to farm work, and passed away at the 
home of his daughter, near Middletown. His 
wife had died some years prior to his demise. 

The education obtained by our subject was 
limited to such knowledge as brief and irregular 
attendance at the district schools could afford. 
When a youth of eighteen years, he resolved to 
enter the service of the Union, and aid in defend- 
ing the Stars and vStripes. Enlisting in the First 
New York Mounted Rifle Regiment, he remained 
in active service for three years, meantime par- 
ticipating in the manj' engagements in which his 
company took part. He was ever in the thickest 
of the fight, yet was never wounded nor captured 
by the enemy. For one year after his return 
home he remained beneath the parental roof, aft- 



er which he engaged in the livery business at 
Middletown for two years, and then entered the 
employ of the Erie Railroad. For more than 
twenty years he was in the railroad business, and 
during the last eleven years of that period he held 
the position of passenger conductor. In 1892 he 
retired from the railroad busine.ss and settled up- 
on the fine place where he now resides. 

The year of his settlement on this place, 1892, 
Mr. Gillett was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Minnie B. (Guernsy) Hul.se, the widow of Le 
Grand Hulse, and an excellent lady, who ably 
assists her husband in the discharge of all his 
duties, and is all that a helpmate and true wife 
can be. By her first marriage she had four chil- 
dren, who now survive, namely: Clarence E-, 
Mortimer, Sylvester and. Hattie A., all of whom 
are with their mother. The first marriage of 
Mr. Gillett was in 1867, when Miss Mary Eudora 
Pimm became his wife, but she died twenty 
years later. 

Mr. Gillett is dowered with a vigorous, well 
balanced mind, and has positive convictions upon 
all important topics. As might be expected, he 
has allied himself with the Grand Army, and is 
an active worker in the lodge of Middletown. 
With his wife, he holds membership in the First 
Presbyterian Church of this city. A pronounced 
Republican in politics, he possesses qualifications 
that eminently fit him for offices of trust, and is 
at present serving efficiently as one of the Excise 
Commissioners. He has also .served as Collector 
of the town and in other local positions. 









"MMET CRAWFORD. Though a resident 
^ of Howells for a comparatively brief period 
^ only, Mr. Crawford has built up a large 
trade in the general mercantile busine.ss. In his 
store is a full line of goods suited to meet the 
wants of his customers, and he carries everything 
to be found in a first-class country .store. The 
people of the village and the surrounding coun- 
try are accustomed to patronize his establishment, 
and have come to place confidence in his reliabil- 
itv as a business man! 



632 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



A native of the town of Wallkill, Mr. Craw- 
ford is a young man, having been born January 
20, 1867. He is a son of John W. and Esther 
(Redfield) Crawford, who were born, reared and 
married in this county, and after their union con- 
tinued to reside here. The father, who engaged 
in farm pursuits, died in 1890, and his wife is 
still living, making her home in this town. Em- 
met attended the district .schools in early boy- 
hood, and subsequently was a student in Wall- 
kill Academy at Middletown. Aiding his father 
in the management of the farm, he early became 
familiar with agriculture, and followed that call- 
ing until 1893. In April of that year he came to 
Howells, and here he has since engaged in mer- 
chandising. 

In 1890 Mr. Crawford was united in marriage 
with Miss Josephine, daughter of N. B. and 
Nancy (Beyea) Horton, of this county. They 
are the parents of one daughter, named Emily. 
Politically Mr. Crawford is a Democrat, and 
while he has never displayed any partisanship in 
his preferences, he is firm in his allegiance to his 
party, and may always be depended upon to sus- 
tain its principles. 



(TACOB mills. More than forty years have 
I passed since Mr. Mills laid down the bur- 
\Z/ dens of life and bade farewell to the scenes of 
time. Few of those who are now active in busi- 
ness affairs remember him, but the older residents 
of the county, and especially of the town of Wall- 
kill, have not forgotten his genial face and kind- 
ly manner, nor the influence of his noble life, and 
they will peruse with interest this brief record of 
his life, a tribute to his memory from his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. J. H. Harlow. 

Born in the town of Wallkill in 1794, our sub- 
ject was a son of Jacob Mills, Sr. , who was a na- 
tive of Long Island, but removed thence to Or- 
ange County in a very early day. The educa- 
tional advantages of our subject were extremely 
limited, and the opportunities now offered to boys 



did not fall to his lot. However, he was a lad of 
retentive memory and acute observation, so he 
was enabled to overcome in part the defects of 
his schooling. When he was eighteen years of 
age the War of 1812 broke out, and he was 
among the first to offer his services in his coun- 
try's defense, enlisting in the army, and serving 
with valor and great braverj'. 

The marriage of Mr. Mills united him with 
Miss Eliza, daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(Denton) Hurten, of this county. They became 
the parents of eleven children, si.x of whom are 
living, namely: Sarah M., wife of James H. Har- 
low, who is engaged in the grocery business at 
Middletown; Elsie H., wife of Robert Youey, and 
a resident of Middletown; J. Denton, a promi- 
nent farmer living near Scotchtown, this county; 
John E., who is engaged in the milk business in 
New York City; Kate, wife of James E. Voak, a 
farmer of this county; and Mi.ss Addie D., who 
lives in Mechanicstown, Orange County. 

Socially Mr. Mills was a member of the old 
Huffman Lodge, an anti-Masonic organization, 
and politically was a Democrat. At the age of 
sixty-one, about 1855, hepas.sed from earth, leav- 
ing the influence of his upright life as a priceless 
heritage to posterity. His wife survived him 
twenty-five 3'ears, her death occurring in 1880. 
She was a woman of earnest Christian faith, and 
belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Scotch- 
town. No family in the town was more worthy 
of esteem than were they. Their long and useful 
lives identified them intimately with the history 
of this section, and wherever known they were 
esteemed and loved for their many noble attri- 
butes of character. 



|ILTON BENNET, an attorney-at-law of 
Port Jer\-is, is one of the ablest members 
of the Bar in Orange County, where his 
ability is widely recognized. He is one of the 
honored and highlj- respected citizens of this 
place, and now makes his home at No. 51 Ball 
Street. He is a native of Orange County, born 
in Tri-States, formerly Carpenter's Point, on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



633 



20th of July, 1859, ^nd is a son of David and 
Lanah (Ennes) Bennet, the former still a resi- 
dent of Tri-States, but the latter departed this 
life about eight years ago. 

James Bennet, Jr., the son of James, who was 
the founder of the family in America, was the 
grandfather of our subject. In 1840 he left the 
old homestead in Montague, N. J., which he traded 
for the old Westfall Farm at Carpenter's Point, 
where he located. He was quite a prominent 
man of the community, and served in the State 
Legislature during the session of 1855-56, when 
he helped to pass the Maine Law. He was a man 
of strong temperance principles, and a member 
of the Republican party, serving as one of the 
delegates to Syracu.se, N. Y., on its formation. 
In the county, he was one of the leaders of his 
party, and for many years was Justice of the 
Peace. His last public office was that of Asses- 
sor, which position he held for nine years, or un- 
til his death, in 1873, at the age of sixty -five 
years. His business interests were quite exten- 
sive, and at one time he was the owner of a mill, 
which was burned about ten years ago. He had 
a wide acquaintance throughout this portion of 
the state, and by all was held in the highest re- 
gard. In his family were eight children. David, 
Soveryne and Wilhelme W. are residents of 
Tri-States; Cornelius was killed in the Banks 
expedition at Pleasant Hill, La., on the Red 
River; Gale lives in Tri-States; Esther died in 
infancy; Sarah, who was unmarried, died at the 
age of thirty years; and James also makes his 
home in Tri-States. 

The boj'hood days of Wilton Bennet were 
passed in his native village, and he took an aca- 
demic course at Oak Ridge Seminary in Union- 
ville, Orange County. At the age of eighteen 
years he became bookkeeper for his uncle, Gale 
Bennet, with whom he remained for four years. 
During this time and later he was correspondent 
for the New York I To r/d and local papers, and 
also did considerable literary work. He began 
reading law in the office of Lewis E. Carr, at- 
torney for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- 
pany at Albany, and with him remained until his 
admission to the Bar, in December, 1884. In 



January, 1885, he opened his office at this place. 
He also has an office at No. 253 Broadway, New 
York Cit}', where he may be found every other 
day. 

Mr. Beiuiet has been engaged on many im- 
portant cases, including one of the most sensa- 
tional trials ever held in the county, that of the 
State 2's. Fred McGuire, in which he served as 
attorney for the defense. McGuire was accused 
of the murder of Mrs. Amelia G. Gregory, 
wife of Noah Gregorj-, of the town of Wallkill. 
He was convicted in the County Court, from 
which the case was then taken to the Court of 
Appeals, where the decision was affirmed. It 
was one of the longest trials ever held in the 
county, and the ca.se occupies four hundred and 
twenty-eight pages of the printed reports of the 
Court of Appeals. In this ca.se the Middletown 
Argus charged Mr. Bennet with being guilty of 
subordinate perjurj', as a witness for the defense, 
who was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment 
in the state penitentiary for perjury, claimed, 
while intoxicated, that our subject had instructed 
him to so testify. Mr. Bennet .sued the Argus 
for libel, and after a hotly contested trial the re- 
.sult was nominal damages, but the end sought 
was the vindication of his position in the ca.se. 
In this trial he was ably assisted by Judge H. B. 
Fullerton. 

In political sentiment Mr. Bennet is a Republi- 
can, and is very active in his part)-, having 
served as a member of the County Central Com- 
mittee and as Chairman of the Town Commit- 
tee, and is the author of the by-laws of the local 
Republican club. When he first began practice 
he served for four years as Town Clerk, and has 
been a candidate for County Judge. He has just 
completed a term of two years as Corporation At- 
torney, during which time all cases were decided 
in favor of the city. 

In September, 1886, Mr. Bennet wedded Miss 
Addie L. Baird, of Tri-States, and a daughter of 
Samuel and Sarah Baird. By this union four 
children have been born: Olive, Bessie, Wilton 
and Hazel. Mr. Bennet has given considerable 
attention to private theatricals, in which he is 
quite a success, his roles being mostly of the melo- 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dramatic order, such as Marc Anthony in ' 'Julius 
Csesar." He is one of the leading actors in the 
Dramatic Club, and for two years served as Presi- 
dent of the Orange Lyceum. He has delivered 
several fine orations, and is also a ready after- 
dinner speaker. One of his lectures, ' ' The 
Young Lawyer, ' ' has been repeated several times. 
Socially he is identified with the Knights of 
Pythias fraternitj- and the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 



.'TV. 



L-y- 






C-, 



-O' 



(TOHN S. TAYLOR, of the firm of Taylor & 
I Bateman, dealers in coal, lumber, feed, flour, 
(2/ etc., of Walden, is one of the most enter- 
prising business men in the place. *The present 
firm was organized in 1875, when A. Bateman 
became the partner of Mr. Taylor, and since the 
former's death, about fifteen years ago, his wid- 
ow, M. L. Bateman, has been a member of the 
companj'. In 1868 the business was first opened 
under the style of Taylor, Barlew & Co., his fa- 
ther, Isaac Taylor, and G. L. Barlew being con- 
nected with him. At the end of a year and a- 
half, however, the father and son composed the 
firm, which assumed the name of J. S. Ta3lor & 
Co. In 1875 the firms of J. S. Taylor & Co. 
and A. Bateman & Co., composed of A. Bate- 
man and J. M. Stevenson, were consolidated and 
the present name was adopted. Thej- own a 
.steammill in the village, and are doing an excel- 
lent business, having secured a large and lucra- 
tive patronage. 

Mr. Taylor was born in Warwick on the 6th of 
December, 1832, and is a son of Isaac and Mar- 
garet (Smith) Taylor, the former a native of Sus- 
sex County, N. J., at a the latter of Warwick. 
Their marriage was celebrated in Orange County, 
and the father was engaged in farming and the 
lumber business in Warwick for many years. In 
that place he made his home and there died about 
ten j'ears ago, at the age of seventj'-two. Al- 
though he was interested in business in Walden, 
he never resided there. Besides his other busi- 



ness interests he was also engaged in dealing in 
real estate. His wife is a daughter of John 
Smith, a farmer of Warwick, where his death oc- 
curred, and belongs to an old and honored fami- 
ly of Orange County. She is still living on the 
old homestead and has reached the advanced age 
of eighty-eight years. 

John S. Taylor remained with his parents un- 
til reaching the age of twenty-five, when he was 
married, and for ten years operated two hundred 
and forty acres of the old farm, which he then 
owned. At the end of that period, however, he 
came to Walden and started his present business. 
He has been very successful financiall}', and since 
coming to Walden has erected about a dozen cot- 
tages, some of which he still owns. He has nev- 
er taken an active part in political matters and is 
not bound by party ties, preferring to vote for the 
man best qualified to fill the office, regardless of 
the party to which he belongs. He has ever been 
interested in the welfare of the community, and 
for ten years served as Trustee of the village. 

Mr. Taylor has been twice married, his first 
union being with Miss Mary H. Brook, of War- 
wick, who died April 30, 1886, leaving two sons: 
Newton L. , a merchant of Norfolk, Neb.; and 
Isaac B. , who is assisting his father in the lumber 
and coal business. On the i6th of November, 
1887, Mr. Taylor wedded Mrs. F. A. Rowland, a 
widow, whose maiden name was Frances A. 
Whitehead, a sister of Edward Whitehead, of the 
Walden Knife Company. 

With the Methodist Episcopal Church Mr. 
Taj'lor holds membership, and during the twen- 
ty-six 3'ears that have passed since he joined 
that denomination he has ever taken a prominent 
part in its work, being most of the time one of 
the Church Trustees. The first Methodist meet- 
ings held in Walden were in 18 17, in the ball- 
room of an old public house, as at that time there 
was no religious society of anj' kind in the vicin- 
ity and consequently no houses of worship. 
About two years later a school building was 
erected on Ulster Avenue, which was used as a 
house of worship for several years. In Ma}', 
1850, the tru.stees of the Methodist organization in 
this place purchased the church building owned 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



635 



b}- the Scotch Covenanter Society, situated on the 
site of their present church. In 1870, under the 
pastorate of Rev. E. E. Pinny, this building was 
renovated and enlarged, and was occupied by the 
society until 1893. The membership has grown 
from a mere handful of earnest, devoted men and 
women until it now numbers about four hundred, 
and the Sunday-.school and Epworth League are 
equally strong. The old church has been entire- 
ly remodeled for a Sunday-school room, and is 
now joined to the new church building, which 
contains seats for six hundred people, so that the 
two can be thrown into one large room, with a 
seating capacity of one thousand. It was dedi- 
cated in May, 1894, at a cost of about $22,000, 
and is a handsome structure of brick, with a 
tower one hundred feet high and beautiful win- 
dows of stained glass. Mr. Tajdor has been 
quite active in the upbuilding and advancement 
of the church, giving liberally to its support, as 
well as aiding in its spiritual welfare, and is 
accounted one of its most prominent and influ- 
ential members. 



Gl ARON WHITLOCK is of the third genera- 
Ll tion of the name who have resided on the 
/ I farm where he now lives. It is .situated on 
the Nev^ersink River, in the town of Deerpark, 
four miles northeast of Port Jervis, and here our 
subject was born November 19, 18 16. The house 
that is now standing was commenced in 1826, the 
same year the canal was built His grandfather, 
Nathan Whitlock, who was born in Connecticut, 
came to Orange County, N. Y., from that state 
about 1795, and purchased the old homestead, 
which was first settled by a Mr. Cartwright, who 
lived upon this farm until his death, which oc- 
curred when he was advanced in years, and he 
was buried in the old cemetery at Carpenter's 
Point. In Coimecticut the grandfather had mar- 
ried a Miss Sprigner, and among their children 
was Daniel, who died near Lyons, N. Y., and 
who was the grandfather of Mrs. H. G. Cudde- 



back, she being a daughter of Benjamin Whit- 
lock. Jared was a contractor and builder of El- 
mira, N. Y. ; Moses and Charles died while 
young; and Joel was the father of our .subject. 

Joel Whitlock was born in Connecticut, Janu- 
ary 24, 1777, and by his marriage with Elizabeth 
Huff, who was born at Stillwater, N. Y., May 6, 
1779, he had eight children. Jemima, who died 
at the age of fifty years, was the wife of Samuel 
Swartwout, who resided near Lyons, N. Y.; Jo- 
seph died in infancy; Alfred, who was a resident 
of Cayuga County, N. Y., died April 9, 1875, 
at the age of sixty-eight years; Joseph died at 
the age of thirty-nine, leaving three daughters, 
Eliza, Jane and Jemima; Harvey, who lived in 
Cayuga County, died in 1868, at the age of fifty- 
seven years; Eliza, the wife of Levi W. Van 
Etten, a resident of Moravia, N. Y., died at the 
age of forty years; Aaron is next in order of 
birth; and John lives near Howells Depot. The 
father was engaged in the lumber business in 
connection with his son-in-law, Samuel Swart- 
wout, on Half Way Brook, where they had a 
mill, and rafted the lumber down the Delaware 
River to Philadelphia. Mr. Whitlock owned 
seventy-five acres of bottom-land, with eighty 
acres of wooded lots extending to the hill. He 
was a well built man, and attended to his business 
interests up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred November 20, 1848, at the age of seventy - 
one years, nine months and twenty-six daj-s. 
His wife survived him about nine years, dying 
March i, 1857, at the age of seventy-seven years, 
nine months and twenty-five days. He was a 
consistent Christian gentleman, a member of the 
Reformed Church of Port Jervis. As services 
were held only every alternate Sunday, on the 
others he would conduct meetings at the Hugue- 
not schoolhouse. . He was one of the leading 
members at the prayer-meeting, and lived strictly 
up to the dictates of the church, of which his wife 
was also a worthy member. In politics he voted 
with the Republican party. 

On the 30th of January, 1845, Aaron Whit- 
lock was united in marriage with Carolina Dnr- 
land, who was born near Greenville, December 
25, 1824, and who was a daughter of John H. 



636 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Hannah (Owens) Durland. Her father, who 
belonged to one of the old families of this count}-, 
was a farmer of Huguenot, where his death oc- 
curred at the age of eighty years. To our sub- 
ject and his wife were born the following children: 
John D., who died at the age of twelve years; 
Elizabeth, who is keeping house for her father; 
Coe, who in connection with his brother George 
is operating the farm; Wilfred L., who died in 
infancj'; Joel, who died at the age of seventeen 
years; and George, at home. The mother of this 
famil> departed this life on the 20th of December, 
1884. The son, Coe Whitlock, was married, June 
13, 1877, to Mary A. Hawkes, and to them have 
been born two children, Melvin Holsey and 
Laura Alice. 

The sympathies of Mr. Whitlock are with the 
Republican party, which he supports by his bal- 
lot, though he takes no prominent part in politics, 
preferring to give his attention wholly to his 
farm and dairy interests, in which he has been 
quite successful. He believes in settling all dis- 
putes amicably, and has never had a law suit. 
He is one of the honored, respected citizens of 
Orange County. His family, which is widely 
known and highly esteemed, are all members of 
the Reformed Church. 



3^4.^^i^^;4.^4.4.c 



0ANIEL H. EATON was for many years a 
citizen of the town of Wawayanda, and was 
born in the town of Greenville, September 
16, 1818. There he grew to manhood on his fa- 
ther's farm, receiving such education as the com- 
mon schools afforded. In 1837 he married Miss 
Emily Blakely, and to them one child was born, 
William T. The latter married Ellen Moe, and 
they have one child, Charles W. 

While still a youth, our subject commenced to 
learn the cabinet-maker's trade, at whicli he 
worked for a time, and then learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, at which he afterwards worked for a 
good many years. Soon after his marriage he 
removed to Westchester County, where he worked 
at his trade for one year, and then moved back to 
Orange County. However, he soon returned to 



Westchester County, where he had charge of a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and 
where he remained until 1876, when he returned 
to Orange County and purchased two hundred 
and ninety acres of land. April 16, 1895, his 
death occurred here, and his remains were in- 
terred in the Ridgebury Cemetery. For many 
years he was a Mason, firmly believing in the 
principles of that order. A kind husband and fa- 
ther, a good citizen, his death was sincerely 
mourned bv all who knew him. 



T .. ■^^<. J . > n=' ., s, 

-., '=-=)-<T^^&— ■ -® 

^"IMOTHY W. HORTON resides in the town 
f C ofWallkill, where he is extensively engaged 
\^ in the milk business. He was born in this 
town in 18 19, being the son of Barnabas and Je- 
rusha (Wheat) Horton, natives of Orange Coun- 
ty, who spent their entire lives here. The fa- 
ther, who was a man of great industry and un- 
tiring perseverance, was identified with agricult- 
ural pursuits throughout his entire active life 
and met with fair success in his enterprises. He 
died on the home farm in 1867. His wife had 
passed away twenty years prior to his demise. 

Utilizing the excellent education he had ob- 
tained in boyhood, our subject began to teach 
school at the age of nineteen years, and this pro- 
fession he followed lor a period of ten years, since 
which time he has engaged in general farming. 
He is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of 
fineh- improved land, embellished with a resi- 
dence of modern style of architecture, together 
with neat outbuildings, adapted to the work of the 
farm. For the past twenty-three years he has 
sold milk at Middletown, and has a large trade 
among the people there. 

In 1845 Mr. Horton married Miss Sarah A., 
daughter of Peter and Durinda Beyea, natives of 
Sullivan County, this state. Six children blessed 
their union, namely: Chauncey E., who lives in 
New York City; William A., also a resident of 
that place; Mary A., wife of William S. Wheat, 
of New York City; James M., at home; Seymour, 
of New York Cit\-; and Ella, who married Frank 
Beyea, of this county. Politically Mr. Horton 




\ 




REV. LUTHER LITTELL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



639 



has generally afiRliated with the Democratic 
party, but has never aspired to political honors, 
although at the earnest solicitation of his friends 
he served for two years as a member of the Board 
of Supervisors. He and his wife are now in the 
twilight of life, aged respectively seventy-six and 
sixt^'-nine, and they are spending their declining 
days quietly and happily in their comfortable 
rural home. 



■•♦^?3i+i®^ra®^^Cj«- 



REV. LUTHER LITTELL, pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Mt. Hope, was born 
April 21, 1824, at New Providence, N. J., 
and is the seventh in the family of ten children 
born to John and Mary (Conkling) Littell. His 
father was also a native of New Providence, 
where he was reared, and where for many )'ears 
he was engaged in the mercantile business. He 
was also a surveyor, and did a great deal of 
work in that line in his native county. He was 
quite a literary man, and in his political views 
was originally a Whig, hut afterward became a 
Republican. In political matters he always took 
an active interest, and for about forty years was 
Justice of the Peace. He also served his county 
in the Legislature for two terms. In the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he was a member, he 
served as Elder for many years, always taking a 
great interest in religious affairs. His death oc- 
curred when he was seventy-five years of age. His 
parents were also natives of New Jersey, and the 
family history dates back to Anthony Littell, who 
came from near London, England, to this coun- 
try about 1700. Our subject had an uncle, a 
brother of his father, who was a Colonel in the 
War of 1812, and for \vhf)m our subject was 
named. 

Mary Conkling, the mother of our subject, was 
born in Ba.sking Ridge, N. J., and her death oc- 
curred at the age of eighty-seven > ears. She was 
an active member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and always had at heart the interest of her Mas- 
ter's cause. Notwithstanding her extreme age, 



she was a well preserved woman up to the time 
of her death. Her family history dates back to 
the time when Amos Conkling came from Eng- 
land, in 1642, and settled in Massachusetts. (See 
the Littell Genealogj-, prepared by John Littell in 
1852.) 

When our subject was about ten years of age 
his parents sent him to a boarding-school at 
Plainfield, N. J., later to Bloomfield for one year, 
thence to Madison, that state, where he pursued 
his studies until seventeen years of age, and 
then entered Princeton College, from which he 
graduated in 1844, when twenty years old. Soon 
after graduating he began teaching in Westfield 
(N. J.) Academy, where he remained one year, 
then went to Rising Sun, Md., where he re- 
mained two years, teaching in a select boarding- 
school. At the expiration of this time he en- 
tered the Princeton Theological Seminary, where 
he graduated in 1850. Later he came to Mt. 
Hope, where he was ordained to the ministry, 
and was pastor of the church until 1881. A call 
was then received from the Presbyterian Church 
at Holt, Mich., which he accepted, and where 
he served as pa.stor for three years. Later he 
went to Morrice, in the same state, where he 
remained five years. When he was called to 
Michigan he had served as pastor of the Mt. 
Hope Church for thirty-one years. After being 
away about ten years, he was persuaded by some 
of the old members to return and again take up 
the work at this place. During his ab.sence the 
cause had in a measure declined, and it became 
necessary that some one should take hold of the 
work and build the church up again. 

On the 3d of May, 1853, Mr. Littell was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Hall, of Penn 
Yan, Yates County, N. Y., and to them were 
born three children, all of whom have passed to 
the better world. Charles H. died at the age of 
twenty-three years, one week after his graduation 
from Princeton College; Frank Hall died at the 
«age of fourteen years; and Anna M. died in in- 
fancy. 

In his political views Mr. Littell is a stanch 
Republican, and takes quite an active part in lo- 
cal politics. But it is to the ministry that his 



640 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



talents are given. For nearly a half-century he 
has been proclaiming the Gospel of the Son of 
God, and the good that he has done and the souls 
that he has saved will never" be known until eter- 
nity. 



(SQlLLARD M. CLARK, School Conimis- 
\ A / sioner and a successful farmer of the town 
Y Y of Wallkill, was born in the town of Green- 
ville, this county, August 23, 1861. He is a son 
of William L. and Catherine C. (Winters) Clark, 
who were born, reared and married in this coun- 
ty, and have always made their home here. For 
many j-ears his father has been engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, in which occupation he has 
been more than ordinarily successful. With the 
best interests of his community he has been close- 
ly associated, and to his public spirit much of its 
progress is due. For a period of fourteen years he 
has represented his town on the Board of Super- 
visors, and for two terms he was Chairman of 
that body. In April, 1892, he moved to the vil- 
lage of Port Jervis, and accepted a position with 
the Erie Railroad, with which corporation he has 
been connected for a period of thirty years. He 
and his wife are residents of that city at present 
and expect to spend their remaining days in that 
place. 

Having completed the course of study in the 
di.strict schools, the subject of this notice entered 
the Albany Normal College, at Albany, where 
he completed his education, fitting himself for 
the profession of a teacher. On the completion 
of his studies, he returned to Orange County, and 
entered upon professional work, being employed 
as a teacher here from 1885 until i8go. During 
the lat'ter year, owing to a failure of health, he 
retired from teaching, and purchased the farm 
where he has since resided. In the fall of 1890 
he was elected to the office of School Commis-' 
sioner, and at the expiration of his term, in 1893, 
he was re-elected to the position, and is the pres- 
ent incumbent of the oflSce. His popularity in 
the county was abundantly attested at his re- 



election in 1893, when the entire Republican 
ticket was elected, except School Commissioner, 
but that office was given to him bj- a majority of 
sixteen hundred. He is one of the most promi- 
nent Democrats in the county and is a leader in 
the ranks of his party. 

On Christmas Day of 1888 .Mr. Clark was 
united in marriage with Mi.ss Mamie E., daugh- 
ter of David M. and Ruama (Wilcox) Clark, all 
of whom were born in this count\- . They occupy 
a leading position in social circles and are valued 
residents of their communitj\ In religious mat- 
ters they affiliate with the Methodists, and are 
earnest workers in that church. In every under- 
taking Mr. Clark has displayed foresight, tact 
and ability, and his popularity in the county is 
the result of his honorable life, genial manners 
and affability of disposition. 



EIDEON C. HARDING. Well known among 
the farmers of the county is Mr. Harding, a 
resident farmer of Mt. Hope, and one whose 
name is the synonym for integrity and honesty. 
A native of Orange County, he was born in the 
town of Wawayanda, April 11, 1841, and is a 
son of Stephen and Fannie (Racien) Harding. 
His father, who was born in the town of Mt. 
Hope, spent the first thirtj' j-ears of his life here, 
but then removed to the town of Wawayanda, 
where he purchased property and spent his re- 
maining j-ears. His death occurred upon a farm 
there when he was sixty-two years of age. He 
was a man of influence among his neighbors, and 
at one time served as Clerk of the town. His 
wife, who was born in 1818, is still living and 
now makes her home in Middletown. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home 
until twenty-seven years of age, and received his 
education in the schools of the neighborhood. 
On leaving home he went to Johnson, this coun- 
ty, where he engaged in general merchandising, 
and also for some time held the positions of sta- 
tion agent and Postmaster. He remained a resi- 
dent of Johnson for twelve years, then sold out, 
in 1879, and settled upon the farm where he has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



641 



since resided. November 3, 1869, he married 
Miss Laniira Se3'bo]t, who was born in the town 
of Greenville, being the daughter of Lewis and 
Phoebe (Durland) Seybolt, members of old and 
well known families of this section. Three chil- 
dren comprise their family circle, Flora, Charles 
Spencer and Nettie Mary, all of whom are at 
home. 

Politically Mr. Harding is a Democrat. In 
public matters he takes an active part, and his 
popularity is proved by the fact that, though in 
a strong Republican town, he has .served as Su- 
pervisor for six terms. For three j'ears he was 
Count}- Superintendent of the Poor. While re- 
siding in the town of Minisink he held the offices 
of Conmiissioner of Excise and Commissioner of 
Highways. Socially he is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. As a citizen 
he enjoys the respect and esteem of all, and is 
worthy of the regard in which he is held. 

• — g ^ p — - . 



pGJiLLIAM TYNDALL, of the firm of Tyn- 
\ A / dall & Son, Middletown, was born in 
V V Bridgehampton, Suffolk County, L. I., be- 
ing the eldest of three children comprising the 
family of William and Elizabeth (Thompson) 
Tyndall. The paternal grandfather was a native 
of England, but in early manhood emigrated to 
the United States and settled in Bridgehampton, 
where he continued to reside until death. The 
father, who was a native of that city, removed 
from there to Orange County, and is now engaged 
in the livery business as the senior member of the 
firm of Tyndall & Son. The wife and mother, 
who was born on Long Lsland, is still living, and 
enjoys with her husband the friendship of a large 
circle of acquaintances. 

In the city where he was born, the subject of 
this article passed the years of boyhood and 
youth, and there he attended the common school 
and the Bridgehampton Commercial and Liter- 
ary Institute under Prof L. W. Hallock. In 
the year 1889 he came to Middletown, and for a 
period of one year was a student at Wallkill Acad- 
emy. In the spring of 1893 he became a partner 



in the livery business at Middletown, under the 
firm name of Tyndall & Son. Their stables are 
located at No. 30 Union Street, with extension to 
Franklin Street. The building has a frontage of 
thirty-two feet on Union, and one hundred feet 
on Franklin Street, with a depth of one hundred 
and thirty-two feet, and two wings, one 40x60, 
the other 30x60. There are forty stalls in the 
stables, and in addition there are a harness-room 
and an office, also quarters for the storage of vehi- 
cles, hay and feed. Among the horses are a 
number of thoroughbreds. Carriages, buggies, 
phsetons and coaches, are kept on hand, and they 
also have the only coupe in the city. 

Adjoining the city limits, and near the State 
Hospital, the firm has a large farm, where they 
keep a large number of horses, some belonging to 
parties in New York City. The pasturage is ex- 
cellent, and the grazing unsurpassed, so that the 
place is peculiarly adapted for the use to which it 
is put. There are one hundred and thirty acres 
in the farm, and that part which is not utilized 
for pasturage is devoted to the raising of grain. 
Our subject was one of the organizers and a char- 
ter member of the Liverymen and Undertakers' 
Association, and politicalh' he advocates Repub- 
lican principles. 



(TOHNJ. BRYANT, proprietor of "The El- 
I berton," at Middletown, is a native of Ver- 
Q) non, .Sussex County, N. J., born Augu.st 6, 
1848, and is a son of Robert and Frances (Fife) 
Bryant, both of whom were natives of Ireland. 
Robert Bryant grew to manhood in his native 
country, and there learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker, which occupation he followed for many 
years. He received but a limited education in 
the schools of his native country, and at the age 
of twenty-four years, desiring to better himself in 
life, he determined to cross the Atlantic and set- 
tle in the United States. With his wife and 
mother, he located in Vernon, N. J., where lie 
followed his trade for a time, and then engaged 
in farming, in which occupation he continued un- 
til his death, at the age of sixty )'ears. His wife. 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the mother of our subject, is yet living, and re- 
sides on the old home place in Sussex Count}', 
N. J. Of the five sons and three daughters 
who comprised the parental famil)-, only four 
of the sons are living. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the eldest 
son in the fanlil3^ remained at home and assisted 
in farm work until eighteen years of age. Dur- 
ing this time, as opportunity was afforded him, 
he attended the public schools, in which he re- 
ceived a fair education. From the farm he went 
to Newton, N. J., to learn the harness trade 
with Francis Grey. After remaining with him 
one year, however, he worked at the machinist's 
trade for two years at Charlotteburg, that state. 
From the latter place he went to Oakland, Bergen 
County, then to LaFayette, and from there to 
Sparta, from which place he went to Ogdensburg, 
N. J., where he ran a hotel four years. 

In 1882 Mr. Bryant came to Middletown and 
purchased the Fulton Hotel, continuing to run 
the same until 1888, when he purchased "The 
Elberton." After its purchase he remodeled it 
considerably, putting in the brick front, and now 
has a building 50x100 feet, three stories in height. 
The house is first-class in every particular, and is 
located on King Street, near the Erie Depot. 
Mr. Bryant is a thoroughly equipped hotel-man, 
and understands well how to please the traveling 
public. His house is nearly always full of guests, 
and those who once patronize him are sure to do 
so again. Socially he is a member of Harmony 
Lodge, F. & A. M., at Newton, N. J., and is a 
member of the Eagle Hose Company at this 
place. 



^z 



---i- 



G] LBERT H. PRATT, a successful business 
LI man in Middletown, was born in Leicester- 
I I shire, England, May 30, 1841, and is a son 
of Edward and Fannie (Hampton) Pratt, both of 
whom were natives of that country. The father was 
a railroad contractor for many years in England, 
and followed that occupation until his death. 
The mother is still living in her native country'. 



and is now eighty-four years of age. In the pa- 
rental family were thirteen children who grew to 
maturity. One son, Edward Pratt, was acci- 
dentally killed at Melbourne, Australia, where he 
was engaged in business as a gold broker. An- 
other son, Frederick, was accidentally drowned 
at the Kimberly Diamond Mines in Africa, where 
he was engaged in prospecting. The eleven re- 
maining children are yet living in their native 
country, save Alfred, who is engaged in painting 
in Middletown, and the subject of this sketch. 

Albert H. Pratt was fourth in the family, and 
remained at his home in Birmingham, England, 
until 1856, when, although but fifteen years of 
age, he left the parental roof and went out into 
the world to seek his fortune. Leaving home, he 
sailed for Australia, on the vessel "Lord Bur- 
leigh," but landed at Auckland, New Zealand, 
where he remained a few months, and then pro- 
ceeded to Sydne}', Au.stralia. In the latter city 
he was employed in various ways, including seal- 
fishing. He then went into the mines at Lam- 
ming Falls, four hundred miles from Sydney, and 
there engaged at minmg, off and on, for about 
two and a-half years. Later he took up the 
painter's trade, and for three years engaged in 
that occupation in Australia, being reasonably 
successful. In 1863, after having spent seven 
years in that country, he returned to England, 
and the following year came to New York Cit)-, 
where he engaged in the hotel business for one 
year. In 1866 he located in Middletown, work- 
ing at his trade as a journeyman until 1868, when 
he commenced business for himself, and has since 
continued as a contracting painter. He has been 
engaged in the business longer than any other 
firm in Middletown. All the buildings of the 
asylum, .save one, were painted by him. He also 
did the painting on the Armory, Thrall Hospital, 
and the Armstrong & Lyon Block. In the busy 
season he employs from twelve to fifteen men. 

Mr. Pratt was married in Brooklyn, N. Y., to 
Miss Louisa Clive, a native of England, and they 
have one child. Flora. The family reside in their 
neat residence on the corner of Wallkill and Lake 
Avenues. Since coming to the United Slates, our 
subject has been quite successful in a financial 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



643 



way, and owns stock in the Homestead Building 
and lyoan Association. He is a member of Mid- 
dletowu Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., and of Em- 
pire Lodge of the American Legion of Honor, in 
which latter body he has filled all the chairs. A 
member of Grace Episcopal Church, he takes 
an active interest in the work of that body. In 
politics he is a Democrat. 

Mr. Pratt has been quite an extensive traveler, 
and has visited every part of Australia, Van Die- 
man's Land, New Zealand and the islands of the 
southern Pacific. He has rounded Cape Horn 
and Cape of Good Hope, and was never in a 
wreck of any kind. 



z^mc^ 



pQlLLIAMC. SEBRING, M. D. Though 
I A/ °"^ °^ '■^^ youngest. Dr. Sebring is also 
Y Y one of the leading physicians of Pine Bush 
and the town of Crawford, and evidently possesses 
the energj' and determination that will elevate 
him to a prominent position in the medical pro- 
fession of Orange County. He has been an in- 
dustrious student, and has the faculty of apply- 
ing, in his practical experience, the knowledge 
which he has acquired through study. His 
practice is profitable, and is constantly increas- 
ing, and he has gained the confidence of the peo- 
ple of the communit)', who predict for him an un- 
usually brilliant career in his profession. 

The Sebring family has been intimately asso- 
ciated with the development of New York for 
nearly three centuries, the first representatives 
having come hither from Holland about 1600. 
The father of our subject, Rev. A. J. Sebring, 
was born in Seneca County, N. Y., and received 
an excellent education, being a graduate of Rut- 
ger's College. In early manhood he entered the 
ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church, and has 
devoted his entire life to the preaching of the 
Gospel, being at present the pastor of the church 
at Saugerties, N. Y. He is now (1895) sixty- 
two 3'ears of age. 

By his marriage with Caroline Campbell, Rev. 
A. J. Sebring had four children, of whom the sec- 
ond in order of birth and the only survivor is 



William C. He was born in Mellenville, Colum- 
bia'County, N. Y., August 12, 1867, and accom- 
panied his father in the various removals incident 
to a change of pastorate. After completing the 
studies of the common schools, at the age of nine- 
teen he entered Rutger's College, where he re- 
mained for two years. Later he spent two years 
in Amherst College, where he completed his liter- 
ary education. 

Upon leaving college, our subject accepted a 
po.sition as traveling salesman for a Boston house, 
with which concern he remained for two years, 
resigning his place in order to enter upon the 
study of medicine. He became a student in the 
Albany Medical College, from which institution, 
after three years devoted to the study of the pro- 
fession, he was graduated in the spring of 1893. 
Locating in Searsville, he remained there a year, 
and in 1894 came to Pine Bu.sh, where he has 
built up a good practice and gained a large num- 
ber of warm personal friends. 

Miss May M. Elting, an accomplished and re- 
fined lady, became the wife of Dr. Sebring De- 
cember 28, 1893, and unto their union a son, 
Courtney C, has been born. Mrs. Sebring was 
born in Leeds, N. Y., and was educated at Cook's 
Collegiate Institute at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. She 
is a devoted wife and mother, carefully looking 
after the interests of her household, and is a kind 
and true friend to all who come under her in- 
fluence. 



NENRY V. HULSE was born in the town 
of Wallkill, August 18, 1820, being a son 
of Benjamin and Dollie (Reeve) Hulse, who 
were also natives of this town. In childhood he 
attended the district schools, which were far in- 
ferior to those of the present day, but in which, 
nevertheless, he gained a fund of practical knowl- 
edge that was of inestimable value to him in suc- 
ceeding years. He chose for his life occupation 
the calling of a farmer, and having been reared 
to this he was particularly adapted to pro.secute 
it successfully. 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Settling in the town of Wallkill, Mr. Hulse 
married and began activ^e farm pursuits, wliich 
he continued uninterruptedly until the time of 
his death, May i8, 1893. In his enterprises he 
was successful. He became the owner of a beau- 
tiful farm, to the cultivation and improvement of 
which he gave the best years'" of his life. Acquir- 
ing a comfortable property-, he retired to some ex- 
tent from the hard work which had filled his 
active j-ears, and in his old age he lived in com- 
fort, surrounded bj- ever\-thing that could con- 
duce to his happiness. He did not take an active 
part in public aifairs, but was deeply interested 
in any project originated for the benefit of the 
people, and gave liberally to public-spirited eu- 
.terprises. 

November 13, 1850, Mr. Hulse and Miss Marj' 
E. Hulse were united in marriage, and their 
fortj'-three 3"ears of wedded life were years of 
mutual helpfulness and common interests. Mrs. 
Hulse is a daughter of Benjamin and Clarissa 
(Wade) Hulse, the former a native of Orange 
Count)-, the latter born in New York City. They 
married and settled in this count}-, where Mary E. 
was born, reared and educated. By her marriage 
she became the mother of a son and daughter. 
The son, Wellington W., died at the age of thir- 
ty-five years. The daughter, Miss Georgiana R., 
resides with her mother, and superintends the 
management of tlie old homestead in the town of 
Wallkill. They are estimable ladies, and have 
a lara;e circle of friends in this localitv. 



EEORGE E. PUTNEY, M. D., was for more 
than thirty-two years prior to his death a 
successful practicing physician of Howells. 
He was born in Montgomery, February 25, 1826, 
his parents being Amzi and Lucretia (Hamilton) 
Putney, natives of Connecticut, who came to this 
covmty in an early day. His educational ad- 
vantages consisted of some years' attendance at 
the district schools and Montgomery Academ}-, 
and so well did he improve his opportunities that 
at the age of sixteen he entered upon the teach- 
er's profession. After entering upon his medical 



studies, he also continued teaching, thus gaining 
the funds necessar)- for the completion of his 
course. Before he was twenty-three years of age 
he was graduated from the Vermont Medical Col- 
lege at Castleton, Vt. , after which he practiced in 
the New York Hospital for one jear, but failing 
health induced him to resign that position and 
return to Orange County. Opening an office at 
Howells, he remained here until his death, suc- 
cessfulh- carrying on his large practice. 

Aside from his professional duties. Dr. Putney 
was identified with manj' prominent local enter- 
prises, and took an active part in everj-thing per- 
taining to the growth and development of How- 
ells. He was an active member of the Congre- 
gational Church, and at the time of his death he 
was sen^ng as Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. Politically he was a Republican, and an 
influential man in his party. Throughout this 
part of the County he had a ^•ery extensive ac- 
quaintance, and was recognized as a skilled prac- 
titioner. 

The first marriage of Dr. Putney occurred in 
1846, when Miss Mary Goldsmith became his 
wife. She died in 1867, leaving two children: 
George, a druggist at Ithaca, N. Y.: and Flora, 
who is married and lives in Middletown. The 
second wife of Dr. Putney was Helen M., daugh- 
ter of Benson and Louisa (Howell) Tuthill, na- 
tives of this county. Her father was a tanner 
and currier bj' trade, which he followed for many 
years at Hamburg, N. J., and afterward was sim- 
ilarly engaged in the town of Mt. Hope, this 
countj'. His latter years were devoted exclu- 
sively to agricultural pursuits, and he died Jaiui- 
ary 11, 1880, at an advanced age. His wife, the 
mother of Mrs. Putney, died May 28, 1890. The 
Howell family was among the pioneers of this 
county, and the Tuthills have also been estab- 
lished here for many generations. 

Dr. Putnej- died June 30, 1882, leaving two 
children by his second marriage: Miss Lulu, who 
is with her mother, and Benson T., a drug clerk 
in Middletown. Since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Putney has continued the drug business 
which her husband carried on for a number of 
years. In March, 1883, she was appointed Post- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



645 



mistress at Howells, and this position she has 
since filled efficiently and with success. As a 
business woman, she is keen, judicious and tact- 
ful, and she has carried on her financial matters 
in such a manner as to secure a good income. 
She is well known throughout this localit)-, and 
has the regard of all her acquaintances. 



/3E0RGE J. IJTTLETON, agent for the 
|_ Anchor Brewing Compaii)^ at Dobbs Ferry, 
\^ was born in Newburgh September 13, 1870. 
His father, Thomas, of whom full mention is 
made elsewhere in this volume, was born in Eon- 
don, England, but was reared in Ireland, whence 
in early manhood he emigrated to the United 
States and settled in Pennsylvania, working in 
the mines near Pittsburg. Thence he removed 
to Newburgh, where he has sinCe engaged in the 
grocery business at No. 274 Washington Street, 
corner of Mills Street. Prominent in the Demo- 
cratic party, he has occupied a number of public 
positions, to which he has been elected upon that 
ticket. For two terms of three years each he was 
Almshouse Commissioner, and he has held other 
local offices. In religion he is a member of St. 
Patrick's Catholic Church. After coming to this 
country he married Miss Margaret Smith, who 
was born in New York State and died here after 
becoming the mother of seven sons and two 
daughters. Two of the sons are deceased. 

George J., who was third in order of birth, 
was reared in Newburgh, where he attended the 
public schools and Newburgh Free Academy, 
completing his education in Chapman's Business 
College. His first position was as clerk in his fa- 
ther's store, after which he became a bookkeeper 
for David Gardner, a wholesale butcher of this 
city, with whom he remained until 1888. For 
two years afterward he was bookkeeper for the 
Anchor Brewing Company at Newburgh, after 
which he became their representative at this place. 
The conipanx- has its office and salesrooms on 
Front Street, in -the rear of the Erie Railroad 



freight office. Their storeroom has a capacity of 
seven hundred kegs, and the icehouse holds forty 
tons. There are two trucks used in the business, 
and the output is two hundred barrels per week. 
The beer is received from the company's steamer 
"Island Belle," and from this point is delivered 
at any place in the city or shipped to the agencies 
at Highland Falls, Kingston, Nyack, Hudson 
and Wappinger's Falls. 

Socially Mr. Littleton is connected with the 
Foresters, Shepherds and Elks. In the Queen 
City Club he is Past President, Past Vice-Pres- 
ident and a Trustee. He is a member of the 
Liquor Dealers' Association of Newburgh, the 
Maennerchor Society, the West Cornwall Gun 
Club and the Newburgh Guards. His religious 
membership is in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. 
A Democrat in politics, he has represented his 
party as delegate to county and assembly conven- 
tions, and for years has served as County Com- 
missioner. He has been Ward Committeeman 
for a number of years, and has been Secretary of 
the board. 

• ^ ^ P • 



I AWRENCE W. KORTRIGHT, a reliable 
I C and successful business man of Mechanics- 
|_f/ town, was born in the town of Goshen, and 
is the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Brown) Kort- 
riglit, also natives of this county. His father 
and he were born upon the same farm. The 
former, when a young man, learned the trade of 
a carpenter, and for many j-ears was extensively 
engaged at that occupation, meeting with good 
success in its pro.secution. He died in 1867, at an 
advanced age, having lived an honest, upright 
life, and left to his descendants an untarnished 
name. His wife died some time prior to his de- 
mise. 

The subject of this sketch was born No\'ember 
28, 1826. In youth he had such advantages as 
the .schools of the early part of the century af- 
forded, which were quite meager in compari.son 
with those of the present day. At the age of 
twenty-five he left the shelter of the parental roof 
and began for himself in the world. Beginning 



646 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as a fanner, he was successfully engaged in that 
occupation until 1859, when he came to Mechan- 
icstown and embarked in the grocery business. 
After one year, however, he began butchering, 
and has since carried on an extensive business in 
that line, selling meats at retail in the village 
and surrounding country. As a business man 
he is reliable, honest in his dealings, and prompt 
in meeting his engagements, so that he has gained 
the confidence of his customers. 

April 28, 1855, Mr. Kortright married Miss 
Harriet, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Seelj-) 
Eaton, all natives of this county. They are the 
parents of two sons and one daughter, namely: 
William T., who married Miss Lillian Carr, of 
Sussex County, N. J., and lives in Mechanics- 
town; Martha E., at home: and Frederick L., 
who is in Ithaca, N. Y., where he is engaged as 
a professor in Cornell University. He married 
Miss Flora M. Corwin, of Middletown, N. Y. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kortright are members of the 
Congregational Church at Middletown, and gen- 
erous contributors to religious enterprises. While 
a Democrat in politics, he has never accepted 
any oflBces save a few minor positions, but has 
been content to take a quiet part in public affairs. 



EOL. JOHN D. WOOD, the obliging agent 
at the Mechanicstown station, was born in 
this county in 1827, being a son of Alfred 
and Rosetta (Dunning) Wood, who were born, 
reared and married here. The father was a son 
of John Wood, who was one of George Washing- 
ton's minutemen, and who was a loyal patriot, 
rendering good service in the War of the Revolu- 
tion. Alfred Wood was a soldier in the War of 
1812. During much of his active life he was en- 
gaged as a builder, but when advanced in years 
he turned his attention to farming, and was thus 
engaged at the time of his death, in 1880. His 
wife pas-sed away four years prior to his demise. 
After gaining the rudiments of his education in 



the common schools, our subject took an academic 
course. At the age of twenty-one he secured a 
position as clerk in a dry-goods and grocery 
store, but after two years in that occupation he 
began farming, continuing in that vocation until 
1862. At that time, responding to his country's 
call for volunteers to defend the Union, he donned 
the blue and enlisted in Company H, One Hun- 
dred and Sixty-eighth New York Infantry. He 
was mustered in as Captain in Newburgh, and 
remained in active service for two years, partici- 
pating with his company in manj^ engagements 
of importance. He escaped without having been 
wounded or imprisoned by the enemy, but the 
hardships of camp life, and the exposure incident 
to marching, made considerable inroads on his 
constitution, and he is now .sufiFering from the 
effect of his army service. 

On being mustered out of the service. Captain 
Wood was promoted to Brevet-Major, and after 
his return he was chosen Colonel of the One Hun- 
dred and Ninety-first National Guard, serving in 
that capacity for seven years. For sixteen years 
he has served his fellow-citizens in the office of 
Justice of the Peace, and he also served two terms 
as Justice of Sessions. For the past fourteen 
}-ears he has been railroad and express agent at 
Mechanicstown, where he is also engaged in the 
feed business. 

Colonel Wood was united in marriage, in 1856, 
with Miss Mary L., daughter of Moses and Eliz- 
abeth ( \'alentine) Sawyer, all natives of this 
county. Eight children were born to their union, 
but three are deceased. Those living are named 
as follows: Jessie, wife of C. V. Puff, of this coun- 
t\-; Clara L., who married Frank \'an Voris, also 
of this county; Arthur S., who married Miss Em- 
ih- Mapes, a member of one of the leading fami- 
lies of the county, and who now makes his home 
in Philadelphia, Jefferson Countj-, N. Y.; Lillie 
May, wifeof Verner M. Weeks, of Fond du Lac, 
Wis. ; and Alfred W. , a dispatcher in the New 
York Central Railroad office at Albany. 

Like all old soldiers. Colonel Wood is interested 
in Grand Army affairs and is connected with the 
order. With his wife, he holds membership in 
the Presbyterian Church. In politics he votes 




JAMES J. MILLS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



649 



the Democratic ticket. He is interested in public 
affairs to the extent of encouraging every worthy 
movement with his influence and means, and is 
respected for his honorable character and upright 
life. 



OC -H"i"a"2-^-5"i"i "i"8"»^ »»-i'»»»»»-5"»»» X> 

0R. JAMES J. MILLS, a leading dentist of 
Port Jervis, is one of its representative citi- 
zens, who has done much for the prosperity 
of the village, and now resides in his pleasant 
home at No. 14 Orange Street. He is a native 
of Orange County, born at Mt. Hope on the 9th 
of May, 1851, and is a son of Hon. Andrew J. 
and Maria (Greene) Mills. The family is de- 
scended from Timothy Mills, who was twice mar- 
ried, and b}' the first union had a son and daugh- 
ter, the former being Isaac, who was born March 
13, 1697, and died July 8, 1767. He was followed 
by Isaac, Jr., who was born February 19, 1727, 
and married Sarah Phillips. His death occurred 
April 25, 1783, and he was interred at Mills' Pond, 
on Long Island. His son, Ebenezer, who was 
probably the first of the family to come to Orange 
County, was born on the 3d of August, 1757, 
and married Abigail Vail. His death occurred 
in Middletown, N. Y., February 23, 1834. Isaac 
was the next in direct line and was born March 5, 
1788. He was united in marriage with Clarissa 
Hulse, and passed away at Mt. Hope, on the i8th 
of January, 1856. 

The latter's son, Hon. Andrew J. Mills, is the 
father of the Doctor. He was born in Middle- 
town, February 22, 1821, in the Jefferson House, 
which was kept by his father, and which is now 
known as the Holding House. He afterward re- 
sided for a number of years on what is known as 
tlie "reservoir farm," near Pilgrims' Corners, re- 
moving when about twenty years old to Oti.sville, 
and later to Mt. Hope, where he bought the hotel 
property where he died, and which he owned for 
nearly forty years. During the war, from i860 
until 1864, he conducted a hotel in Albany, N. Y. 
On the 28th of May, 1842, he wedded Mi.ss Maria 
Greene, by whom he had four children: John 
Greene, late of Wa.shington, D. C; Mary E., 
wife of John W. Truesdale, of Katonah, West- 

28 



Chester County; Charlotte C, who died April 7, 
1881 ; and Dr. James J., of this sketch. The fa- 
ther gave his allegiance to the Democratic party 
throughout most of his life, though for a short 
time he supported the Greenback party. He was 
known throughout this portion of the state as a 
composer and singer of political songs, and during 
the exciting campaigns his services in this capac- 
ity were in great demand. He often represented 
his town in Democratic conventions, and at the 
time of his death was Assessor of Mt. Hope. In 
1854 he was a member of the As.sembly for what 
was then .the Third District of Orange County. 
The next term he was defeated by James Bennett, 
but was renominated and elected for the session 
of 1856. His death, which occurred on the 12th 
of May, 1881, was deeply mourned by the entire 
community. 

The mother of our subject is still living and 
makes her home with the Doctor. She is a well 
preserved, genial lady, who takes great pride in 
her two sons. She is a sister of Hon. George W. 
Greene, of Goshen, N. Y., and was born on the 
19th of Jaiuiary, 1822, to Charles S. and Polly 
(Woodward) Greene. Her maternal grandmother 
belonged to the Hilliard family of Connecticut, 
and .she had two si.sters, one of whom became the 
mother of Jesse Grant, the father of the General, 
and the other the mother of Nathan Hale. They 
belonged to one of the oldest and best known fam- 
ilies of the Empire State. Mrs. Mill's paternal 
grandfather, Daniel Greene, was a nephew of 
Gen. Nathanael Greene, of Revolutionary fame, 
and belonged to the Greene family of Rhode Isl- 
and. 

Dr. James J. Mills was reared in Mt. Hope, 
and at the age of sixteen years entered Hudnnt's 
drug .store of New York City, which was owned 
by the son of Rev. William H. Hudnut, of Port 
Jervis. At the end of two years, in 1870, he be- 
came a clerk in the Astor House drug store, 
where he remained for the same length of time, 
when he went West, traveling through many 
.states, and for a time served as a druggist in Du- 
buque, Iowa. 

Returning to Mt. Hope, the Doctor remained at 
home for a time, but in 1876 entered the office of 



650 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



W. S. Elliott, D. D. S., M. D. S. and M. D., the 

famous dentist and inventor of dental instruments, 
and has since followed that profession with great 
success. On the 8th of April, 1878, he located in 
Port Jervis, where he has now conducted an office 
for seventeen years. The Doctor has also been 
connected with other business interests, having 
an extensive storehouse in Port Jervis, and has 
also dealt considerably in coal. He put in the 
first book-bindery in the city, and the first charter 
for the electric-light company was taken out in 
his name, he helping to establish the original 
plant. 

On the ist of January, 1878, Dr. Mills wedded 
Miss Estella Newton, daughter of Nelson and 
Mary Ann (Penney) Newton. Her father, who 
was born on Long Island, practiced his profes- 
sion in Brooklyn for a time, but later removed to 
Forestburg, Sullivan County, where he was mar- 
ried to Miss Pennej', a daughter of John and 
Sarah (Ketchum) Penney, the former a lumber- 
man of Sullivan County. Later he removed to 
Mt. Hope, where he died at the age of ninety- 
four years. Dr. Newton practiced in Mt. Hope 
until his death, which occurred in 1859, at the 
age of thirty-three years, leaving one child, Mrs. 
Mills. His widow later became the wife of Dan- 
iel Seybolt, of the town of Mt. Hope, a mail agent, 
who, together with three of his companions, was 
burned in the wreck at Tioga on the Erie Rail- 
road, January 23, 1881. He had two children 
by his former marriage, George H. and Charles 
E. Mrs. Seybolt now makes her home with Dr. 
Mills. 

The Doctor has been instrumental in securing 
many improvements in Port Jervis, not least 
among them being a most admirable system of 
sewerage, which by his persistent efforts was 
adopted. For six years he served on the Board 
of Education, three years on the Excise Board, 
and for three terms was President of the Board of 
Health. He is a stalwart Democrat in political 
sentiment, attending the conventions of his party 
for nearly twenty years, and la.st April was elected 
a member of the Board of Trustees, in which ca- 
pacity he is now .serving. 

Dr. Mills is an active worker in the American 



Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 
and does all in his power to see that its laws are 
carried out. In the Knights of Pythias fraternity 
he is Past Chancellor, and is Commander of the 
Legion of Honor. He is quite a cyclist, and is 
now serving as President of the Orange County 
Wheel Association. He belongs to the Wantage 
Outing Club, which numbers thirty members in 
Port Jervis and Deckertown, and which even.- 
year spends a few weeks either in the mountains 
or at Lake Rutherford, in Sussex County, N. J. 
With all his social enjoyments the Doctor gives 
most of his time to his profession, in which he 
is one of the leading representatives in Orange 
County, and belongs to the Second District Den- 
tal Society of the state, while he is a permanent 
member of the New York State Dental Society. 
He is a noted numismatist, collector of rare coins, 
geological and Indian relics, and has one of the 
most complete private collections of coins, ancient 
and modern, numbering over five thousand speci- 
mens. This has been his hobby for years, and 
he now has some thirty -five cabinets of these 
coins on exhibition in the rooms of the Young 
Men's Christian Association. 

(7^ EDGAR SMITH is one of the good farmers 
/\ of the town of Goshen, and the estate of one 
\~J hundred and fifteen acres which he is culti- 
vating is improved with substantial and neatly 
kept buildings and fences and is one of the most 
valuable in this section. 

Our subject was born in the town of Goshen 
December 6, i860, and is the eldest of the fam- 
ily born to Stephen Augustus and Harriet ( Hulse) 
Smith, natives also of Orange County. The fa- 
ther was a farmer of note, and until his demise, 
in 1893, was engaged in cultivating the soil. He 
had always lived in this county, and was in turn 
the son of Stephen Smith, one of the old land- 
marks of the county, who died in 1891, at the re- 
markable age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Har- 
riet Smith is still living, in the enjoyment of good 
health, and makes her home on the old place, 
which is under the management of her son Em- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



651 



mett. This farm has been in the family for many 
years, and on it three generations of the Smiths 
have been born and reared. 

After attending the district school onr subject 
entered the Peekskill Military Academy, where 
he pursued the higher branches of study. Hav- 
ing been reared to farm work, he very naturally 
chose agriculture as his vocation in life, and that 
he made no mistake in his choice is shown by his 
success. His standing in the community is high, 
and his ideas and methods of performing work 
are practical. 

In 1887 S. Edgar Smith and Miss Emma J. 
Smith were united in marriage. She is the 
daughter of Stephen and Emily (Randolph) 
Smith, whose birth also occurred in Orange 
County. To our subject and his wife have been 
born four children, named, respectively :' Clarence, 
Hattie, Stephen and Raymond Randolph. They 
are bright and interesting children, and it is the 
intention of the parents to give them good edu- 
cations. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who are both members of 
the Presbyterian Church of Goshen, are people of 
generous disposition and contribute liberally to 
the relief of those in need. The political affilia- 
tion of Mr. Smith is with the Democratic party. 
He posses.ses a genial, jovial disposition, and gets 
all the enjoyment possible out of existence. Al- 
though only thirty-five years of age, he is one of 
the town's most substantial citizens and progress- 
ive residents. 

(JOHN H. WOODS is one of the most popular 
I and efficient employes of the Eastern Divi- 
(2/ sion of the Erie Railroad, and has his home 
and headquarters at Port Jervis. Since he was a 
youth his entire attention has been given to rail- 
roading and he is thoroughly acquainted with the 
con.struction of locomotives. Though others may 
have as exact .scientific theory in regard to the 
proper manufacture of engines, few excell him in 
practical knowledge of the subject. 

Our subject's parents were Samuel II. and 
Margaret (Sisco; Woods. The former was an 



engineer on the Erie lines running from Port Jer- 
vis, and about 1844 became an employe on the 
Eastern Division. For a few years his run was 
between Piermont and this village, where he lo- 
cated in 1849. His services were uninterrupted 
until the strike of 1856, when for six years he 
was an employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & 
Western Road at Scranton. In 1862 he resumed 
his work with the Erie, and was with the com- 
pany at the time of his death, June 27, 1864, as 
the result of a collision which occurred a few 
miles east of Southfield. A freight train had 
broken in two and his train crashed into the oth- 
er. He jumped from his engine and when found 
was dead. His service as an engineer covered 
over twenty years. He was a native of Philadel- 
phia, his birth having occurred in 181 1. His 
wife, who was born in New Jersey, was called to 
her final rest in 1889. 

The birth of J. H. Woods occurred in Pomp- 
ton, N. J., October 9, 1839, and his boyhood 
passed pleasantly in Port Jervis and Scranton. 
March 12, i860, he began running an engine at 
Scranton with the railroad company of which his 
father was then an employe, having previously 
worked for two and a-half years as a machinist. 
In October, 1859, he was given the position of 
fireman on an engine, and six months later was 
promoted to take charge of a locomotive. For a 
year he worked on the Delaware & Hudson Rail- 
road, and in 1863 was engaged on the Erie Rail- 
road, where he continued for three years. The 
following three years he was employed by various 
roads and by the Dixon Manufacturing Company. 
In 1869 he returned to this village and has sin.ce 
been on the Eastern Division, his run at present 
being on No. 10 eastbound and No. 5 westbound 
express trains. This is considered one of the fin- 
est runs on the road, as the distance is only eigh- 
ty-eight miles and it is only to old and reliable en- 
gineers that this desirable position is given. 
May 10, 1878, about nine o'clock in the evening, 
while on an eastbound train a mile from Port Jer- 
vis, an obstruction, maliciously placed upon the 
track, caused the engine to leave the rails, and as 
a result, it was overturned, cra.shing down the 
bank thirty feet. Mr. Woods and his fireman 



652 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and brakemau jumped for their lives, and thus 
escaped fatalitj', but Mr. Woods' right leg was 
broken and he was obliged to beoffdutj- for six 
months. He is a member of the Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Engineers, and is Secretary or First 
Assistant in Division No. 54 at Port Jervis, 
having been identified with the order since 1864. 
He is also a member of the Society of United 
Friends. In political creed he is a Republican. 

In November, 1861, Mr. Woods was married, 
at Scranton, Pa., to Miss Sarah Hetherby, of that 
city. They have had five children, two of whom 
are deceased; one son and two daughters are liv- 
ing, namely: Ella, Maggie and Sam H. Ella is 
at home, and the other daughter, Maggie, is the 
wife of Ed Swinton, of this jilace; Sam H. is at- 
tending school. Mr. and Mrs. Woods and fam- 
ily are identified with the Presbyterian Church. 



WON. LUTHER R. MARSH. The life which 
this narrative sketches began April 4, 1813, 
in the picturesque village of Ponipey Hill, 
N. v., a town that once wielded an important in- 
fluence in Onondaga County, being both a politi- 
cal and an educational centre, but which, with 
advancing commercial enterprises, lost its prestige 
and power, and now lies remote from the ordi- 
nary routes of commerce and travel. From it, in 
days past, have gone forth men and women of 
national, and indeed of world-wide, fame, who 
could trace their first advances in the arts, sciences 
or literature to the impetus given them in that 
little town that now lies deserted. 

The historj' of the Marsh family is one of in- 
terest, and extends back in this country to an 
early period in the settlement of New England. 
John Marsh, who was one of the early settlers of 
Hadley, Mass., moved down the Connecticut 
River in 1630, and settled in Hartford, Conn., 
where he married Annie, daughter of John Web- 
ster, Governor of the colony and the lineal ances- 
tor of Noah Webster, the lexicographer. Rev. 
Elisha Marsh, great-grandson of John Marsh, 
was the first minister of Westminster, Mass., 
where he held the pastorate from 1742 to 1757. 



The anecdotes that are told of him indicate that 
he was a man of unique character, possessing 
keen wit and the gift of ready repartee, combined 
with firmness of convictions and depth of intel- 
lect. His assertion that "obedience is the con- 
dition of salvation" caused his arraignment, in 
1747, on the charge of heresy, but the charge was 
not sustained, and he was released; however, ten 
j-ears later, he was dismissed from the pastorate, 
for the opinions which he held, though considered 
orthodox now, were then too much in advance of 
the time to be appreciated. 

The son of Rev. EH.sha, Capt. Elisha Marsh, 
was the father of Luther Marsh, who in turn was 
the father of the .subject of this sketch. Luther 
Marsh, in company with his brother Elisha, 
moved to Onondaga County, N. Y., and after a 
time settled at Pompey. He acquired considera- 
ble prominence and was elected High Sheriff of 
the county. Like his grandfather, he was a man 
of superior ability, a ready wit and genial com- 
panion, and as an instance of his wit it is said 
that, during the War of 1812, when the officers 
met for the purpose of writing to Governor Tomp- 
kins for field pieces. Captain Jennings and the 
other officers tried their hands at the letter, but 
could not produce anything satisfactory, so Mr. 
Marsh was asked to assist. He immediately wrote 
these lines: 

' 'Great Daniel D. , we send to thee 
For two great guns and trimmings! 

Send them to hand, or j-ou'll be damned, 
By order of Captain Jennings." 

This was signed and sent, and brought the 
guns. Years afterward Governor Tompkins often 
delighted his guests at dinner by repeating, for 
their benefit, this remarkable requisition for field 
pieces. 

The first wife of Luther Marsh was Emma, 
daughter of Thomas Hooker Raw.son, at one 
time State Superintendent of the salt springs at 
Salina, afterward a physician at Canandaigua, 
N. Y., where he was buried. The Rawson fam- 
ily is descended from Edward Rawson, who came 
from England to Newburyport in 1636, and two 
years later was elected Town Clerk, Notary and 
Register, which position he filled until his remov- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



653 



al to Boston in 1650, to accept the oflBce of Secre- 
tary of the colony. The latter position he filled 
for thirty-six years, being annually elected by the 
people, and the records of the colony, in his neat 
handwriting, are preserved at Worcester. Rev. 
Grindal Rawson, our subject's great-grandfa- 
ther, married, in 1798, Dorothy, the great- 
granddaughter of Rev. Charles Cliauncey, sec- 
ond President ot Harvard College, and a descend- 
ant of the Earl of Pembroke. 

Luther and Emma Marsh were the parents of 
the subject of this notice, who was reared to 
manhood in Pompey. His mother died when he 
was seven 5-ears old, and his father afterward 
married Margaret Leonard. His education was 
commenced in Pompey Academy, and continued 
at Captain Partridge's Military School at Middle- 
town, Conn. On leaving school he engaged as a 
clerk in a country store at Onondaga Hill, and 
as soon as possible commenced the study of law, 
for which profession he seemed by nature admir- 
ably fitted. In law offices atSkaneateles, Man- 
lius and Utica, he laid the foundation of that 
broad superstructure of legal knowledge which he 
afterward acquired. In 1836 he was admitted to 
the Bar at Albany, when on his way to New 
York to accept an invitation from Henry R. 
Storrs to take a position in his office. About a 
year later, however, Mr. Storrs died, which event 
caused a complete change of his plans, and he 
soon afterward went to Utica, where his associa- 
tion with Samuel P. Lyman, General Superintend- 
ent of Construction of the New York & Lake 
Erie Railroad, then building, introduced him into 
the legal business of that company. 

Returning to New York City about 1844, Mr. 
Marsh soon afterward formed a partnership with 
O. W. Sturtevant, and while they were together 
Daniel Webster, on retiring from the Senate, 
came to New York City and opened an office 
with Marsh & Sturtevant at No. 4 Wall Street, 
continuing with them until his re-election to the 
Senate. The little tin sign, "Daniel Webster," 
Mr. Marsh has had framed, and cherishes it 
among his valued souvenirs of the past. In 
1855-56 he was in partnership with William H. 
Leonard, afterward Judge of the Supreme Court,. 



and John T. Hoifman, afterward Governor, un- 
der the firm name of Marsh, Leonard & Hoffman. 
When that connection was dissolved he was for a 
time alone, but later, with Frederick A. Coe and 
Alexander Hamilton Wallis, formed the firm 
of Marsh, Coe & Wallis. After the death of 
Mr. Coe, in 1870, the name was changed to 
Marsh & Wallis, and as such remained lui- 
til the death of the junior member in 1879. Mr. 
Marsh then became associated with Col. William 
G. Wilson and the .son of Mr. Wallis, as Marsh, 
Wilson & Wallis. 

September 15, 1845, Mr. Marsh married Miss 
Jane E., daughter of Alvan Stewart, one of the 
leaders of the anti-slaverj^ crusade. Since 1868 
Mr. Marsh has been a member of the Union 
League Club of New York City, formerly was one 
of its Vice-Presidents, and has delivered a num- 
ber of eloquent addresses before the club. His 
literary and oratorical ability has been one of his 
most distinguishing features, and for many years 
he was in almost constant demand as a public 
lecturer, addressing the people upon themes of 
vital importance. Some of his orations are gems 
of beauty, worthy of perpetuation in permanent 
form. Alike brilliant, fascinating, polished and 
entertaining, he commanded the attention of every 
audience, whom he moved to tears or won to 
laughter at will. 

While Mr. Marsh contributed in many ways to 
the progress of New York, space will permit the 
mention of but a few, and perhaps the most im- 
portant of these was the abolition of intra mural 
interments in the city. As is well known, it had 
been the custom from an early day to bury the 
dead in churchwards within the city, and to such 
an extent had this practice been carried on, that 
the ground in many cases had been raised sev- 
eral feet above the original surface by these long- 
continued accumulations. For blocks in every 
direction the atmosphere became permeated with 
the effluvium and was very offensive. The evil 
had been intrenched in vested interests and was 
most difficult to attack and overcome, but Mr. 
Marsh succeeded in gaining the case, and thereaft- 
er no burials were allowed in churchyards. Mr. 
Marsh devoted about seven years to the acquisi- 



654 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion and consummation of new parks for New 
York Citj-, and through his labors thirtj'-eight 
hundred acres were appropriated for this purpose, 
the appraisal of the property consuming four years. 
Six large volumes were printed, but success was 
finally achieved. As Chairman of the commis- 
sion to estimate the damages arising from the 
State Re.servation at Niagara Falls, he contrib- 
uted essentially to that beneficent achievement. 
Nature endowed Mr. Marsh with rare gifts, 
among which were a superb physique and intel- 
lectual ability of a high order, logical, discrimi- 
nating and comprehensive. His career as an 
attorney is one reflecting the greatest credit upon 
his varied mental powers. Notwithstanding his 
advanced age, his mind is clear and his reasoning 
faculties as keen as in years gone by, which fact 
is no doubt due to his temperate habits and syste- 
matic exercise of bodj'. In 1888, after an active 
career of fifty-two years, he retired from the pro- 
fession, and is devoting his latter days to a study 
of the mvsteries of the future world. 



-j~» •32+^®^^®J<<^» 



^EORGE WICKHAM is a member of one 
l_l of the oldest families in Orange County, and 
y^ for generations many bearing that name have 
resided in the vicinity of Middletown. The old 
Wickham place was a part of the patent of the 
Minisink Angle, purchased by Messrs. Wickham 
and Moore, and included what are now the farms 
of Judge Low, Mr. Tryon and Mr. Gardner. It 
was very wild land, and was in the shape of a 
parallelogram. Forty acres of the home farm lie 
within the city limits, and the greater part of it 
he platted himself He laid out Sprote Street, 
on which he has sold many lots, besides other 
tracts. The old Montgomery turnpike is now 
known as Wickham Avenue, it being so named 
in honor of our subject. 

The Wickhams trace their ancestrj' back for 
man}^ generations to one Wyckeham, who was 
Bishop of Winchester, and a man of considerable 
note. Jo.seph Wickham, the great-great-great- 



grandfather of our subject, came from England 
with two others of^the same name, and settled on 
Long Island. The first of the family to settle in 
Orange County was Samuel Wickham, the great- 
great-grandfather of our subject, who came from 
Sag Harbor, and purchased the patent already 
mentioned. His son, Israel Wickham, the great- 
grandfather, was a farmer in the town of Wall- 
kill, where he was born; he lived on the present 
site of the Ursuline Academy. His son, also 
named Israel, was born in this city, where he spent 
his entire life. The latter's son, Israel H., was 
the father of our subject, and his birth occurred 
at the foot of Mill Street, in Middletown. By oc- 
cupation he was a farmer, and for many years 
was a Justice of the Peace, which office he held at 
the time of his death, at the age of sixty-four 
years. In politics he was an old-line Whig. He 
married Sallie Wisner, who was born in Middle- 
town, and who was a daughter of Henry B. Wis- 
ner. She died here in 1868, at the age of sixty- 
six years, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church. Two children were born unto the par- 
ents of our .subject: Maria, Mrs. Young, who died 
in Middletown; and George. 

George Wickham was reared on the old farm, 
and received his education in the public schools 
and Middletown Academy. For some years he 
had the management of the home farm, and after 
the death of his father came into possession of 
the property. lu Middletown he married Miss 
Mary A. Sprote, a daughter of Morgan L. and 
Juliet (Conkling) Sprote. Her father was born 
in the town of Wallkill, and for years was a man- 
ufacturer and business man in Middletown. He 
died in 1876, but his wife makes her home with 
our subject, and is now ninety-four years old. 
Two children were born to our subject and his 
wife, Julia and Harvey L. The latter received 
his literary education in Middletown Academy, 
and his musical education in various colleges. He 
was graduated from the Metropolitan College of 
Music, and also from the College of Music in Lon- 
don, receiving degrees from each institution, and 
is at present a teacher of vocal and instrumental 
music, and the organist of Grace Church in Mid- 
'dletown. In his profession there are few men that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



655 



rank higher. In June, 1895, he married Miss 
Parsons, of New York City. The daughter, Ju- 
lia, is a vocalist of more than ordinar\' ability, 
and has taken lessons under some of the most 
noted professors in New York City. 

Mr. Wickham is a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church, in which body he is an Elder. In 
politics he is a Republican. He is a natural mu- 
sician, and a vocalist of exceptional merit. Since 
1852 he has been a member of the choir of the 
First Presbyterian Church, and has been its lead- 
er for fourteen years. The musical abilitj' of Mr. 
Wickham and family is recognized by the public, 
and they are often called upon to sing for various 
purposes. 



QAMES F. MOORE, foreman of the car-shops 
I of the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- 
(2/ road, has been connected with that road at 
this place since 1874. He was born in New York 
City, August 15, 1853, but comes of an old Or- 
ange County family. His grandfather, David 
Moore, was a farmer in the town of Wavvayanda, 
who late in life retired to Middletown, where he 
lived on Academy Avenue. His wife, Elizabeth 
(Fullerton) Moore, died there, after which he re- 
moved to Howells Depot, where he died some 
years ago, at a very advanced age. Alexander 
Dour Moore, the father of our subject, was born 
in the town of Wawayanda, but in early man- 
hood removed to New York City, where he was 
engaged in the grocery business. During the 
Civil War he was a recruiting officer, in which 
capacity he enlisted many men. He married 
Margaret Collins, who died when our subject was 
a babe, leaving two children: Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Lee, of Howells Depot, and our subject. 
The father died some years ago. 

When but .seven years of age, tlie subject of 
this sketch was bound out to the Shakers in Col- 
umbia County. When fifteen years old he ran 
away, but was caught by the Shakers at twelve 
o'clock at night, when five miles from their set- 
tlement. He was taken back, and punished ac- 



cording to their discipline. In less than one 
year he ran away again, and when only three 
miles from the settlement was overtaken, but he 
defied them to take him back. While with the 
Shakers he learned the millwright's trade, and for 
a time worked at the same in Pittsfield, but later 
learned the carpenter's trade. 

In 1874 Mr. Moore came to Middletown, and 
entered the employ of the New York, Oswego & 
Midland Railroad, now the New York, Ontario 
& Western, as carpenter, and continued with the 
company one year. The company at that time 
was financially embarrassed, and the men clubbed 
together and filed a mechanic's lien on buildings 
erected to secure their wages. Mr. Moore then 
went to New York City, where he remained one 
year working at his trade, and later returned to 
Middletown, and again entered the employ of the 
New York, Oswego & Midland Railroad, under 
Merritt Carey. Until 1876 he was engaged in the 
erection of depot buildings at various places, and 
then entered the car-shops here, which at that 
time were quite small. Our subject commenced 
working as a journeyman, but in 1890 was made 
assistant foreman under Mr. Tandy, and in 
March, 1892, was made foreman of the car-shops 
by G. W. West. He now has full charge of the 
shops, having .sixty-two men in his department 
under his supervision. They manufacture all 
kinds of cars, and do much of the repair-work of 
the road. In the prosecution of the business, Mr. 
Moore has made many u.seful inventions which 
have been adopted by the company. 

Mr. Moore was married, in Middletown, to Miss 
Elizabeth M. Osborn, a native of Hobart, Dela- 
ware County, and the>- have one child, George D., 
a lad of nine summers. Mr. Moore is a member 
of Lancelot Lodge, K. of P., and of the New 
York Club of Master Car-Builders. For five 
years he .served as a member of the Twenty- fourth 
Separate Company, New York Guards, enlisting 
as a private, and was honorably discharged as a 
Sergeant. He was a member of Eagle Hose 
Company No. 2, for seven years, serving as its 
Secretary two years, and is now an honorary 
member. In politics he is a stanch Republican, 
and has .served his party as a member of the City 



656 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Central Committee. A quiet, unassuming man, 
in ever}' position in life in which he has been 
called upon to fill he has discharged his duties in 
a faithful and acceptable manner. 



EOLDWELL-WILCOX COMPANY. In 1884 
Messrs. Thomas Coldwell, G. R. M. Wilcox 
and William H. Coldwell formed an organ- 
ization under the firm name of Coldwell, Wilcox 
& Co. They started as manufacturers of brush 
and general machinery, fencing and fancy-iron 
work, fire escapes, etc., and also in steam- heating 
outfits for public and private buildings. They 
soon found that their quarters in the Oakley soap 
factory building were entirely too small for their 
business, and accordingly, in the fall of 1885, they 
purchased the Speir & Wilson foundry on Broad- 
way, and took in A. S. Peirce as a partner. This 
plant they occupied until the fall of 1889. In 
connection with this foundry they for a time 
rented from James Bigler the machine-shop, in- 
cluding all the tools therein, connected with the 
old Ward & Stanton firm. In the summer of 
1889 they began the erection of a new plant in New 
Windsor, south of the Pennsylvania Coal Works. 
This site was selected on account of its unsur- 
passed shipping facilities, having a switch from 
the West Shore Railroad on the front, and the river 
in the rear. They erected a foundry building 130X 
60 feet, a machine-shop 70x80 feet, and a cleaning- 
room 80x30 feet, and the first cast was taken off in 
November, 1889. These buildings were equipped 
with the best modern tools, and with speciallj' 
made traveling cranes for the handling of heavy 
work. Soon, however, they drifted into the man- 
ufacture of heavy general machinery, such as 
gate-valves, sluice-gates, hoisting apparatus, tun- 
nel lining, ladders, and also the iron work used 
in dams, gate-houses, etc. They manufactured 
and set in position all the iron work in the famous 
Sodam Dam at Brewster, N. Y.; furnished the 
material for the large dam at Purdy's Station, 
known as Titicus Dam; and fully equipped the 



gate-houses of the new Croton Aqueduct, situated 
at One Hundred and Thirty -first Street and Tenth 
Avenue, those at Ardsle3% South Yonkers, Po- 
cantico and at One Hundred and Nineteenth 
Street and Tenth Avenue, New York City. 

In 1890, Coldwell, Wilcox & Co. became finan- 
cially embarrassed, and were re-organized and in- 
corporated under the name of the Coldwell-Wil- 
cox Compan5\ May 7, 1891, their plant was en- 
tirely destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt on a 
somewhat larger scale, and since that time they 
have continued in the same general line of busi- 
ness, although they have added other lines, such 
as sugar machinery for export to Cuba, rock 
and ore breakers, greenhouse specialties, etc. 
The present officers of the company are Theodore 
W. Peirce, 189 Duane Street, New York City, 
Treasurer; A. S. Peirce, Newburgh, Secretarj'; 
G. R. M. Wilcox, Newburgh, General Manager. 
Their business at present is in a flourishing con- 
dition, a large force of men being employed, and 
new tools are being constantly added to their al- 
ready extensive plant. 

The firm have recently supplied all the steam 
valves, separators and expansion joints for the 
famous Baltimore & Ohio Tunnel Power House, 
Baltimore, which is said to be the finest plant of its 
kind in the world. It has been inspected by all 
the best engineers of the country, as it is the first 
long tunnel in which an electrical locomotive has 
taken the place of the noisy and smoky steam lo- 
comotive. 






0ISTER MARY HILDEGARDE is Superior 
2\ of Mt. St. Mary's Academy at Newburgh, 
Q) which is one of the most prominent institu- 
tions of learning in the city. It was founded in 
1883, under the direction of the Sisters of St. 
Dominic, and was chartered in 1888. It is under 
the visitation of the Board of Regents of the Uni- 
versity of the State of New York. The property 
was formerly the country seat of the late Harvey 
Weed, and was sold by his successor, Mr. Mc- 
Alpine, to the Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic. 
The institution is delightfully situated on an 




COLDWELL-WILCOX CO., NKWBURGH. 




MOUNT ST. MARY'S ACADEMY, NF.WHURC.H. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



659 



elevation, commanding a view of the Hudson for 
miles. The grounds, six acres in extent, are 
handsomely designed, with walks, carriage drives 
and lawns for exercise and recreation. The man- 
sion has recently been enlarged, and is no\V a 
commodious and handsome structure, expressly 
arranged for a boarding-school, and furnished 
with every modern improvement. 

Those in charge of Mt. St. Mary's Academy 
aim to make the institute a school of the highest 
grade, to stimulate a love for study, and to sur- 
round the pupils with influences ennobling the 
character by conducing to the highest culture, 
tending to form the heart to virtue, as well as to 
cultivate the mind. The course of instruction 
embraces two departments, elementary and aca- 
demic. In the latter the studies are Christian 
doctrine, grammar, epi.stolary correspondence, 
composition, elocution, penmanship, physical ge- 
ography, arithmetic, bookkeeping, algebra, geom- 
etry, physiology, etiquette, calisthenics, sacred 
and profane history, civil government, rhetoric, 
literature, natural philosophy, astronomy, type- 
writing, shorthand, French, instrumental and 
vocal music, drawing, painting, wax-flower mak- 
ing, and plain and fancy needle-work. Three 
times each year written examinations are held by 
the Board of Regents for all pupils who are old 
enough to receive benefit from such work. At 
the completion of the course, if the final exam- 
inations are accepted, the graduates receive their 
diplomas from the State University. 



BSCAR E. JONES, architect, contractor and 
builder, residing in Middletown, was born 
April 5, 1867, in the town ot Thompson, 
Sullivan County, N. Y., of which countj' his fa- 
ther, H. W. Jones, was also a native. His ma- 
ternal grandfather, Solomon J. Halcott, was a 
pioneer of that county, and was well known 
throughout all that region. He was a mill- 
wright, and also operated atanner}- for a number 
of years, but engaged principally in farming. 
During the War of 18 12 he served as Major, and 
died at the age of .seventy- eight years. H. W. 



Jones, the father, was also a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and for forty-four years lived on a farm of 
one hundred and forty acres, four miles from 
Monticello. In early life he engaged in lumber- 
ing during the winter months. For many years 
he was a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. 
He married Helen L. Halcott, also a native of 
Sullivan County, and five children were born to 
them: George H., a carpenter of Brooklyn, 
N. Y.; Katie, now Mrs. Shaw, of Middletown; 
0.scar E., our subject; De Witt, in the employ 
of his brother Oscar E.; and Charles W., a car- 
penter in Middletown. 

Oscar E. Jones was reared on the old farm in 
Sullivan County, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools. When eighteen j-ears of age he 
went to Trout Brook, Delaware County, where 
he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. 
After remaining there one year, he came to Mid- 
dletown and entered the employ of W. W. Car- 
penter, with whom he remained four years, en- 
gaged at the carpenter's trade, during which 
time he did not lose three days. After having 
been in the latter' s emplo)' but three months he 
was made foreman. On leaving that gentleman 
he contracted for himself a few months, and later 
engaged with Charles Taylor for one year, and 
subsequently with John Wood. In 1890 he 
again began contracting for hini.self, in which he 
has since continued, and is now located at No. 
27 Canal Street. He erected the store building 
and dwelling of Thomas Watts, built two dwell- 
ing-houses for himself on Highland Avenue, 
which he sold, and then erected one on Watkins 
Avenue, which he traded for a fiftj'-acre farm, 
one and a-half miles out on Wawayanda Avenue 
and one-half mile from the city limits. He here 
carries on general farming and dairying, having 
about fifteen cows. He is the owner of a standard- 
bred horse, "Susie," that has made a mile 
in 2:30. 

Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Quinn, who is a nativ^e of Middletown, and 
two children have been born unto them: Oscar 
B. and Wilbur A. On the 12th of November, 
1889, Mr. Jones enlisted in the Twenty-fourth 
Separate Company, New York State Militia, and is 



66o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



still an active member. In politics he is a strong 

Republican, and religiously a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

NENRV C. McBRAIR, D. D. S., a success- 
ful and rising young dentist of Middletown. 
has an office on Franklin Square, comer of 
Main and South Streets, where he occupies a 
suite of six rooms. Everj' equipment is provided 
for the successful prosecution of his profession. 
Besides the reception, there are one extracting 
and two operating rooms, and one or two assist- 
ants are employed. The rooms are heated bj- 
•teteam and lighted by electricity-. The machinery- 
is operated by electricity-, and there is an electric 
porcelain furnace for crown work, together with 
every convenience and improvement which mod- 
ern investigation has made in the science. 

Dr. McBrair was born in Brooklyn, X. Y., 
and is the onh- child of James and Man.- (Re}-- 
nolds) McBrair, natives, respectively, of Xew 
York and Brooklyn, and both now deceased. 
The parental grandfather was a resident of Xew 
York, where he had large and valuable real-es- 
tate interests, and to which city his father had 
come from Scotland The education of our sub- 
ject was obtained in Wallkill Academy-, Rock- 
land College at Xyack and Exeter College at 
Exeter, X. H. Under Dr. Barnes he began the 
study of dentistr\-, and in 1888 entered the Balti- 
more Dental College, from which he was grad- 
uated two years later with the degree of D. D. S. 
and with high honors. On his return to Middle- 
town he engaged in practice with Dr. Barnes un- 
til the latter retired from the profession in 1893, 
since which time he has been alone. 

In this city Dr. McBrair married Miss Caro- 
line, daughter of X. T. Hayes, of whom men- 
tion is elsewhere made. They have a comfort- 
able home at Xo. 35 Highland Avenue, and one 
child, Uzal Lawrence, has been born to bless their 
union. Socially the Doctor is identified with the 
Middletown Club, and is also an honorary mem- 
ber of the Mouhagan Hose Company. While in- 
terested in all progressive enterprises, his pro- 



fession has received the largest share of his at- 
tention, and in everything pertaining to the 
science he is well informed. He holds member- 
ship in the Second District Dental Societ}- of 
Xew York City. As a skilled practitioner he 
holds a high place in the estimation of the peo- 
ple, a fact which his large practice suflBciently 
attests. 



QHARLES a. YOUXG, of the town of Wall- 
I C kill, was born on the farm where he now 
yj lives, July 5, 1861, he being the only child 
in the parental family living. His parents were 
Thomas H. and Marj- J. ( Collard) Young, both 
of whom were also natives of the town of Wall- 
kill. The father was prominently identified with 
agricultural pursuits during his life, and was one 
who was content to live in the peaceful enjoyment 
of rural Ufe, caring little for the strife of the 
world. He died in 1893, loved and respected by 
all who knew him. His estimable wife, the 
mother of our subject, is still living, enjoying 
good health, and is well known and universally 
respected. 

The subject of this sketch received his early 
education in the district school of his town, and 
then spent one year in the academy at Middle- 
town, where he finished his school life. From 
his youth he was inured to hard work, and has 
spent his entire life on the farm. He now owns 
one hundred acres of niceh- improved land, and 
his buildings are of the most substantial char- 
acter. 

Mr. Young was married, in October, 1884, to 
Miss Marietta Coleman, daughter of Thomas and 
Mary CVail) Coleman, both of whom are natives 
and old citizens of Orange Count}-. By this union, 
there have been born four children: Thomas W., 
Anna May, Benjamin V, and Harold C., bright 
and interesting children, at home with their 
parents. 

In politics Mr. Young is a Democrat at all times 
and under all circumstances, and is opposed to 
all monopolies. He has never aspired to official 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



66 1 



distinction, although he has served his fellow- 
citizens in local positions. While j-et a joung 
man, he is quite well and favorably known, and 
endeavors by an upright life to secure and main- 
tain the respect of his friends and his neighbors. 



3 AMES L. CARPENTER was born in Orange 
County, and his course through life has been 
such as to reflect credit on its citizenship. 
The town of Wailkill is the place of his birth, 
and here he still makes his home. He owns and 
occupies a valuable farm of eighty acres, where 
for many years he was actively engaged in the but- 
ter business, but for some time past he has lived 
in retirement from active cares, enjoying in the 
twilight of his useful career freedom from irksome 
cares. 

Born in 1817, Mr. Carpenter is the only sur- 
vivor of twelve children born to the union of 
William and Abbie (Vail) Carpenter, likewise 
natives of this county. His father, who was an 
active factor in the initial development of this lo- 
cality, engaged in the occupation of a farmer 
throughout the larger portion of his life. A val- 
ued citizen, he served his fellow -citizens for some 
time in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. He 
died here at an advanced age, having survived 
his wife some years. 

The educational advantages enjoyed b\' our 
subject in youth were exceedingly meager, as 
from an early age he ^vas obliged to earn his own 
livelihood. His has been an active, busy life, 
and he has always been known for his industn.-, 
perseverance and energy. His entire life has been 
spent on a farm, though he has given his atten- 
tion to the butter industry rather than to general 
farming. Through the exercise of good judg- 
ment he accumulated a comfortable amount of 
this world's goods, and can now enjoy the fruits 
of earlier toil. 

In 1839 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage 
with Mary A., daughter of Ira Hazen, of SulHvan 
County, N. Y. Two children came to bless this 



union, of whom the daughter, Jeanette, died at 
the age of twent\-: and the son, G. A., resides on 
the home farm. While Mr. Carpenter has never 
allied himself with any denomination, he has con- 
tributed to the support of the Methodist Church, 
of which his wife is a member. They have now 
reached the respective ages of seventj'-nine and 
eighty, and in 1889 celebrated their golden wed- 
ding, upon which auspicious occasion the\' were 
the recipients of congratulations from hosts of 
friends. Politically, while not active, Mr. Car- 
penter is a loyal Republican, and his ballot al- 
ways goes to promote the interests of his chosen 
partv. 



HENRY W. DUNNING, a farmer of the town 
of Wailkill, was born in the town of Hamp- 
tonburgh, this county, March 16, 1830, but 
when two weeks old he was brought by his par- 
ents to the farm where he still lives and which 
has been his home ever since. He is a son of 
Henr\- and Catherine (Arnot) Dunning, both na- 
tives of this county. His father, who was bom 
on the farm where our subject now lives, spent 
the most of his life here, and died at this place in 
1873. The grandfather, John Dunning, was also 
born here, and resided on this farm until 1830, 
when he sold out to his son Henry. The great- 
grandfather, John, Sr., purchased the old home- 
stead in 1772, and our subject has in his posses- 
sion the original deed to the place, moth-eaten 
and worn, but a valued souvenir, nevertheless. 
Throughout the long period that the family has 
been identified with the history of this locality, they 
have been known as men and women of energetic, 
industrious dispo.sition, with a preference for the 
occupation of a farmer. Little is known concern- 
ing the founding of the family in America, aside 
from the fact that the original representative came 
from Holland, and that one of the members of the 
family came to Orange County at a very early 
day. 

In the district schools and in Wailkill Academy 
at Middletown, our subject gained an excellent 
education, being thus fitted for active life. Farm- 
ing has been his life work, and he is engaged in 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cultivating the tract where for so many years his 
forefathers dwelt. In 1857 he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Chauncey 
H. and hvicy (Slawson) Clark, natives of this 
county. Mrs. Mary E. Dunning died in 1865, 
leaving two children: Carrie, who is the wife of 
Edwin Hurtin, a resident of Middletown; and 
Arthur H., who is at home. In 1868 our subject 
married Miss Eugenia Slawson, a well educated 
and amiable lady, daughter of Lemuel H. and 
Harriet (Clark) Slawson, of this county. One 
son blesses this union, Harr}- S., who is a theo- 
logical student in a Presbyterian seminary. 

With his wife, Mr. Dunning holds membership 
in the Presbyterian Church, in which he holds 
the office of Elder. Politically he is an unswerv- 
ing Republican and is prominent in the local 
ranks of his part}-. He has served his fellow- 
citizens in various positions of trust, among them 
as Inspector of Elections and Highway Commis- 
sioner. The latter position he has filled satisfac- 
torily for a period of six years. He is a man of 
strong, firm character and of large enterprise, 
and has been useful in aiding undertakings that 
have promoted the progress of the town and 
county. 

EHARLES S. KNAPP is one of the enter- 
prising farmers of the town of Goshen, aud 
here his birth occurred October 18, 1850. 
There were five children born to his parents, 
Thomas and Adeline (Prindell) Knapp, both na- 
tives of this county. The father, who was prom- 
inently identified with the fanning interests of 
Orange County during his lifetime, was a quiet, 
unassuming man, attending strictly to his own 
affairs. He died November 25, 1893, from the 
effects of injuries received on a train. His good 
wife, however, is still living and enjoys good 
health. 

When two and one-half years of age the subject 
of this sketch went to live with an uncle, with 
whom he remained until the death of that gen- 
tleman. For several 3-ears he looked after his 
mother's affairs, and at the same time managed 



his uncle's estate. In 1891, however, he located 
upon the farm where he is at present residing, 
which is the property of his mother-in- law, Mrs. 
Redfield. Although it comprises onlj- sixty- 
three acres, it is cultivated in such a manner as 
to j'ield to its owner a handsome income. He 
makes a specialty of dair^- farming, and in this 
branch of agriculture is meeting with success, as 
indeed he has in almost everything which he 
has undertaken. 

Mr. Knapp was married, October 17, 1S76, to 
Miss Alice Redfield, a daughter of David and 
Helen (Fullerton) Redfield, natives of this coun- 
ty. Their union has been blessed by the birth 
of three children, bearing the respective names of 
Emma, Calvin and Helen. They are all intel- 
ligent and well educated, and at present are at 
home with their parents. SociaUj^ our subject is 
a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, in 
which order he has passed all the chairs and is 
now Past Grand. He is a Democrat at all times 
and under all circumstances and is therefore op- 
posed to monopolies. He has never aspired to 
political honors, but has on numerous occasions 
been called upon to represent his fellow-towns- 
men in positions of honor and trust. 



ROBERT CAIRNS is remembered by the 
older residents of Orange County as a man 
of noble character and progressive views, 
one whose allegiance was always giv'en to the 
right against the wrong, and whose enterprise 
did much to foster local interests. A quarter of 
a century has elapsed since his death, but tho.se 
who knew him have not forgotten the example 
of his upright life. From it may be gleaned les- 
sons of value to the present generation, for he 
proved that a man, though beginning without 
capital, may gain an honest and honorable suc- 
cess. 

Born in 1807, Mr. Cairns was a native of this 
county and spent his entire life here, closelj- 
associated with the agricultural interests of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



663 



town of Wallkill. His parents were William 
and Priscilla (Anderson) Cairns, the former a 
native of Scotland, who emigrated to America in 
an early day. Under the training of his parents 
he was fitted for a position of usefulness in the 
world. He was a very progressive man, and no 
citizen stood higher, morally or socially, than 
did he. After a busy life he passed away in 
1 87 1, aged sixty-four. 

The lady who was the efficient helpmate of 
Mr. Cairns during the twenty-eight years of their 
wedded life, and who was united with him in 
March, 1843, bore the maiden name of Frances 
Pelton, and was born in the town of Mt. Hope, 
this county, her parents being George and Sarah 
(Tuthill) Pelton. In the district schools of Mt. 
Hope .she received a fair education, and under 
the training of her parents gained housewifely 
skill. Of her marriage seven children were born, 
but three are deceased. Those who survive are 
Charles and John T. , who have charge of the 
homestead; Mary, who resides with her mother, 
relieving her of the work of superintending the 
house; and Clara, wife of Thomas Lee, a farmer 
of this county. Mrs. Cairns and her son Charles 
are members of the Congregational Church. 
Though seventy-two years of age, she is quite 
strong physically, and it is the hope of her many 
friends that she may enjoy good health for many 
vears vet to come. 



^ 



QhILIP H. MINSHULL, general foreman 
U^ of the New York, Ontario & Western shops 
J5 at Middletown, is one of the oldest machin- 
ists in the emplo)- of that company. He was 
born in Three Rivers, Canada, and is a son of 
Edward and Maria (McGunn) Minshull, the 
former a native of England, but of Welsh extrac- 
tion. He learned the machinist's trade in Eng- 
land, and in 1854 came to America, locating at 
Lowell, Mass., where he worked at his trade for 
a short time, and then removed to Canada. In 
1 860 he returned to the States and located at Os- 



wego, N. Y., where for two years he was em- 
ployed by the Oswego & Syracuse Railroad. La- 
ter, or until about 1869, he was with the Erie 
Railroad at Susquehanna, Pa. At that lime the 
New York, Ontario & Western Road was opened, 
and he commenced work in the machine-shops of 
that road as foreman. In 1879 he w&s made 
Master Mechanic, w'ith headquarters at Middle- 
tow'n, retaining this position until his retirement 
in 1891. He is now a Park Commissioner, having 
had charge of the improvements at Thrall Park, 
and is a natural landscape-gardener. 

Our subject's mother is a native of Liverpool, 
England, and both the parents are members of 
the Catholic Church. Of their family of .seven 
sons and four daughters, the first four were born 
in England, and the others in America. All the 
sons are railroad men, and all are machinists but 
one, he being a telegraph operator. One son, 
John, was master mechanic of the New York, 
Ontario & Western Railroad at Middletown, but 
was accidentally killed near East Branch, N. Y., 
in 1879. 

The subject of this sketch was fifth in the fam- 
ily of eleven children, and was the first of the 
famih- born in America. He was born March 28, 
1856, in Canada, but was reared in Oswego, 
N. Y., there attending the public schools until 
the age of fifteen j-ears, when for one year he 
worked in a planing-mill. In 1872 he entered 
the employ of the New York, Oswego & Midland 
Railroad as an apprentice in the shops at Oswego. 
After remaining there until 1875, he came to 
Middletown, and for two years was emploj-ed in 
the shops at this place, then located on Wickham 
Avenue. At that time there were only three 
machinists employed here. He next engaged as 
fireman on a locomotive running between Middle- 
town and Norwich, but after remaining in that 
position one year, he returned to the shops at 
Middletown, and in 1879 was made assistant fore- 
man. In 1880 he became foreman, and in 1892 
was made general foreman of all the shops at this 
place, having under his supervision from three 
hundred to four hundred men. 

The marriage of Mr. Minshull and Miss Georgia 
Wallace occurred in Middletown. She is a native 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of this place and a daughter of W. S. Wallace, 
who is now li-\-ing a retired life. For some years 
Mr. Minshull has been a member of the American 
Railway- Master Mechanics' Association, and as 
already stated is one of the oldest emploj'es in 
his department on the New York, Ontario & 
Western Railroad. He is a man of good natural 
abilitv. 



IILLIAM T.WALLACE. To secure suc- 
cess in business, a man must be energetic, 
persevering, capable and judicious; with 
these characteristics, he need have no fear of fail- 
ure. It is largely due to these qualities, which 
he possesses in a large degree, that Mr. Wallace 
owes the prosperity that has attended his efforts 
in business. He is recog^iized as one of the 
stirring and progressive men of Pine Bush, where 
he owns and carries on a coal, lumber and feed 
business. A considerable portion of his property 
is in land, his possessions including seven acres 
of valuable real estate that is platted in town lots. 

The parents of our subject, John C. and Mar- 
garet (Hamilton) Wallace, were natives of Ire- 
land, but emigrated to America earh* in life. 
They were married in Orange County, where the 
father died, and where the mother still makes her. 
home. Their family consisted of ten children, of 
whom William T. is the next to the eldest. 
Further mention of the family may be found in 
the biography of his brother. James H., which 
is presented on another page of this volume. 
WiUiam T. attended the common schools and the 
academy at Montgomery, also was a student in 
the Manhattan public school in Xew York City, 
after which, at the age of eighteen, he began 
teaching in Orange Count>-. For three years he 
was thus engaged in the district schools, and for 
a similar period served as Principal of the public 
schools of Montgomery. 

After his marriage Mr. Wallace came to the 
town of Crawford, where he cultivated a rented 
farm for two years, and then embarked in the 
business which he still carries on successfully. 
November i6, 1877, he was united in marriage 



with Miss Lizzie, daughter of John and Sarah M. 
(Sneider) Jamison, of the town of Crawford. 
Their four children are named Mabel. Bertha, 
Harold and John J. 

From the time Mr. Wallace located in Pine 
Bush nothing that could in any way benefit the 
village or add to its attractiveness failed to receive 
his attention and support. By some it was pro- 
posed to remove Graham's Church from its lo- 
cation in the countr\' to the village, but owing to 
Mr. Wallace and others interested in the enter- 
prise, viz.: Mr. Lowrey. the McKinneys, Mr. 
Brown and Mrs. H. X.YanKeuren. leading spirits 
in the movement, the old church was left in the 
countn.-. and the present beautiful church and 
parsonage were built. A growing and united con- 
gregation, presided over by Rev. T. H. Macken- 
zie, is the result. Nothing that has tended to the 
benefit of the place or people has been refused 
Mr. Wallace's support, both in time and money, 
and in everj- enterprise he has been ably sup- 
ported and encouraged by his brother, J. H. 
Wallace, and to their united efforts much of the 
improvement of the viUage is due. 

Our subject gives his ballot to the principles 
and candidates of the Democratic party. His so- 
cial connections are with WallkiU Lodge No. 
627, F. & A. M., of Walden. and Hiawatha 
Lodge No. 262, K. of P., of Pine Bush. In re- 
hgious belief he and his wife are Presbyterians, 
and active workers in that church. 



♦^^: 






IT MMETT A. SMITH. An honorable posi- 
1^ tion among the young agriculturists of Or- 
^_ ange County is held by the gentleman above 
named, who is successfully canying on a farm of 
one hundred and fift\- acres, lying in the town of 
Goshen. The farm is the old homestead of the 
late Stephen A. Smith, which is now owned by 
his widow. The well tilled acres are devoted to 
raising mixed crops and the ordinary amount of 
stock, both grains and animals being of good 
qualit>-. The home-like dweUing and the vari- 
ous outbuildings, well kept orchards and garden. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



665 



indicate to the passer-by that the land is occupied 

by a family of enterprise and good judgment. 

Our subject is a native of this town, and was 
bom June 22, 1864. He is the younger of the 
two children bom to Stephen A. and Harriet 
(Hulse) Smith, also natives of Orange Counts-. 
The father devoted the active years of his life to 
agricultural pursuits, and worked his way up to 
a high position among his fellow-farmers. He 
was quiet and unassuming in his manners, and 
was well liked by all who knew him. He de- 
parted this life September 12. 1S93, mourned by 
a host of friends and neighbors. His good wife 
is still living, and enjoys good health. Mr. Smith 
was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
in politics was a Democrat. 

The subject of this sketch acquired his prim- 
ar>- education in the district schools near his home, 
after which he was sent to Goshen, carrying on 
his studies there until entering the military- 
school at Peekskill, this state. After completing 
his education he was employed for a time as 
clerk in a mercantile establishment at Middle- 
town. He then returned home to the old farm, 
and has ever since devoted his entire time and 
attention to the cultivation of the soil. He is 
managing the farm in a thoroughly profitable and 
eflBcient manner, indicating that he was reared to 
a full knowledge of the business. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss May K. 
Crist was solemnized May 30, 18S8, at the home 
of her parents in Hamptonburgh. The lady is 
the daughter of Thomas B. and Jane (Monell) 
Crist, natives of New York State, who are now 
living in Hamptonburgh, where Mrs. Smith was 
born, Januan,- 9, 1866. By her union with our 
subject she has become the mother of a daughter. 
May Odette, a bright and interesting child, and 
the pride of the household. The parents are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and are 
active workers in the congregation. The mother 
of Mr. Smith also resides on the old homestead. 
and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Smith takes no active part in politics ex- 
cept to deposit his vote, which is always a Demo- 
cratic one. He keeps himself thoroughly posted 
on all subjects of interest, and ranks among the 



well-to-do agriculturists of this town. He makes 
a specialt>- of dair\- farming, not, however, to 
the neglect of other departments of farm work. 



^^- 



<^HOMAS H. DEMEREST is the proprietor 
f C and genial landlord of the Demerest House 
Vy at Warwick. This house is one of the 
largest in the county, with a lot frontage of three 
hundred and fifty feet, and a depth of one hun- 
dred. The building, which is four stories above 
the ground, is lighted by gas. heated throughout 
by steam and has a fine supply of water, and the 
table is abundantly supplied with all the delica- 
cies of the season. The house was opened by 
Mr. Demerest in 1S65, in the old frame building 
which was removed in 1888 to give place to the 
new building. There is no more popular house 
in Orange County than the Demerest. 

The subject of this sketch was bom in War- 
wick, June 12, 1842, and is the son of Philetus 
and Louisiana (Ward) Demerest, both of whom 
are natives of Orange Count\-. In his early life 
the father was a tailor by trade, and carried on 
the business for many years. For the past twen- 
ty years he has been living a retired life in War- 
wick, and is now past fourscore years of age. 
He is a well presented man and is well known 
to all the older inhabitants of this section of the 
county. The maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was among the earliest settlers of Orange 
County- and here passed many years of his life. 
He was one of the crack shots of his daj-, and 
was associated in the chase with such celebrated 
hunters as Frank Forrester and Frank Herbert, 
of world-wide fame, and whose daring and skill- 
ful exploits have formed the subject of more than 
one pleasing volume of hunters" life in the "Wood- 
lands" " of the Warwick Valley. He died about 
1850. The mother ofour subject died in 1888. She 
was a woman of excellent character, having the 
love and affection of all her family and friends. 

The boyhood and youth of Thomas H. Dem- 
erest were spent under the parental roof, and he 
received such education as was afforded by the 
Warwick schools. He remained at home until 



666 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



embarking in the hotel business in 1865. In 1868 
he married Miss Mar^- Taylor, a daughter of 
Isaac and Peggy (Smith) Taylor, all natives of 
Orange County, and who came from quite promi- 
nent families. Three children were born to our 
subject and wife, two of whom are living, PerieS. 
and Aileen, both of whom are yet at home, and 
are now students in the Warwick Academy. So- 
cially Mr. Demerest belongs to Lodge No. 544, 
F. & A. M., of Warwick, with which he has 
been identified for twenty years. Politically he 
is a Democrat. 



Gz 



^M\ 



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m^. 



t€n' 



:£) 






OEL D. NORTHUP, a retired railroad man, 
I residing in Otisville, was born January 10, 
(2) 1 819, in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, 
and is a son of Daniel and Annie (Filkins) 
Northup, both of whom are natives of Rensselaer 
County. The early life of Daniel Northup was 
spent on the Erie Canal, and later he was agent 
for the canal company in New York City. He 
died when about sixty-five years of age, and his 
wife died at sixty-four. Her father ser\'ed in the 
Revolutionary War. 

When the subject of this sketch was ten years 
old, he went to Ogdensburg to live with his 
grandfather, working his way on the canal. For 
four years he remained with his grandparents on 
the farm, and walked three miles to school. He 
then returned home and drove a horse on the 
Erie Canal from Troy to Buffalo. From time to 
time he was promoted, and when only nineteen 
years old was made captain. After .serving the 
canal company nine years he went to New Jersey, 
and for two years was engaged in farming. He 
then went back on the canal, where he remained 
one year, and later returned to Washington, 
N. J., being engaged in boating. Afterward he 
ran a steamboat on Long Island Sound, between 
New York City and Providence, and later ran on 
the Hudson River from Albany to New York 
City. In this occupation he continued until 
1849, when he went to work as a baggageman for 



what was at that time the Hudson River Railroad, 
now the New York Central, running from New 
York City to Poughkeepsie. In 1850 he went to 
work on the Newburgh branch of the Erie Rail- 
road as baggageman and extra conductor, but only- 
continued in that capacity for a short time, when 
he was promoted and made a regular conductor, 
continuing as such until 1889, or for a period of 
about fort}' years. He then retired from business 
and has since made his home at Otisville. 

Mr. Northup was married, December 2, 1839, 
to Miss Hannah Bright, of Washington, N. J., 
who was born May 24, 1820, and died January 
26, 1895. She was a member of the old-school 
Baptist Church. There were seven children born 
unto them, two dying in infancy. Those living 
are: William D., an employeof the Erie Railroad, 
residing in Otisville; Joel, a merchant in Otis- 
ville; Augusta, wife of H. F. Merriman, of Jer- 
sey City; Hannah, the wife of C. F. Blizzard, of 
Port Jervis; and Irene C, widow of George H. 
Tears, now making her home with her father. 

In politics Mr. Northup is a Democrat, but it 
can truthfully be said that he never had any as- 
pirations for office-holding. As stated in the be- 
ginning of this sketch, he is Hving a retired life 
in the village of Otisville, where he is greatly es- 
teemed bv those who know him. 



HORACE DUNNING. The farm owned and 
occupied by this gentleman consists of one 
hundred acres and lies in the town of Wall- 
kill. The land is naturally good, and is kept in 
a state of fertility by the use of the best fertiliz- 
ing agents, and by a proper rotation of crops; 
while upon it the various improvements ha\e 
been made which stamp it as the abode of an in- 
telligent and thrifty family. The residence, 
though an old building, is in a good state of pres- 
ervation, being in fact more substantial than many 
buildings more recently erected. Since it came 
into his possession Mr. Dunning has rebuilt and 



y» 




W^K 


$ 




▼ 




^Wfe^^^M^V 



HENRV B. SWARTWOUT. M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



669 



enlarged it, making raanj- improvements, so that 
it now is one of the most attractive homes in the 
town. All the outbuildings have received care- 
ful attention, and the estate is kept is a very 
presentable condition. 

In this house the life of our subject began in 
November. 1833. His father, Henry Dunning, 
who was also born on this farm, devoted his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits during most of 
his life, though in early manhood he learned the 
trade of a wagon-maker, which he followed for a 
few years. For his wife he cho.se Mi.ss Catherine 
Arnot, also a native of this county, and they be- 
came the parents of five children. The father 
died in 1873, at the age of seventy-nine j-ears, 
his birth having occurred in 1794. His wife 
died in 1867, six years prior to his demise. 

After completing the .studies of the common 
schools, the subject of this notice entered Wallkill 
Academy. He was reared on the home farm, 
and remained beneath the parental roof until he 
was twent\--eight years of age, when he started 
out for himself After a period of five years he 
returned to the old home, and here he has since 
resided, being successfully engaged in the culti- 
vation of the land. Until recently he made a 
specialty of the butter business, but does not now 
engage in it. 

March 13, 1S62, Mr. Dunning was united in 
marriage with Miss Clara A., daughter of John 
E. S. and Phoebe M. (Cash) Gardner, natives of 
this county. Their union was blessed bj- the 
birth of five children who are still living: Louisa, 
Horace H.. Smith G., C. Kate and Merritt E. 
All are at home except Smith G., who is a min- 
ister at Alden, Minn. The devoted wife and 
mother died January 12, 181)5, and her death was 
a heavy blow to the family, as well as a source of 
sorrow to her many acquaintances. 

The religious connections of Mr. Dunning are 
with the Presbyterian Church, in the work of 
which he takes a commendable interest. As 
every good citizen should, he interests himself 
in politics, and is well informed regaiding the 
i.ssues of the age. Politically he has always been 
true to the teachings of the Republican party. 
He may be found actively co-operating with the 

29 



public-spirited citizens of the town of Wallkill 
in any enterprise looking to its improvement, 
morally, socially and commercially. 



HENRY B. SWARTWOUT, M. D., is one of 
the best known phj'sicians and surgeons of 
Port Jervis, where he has practiced his pro- 
iession for about ten years, and is also one of the 
doctors connected with the Port Jervis Hospital. 
His pleasant home is situated at No. 1 7 Ea.st 
Main Street. His birth occurred in Port Jervis, 
on the 4th of February, 1861, and he is a son of 
Peter P. and Hannah (Cuddeback) Swartwout. 
The farm on which he was born has always been 
in the possession of the family, the original ances- 
tor locating there about 1690, and it is situated 
on the Neversink, about five miles from Port 
Jervis. 

As near as can be determined, Jacob Cudde- 
back, Thomas, Anthony and Bernardus Swart- 
wout and Peter Gumaer settled in Deerpark, 
Orange County, about 1690, though the place 
was then known by the Indian name of Peenpack 
Flats. There was a fine flowing .spring at the 
place, and they chose sites close to this, not 
onl\' for access to its contents, but to assist each 
other in case of necessity . The Indians were verj- 
peaceable and granted the right of these settlers 
to come among them. With one exception, that 
at Plum Point, near New Windsor, this was the 
earliest settlement by white men within the pres- 
ent limits of Orange County, and their nearest 
neighbors were twenty-five or thirty miles dis- 
tant, on the road to Kingston. Messrs. Cudde- 
back and Gumaer were among the French-Hu- 
guenot refugees who fled from their native coun- 
try after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 
1685. 

It is thought that the name of the father of the 
three Swartwout brothers was Gerardus, and the 
family probably came to this vicinity either from 
New York or some other point on the Hudson. 
They were originally from Holland, and were 
among the Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam . 
Only one of the brothers, Anthony, located per- 



6/0 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



manently in Deerpark. On the 14th of October, 
1697, the Governor of New York granted a pat- 
ent for twelve hundred acres of land to the little 
settlement, which had been increased by the ar- 
rival of Jan Tyse and David Jamison, though they 
were not actual settlers, the former living at 
Kingston, and the latter in New York. For 
about twent}' years few if any others joined the 
little colony, with the exception of Harmanus 
Van Inwegen, who married a sister of the Swart- 
wouts, and who was given part of the granted 
lands to settle among them and assist in its im- 
provement and defense against the Jersey claim- 
ants to the property. 

Anthony Swartwout had two sons, Samuel and 
James. The former wedded Esther Gumaer, 
and to them was born a daughter, Elizabeth, 
who became the wife of Benjamin Dupuy, a son 
of Moses Dupuy, of Rochester, Ulster Count}', 
N. Y., who was Justice of the Peace, and died at 
Owasco, N. Y., at the age of seventy years. Her 
death occurred at the age of sixty years, and his 
at the age of eighty. Maj. James (Jacobus) 
Swartwout married Anna Gumaer, and they had 
five children, Gerardus, Philip, James, Cornelius 
and Anna. The eldest son was killed during the 
French and Indian War. Philip, who married 
Antje Wynkoop, owned his father's estate, and 
during the Revolution was serving as Justice of 
the Peace, and was on the Committee of Safety. 
The Major married a second time, this union be- 
ing with Deborah Swartwout, by whom he had 
one son and three daughters: Peter; Esther, who 
became the wife of Abraham Cuddeback; Jane, 
and the other's name is not on record. Together 
with his wife and two eldest sons he was killed 
by the Indians and another son was wounded. 
The Major was a large, portly, dignified man, 
suitable for a military ofBcer, and his spirit was 
as noble as his appearance. He had black curly 
hair, blue eyes and fair skin. He was witty and 
humorous, and his judgment was respected and 
consulted. 

In appearance Philip Swartwout bore a very 
close resemblance to General Washington, in 
features as well as .size. He was very influential, 
and during the Revolution held the ofSce of Jus- 



tice of the Peace. He inherited his father's es- 
tate, which was incumbered, but he finally paid 
off" all indebtedness. The third son of Major 
Swartwout was James, who married Jane Horn- 
beck, and who was a blacksmith by trade. He 
was followed by Philip, the grandfather of our 
subject. 

The father of the Doctor, Peter P. Swartwout, 
was killed in a railroad accident at the age of 
sixty-eight years, in 1885. He was coming home 
from New York, and when the train reached 
the upper j-ards at Port Jervis he stepped off", but 
fell and fractured the base of his skull, and after 
living five days died. His wife still resides on 
the old home farm with her son. She is a sister 
of Elting Cuddeback. (See sketch of the latter 
elsewhere in this volume. ) In her famih' of nine 
children, eight grew to maturity and five are 
still living. 

Dr. Sw-artwout is the j-oungest of the family, 
and until eighteen years of age attended the com- 
mon schools of the neighborhood, but at that 
time came to Port Jervis, where he prepared for 
college, being a student at Port Jervis Academy. 
He then entered Cornell University, where he re- 
mained for two years. Deciding to follow the 
medical profession, he entered the office of Dr. 
W. L. Cuddeback, where he studied, and later en- 
tered the Bellevue Medical College of New York 
City, from which he graduated in the Cla.ss of 
'85. He then remained for one year in the 
New York Chambers Street Hospital as interne. 

After his marriage, on the loth of March, 1886, 
with Miss Carrie B. Peck, daughter of George 
V. Peck, of Port Jervis, the Doctor and his wife 
went abroad, where he visited the Vienna Hos- 
pital, which contains over five thousand beds, 
and there took a post-graduate course, under the 
management of the Vienna University- surgeons, 
including such men as Billroth, who makes a 
specialty of surgery, and Carl Braun, who treats 
diseases of women. He had special work under 
Professor Braun on the di.seases of women and 
obstetrics. In the fall of 1886 he returned home, 
where he began the practice of his profession 
alone, but was associated with Dr. J. H. Hunt in 
his hospital work. In 1892, in connection with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



6/1 



Dr. W. h- Cuddeback, he purchased the Hunt 
Memorial Hospital, and they now conduct the 
same. It is one of the best institutions of the 
kind in this portion of the state, and has a ca- 
pacit}' of two dozen beds. He also has an ex- 
tensive private practice, and is entirely devoted 
to his profession, of which he is a close student. 
He stands high among his professional brethren, 
and wins the confidence and respect of all with 
whom he comes in contact. 

The Doctor and Mrs. Swartwout became the 
parents of three children, but Henry Lewis died 
at the age of one year. Those living are Flor- 
ence, who is now seven years of age, and Char- 
lotte, who is sixteen months old. Mrs. Swart- 
wout is a member of the Reformed Church, 
which he also attends, although not a member. 
He belongs to the Orange County, the State and 
International Medical Associations of Railroad 
Surgeons, and also to the Erie Railway Surgeons. 
For several years Drs. Swartwout & Cuddeback 
have been Surgeons for the Erie Railroad. So- 
cially Dr. Swartwout is a member of the Deerpark 
Club, and in politics is a stanch Democrat. 



GjZARIAH R. VAN WORMER, who is well 
lJ known in the railroad circles of Port Jervis, 
I I has for the past three years been engineer* 
on the vestibule trains No. 5 westbound, and 
the St. Louis Express No. 12. For twelve years 
he was in charge of engine No. 377, and from the 
time it started had charge of the milk train. 
Since 1863 he has been a member of the Brother- 
hood of Locomotive Engineers, and he formerly 
belonged to Division No. 41 at Williamsport. 

Born near Albany, October 8, 1837, our subject 
is a son of James and Maria ^( Young) Van Wor- 
nier. The family settled in 13 roome County, near 
Conklin, eight miles up the Susquehanna River 
from Binghamton, and here the lad resided until 
his eigliteenth year. In the fall of 1855 he came 
to Port Jervis and at once obtained a position as 
fireman on the Delaware Division, with Freeman 



CJanson as engineer. At the end of two years he 
went to Elmira, and for six months was fireman 
on the Williamsport & Elmira Railroad. From 
the spring of 1859 until the summer of 1863 he 
ran a Rogers engine. 

In 1863 Mr. Van Wormer went to visit friends 
in the army of the Rappahannock, and at Warren- 
ton was induced to take an engine in the Gov- 
ennnent .service on the Orange & Alexandria 
Railroad, the run terminating at Culpeper, Va. 
Later Mr. Van Wormer had an engine on the City 
Point & Petersburg Railroad, and in the winter 
of 1864 entered the shops as an engine dispatcher, 
remaining there until the close of the war. When 
the notable explosion occurred on the ammunition 
barge at City Point, he was on his engine about 
one hundred feet distant. Dozens of people were 
killed in the vicinity, and the crew of the engine 
behind his own were also destroyed. About this 
time he became acquainted with Mr. Glasier, now 
Chief Train Dispatcher at Port Jervis. For two 
days during his Government service his train was 
used in conveying the wounded from Aquia 
Creek, after Grant's army had withdrawn. It 
was feared that the train might be attacked by 
the rebels, but fortunately it was not molested. 
In 1865 Mr. Van Wormer became an employe of 
the Philadelphia & Erie Road, and for two years 
ran between Sunbury and Renovo. Since 1868 
he has been a resident of Port Jervis, running on 
the Delaware Division. In his political faith he 
is a stanch Republican. 

October 10, 1877, Mr. Van Wormer married 
Elizabeth Bessinger, then of Narrow.sburg, N. Y. 
The couple have two daughters, Jennie, who was 
born May 10, 1879, and Lizzie born October 31, 
1882, and both are receiving good educations in 
the public schools. 



I EANDER C. GILLESPIE was long one of 
It the most esteemed and public-spirited men 
l_2f of the town of Crawford, where he owned a 
well improved tract, containing about three hun- 
dred and fifty acres, the land being divided into 
three farms. A very • progressive agriculturist. 



672- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he was not averse to accepting new and practical 
ideas in regard to the management of his farm. 

Our subject was born August 20, 1834, on the 
farm in the town of Crawford which is now oc- 
cupied by his son Charles W. Here he spent 
his entire life, and among those who knew him 
best he was most highly esteemed. The lady 
whom our subject married, December 28, 1859, 
was Miss Margaret Winfield, the daughter of Dr. 
Charles H. Winfield, a prominent physician of 
this town. She departed this life April 9, 1876, 
leaving a family of seven .sons and daughters, of 
whom Charles W., the eldest, now owns and 
operates a part of the home farm; Jonathan is en- 
gaged in sheep-rai.sing in California; Stephen is 
a member of the police force of New York City ; 
David assists his brother Charles in the manage- 
ment of the homestead; Levi is a well-to-do farm- 
er of Ulster County; Julia is the wife of William 
R. Smith, of Pine Bush; and Mary is unmarried 
and lives with her brother Levi. On the nth of 
January, 1882, occurred Mr. Gillespie's second 
marriage, the lady of his choice being Sarah F. 
Lord, a daughter of Silas Lord, of Burlingham. 
One child was born of this marriage, Margaret, 
who is living in Middletown with her mother, 
who is a resident of that city. 

During his lifetime our subject was an active 
supporter of Republican principles, and served 
for many years as County Committeeman of this 
town. He was public-spirited and took a deep 
interest in the welfare and improvement of his 
home locality, being foremost in every enterprise 
which would in anj- way benefit the community. 
Mr. Gillespie was a member in excellent standing 
of the United Presbyterian Church, as was also 
his first wife. His death occurred very suddenly' 
of heart disease, Januan,- 25, 1891, and he was 
laid to rest in Crawford Cemetery. Charles W. 
Gillespie is ranked among the young progressive 
farmers of this town. On the 24th of January, 
1888, he chose for his bride Miss Emma McEl- 
hone, who.se father is a prosperous farmer of Ul- 
ster County. 

The paternal ancestors of our subject for many 
generations back were natives of this town, and 
the name is therefore a very familiar one to the 



residents of this locality. Mr. Gillespie left his 
family well provided for, as at the time of his de- 
mise he owned about three hundred and fifty acres 
of land. He always lived an honest and indus- 
trious life, and was ranked among the prosperous 
men of Orange County. 



KjjELSON VAN KEUREN. Within the limits 
\ I of Orange County there can be found no fam- 
\ls ily whose members enjoy to a larger degree 
the confidence and regard of the people, than that 
of which the gentleman named is a representative. 
Several of that name have raised themselves to 
positions of prominence, their success being due 
to the qualities of honesty, industry and sagacity 
which they possessed. These are also character- 
istics of our subject, and to them is his prosperity 
largely attributable. 

In the town of Crawford, not many miles dis- 
tant from his present home in Pine Bush, the sub- 
ject of this biography was born, September 12, 
1826. He was the third among eight children, 
five sons and three daughters, who comprised the 
family of Abraham and Catherine ( Jordanj Van 
Keuren. His father, also a native of the town of 
Crawford, followed the tailor's trade during his 
entire life, and died here when about sixty-four 
years of age. The mother, who was born in this 
state, died in Orange County when advanced in 
years. 

Few advantages fell to the lot of our subject in 
youth. At the age of eleven he was bound out 
to a farmer, with whom he remained a year. He 
then apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a 
wagon-maker, at which he served for four years. 
On completing the trade he followed it for tw-o 
years in the employ of others, and then purchased 
a shop, which he conducted about seventeen 
years. Finally changing his occupation, he pur- 
chased a farm, on which he engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits until 18S5, meeting with fair 
success in his undertakings. Since 1885 he has 
rented the farm and works in the wagon-shop in 
Pine Bush. 

In February, 185 1, Mr. Van Keuren was united 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



673 



in marriage with Miss Harriet Smith, of the town 
of Crawford, who died in 1883, leaving two chil- 
dren, namely: Henr)-, a farmer near the old home; 
and Catherine. The second marriage of Mr. Van 
Keuren united him with Miss Ida M. See, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., and they are the parents of one 
daughter, Ethel Augusta, who was born Januarj' 
9, 1890. Financially Mr. Van Keuren is well-to- 
do, owning besides his shop in Pine Bush a neat 
residence and sixty acres of valuable land adjoin- 
ing the village. Believing that a knowledge of 
public affairs on the part of the people is neces- 
sary to the successful maintenance of the Govern- 
ment, he keeps himself well posted concerning 
current events of national or local importance, 
being a Republican in his political views. A man 
of decided religious opinions, he is an active mem- 
ber of the United Pre-sbyterian Church, and a 
prominent worker in the congregation. 



30HN D. WOOD, Secretary and Treasurer 
of the Middletown Ice Compau}-, was born in 
Chester, N. Y., in 1855. His father, John 
D. , was born in Sugar L,oaf, this county, and was 
a son of Squire Jesse G. Wood, a native of this 
locality, and for many years a farmer and Justice 
of the Peace, also a merchant of Sugar Loaf, dy- 
ing there in 1863, at the age of eighty -four. The 
old Wood homestead is now owned by Thaddeus 
Banker, of Chester. 

Settling in Chester, John D. Wood, Sr. , carried 
on a mercantile business there for a long time, 
and his death occurred in that place December 
29, 1880, when he was sixty-three years of age. 
In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and po- 
litically he was a Democrat until the nomination 
of Lincoln for the Presidency, after which he sup- 
ported the Republican party. He first married 
Elizabeth Helme, a native of tlie town of Chester, 
where she died at the age of forty-two years. 
Five children were born of that union, of whom 
three are now living, John D. being the youngest. 
The others are Winfield, who is connected with 



the iron works in Brooklyn; and Mrs. Alice 
Sproull, of New York City. One sister died in 
girlhood, and a brother, Fred, who enlisted un- 
der Captain Nichol in Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, served 
as Orderly-Sergeant until he fell at the battle of 
Chancellorsville. Of the second marriage of John 
D. Wood, Sr. , there was born a son, named after 
his soldier brother, Fred, and who now lives in 
Middletown. 

Reared in Chester, our subject attended the 
academy there and completed the course of study 
in that institution. For two j'cars afterward he 
was a clerk in the transportation department of 
Homer Ramsdell & Co., between Newburgh and 
New York, after which he was clerk in the offices 
of the Erie Railroad in Jersey City. Later he 
was bookkeeper and paymaster for Drake, Strat- 
ton & Co., of Pittsburg, Pa., then was with them 
at Baltimore, Md., and afterward took charge of 
their New York office. 

Coming to Middletown in 1888, Mr. Wood 
formed a partnership with L. G. Wilson, and 
bought out the ice business of D. Foster Williams, 
which they carried on until March of 1892. They 
then bought the Midland Lake Ice Company, and 
consolidated the two, incorporating the new con- 
cern under the title of the Middletown Ice Com- 
pany, of which Mr. Wood has since been Secretary 
and Treasurer. The companj' own forty-two acres, 
and during the summer months run six or seven 
wagons. They have two large houses, divided 
into eight rooms, with a capacity of seven thou- 
sand tons. Fire destroyed their largest house, 
but they immediately rebuilt upon a larger scale 
than before. 

Jaiuiary i, 1893, Mr. Wood and Mr. Wilson 
formed a partnership with Mr. Bodine in the coal 
business, and the firm of Bodine & Co. carried on 
business until the death of the senior member, 
February i, 1895, since which time the business 
has been carried on under the title of Wilson & 
Wood. They have their office at No. 15 Depot 
Street, where connection is made with the Erie 
Road by a siding. They carry all varieties of coal, 
and transact a large retail busine.ss. 

At Thompsonville, Sullivan County, Mr. Wood 



674 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was united in marriage with Miss Stella O'Neill, 
who was born there, where her father, James, was 
a farmer. They reside at No. 124 West Main 
Street. Mr. Wood is a member of the Board of 
Trade, and sociallj' is connected with Hoffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M. He and his wife 
attend the First Congregational Church, and are 
well known in social circles. Politicalh- he is an 
advocate of Republican principles. 

"" LIJAH CARPENTER THAYER. Among 
^ the attractive estates of the town of Hamp- 
__ tonburgh, there is one comprising one hun- 
dred and forty acres, to which the eye of the 
passer-by returns again and again. Everything 
about the place has an air of neatness and order, 
while a complete set of excellent buildings and 
good fences add to the pleasing prospect. This 
farm was formerly owned bj- our subject, and came 
into his possession in 1855. He was born in 
Newburgh, October 3, 1S23, and was the son of 
William and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Thayer, the 
former of whom was "born in Boston. He can 
trace his ancestry back to the year 1630, when 
the first representatives, Thomas and Marjorj- 
Thaj'er, came to America from Braintree, Eng- 
land, and settled in Braintree, Mass. His great- 
grandfather bore the name of Elijah, and his 
great-great-grandfather was David Thayer. Both 
of the latter ser\-ed as patriots in the Revolution- 
arj- War and became people of prominence in 
their community. 

The old homestead of the Thaj-er faniilj' was 
located in a suburb of Newburgh, which is now 
occupied by the Catholic Sisters, and the fine 
stone building thereon was erected b}' William 
Thayer, our subject's father. Upon this estate 
Elijah C. was reared, and there he acquired a 
good knowledge of farming, which was of great 
value to him when he assumed the management 
of the farm in the town of Hamptonburgh. This 
is a part of the four-hundred-acre tract at one 
time owned by William Thayer and his brother 
John. The farm was given to our subject by his 
uncle John in the year of his marriage, 1855. 



September 13, 1855, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary J., the daughter of 
Hamilton and Maria (Mould) Morrison, and to 
them six children were born, nameh': Lizzie Au- 
gusta; William Hamilton, deceased; Minnie Mor- 
rison, Eugene, Estelle and Anna Dolson, all liv- 
ing at home. From the time our subject took 
posses.sion of the farm until his decease, he gave 
his attention solely to agriculture. He was more 
than usuallj- successful in this vocation, and at 
the time of his death left a good propertj-, which is 
now occupied by Mrs. Thayer and the children. 
He departed this life August 19, 1878, and was 
buried in Goodwill Cemeterj'. He was a man 
who was of great benefit to the communitj- in 
which he resided, being at all times interested 
in public matters and a willing contributor to 
worth}- causes. In politics he always voted the 
Democratic ticket. With his famih', he was a 
constant attendant at the Goodwill Presbj-terian 
Church in the town of Montgomerv. 



^HOMAS NELSON, of the town of Wallkill, 
f C was born in Ireland in 1841, being a son of 
\^ Thomas and Jane (Kenua) Nelson, natives 
of the Emerald Isle, who spent their entire lives 
in the land of their birth. The mother died in 
1847. The father, whose occupation has been 
that of an agriculturist, is still living in Ireland, 
though now ninety years of age. In the schools 
of Ireland our subject conducted his studies until 
he was eighteen 3'ears of age, when the necessit)- 
of earning a livelihood put an end to his school- 
days. 

Believing that the United States offered better 
opportunities for a young man than were possi- 
ble in Ireland, at the age of twenty -two Mr. Nel- 
son took passage on a ship, and after an unevent- 
ful vo3'age landed in the New World. The first 
three months of his residence in this country- 
were spent in New York Cit}-, after which he 
went to Washington County, N. Y., remaining 
there for three years. He then came to Orange 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



675 



County, and here he has since made his home, 
being the owner and occupant of a finely im- 
proved farm of one hundred and four acres. He 
is extensively engaged in the milk business, and 
also carries on general agricultural pursuits. Mr. 
Nelson has a brother and a half-brother living in 
Orange County, the former a farmer in Maple- 
dale, the latter following agriculture in Denton, 
this town. 

August 23, 1875, Mr. Nelson married Mary E., 
daughter of Gilbert Ogden, an old and highly re- 
spected citizen of this county, and a Union soldier 
in the Civil War. This union was bles.sed by the 
birth of three children, namely: Smiley; Emma 
Agnes, deceased; and Letitia Jane. The politi- 
cal views adopted by Mr. Nelson bring him into 
active co-operation with the Republican party, 
and he is one of its influential representatives in 
his neighborhood. He has rendered efficient 
service in the position of Road Master, and has 
held other offices of local trust. In the commu- 
nity where he lives he is highly esteemed for his 
sterling qualities and the uprightness of his deal- 
ings with his fellow-citizens. 



:^#(r 



QROF. JAMES F. TUTHILL, Superintend- 
Lr ent of Schools, and Principal of Wallkill 
f^ Academy at Middletown, has been ver}- .suc- 
cessful as a teacher, and also as Superintendent of 
City Schools, having raised the standard of the 
Wallkill Academy from the fifty-fourth to the 
thirteenth grade in the state. The family are of 
English de.scent, tracing their ancestry to John 
Tuthill, who came from England and located at 
Long Island. Our subject is the son of Col. H. G. 
and Catherine A.(Townley) Tuthill, and was born 
in Corning, N. Y. His father was born in Cat- 
taraugus County, while his grandfather, Samuel 
Tuthill, was a native of Vermont. The latter re- 
moved to Otto, Cattaraugus County, and was one 
of the pioneer farmers of that locality. 

The father resided at Nunda, N. Y., until ihe 
breaking out of the war, when he raised a com- 
pany for the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, 
New York Volunteer Infantry, and was commis- 



sioned as Captain. He soon rose to the rank of 
Colonel, and was in several of the principal en- 
gagements of the war. During his service he was 
wounded three times, at the battle of Gettysburg 
receiving a wound that nearly cost him his life. 
His regiment was with General Reynolds at the 
time, and he was carried to a cellar, where he was 
left three days without care, the place being in 
the hands of the rebels. He still carries the bul- 
let received on that occasion. Upon his recovery 
he was sent to Baltimore, where he had charge of 
the Hicks Hospital, and remained there until the 
fall of 1865, when he was mustered out and hon- 
orably discharged. He then located in Corning, 
as superintendent for the Walker & Lathrop 
Mills. Later, however, he left the concern and 
is now practicing architecture at Corning. For 
many years he was Supervisor of the Poor at 
that place, where he is highly esteemed. He is 
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and in politics is a Republican. Religiously he 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He furnished the architectural design for the 
handsome new church recently erected by that 
congregation. His wife is a native of Ithaca, N. Y. 
Professor Tuthill, who was the second child 
born in the parental family, was reared in Corn- 
ing, and is a graduate of the high school of that 
place. Soon after graduating he entered Cornell 
University, from which he graduated in 1S82, 
with the degree of A. B. Later he went to 
Owego, where he was assistant in the Otvego 
Academy until 1886, and during an interim had 
charge of the school. Upon being offered addi- 
tional inducements he came to Middletown, where 
he served in the capacity of Principal for a year, 
when he resigned. For four years at Gouverneur 
he was Superintendent and Principal of Schools, 
which he organized under the union free-school 
system. In 1891 he again came to Middletown, 
and was engaged as Superintendent of Schools, 
later becoming Principal of the Wallkill Acadeni)'. 
On taking charge of the work here he re-graded 
the schools and academy, and, as already stated, 
has brought its ranking up from the fifty-fourth to 
the thirteenth grade. The average attendance of 
the schools has increased three hundred without 



676 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a corresponding increase in the census. Bj- his 
energy- and tact he has placed the school in the 
front rank, and graduates from the academy are 
received without further examination into any 
college in the land. As a teacher he has taken 
high rank, and has made many valuable contri- 
butions on educational matters. For some time 
he was President of the Orange Count\- Teachers' 
Association, and in its proceedings he takes a 
sf>ecial interest. 

While residing in Gouverneur. X. Y., Profes- 
sor Tuthill married Miss Susie S. Crysler, a na- 
tive of that place. She is a graduate of IvesSem- 
inani-, and is now the efficient super^-isor of music 
in the Middletown schools. She is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is 
an attendant. 



jILLIAM W. CARPENTER, of Middle- 
town, won a high reputation for his un- 
flinching courage and devotion to the 
cause of the Union during the Ci\nl War, in 
"those dark days that tried men's souls," and 
tested their patriotism, their manhood and the 
value of their citizenship. His record of three 
j-ears' ser\-ice for the Union was one of which 
he and his may well be proud. Entering the 
ranks in 1S62 as a private, he was honorably dis- 
charged as Sergeant, after ha\nng participated 
in every engagement in which his regiment took 
part. 

The Carpenter family is of patriotic ancestrj- 
and English descent. Our subject's grandfather, 
Xoah Carpenter, resided near Montgomen,-, this 
county, where he operated a farm. He was a sol- 
dier in the War of 181 2, ever true to the princi- 
ples of liberty for which his forefathers had fought 
in Revolutiouar>- times. His death occurred on 
his farm. The father of our subject, Edward M., 
was bom in this county, and for some time en- 
gaged as contractor and builder in Middletown. 
In politics he advocated Republican principles. 
He died at the aare of sevent\--five. His wife. 



who passed away at seventy-seven years, was 
Elizabeth McPherson, a native of this county, 
where her father was a farmer. The McPherson 
family traced its lineage to Scotch-Irish forefa- 
thers. 

The eldest of three children, two of whom 
are living, the subject of this sketch was bom in 
the town of Wawayanda Jul}- i, 1836. He was 
reared in the parental home, one and one-half 
miles from Middletown. and attended the district 
schools and those of Middletown. At the age of 
eighteen he began to work at the carpenters 
trade, which he learned under his father's super- 
vision. In i860, forming a partnership with his 
brother, he engaged in contracting and building, 
and continued in that business until the outbreak 
of the war. 

In 1862 Mr. Carpenter was mustered into the 
Union army, at Goshen, as a private in Company 
K, One Hundred and Twentj-'fourth New York 
Infantr\-, and participated in all the engagements 
in which his regiment had a part. Fortunately 
he was never injured, though he had many nar- 
row escapes, sometimes the bullets grazing his 
neck or penetrating his cap or knapsack. In 
June, 1865, he was mustered out at Xewburgh 
ani honorably discharged as Sergeant. Ujwn 
returning home he worked at his trade for a \ear 
or more, then began as a contractor and builder, 
which he has since made his business. Among 
the buildings which he has designed and erected 
are the William T. Hulse residence and the Mc- 
Williams house adjoining, three for Mr. Tolen 
on Highland Avenue, the I. C. Jordan home on 
West Main. Charles Gardner's and Ed Conklin's 
houses on Highland Avenue. Dr. Everett's block 
on North Street, the Low Block on Linden Ave- 
nue, the Todd Block and the North Street Church. 
At varioiis times he has also erected several resi- 
dences for himself, and these he has sold. He re- 
sides at No. 19 Linden Avenue, where he has a 
beautiful home, fitted up in a manner reflecting 
the elegant tastes of the family. 

In Middletown, November 6. 1S67. Mr. Car- 
p>enter married Miss Amelia A. Maf)es, who was 
born in Center\"ille. Her father. Samuel C. , was 
a native of that place, where her grandfather. 




HON. \V. K. McCimMICK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



679 



Eber, engaged in farm pursuits, The former re- 
moved to the town of Wallkill, where he tilled 
the soil of a farm until his death, at the age of 
seventy-two years. The mother of Mrs. Carpen- 
ter bore the maiden name of Mary A. Holly and 
was born in this county, her father, Richard 
Holly, being a farmer here. Mrs. Carpenter was 
the eldest of seven children, and by her marriage 
has four children, namely: William C, who is 
engaged in business with his father; Mary Lib- 
bie; Addie B., a graduate of the academy: and 
Samuel M., a clerk in a grocerj- store. Mr. Car- 
penter is a member of Capt. W. J. Jackson Post, 
G. A. R., and formerly was identified with Gen- 
eral Lyon Post. In religious belief he is identi- 
fied with the Congregational Church, and polit- 
ically he is a faithful supporter of Republican 
principles. 

HON. WILLIAM EDWARD McCORMICK, 
a wide-awake and enterpri.sing citizen of 
Port Jervis, is now engaged in the insurance 
and real-estate business, in which he is meeting 
with a well merited success. In Ithaca, Tomp- 
kins County, N. Y., he was born on the 17th of 
April, 1831, and is a son of Jacob Miller McCor- 
raick, a prominent citizen of Ithaca, and a repre- 
sentative of a family from the North of Ireland. 
He served as Sergeant in the War of 181 2, and 
was offered a Lieutenant's commission in the 
regular army subsequently, but declined, prefer- 
ring to work at his trade, that of a gunsmith, in 
Elmira, N. Y. The grandfather, David McCor- 
mick, was a son of Joseph McCormick, who re- 
sided near the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, 
Ireland. With his widowed mother and her fam- 
ily he emigrated to Chester County, Pa., in 1760. 
The family tree was compiled by Robert Laird 
McCormick, \'ice-Pre.sident of the Wisconsin His- 
torical Society, and a resident of Hayward, Wis. 
On the maternal side our subject is of German 
descent, his mother being Catherine Conrad, a 
daughter of Peter Conrad, of Cayuga Lake, N. 
Y. In the parental family were eight children. 



of whom William E. was fourth in order of birth, 
but he has only one sister now living, Emma C, 
wife of Benjamin C. Farnum, of Port Jervis. 

In Ithaca, N. Y., the boyhood days of our sub- 
ject were passed, and at the age of nineteen years 
he graduated with the degree of A. B. from Union 
College with the Class of '50. He then entered 
upon the study of law in the office of Ferris & 
Cushing, both prominent attorneys of Ithaca, and 
was admitted to the Bar at Binghamton in 1852. 
He began practice at Ithaca, but later became 
connected with railroad work, for which he was 
fitted, having taken a course of civil engineering 
in Union College. His first labors were in In- 
diana, where he had a classmate who was follow- 
ing the same profession. Later he came to New- 
York, intending to practice law, but was pre- 
vailed upon by Mr. Whiton, the Superintendent 
of the Eastern Division, to accept a position with 
the Erie Railroad, with which he remained for 
fifteen years. In 1856 he came to Port Jervis as 
fuel agent for the Delaware Division, and later 
was resident engineer and paymaster, while Hugh 
Riddle was Division Superintendent, but after- 
ward was connected with the freight department 
in New York City and Chicago. 

In 1870 Mr. McCormick located permanently 
in Port Jervis, where he has since been engaged 
in the real-estate and insurance business, and has 
built up a good trade, having charge of a num- 
ber of first-class properties. He also deals in mu- 
sical instruments. His political views coincide 
with those of the Democratic party, and as a 
leading and influential citizen he takes great in- 
terest in the success of the tickets placed in the 
field by that party, and not only votes himself, 
but strives, to the utmost of his powers, to induce 
others to see the question in the same light. He 
has held nearly all of the local offices, and for two 
years served as President of the Board of Yillage 
Trustees, while for three years he was Justice of 
the Peace. He is now Police Justice. In 1S91 
he was elected to the State Legislature, and dur- 
ing his term of service was on the Committees of 
Insurance, State Prisons and Elections. He 
made an able Representative, and received the 
commendation not only of his constituents, but 



6So 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of those <^q>osed to him politkally. He is re- 
elected and esteemed by the entire pc^mlation of 
Port Jervis and vicinity, and is legarded as tmiy 
hcMKMable and npright in all things, being one 
who can be dqtended npon as a ftiend' and conn- 
selor. 



REV. C. M. WINCHESTER, rasicr of the 
Free Chrisrian Chtuch, is a bnlliast orator. 
ready g>eaker, and is a man of large inior- 
mation. He is also a soccesabl real-esiaie man. 
and the promoter of many enterprises thai have 
placed Middletown in the &ont rani: of the cities 
<rf New Ycsrk. A native of Hill. Grafter Coun- 
ty, X- H., bom March 20, 1S57, he traces his 
ance^ry back to John Windiester, who came 
from Cagland in 1635, in the good ship ""Eiira- 
beth, ' ' Captain Stag commanding. The WincJies- 
ters, who were Poiitans, are a kng-hved race, 
one <^the nombo- living to be over <ne htmdred 
years of age. Isaac Windiest!^', the grand&- 
ther of oar safaject, was a native of Xew Hamp- 
shire, and later ranoved to Rhode Island, whese 
he died. Lather, the &tha- of oar sabjecL is still 
living, at the age of eighty-five yeais. in Provi- 
dence, R. I., bat is living a retired life. He 
married Tirzah J. Qnimby, who was bora in 
New Hampshiie, and who was a dangfat»- of 
Sqnine Ommby. She died at the age of seventy 
years, aiter havtog beocHne the mother oi twi^ve 
children, seven of whooi aie hvii^, and all re- 
siding in Rhode Island, save oar satyecC One 
son, Getffge. was a member of the First Rhode 
Island Vcdnntei^ In^mtry. known as Bamside 
Sharpshoot^s, for three months, when he re-€n- 
li^ted and served nine months. Silas was a mem- 
ber- of the Elevoith Rhode Idand Re^ment fix- 
nine nK«ths, and now r^des in Providenoe. 
Frank is a shoe merchant atthat place. Charles 
H. George, a brotho'-in-law c^oar salqect, was 
Postmaster at Providenoe aboot ten years, and is 
now Presidan of the Rc§er Williams Bank "in 
that city. 

Our subject was six years of age when his 
parents naooved to Rhode Island and located at 



Provideiice. He was these edncated in the pub- 
lic sdiool, and graduated from the evening sdiool. 
When fifteen years of age. he went towwktoaid 
in the sa^wrt of the &mily, taking a positiaa in 
a hardw-are ^(He, where he remained six years 
and elevi^i months. While thae he took iq> the 
study of thecdog\\ sdling a gold watdi and ciiain 
to obtain books. Wlien twenty-two years of age 
he was ordained at Bristol as a miny^pr in die 
Methodist ^^Msoofial Charth. For seven years 
he pleached in St. Paul's Methodist Epasoopal 
Church at Providence, while he was dark in a 
shij^iing-hoase. Being wdl acquainted with the 
sailors, he wis invited to preach at SaikHs' B^h- 
el Church, which he continned to do for five 
years, at the same time oootinning in the sfaip- 
pii^ bosiness. In the mean time, he took entire 
charge <d the business, and later, in partnership 
with a Mr. Cole, bought oat the firm 6am Sand- 
wicji Island, and the business was coatinaed mi- 
der the firm name of Winchester & Cede. Tlje 
bosiness requiring so much of his attention, he 
sold out in order to give his entire time to the 
Bethel Chnrtii, and succeeded in TnaVriw it sd^ 
sastaining. While at Sailors' Bethel Church, be 
withdrew fium the Methodic Eptscopal Qiurdi. 
and united with the' Ind^endent Cfaristiar 
Church. He was now invited to Bo^xm, as pas- 
t(H- in charge of the N<»th End Mission, where 
he continned as pastor fiu- three years, and then 
resigned his charge. His idea was that a minis- 
^ could be sdf-suppmting, so at Brocktoc. 
twenty miks 60m Bosloo, he faired the masic 
hall, and rented a house in Winchester Park and 
started without any outside faading. He also 
preached at die Po»- House, and supported him- 
sdf and &mily on what the pecqile saw fit tocon- 
tribate. While at Brodttoa, be lectured all 
through Massachusetts, with socfa men as Wen- 
defl Phillips, and others, who recommended him 
v»T highly to a Lvt^eum coarse. He b^an a 
soies of lectures fee the New York Co-operative 
Temperance Unioa. and lectmed forty days :- 
SufEoIk County, L. I., and was then scheduled 
to travid throogh Orange County. On oaming 
to Middletnwn, some of die citizens who were op- 
posed to the cause advocated by him determined 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



68i 



: J' drive him oat. He accepted their challenge, 
and canodled all his other engagements, and for 
nve months continned to lectnie diree times a 
day, receiving the signature of b^^reen three and 
foor thousand pet^^ to the tempaance pledge. 
Dnrii^ this time he edited a daily temperance 
newspaper. 

After com|deting his coaise of five months at 
Middletown. scHne of the citizais desired him to 
locate heie and jweach the Goqpel to them. He 
askec those that woold nnite with him in the or- 
ganizatioa of a Free Christian Church to come 
KHward. Only nve lespooded to his call, and 
they Tented a place, later bonghP it. and the 
chnrch was duly organized. He had a large am- 
gregation from the very first, bat the oigamza- 
tion grew, until in doe time it was incnpcKated. 
He then oigani2ed a Goqpd Tempoance Union, 
of which he has been President evo- sinee. Of 
coarse he had no salary, bat he was not above 
w<Hk, and gradually s^tled down to a line <^ 
usiness, which was to do e\ei\thing iar the 
. -itncfa and also try to make a Uvii^ 6^* himself 
sad &mily. Success has crowned his effints, 
and he has built five houses for the cfauicfa. 
He giadnally drifted into the real-estate business, 
in paitneiship with Leander Brink, who has 
stood by him from the first. They bought out 
ihe New Yra-k Star Spring Bed Bottom Mann- 
^ctnring Company, of which Mr. Winchester is 
Secretary and Treasurer, Leander Brink Presi- 
deait, and Mrs. WinciesteT Vice-President. In 
partnership with Mr. Brink, he owns coosida-- 
able real estate. amcMig which is the North Side 
Park, adjmning the city, which oomprises sixty- 
fonr acres, all of whicii is laid out and platted. 
They also own Columbia Part:, oomprisii^ sev- 
enteen acres, lying within the city limits. The 
additioos made by them have been derel<q)ed, 
and they give to every poor man a dance to 
5ecnre a lot. and help with which to boild, by 
'-e payment of a small amount each month. 

That Mr. Winchester is an enterprising man 
is |Mx>v«i by the &ct that he has been instrament- 
al in securing the street railways o( Middletown. 
and it is said that there wxmld not have been one 
coostnicted bat for him. .\t the present time he 



is oigaged in promoting a line from Middletown 
to Deckertown. which embraces a boolevard one 
hundred feet wide and twenty -two miles through 
a fine scenic country, and which will require a 
half-million doUais to cranplete. 

Mr. Winchester has been twice married, first 
in Providence. R. I., when he was united with 
Mar\- -■\. Jackson, a native of Connecticut, and a 
daughter of Capt. Henry W. Jackson, a promi- 
noit merchant in Providence. She died, leaving 
five children. Henry W. is a hardware mer- 
chant in Providence, in the ein|doy of C. H. 
George; lillian is Mrs. W. H. Thorn, of Brook- 
lyn. N. Y.: Charles M., Jr., is foreman <rf the 
book department of Wyncook & Hallenbeck, one 
of the larg^t printing estaUishments in the 
United States: Carrie, who died at the age of 
nin^een. was a remarkable speaker and singer, 
and bex death was a sad blow to the &ther and 
&mily: .\ugnsta died in in&ncy. Mr. Winches- 
ter subsequently married, at Chelsea. Mass. . Miss 
Fanny Kelley. who is a native of C<Minecticnt. 
and a daughter erf Henry M. Kelley. By this 
marriage oae son was bcwn, Hmest T. , who is a 
student <d the New York National Conservatory 
erf Music; he is a fine musician, and is one erf the 
best eHganists in the exMintry. 

Mr. Winchester has been a readent of Middle- 
town since 1S77, with the excqiticm erf eme year, 
which he ^>ent at Dayton, Ohio, as manager of a 
printing hemse. He is a member erf Phooiix 
Fire Company, erf whicji he has been Chaplain 
K>r years. He has been a member erf" St. John's 
Lodge. F. & -\. M..of Providence, R. I., ance 
1S6S. and was Chaplain of that lodge a number 
erf years. He has been President erf the Geiiqiel 
Temperance Unie» erf Middl^own for eighteen 
year& On his birthday each year he gives a 
diimer to his fire exNnpany. The dinner, or 
Rhode Island Clam Chowder, as it is called, is a 
great success, and is appreciated by all the in- 
vited guests. 

In 1862 Mr. Winchester enlisted in Cennpany 
B, Twelfth Rheide Island Volunteer Infentry. as 
Oideriy-Sergeant erf the exMnpany. and after the 
battle of Fredericksbarg was prome>ted to be 
Lieutaiant erf the company. In Lossing's "History 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the Rebellion," he is mentioned with credit. 
He is now Regimental Chaplain of the v^eterans 
of his regiment, and is Chaplain of General 
Lyon Post, G. A. R., of Middletown. He was 
the originator of the Soldiers' Plat of the Wallkill 
Cemetery. In politics he is a thorough Prohi- 
bitionist, and believes that prohibition will pro- 
hibit. He lectures on temperance from time to 
time, and is ever ready to speak a good word for 
that cause. 



ihIh 



+^ 



(lOHN M. TALMADGE. Among the large 
I land-owners and wealthy agriculturists of 
(2) Orange County, we make mention of Mr. 
Talmadge, who is a native of the town of Hamp- 
tonburgh, but who is residing at the present time 
in Wawayanda. He was born March i, 1816, 
and is therefore one of the oldest residents of the 
place. 

Isaac Talmadge, the father of our subject, was 
born in New Jersey, and he was in turn the son of 
Nathaniel Talmadge of English descent. The 
father came to Orange County when a boy, 
locating in that part of Minisink which after- 
ward became the town of Wawayanda. On reach- 
ing mature years he chose for his wife Miss Marj- 
Hurd, and to them was born a family of twelve 
children, of whom our subject, who was the fifth, 
and his sister Hilah are the only survivors. The 
others were as follows: Sallie Ann, Isaac R., 
Mary J., Silas H., Experience, Phebe, Nath- 
aniel W. and the two youngest. Hilah is the 
wife of Gilbert Shears, and is living in the town 
of Goshen, this county. 

The father of the above family served as a sol- 
dier in the War of 181 2, acquitting himself brave- 
ly in that conflict. He was a farmer all his life, 
and lived to the age of threescore years and ten. 
John M. lived in the place of his birth for the 
first sixteen years of his life, and when his par- 
ents removed to the town of Wavva^'anda he ac- 
companied them. He was well educated in the 
schools of the neighborhood, and when seventeen 



}-ears old began learning the mason's trade. 
After serving a two-years apprenticeship, he en- 
gaged in that business for himself following it 
with success for twenty- years. He then turned his 
attention to farming, and moved onto a tract of 
fifty acres, which he made his home for a few 
years, when he purchased an estate comprising 
one hundred and seventy-five acres. This was 
his home until 1873, when he came to his present 
farm, which he has since improved, until, as 
previously stated, he is now one of the largest 
land-holders in the town. In this town and in 
Goshen he owns between six and seven hundred 
acres. His property has been accumulated en- 
tirely through his own efforts, for he started out 
in life a poor bo}-. 

In November, 1839, Mr. Talmadge was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of Jef- 
frey and Jemima Howell. She survived her mar- 
riage only a few j-ears, dying in 1842. Three 
years later our subject was married to Miss Lydia 
A. Tuttle, with whom he lived happily nearly a 
half-centurj'. She died in Februar}-, 1882. 

In early life Mr. Talmadge voted the Whig 
ticket, but of late years has cast his ballot and in- 
fluence in favor of Republican candidates. His 
residence is the abode of hospitalit\', where the 
stranger as well as his many personal friends are 
accorded a welcome. Within his pleasant resi- 
dence Mr. Talmage is quietly passing the declin- 
ing years of his life, surrounded by every com- 
fort that can enhance his happiness, and enjoy- 
ing the esteem of all to whom he is personally 
known. 



G| LAN SON SLAUGHTER, deceased, was 
Ll born in 181 8, upon the farm where his fam- 
I I ily still resides. He was a son of Joseph and 
Amelia (Booth) Slaughter, natives, respectively, 
of Ulster and Orange Counties, N. Y. His edu- 
cation was commenced in the schools near his 
father's home, and subsequently supplemented bj- 
a course of stud)- in the select schools of Goshen 
and Middletown. Bj- inheritance he succeeded 
to the family homestead in the town of Wallkill, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



683 



and there he spent his entire life, devoting his 
attention to agricultural pursuits. In his cozy 
and well appointed home he passed the sunset of 
life sereneh', fortified against want, and untram- 
meled by the cares and anxieties that are attend- 
ant upon poverty. 

In all matters pertaining to the prosperity of 
the town of Wallkill, Mr. Slaughter was deeply 
interested, and he was well informed concerning 
the current topics of the times. Realizing the 
value of a good education, he did all in his power 
to promote the interests of the common schools. 
In religion, too, he was deeply interested, and for 
eight years served as Elder of the Presbyterian 
Church of Scotch town. He remained true and 
loyal to the doctrines of that denomination until 
his death. Upon his character for honesty and 
integrity a suspicion was never breathed. His 
life was open to the view of the citizens of the 
town, and not a stain could be found upon his 
record. He passed from the scenes of life Decem- 
ber 26, 1883. 

The lady who was Mr. Slaughter's faithful 
helpmate in life, and who mourned him in death, 
bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Bailey, and 
is a daughter of Nathaniel and Jennet (White) 
Bailey, of the town of Wallkill. Her grandfa- 
ther, Daniel Bailey, came from Long Lsland, and 
was the progenitor of this branch of the family in 
Orange County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Slaughter, which was solemnized October 1 1 , 
1843, was bles.sed by the birth of three daughters, 
namely: Helen Jane, wife of George W. Ackerly, 
of the town of Montgomery ; Jennet, who married 
Robert G. Young; and Mi.ss Ann Amelia, who 
resides with her mother on the old homestead, 
llpon the farm is the noted Indian Spring. The 
water has very superior medicinal qualities, and 
is never failing in its supply. A number of In- 
dian relics have been at times found near the 
spring, and .some of these are .still in posse.ssion of 
the famil)'. 

vSince the death of Mr. vSlaughter his wife and 
daughter have continued to reside in the house in 
which the husband and father .so many years re- 
sided, but the farm is now lea.sed to a tenant, who 
manages and superintends the same, furnishing a 



comfortable income to the owners. The build- 
ings are neat and substantial, adapted to their 
varied uses. Within the home hospitality abounds, 
and vi.sitors receive a cordial welcome. 



• — •>>K®^P®f*<»- 



QAMES H. WALLACE. Identified with the 

I business interests of the village of Pine Bush 
(2/ since 1879, Mr. Wallace is well known 
throughout this .section of Orange County as a 
reliable, energetic and successful business man. 
A Democrat in his political adherence, he was 
appointed Postmaster under the second adminis- 
tration of President Cleveland, and is still serv- 
ing in that capacity. In addition to the duties of 
the oifice, he devotes considerable time to the 
management of his large store, where he carries 
a full assortment of hardware, tinware, stoves, 
buggies, wagons and agricultural implements. 

Born on the farm on Crystal Run, in the town 
of Wallkill, August 27, 1856, the subject of this 
sketch is the fourth of nine children born to John 
and Margaret (Hamilton) Wallace. His father, 
who was born in Ireland, was brought by his par- 
ents to America in infancy, and grew to manhood 
in Orange County, where he followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer throughout his entire active 
life, meeting with fair success in his enterprises. 
He died at the age of sixty-seven years. The 
wife and mother, also a native of Ireland, is still 
living and makes her home in Pine Bush. 

At the age of seventeen James H. Wallace en- 
tered a tinshop in the village of Montgomery, 
where he remained four years, gaining a thor- 
ough knowledge of the trade. Afterward he was 
employed as a journeyman for one year, then in 
1879 came to Pine Bush and opened a tinshop. 
A short time later he added a stock of hardware, 
and from time to time, as his means permitted, he 
has increased his assortment of goods, until he 
now has his store well equipped with everything 
pertaining to the business. 

October 8, 1879, Mr. Wallace was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Righter, of Mont- 



684 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gomery, N. Y. They are the parents of a son, 
Charles, now a student in the school at Mont- 
gomen-. A stanch Democrat, as above stated, 
Mr. Wallace is the present incumbent of the office 
of Postmaster, the duties of which he is discharg- 
ing in a manner entirely satisfactory- to the peo- 
ple. Socially he is identified with Wallkill Lodge 
Xo. 627, F. & A. M., at Walden. and Hiawatha 
Lodge Xo. 252, K. of P.. of Pine Bush. 



0R. CHARLES SMITH, a veterinar>- sur- 
geon at Middletown, was bom in the old 
town of Minisink. now Greenville. July 5, 
1827. and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth ( Mu- 
lock^ Smith, the former born in the town of War- 
wick, and the latter in the town of Minisink, now 
Greenville. The grandfatherof our subject, Jesse 
Smith, was a farmer, and lived and died in the 
town of Warwick. At an early daj- the father 
located in the old town of Minisink, where he 
purchased and improved a farm. Later he pur- 
chased another, and both of these he operated un- 
til his death, when past ninety- 3-ears of age. 
Xaturally he was very healthy, and his death was 
the result of palsy. He ser\-ed in the War of 
I Si 2, and religioush" was an old-school Baptist. 
His wife, Elizabeth Mulock, was a daughter of 
Jesse Mulock, who was likewise a native of 
Orange Count}-, and a farmer in the old town of 
Minisink. He died at the age of seventy- years. 
Seven children were included in the parental 
family, but only two are now living: Jesse, who 
resides in Ohio, and the subject of this sketch. 
William Smith, a brother, died in Xew York 
Cit3-. 

Charles Smith was the sixth in the family and 
grew to manhood on his father's farm. recei\-ing 
his education in the common schools and in 
Ridgebury Academy. When twenty-two years 
of age he left the parental roof and began the 
study of veterinary surgery under Dr. Paul Smith, 
of Germautown, where he remained four or five 
years. He then began the practice for himself, 
continuing there for some time, or until he be- 
came possessor of the home farm. Remo\-ing to 



the home farm, which consisted of one hundred 
and fifty acres, he carried on general farming and 
dair\-ing until 1S74, when he sold out and located 
in Middletown. opening an office for the practice 
of his profession. Since that date he has resided 
here, and is now one of the oldest veterinar\- sur- 
geons in the count}-. All his time is devoted to 
his profession, and for some years he has been in 
the employ of the Xew York Live Stock Insur- 
ance Companj-. His office is located at Xo. 17 
North Street, with a branch office at the Bell 
House stable. Dr. Smith was married, in the 
town of Green\Tlle, to Miss Caroline Bennett, a 
native of Xew Jersey, and they have two children, 
Jessie Lulu and Edwin C. He is a member of the 
old-school Baptist Church, and in politics he is a 
Democrat. 

lILLIAM CLEMSOX. A man of originality- 
and inventive genius, with sufficient de- 
termination to enable him to rise above 
circumstances and achieve a remarkable success, 
such a record of the life of William Clemson 
shows him to have been. Obliged in early man- 
hood to turn his attention to the manufacture of 
saws, he noticed man\- defects in the machinerj- 
then in use, and with characteristic patience and 
energ\- worked until he had de\-ised improved ap- 
paratus. After having for seven years operated 
a machine for automatically and simultaneously 
flattening, and tempering saws, he secured letters 
patent in 1S54, and two years later he perfected 
a grinding-machine. Both were labor-sa\-ing 
and conducive to better work. At various times 
he patented thirty-five improvements for saws, 
all tending to make them lietter and cheaper. So 
important were his devices, that through them 
the old-fashioned method of manufacturing saws 
was completely revolutionized, and they are now 
made on a scale of perfection and magnitude that 
would not have been considered possible fiftj- 
years ago. 

Though for many generations residents of 
England, the history- of the Clemson family shows 
that Germany was their original home. There 
they were known as " Clem's sons," or sons of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



68 = 



Clem, a supposed tutelary divinity- of smiths or 
armorers, who were regarded as important p>er- 
sonages in those times of war. During the six- 
teenth centur\-. some members of the family set- 
tled in England, where the name took the form 
of Clemson. The parents of WilUam were Will- 
iam and Jane Clemson. natives of England and 
strict Calvinists. 

At the age of fourteen our subject left .^^hool. 
and began an apprenticeship to his father's trade, 
the manufacture of steel wire, then a ver>" remu- 
nerative occupation. Under the guidance of his 
father, a man of considerable inventive abilit\- 
and mechanical talents, he gained a thorough 
knowledge of his trade. On attaining his ma- 
jority-, in 1S42, he left the place of his birth, 
Warwickshire, England, and crossed the Atlantic 
to Boston, where it was his intention to work at 
his trade. The manufacture of wire, however, 
was scarcely in existence at that time, so he was 
obliged to secure some other means of livelihood. 
He accepted a position in the saw manufactory- of 
Welch cSc Griffiths, of Arlington, Mass., where 
he remained for two years. 

Ha\-ing a self-reliant nature and a determina- 
tion to rise in the world. Mr. Clemson was not 
content to remain in the employ of others, and 
although he had ver\- little capital, he formed a 
partnership with a fellow-workman, with whom 
he began the manufacture of saws in a small 
shop. For some time the struggle was hard, and 
at times it seemed as if the obstacles were too 
great to be overcome, but he never lost courage, 
and in the end success was his. His leisure mo- 
ments were devoted to experimental research, 
and in 1854, as before stated, he patented his 
first invention. From that time forward he con- 
tinued his investigations, and patented many 
other inventions, all pertaining to the manufact- 
ure of saws. By those who are familiar with the 
business, he is called the father of the industn.- in 
the United States. 

In 1S60 Mr Clemson fonned a partnership with 
E. P. Wheeler and Hon. E. M. Madden, capital- 
ists of Middletown, under the firm title of Wheel- 
' er. Madden & Clemson. Later the name was 
j changed to Wheeler. Madden & Clemson Manu- 



facturing Company, and was carried on under 

that title until the three original members were 
dead. Since then it has been merged into the 
National Saw Company, of which his son, George 
N. Clemson. is the head. The industry- is one 
of the most important in Middletown, and fur- 
nishes employment to a large niunber of work- 
men, so that the fhiits of our subject's labors are 
being reaped by the people to-day. 

Interested in the welfare of Middletown. Mr. 
Clemson served for several terms as a member of 
the Board of Trustees of the city. In his p>oliti- 
cal views he refused to bind himself to any politi- 
cal organization, but gave his ballot to the man 
whom he deemed best qualified to represent the 
people. In his fraternal relations he was con- 
nected with Hofiinan Lodge. F. & A. M.. in this 
cit>-. Failing health obliged him. early in 1SS9. 
to retire almost wholly from business, and he 
thence forward endeavored, by travel and medical 
attention, to stay the progress of disease, but in 
vain. He constantly grew worse, and January 
12. 1890, passed from earth. His death was 
mourned as a public loss. The press sjxjke in 
terms of highest praise concerning his business 
ability- and upright life, and the people, especial- 
ly those with whom he had for years been asso- 
ciated, looked upon his demise as a personal be- 
reavement. Quiet and reser\-ed in disposition, it 
was not easy to gain his intimate friendship, but 
when once gained he was a true and faithful 
friend to the last. 

The first marriage of Mr. Clemson occurred in 
1845. when Miss Amelia Wright, of Arlington. 
Mass.. became his wife. She died in 1SS5. leav- 
ing five children, as follows: Frank, who lives in 
Massachusetts: George X., President of the Na- 
tional Saw Works, and partner in the firm of 
Clemson Brothers, who conduct a saw manufact- 
or>-: Mrs. Maria Taylor, of Middletown; Rich- 
ard, who is interested in the National Saw Com- 
pany, but spends his time principally in the 
South: and Mrs. Lillian Bird, of Boston. 

In 1887 Mr. Clemson married Esther M. Smith, 
who was bom in the town of Greenville, this 
count>-. Her father, Jacob F. Smith, was bom in 
the town of Crawford, June 27, 1820. and for a 



686 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time was a fuller at Mechanicstown, but later 
resided at Carpenter's Point. In i860 he came 
to Middletown, where he was a car man at first, 
but afterward carried on a grocery- business on 
East Main Street, and later resumed work as a 
car man. He died in this cit^- June 25. 1895. 
Socially he belonged to Middletown Lodge No. 
112. I. O. O. F.: Hofiman Lodge No. 412, F. & 
A. M.: and Midland Chapter. R. A. M. In 
politics he was a Republican. a:id in religion a 
member of Grace Episcopal Church. 

February- 3, 1844. Mr. Smith married Miss 
Chloe A. Brown, who was bom at New \'emon. 
June 8, 1825. and died Januar\- 23, 1895. Seven 
children were bom of their union, namely: Es- 
ther M.; Harriet L., Mrs. E. Stone, of Port Jer- 
vis; Linnie L.. widow of Charles Bell, of Mid- 
dletown; A. Eliza, who married F. E. Townsend, 
of Jersey Citj-; Adelaide C of Newark: Nellie 
A., widow of William Smith, of Middletown: 
and Harry A., a resident of Middletown. By 
her marriage with our subject, Mrs. Clemson has 
a sou, William E., and they occupy the old Clem- 
son homestead, a beautiful place at No. 1 1 Beat- 
tie Avenue. Mrs. Clemson is a member of Grace 
Episcopal Church. 



fTlGENE SMITH, whose valuable estate is 
1^ situated in the town of Wallkill. has been 
I engaged in farming from his boyhood, and 
is as well acquainted with the details of agricult- 
ural work as any man to be found in a da^-'s 
joumej-. He is one of those men who make of 
their business both an art and a science, and his 
land bears u|x>u it all the buildings and other im- 
provements which go to make up a well reg^ulated 
estate. The farm consists of one hundred and 
twelve acres, and possesses considerable historic 
interest, having at one time been the prop>ert>- of 
Mr. Hasbrook. who owned the building in which 
George Washington made his headquarters dur- 
ing his staj- in Newburgh. 

In the town of Goshen, this countj-. Mr. Smith 
was bom October 31. 1S65. His parents. Stephen 
and Emil}" (^Randolph) Smith, were also natives 



of this countj', and here the former died. Decem- 
ber II, 1886. after a useful and honorable career 
devoted to farm work. The wife and mother is 
li\nng on the old homestead two and a-half miles 
west of Goshen, and is enjoying good health. Of 
her family of thirteen children, all but one are 
living, and they are worthy citizens of their va- 
rious localities. Our subject in boyhood was a 
student in the district schools, and later attended 
the Goshen Institute. At the closing exercises 
of his last term there, before graduation, he was 
awarded a gold medal in a declamation contest, 
his superiority over the other contestants being 
unanimously agreed upon by the committee of 
judges, all of whom were personally unacquainted 
with Mr. Smith. 

With the exception of a year spent in New 
York Cit}-. our subject has always followed the 
occupation of a farmer. He settled in the town 
of WaUkiU in 1887, and here he has been engaged 
in his chosen calling, winning the esteem of his 
fellow -men by his upright life and considerate 
dealings with those about him. He was fortun- 
ate in winning for his life companion a lady of 
genuine worth of character, housewifely skill and 
pleasing manners. She was known in girlhood as 
Hattie Slaughter, and is a daughter of Samuel M. 
and Catherine > Wells ' Slaughter, members of old 
and prominent families of this count>-. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was solemnized 
March 9, 1887. and resulted in the birth of four 
sons, namely: Theodore Mills, Henr\-, Samuel 
Slaughter and Ralph Wells. 

Politically Mr. Smith lends his influence to the 
Democraric party- in national elections, but in lo- 
cal matters he is conser^-ative. and the character 
of the candidate for office usually decides to 
whom his ballot shall be given. He and his 
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of 
Scotchtown, and he oflBciates as an Elder in the 
congregation. He is an industrious and capable 
young farmer, whose work is directed by wise 
discretion and good executive ability-, and by 
his unaided eflForts he is gaining success in his 
chosen calling. He is a man of exemplaiy- hab- 
its and sound principles, and is highly r^arded 
in his comm units-. 




ANliREW V. UiVA. .M. \> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



689 



Gl NDREW V. JOVA, M. D. Not only as a 
Ll skilled physician and surgeon, but also as a 
/ I gentleman of the highest culture, wide 
travel and broad knowledge. Dr. Jova is entitled 
to especial mention in this volume. His has 
been an eventful life, and while he has scarcely- 
3"et reached the prime of his manly vigor and use- 
fulness, he has traveled throughout a large por- 
tion of the habitable globe, thereby gaining 
breadth of intellectual vision and cosmopolitan 
tastes. Though not an American by birth, he is 
intensely devoted to the countr>- of his adoption, 
and is thoroughly in sympathy with the institu- 
tions of our Government. 

The histor>- of the Jova family, could it be pre- 
sented in detail, would be of the greatest interest 
to our readers, showing, as it does, the rise of a 
family into importance and wealth, then the loss 
of its vast possessions through the vicissitudes of 
war. The Doctor's grandfather, Juaft Jova, was 
bom in Barcelona, Spain, and in early life was 
master of a sailing-vessel which carried articles of 
commerce from South American countries to the 
mother countrj-. As the government was unable 
to pay the large sum of mone>- which it owed 
him, he was offered titles in lieu of the debt, but 
these were refused. However, a compromise was 
made, by which a portiou of the money was paid. 
He took this money and with it purchased a su- 
gar plantation of four thousand acres in Cuba. 
Proceeding to his newly purchased estate, he re- 
sided there until his death, at sevent)'-two years of 
age. 

Frederick Jova. the Doctor's father, was a na- 
tive of Cuba, and starting in business with the in- 
fluence of his father's possessions to aid him, he 
added to his inheritance, and in time owned not 
only the old homestead, but three other valuable 
plantations. Prosperity smiled upon his efforts. 
and he became one of the wealthiest men on the 
island, his fortune being estimated at about 
$3,000,000. However, he lost his vast posses- 
sions during the insurrection in Cuba, his prop- 
erty being seized and he himself, though innocent 
of any connection with the outbreak, cast into 
pri-son, where he was held for one year. He was 
then sent, a political exile, to Spain, where he 

30 



remained a year, his life meantime being often in 
great peril. At the expiration of that time he 
was allowed to return to Cuba, but his fortune 
was gone, his land had been seized, and nothing 
remained to him but the old homestead. Here he 
resided, enjoying in his declining years a freedom 
from the anxiety and peril of former days, until 
his death, in December. 1S94. at the age of about 
seventv- years His wife died at the age of sixt>-- 
three. He has four children living, of whom two 
sons and one daughter reside on the old home- 
stead. 

The Doctor, who is the youngest of the family, 
was bom in Santa Clara, Cuba. March 23. 1859. 
In 1870 he came to the United States and entered 
St. John's College in New YorkCit^", from which 
he was graduated in 1S79 with the degree of 
A. B. At once after completing his literary stud- ■ 
ies, he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons in New York City, graduating from that 
institution in 1883 with the degree of M. D. For 
one year afterward he was physician to St. Vin- 
cent's Hospital, New York, then made a brief 
visit to Cuba, sailing from there to Paris, and en- 
tering the school of medicine in that cit\-, where 
he took a hospital course of two years. Going to 
Berlin, he studied there for one year, then spent 
eight months in attending the clinics of Vienna, 
and finally returned to the United States. Dur- 
ing his stay in Europe he made a tour of the 
continent and also visited the British Isles. 

After returning to the United States the Doctor 
was for eighteen months on the staff of the French 
Hospital in New Yerk City, a position for which 
he was fitted, not only by his extended medical 
researches, but also on account of his familiarity 
with the French language. He is a fluent lin- 
gTiist, speaking Spanish, German, French and 
English. From New York he went to North 
Carolina and passed the state examination, after 
which he was a practicing physician at Hot 
Springs for nearly one year. His mother's illness 
caused him to leave the United States and return 
to the old Cuban home, where he spent a year. 

In 1891 Dr. Jova returned to the United States, 
and in November of that year opened an office 
in Newburgh, where he has .since conducted a 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



large practice. He was induced to come hither 
by the fact that his uncle, John J. Jova, the 
"brick king," between whom and himself a deep 
affection had always existed, was living at Rose- 
ton, which is only four miles distant from New- 
burgh; the uncle, however, has since died, hav- 
ing passed away in January, 1894. In addition 
to the duties of a general practice, the Doctor is 
Secretary of the Board of Examining Surgeons for 
Pensions, having been appointed to this position 
under the administration of President Cleveland. 
He is on the medical staff of St. Luke's Hospital, 
and is examining physician for the Prudential 
Life Insurance Company, the Netherland Life In- 
surance Companj' and a number of a.ssociations. 
In religious belief a Catholic, he holds member- 
ship in St. Mary's Church, and is physician for 
the Catholic Benevolent Association and also the 
Ladies' Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. 
Politically he casts his ballot with the Democratic 
party, but has never cared to actively identify 
himself with political affairs, preferring to give 
his attention to his profession. The Orange 
Count}- Medical Society, of which he is a member, 
has chosen him to represent it in the State Medi- 
cal A.s.sociation. His conspicuous talents and 
thorough knowledge of the latest developments in 
medical science have brought him into prom- 
inence among the physicians of the Hudson Val- 
ley, and he is recognized as one of the most bril- 
liant members of the medical fraternity. 



y/llLTON McEWEN, decea.sed, was at one 
y time Postmaster at Warwick, and for nearly 
C9 twenty years made his home in Newburgh. 
In 1836 he opened a store in the former place in 
paatnership with Nathaniel Jones, carrying a full 
line of groceries, dry goods and general merchan- 
dise. His first partner was succeeded by Hiram 
Jones, who retired in a short time, selling his in- 
terest to Mr. McEwen, who was in business alone 
from that time until 1865. He died at his home, 
No. 201 Liberty Street, Newburgh, August 25, 
1884. 
The first representative of the McEwen family 



in America was Duncan McEwen, a native of the 
Highlands of Scotland, born in 1755, who emi- 
grated to this country in Colonial days and be- 
came a participant in the Revolution. In 1783 
he married Miss Martha Dickenson, who was 
born on Long Island, June 10, 1765. He died in 
the town of Wallkill, April 11, 1808, and his wife 
.survived him many years, her death occurring 
January i, 1841. Milton McEwen was born in 
Bullville, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1807, and 
passed his boyhood days upon a farm. In early 
manhood he embarked in a mercantile business 
in the village of Brunswick, after which he came 
to Newburgh and was bookkeeper for David 
Crawford, a dry-goods merchant on Water Street. 
After his marriage, in 1836, he moved to War- 
wick, of which place he was a prominent business 
man for nearly thirty years. 

On coming to Newburgh in 1865, Mr. McEwen 
was for a few years associated with his son Levi 
in the grocery business. While at Warwick he 
held the office of Postmaster efficiently for many 
years, having been appointed under a Democratic 
administration, and the office was situated in his 
own store. He was influential in the building of 
the railroad from Greycourt to Warwick, and be- 
came a Director in the corporation. He was a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and was 
for years Treasurer of the board. A man of no- 
ble and upright life, sincere and trustworthy in 
all his relations, he jvistl}' won the high regard 
and friendship of his a.ssociates. 

In 1836 Milton McEwen and Margaret Bru\n 
were married in the town of Montgomery, this 
county. The lady was born in the town of Shaw- 
angunk, Ulster County, in 1814, being a daugh- 
ter of Severyn T. and Catherine (Hasbrouck) 
Bruyn, natives of Ulster and Orange Counties, 
respectively. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. 
McEwen, Severyn Bruyn, was born in Holland, 
and was one of the Huguenot refugees who early 
settled in the vicinity of Shawangunk. He won 
the title of Colonel in the Colonial struggle for 
Independence. Mrs. McEwen' s father owned a 
farm in Ulster County, and later operated one in 
the town of Montgomer}-, this county, until his 
death. Both he and his estimable wife were mem- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



691 



bers of the Dutch Reformed Church. The latter 
was born near Scotchtowii, Orange County, and 
was a daughter of Daniel Hasbrouck, a native of 
Kingston, Ulster County, and a farmer by voca- 
tion. Mrs. McEwen is one of six children, and 
with her brother Severyn, now in the West, is 
the only survivor. Hasbrouck, the eldest of the 
family, died in Illinois; Levi and Rachel died in 
Montgomery; and Anderson in the village of 
Fishkill. Mrs. McEwen was a resident of Mont- 
gomery before her marriage, and of her five chil- 
dren three grew to maturity. Kate H. is the wife 
of Rev. P. H. Hawxhurst, D. D., of Brooklyn, 
N. Y. ; and Sophia A. resides in Newburgh. Levi 
died at the age of thirty years, in Savannah, Ga., 
whither he had gone in hopes of benefiting his 
health. Mrs. McEwen is a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church. 



(I AMES H. ROCKAFELLOW. As a worthy 
I representative of the intelligence, integrity 
\Z) and moral worth of the people of Orange 
County, the subject of this sketch occupies no 
ordinary position. He is widelj' and favorably 
known in this, his native county, and the fact 
that he is well spoken of by high and low, rich 
and poor, is sufficient indication of his character. 
Mr. Rockafellow was born in the town of Craw- 
ford, February 4, 1833, and was the third in the 
family of Walter and Elizabeth (Ellis) Rockafel- 
low. The former was born in this county, where 
he was reared and spent the greater pait of his 
life. His death occurred at Wallkill, when in his 
sixty-eighth year. He was a loyal and patriotic 
citizen, and during the War of 18 12 served as a 
soldier in the ranks. In him the Reformed 
Church found one of its most consistent members 
and liberal contributors. The parents, who were 
of German extraction, were farmers by occupa- 
tion, which vocation our subject also followed 
with good success. 

The mother of our subject was a native of Sul- 
livan County, this state. She survived her hus- 
band many years, and was eighty-four years of 
age at the time of her demise. She, too, belonged 



to the Reformed Church and was an active worker 
in its various departments. Our subject remained 
at home until a young man of twenty-six years, 
when he was married, and, coming to this town, 
purchased the farm which he now occupies, and 
which he has resided upon ever since, with the 
e.xception of six years, when he rented his estate 
and lived in the village of Montgomery. 

The marriage of Mr. Rockafellow with Miss 
Caroline McCune occurred October 25, 1858. 
She was born in this county, and by her union 
with our subject became the mother of four chil- 
dren, two of whom died young. Addie E. and 
John W. are still at home, the latter aiding in 
the management of the old place. It contains 
one hundred and seven acres, well improved, 
which our subject devotes mainly to dairy farm- 
ing. In the neighborhood where he has passed 
his entire life he is highly respected for his in- 
du.strious habits, his courteous treatment of all 
with whom he has dealings, and his sterling in- 
tegrity. This property is the result of his own 
earnings, and of this fact he has every rea.son to 
be proud. 

He has never been interested in politics in the 
sense of being an office-seeker, but never fails to 
cast a ballot during elections in favor of Demo- 
cratic candidates. He attends strictly to his own 
affairs, and by so doing has gained a good com- 
petence, which enables him to live comfortably. 

(TOHN JAMES VANDEROEF, junior mem- 
I ber of the firm of James Vanderoef & Son, of 
Q) Montgomery, is one of the successful busi- 
ness men of the city. From early manhood he 
has been as.sociated with his father in business, 
and now has supervision of their yards, where 
they have in stock large quantities of lumber, 
coal, flour and feed, brick drain tile, lime, cement, 
plaster and salt, the stock being valued at about 
$9,000. 

The history of the Vanderoef family is given in 
the biography of James Vanderoef, on another 
page of this work. John James was born in Or- 
ange County, July 16, 1842, and has spent his en- 



POS!TltArr AKD jaOGMASBSCAL, JtWTOnt 



tiie fife IB tbe TKiBibr of Ids {Kss€st hooae. In 

iSoS be trtirried Mrss Maiy Loqisere. of MfHC- 
goiaery. and a soa. Wuliita P., w^sbera totheis 

Novembs' ^S. i$7o; be ss now hfe fitlss-'s assst- 
ant in the hnaber btLshieSv Iwldiiig cbe pcefekn 
OE bcokkeeper. JantEsry 15, iScSo. Mr. Vanda'- 
oef morr^c Miss Amta J., dsngirier o£ Hngir aad 
Isabel Hocstoa MSEkea. aini two soos andoese 
danghte-btess ts-ar cnioc: Ciiaries M., J. Clar- 
ence iad Artui BeiL 

The tiiaily res:<ieao& ts a oew snd co^brtsbie 
bocse. sectei by Mr. Vanoefoefaeirlas&tii^s 
hooie. Bodi tie szsd hi? wise xre actiTe aaeabefs 
of the Presbyteriin Chttrdj. sad b^oc^totbe 
dioir. Mrsv Vandercef 5> a EtLaited piaziise. and 
ng^g sr>iined toore than a kKal renitatiioB fcr stfIT 
in Bittac. having given years of study to that sci- 
aice under the best teadiars. Ha- rather. wh*> 
wasboenm MoeE§«3«sy. has beea aSfe-I'OEg res- 
idait of th^ city, asd e> eow sercEEty-sx years 0£ 
age. Xocwtthstsncing his adransced years^ he ej 
eaergevic. vigofoos and tobcst. and sEfH takis an 
actrre rsterest in wibEc ae&irs. 



^^KOMAS P. KILL- r.--- - ■ -^ tb^ -^sp.Tc- 
I C sibie postsoo of msisrht ir . - zgect 

\2f »* ^^h* E^ Raflrocd a: - f sLs? 

;^Hit Krr the WeHs-Fargo Earareic- ^Ic-cip^iiiy at 
this piace. He has. proved himsiiL: to ce visry 
e€Bciect in tieese capacities^ artd is popclar a=d 
well hked by all wh-:» lEive dealfsgs with hi=.. 
As a railrcisid usxa he bs rey stsccesscjii. and has 
wor^v?--, hi? ^-" rrr r^ his pcsssit high standisg 
arr . - . - .•< the Erie Road i±v?n: 

thi 

eal ie5:en>iart of John 
Re . - e^-ai:geiisc- is a rsitrve 

of New Jersex . Iiavia^ beea bons in ScaraalcEt- 
borg. Berge-t C.^^-r.-. Sepcemb«- :ri. tSjS. H^ 
fiitber, 1 ••T-as a aative of Xe^ 

City, wh: . - ;r FraacES F.. the grar:.! 
of ocr sccrfeci. wa^ bora sear Tapoaru N. V. 
The latter, wbo saarried Adeisi Pvjec was Bar 



■ogoy ycazs c:^ ^o d as aa anctiaBeia- aad also 
dealt ia leal-estate at tTartpp s art X. J., where 
kb death occsrred. He hdd anny local «i£ce& 

always being elected en tlie De^ama ti c ticke: 
The great-grandfetiBer of TboHsas D. was alsc ; 
natrre of the Ecapece State, and jel^ioQS^ w*^ : 
coi£5sre^t tne^ber of tibe ReebrBsed OtaEcit. 

Dcring the errfy years of Ids life, David HiH 
was engaged vn. the Irvary aad butiiics- Im-iim -f^ 
at Hacfcengacfc. X. J., hd lafeB* tta ao M^ to !^:- 
ersoti. whae he is oi^tlonred by tbe Esie Sesi 
at the River Street Stalkw. He aaiskd Cath 
eriae A. Page, who wss bora ia Fre^oCd. Mcc - 
Etocth CocEty, X. J., aad wbo wssbeEefcof both 
perer3 whes (jrnte \mti^ . By bex* ssiaB with 
D&vid Hill ^te baasae the iBoCbex- of two cMI- 
drai. of wbo^ Tboaaas D. ^ tbe eldest. EEb 
bcocher WilliaEi E. . is at preset e^ agc d ia &e 
CI tig bcsingss at Patissoc. X. J. 

The bciyfeood days of ocx ssb^ect were p^ee 
in H^ckeasack. X. T.. wbesEe be atte»ded sc&c<: . 
until a lad of ibctrt^ai years. Bex^ tb^ oiiEged 
to earn hs5 owtt nsoEey. he bi^aa dakza^ ia a 
grocery store. recjainrnsrthtcsocenpeedirHSil rS~i. 
the year in whkh be entered t&e esapfoy of the 
Erie Rossd. being sssKisei as extra brakessB oe 
the Eastern Kvksoe. In iSSo. bo^erer. be 
west nrrthia' west and secmei tbe postioE : 
nressan oc the rtm between Sdla^snca. X. Y 
and Kent. Ohio. c«i the Xew Yoct l^aasyrvan 
CSc Ohio Ro^ad Twv> years asad »-balfbSEer he rr 
tnmed to Pitesoc. aad was iKide awk^-ftgatm 
the yards j.t the Erie Road, aad fer two yea-- 
thereafter w:s5 ki^ bosy in tise &e%be4KKs<: 
Ke was thesi pcocsoced ro be derk. aad wxs 1k; " 
apccrnts-i chief cierk. boidiBg; tbe respoosSile fo- 
siti-c nnril rScSvu wbea be eafiesed Bpsa ^swork 
as agent oc Rri^r Street. PateESoa. He r^aame ■ 
in charge of the statsoe tbsre sadL FeiiFBaxy ^.^ 
E$ar. when be was s^ifKXBted ageoe at Gc^ie: 
doc the ptEssea^^er aad tte^^H d^mtaKaes. E ~ 
i^cocd as a ra£hoi£d n^ bss beea a g!Ood ac<£ 
ir-,* h? is '^ry pcrnbr wiA Ae oScs^ of tcr 
: .; ;rd hiai ^ wvjcthy aad cxpabie. 
iS starroed. Xo^resEber S, iS7«i. : 
M:.s^ f::.; :Lie dtc^bEer of Rev. Tcsepfe R- A5> 
a Bsrascs- of tbe JfissaoBsrv BxpC3st«^arch. H^ 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



693 



vas ftMTBaerhr o^aged in nortbem Mmnesota. 
wbere Ins dan^tEr vas btxn. bot ^ now resid- 
ing^ in Fatersoo. To Mr. and Mrs. HiQ have been 
bora dnee dat^hter?. Myra. Ada and Edna May. 
In social x&irs Mr. HiQ b a Mason of high 
standing. betB§ a member of Loi^e Xo. 565, at 
GcKshen. He i& Deaaociatic in politics, bidieving 
fbat tbe principles laid dovn in the platform of 
that paitr are best ad^ited to the needs of the 
XatioB. 



-•->K5':^S*>^ 



M 



RS. MARY A. SEARS. Known to the 
rLijority of the resivieEts of the town of 
Moatgomeiy and hoooied wrrerema- known. 
:"~-^ esdmable lady resides open Oat Luiu ci 
thirty-two acres vfaicii was ^Trmeiiy tlie rea- 
deoce of her BOtbo-. Not only does s&e possess 
bonsewii^ ^alL bat ^le k also fitted for the 
sacces^bl ann^enent of ha- bosiness a&irs, 
and snperiutends her estate in sodi a manner as 
tosectne AeT«rybestresnItsthae&ara. Anrai^ 
the people of the cooamonity she has the repotz- 
tioa of beii^ a wise and enei«etic boaness 
woQian. Her friends are nnmerous; co mptist ug^ 
t!:e best peof^ of die tewn in which ^le basso 
-presided. 

The &BiIy of wfaicfa Mrs. Sears is a memba- 
cxK^sted of bre cfaikiren. The eldest, Jacob W. 
Je imii^s . no«r a resident of Jackson, Mitji.. 
served in the Crril War as Corptxal in a cavaby 
cofspony. and was wounded in an ei^^em^t 
with the Confederates; James, who died at the 
age of aboDt forty-nine, was a private in the late 
war. aiMl was wonnded in battle: Jcdin. also a 
sotdier in the UniaB army, contracted consomp- 
tion from expobuie and the hard:^nps of an^ 
tife. aad died at the ^e of thirty-two: Johanna, 
widow of Samnel J. Flemix^, rsides in Mont- 
SOBteny Town: Mary A. is next in order of birth; 
Margarct Jane Makocnson. a half^ister, is the 
wifoof Wmiara Irvine, of Wasiungton, D. C. 

The fodier of onr snbject. Lnke J emii i ^s , was 
born and leaied in London, where be was 



educated iix- the Episcopal ministry in accordance 
with the deare oi his parents. However, he had 
no liking for that professic«, and determined to 
foQow his own inclinations. Accocdii^;ly. at 
the age of seventeoi. he ran away from home and 
came to America, settling in the town of RocJies- 
tH". UlstH' Cotmty, N. Y.. where he engaged in 
the mercantile business for a nnmbo* of years. 
Lato* he ronored to the village of ^lawangnnk. 
the same coonty. where he engaged in merchan- 
diai^ nntil his death, at fiity years of age. He 
was socce^bl in bosiitess a&irs, and lA his 
bmihr condbrtabty provided for. 

Eva. mother of oar salqect, was bom in the 
town of Rodiester, Oster Coanty. and died 
April 35. 1S94. at die age of ^gfaty-one years. 
In re{^:ioas belief ^le was identified with the 
United Presbyterian Chnrdi. Her mental and 
physical Leahies she r^ained almost nnim- 
paired to the last days oi her ns^iil and bosy 
liie. ^le was a danghter of Jacob and Hannah 
( Yan Oetrand • Wakeman, natives of Ulster 
Coanty. to which place the parents of the latta- 
had come from Holland. 

Mary A. Jennings was bcxn in Shawangnnk. 
Ulsto- Coontj-. Angnst iS. 1S44- The mdi- 
ments of her edncatiaG were acqmred in the 
district schools, and at the age of deven years 
dhe entered the academy at EUenviOe. where the 
two following years were spent. Snch rapid 
progiess did she make in her studies, that at the 
agt: of thirteen she commoiced toteacii. following 
this pcofessioa in the district schools in the som- 
mer and attending scjiool in the winter seascMos. 
For aboot a year she was a stndent in the State 
Normal CoD^e of Albany, bat was obliged to 
discontimie her stndies in that institntioa cm 
acGormt of pom* health. She taught both in 
Ulster and Orange Coanties nntil her marriage. 
which event, occnrring May 3. 1S65, nnited her 
with John M. Sears. 

A native of New Y«jrt Cit>-. Mr. Sears was 
brot^ht by his fether to Newbargh a: the age 
of two years. He grew to manhooc in Orange 
Coonty. and at the age of twenty-ooe was given 
a &rm of one htmdred and five acres by his 
&ther. Upon this place the remainii^ years of 



694 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his life were spent, and here he died. February 
29. 1876. Being a lover of equine flesh, he 
made a specialty of the breeding of fine horses, 
some of which were sold for §30,000. In his 
stables were horses belonging to Commodore 
Vanderbilt and other noted men. who employed 
him to train the animals for the turf. In politics 
he was a Democrat, but did not take an active 
part in public matters, preferring to give his 
attention to his personal affairs. 

0AVID CONSTABLE. It would be difficuh. 
if indeed it were not impossible, to decide 
which of the states of our Union is the best, 
but it is certainly within the bounds of truth to 
say that the state of New York is one of the great- 
est and best, and equally true is it that Orange 
Countv- contains within its borders some of the 
most beautilul scenery, finest improved farms, and 
most enterprising citizens, that are to be found in 
the commonwealth. 

To this class belongs David Constable, a life- 
long resident of the town of Montgomery, and an 
energetic and progressive agriculturist. He re- 
sides upon the old homestead, where his birth oc- 
curred, and where were also bom his forefathers 
as far back as the fifth generation. The family, 
having been identified for so many years with the 
historv- and growth of this locality, is well known 
throughout the countv-, its representatives having 
been men of energv-, capability and progressive 
spirit. 

The father of our subject, Abraham Constable, 
as well as his grandfather and great-grandfather, 
were bom on this farm, to which place the first 
ancestor in America had come from Holland. 
The father made this place his home until his 
death, which occurred at the age of fifty years. 
The mother, who bore the maiden name of Ann 
Eliza Hadden, was bom in the town of Mont- 
gomery, and died here December 29, 1S93, ^t 
seventy-eight years of age. She was a woman of 
noble Christian character, and a devoted member 
of the Reformed Church, Her mother was bom 
in Orange Count\-, and was of Irish extraction. 



Her fether, a native of Ireland, came to America 
at the age of ten years, and remained a resident 
of Xew York until his death, at the age of eighty- 
six. 

In the town of Montgomery the subject of this 
notice was bom June 30. 1S55. and here he has 
always resided. His boyhood years were divided 
between attendance at the district schools and 
helping his father in the cultivation of the farm. 
Since attaining manhood he has superintended 
the old home place, which under his efficient man- 
agement maintains the high degree of cultivation 
to which it had been brought by his father. As 
every good citizen should, he takes -an active in- 
terest in public affairs, and is well informed re- 
garding the political questions of the age. his sup- 
port being given to the Democratic party. UfKjn 
his party ticket he was elected to the position of 
Town Collector, which he held for one term. So- 
cially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, 
holding membership in W'alden Lodge Xo. 267. 
at W'alden. 



^HERON L. MILLSPAUGH. the leading 
I C undertaker and embalm er of W'alden. be- 
Vjy longs to one of the honored old families o: 
Orange County. The original settler. Philip 
Millspaugh, who was of HoUand descent, located 
in the town of Montgomen.-. on the west side of 
the Wallkill River, between Montgomery and 
Walden. He served as a soldier during the Rev- 
olutionary War. On the old farm his son Jere- 
miah was bom, January- 17. 1776. and his death 
occurred September 17. 1850. He was one of a 
family of six children. Frederick. Moses. David, 
Lewis, Jeremiah and Mary, all of whom reared 
families in this county, but few of their descend- 
ants are now li\'ing here. A son of Moses is liv- 
ing in Bloomingburg. and is the only one bearing 
the name of Millspaugh with the exception of our 
subject and his brother Har\-ey. though both 
Frederick and Lewis have grandchildren in Or- 
ange County, but not of the name. 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



695 



November 30, 1800. Joaniah Millspaugh wed- 
ded Sallie Crist, who was born February 24, 1779. 
and departed this life January 31, 1847. In 
their family were five children, two of whom died 
in infancy. Those who arrived at maturity were 
Gilbert (the father of our subjectt, Harvey and 
Catherine Ann. The father was probably the first 
tailor of Walden, and with him both Harvey and 
Gilbert learned the trade. They lived on a tract 
of twent>--two acres just on the edge of Walden. 
and first b^an working at home, but later started 
a shop in the village. Harvey, who was bom 
December 3. iSoi. was tmited in marriage with 
Mary Hammell, of Oneida County. X. Y.. who 
died about 1845, ^-hile he survived her about six 
years, dying January 26, 1S51. They had three 
children: Gilbert, who died at the age of twenty- 
eight years: John, who died at the age of twenty- 
one: and Mary Adeline, who became the wife of 
Cornelius Lowe, of Xewburgh. iiir|^ffrrl at the 
age of thirty -five, leaving a daughter, who is still 
living. Catherine Ann. who was bom December 
18, 1809, married Lewis Crist, and lived on a farm 
near Montgomerv-, where she died February 14. 
1892. She became the mother of three children: 
Jeremiah, a resident of Delaware: Ellen, widow 
of George Hardesty. of West Cornwall: and Sarah 
M.. who was the wife of Nehemiah Andrews, of 
the town of Montgomer\-. and who died at the 
age of forty-five years. 

The father of our subject. Gilberts. Millspaugh. 
was bom November 5. 1S07. and January 6, 1S31. 
was married to Miss Sallie Jane Clineman. whose 
birth occurred November 11. 1S07, just six days 
later than his. She was a daughter of ThDmas 
Clineman. whose father bore the same name and 
came from Frankfort -on-the-Main. Germany. He 
settled in the town of Montgomery about as early 
as the Millspaugh family. It is said that the 
founder started out as a pack-peddler, but finally 
became owner of one of the best farms in the coun- 
ty-, where the family continued to live for over a 
century. It was cm the Wallkill River, two miles 
north of Walden, and there he lived and died, as 
did his son Thomas. On the old homestead Mrs. 
Millspaugh was also bom. and she passed from 
this life April 8, 1844. The father followed the 



tailor's trade up to the time of his death, which 
occurred November 26. 1845, and at which time 
he left a family of five small children. Harvey, 
bom September 15, 1833, is a resident of Walden: 
Mary, bom February 2S, 1835, died at the age of 
eight years: Sarah Jane, bom August 20, 1S37, 
became the wife of Henr>- Franklin, and died 
April I. 1S65: Theron L., bom September 15. 
1S3S. is the next of the family: and Ellen, bom 
April 26. 1S40, is the wife of Isaac Buswell, a 
locksmith of Rondout, Ulster County-. 

Theron L. Millspaugh. whose name heads this 
sketch, remained with his paternal grandfather 
until he had reached the age of thirteen years, 
when he went to live with his maternal grand- 
mother on a farm one mile farther north, but as 
her death occurred a year later, he then made his 
home with his uncle, Thomas Clineman. on a 
farm in the vicinity of Walden. in an old stone 
house that had been standing for one hundred 
years. For tour years he remained with that gen- 
tleman, but at the age of seventeen went to Wal- 
den. where he learned cabinet-making with John 
G. Woolsey. The latter had come here fix)m 
New York Cit\-. being hired by David Scott, the 
first undertaker of the village, who here engaged 
in business for fourteen years, and during that 
time manufactured his own coffins, and brought 
to the count\" the first hearse, which was quite 
primitive in structure, having cloth sides instead 
of glass. On the death of Mr. Scott Mr. Woolsey 
succeeded to the business, which he also conduct- 
ed for fourteen years. Mr. Millspaugh served an 
apprenticeship of three years, for the first year re- 
ceiving $20 and his board, for the second $25, and 
for the third $30. On the death of Mr. Woolsey 
our subject still had one more year to serve and 
worked under a Mr. Corbitt. whom he hired to 
instruct him in the business. On the ist of April, 
1858, Mr. MiUsjjaugh purchased the stock from 
the widow, and for thirty-seven years has carried 
on the business, being the oldest undertaker in 
years of service in the county. For the first 
twent\- years he manufactured all of the furniture 
and coffins he sold, and he has officiated at over 
eighteen hundred funerals. 

On the 26th of March, 1862, Mr. Millspaugh 



696 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was united -in marriage with Miss Eleanor D. 
Smith, daughter of Hon. David H. Smith, of the 
town of Montgomery, who was elected on the 
Whig ticket to the State Legislature. She was 
born on the State Road, September 20, 1838, just 
five days after the birth of our subject. They 
have two children, Hattie C. and Gilbert S. Hat- 
tie, who was born March 22, 1865, is the wife of 
Dr. J. E. Sadlier, of Poughkeepsie. Here also 
there is a difference of only six days in the ages. 
Gilbert is in business with his father. 

Although his father was a strong Democrat, 
Mr. Millspaugh always votes the Republican 
ticket, and served for several years as Village 
Trustee. Both he and his wife are consistent 
members of the Reformed Church, in whose Sun- 
day-school work he has taken an active part for 
fifty years. For twenty-two years he has been a 
member of the Official Board of the church, the 
first fourteen years being Deacon, and the remain- 
der of the time an Elder, which latter office he 
still holds. In the temperance cause he takes a 
deep interest, being .strictly temperate himself, 
having never taken a drink of anything intoxi- 
cating in his life. He has alwa}-s taken an active 
interest in everj-thing pertaining to the welfare of 
the village, having been instrumental in securing 
many of its enterprises. He is very fond of fine 
horses, and has been the breeder of several fine 
and highlv-bred animals. 



<OC -i-»»»-5"i"5"5"i"»-i"i' ^ »»»»'i"S"i"5"5'»»» X> 

^RED B. SEELY. A prominent position 
JM among the well-to-do farmers and dairymen 
I of Orange County is held by this gentleman, 
who is the fortunate possessor of one of the finest 
farms within its bounds. It is two hundred and 
five acres in extent, and is embellished with all 
necessary outbuildings of modern build, besides a 
handsome brick residence, conveniently arranged 
and finished, and furnished in a manner which 
indicates its occupants to be people of taste and 
means. 

Mr. Seely was born in tlie town of Go.shen, Sep- 
tember 14, 1845, and was the eldest but one of 
the familj- of Charles B. and Hannah J. (Cole- 



man) Seely, also natives of the above town, with- 
in whose bounds their entire lives were spent. 
The father was a prominent agriculturist of this 
locality, and his death, which occurred in 1893, 
was widely felt and mourned, for in him the coun- 
ty lost one of its best citizens. The Seely family 
are landmarks in Orange County, for the grand- 
parents of our subject were also born and reared 
here. 

Fred B., of this .sketch, spent his early life on 
the home farm. When but a lad he received a 
serious injury, being thrown from a horse, which 
injured his spine and prevented him from per- 
forming manual labor. He received his primarj- 
schooling at Chester, after which he attended bus- 
iness college at Poughkeepsie. When a young 
man of twenty jears he assumed the management 
of the Chester Flour and Feed-mills, successful!}- 
carrying ou the same for a period of twentj'-two 
years. About that time, desirous of settling down 
to a life of quiet and comfort, he purchased this 
property, which is one of the most beautiful and 
attractive estates within the county. As stated 
before, it compri.ses over two hundred acres of till- 
able land, adorned with a fine set of modern 
buildings and a handsome brick residence. This 
abode is furnished tastily, and is presided over 
b)' a most intelligent and worthy lady. 

Mr. Seely makes dairj- fanning his chief occu- 
pation, and has between seventy and eighty cows. 
Although his experience as a farmer is not of 
such long standing as many of the citizens of the 
county, he is widely known and highly regarded, 
and is classed among its best residents. When 
ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Seely 
was married, in December, 1873, to Miss Ruth 
A., daughter of Cornelius B. and Julia Ann 
(Young) Davis, both natives of Orange County. 
The father is still living, at the venerable age of 
eighty-two, while his wife is many years his jun- 
ior. Mr. and Mrs. Seely have been blessed by 
the birth of four children, named, respectively, 
Howard, Julia Y., Floyd and Fred B., Jr. They 
are bright and intelligent, and are all attending 
school, it being the desire and ambition of their 
parents that they may be well educated. With 
their three eldest children the parents are mem- 




m iz; 



X o 



Q g 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



69.9 



bers of the Presbyterian Church at Chester. In 
politics Mr. Seely is a Democrat, and is conse- 
quently opposed to monopolies of all kinds. He 
has never a.spired to official honors, yet is always 
ready and willing to do his part in advancing the 
best interests of the community. 



(Ton AS Du BO IS has followed the occupation 
I of an agriculturist upon the land in the town 
\~) of Montgomery which he purchased in 1875, 
and since that time he has, by his untiring indus- 
try and indefatigable labor, been enabled to ac- 
quire considerable property and to lay the foun- 
dation of a competence that will remove the neces- 
sity of further labor when he reaches old age. 
The situation of his farm, one mile from Walden, 
is particularly convenient, enabling him to enjoy 
all the comforts of rural life, yet bringing him 
within reach of such advantages as a city offers. 
The Du Bois family is one of the oldest in the 
Hudson Valley, the first representative in this 
country, L,ouis Du Bois, having come here with 
the original band of Huguenot settlers. The 
parents of our subject, l,a Fever and Rebecca 
(Du Bois) Du Bois, were born, reared and mar- 
ried in New Paltz (now known as Gardiner), Ul- 
ster County, N. Y. , where they died, the former 
at eighty, and the latter when seventy, years of 
age. They were an intelligent, hospitable couple, 
and were consistent Christians, holding member- 
ship in the Dutch Reformed Church. 

The birth of our subject occurred in Gardiner, 
N. Y., September 28, 1834, and he was the eld- 
est of the family of five children. He remained 
at home until he was twenty-eight, and then mar- 
ried, after which he lived on one of his father's 
farms for eleven years. In 1875 he removed to 
Orange County and purchased the farm which he 
still owns, and to the cultivation of which he has 
since given his attention. November 12, 1862, 
he married Miss Sarah Ellen Deyo, of New Paltz 
(now Gardiner), N. Y. This estimable lady died 
January 28, 1890, leaving five children, as fol- 



lows: Eliza Catherine, who married Joseph John- 
.son, and lives in this county; Mary Ella, wife of 
George D. Jenkins, a farmer of New Paltz; Har- 
man, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
the town of Gardiner, Ulster County ; and Jesse 
and Etting, who are still with their father. 

In his political views Mr. Du Bois is an ardent 
champion of Republican principles, and is well 
informed concerning all questions afi"ecting the 
peace and prosperity of our country. For twen- 
ty-five years he has held membenship in the Re- 
formed Church, in which he has officiated as Eld- 
er and Deacon, and to the support of which he is 
a liberal contributor. His wife was also a mem- 
ber of that denomination. He has made agricult- 
ure his life calling, and the prosperity he has 
achieved is the just reward of his perseverance 
and excellent management. In addition to the 
raising of cereals, he has for some years carried 
on an extensive dairy bu.siness, and finds this de- 
partment of agriculture pleasant and profitable. 



'^.^.^"{•^^S^v •5"i"{"5-'^ 



(lOHN D. BROWNELL, M. D. Among the 
I residents of Walden, perhaps none is bet- 
Q) ter known or more generally esteemed than 
is the subject of this sketch. His ability is un- 
questioned, and his success assured in this village, 
where he has proved himself faithful to every 
trust. An energetic and enterprising man, he 
has advanced the public interests of the village 
in many ways, and is thoroughly identified with 
all movements calculated to benefit his connnu- 
nity and county. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Brinck- 
erhoff, Dutchess County, N. Y., on the 5th of 
June, 1858, and is the son of Nathaniel and Cor- 
nelia (White) Brownell, both of whom were na- 
tives of Greene County, where the latter died. J. 
D. was the youngest of his parents' family, and 
was only three years of age when his mother died. 
The Brownell family was of Engli.sh and Irish 
descent, and our subject's father was a farmer of 
Dutchess County, where his death occurred in the 
year 1871. The history of the mother's family, 
it is believed, can be traced to the "Mayflower." 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



One of our subject's brothers is still on the old 
farm in Dutchess Count}-, and two others are en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits elsewhere. The 
eldest of the sons died a few years ago. 

The Doctor remained on the home farm until 
twenty -one years of age, receiving his college 
education in the Albany State Normal, from which 
he was graduated in June, 1878, after which he 
engaged in teaching school. His first school was 
in the Johnsville District, in Dutchess County, 
and he remained there one year, following this 
with a-half year in the Swartwoutville District, in 
the same county. Subsequently he was for one 
year and a-half Principal of the public school of 
Monroe. This was a graded school, with an en- 
rollment of three hundred pupils, and he em- 
ployed three assistant teachers. 

Upon leaving this position, the Professor be- 
came Superintendent and Principal of the Ches- 
ter Union School and Academj-, located in Ches- 
ter, remaining in that capacity for seven consecu- 
tive years. This institution had an enrollment 
of five hundred pupils, and the Superintendent 
had nine assistant teachers, the classes being con- 
ducted in the three buildings built for that pur- 
pose. Dr. Brownell counts his connection with 
the Chester as one of the most satisfactory periods 
of his life, for it was his privilege to start many of 
the boys who are now occupying positions of great 
responsibilit}-, and to create in the minds of the 
young people under his care a love for learning 
and achievement. At the time he left Chester, 
seventeen of his pupils were in preparatory schools 
and colleges, and three of his former students are 
now practicing medicine in this count}-, aroused 
to interest in this profession by his teaching of 
science and physiology. Beginning there with a 
salary of $800, he was advanced until it amount- 
ed to $1,200 per annum. While there he was 
President of the Orange Count}- Teachers' Asso- 
ciation, and was active in all educational interests 
of the entire county. 

Resigning his position in Chester, Dr. Brown- 
ell began the study of medicine, entering first the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York 
City, and after remaining there a year he went 
to the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, 



firom which he graduated two years later with 
the degree of M. D. , in the Class of '91. One of 
his school boys received his degree just one year 
afterward. 

Dr. Brownell began practice with Dr. E. P. 
Turner, whose ofiice was located at No. 30 State 
Street, New York City, and continued with him 
several months, but in the fall of 1891 located in 
Walden, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Thomas 
Millspaugh, then recently deceased. He has been 
ver}- successful here, and well deserves the con- 
fidence which the people of the town and vicinity 
place in him. He is an active member of the 
Count}- Medical Association, and is especially in- 
terested in the progress being made in surger}-. 

July 19, 1880, Miss Anna May Cooley became 
the -wife of our subject. She was born in Albany, 
and was a classmate of the Doctor's in the Albany 
Normal. The ceremony took place at the home 
of the bride in the latter city. She was also a 
teacher in this county, having taught for two or 
three years near Washingtonville. To the union 
of our subject and his wife there were born three 
sons: Charles Sumner, who is fourteen years of 
age; Ralph Chadwick, twelve; and Clifford White, 
who is ten years old. 

The death of the Doctor's wife occurred in 
Chester, November 14, 1890, while the Doctor 
was a student in the medical college. Her un- 
timely death was the result of heart disease, and 
was deeply mourned by her many devoted friends 
and loved ones. She was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and a woman of many 
noble and endearing qualities. Although the 
day of the funeral was a very stormy one, and the 
rain was pouring in torrents, the church could 
not hold the people who gathered for a last look 
at the much-loved face. Her body lies at rest in 
the family cemetery, near the old home of the 
Doctor in Dutchess County. 

The second marriage of our subject occurred 
May 19, 1892, when he was united with Miss 
Emma Strong, of Washingtonville. She was a 
warm friend of his first wife, and was al.so a distant 
relativ-e. The Doctor and his wife are both active 
members of the Reformed Church, the former be- 
ing a member of the choir. He is a Republican 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



701 



in politics, and has been Health Officer of Walden 
for two years. For the past three years he has been 
a member of the Board of Education here. Both 
he and his wife are well known for their moral 
worth and generous hospitality, and are much es- 
teemed in this locality. 



GlUGUSTUS HILL, a farmer of the town of 
LJ Montgomery, was born May 4, 1838, on 
/ I the old homestead where he now resides. 
He is the sixth in a family of seven children born 
to Nathaniel P. and Matilda (Crawford) Hill, the 
others being James K., who is a graduate of Yale 
and a prominent attorney in New York Citj'; Isa- 
bel, who died when about fifty-two years of age; 
Nathaniel Peter, now of Colorado; Moses C, who 
died when eleven years of age; Charles B., a 
graduate of Yale, and a prominent lawyer of 
New York City, who died when about thirty-five 
years of age; and J. Alden, still living on the old 
homestead. 

Of this family Nathaniel P. is probably the 
most noted member. He is a graduate of an ex- 
professor in Brown's University of Providence; is 
President of the Colorado Smelting and Mining 
Company (the largest of its kind in the world) , 
and organizer of the United Oil Company, of 
which he has been President since its organiza- 
tion. In January, 1879, he was nominated and 
elected United States Senator from Colorado for a 
term of six years, beginning March 4, 1879, and 
while in the Senate he secured the passage of a 
large number of bills affecting his adopted state. 
On the expiration of his term, he returned home 
and gave his time and attention to his large min- 
ing and oil interests, holding no public office un- 
til January, 1891, when he was nominated by 
President Harrison as one of three members of 
the International Monetary Commission. Pres- 
ident Harrison, who was a fellow-Senator with 
Senator Hill, recognized the value of his work in 
the Senate, while Mr. Blaine, who was also inter- 



ested in the appointment, was equally familiar 
with his record on the white-metal question. He 
is a man of whom Orange County may well be 
proud. 

The subject of this .sketch has always lived on 
the farm where he was born, and he inherited a 
portion of the old homestead. He is a gradu- 
ate of Montgomery Academy. By his marriage 
with Miss Julia M. Knapp, there were born four 
children. Charles B., the eldest, is a graduate of 
Yale University, and is now quite a successful 
attorney in New York City. February 26, 1895, 
he married Miss Sarah Cooper Rogers, a daugh- 
ter of Gen. George Rogers, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 
Nathaniel P. is also a graduate of Yale Univer- 
sity, and is now a civil engineer in Colorado; he 
is connected with the Union Oil Company, of 
which his uncle is President. Helen A. and Alice 
Hale are now attending a collegiate school in 
Englewood, preparatory to entering Vassar Col- 
lege. Charles B. and Nathaniel P. attended the 
Williston Seminar}' at Easthampton, Mass., pre- 
paratory to entering Yale. Mr. Hill and family 
are all ardent Republicans, and Mrs. Hill and 
her two sons are members of the Presbyterian 
Church at Montgomery. 

The first appearance of the Hill family in Amer- 
ica was about 1730, when Nathaniel Hill, the 
great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in 
1705, came to this countr}' from Countrj' Cavan, 
Ireland. He was of English stock, and a descen- 
dant of the family of the ancient Anglo-Norman 
.surname, members of which moved from England 
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when, in 
1573, Sir Moses Hill, Knight, and Peter Hill, his 
son, accompanied the Earl of Essex at the head 
of the English forces sent to suppress O'Neil's 
rebellion. Both Moses Hill and his son Peter 
were granted large estates, chiefly in County 
Down. The records and many circumstances 
connected with the life of Nathaniel Hill show 
that he was a descendant of the landed gentry of 
England, and that he came to this country pos- 
.sessed of considerable wealth. Soon after his ar- 
rival he went to a Scotch -Irish settlement west of 
the Hudson River, then known as Dwaars Kill, 
in the precinct of Hanover, but now the town of 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Crawford. The first public record we have of 

him is his enlistment in Captain Bayard's militia 
in 1738. 

Nathaniel Hill was a prosperous man. His son 
Peter, grandfather of our subject, was bom in this 
county in 1751. When only tweuty-four years 
old he was commissioned Captain in Col. James 
Clinton's regiment of militia, and became distin- 
guished on account of his gallant defense of Ft. 
Montgomen.-. Hedied when about forty -four years 
old. He married Isabelle Trimble, and about 
1 774 occupied the brick mansion built for him by 
his father near Montgomery-. His son. Nathan- 
iel P. Hill, the father of our subject, was bom in 
1 78 1, and was educated at Montgomery Acad- 
emy. In the War of 1S12 he was a Lieutenant in 
Capt. Peter Milliken'scavaln.-. Though he never 
sought office, he was often called upon to fill po- 
sitions of responsibility, and was a member of 
the Legislature in 1S16-19-20 and 1825. In 1836 
he was Presidential Elector and voted for Martin 
Van Buren. There are persons still U\"ing who 
remember his popularity-, for he was sought by 
his neighbors to decide questions in dispute. 
Judge Monnell once said that Nathaniel P. HUl 
decided more cases oflF the Bench than any Judge 
in Orange Count\- on the Bench. He died in 
1S42. in his sixt>--second year. 



|~RANK MOULD. Among the citizens of 
1^ Orange County this gentleman is known as 
I one of the most energetic and liberal-spirited 
farmers of the town of Montgomer>-. He belongs 
to a family whose representatives were numbered 
among the early settlers of New York, the remote 
ancestors being natives of Holland. A shrewd 
business man, he was successful in his mercantile 
enterprise, and is meeting with excellent results 
as an agriculturist. He commands the respect 
of his fellow-men. his prominence among them 
being due as much to his personal character as 
to his ability and success in business affairs. 

Up>on the farm that he now owns the subject 
of this sketch was bom March 9. 1S52, being the 
seventh among eleven children bom to John and 



Emily (Donglas) Monld. Of his brothers and 

sisters we note the following: Mar\- E. is the wife 
ot George W. Pierson. of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. : 
Sarah is unmarried : Emma F. is the wife of AUen 
Br\-son. a farmer of this town; Jonathan is en- 
gaged in the dr>- -goods business at Reading. Pa. ; 
Harrison D. is a traveling salesman, with head- 
quarters at Poughkeepsie. N. Y. : Catherine mar- 
ried N. I. Ouackenbos. whose sketch is presented 
on another page of this volume: Frank is the 
next in order of birth: Carrie is the wife of L. H. 
Holmes, of Albany. N. Y. : Maria died at the age 
of thirty- -three years: Isaac W. passed from earth 
when thirty-five j-ears old: and Alice T.. the 
youngest, is unmarried. 

The father of our subject was bom on the old 
homestead in this town, and here spent his entire 
life, dying at the age of seventy-six. He was a 
successful farmer, a strong Republican, and an 
active member of the Montgomery- Reformed 
Church. His grandparents were bom in Hol- 
land, and were the first representatives of the 
family in the United States. Our subject's mother 
is still living and is now (1S95* sevent\--six 
years of age. 

The boyhood years of our subject were passed 
uneven tfiilly on the home farm, his education 
being gained in the schools of the neighborhood. 
Upon attaining his majority- he went to Reading, 
Pa., where he engaged in a general mercantile 
business with his brother Jonathan until 1894. 
Disposing of his interest in the enterprise at that 
time, he remained in Reading until the spring of 
1S95, when he returned to Orange County and 
purchased the homestead where he was bom. 
This consists of one hundred acres of land, upon 
which valuable improvements have been placed, 
and which is devoted to the raising of the various 
cereals. 

January 29, 18S4. Mr. Mould was united in 
marriage with Miss Annie Lewis, of Scranton, 
Pa., who died in 1SS5. His present wife, with 
whom he was united December 6. 1S94. bore the 
maiden name of Olivia S. Fleming, and prior to 
her marriage was a resident of Reading. Pa. She 
is the possessor of an intelligent mind, a Christian 
character and many useful accomplishments, and 



PORTRAIT A2sD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has made many friends among the people of 
Montgomer>- Town. In politics Mr. Mould is a 
thorough Republican. As a citizen he is public- 
spirited, reliable and prominent, while his f)er- 
sonal character is that ot an honorable, generous 
and upright man. 



G^ 



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-'-<Lrwi>-^ 



^ 



SHARLES H. KAUXE. one of the promi- 
nent citizens of Montgomerv". was born No- 
vember 2. 1S36, and passed his boyhood in 
New York Cit\- and on Long Island. At the age 
of fourteen years he became a clerk in a drug 
store in New York Cit>-. where he remained un- 
til the breaking out of the Civil War. About 
forty- years ago his parents. Amos and Maria 
(Wolfrom ■ Kaune, arrived in Montgomerj-, where 
the father died at the age of seventy-five years. 
For three years he had served during the Rebel- 
lion, in the Union army, and as he had some 
knowl^ge of medicine, having studied it when a 
young man. he was placed in charge of the trans- 
portation of the invalid and wounded soldiers 
from the front to northern hospitals. 

The brother of our subject. Amos A. Kaune, 
who is now manager of the John G. Borden es- 
tate in Green Cove Springs. Fla. . but a resident 
of Montgomery-, was also a soldier of the Union 
army. In May, 1S61, he enlisted in the na\-T,-. 
becoming a seaman 'on board the frigate "Wa- 
bash." At Charleston, in August. 1S63. he was 
captured, while doing picket dutj- in the harbor. 
A line of pickets had been established by each 
side, and as the boat on which he was serving 
was within the enemy's lines it was taken. He 
jumped overboard, but becoming exhausted after 
remaining in the water three hours, he landed on 
Sullivan's Island, where he was taken prisoner. 
For four months he was held at Charleston and 
Columbia, S. C, and at Belle Isle, when he was 
paroled, this terminating his serv-ice. At Fair 
Haven, N. J., in 1866. he was married, and con- 
tinued to make that place his home until about 
ten vears ago. when he came to Montgomery-. 



In May, 1861, Charles H. Kaune also enlisted 
in the na\-\- and was placed on board the United 
States frigate "Wabash. " It was a steam ves- 
sel used in blockading the coast off Charleston, 
and was under the command of Capt. Samuel 
Mercer and Admiral Du Pont. It was engaged 
in the bombardment of Ft. Hatteras and Clark, 
X. C, at the time of the Butler campaign. After 
ha\-ing ser\-ed three years, Mr. Kaune was dis- 
charged, but was soon appointed Hospital Steward 
on the steamers "Union" and "Memphis." supply 
vessels, where he remained until the close of the 
war. After ser\-ing in the Union cause for about 
four years he received an honorable discharge. 

For twenty -five years after retiring from the 
ser\-ice. Mr. Kaune engaged in the saloon busi- 
ness in Montgomen,-. and for the past two years 
he has conducted a store. carr\-ing a stock of gro- 
ceries, confectioner)- . tobacco, etc. He is also 
considerably interested in real estate, and has 
erected a fine residence in the southern part of the 
\-illage. 

Ou the 4th of April. 1S72. Mr. Kaune wedded 
Miss Laura Jewell, daughter of John and Martha 
1 Paynton 1 Jewell, of Montgomen.-. but who are 
now both deceased. The father, who was a black- 
smith by trade, was bom iti this village, and was 
a son of Jacob Jewell, a farmer. The latter's fa- 
ther was one of the earliest settlers of Orange 
County- . and his father, who was the founder of. 
the family in the Xew World, arrived here before 
the Revolution. Mrs. Kaune' s mother was bom 
in Connecticut, and was a daughter of Asher 
Paynton. with whom she came to this place when 
fourteen years of age. She departed this life on 
the 9th of September, 1S94. at the age of sixt\-- 
three years, and her husband died July 19. 1884, 
at the age of fifty-nine years. Our subject and 
his wife have five children. Mattie M., who grad- 
uated from the academy in the Class of '92, is a 
musician, and has engaged in teaching music: she 
has ser\-ed as organist for Rev. F. Brad}- and also 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Laura K. 
graduated from the academy in 1895: and Flor- 
ence X., Viola and Wallace Paynton complete the 
family. 

Politically Mr. Kaune affiliates with the Dem- 



704 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ocracy, and for several terms has served as Vil- 
lage Trustee. He is one of the enterprising citi- 
izens of Montgomery, interested in its welfare, 
and aids in all public affairs that are calculated to 
benefit the community. Socially he belongs to 
the Grand Army of the Republic and the Ancient 
Order of Foresters of America. He is now serv- 
ing as President of the local branch of the State 
Association of Wine, Liquor and Beer Dealers. 
He has made quite a study of floriculture, in 
which he is greatly interested, and for twenty 
years has given much attention to the cultivation 
of dahlias. He has produced over one hundred 
varieties and specimens, and now has a collection 
of about two hundred, one of the finest anywhere 
to be found, and of which the owner may justly be 
proud. 



gEORGE PIERSON, who has resided on his 
present estate in the town of Hampton- 
burgh for nearly fifty years, is well known in 
Orange County, and is the forfunate possessor of 
as comfortable a home and surroundings as could 
be wished for. He comes of one of the oldest 
and most respected families of the state, his great- 
grandfather, Silas Piersou, being the first to make 
his home in this county. 

Our subject was born in this town, January i, 
1824, and is the son of Henry Pierson, also a na- 
tive of the same place, who in turn was the son 
of Joseph Pierson, a substantial resident of the 
county. Our subject's mother, who in maiden- 
hood was Miss Mary Shaw, was a native of Or- 
ange County, and four of her eight children grew 
to manhood and womanhood. Of these, George, 
of this sketch was the eldest; William H. lives in 
this town; Sarah J. departed thishfein 1855; and 
Cornelia W. died in 1893. The husband and fa- 
ther lived until 1866, when he was called hence. 
His wife preceded him to the better land, dying 
in 1853. Their remains lie side by side in the 
Hamptonburgh Cemetery. 

The old home farm on which Henn- Pierson 
was born was the birthplace of our subject. Like 



the boys of that day, he first attended^the district 
school, conning his lessons while seated on slab 
benches. Afterward he became a student of the 
Amherst Academj' at Amherst, Mass. He grew 
to manhood under the parental roof, and when 
ready to take unto himself a wife was married, 
December 20, 1848, to Miss Mary E. Thompson, 
daughter of Oliver Thompson, an old resident of 
that county. Their union resulted in the birth 
of four children. Mary K. is now the wife of 
Thomas B. Tuthill, of Blooming Grove; Sarah J. 
died in 1861; George M. resides with his father 
on the homestead; and Margaret A. is the wife of 
George G. Woodhull. 

In 1849 Mr. Pierson moved onto the farm 
where he now makes his home, and which has 
been the scene of his labors for nearly a half-cent- 
ury. It contains one hundred and forty acres, 
and is devoted to general farming, the owner, 
however, making a specialty of dairy farming. 
Our subject is interested at all times in public 
affairs, and has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace since 1869, and is also serving as Assessor. 
Socially he is a Mason of good standing, and in 
religious matters is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which for many years he has been a 
Trustee. 



•♦>*^« 



.^♦r-«- 



GlNDREW K. WADE, who deals in stoves 
LI and tinware in Walden, was born August 10, 
/ I 1845, in Montgomery, and is a son of Jabez 
P. and Susan (Millspaugh) Wade, the latter a 
daughter of an old settler of Orange County. Our 
subject's father died when he was an infant, his 
mother sundving him some years, and dying in 
Walden, at the age of sixty-eight. She kept her 
family together with the assistance of the older 
children, and succeeded in giving each a fair start 
in life. Our subject was the youngest in the fam- 
ily of eight. 

The family remained in Montgomery until 1859, 
when they removed to Walden, Andrew K. at 
that time being fourteen years of age. One year 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



later he entered the tinware shop of his brother 
Joseph, and worked for him until he completed 
his trade. He was then employed bj- his brother- 
in-law, E. B. Tears, of New York City, until 1888, 
when he succeeded him in his business, which he 
has continued to prosecute until the present time. 

In April, 1879, Mr. Wade was united in mar- 
riage with Mi.ss Sarah Frances McVeigh, a native 
of Walden, and daughter of William and Ruth 
Ann (Newkirk) McVeigh. Her father was a car- 
penter, and resided in Walden for forty 3'ears. 
Four children were born unto our subject and 
wife, onh' one of whom is now living. Edward 
died at the age of four years, and Frederick and 
Elizabeth in infancy. The living one is Frances 
Willard, named for the great apostle of temper- 
ance. 

Politically Mr. Wade is a Democrat, and has 
served his adopted city as Police Justice for one 
year, and was subsequently elected Justice of the 
Peace, but did not qualify. He served three terms 
as Town Supervisor, and has ever been active as 
a member of his part3\ Mrs. Wade is a lady of 
culture, and is an enthusiastic admirer of Frances 
Willard, an active member of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union, and also of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church. 

<y^HOMAS FARLEY, one of the oldest resi- 
I C dents of Orange County, is still living on 
Viy his old homestead, where almost his entire 
life has been passed. This place is located in the 
town of Goshen and is one of the best in this 
section. Our subject, who is now eightj'-three 
years ot age, well remembers his early life in this 
county and has been a witness of vast changes, 
even in this old and thickly populated town. 

Thomas Farley was born November 28, 18 12, 
to Luke and Margaret (Gordon) Farley, both of 
whom were born near Dublin, Ireland. They 
spent their early lives in their native land, and 
emigrated to America after their marriage, at 
once taking up their abode in Orange County, 
where they reared their family of .sons and daugh- 
ters, and passed the remainder of their lives. 



The father was a ropemaker in his native land, 
and also followed this industry to some extent 
after coming to this county, although the greater 
part of his time was passed in agricultural pur- 
suits. He manufactured the rope with which 
Tidd and Dunning, the murderers of Mr. Jen- 
nings, of this county, were e^iecuted many years 
ago. The parents are now deceased, dying at 
the respective ages of eighty-six and seventy-one 
years. 

Our subject had very inferior advantages for 
gaining an education, as he was set to work to 
earn his own living when quite young, and in 
order to attend school at all was obliged to work 
harder mornings and evenings when his employer 
could spare him. He continued to reside at home 
off and on until attaining his twenty-fifth year, 
and has almost continuously since that time been 
engaged in farming. For four and one-half years, 
however, he was in the milk business in New 
York City, but on his return to this county lo- 
cated on his present homestead, where he has 
lived ever since. The place contains substantial 
improvements, and embraces one hundred and 
fifty acres, which the owner devotes to general 
farming. Mr. Farley is now advanced in years 
and does little more than to oversee the opera- 
tion of his valuable land. 

Our subject was married, in 1838, to Miss Mary 
E. Coleman, the daughter of John and Mary 
(Robinson) Coleman, natives of Orange Count}'. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Farley there was born a 
daughter, Mary, who is now the widow of Will- 
iam Harman and resides at Newburgh. Mrs. 
Farley departed this life in 1841,- and the follow- 
ing year her husband was married to Esther Nel- 
son, who departed this life January 29, 1869. 
This union resulted in the birth of eight children, 
four of whom are now living, namely: Helen M., 
the wife of Charles Knapp, of this county ; Azubah 
M., at home with her father; James Gilbert, a 
resident of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and Harvey N., 
who resides in Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Farley is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Chester, and during his younger years 
was an active worker in the same. He has voted 
the Republican ticket ever since the organization 



•job 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of that party, but previous to that time was a 
Whig. He is a gentleman genial in manner and 
enjoys the high regard of all the residents of 
Orange Count}', bj' whom he is well known. 



<OC*I*'5*^*5"J'*5*'5*'i"5**5"5*"2 



^•{•♦•i-5- -i-}"!-?- ++++50 



K^ELSON H. WILCOX, proprietor of the Oc- 
\ I cidental Liverj' and Boarding Stables at Go- 
lls shen, is a fine representative of the native- 
born citizens of Orange County, and is classed 
among its most prosperous business men. He 
was born in the town of Greenville, June 15, 
1843, to David and Mary (Ferguson) Wilcox. 
His father died when he was quite young and the 
date of his birth is not positively known. Mrs. 
Wilcox, who was bom in Greenville, departed 
this life March 31, 1880, at Port Jervis, in which 
locality she was greatly esteemed and respected. 
She became the mother of two sons and two 
daughters, named, respectively, Elizabeth, Hen- 
ry, Ellen and Nelson H. 

Our subject was reared in his native city, at- 
tending its common schools until commencing to 
make his own way in the world, which he did as 
soon as reaching his majority. His first work 
was on farms in the vicinity, after which he was 
employed on the Delaware & Hudson Canal. 
About this time he was married to Miss Catherine 
M. Barrett, a native of Port Jervis. He still con- 
tinued to work on the canal, and was finally made 
captain of a boat, which position he held for 
three years, running between Honesdale, Pa. , and 
Rondout, N. Y., a distance of one hundred and 
eight miles. 

Upon retiring from life on the canal our subject 
began contracting to furnish wood for the Erie 
Railroad Company, his headquarters being at 
Port Jervis. In order to carry on this business 
he was obliged to hire many men, but at the end 
of two years he abandoned it and became brake- 
man on the same road, running between Port 
Jervis and Jerse}' City. Six months later he was 
made flagman, and subsequently he was promoted 
to be conductor of a freight train, his route lying 
between Port Jervis and Jersey City. He ran on 
the road in this capacity for a period of thirteen 



years, but in 1887 resigned and engaged in 
the grocery business at Port Jervis. This he 
conducted with good success until April, 1889, 
when he disposed of his stock to good advantage, 
and, coming to Goshen, bought an interest in the 
Occidental Stables and has made his home in 
this city ever since. The location of the stable is 
in the rear of the Occidental Hotel, from which 
it derives its name. It is one of the largest estab- 
lishments of the kind in the place and has ample 
accommodation for boarding twenty-five horses. 
He carries a large v-ariety of cabs, coupes and car- 
riages, and makes a specialty' of furnishing ve- 
hicles for funerals, weddings, parties, etc. His 
prices are popular, and he receives a liberal pat- 
ronage. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox there have been born 
two children: Ernest, now in the employ of the 
Ontario & Western Railroad Company at Port 
Jer\ds; and James V., a tinsmith of Middletown. 
Socially Mr. Wilcox is an Odd Fellow of good 
standing, holding membership with Neversink 
Lodge No. 358. In politics he is a stanch sup- 
porter of Democratic principles. Mrs. Wilcox is 
a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in the work of which she takes an active 
and prominent part. 



(TOSEPH Y. DAVIS, a farmer of the town of 
I Chester, was born in the town of Monroe, 
v2/ June 8, 1852, and is the .son of Cornelius B. 
and Julia Ann (Youngs) Davis, both natives of 
Orange Count)-, where they yet continue to re- 
side. They are living on the old farm, but the 
father has retired from active business on account 
of age, being eighty-three years old. His wife is 
sevent3--seven j-ears of age, and both are jet in 
the possession of fair health. 

The subject of this sketcli, who attended the 
district schools of Orange County in youth, was 
reared on the farm and has always Ibllowed the 
occupation of a farmer. He has now one hun- 
dred and forty acres of nicely improved land, on 
which are a neat residence and outbuildings, be- 
sides other improvements. On the 28th of April, 




\V. D, TRATHAGEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



709 



1880, he was united in marriage with Miss AUie 
J. Bertholf, of the town of Monroe, and a daugh- 
ter of James H. Bertholf This union has been 
blessed b_v the birth of three children: Harry B., 
Julia Anna and Ruth S., who are yet residing at 
home with the parents. 

Politically Mr Davis is a Republican and has 
always been an advocate of the principles of that 
party. He has never been an office-seeker, al- 
though he is at the present time .serving as Road 
Commissioner, School Trustee and Assessor of 
the town. He is a progressive citizen and a good 
farmer, and is respected by all who know him. 



[DQlLLIAM D. TRAPHAGEN is a very suc- 

\ A / ce,ssful boot and shoe merchant of New- 
Y Y burgh, having a fine location at No. 2 
Golden Street, where he has a frontage of thirty 
feet, which affords fine display windows and excel- 
lent light. His life has been more than ordinar- 
ily eventful, especially so in his youth, when he 
shipped before the ma.st on a sailing-vessel which 
was engaged in the whaling trade. 

Our subject comae from the sturdy old Knicker- 
bocker stock of New York, his ancestors having 
emigrated hither from Holland. His grandfa- 
ther, James, was born at New Hurley, Ulster 
County, where he operated a farm. His father, 
Benjamin Traphagen, a native of the same sec- 
tion, also followed agricultural pursuits until he 
retired, three years prior to his death, which oc- 
curred in Newburgh in June, 1869, when sixty- 
nine years of age. For a long period he had 
been a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
and held official positions in the .same. His wife 
was Miss Sarah J. Decker before their marriage, 
and her mother was Miss Helms, of Orange 
County. Mrs. Traphagen was a native of Ulster 
County, and died in 1854, when our subject was 
only two years old. Of her three sons and two 
' daughters, all but one grew to maturity, but of 
j these W. D. is now the only survivor. 

IThe birth of our subject occurred in New Hur- 
31 



ley, October 21, 1852. He was brought up on a 
farm until thirteen years old, obtaining such ed- 
ucational advantages as the district schools of- 
fered. From that time onward he resided in 
Newburgh, and for two years clerked for the dry- 
goods firm of Fowler & Velie. Then for a year 
he was with James T. Lawson & Co. , merchant 
tailors. In 1869, however, his desire for a sea- 
faring life led him to start on a whaling voyage 
from New Bedford, Mass., on the good ship 
"Spartan," which proceeded to the southern Pa- 
cific Ocean by way of Cape Horn. For fifteen 
days, on account of a storm, they made no head- 
way, but after rounding the cape they cruised 
along the coast of Chili, Peru and Ecuador. 
The voyage lasted altogether about three years, 
and at the end of twelve months young Trapha- 
gen was promoted to be harpooner, being the 
youngest one on the coast. In spite of the hard- 
ships and dangers incident to the life, it had much 
charm for one of his spirit, and on his return 
home it was not long ere he again obtained a po- 
sition as a harpooner on the "Ohio," which 
sailed from New Bedford in northern and south- 
ern Atlantic waters. The trip lasted three and 
a-half years, during which time our subject had 
some narrow escapes. Twice the boat in which 
he was pursuing a whale was capsized or broken 
to pieces by the lashing of the mighty denizen of 
the deep, but he was rescued by his companions. 
In the fall of 1875 the ves.sel returned to New 
Bedford and the young man settled down to a 
quiet business life. 

In March, 1876, Mr. Traphagen entered the 
employ of T. Bartlett & Son, who were engaged 
in the shoe business, and continued with them 
until February, 1880. He then purchased the 
stock of boots and shoes of John W. Magee, and 
conducted the bu.siness alone for three years at 
No. 25 Water Street. In 1884 he entered into 
partnership with S. J. Leslie at the same stand, 
the firm being known as Traphagen & Leslie. 
In July, 1890, this connection was severed, our 
subject selling out his entire interest in the con- 
cern to Mr. Leslie. On the 30th of the following 
August he settled upon his present location, buy- 
ing a full line of custom-made goods, and has 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



since represented many of the boot and shoe 
makers of the countn.- . among them being Hath- 
away, Soule & Harrington, Lonsbur\- & Soule 
and the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company. 

The pleasant residence of our subject at No. 
91 Lander Street is presided over by his wife, 
formerly Miss Hannah B. Jenkins, to whom he 
was married in October, 1S82. She was bom at 
Xew Hurley, and is the youngest daughter of 
Capt. James R. Jenkins, now of Xewburgh. She 
was reared to womanhood and received her edu- 
cation in the schools of Xewburgh. 

At present Mr. Traphagen is the representa- 
tive of Lawson Hose Company Xo. 5. with which 
he has been connected as a member for some 
years. He was assistant foreman of the same 
for two years, and for a like pieriod acted as Sec- 
retary. A Mason of high standing, he belongs 
to Hudson River Lodge Xo. 607, F. & A. M.. 
of which he is Past Master: is Scribe of High- 
land Chapter Xo. 52, R. A. M.: and Senior 
Warden of Hudson River Commander^- Xo. 35. 
K. T. In matters relating to national p>olitics 
he is a thorough-going Republican. A member 
of Trinit\- Methodist Episcopal Church, he is now 
serving ably as Assistant Superintendent of the 
Sundav-school. 



(TOHX \V. ROE. of the town of Chester, was 
I bom upon the farm where he now lives 
C2? in 1S24, being the yoirngest child bom to 
Da\-id and Clarissa (Carpenter "i Roe, both of 
whom were also natives of Orange County- . Dur- 
ing his entire life Daxid Roe was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He was a quiet, unassuming 
citizen, and died in 1S55, resp)ected by all who 
knew him. The subject of this sketch was reared 
on the home farm, and received his education in 
the Sugar Loaf schools. As a fanner he has 
been quite successful, and now devotes his atten- 
tion principally to the dairj- business. The farm 
on which he resides is a beautiful one, and the 
buildings are modem and substantial. 

Mr. Roe was married, in 1S55, to Mar>- Board, 
daughter of James and Hulda (^Hudson > Board, 



natives of Orange County. Three children have 
been bom to them: Anna, now the wife of WiU- 
iam J. Penoyer. of Orange Count\": Da\4d, of 
Schu\ler Count\-: and Fannie, wife of Cyrus F. 
Wood, who resides at Chester. Mrs. Roe is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church at Chester. 
In politics Mr. Roe is a Republican, believing 
firmly in the principles of that partj-, and in all 
national affairs voting his part\-'s ticket. He has 
served three years as Assessor of his town, but 
neither his taste nor inclination are such as to 
-make him aspire to public oflSce. As a citizen 
he is widely known for his kindness to his fellow- 
men and for his upright character. The Golden 
Rule with him is his pride in life. 



Q ROTHERHOOD WIXE COMPAXY. Xo 
j^ enterprise of Orange Countj- has gained for 
C^ its projectors greater success, or has proved 
a more important factor in building up the com- 
munity-, than the Brotherhood Wine Company, 
which has its vineyards at Washington^■iUe. The 
oflBcers of the company are J. M. Emerson, Pres- 
ident; E. R. Emerson, Vice-President: and J. M. 
Emerson, Jr. , Secretary and Treasurer, the head- 
quarters of the concern being at Xo. 58 Park Row. 
Potter Building, Xew York. 

This has the distinction of being one of the 
oldest established wine industries in the United 
States, the enterprise ha\"ing been started by 
Jaques Bros, in 1837. though the comj>any was 
not organized until two years later. From the 
first the wine has had a reputation for puritj- and 
bouquet, and these qualities have brought it into 
prominence among the wine merchants as well as 
with the general public. In 1S94 a new stone 
building was erected sevent}.- feet high, fiftj- feet 
wide and one hundred feet deep, which is a mode! 
structure of its kind. It contains two large ce- 
mented arched cellars and is well appKiinted 
throughout. ha\"ing telegraph and telephone lines, 
as well as other modem improvements. 

In the cellar there are stored fortv-eight casks ot 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



twent\--four hundred gallons each, and in the dr\- 
wine vault there are two hundred thousand gallons 
now on hand. From fifh" to one hundred and fiftj- 
cases are shipped daily from these cellars. An 
underground tunnel leads back to the old cellars, 
which are three hundred and fifteen feet long. A 
part of them, 75x18 feet, was built in 1S39, upon 
the establishment of the business. In this part 
there are twenty -two casks of about three hundred 
gallons each, some of the wine being over a-half 
centurv" old. The fungus growth over these casks 
and on the timbers of the cellar bears unmistaka- 
ble e\-idence of the age of the wine. The writer 
saw a specimen of this fungus growth which was 
at least one-half inch in thickness. It is a growth 
{peculiar to wine cellars and gets thicker as the 
wine grows older. This wine is probably the 
finest in the United States. The firm has been 
offered S25 per gallon for it. and could doubtless 
get almost any price they might ask for it. Such 
a cellar of wine would grace the home of some 
multi-millionaire, if they would sell it: they have, 
however, plentj* of wines of good age and can sat- 
isfy the most fastidious without tapping this par- 
ticular vintage. 

Another part of this cellar was built in 1S55, 
and is three hundred and fifteen feet long. While 
not, of course, as elegant and roomy as the new 
vaults, it ser\-es a good purpose. Over these cel- 
lars are the bottle, box and mailing rooms, to- 
gether with the other departments necessan.- for 
the successful prosecution of the work. Casks, 
jugs and bottles are bought in car-load lots and 
are systematically arranged, so as to present a 
neat appearance. Olive oil is brought direct from 
Syria. The fermenting room, which is in the 
new building, has four vats of twenty-five hun- 
dred gallons' capacitv" each, and numerous smaller 
ones. In this building is also situated the press- 
room, where the pure juice of the grape is ex- 
tracted and pressed. 

The vineyards at \Vashington\411e comprise 
about one hundred acres, and no less than sixt>-- 
six varieties of grapes have been propagated. 
From these different kinds the ver\- best have 
been selected and cultivated, which accounts in a 
great measure for the excellent and superior 



flavor of the wines. It has been found that the 
finest gTaf>es for some particular brands of wine 
cannot be produced in New York State, and the 
company, being fully alive to these material ele- 
ments, have arranged the business so that climate 
and every outside influence has careful study and 
consideration. Their clarets are manufactured 
from seedling grapes, which they grrow in Vir- 
ginia, and in this way they are enabled to pro- 
duce the ven,- finest qualities. 

Among the wines manufactured by the com- 
panj- are all the standard brands, such as sherrv", 
lona, Delaware, Reg^iua, port. Tokay, Madeira, 
Catawba, claret and altar and dr>- table wines. 
They also sell large quantities of blackbern,- and 
chenA- brandies, the Brotherhood Stomach Bit- 
ters, Old Royal, Vintage 1S75, Old XXXXX Rye, 
Old Kentucky Bourbon, champagne of the best 
grades, Palestine olive oil and cordials. The su- 
f>erior flavor of the wines is a subject of comment 
by connoisseurs, and testimony both at home and 
abroad is abundant as to the superiority and 
purit>- of the wines of the Brotherhood Wine 
Company. 

One of the finest wine exhibits at the World's 
Fair was that made by this company, and it was 
visited by thousands of people. The exhibit was 
under the personal management of Henr>- M. 
Fitch, who took thousands of dollars of orders for 
the firm during the Exposition, In this way the 
wine was brought into more general prominence 
throughout the entire countr\-. It has from the 
first been the policy of the company to obtain 
everj- modem appliance for the best and most 
scientific treatment during all stages, from the 
gathering of the fruit to the maturing of the wine. 
It has also been their policy to obtain the best 
known varieties of domestic and foreign grape 
clippings, and continue experiments in trans- 
planting in this soil until the highest results may 
be attained. AU the processes, from the produc- 
tion of the grape to the rich, pure wine ready for 
shipment, are under the personal superintendence 
of a member of the company, so that they can 
vouch for the absolute security of every quotation 
on their price list. 

The Vice-President and Superintendent of the 



712 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Brotherhood Wine Company is E. R. Emerson, 
son of J. M. Emerson, who was formerly in the 
wine business, but uow lives in New York City, 
retired from active labor. E. R. Emerson was 
born October 22, 1856, and received a good edu- 
cation in New York City, where he learned tel- 
egraphy and bookkeeping, working at the former 
occupation for a number of years. Fifteen years 
ago he turned his attention to the wine business, 
and subsequently bought this plant, which, after 
running for about eight years, was incorporated. 
Socially he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. 
He married Miss Ida Delacy, of Youngstown, 
Ohio, and they have a daughter, Jessie, an ac- 
complished young lady. 

The Secretary- and Treasurer of the firm, J. M. 
Emerson, Jr., was born November i, 1852, in 
New York City, where he was reared to manhood. 
Until 1887 he was engaged in the jewelry busi- 
ness, but at that time he turned his attention to 
the wine business, in which he has since been 
engaged. He is an able financier and has full 
charge of that department of the business, which 
under his efficient management has been kept in 
excellent condition. His entire attention is given 
to the enterprise with which he is connected. 
Fourteen men are emplo^-ed by the company as 
traveling salesmen, and an immense bu.siness is 
carried on, the profits being larger each succeed- 
ing year. Between the vineyards at Washing- 
tonville and the ofiice in New York City there is 
a private telegraph line, and every means is taken 
whereby the success of the business will be en- 
hanced. 



(lAMES SMITH, a successful agriculturist of 
I the town of Montgomery, was born April 10, 
(2/ 1841, upon the farm where he still resides. 
There were eight children born of the union of 
David H. and Matilda (Kain) Smith, and but two 
of the number survive. A biographical sketch of 
Captain Isaac is presented elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. Jane Ann became the wife of Calvin R. 
Brown, of Middletown, N. Y.; after her death he 
married Mrs. Harriet (Dickerson) Crawford, 



widow of Francis Crawford, by whom she had 

one daughter, Nancy Jane, the widow of Charles 
H. Winfield. By his second marriage Mr. Brown 
had four children, three of whom survive. Ellen 
married T. L. Millspaugh, represented elsewhere 
in this work: and Francis C. resides with his 
brother James, our subject. 

Born upon the farm where our subject now 
lives, David H. Smith spent his entire life here, 
engaged as a tiller of the soil. As a farmer he 
was successful and thrifty- , as a citizen progress- 
ive and liberal-spirited. In his political belief 
he was a Democrat, and in 1843 represented his 
district in the General Assemblj' . His death oc- 
curred when he was fifty-four years of age. His 
father, Capt. Henr\- Smith, was born in the town 
of Montgomer}', and received his title as the re- 
sult of meritorious ser\-ice in the Revolution. 
He was a member of the As.sembly in 1800. By 
trade he was a blacksmith, which he followed 
until his retirement fi-om active labors in old age, 
and his death occurred when he was seventy-five 
years of age. His parents were natives of Han- 
over, Germany , whence they emigrated to Amer- 
ica and settled in Orange County, prior to 1740. 

The mother of our subject was bom in this 
town, and died here February 18, 1872. Her 
great-grandfather. Rev. Joseph Houston, came to 
Orange County in 1740, and was the first minis- 
ter of the Goodwill Church in the town of Mont- 
gomer}-. Our subject was orphaned by his fa- 
ther's death when he was a child of five years. 
He was reared by his mother, who gave him the 
best advantages the neighborhood afforded and 
endeavored to prepare him for a position of honor 
and usefulness in the world. November 24, 18S1 , 
he married Miss Lida E., daughter of Hon. 
Stephen Rapalje, of this town, and a descendant 
of French ancestors, who were numbered among 
the earliest settlers of Long Island. Mr. Rapalje 
was born in Dutchess County, but spent the 
greater part of his life in Orange County, where 
he was a ver\' prominent politician. For a num- 
ber of years he served as County Commissioner, 
and he also represented his district in the Legis- 
lature. Two children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith, namely: Henry, whose birth occur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



713 



red August 24, 1882; and Jennie H., who was 
born March 18, 1886. 

Though not an active partisan, Mr. Smith be- 
haves in the principles of the Repubhcan party, 
and these he never hesitates to defend. He has 
filled the offices of Trustee and Clerk of Schools, 
the duties of which he discharged in a manner 
eminently satisfactory to the people of the town. 
The old homestead, that has been the property of 
the family since 1752, is now owned by him, he 
having purchased the interest of the other heirs. 
In addition to this place, which comprises one 
hundred and sixty -one acres, he is the owner of 
another farm in this town, the latter consisting of 
one hundred and eights-one acres. The personal 
character of Mr. Smith is above reproach, good 
principles marking his intercourse with his fel- 
low-men, and the utmost kindliness being dis- 
played toward those in need. 



(Jacob DICKERSON, one of the representa- 
I tive farmers and dair3men of the town of 
0/ Montgomery', was born here September i, 
1834, and is the fifth in a family of ten children 
born to Martinus M. and Maria (Sanions) Dick- 
ersou. Elizabeth died in infancy; Marj- is the 
widow of Dr. John B. Holt, of Newport; William 
is a stone dealer in Sioux Falls, S. Dak. ; Matth- 
ew S. is general agent in the state of Minne- 
sota for the .Etna Life Insurance Companj'; Ja- 
cob is our subject; John A. is a broker of New 
York City, but resides in New Jersey; George M. 
is a resident of Ulster County; Charles, who is a 
miller by trade, resides in Kingston, N. Y.; El- 
bert S., a railroad man, resides in New York 
City; and Sarah Jane died in infancy. 

The father of our subject was born in this town 
about 1798, and spent his entire life on the farm 
where he died, this event occurring about 1870, 
when he was about seventy-two years of age. 
He was quite successful in a business way, and 
was Commissioner of Highways in this town 
for fifteen years. Politically he was a strong 
Democrat. His brother Jacob was a Captain in 
the War of 181 2. William Dickerson, the grand- 



father of our subject, served in the Revclutionarj- 
War. When a young man, about 1770, he came 
from Holland, and located on Long Island, later 
removing to this town, where he entered land and 
where his death occurred while he was in middle 
life. His wife's name was Elizabeth Millspaugh, 
and she was a native of Germany. 

Maria (Samons) Dickerson, the mother of our 
subject, was born in Ulster Countj-, and her death 
occurred when she was about seventy-five years 
old. She was a daughter of Matthew and Kath- 
erine Samons, who were residents of the county, 
but who were of Holland descent. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home on 
the farm where he was born, until he was about 
twenty-eight years of age. His primary educa- 
tion was obtained in the common schools in his 
native town, but this was later supplemented by 
a short attendance at the New York Conference 
Seminary. On the 26th of November, 1863, he 
married Miss Jane B. Millspaugh, a native of 
this town, born April 18, 1838, and the ninth in 
a family of ten children born to Lucas E. and 
Maria ( BodineJ Millspaugh. 

After his marriage, our subject began farming 
on the farm owned by his wife's father, where he 
remained until 1873, when he purchased the farm 
where he now resides. In his family were three 
children. Jesse M., the eldest, helps to manage 
the home farm. Carrie M. died when about three 
years old. William L., the youngest, is a grad- 
uate of Cornell College; he also studied law, and 
is now engaged in the practice of his profession 
in the village of Montgomery. He is a bright, 
active young man, having every- evidence of mak- 
ing a success of his future life. Politically Mr. 
Dickerson is a Democrat, but has always refused 
official positions. The family are members of the 
Reformed Church, of which Mr. Dickerson has 
been an active worker for about forty years. His 
home is on the bank of the Wallkill River, and 
thirty acres of his farm are within the corporate 
limits of the village of Walden. 

The children comprising the family of Lucas 
E. and Maria Millspaugh were as follows: Deli- 
lah, who died at the age of twenty-seven; Han- 
nah B., who married Egbert Millspaugh, and 



714 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



died at the age of seventy-four; Fredrick C, who 
died young; Benjamin, who died in infancy; Ja- 
cob C. S., who died at the age of twentj^-five; 
Newton B., a resident of Newburgh; Augustus, 
who died when about twentj' years old ; Jesse F. , 
who died when about twenty-seven years old; 
Jane B., the wife of our subject; and Mary 
Frances, who died at the age of fourteen. 

Lucas Millspaugh, the father of Mrs. Dicker- 
son, was born in 1797, in this town, near the vil- 
lage of Walden, and September 21, 1816, he mar- 
ried Maria Bodine. He was a verj- prosperous 
farmer, owning a large tract of land in the coun- 
ty, and his death occurred when he was seventj-- 
two years of age. Fredrick Millspaugh, his fa- 
ther, was also a native of this town, and lived to 
an advanced age. He married Mary Newkirk. 
Fredrick Millspaugh's father, Philip Millspaugh, 
the grandfather of Lucas E., was born in this 
town in 1774, and his father, the great-grandfather 
of Lucas E., Peter Von Miltzbock (now called 
Millspaugh), came to America about 1730, and 
located in Orange County. 

Mrs. Dickerson's mother, Maria Bodine, was 
born October 4, 1797, on the farm where our sub- 
ject now lives. She died in 1875, when seventy- 
eight years of age, and was a daughter of Ben- 
jamin and Susan (Kimbark) Bodine, the former 
of whom was born October 10, 1773. They were 
married in 1796, and became the parents of 
twelve children: Maria, Hannah, Delilah, Elsie 
C, Amanda, William, George, Malcolm, Eliza- 
beth L-, John Howard, Francis M. and Susan L. 
The Bodines were originally from France, and 
settled in Orange County at an early date. 



HORACE D. THOMPSON. Orange County 
is justly proud of her native-born citizens, 
who are honorably bearing their share in 
sustaining her interests and extending her wealth. 
Among these is the subject of this biographical 
review, who is engaged in farming in the town of 
Wallkill, and is one of its most progressive and 
enlightened agriculturists. His estate, which 
comprises one hundred and seventy-six acres, is 



under substantial improvement, the fields are well 
tilled, and a neat set of farm buildings adorns the 
place. 

Our subject was born on the farm where he is 
now living, December 3, 1844, and is the young- 
est of the family born to Virgil and Mary Ann 
(Decker) Thompson, natives of Montgomery. 
In 1839, soon after his marriage, the father pur- 
chased three hundred acres of land in the town of 
Wallkill, a part of which our subject now owns. 
He was prominently identified with farm pur- 
suits during his lifetime, and for many years was 
Vice-President of the Orange County Agricultural 
Societj'. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and 
although often solicited to hold office always de- 
clined to do so, preferring to give his time and at- 
tention to his own interests and let those serve 
the public who desired to do so. His demise, 
which occurred in 1882, was greatly mourned, 
for he was honored and respected in this locality, 
where his entire life had been .spent. His wife 
preceded him to the home beyond, dying in 1850. 

Horace Thompson received his primary educa- 
tion in the district schools, after which he at- 
tended Farmers' Hall Academy at Goshen, and 
later was a student in the private school conducted 
bj' D. L. Towle, also of Goshen. His education, 
however, was completed in the EUenville High 
School. When nineteen years of age he began 
teaching school, following this profession with 
ability for four j^ears, but at the end of that 
time abandoned it in order to give his undivided 
attention to farming, which industr}' he has fol- 
lowed ever since. He has one of the best im- 
proved estates in the county, and its fine appear- 
ance reflects great credit upon the owner. The 
house is a commanding one, surrounded by fine 
shade trees, and the outbuilding are of modern 
construction, with superior adaptation for carrj'- 
ing on the dairj' business. On the farm is kept a 
fine herd of Holstein cattle, and the milk is ship- 
ped to the Anglo-Swiss Condensery Company at 
Middletown. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1875 was Miss Sarah M. Millspaugh, the daugh- 
ter of Dr. G. M. and Sarah (Cameron) Millspaugh, 
natives of this state, who are prominent in their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



715 



community. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson has been blessed bj' the birth of four 
children: Edward Cameron, now a student in the 
college at Princeton, N. J.; and Charles Hudson, 
Anna May and Harold. The parents are both 
members of the Presbj'terian Church, in which 
the former is Elder. His political convictions 
coincide with the principles promulgated by the 
Republican party, to which he gives his heart}' 
support. He has held the position of Justice of 
the Peace for some time and is now Supervisor of 
his town. 



0ANIEL VAN ALST. The farm owned and 
occupied by this gentleman lies in the town 
of Montgomery, and though not one of the 
largest, is certainly one of the best improved and 
most attractive estates in Orange County. It 
consists of forty-.six acres of valuable land, em- 
bellished with a comfortable and commodious res- 
idence, together with the other buildings neces- 
sary for the successful management of the place. 
In addition to the raising of cereals, cousitlerable 
attention is paid to market-gardening and to the 
fruit business, both of v/hich have proved profita- 
ble sources of revenue. 

Referring to the family history of Mr. Van 
Alst, we find that his father, Bergoone, was born 
and reared in Dutchess County, and in early life 
became familiar with agriculture, which he fol- 
lowed for his life occupation. When a young 
man he came to Orange County, and here mar- 
ried Mi.ss Jane Lowe, a native of the town of 
Crawford, who died at the age of fifty-five years. 
His death occurred when he was forty-two. His 
parents were born in Dutchess County, to which 
point the grandfather had come from Long Lsl- 
and. The family is of Holland descent and was 
repre-sented among the early settlers of Long 
Island. 

The subject of this notice was born June i, 
i83i,and is the youngest of four children, the 
others being: Ebenezer, a farmer of this town; 



Mary, wife of Moses Mould, who were both killed 
in a railroad wreck; and Charles J., a farmer re- 
siding near our subject. Orphaned by his fa- 
ther's death when he was ten years old, Daniel 
continued to make his home with his mother un- 
til the age of twenty-one, and then embarked in 
agricultural pursuits in the town of Crawford. In 
1 86 1 he purchased the farm upon which he has 
since made his home. 

November 30, 1853, Mr. Van Alst married 
Miss Sarah Sebolt, of this county, who at her 
death left two children: Mary Jane, wife of John 
D. Mould, of this town; and John M., who assists 
his father in the cultivation of the farm. The 
second wife of our subject bore the maiden name 
of M. Adelaide Miller, and has been a life-long res- 
ident of this town, and by the people she is uni- 
versally esteemed for her many graces of charac- 
ter. Interested in everything that affects the 
welfare of his fellow-men and conduces to the 
prosperity of the county, Mr. Van Alst gives al- 
legiance to the Republican party, believing its 
platform, if carried out, would bring the highest 
good to the people. For nine years he served as 
Assessor, and at other times he has been called 
upon to serve in various local positions of trust. 
He and his wife are members of the Reformed 
Church, in which he has been both Deacon and 
Elder for many years. 

' ^# P ' . 



(p\ BNER BOOKSTAVER. In makmg men- 
I_| tion of the leading farmers of the town of 
/ I Montgomery, the name of Mr. Bookstaver 
appears rightfully prominent as that of a man who 
has been no unimportant factor in developing its 
agricultural resources. Possessed of more than 
ordinary intelligence, energetic, persevering and 
progressive in his ideas, he has always set his 
mark high and has never been content with or- 
dinary results. In addition to general farming, 
he has made a specialty of stock-raising and the 
dairy business, and has managed both his agri- 
cultural and business affairs with that sound 
judgment which seldom fails of success. 

Upon the farm where he now resides the sub- 



7i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ject of this article was born October lo, 1836, 
being the second among the three children of 
Daniel and Lettie M. (Weller) Bookstaver. The 
eldest child, Henr>' W., is now Judge of the 
Common Pleas Court in New York Cit}- and is a 
man of prominence and influence. The youngest 
child and only daughter is Catherine Ehzabeth, 
widow of Francis Crawford, who died in Orange 
Countj- at the age of fortj-nine j-ears. 

The first representative of the family in Amer- 
ica was Jacob, our subject's great-great-grandfa- 
ther, who emigrated from Holland and purchased 
a large tract of land in this town, a portion of the 
tract being owned bj^ our subject. Little is known 
concerning this ancestor, save that he became a 
naturalized American citizen in 1735. Our sub- 
ject's father and grandfather, both of whom bore 
the name of Daniel, were born on the old home- 
stead, and the mother of the former, Elizabeth 
Felter, also a native of this county, died at the age 
of eighty-four. Her husband, who was a farmer, 
died when only thirtj^ years old. The father, whose 
occupation was that of an agriculturist, died at 
the age of sixty-nine. For many years he was an 
Elder in the Reformed Church, of which he was 
an influential member. His wife, a native of this 
town, is now eighty-five years old, and for some 
years has made her home with our subject. Her 
parents were born in this county and were of Eng- 
lish descent. 

Upon attaining his majority our subject inher- 
ited the old homestead that has been in the family 
since 1725. October 10, 1866, on the thirtieth 
anniversary of his birth, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Anna Mould, who was born in 
this town and is a daughter of Johannes and 
Marj- (Shafer) Mould. They are the parents of 
a daughter, Lettie W., to whom they have given 
excellent advantages and who is an accomplished 
young lady. 

Following in his father's foot.steps in matters 
political, our subject affiliates with the Demo- 
crats. He is a member of the Reformed Church 
that his great-great-grandfather assisted in found- 
ing in 1732. The farm upon which he resides 
and in the cultivation of which he is engaged 
consists of one hundred and eighty acres, divided 



into fields and pastures of convenient size for the 
various kinds of farm work. He is a man occu- 
pying a good position in his community, one who 
has made for himself a good record, and who gives 
his support to the enterprises calculated for the 
good of the people around him, .socially, morallj- 
and financiallv. 



ri^g:! 



y/lATTHEW ROWE, who was for many 
Y \ears numbered among the prominent and 
(9 successful agriculturists of Orange County, 
died January 16, 1895. The estate which he oc- 
cupied during his entire life, and on which his 
birth occurred in 18 19, is located in the town of 
Montgomery, and is now occupied b}* his family. 
His father, who bore the name of Moses Rowe, 
was born Februarj- 28, 1790, on this same tract, 
and here also he passed away, April 13, 1854. 
He was a soldier in the War of 18 12, and was the 
most succe.ssful farmer in the town. His father, 
Matthew Rowe, was a native of Germany, and 
came to America when a young man. He mar- 
ried a Miss Ricely, and located in Orange County, 
being classed among its very earliest residents. 
He was a farmer also, and purchased the tract of 
land which has been handed down from father to 
son for five generations. Our subject's mother, 
formerly Miss Marj- Mould, was bom in 1791. 
She, too, was a native of this county, being de- 
scended from one of its oldest families. Her 
death occurred on the home farm, August 7, 
1867. 

The lady to whom our subject was married 
September 25, 1850. was Miss Eveline Clineman. 
She was born September 22, 1824, and died 
April 20, 1883. Their union resulted in the 
birth of eight children, two of whom are deceased. 
Moses, the eldest of the household, is a well-to- 
do farmer of this county ; Thomas is farming on a 
portion of the homestead; George is in Montana, 
where he is carrying on a thriving business as 
a furniture dealer; James is in partnership with 
George in the above business; Lizzie is single, 
and resides with her brother Moses; and Will- 




JACOB FOSTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



719 



iam, the 3'oungest of the family, and his brother 
Thomas inherited the homestead. 

In politics Mr. Rowe was a stanch supporter of 
Republican principles, and in religious affairs 
was a member of the Reformed Church. The 
estate which he left is one hundred and ten acres 
in extent, and this his son William and Thomas 
manage, devoting it to general and dairy farming. 
The latter are well educated and enterprising, 
and are succeedimj well in this vocation. 



n'ACOB FOSTER. Among those men who 
I have commenced at the bottom round of the 
(z) ladder of fortune and by dint of natural abil- 
ity and perseverance have worked their way to 
the top, we find Jacob Foster. To such men as 
he the country- is indebted for the excellent exam- 
ple set for the youth of the land, as well as for 
the good results which they have accomplished 
in the communities where they have resided. 
Our subject is now living in Highland Falls and 
is in good circumstances. 

Mr. Foster was born in Baden, German}-, Jan- 
uary I, 1S24, and made his home there until at- 
taining his twenty-fourth year. He was edu- 
cated in the model schools of that empire, after 
which lie learned the mason's and stonecutter's 
trade. The voyage from the Old World to the 
New consumed thirty-four days, and after arriv- 
ing in New York Citj- he worked for a time at his 
trade. He was a natural mechanic and was also 
an expert workman at the carpenter's trade. In 
1848, upon leaving the metropolis, he went to 
Rockland County, where he was variously em- 
ployed ten years, and then came to Highland 
Falls, where he has since made his home. He 
landed on the .shores of the New World in debt, 
but so well has he succeeded in his undertakings 
that he not only owes no man, but has a hand- 
some property, all of which, with the exception of 
the a.ssistance which has been rendered him by 
his good wife, he has accumulated alone. 

Mr. Foster was married in New York City, in 
May, 1850, to Miss Celestine Jandel, who emi- 
grated to this country from France in the year 



1849. To them was born a daughter, who was 
named in honor of her mother, but who is now 
deceased. Mr. Foster is the incumbent of the 
position of Road Commissioner, which he has 
held for three terms, and enjoys all the esteem 
commanded by men of .strict integrity and supe- 
rior strength of character. Especiallj- is he re- 
spected for having so nobly fought the battle of 
life, gaining for himself prominence without other 
assistance than his ability and willingness to 
work and his excellent judgment. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and .socially is a Mason of 
high .standing. In the Episcopal Church, of 
which he is a member, he is an active worker. 



'^-- 



=+ 



(T W. CORWIN, who is one of the old settlers 
I of Goshen, was the first Mayor of the place, 
(2/ acting in that capacitj^ for three years, and 
was also a member of the Board of Trustees for 
several years. He is now President of the Elec- 
tric-light Company, which he assisted to organ- 
ize, and in which he owns much of the .stock, 
and is al.so President of the Music Hall Companj-. 
He enjoys the distinction of having been longer 
engaged in the hardware business than anj' other 
merchant in the county, and has met with good 
success. 

The subject of this article is of Scotch descent, 
but his grandfather, Eli, was a native of Long 
Island. At an earl)- day he settled near Scotch- 
town, Orange Count}-, where he improved a farm 
and made his home until his death, which occur- 
red when he was well along in years. Jason, the 
father of our subject, who was a man of influence 
in his community, was born in this county, and 
was brought up in the old-school Presbyterian 
faith, to which he adhered in later years, serving 
in the capacity of Elder. He fell heir to his fa- 
ther's homestead, and continued to dwell thereon 
until his death, in his seventy-second year. In 
the War of 18 12, he w-as Captain of an infantrj- 
company, the old sword which he then carried 
being now in posses.sion of his son, and in poll- 



720 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tics he was an old-line Whig. His wife, Jeanette, 
a native of this county, was a daughter of Will- 
iam Millspaugh, who was of Scotch origin, and 
who was born on Long Island. He was also one 
of the pioneers in the vicinity- of Scotchtown, and 
was the owner of a valuable farm, which was re- 
claimed from the wilderness. Mrs. Corwin lived 
to be over threescore and ten years old, and was 
always a faithful member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Of her eight children, only one, the 
youngest and the subject of this biography, sur- 
vives. 

J. W. Corwin was born on the old farm near 
Scotchtown, February- 19, 1828, and in his j-outh 
attended the district school of the neighborhood 
in the winter. In 1846 he came to Goshen, and 
for seven years clerked in the hardware store for 
the old firm of Merriam & Smith. In 1853 Mr. 
Corwin became interested in the firm, the name 
becoming J. W. Corwin & Co., and this connec- 
tion was in existence for a number of years. 
Then for twelve years, dating from 1869, the 
style was that of Corwin & Merriam, the junior 
member of the firm being a son of our subject's 
first partner. In 1881 Mr. Corwin became sole 
proprietor, but Januarj- i, 1893, became asso- 
ciated in business with one of his former clerks, 
under the present title of Corwin & KnifEn. 
Their hardware store on West Main Street is the 
oldest site in this line of trade in the citj-. They 
carry a full lines of .stoves, tinware, shelf and 
heavy hardware, etc., and in an adjoining build- 
ing have a fine stock of harness and saddlery 
supplies. One store is 22x60 feet, and the other 
18x80, and the four floors of the two buildings 
are all occupied. In the rear is a tinshop, 2ox 
40 feet, three stories in height. Mr. Corwin 
owns a valuable dairj- farm at Big Island, six 
miles from Goshen, which comprises two hun- 
dred and thirty acres. He has stocked the place 
and manages it himself, at present having up- 
wards of sixty cows. 

In Jersey City Mr. Corwin was married, De- 
cember 14, 1853, to Miss Sarah, daughter of 
George Howell, an old settler of Goshen, in 
which place Mrs. Corwin was born and reared. 
Our subject and wife have a pleasant home on 



Division Street, and delight to dispense hospital- 
ity to their large circle of friends. They are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Cor- 
win being a member of the Board of Trustees. 
He was a member of the Committee on Repairs 
when the church was rebuilt, and he superin- 
tended the tearing down and reconstruction of 
the tower. The present church edifice, valued 
at $150,000, is the finest in the county. In his 
political affiliations Mr. Corwin is a true-blue 
Republican. He is ver\- liberal and enterprising 
and is a practical philanthropist, one who be- 
lieves in doing good as opportunity offers, and 
not waiting, as so many do, until death to bestow 
his fortune upon various organizations. 

■ ^ P 



HENRY SEACORD, of the town of Hamp- 
tonburgh, was born here September 19, 
1829, and is a son of Wilken and Jane 
(Moorehouse) Seacord. The father was a native 
of Westchester Count}-, N. Y., and of French de- 
scent, the grandfather, J. Abraham Seacord, be- 
ing a native of France. In the parental family 
were seven children, Alfred F., Martha, Henry, 
Lj'dia A., Wilken, James and Alniira. 

Wilken Seacord, the father of our subject, was 
a blacksmith b}- trade and came to Orange Coun- 
ty in 1823, locating in Craigsville, where he re- 
mained until 1829. He then went to Lincoln- 
dale and purchased a small tract of land, which 
he improved and on which he remained until his 
death in 1863. Our subject learned the trade of 
a blacksmith under his father, and when twenty- 
one years of age took charge of the shop, in which 
he worked until 1891. 

Mr. Seacord was first married in 1853 to Miss 
Ann Goble, and they had four children, Oscar, 
Hulda, William H. and Wilken. The wife and 
mother died in 1880, and December 30, 1885, Mr. 
Seacord married Miss Elizabeth Corwin. There 
are no children born of this marriage. 

About 1887 Mr. Seacord became interested in 
insurance, and since 1891 has given his entire 
time to that business. He is the agent of some 
of the best fire and life insurance companies in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



721 



the country, and is at all times prepared to place 
risks for his friends and neighbors. He is also 
engaged in the real-estate business. Political!}' 
he is a Republican, and in 1876 served his town 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors. He is 
a man highly esteemed for his man}- excellent 
qualities of head and heart. 



->~-l •>2+^®^p)®!+^l 



^EORGE WEELER was for many years a 
|__ resident of the town of Montgomen,", and 
[^ here his birth occurred June 11, 1802. His 
early life was spent on the farm, and his educa- 
tion was limited to that of the common schools. 
Early in life he opened a small store and also kept 
the postoffice in the town of Montgomery. In 
1824 he removed to Walden and engaged in a 
mercantile and manufacturing business until about 
1855, when he retired and purchased a beautiful 
home east of Walden, where he removed, and 
where he remained until his death, March 20, 
1893. He was a successful businessman, and for 
many \-earswasDirectorof the Newburgh National 
Bank, and was one of the organizers and President 
of the Walden Savings Bank. In his younger days 
he was Captain of a company of state militia. He 
was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 
of Walden, in which he was Senior Warden. In 
his political views he was first an old-line Whig, 
after which he became a Republican, and was 
identified with that party ever afterward. 

December 24, 1823, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Glacian, who sub- 
sequently died, leaving three children, all of 
whom died in childhood. October 20, 1841, Mr. 
Weller married Miss Adeline Crist, born May 4, 
1809, near Walden, and a daughter of William 
Crist, a native of Germany, who came to this 
country when quite young. He served as Cap- 
tain in the Revolutionary army, and was for some 
years a member of the Legislature. His death 
occurred when about .seventy-five years old. 

By Mr. Weller's second union were born two 
sons, twins, William and George, born July 4, 



1842. The former now owns the old homestead, 
to which he has added forty acres, making a farm 
of two hundred acres of excellent land, and here 
he carries on a general fanning and dairy busi- 
ness. He was but thirteen years old when the 
family came to this farm, which has ever since 
been his home. His primary education was re- 
ceived in the common schools of Walden, and 
this was supplemented by a course in College 
Hill, at Poughkeep.sie. October 10, 1867, he 
married Miss Anna S. Littell, of Montgomery, 
and to them has been born one child, Maggie L., 
now the wife of William G. H. Smith, of Corn- 
ing, N. Y. Like his father, William Weller is a 
stanch Republican, and takes an active part in 
local politics. His brother George is connected 
with the Walden Knife Company, and resides in 
Walden. Our subject's wife died Januarj' 30, 
1 89 1, firm in the faith of the Episcopal Church. 
The father was a man who was well known, and 
one who enjoyed the confidence and respect of 
every one. 

David Crist, a brother of Mrs. Weller, made 
his home with our subject a great many years. 
He organized Company H, of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, which 
he served as Captain, and he was shot near Pet- 
tersburg by sharpshooters. 



y yiOSES LITTELL, of Walden, was born near 
y Westfield, N. J., September i, 1809. At 
(9 sixteen years of age he went to New York 
City, and served an apprenticeship to the build- 
er's trade, during which time he received twen- 
ty-five cents per week. He was employed as a 
brick mason and plasterer, and was verj- quick 
and active. For some years he continued to 
work as a journeyman, and then formed a part- 
nership in Brooklyn with a man named Hos- 
kins, a carpenter, after which he began contract- 
ing and building. The business was prosper- 
ous, the firm employing many men, and they 
continued in the work until 1856, when Mr. Lit- 
tell came to Orange County. On his arrival 
here he was in good circumstances financially. 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ha\-ing purchased many city lots in Brooklyn, 
which he improved, and which he sold from time 
to time as opfKirtunity offered. At the time of 
his death he still owned several houses in that 
city. As both his own and his wife's health had 
become impaired, he purchased a farm, on which 
he resided until 1864, when he sold out and 
moved to Montgomen,-. where he remained for 
eight years, and then came to W'alden and pur- 
chased the house in which his widow yet resides, 
and which is located on ITster Avenue. He re- 
modeled the house, and the grounds surroundiiig 
it he greatly improved, there residing until his 
death, which occurred September 30, 1SS7. when 
just past his seventh-eighth year. His death, 
however, occirrred at his old home in New Jer- 
sey, where he was visiting his old friends. He 
owned a plat in Greenwood Cemetery, in Brook- 
lyn, and in that beautiful cit\- of the dead his 
body now lies buried. 

Mr. Littell was twice married, his first union 
being with Miss Madeline Storms, of Brooklyn. 
She died about two years after coming to Wal- 
den, and her remains also lie in Greenwood Cem- 
etery,-. They had two children. Anna S., bom 
October 4. 1S40, is now the wife of William C. 
Weller, and resides near Walden: and Gersham, 
bom April 19, 1S44. died at Newark, Ohio, in 
18S2, at the age of thiny-eight. Mr. Littells 
second marriage occurred June 6, 1S60, and 
united him with Miss Hannah P. Brush, of the 
town of Crawford, and the daughter of Lewis and 
Nancy (^Crawford^t Brush. Politically Mr. Lit- 
tell was a Republican, and religiously was con- 
nected with the Reformed Church, of which body 
his wife is also a member. He was a man 
greatly esteemed for his many virtues, and none 
stood higher in the community- in which he lived. 

Lewis Brush, the fatlier of Mrs. Littell, was 
a native of Snifftown. L. I., and was mar- 
ried in the town of Crawford to Miss Nancy 
Crawford. He was a woolen manufacturer and 
had a woolen-mUl in Ulster Count>\ which was 
finally destroyed by fire. His wife was a daugh- 
ter of Samuel I. and Jeannette vMcCurdyi Craw- 
ford, and her grandfether. James Crawford, was 
the one for whom the town was named. Her 



father died in 1832, when about forty years of 
age, and her mother, who sur\-ived him for 
many years, died at the age of seventy -eight. 
Her death occurred in the old Crawford House, 
which she had secured a number of years previ- 
ous. Her family consisted of six children. Sam- 
uel C. , who was a provision dealer in New York 
City for many years, died there at the age of 
sixt\--eight. leaving one son, Lewis T. Brush, the 
only one of the name now living: Jeannette is 
the widow of Theodore Goldsmith, of Orange 
County, and now lives with Mrs. Littell: Hannah 
is the next in order of birth: William, a well 
known auctioneer of Montgomery, died at the 
age of sixty-five: Mar>- died at the age of twelve 
years; and Eleanore is a maiden lady li\-ing with 
Mrs. Littell in Walden. 



, ' t ' 1 1 1 1 



i-i-5~M- 



qAMES R. BURNETT, a highly respected 
I citizen and prominent dairy farmer of Orange 
Q) Count\-. makes his home on the old place in 
the town of Montgomery which has been in the 
familv for over a half-century and which is one 
hundred and thirt\--oue acres in extent. It is 
under a high state of cultivation, improved with 
all the conveniences and accessories of a model 
farm, and our subject is managing it in a ver\- 
capable manner. 

Mr. Burnett was bom in the house where he 
now lives. May i. 1S57. His parents were Jacob 
R. and Elizabeth S. (Roberts ■ Burnett, the former 
of whom was bom, reared and married in the 
town of New Windsor. From there he removed 
to the town of Montgomer\\ purchasing the farm 
near the \Tllage of that name which is now the 
home of our subject. He was a well-to-do farmer, 
and died there in 1S93. when seventy -seven years 
old. He came of a prominent old femily of this 
state, one which was for many years prominent 
in public life. Our subject's mother, who was 
bom in Blooming Grove, died in 1S91. 

In the parental family were three children, of 
whom Augustus D. is an influential farmer of this 
town. Alice resides with her brother on the 
home farm. James R. lived with his parents un- 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



til their decease, when he fell heir to the home 
place, and has continued to reside upon it ever 
since. He was married, June 5, 1SS9, to Miss 
Susan, the daughter of Charles and Susan (Wil- 
kin ' Van Alst. For the family history of Mrs. 
Burnett the reader is referred to the sketch of 
C. J. Van Alst on another page. 

Of the four children bom to our subject and 
his wife two have died in infancy, and those liv- 
ing are Elizabeth and James R. In pwlitics Mr. 
Burnett is a RepubUcan. but takes no interest in 
political affairs other than to cast a vote in favor 
of the candidates of his party. However, he 
lends a helping hand to every enterprise which 
tends to upbuild or improve the commuuit\- and 
is highlv regarded bv those who know him. 



(^ 



_C>, 



^ 



BENTON HOWELL, one of the native-bom 
sons of Orange Count\-. is a respected citi- 
zen of the town of Goshen, where he owns 
a valuable and well improved farm of one hun- 
dred and eight\--three acres. His present posi- 
tion of prosperitv- and influence has been attained 
through the exercise of his native characteristics 
and untiring effort. 

Our subject was bom in the town of Goshen 
August 3. 1S49, t>^iig the eldest in the family of 
Ira H. and Jane > Green ■ Howell, who were also 
bom within the boundaries of this county. The 
fother of Ira H.. Joshua HoweU, was a native of 
the town of Blooming Grove. About two hun- 
dred years ago the progenitors ot the family set- 
tled on Long Island, where a number of genera- 
tions made their home. Jane Green, our sub- 
ject's mother, was the daughter of John Green, 
of the town of Chester, and her great-grandfather 
came from Switzerland. The father of our sub- 
ject was a well-to-do agriculturist, and in the 
course of time acquired a goodly property-. He 
died Februar\- 6, 1891, when over seventy-two 
years old. and his wife passed from earth June 
26. 1S69. He was a Democrat politically, and 
both he and his wife were members of the Pres- 
b>-terian Church. 



After completing his literary education in the 
Chester Academy our subject took a course in 
Eastmans Business College at Poughkeepsie, fit- 
ting himself for a business life, and ver\- soon 
thereafter returned to the old farm, where he has 
ever since lived. He very naturally chose farm- 
ing as his vocation, and of this he has made a 
great success and now owns one hundred and 
eighty-three acres of some of the most productive 
land in the county. It is nicely improved in 
even,- particular and the buildings are neat and 
substantially constructed. Mr. Howell is an ex- 
tensive dairyman, but does not engage in this 
branch of agriculture to the neglect of grain rais- 
ing, as each year he gamers in abundant harvests. 

Mr. Howell is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of Goshen and enjoys the respect of all 
who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He 
is true to the principles and doctrines of the Dem- 
ocratic party, and although he does not aspire to 
oflSdal honors, never lets an opportuuit\- pass 
when he can be of assistance to his party-. Mr. 
Howell has never married and his beautiful home 
is presided over by his sister. Miss Jennie M. His 
only surviving brother. John I. . resides in Elmira, 
X. Y. Mr. Howell, who is universally respected 
and who ranks among the substantial citizens of 
Orange County, is liberal in spirit and is ever 
readv to assist in all matters of mutual welfare. 



<C » 1 I 1 i I I I i 1 1 1 j gg - I : t 1 I I 1 i ■ ! ■ i ' l"i 'X> 

CyRVING A. KILMER, who died in Xew- 
I burgh. March 23. 1S95. was then in the prime 
X, of manhood, being but forty -two years of 
age. He assisted in the organization and incor- 
jHjration of the Kilmer Manufacturing Company, 
one of this cit>-'s most important industries, of 
which he was the first Vice-President. To his 
inventive genius the success of the concern was 
largely due, and he was actively concerned in the 
growth and development of the immense business. 
He was thoroughly acquainted with mechanics, 
and was the author of many important inven- 
tions, among which were two kinds of barb-wire 
machines, two rod reels, and manv of the annli- 



724 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ances of the Kilmer rodmill. At the time of his 
death he had several practical improvements un- 
der way. 

Mr. Kilmer was bom at Howe's Cove, near 
Cobleskill, Schoharie County, N. Y., being the 
fourth in the family of Augustus Kilmer, who 
invented the baling machine, and many articles 
now manufactured in the Kilmer works. Our 
subject was reared and educated in Schoharie 
Countj-, and in 1876 aided in forming the com- 
panj- which was then organized for the manu- 
facture of his father's inventions. He was a 
3-oung business man of known ability, and to his 
efiorts was due much of the success of the con- 
cern. 'Wlien the works were removed to New- 
burgh, he came here and exercised a general su- 
perintendence over the new building and appli- 
ances. Socially he was a Mason, and at one time 
he held the oflSce of Master Mason in the lodge 
at Xewburgh. In his political belief his ballot 
was used in favor of the Democracy, but he was 
liberal in all his ideas and ever open to conviction. 
With all his acquaintances he was very popular, 
as he was a man of genial and cordial ways, and 
one who readily acquired friends. 

In November, 1875, Mr. Kilmer was married 
to Miss Mary E. Rifenburgh, of Cobleskill, Scho- 
harie Count}', who died in October, 1887, leaving 
three children, Foster M.. Arthur E. and Grace 
Vienna. Her early death was sincerely mourned 
by her many friends. 

In 1890 Mr. Kilmer was married, in the town 
of New Windsor, to Miss Emma S. Greatsinger, 
who was born in the town of Crawford. Her fa- 
ther, E. W. Greatsinger, who is elsewhere repre- 
sented in this volume, was born in Elmira. and 
until he retired followed farming. He volun- 
teered his services in the late War of the Rebellion, 
and was one of the valiant soldiers of the Thirty- 
fifth New York Regiment. Mrs. Kilmer owns a 
prett}- home on Washington Heights, and has 
abundant means with which to gratify her tastes. 
She is well educated and is a lady who is greath- 
esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances. Her 
mother, formerly a Miss Sarah E. Fowler, is a 
native of Cold Springs, Dutchess County, and 
now resides in Newburgh. Mrs. Kilmer is the 



eldest of three children, and for several years 
prior to her marriage lived on her father's im- 
proved homestead in the town of New Windsor. 
She is the mother of one child, Walter Austin. 
At present she is a stockholder in the Kilmer 
Manufacturing Compan}-, in which her husband 
was formerly interested. Religioush- she holds 
membership with the Trinity Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and is an active member in the Young 
Women's Christian Association. 



0ANIEL MILLSPAUGH WADE, a retired 
hardware dealer of Montgomery, was for al- 
most forty jears connected with the busi- 
ness interests of this place. He was born here 
December 16, 1S32, to Jabez P. and Susan (Mills- 
paugh ) Wade. The father, who was a native of 
Northfield, N. J., came to Montgomery, where 
he followed the trade of blacksmithing. The 
mother was a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine 
(Crist) Millspaugh, the former of whom was born 
in Orange County. His marriage was solem- 
nized in Montgomery, and he engaged in fanning 
about two miles from the village, on the Middle- 
town road. In 18 14, when about forty-two years 
old, he died of consumption. His wife survived 
him many years, dying at the age of seventy-one 
Mrs. Wade's sister, Elizabeth, became the wife 
of Jacob Jewell, a hotel-keeper of Dutchess 
Count}-, N. Y., and she has six children living: 
Daniel, who lives two miles south of Montgom- 
ery; Catherine, who makes her home in the vil- 
lage; and four children living in Dutchess Coun- 
ty. The father of our subject, who was born 
September 22, 1802, died on the 19th of April, 
1849, at the age of forty-six years, and his wife, 
who was bom August 25, 1803, died April i. 
1871, at the age of sixty-eight years. Their mar- 
riage was celebrated on the 19th ofFebmar}-, 
1829, and to them were born the following chil- 
dren: Jane, Daniel M., Nathaniel (who died in 
infancy), Nathaniel Jabez, Joseph C. Gridley, 
Elizabeth, Adam N. and Andrew K. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



725 



The bojhood days of Daniel M. Wade were 
passed in Montgonier\-, but at the age of twelve 
years he left home, going to the town of Craw- 
ford, where he worked on a farm. Four years 
later he returned to this place, where he learned 
the trade of a tinner with Benjamin Bull, who la- 
ter became a resident of Port Jervis. During his 
five-years apprenticeship he received his board 
and $25 for the first year, after which $5 was 
added each year to his wages. When Mr. Bull 
went to Port Jervis at the end of four years, he 
left Mr. \\'ade some tools and stock, with which 
the latter began business. He also borrowed a 
small amount of money, and soon had a good 
trade established, which he successfully carried on 
until August, 1 89 1, making about thirty -nine 
years of continuous business. He added a small 
stock of hardware, but dealt mostly in tinware, 
including tin roofing and tin cornice. He em- 
ployed three men and had a verj- satisfactory 
trade. 

On the 26th of March, 1856, a wedding cere- 
mony was performed which united the destinies 
of Mr. Wade and Miss Charlotte C. David, a 
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Constable) 
David. She was born in New Hurlej-, Ulster 
County, January' 18, 1836, and at the age of five 
years came with her mother to Montgomerj-, 
where the latter died in 1856. While she was 
yet an infant her father had died, leaving one 
son, a half-brother of Mrs. Wade, Henrj- David, 
who now makes his home in Altoona, Iowa. 

Our subject and his wife have no children of 
their own, but they reared Elizabeth Righter from 
the age of four years. She is the daughter of 
Mr. Wade's sister Jane, and she remained with 
them until her marriage with James H. Wallace, 
of Pine Bush. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Wade are active workers 
in the Presbyterian Church, in which he has 
served as Elder for fifteen years. In early life 
he was a Democrat, but now gives his allegiance 
to the Prohibition party, which embodies his 
principles on temperance questions. For three 
years he was Supervisor, also served as a mem- 
ber of the School Board, of which he was Presi- 
dent for some years, and has also been Trustee of 



the village. His genial manners and sturdy in- 
tegrity have won him hosts of friends, and he is 
highly regarded by all with whom he comes in 
contact. 

HON. JOSEPH DEAN, of Goshen, is A.s- 
semblyman from the Second District of Or- 
ange County, and is now representing his 
Republican constituen'ts in the One Hundred and 
Eighty-seventh Session of the New York State 
Legislature. He is verj- popular, and has hosts 
of friends, who came to his aid while he was run- 
ning on the minoritj- ticket and assisted in his 
victory. He was nominated in the fall of 1893, 
and was elected b}' a majoritj' of sixteen in a 
district where the opposite party counts on a ma- 
jority of eight hundred and sixty votes. He took 
an active part in and championed several import- 
ant measures successfully, and while in the Leg- 
islature was a member of the Committees on Gas, 
Electricity and Water Suppl}', Commerce and 
Navigation, Public Lands and Forestrj-. In 1894 
he was renominated and elected bj' ten hundred 
and fifty-one majoritj-. 

The Dean family is of Danish descent, our sub- 
ject's ancestors having been prominent in the 
Old Country, and from early times they have 
been associated with the histon.- of America. The 
grandfather, John, who was born in New Jersey, 
was a farmer in that state and in Burdett, N. Y., 
later going to Bradford Countj', Pa., where he 
was one of the pioneers, and there his declining 
years were spent. Our subject's father, William 
Dean, was born in Burdett, N. Y., and was an 
agriculturist in Bradford County until 1890, when 
he settled in Wellsburg, N. Y. He is now in 
his sixty-eighth year, and is actively interested 
in the Republican party. He volunteered his 
services during the Civil War, but was rejected, 
and later became foreman of a construction corps 
in the Government employ. His wife, Sarah, 
was a native of the town of Minisink, and a 
daughter of Joseph Doty, a farmer. The latter 
came from a New Jersey family, and in former 
years engaged in teaming all over the county. 



726 



PORTRAIT AlsD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Dean is a devoted member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. Of her three children, 
our subject is the eldest: Gabe is at home, and 
Frank is residing in Elmira. 

Hon. Joseph Dean was bom in Gillett, Brad- 
ford Countj-. Pa.. June 28, 1S58. and was brought 
up in the usual manner of rarmer boys. His 
early education was received in a district school, 
and when he was eighteen years of age he left 
home to seek his fortune. In February, 1S77, he 
went to the pine woods of "Michigan, and for six 
years was employed by the CoveU Ocobock Com- 
pany, of Muskegon County, in the capacity of 
bookkeeper. In 1S82 he came to Goshen, and 
in a short time was ofiFered a position as book- 
keeper for the N. C. Sanford Company, lumber 
and coal merchants, and continued as one of their 
most efficient employes for some ten years. In 
1S92 he entered into partnership with H. C. Hor- 
ton, under the firm name of Horton & Dean, in 
the book and stationer\- business. They have a 
fine location on Main Street, opposite the depot, 
and have built up a large and successful trade. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Dean is identi- 
fied with Goshen Lodge Xo. 565. F. & A. M.: 
with Orange Lodge Xo. 506. I. O. O. F.: and with 
the Order of Foresters. He is recognized as one 
of the Jiptive and influential Republicans of this 
county, and has made a good reputation as a 
member of the Legislature. 



(lOHX THEW COLEMAX. This name will 
I be recognized by many of our readers as that 
Qj of a resident of the town of Hamptonburgh, 
where he is engaged in farming and dairvTng. 
His lauded estate consists of two hundred and 
ten acres of well improved land, and his present 
prosperous condition is due to his own good sense 
and enterprise. The farm is stocked with all 
that goes to make up a well regulated estate, and 
the family occupies a pleasant dwelling, where 
home comforts and genial hospitality- abound. 

The first of the Colemans of whom our subject 
has any knowledge is Benjamin, his grandiialher. 
who lived in the town of Hamptonburgh, and 



was a iarmer by occupation. He married Han- 
nah Finch, and his eldest son was named John 
Finch. Our subject was bom in the town of 
Warwick, March 7, 1S23, and is the youngest of 
three children bom to John Finch and Letty 
(Thew ' Coleman. Harriet became the wife of 
Halstead Gamee, a fermer of this town, but both 
are deceased; they left a daughter. Augusta. 
William is also deceased, as are all of his descen- 
dants except one grandson, William E. McWill- 
iams, of Middletown. John T. was reared to farm 
life, and when ready to establish a home of his 
own was married, October 27. 1847. to Miss 
Mar\- L.. daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Booth 1 
Slaughter. Three children were granted to them, 
but Joseph, the eldest, died at the age of eleven. 
Harriet died when one year and ten months old. 
and John T.. Jr.. is at home with his parents. He 
is a finely educated young man, being a graduate 
of Colby University- at Waterville. Me. , and is a 
member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. 

In 1 8 70 Mr. Coleman, of this sketch, located 
upon his present estate, which is a very fertile 
tract, and which lies on the banks of the WallkiU 
River. It is one of the largest in the town, and 
the greater part of the owner's time is given to 
dairy farming, although he does not neglect the 
raising of the various cereals^ 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Coleman. 
Isaac Slaughter, came of a Virginia tamily and 
lived to be eighty-four years old. During the 
Revolutionarj- period he served as a soldier in the 
Continental army, going from the plow to the 
battlefield, and saw active service in the battles 
of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. He afterward 
came to Orange County and was one of the first 
to make his home in this section. Among the 
old pioneers he was well known, for his honorable 
and upright life endeared him to all who knew 
him. 

Mrs. Coleman, whowasbomjuly 5, 1826, com- 
pleted her education in the Albany Female Acad- 
emy. Her parents, who were old residents o: 
this communitj-. lived to advanced years, both 
dving at the age of seventy eight years: they were 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Joseph 
Slaughter, the father, who ser\-ed as a soldier in 




^^2^^^^^'e. ^M?^^-c 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



729 



the War of 18 12, was ver>' prominent in local af- 
fairs, taking an active part in all measures which 
were calculated to upbuild his community, and 
for about twenty years he held the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace. For many terms he was Judge 
of the county, and for one term served his con- 
stituents as a member of the Legislature. He 
was successful in all that he undertook, and as an 
official gained the confidence of the people. Mrs. 
Coleman is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
at Goshen. Her estimable character and useful 
life have secured for her the respect of all ac- 
quaintances and the deepest regard of those who 
know her best. 

• #^P ' 



NGN. FREDERIC BODINE, one of the most 
prominent men of Montgomery, was born 
here on the i8th of June, 1835, and is a 
good exemplification of the commingling of races 
which obtains such good results in this cosmo- 
politan land, for in his veins flows French, Eng- 
lish, Dutch and Iri.sh blood. His paternal ances- 
tors were French Huguenots, who left France 
after the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day, 
August 14, 1572. Three brothers of the name 
later came to the United States, one locating on 
Long Island, another going West (probably set- 
tling in Michigan), and the last going to Ulster 
County, N. Y. William, the great-grandfather 
of our subject, is descended from the one last 
mentioned. He located on a farm a mile and 
a-half we.st of Walden, the tract comprising three 
hundred and fifty acres, and there his son Peter 
was born. The latter, who served in the War of 
18 12, was the grandfather of Frederic. 

The father of our subject, Sylvanus Bodine, 
was also born on the old homestead near Wal- 
den, and on reaching maturity married Sally Ann 
Horton, a daughter of John Horton, of Goshen, 
N. Y. After his marriage the father located on 
a farm in the vicinity of his old home, where his 
two sons were born, the brother of Frederic being 
Amasa H., now a resident of Prattsburg, Steu- 
ben County, N. Y., where the father also re- 
moved in 1866. His death occurred at the age 



of seventy-three years, March 23, 1879, and his 
wife died at the age of eighty-three, July 3, 1890. 

From early youth Frederic Bodine was depen- 
dent upon his own exertions for his advance- 
ment in life, working for farmers and others in 
the neighborhood during the summer and attend- 
ing school in the winter. After leaving the dis- 
trict schools he entered Montgomery Academy, 
where his literary education was completed. He 
was a diligent, tractable scholar, and being blessed 
with a good memory, good reasoning powers, 
great perseverance, and an earnest desire for 
knowledge, made rapid progress, obtained good 
mental discipline and a thorough English edu- 
cation. After teaching for several winters he 
changed his pur.suits, and in 1865 entered the 
hardware business with Theodore Goldsmith in 
Montgomery. 

On the 5th of June, 1862, Mr. Bodine wedded 
Mi.ss Mittie Graham, of Montgomery, an adopted 
daughter of his partner, Mr. Goldsmith. While 
an infant she had been left an orphan. She died 
January 30, 1870, leaving one son, Theodore G., 
who was born November 10, 1864, and who for 
the last ten j^ears has been a druggi.stof Danbury, 
Conn. Mr. Bodine was again married, on the 17th 
of November, 1870, this union being with Mrs. 
Emma (Sears) Decker, widow of George W. 
Decker. She departed this life August 3, 1882, 
leaving two children by her former marriage, 
Georgiana and Joseph M. The former, who is 
deaf and dumb, was educated at the New York 
Institute, under the celebrated Dr. Isaac Peet, 
and is a bright, gifted lady, posses.sing great ar- 
tistic talent. She is now a teacher in the State 
Deaf and Dumb Institute of Cedar Springs, S. C. , 
and is the wife of Prof T. H. Coleman, who 
is connected with the same school. Joseph M. 
Decker, who is a jeweler by trade, is now en- 
gaged in the insurance business in New Haven 
and Hartford, Conn. On the loth of May, 1883, 
Mr. Bodine was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Mary L- Vanderoef, widow of Charles Vanderoef, 
of Montgomery, by whom .she has two chil- 
dren: Harry W. and Lizzie, who both reside in 
Montgomery. Mrs. Bodine, who bore the maiden 
name of Wilcox, came from Peekskill, N. Y., 



32 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and by her second union had two children: Fred- 
eric, who died in infancy; and Sall}^ Ann Horton, 
who was born December 30, 1890, and was named 
in honor of our subject's mother. 

In October, 1865, Mr. Bodine obtained the Re- 
pubHcan nomination for Member of the Assem- 
bly for his district, and was elected by a large 
majority. He was placed on the Committees of 
Towns and Villages and Schools and Colleges. 
April 2, 1862, he delivered a speech in favor of in- 
creasing the tax on property of the state so as to 
enlarge the school fund to such an amount as to 
make our public schools indeed free. He opposed 
the bill which provided for the construction of the 
new Capitol, and if his views had prevailed $20,- 
000,000 would have been saved to the tax-payers. 
In the fall of 1866 he made' a few speeches in be- 
half of the Republican ticket. Having always been 
a reader of the Tribune of New York Citj', Mr. 
Bodine in 1872 gave his support to Horace Gree- 
ley, and during the campaign made speeches in 
his behalf, although at heart he was still an ar- 
dent Republican. 

In 1866 Mr. Bodine removed to Steuben Coun- 
ty, where he engaged in farming at Prattsburg 
for two years, but on the expiration of that time 
he returned to Montgomery and resumed his 
business connections with Mr. Goldsmith. In 
1877, on account of a defaulting partner, he lost 
the accumulations of a lifetime and was obliged 
to begin life anew at the age of forty-two j-ears. 
Without grieving over the past, he looked reso- 
lutely and hopefully to the future. He studied 
law with J. M. Wilkin, who had been his teacher 
in the Academj- of Montgomery, which is the 
oldest institution of the kind in the state, and 
which celebrated its centennial in 1890. In 1870 
he was elected Justice of the Peace to succeed 
Hon. Hugh B. Bull, and has continuously held 
that oSice for twenty-five years. While discharg- 
ing the duties of the same he continued his law 
studies, and was admitted to the Bar in 1880. 

In that year Congress could not agree upon a 
Superintendent of Census for the Fourth United 
States District, comprising Orange, Ulster, Rock- 
land, Sullivan and Delaware Counties, N. Y. 
The Republican representative, Hon. M. D. Sti- 



vers, editor of the Middletown Times, presented 
Mr. Bodine's name. At the same time Mr. Ben- 
edict, now Public Printer at Washington, but 
then with D. R. Mainiing, of Albanj-, asked 
the Democratic Representative, Hon. William 
Loundsbun', not to oppose our subject, who was 
then at once selected. His appointment not being 
made until June, he had onlj- two months to do 
the work, as it had to be completed by the ist of 
August. Securing one hundred and sixty-five 
assistants, the work was accomplished satisfac- 
torily and within the required time. 

In 1 856 the southern district of the town of 
Montgomen- was bonded for $60,000 to help build 
a road from Montgomery to Goshen, and while 
in the Legislature, on the 2d of January, 1866, 
Mr. Bodine secured the charter for the same. He 
was made one of the original Directors, which 
position he has continued to fill. It is ten and 
a-quarter miles in length, and is now leased to 
the Erie Railroad Companj-. As one of the Com- 
missioners, Mr. Bodine has assisted in clearing 
ofi" the indebtedness until it now amounts to only 
$3,000. He is also a Director of the Walden 
Savings Bank. He has held a number of local 
official positions, and is now serving as a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education. He holds mem- 
bership with the Presbyterian Church, in which 
he is filling the office of Elder. A ready and 
successful speaker, he has done efficient work for 
the Republican party, of which he is an ardent 
supporter. He is true to his word, faithful in his 
friendship and kind to man and beast. 



^^^ 



ILLIAM HAMILTON is a member of 
the firm of Hamilton & Todd, contractors 
and builders of Newburgh, and is a char- 
ter member of and a Director in the Newburgh 
Building and Loan Association. His shop is at 
No. 63 Campbell Street, and during his thirteen 
years' connection with his present partner he has 
met with gratifying success, and during this pe- 
riod many residences of the city have been con- 
structed by them. A native of Ireland, our sub- 
ject was born near Lame, County Antrim, in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



731 



1848. In 1868, shortly before reaching his ma- 
jority, he determined to seek a home in the New 
World and sailed from Londonderry on the steam- 
ship "Caledonia." Eighteen days were passed 
on the briny deep, but the voyage was made in 
safety, and New York City was reached on time. 
From New York Mr. Hamilton came to New- 
burgh direct, .spending the next three years as an 
apprentice to the carpenter's trade with Samuel 
McKee. After working at the carpenter's trade 
as a journeyman for about eleven years, on the 
i.st of May, 1882, our subject started as a con- 
tractor and builder for himself, in partnership 
with James Todd. 

In 1873 Mr. Hamilton and Agnes Pollock were 
married in Newburgh. She is a daughter of 
Samuel Pollock, now deceased, and is a native of 
this city. Eight children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hamilton, but three of the number have 
been called to the better land, namely: Joseph, 
who died at the age of thirteen; Fred, who was 
in his ninth, and Samuel in his seventh, year at 
the time of their demise. Margaret is a graduate 
of the Newburgh Academy. Jean, now attend- 
ing the State Normal College, also graduated 
from the academy; and the jounger members of 
the familj' are Harold B., William, Jr., and Grace. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are members of the 
Westminster Presbyterian Church, the former 
being Secretary of the Board of Deacons. Polit- 
ically he uses his right of franchise in behalf of 
the Prohibition party, which best expresses his 
ideas on the great questions of the day. 



(TOSEPH WASNICK, now residing in the 
I town of Goshen, was born across the seas, in 
V2/ Poland, February 24, 1843. He is now con- 
ducting a well improved farm of twenty-eight 
acres, which, although not as large as many in 
this vicinity, is very rich bottom land, and is 
made to yield its owner good returns. 

Our subject was the .son of Nicola and Kath- 
arine Wa.snick, likewise born in Poland, where 
the father passed his entire life. The mother, 
who is now eighty-two years of age, accompanied 



her son to America, and makes her home with 
him at the present time. Joseph was sent to 
school in his native land, gaining a fund of use- 
ful information, and when his school days were 
over became a soldier in the German-Austrian 
War, and also fought in the Franco-Prussian 
War. When only nineteen years of age he served 
as a soldier in the war between Poland and Rus- 
sia, which makes three conflicts in which he took 
part in the Old World. 

As there was not much opportunity for ad- 
vancement in Poland, Mr. Wasnick determined to 
try his fortunes in the New World, of which he 
had heard such glowing accounts. He accord- 
ingly embarked on a vessel which landed him 
here in 1872, and at once located in the town of 
Chester, this county. About 1883 he moved to 
the beautiful farm upon which he is at present re- 
siding. His property is embellished with a .sub- 
stantial brick residence, neat and well furnished, 
and here also may be found the necessary out- 
buildings and the machinery and stock usually 
found on an estate of a progressive and energetic 
farmer. 

Joseph Wasnick was married, Januarj- 10, 1869, 
to Miss Katherine, daughter of Mike Radombs, 
a native of Poland. This union resulted in the 
birth of seventeen children, eleven of whom are 
living. Victoria became the wife of Richard 
Flynn, and they live in New York City. The 
others are John, Ella, Katie, Rosa, Josie, Frances, 
Mar^s Maggie, Frank and Theresa. Religiously 
Mr. and Mrs. Wasnick are members of the 
Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Demo- 
crat. He has two brothers, only one of whom, 
Matthew, makes his home in this countv. 



<m^-^ 



EOT.. EDGAR W. BASS has occupied the 
chair of Mathematics at West Point for the 
past .seventeen years, and is recognized as a 
.scientist and .scholar. It has been his privilege 
to travel extensively while engaged in research. 
From March i, 1874, until September 29, 1875, 
he was As.sistant Astronomer, going with the 



732 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



United States expedition to New Zealand to ob- 
serve the transit of Venus, which occurred in De- 
cember, 1874. In July, 1878, he held a like po- 
sition with a party which obser\-ed the solar 
eclipse in Colorado. As a mathematician he is 
an expert, and besides other publications is the 
author of a "Differential Calculus." 

Colonel Bass was bom in Prairie du Chien, 
Wis., October 30, 1843, but comes from old New 
England stock. His grandfather, Samuel Bass, 
was an old settler in the vicinity of Braintree, 
Orange County, Vt., in which state he died. The 
Colonel's father, Jacob W. , a native of the same 
locality, was the first of the family to go West, 
as before his marriage he emigrated to Wiscon- 
sin. Early in the seventeenth centurj- Deacon 
Samuel Bass settled in Braintree, Mass., having 
cro,ssed the A^tlantic from England. 

Jacob W. Bass lived for a few years in Chicago 
and Rockford, 111. , engaged in merchandising, 
but after moving to Prairie du Chien he turned 
his attention to lumbering, and was proprietor of 
the largest business of the kind on the Chippewa 
River. Subsequently he moved to St. Paul, ar- 
riving there about 1848, and was the first Post- 
master of the place, acting in that capacity for 
manj- years. He became well-to-do in commer- 
cial punsuits, and retired when he had acquired 
a comfortable fortune. His death occurred in 
1889, at the ripe age of seventj--four years. Manj' 
of his inv^estments were in real estate, and sev- 
eral additions were laid out under his supervision, 
one being known by his own name. He was a 
member of the Chicago Old Settlers' Associa- 
tion, and politicalh- was first a Whig and later a 
Republican. Both he and his faithful companion 
and helpmate were members of the Episcopal 
Church. Before her marriage she was Mi.ss Mar- 
tha D. Brunson, a native of Ohio. Her father, 
Rev. Alfred Brunson, was a minister in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He was born at West- 
chester, N. Y., and was a pioneer in the Buck- 
eye State, and later lived in Wisconsin. He was 
an old-fashioned circuit- rider, and established nu- 
merous churches and missions in the Northwest. 
A man of remarkably strong constitution, he was 
hale and heart)- when well along in years, and 



lived to be almost one hundred years old. Mrs. 
Martha D. Bass is still living, and is a resident of 
St. Paul. . Of her two children, Frank B. is a 
prominent business man of St. Paul, and Edgar 
W. is the subject of this sketch. 

The first five years of his life Colonel Bass passed 
in his native village, but in 1848 he removed 
with his parents to St. Paul, where for some time 
he was the only white boy. From 1856 to 1858 
he attended a private academy at Elizabethtown, 
N. J., and then, returning home, obtained a 
clerkship in Thompson Bros.' Bank, now the 
First National Bank, and held this place until 
1862. August 13 of that j-ear he enlisted in the 
Eighth Minnesota Regiment of Volunteers, being 
made Quartermaster's Sergeant the following De- 
cember. Up to June 1 , 1864, he served in the cam- 
paigns against the Sioux Indians in the North- 
west, under General Sibley. June 30, 1864, he 
was discharged from the service and entered the 
United States Military Academy at West Point, 
from which he was graduated with honors June 
16, 1868. Upon his graduation he was made 
Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, 
and from August 28, 1869, he served as instruc- 
tor in the department of Natural and Experi- 
imetital Philosophy at the Military- Academy. 
Februar}- 14, 1871, he was commissioned First 
Lieutenant of the Corps of Engineers, and after 
his return home from New Zealand, of which 
trip mention has previously been made, he was 
placed in command of an engineer compan)- at 
Willet's Point, serving as such from Septem- 
ber 3, 1875, until February 28, 1876. Then he 
was promoted to be Adjutant of the Engineering 
Battalion, acting in that capacity until September 
15, 1876, when he was made Assistant Professor 
of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at the 
Military Academy. May 2, 1878, he accepted 
the chair of Mathematics, which he still occu- 
pies with credit to himself and to the full sat- 
isfaction of all concerned. 

Personallj- Colonel Bass is very agreeable and 
entertaining as a companion and friend. With 
his large experience and fund of information he 
can succe-ssfully instruct others, and wins friends 
wherever he goes. Fraternallj^ he belongs to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



733 



New York branch of the Loyal Legion, the Cent- 
uf)' Association of New York, and the Union 
League Club of the same city. 



H^Z 



Z^ 



«ySAAC F. MANDIGO. Those for whom the 
I beauties of nature have a charm would enjoy 
X. a visit to the home of Mr. Mandigo, in the 
town of Highland. The farm where he resides, 
and which he has owned since 1870, consists of 
one hundred and sixty -seven acres, situated near 
Ft. Montgomery, and lying five hundred feet 
above the Hudson. From it may be obtained a 
fine mountain view, as well as a charming out- 
look on the river. While a portion of the land is 
too rough for the plough, that which is tillable 
has been found to be verj' productive and proves 
quite remunerative to the owner. One of the 
most interesting and picturesque features of the 
farm is the vine-covered ruin of the old Queens- 
borough furnace, which is over one hundred years 
old. 

The Mandigo family originated in Italy, and 
was first represented in this countr)- by our sub- 
ject's grandfather, who settled in America prior 
to the Revolution and married after coming hith- 
er. Our subject's father, Luke Mandigo, was 
born during the Revolutionary War, and died at 
the age of eighty-seven. His wife, Hannah, was 
a daughter of David and Mary (Garrison) Fau- 
rot, the former of French origin, and the latter a 
member of one of the first families that .settled in 
America. Isaac F. was fourth among eight chil- 
dren, the others being John, Polly, Luke, vSallie, 
Campbell, Peter and Judith. 

In what is now the town of Highland, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was born September 24, 1808. 
He was reared near Highland Falls and attended 
school at Ft. Montgomery until he was fourteen, 
spending the intervening summer months in farm 
work. Learning the carpenter's trade, he was for 
twenty years employed on the Government build- 
ings at West Point, and later took contract work 
in his home neighborhood. In 1870 he purchased 



the farm where he has since resided. He takes an 
interest in public affairs, although his advanced 
3'ears no longer permit him to mingle actively 
with his fellow-men. Politically he adheres to 
the policy of the old-line Democrats. He is iden- 
tified with the Presbyterian Church, to which his 
wife also belonged, and in social affairs he is con- 
nected with the Odd Fellows' lodge at New- 
burgh. 

At Ft. Montgomery, April 28, 1838, Mr. Man- 
digo was iniited in marriage with Miss Sarah Jane 
Turner, who was born near that place, March 12, 
18 19, and died October 24, 1894. She was a 
daughter of Robert Turner, a native of Scotland, 
who spent his life principally in Orange County. 
Two children, Robert and Angeline R., blessed 
the union of our subject and his wife. The son, 
who was born March 10, 1839, died March 26, 
1885, and his wife, Algenette Rhodes, whom he 
married Jul}' 3, 1872, was born April 26, 1846, 
and died October 24, 1882. Their only son, 
Isaac W., was born November 15, 1873, and 
makes his home with his grandfather, assisting 
in the management of the farm and also working 
at the carpenter's trade. The daughter, Angel- 
ine R., was born July 28, 1844, and was married 
to John H. Frost, now deceased, February 3, 
1873. Their two children are Robert, whose 
birth occurred May 3, 1874, and Sarah Nellie, 
born June 22, 1876. 



*^^^! 



H> 



ll^N^ 



<^HOMAS WAIT, one of the highly esteemed 
I Q citizens of Orange County, is now living re- 
Vy tired from business cares in Montgomery, 
surrounded bj- his many friends. He was born 
at Neeley Town, in the town of Montgomery, on 
the 7th of January, 1823, and has ever made this 
county his home. His parents, Samuel and Mary 
(Welch) Wait, were natives of Banwell, Somer- 
setshire, England, and came to the New World 
about 1820, after which the father engaged in 
farming near Neeley Town, N. Y., but in 1823 
gave the management of the place to his son Ed- 
ward, and with his family removed to the village 
of Montgomery. Previous to coming to America 



734 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he had been a farmer and also a teasel-grower. 
After the death of his wife he removed to Walden, 
where he passed awaj' at the age of eight3'-eight 
j'ears and six months. There are now only two 
sur^'ivors of the family: William, who makes his 
home in Newburgh, and our subject. 

Thomas Wait, who was the youngest of the 
children, at the age of seventeen went to a farm 
two miles east of Montgomer\-, which his father 
had purchased and later sold to him on easy 
terms. This place contained one hundred and 
four acres, on which he resided for a half-centun-, 
and extended its boundaries until it comprised 
one hundred and sixtj' acres of well improved and 
valuable land. He also owned a tract of eighty- 
four acres just one mile from Montgomer)-. The 
old farm is now operated by his son George W. , 
as he removed to the village in 1892, and still 
makes this place his home. 

Mr. Wait was married, on the 27th of March, 
1845, to Miss Mary Mould, and thej' have now 
traveled life's journey together for half a centurj-, 
sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its 
adversities and prosperities. The lady was born 
in the town of Montgomery, and is a daughter of 
John C. and Marj- (Shafer) Mould. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wait now reside at their pleasant home in 
Montgomerj-, a beautiful double house on Main 
Street, which was erected to suit their tastes, and 
is a desirable place. Of their famih' of fourteen 
children, five died in infancy, and those living 
are: Martha, wife of Chauncey Brooks, of Mont- 
gomery; Charles D., who is engaged in the coal 
and feed business in Montgomery; George W., 
who carries on the old home place; Mary Emma, 
wife of Hiram H. Hawkins, a farmer of the town 
of Hamptonburgh; Sarah F., wife of Frank Eager, 
a farmer of Howell, Mich. ; EfSe, wife of Charles 
W. Hill, a coal, feed and lumber merchant of 
Walden; Wesley, a dentist of Newburgh, who 
married General Rowland's daughter Emilj-, and 
who has one child, Lucile; Alida, wife of Ira H. 
Freen, an agriculturist of the town of Chester; and 
Anna B., who is with her parents. Mr. Wait 
has given his children good advantages, aiding 
them materially in starting out in life for them- 
selves, and thej' are now numbered among the 



representative citizens of the communities where 
the}- reside. He also has seventeen grandchildren. 
With the Methodist Epi.scopal Church our sub- 
ject and his wife hold membership, and are of the 
Armenian faith, being quite liberal in their belief. 
They do not see the hand of Providence in ever}- 
little happening in life, believing that each man 
is made responsible for his own deeds. Politically 
Mr. Wait is a Republican, and a great admirer of 
McKinley and his views on the tariff question, 
being in favor of high protection. Although he 
is of English origin, he cares very little about 
that countr}', being a thorough American, and in 
favor of ever}-thing that will benefit American 
people. Although he is deeply interested in all 
matters pertaining to her welfare, he is no poli- 
tician, not caring for the honors or emoluments 
of public office. Before coming to Montgomery, 
he was a hard worker, attending closel}- to the 
duties of his farm, and success crowned his efforts, 
securing him a comfortable competency, which 
enables him to rest from active life and enjoy the 
fruits of his former toil. He is a man of .sound 
judgment, and one whose opinions are held in 
general respect. 



(lOHN P. MONELL. Among the worthy and 
I prominent citizens of this portion of the Em- 
Q) pire State is the above gentleman, who for 
the past eight years has held the responsible po- 
sition of Superintendent of the Orange County 
Poor Fann. In the parental family of three chil- 
dren he was the second, and his birth occurred 
in the town of Minisink, March 22, 1840. His 
parents, William and Julia Ann (Purdy) Monell, 
were also natives of Orange County, within whose 
bounds they pa.ssed all their lives. The former 
was prominently identified with the agricultural 
interests of this section, and was the owner of a 
well improved farm in the town of Hampton- 
burgh. He was quiet and unassuming in man- 
ner, and although never seeking public honors, 
was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



735 



and candidates. He departed this life in 1875, 
mourned and respected by all who knew him. 
The mother, who died in 1870, was a well edu- 
cated and most estimable lady, and greatlj' as- 
sisted her husband in attaining his standing in 
the community. 

Our subject first attended the di.strict schools 
at Waterloo, and subsequently became a student 
in the academy at Unionville. Being reared to 
farm life, he returned to that occupation after 
completing his education, and on attaining his 
twenty-first j'ear began farming on his own ac- 
count on the old homestead. After the death of 
his mother, he purchased the estate and conducted 
it until the demise of his father, five years later, 
when he abandoned farming for a time and en- 
gaged in the hotel business at La Grange. This 
enterprise he carried on for seven years, during 
which time he was elected County Farm Superin- 
tendent. Very soon thereafter he went to Go- 
shen, where, in connection with discharging the 
duties of an official, he carried on a hotel. At 
the end of three years, at the request of the Board 
of Supervisors, he disposed of his other interests 
and devoted his undivided attention to the work 
of the Coimty Farm, and became resident Super- 
intendent. 

Mr. Monell was married, in October, 1861, to 
Miss Mary, daughter of Robert and Margaret 
(Wright) Boyd, natives of Orange Count)-. Two 
daughters came to bless this union; Julia A., now 
the wife of Hiram T. Ostrander, who is engaged 
in the painting business at Goshen; and Miss 
May, at home with her father. The wife and 
mother pa.ssed to her long home in April, 1895. 

In social affairs our subject is a Mason, having 
attained to the Royal Arch Degree, and has been 
prominently identified with that order since at- 
taining his majority. He has filled all the chairs 
in the Blue Lodge, and was Master for five years. 
Politically he is a Democrat, which ticket he has 
always voted in national affairs, although in local 
politics he u.ses his influence in favor of the best 
man, regardless of party lines. That he is very 
popular in his community, is indicated by his 
having been elected to his present responsible 
office on four different occasions when the oppos- 



ing party was in power. He is just the right 
man for the place, is kind and fair in his treat- 
ment of all, and his thorough knowledge of agri- 
cultural affairs makes him a valued man for the 
position. He resigned the position of keeper in 
August, 1895, and moved to the village of Go- 
shen, though he is still Superintendent. 



EH A R L E S FITZGERALD. This well 
known farmer and machinist of the town of 
Monroe, was born in Florida, Orange Coun- 
ty, October 11, 1834, and is the only survivor of 
a family of four children, of whom the eldest and 
youngest, a bo}' and girl, died in infancy, while 
the other, George, passed away in the spring of 
1893. The parents of this family, John and Mar}' 
(Fenner) Fitzgerald, were natives, respectively, 
of the towns of Chester and Tuxedo, this county. 
The father was born in 1807 and died in 1838, 
while the mother was born in 1805, and survived 
her husband many years, dying about 1888, in 
Port Jervis. 

When Charles was a child of one year his par- 
ents moved to Oxford, and there his father died. 
The widowed mother then moved to the town of 
Woodbury, later went to Southfield, and thence 
to Paterson. Accompanying her in her various 
removals, he gained his education in the schools of 
Woodbury and Southfield, and also attended a 
private school at West Milford for one year. At 
the age of eighteen he became fireman on the 
railroad, and after four years ran an engine for a 
short time. He was variously employed by the 
company, having charge of a stationary engine, 
superintending work on the road, looking after 
the carrying out of contracts, etc., until i860, 
when he took a three-years contract to saw wood 
for the company. 

In 1863 Mr. Fitzgerald purchased his present 
farm, and two years later, after having closed his 
contract with the railroad, he took possession of 
this place. At once he began the sale of farming 
implements and machinery through Monroe and 
adjoining towns, to which, in 1872, he added the 
sale of sewing-machines. In 1892 he began 



736 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



handling bic3-cles, and in each of these specialties 
he has been verj' successful. He has a well 
equipped shop for repairs of all kinds of small 
machinerj-, bicycles, guns, etc. , and the engine 
that turns the shafts was built by one of his sons, 
all of whom inherit their father's skill with tools. 
At Chester, in i860, Mr. Fitzgerald was united 
in marriage with Miss Harriet Hall, who was 
born at Rochester, N. Y., when her parents, Hor- 
ace and Mahala (Jennings) Hall, were returning 
to this county from Ohio. This union has been 
blessed with ten children, but four of the famil5- 
died in infancy. Those living are Egbert, who 
married Fannie Andrews, and is engaged as a lo- 
comotive .fireman on the Erie Railroad: Dais\-; 
Henry, who is emploj-ed on the trolle\- road in 
Pittsburg, Pa.; Eva, who makes her home with 
an aunt in Suffem; Reuben, who assists his fa- 
ther in the shop; and Ralph, who is attending 
school. Politically Mr. Fitzgerald is a Republi- 
can, but has never taken an active part in public 
affairs, having always given his close and undi- 
vided attention to his business affairs. 



•»>K«^5'^« — 



QEORGE W. fuller. An excellent ex- 
l_ ample of the sturdy enterprise, thrift and 
\^ persistent industn,- characteristic of so manj^ 
of the business men of Xewburgh may be found 
in the life of George Fuller, who for a period of 
nineteen j-ears has been one of the prominent 
grocers of this city. His place of business is lo- 
cated at No. 192 Washington Street, where the 
purchaser will find first-class goods and receive 
courteous treatment. 

Mr. Fuller was born in this city in 1852, 
aud is the son of Oliver Fuller, a native of Wal- 
den, this countj-. His grandfather, John Ful- 
ler, came from Hartford, Conn., and located 
in this count}-, near Tuttletown, and from that 
time until his decease lived in ease and com- 
fort, retired from the active duties of life. The 
father of our subject was a farmer in Walden, 
whence he removed to Newburgh, and there he 



died when George \V. was an infant. Our sub- 
ject's mother, who was formerly Miss Mary Dor- 
cas, was bom in Walden, and was the daughter 
of John Dorcas, a fanner, and a native of this 
state. The latter's father, Capt. Alexander Dor- 
cas, located in Orange County many j-ears ago, 
becoming the possessor of large landed interests, 
and his last da3-s were spent in leisure. The 
mother, who is now seventy -eight years of age, 
makes her home with our subject. She is an 
Episcopalian in religious belief, a member of the 
Church of the Good Shepherd. 

The parental family included three children. 
Arlington, who was a boiler-maker, is deceased. 
Matilda married Winfield Scott, of this city. Our 
subject completed his education in the high school 
of this city, and although he was not permitted 
to take an entire course there, subsequently took 
a full course at O. M. Smith's Business College at 
Newburgh. When a lad of eleven years he was 
obliged to look out for himself, beginning as a 
clerk, but afterward he spent four years with the 
Pennsj'lvania Coal Company. Later he was for 
the same length of time with the Ramsdell Coal 
Company, and was also occupied four years as 
Collector on the Newburgh & Fishkill Ferry. 

In March, 1877, Mr. Fuller started in business 
for himself at No. 217 Washington Street, begin- 
ning at the very^ bottom of the ladder. As he 
was shrewd and ambitious, his trade gradually in- 
creased, until he was obliged to open up in the ad- 
joining building. At this time, besides a large 
stock of groceries, he put in a good line of boots 
and shoes, and as his prices were verj- popular his 
trade became large aad paying. He soon found, 
however, that he was unable to give his attention 
to both enterprises, and after three years disposed 
of his boot and shoe store, but continued in the 
grocery business. He also carries a large assort- 
ment of fine candies. 

In 1888 Mr. Fuller erected his present fine 
brick building, which is 25x50 feet in dimensions 
and which is admirably located on the corner of 
Washington and William Streets. It is three 
stories in height and contains a good cellar, 
which he finds verj- convenient for storage pur- 
poses. As he does both a wholesale and retail 




•J z 

o 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



739 



trade, he finds it necessary to occupy the entire 
building, and employs several clerks, besides keep- 
ing two delivery wagons in use. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
Pleasant Valley, Ulster County, in 1883, was 
Miss Elma M. Gee, a native of Madison County, 
this state. She was the daughter of Amos and 
Martha (Stewart) Gee, her father being a well 
known carpenter and builder in his localit}'. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been boni two chil- 
dren, Glennie M. and Susie M. Mr. Fuller has 
been an honored and active member of Washing- 
ton Steamer Company No. 4, and the O. A. F. 
for fifteen years. In the Church of the Good 
Shepherd, of which he is a member, he is Sen- 
ior Warden. In political affairs he votes the 
straight Republican ticket, and takes a warm in- 
terest in that party's welfare. He is intimately 
connected with the financial afiairs of his city, 
and his opinions on matters of importance are 
considered valuable. 



— ^'g"i»4**3*/i 






lILLIAM H. BAILEY, who is the owner 
and occupant of a seventy-acre tract lying 
on Upper Twin Lake, in the town of Wood- 
bury, was born November 12, 1837, at a place 
known as Brooks Hollow, near the Forest of Dean 
Mines, now in the town of Highland. The first 
seven j-ears of his life were spent near his birth- 
place, after which he accompanied his father to 
his newly purchased property, consisting of about 
five hundred acres of forest land around Twin 
Lakes, and for the past forty j-ears he has re- 
sided here. 

Near Arden, May 9, 1858, Mr. Bailey was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann, daugh- 
ter of Henry Ryerson, of the town of Woodbury. 
Thirteen children were born of their union, viz.: 
William and Jacob, deceased; Mary Ida, wife of 
Thomas Garrison; Jeremiah, who resides near 
Queensborough; Emma Jane, wife of Ephraim 
Ward, ofSouthfield; Martha, Mrs. Harry Swim, of 
Highland Falls; Elizabeth, who married Charles 
Edward Swim, of Highland Falls; Georgia Ann, 
who also lives in the last-named village; vSpencer, 



who married Jennie Garrison, and lives near his 
father's home; Elwood, an attendant in the Fal- 
kirk Sanitarium; Bertha, Thomas and Rhoda, 
who are with their parents. Politically Mr. Bai- 
ley adheres to Democratic principles, but does 
not identify himself actively with public affairs. 

The father of our subject was born near Cen- 
tral Valley, January 16, 1804, and spent his en- 
tire life in the old town of Monroe, where he died 
February 10, 1895, at the advanced age of nine- 
ty-one. For a time he made his home near the 
Forest of Dean Mines, which he supplied with 
charcoal for the furnaces. Charcoal-burning was 
his chief occupation throughout life. About 1854 
he returned to the place of his birth and pur- 
chased a tract of more than four hundred acres 
around Twin Lakes, converting the timber into 
charcoal, which he sold to the furnaces at South- 
field and Arden. 

Jacob Bailey, our subject's father, was a son of 
Jeremiah and Sarah (Florence) Bailey, the latter 
being the daughter of James Florence, an early 
settler in the mountains near Central Valley. 
The marriage of Jacob Bailey united him with 
Mary Aim, daughter of Samuel and Abbie (Por- 
ter) Garrison, and unto them were born thir- 
teen children, of whom William H. is the eldest 
son and fifth child. The political views of the 
senior Mr. Bailey were of the most positive na- 
ture, and he was uncompromising in his defense 
of Democratic principles, believing the platform 
of that party one calculated to bring prosperity 
to the largest number of people, rather than to 
allow wealth to be in the hands of a few monop- 
olists. 



G^ 



0= 






-CT) 



(31 DDISON CLARK. The town of Minisink 
r I has no more worthy representative of its 
/ I flourishing agricultural interests than this 
gentleman, who was born within the borders of 
the county, educated in its schools, and in the 
opening years of manhood took his place among 
its busy and progressive farmers. While actively 
engaged in laying up a competence, he has also 



740 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



aided in promoting the material welfare of his 
native county, and is entitled to the front rank 
among its -best citizens. Since twenty-eight j'ears 
of age he has made his home on his present 
farm, situated one mile from Unionville,and con- 
sisting of one hundred and seven acres. In ad- 
dition to this property, he owns fortj' acres in the 
town of Warwick and land in New Jersey, his 
possessions aggregating four hundred and ninety- 
one acres. 

In that portion of the town of Minisink now 
comprised within the limits of the town of Green- 
ville, Mr. Clark was born January lo, 1836. His 
early years were spent upon the farm where he 
was born, and from boyhood he was trained to a 
knowledge of agricultural pursuits. It was nat- 
ural, therefore, that upon selecting a life occu- 
pation he should choose the one with which he 
was most familiar, and toward which his tastes 
inclined him. The wisdom of his choice the suc- 
ceeding years abundantly proved. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. Clark 
was his marriage, which took place in i860, and 
united him with Miss Mary E. Elston. Thej^ 
became the parents of one child, Sarah E., who 
is the wife of Charles Durland and resides in Jer- 
sey Cit>'. Mrs. Clark died in 1868, and Decem- 
ber 7, 1870, Mr. Clark married Miss Mary J. 
Caskey, of Deckertown, N. J. Her parents were 
Alvah and Martha (Wilson) Caskey, both of 
whom are deceased, and who also were natives 
of New Jersey. To our subject and wife has 
been born one son, Alvah, who assists in manag- 
ing the home farm. 

Mr. Clark was a young man of twent)--four 
years when he commenced life's active labors on 
his own account, and for the four following j'ears 
he remained on the old home farm. He then 
purchased the farm in the town of Minisink 
where he has since re.sided, and where, in addi- 
tion to general farming, he also engages largely 
in the dairy business. The progressive spirit 
which he possesses is evinced by the interest 
which he takes in public matters, and which leads 
him to keep thoroughly posted concerning cur- 
rent events affecting the public welfare. His po- 
litical adherence is with the Democratic party. 



In religion Mr. and Mrs. Clark and family are 
members of the Baptist Church, in which he is 
officiating as Deacon. His life career has dis- 
tinguished him as a man of exceptional character, 
of prompt and systematic business habits, com- 
bined with honorable and conscientious dealings, 
and too much cannot be said of him as a man of 
unswerving integrity, in whom all worthy re- 
forms find a champion. 

GlLVA W. EDSALL, D. D. S., though still a 
Li young man, has already acquired a good rep- 
I I utation as a skillful dental surgeon and has 
built up an extensive practice in Warwick, where 
he has one of the most beautiful and attractive 
homes. He was born in Edenville, this county, 
in January, 1861, and was the eldest but one in 
the family granted to Thomas S. and Phebe A. 
(Miller) Edsall, both of whom were also born in 
this state. They are still living in Edenville, and 
although well along in years enjoj- good health. 
Thomas Edsall has been a farmer all his life, and 
so successful have his ventures proved that he is 
now living in the enjoyment of a comfortable 
home, procured in his younger yeais. He is the 
owner of one hundred and forty acres of land lo- 
cated near Edenville, which is well improved in 
every particular and admirably adapted for dairy 
farming. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in the public schools of Edenville, and 
later in those of Warwick. When eighteen 3-ears 
old he began the study of dentistrj', and so thor- 
oughly did he apply himself that four years later 
he was awarded a diploma of graduation from the 
Philadelphia Dental College. He at once opened 
an office at Warwick, and for the past twelve 
years he and his partner, J. H. Wood, have en- 
joyed a lucrative practice. The office is fitted up 
with all the latest appliances for filling and ex- 
tracting teeth, and their patrons are numbered 
among the best people of the count}'. 

Dr. Edsall and Miss Caroline, daughter of 
Thomas and Caroline (Van Duser) Welling, were 
united in marriage in December, 1892. Her par- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



741 



ents are living in Warwick, of which place they 
are natives, and occup}- a pleasant home. Their 
daughter was also born there, and by her union 
with Dr. Edsall she became the mother of two 
children: Margaret, who died when six months 
old; and Marian Welling, a lovely little daughter, 
who is the pride of the household. Mrs. Edsall 
is a cultured and refined lady, and in religious 
affairs worships with the Dutch Reformed Church, 
of which slie is a member. 

In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, never fail- 
ing to support the candidates of that party on all 
occasions. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, 
taking great interest in the workings of that 
order. He possesses a genial, frank disposition, 
which makes him very popular, and with his 
amiable wife he occupies a high position among 
the best people of Warwick and vicinity. 

(Tames lain has home an honorable part in 
I the development of the town of Minisink, 
(2/ and is to-day accomited one of its most 
worthy citizens. Though for some years his 
health has been less vigorous than formerly and 
his frame less robust, he still oversees the man- 
agement of his farm and maintains the high stan- 
dard of its improvements. The place is devoted 
principally to the dairy business, though some at- 
tention is also given to the raising of grain. The 
farm consists of one hundred and forty-seven 
acres, and its many improvements place it among 
the valuables estates of the county. 

In the town of Minisink Mr. Lain was born 
December 2, 1829, and he grew to manhood upon 
a farm, his j-outhful years being given to the te- 
dious occupation of developing and improving 
the homestead. His educational advantages were 
extremely limited; indeed, it may be safely said 
that the broad knowledge which he now possesses 
has been acquired through experience, ob.serva- 
tion and reading, rather than through study in 
the schools. At the age of twenty-four his mar- 
riage occurred, and since that event he has been 
aided in his enterprises by the co-operation and 
helpful assistance of his good wife. She bore the 



maiden name of Mary Canfield, and their union, 
which was solemnized January 5, 1854, was 
blessed to them by the birth of four children, 
namely: Lillie, who married Clark Sargeant, and 
is deceased; William, who is a successful farmer; 
Albert, deceased; and Carrie, who is with her 
parents. 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Lain began for 
himself as a farmer, and in the spring of the fol- 
lowing year he settled upon his present farm, 
which consists of one hundred and forty-seven 
acres. He has made all the improvements now 
on the place, and keeps the buildings in excellent 
repair. In politics he has never been active, and 
while he is a Republican, there is no trace of par- 
tisanship in his disposition. In the Baptist 
Church, of which he is an honored member, he is 
serving as Deacon, and his contributions to its 
good works have been liberal. 

A man of Mr. Lain's common sense and ster- 
ling principle is necessarily a person of influence 
in his neighborhood, and we find that he is recog- 
nized and appreciated as one of the upright citi- 
zens of the town. Through his industrious efforts 
in earlier years he has accumulated a .sufficient 
amount of this world's goods to provide his old 
age against the encroachments of povertj'. He is 
a friend of the public schools, and of all measures 
and enterprises calculated to build up the commu- 
ity and promote the prosperity of the people. 



r\ETER J. WEYANT, whose large and valua-, 
U' ble farm lies in Beach Bottoms, near Queens- 
fS borough, was born in Rockland County, 
below Ft. Montgomery, August 23, 1838. In 
boyhood he attended the Mountville .schools, 
where he gained a fair education, thus fitting him- 
self for the practical business affairs of life. At 
the age of twenty-one he married, and about the 
same time bought his present tract of land, a por- 
tion of which he has developed from the wilderness 
into productive fields. His principal business is 
that of supplying wood from his mountain tracts 



742 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to various industries along the Hudson, which 

enterprise he finds remunerative. So productive 
are the mountains of timber that the third crop is 
now being cleared away. The landed possessions 
of Mr. Weyant aggregate five hundred acres, all 
in one tract, the value of which is largely en- 
hanced by the dense forest growth, although that 
portion of the place which is under cultivation 
also j-ields a good income. 

The subject of this notice is a son of Vincent 
and Jane (Jaquish) Weyant, both of whom were 
born near Ft. Montgomery, and whose marriage 
resulted in the birth of seven children, our sub- 
ject beiug the youngest of the family. His fa- 
ther was the owner of nineteen hundred acres of 
laud, upon which he farmed to a small extent and 
from which he sold timber and wood. His death 
occurred in December, 1841, when he was fifty- 
two years of age. He was a son of Tobias and 
Jerusha (Smith) Weyant. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Solo- 
mon Jaquish, was born in America, of Welsh par- 
entage, and in an early day settled along the 
Hudson River. Indians were at the time numer- 
ous and often hostile, and as they proved verj- 
troublesome to him he one day wrote in his crude 
way something on a slip of paper and this he sent 
to the chief, who must have thought it a charm, 
as the red men troubled him no more. He was 
about sixteen at the time of the capture of Ft. 
Montgomery. On the day of the fall of the fort, 
he was hauling a load of potatoes to the troops 
there. At the gate he was met bj- an oflScer, who 
asked him if he were of the legal age to fight 
(eighteen). Being told that he was not, the offi- 
cer told him to hasten away, saying that the fort 
would be captured in an hour. 

At Peekskill, September 4, 1858. Mr. Weyaut 
was united in marriage with Adelia Bulson, a na- 
tive of Rockland County and a daughter of Abra- 
ham and Elizabeth (Waldram) Bulson. Abra- 
ham was a drummer during the War of 1S12, 
and ser\-ed in the campaign in Canada. Unto 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weyant there were 
boni eleven children. Elizabeth, the eldest, 
married Charles Thorpe, of Rockland County: 
Sarah Ann is the wife of Charles Lewis, of High- 



land Falls; Rachel is Mrs. Charles Gee; Mary 
married William Earls, of Ft. Montgomery ; La- 
vina is the wife of David Rose; Mansfield assists 
his father in the management of the home farm; 
Catherine Amelia is the wife of Abraham Stevens, 
of Englewood, X. J. ; Xellie married Arthur Aulb- 
son: Robert M., Bertha and Xettie reside with 
their parents. The religious connections of Mr. 
Weyant are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Politically he is a Republican, and upon that 
ticket has been chosen to sen-e as School Trustee 
and Collector. 

' ^^P ' 



gEORGE MAKUEN, one of the enterprising 
sons of the Emerald Isle who have found 
homes in the Xew World, is a successful agri- 
culturist of Orange County and owns over two 
hundred acres in the town of Goshen. He was 
bom in County Down, in 1823, and was the young- 
est child of John and Theodosia (Hewitt) Makuen, 
also natives of Ireland, where they passed their en- 
tire lives. The father dying when George was a 
lad of twelve years, he was obliged to leave school 
and assist in the support of the family. In this 
work he was aided b}- an elder brother, and so 
managed afiairs that he was enabled to attend 
night school, thus gaining a fair knowledge of the 
common branches. 

Our subject continued to reside in his native 
land until thirty years of age, when he deter- 
mined to come to the Xew World. He accord- 
ingly embarked on a vessel which landed him at 
Xew York. His destination being this county, he 
soon fouud himself in the town of Goshen, where 
he determined to stay. Being a practical tiller of 
the soil, as soon as he was able to choose a loca- 
tion he began farming in his new home. He has 
been successful in his various ventures, as will be 
seen from the fact that he is now the owner of 
over two hundred acres of some of the finest land 
in the county. The buildings thereon are all neat 
and substantial, and the place presents a ven.- at- 
tractive appearance to the passer-by. 

George Makuen and Miss Ellen Maginnis were 
united in marriage in the fall of 1S54. The lady 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



743 



was a daughter of Timoth}- and Frances (Frost) 
Maginnis, natives of Ireland, in which countrj- 
Mrs. Makuen was also bom. In 1849 her parents 
emigrated to America, where she met and mar- 
ried Mr. Makuen. Mr. Magiunis departed this 
life in 1S69, while his wife, who is still living, 
has attained the venerable age of fourscore j-ears 
and five. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
have been born five children, of whom we make 
the following mention: Hudson is a prominent 
physician and engaged in practice at Philadel- 
phia, Pa.; Wilmet is a successful farmer of 
Orange Count}-; Aaron Van Duzen. John Cooper 
and Eloise are at home. They are j ustly proud 
of their children and have been ver\- careful in 
their training. Mr. and Mrs. Makuen are mem- 
bers in excellent standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Goshen, and take an active in- 
terest in carrying on the good work in their 
neighborhood. In politics the former is an ad- 
vocate of Democratic principles and is well in- 
formed regarding the issues of the part}-. He is 
what may be called a self-made man, as it is by 
his own perseverance and integrit\- that he has 
gained his high position in the communitj-, and 
it is therefore with pleasure that we submit this 
brief sketch of one who has made a name that is 
honored bj- his fellow-citizens. 



NEXRV E. SMITH has made his abode in 
Orange County for fifty-four years, or dur- 
ing his entire life, and was bom on the farm 
which he now calls his home, Januarj- 14, 1841. 
He is one of the leading agriculturists of the town 
of Goshen, and his estate, one hundred and four 
acres in extent, is particularly adapted for dairy- 
purposes, for which it is largely used. The 
owner is a practical agriculturist and a good gen- 
eral farmer and stock-raiser. 

Henr\- J. and Eliza (Harlow) Smith were mar- 
ried May 22, 1838, and became the parents of 
four children, of whom our subject was the sec- 



ond-born. Three of the faniilj^ are deceased: 
Emily E., who died in 1863; Phebe Ann in 1845: 
and Jennie W. in 1847. The father's birth oc- 
curred July 25, 1798, on the same place on which 
Henr\- E. is residing, and there he was actively 
engaged in farming during his lifetime. He was 
a quiet and unassuming man, and in everj' way 
possible manifested his interest in the welfare and 
progress of his community. Religiously he was 
a Methodist, in the faith of which church he died 
September i, 1859, respected by a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. His wife departed 
this life September 6, 1854. 

After passing his boyhood days in attendance 
at the district school, our subject was sent to 
Goshen Academy, and afterw-ard to the school at 
Binghamton. It was his ambition and desire, 
however, to follow in the footsteps of his father 
and become an agriculturist. Accordingly, he 
spent his time in gaining information regarding 
the management of an estate, and on the death 
of his father assumed control of the old home- 
stead, which he still owns. The property- upon 
which he resides presents to the passer-b\' a neat 
and inviting appearance, and is kept under good 
repair and the best ol improvements bj- the owner. 

August 31, 1864, Mr. Smith was joined in mar- 
riage with Miss C. Delia, daughter of John X. 
and Mary Ellen Knapp, natives of this count}-. 
This union has been blessed by the birth of four 
children, two of whom are deceased: Henry X., 
who died in 1881; and Frank W., who passed 
away in 1890. Charles \V., who resides on the 
home farm, married Miss Phebe J. Tuthill, Sep- 
tember 16, 1891, and to them has been bom a 
son, Charles Edson. The other son, J. DeWitt 
Smith, is single and at home. 

Both our subject and his estimable wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at Go- 
shen, with which they have been connected since 
1873 and 1867, respectively. In politics the 
former is a Republican, tried and true. It has 
never been his desire to hold office, but he has on 
various occasions been elected to positions of 
trust by his fellow-citizens. 

The Smith family are old pioneers of Orange 
County. The great-grandfather, Isaiah Smith, 



744 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



emigrated from England, and settled on Long 
Island many years prior to the Revolutionar>- 
War. Later lie moved to Orange Countv-. and 
bought the farm on which our subject now re- 
sides, September 26, 1773. His sou Abel was 
born on this farm that year, and died in 18 16. 
The father of our subject was also bom here, his 
birth occurring July 25, 179S. 



(lAMES CLARK. Near the Forest of Dean 
I Mines, west of Montgomen.-, and in the town 
(2/ of Highland, is situated the farm owned and 
operated by the subject of this notice. During 
the p)eriod that has elapsed since he established 
his home here, he has introduced a number of im- 
provements that considerably enhance the value 
of the place, and has brought a portion of the land 
under cultivation, so that it yields abundant har- 
vests. The farm cousists of six hundred and six- 
teen acres, and while a part of it is not suitable 
for cultivation, fully half might be put under the 
plow if cleared and prepared for it. In 1S78, the 
year after coming here, he erected a substantial 
and neatly appointed residence, which is fur- 
nished cosily, making a comfortable home for the 
famih'. A fine spring comes out from the rocks 
under the house, and this has been walled in. fur- 
nishing a supply of cold water opening off from 
the kitchen. 

Not far from the place where he now resides, 
the subject of this notice was bom October 30, 
1S30. He was reared in his native town, and 
being one of a large family, whose parents were 
poor, he was denied educational privileges, being 
obliged to work from a ver\- early age. How- 
ever, his lack of education was to a large extent 
overcome by his native shrewdness. At the age 
of twenty-one he began boating on the Hudson, 
and this occupation he followed for five years. 
Then learning the trade of a carpenter, he fol- 
lowed that calling for nine years in his neighbor- 
hood. He was then engaged by the manager of 
the Forest of Dean Mines, for whom he worked 
nine years and ten months, ^^^thout losing a day. 
During that time he built the two large wheels 



now at the top of the mine, a fine piece of work, 
that would do credit to an artisan who had 
ser\-ed a long apprenticeship. In 1877 he pur- 
chased his present farm, and here he has since en- 
gaged as an agriculturist. 

James Clark, Sr. , father of our subject, was a 
son of Moses Clark, and was a life-long agricult- 
urist. He married Catherine \'ought. whose 
grandfather. Heur\- ^'ought. was a soldier in the 
Revolution. Her father. Joseph Vought, was 
bom Januarj- 19, 1792, and died in May, 1827; 
her mother, who bore the maiden name of Amelia 
Conklin, was a daughter of Jacob and Mar\- (Nel- 
son) Conklin. She was bom October 17, 17S6, 
and died in March, 1823. 

The lady who, Februarj- 12, 1859. became the 
wife of our subject was Mar\- Louisa Weeks, 
daughter of Daniel T. and Elizabeth (Brown) 
\\'eeks and granddaughter on her mother's side of 
Richard and Annie (Beal) Brown. Her father, 
who was a man of great jjerseverance and industrj-, 
resided for many years on the farm now owned by 
our subject, and the little log house in which she 
was married is still preserved on account of the 
pleasant memories connected with it. Politically 
Mr. Clark is a Democrat. He and his wife are the 
parents of nine children, namely: Minnie, wife of 
Isaac Odell, a mill operative at Canterburv", and 
the mother of four children : Andrew . who married 
Ida Rhodes: Lettie. Mrs. Thomas Dickens, who 
has two children: Henr>-, Edward, Oscar, Mar- 
tha, Dora and Siretta. 



"-0< 



EHARLES H. WEYANT. who is engaged in 
the cultivation of a portion of the old Wey- 
ant homestead at Oueensborough, was bom 
on the Hudson River, at Jones Point, Rockland 
Count>-, May 7, 1S59. At the age of seven years 
he removed with his parents from the Point and 
settled upon the tract of nineteen hundred acres 
where the family still resides. His boyhood years 
w^re passed in attendance at the Oueensborough 
school and in the labor incident to farm Ufe. He 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



745 



remained with his father until the latter's death, 
when he built a large modern residence on his 
share of the estate, a few rods from the old home. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
John and Mar\- (Rider) Weyant. and the great- 
grandparents were Tobias and Jerusha (^Smith ) 
Weyant. Our subject's father. King Weyant, 
was bom at Mountville, February- 5, 181S, and 
married Elizabeth Kessler, a native of Jones 
Point, Rockland County. After his marriage he 
ran a boat between Albany and New York for 
a year, after which he was for fourteen years in 
charge of a wrecking vessel ownied by an insur- 
ance company. Then turning his attention to the 
manufacture of brick, he carried on an extensive 
business in that line for many years at Green 
Cove, Haverstraw and Jones Point. In 1866 he 
bought nineteen hundred acres at Old Queens- 
borough, which he placed under the finest im- 
provement, making of it one of the most valua- 
ble farms in Orange County. There he continued 
to make his home until his death, September 4, 
1S84. 

The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
Paul and Hannah ( Lausell 1 Kessler. The for- 
mer was of German ancestr\, and fought in the 
Colonial army during the Revolutiouar\- struggle. 
The latter was a daughter of Edward Lausell. 
who came to America as a British soldier during 
the Revolution, and, being married while here, 
settled permanently in this countn,- after the close 
of the war. The family of King and Elizabeth 
Weyant consisted of twelve children, one of 
whom died unnamed in infancy. The others 
are Harvey, of Springfield, Mass.: Louisa, wife 
of Robert Phillips, of Springfield, Mass. : Daniel, 
whose home is in New London, Conn. ; Eliza- 
beth, who married Wesley Van Wart: Josephine, 
deceased: Alice: Frank and King, deceased: 
Lucy, wife of Rev. Herman Coons, of Xewburgh; 
Charles H., of this sketch: and WooLsey, de- 
ceased. 

On Christmas Day of 1879 Mr. Weyant was 
united in marriage with Miss Agnes Lewis, at 
the residence of her parents in the town of Wood- 
bury, two miles from the home of our subject. 
Mrs. Wej-ant was bom in Westchester Count}-, 



N. Y.,~and is^ajdaughter of James and "Elizabeth 
(Thorpe) Lewis. Her mother, who was a daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Eliza (Brooks) Thorpe, died 
when she was an infant, so she has no recollec- 
tion of her. Mr. Lewis is a son of Henrj- and 
Ruth (Swim^ Lewis, natives of Ft. Montgomery, 
and by his marriage to EHzabeth Thorpe he had 
foiu- children, named as follows; William, who re- 
sides on the Lewis homestead: Anna, who mar- 
ried John Cook, a painter residing at Highland 
Falls: Ruth, wife of Enoch Rose, a farmer living 
near Ft. Montgomen,-; and Agnes, Mrs. Weyant. 
In their religious belief our subject and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Politically he supports the Republican 
principles and has ser\-ed as School Trustee and 
Collector, also officiated in other local offices of 
trust. Eight children were bom of his union, 
namely: Garfield: King, deceased: Chester: Olive: 
James, deceased: Clareuce, Leonard and King. 
The family is one of prominence socially, and its 
various members are highly esteemed by the peo- 
ple of the town. 

-1=^ ^ ' 



QOSIAH MERRITT, the owner of a valuable 
I farm in the town of Woodbun-, is a descen- 
\Z/ dant of a long line of Cornish mine-workers, 
and was bom in Heyertown, Cornwall, England, 
Febraar>- 26, 1830. He was a son of William 
and Sarah Merritt, the former of whom died when 
Josiah was an infant of nine months. Both the 
father and mother were members of families that 
had been long and intimately connected with the 
mining industries of Cornwall. 

In the mines of his native shire our subject 
worked until twenty-six years of age, at which 
time, having resolved to seek a home in America, 
he set sail from Liverpool , and after an uneventful 
voyage lauded in Quebec. His first work in this 
country \\>es secured in the Ringwood Mines, after 
which he worked in various mines in the East, 
and then went to the Lake .Superior region, where 
he found employment in the iron and copper 
mines. Later he worked in the iron mines at 
Green Tree, Pa., and then had charge of the 



746 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Bradley Mines, near his home, until they were 
closed. In 1876 he bought his present farm of 
fifty acres, and, abandoning work in the mines, 
made for himself a home in which to spend his 
declining days. 

Of the family of twelve children born to his 
parents, Mr. Merritt is the sole survavor. He 
was united in marriage, September 4, 1864, with 
Miss Mary Ann Van Gorden, who was born in 
Montague, Sussex County, N. J., and became the 
wife of our subject at Middletown. Her father 
dying when she was six years old, the children 
were taken care of by different families, and in 
consequence of their separation know little of 
one another and still less of their parentage. She 
was the second among five daughters born to the 
union of Abraham and Nancy (Tittsworth) Van 
Gorden, and by her marriage became the mother 
of two daughters, Blanche and Sarah Jane, both 
deceased. Politically our subject is a Republican, 
and for many years he served as Roadmaster, fill- 
ing that position with the greatest efficiency. 



HON. HENRY BACON, A. M., who has won 
an eminent position as a member of the New 
York Bar, has an office at No. 2 Wall 
Street, and also one in Goshen. He has made his 
home in this place for many years, and is the 
owner of a fine residence on East Main Street, 
which is known as the old Hoffman House. In 
political circles he has been very prominent, tak- 
ing an active part in state and county campaigns, 
and in 1892 was sent as a delegate to the National 
Convention which convened in Chicago and nom- 
inated Cleveland. In 1886 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses from 
the Fifteenth District, to fill a vacancy, during 
which time he served on the Committee on Bank- 
ing and Currency. He served on many other im- 
portant committees, being Chairman «f that on 
Manufactures, and conducted the investigation of 
trusts. The report of this committee fills two 
large volumes, his associates in this great under- 
taking being Wilson, Breckenridge of Arkan- 
sas, and Bynum of Indiana. In 1888 he was de- 



feated with the rest of his ticket, but nevertheless 
was beaten bj- scarcely one hundred votes. In 
1890 this defeat was amply compensated, as he 
was elected by the largest majority ever received 
bj' au}- Democratic candidate in this district. He 
was then appointed Chairman of the Committee on 
Banking and Currency ; also was a member of the 
Judiciary Committee in the Fifty-.second Congress. 
As Chairman of the committee he reported the 
bill for the repeal of the purchasing clause of the 
Sherman Bill, in February, 1893. 

Mr. Bacon was born in Brooklj'u, N. Y., in 
March, 1846, and is a son of Prof Daniel P. Ba- 
con, A. M., who was born in Fairfield Count}-, 
Conn., and who was related to the prominent 
family of the name in that state. He was gradu- 
ated from Columbia College, and subsequent!)- 
conducted private schools in New York City and 
Brooklyn. He was very successful in his cho.sen 
profession and at length retired to pass his declin- 
ing days at his country seat near Sing Sing. His 
wife, who was a Miss Mary Armitage, was born 
in New York, but her father was a native of Eng- 
land Our subject is the only surviving son in a 
family of thirteen children, seven of whom grew 
to mature years. 

Mr. Bacon received superior educational ad- 
vantages, his preliminary education being re- 
ceived at the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, 
at Cheshire, until 1862. Later he entered the 
Sophomore class of Union College, from which he 
was duly graduated in 1865 with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts, and three years later had the 
additional honor of Master of Arts conferred upon 
him. He still keeps up his membership with the 
college Phi Beta Kappa society. When only 
twenty years of age he took up the study of law 
under Hon. D. F. Gedney, who was then County 
Judge of Orange County. He argued his first 
case before the Supreme Court in February, 1867, 
before he had attained his majority, and continued 
in practice alone until 1869, when he formed a 
partnership with B. F. Duryea, under the title of 
Durj-ea & Bacon. At the end of seven or eight 
years the partnership was dissolved by mutual 
consent, and Mr. Bacon contiiuied alone in prac- 
tice until he was elected to Congress, when, in 




GEORGE TALMAN WISNEK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



751 



1886, he entered into partnership with Joseph 
Merritt. In 1870 he built a fine law ofiBce build- 
ing on East Main Street, near the court house, 
and in 1874 he established an office in New York 
City. There he was a member of the firm of Ba- 
con, Leeds & Van Steinberg for a j-ear, after 
which the stA'le became Bacon & Van Steinberg. 
In May, 1895, the firm was changed to Bacon, 
Hedges & Erdman, with offices at No. 2 Wall 
Street, where they are now located. In 1892 
Mr. Bacon was made President of the Goshen 
National Bank, which was then in a .state of in- 
solvency. He remained in that position until the 
spring of 1893, when he resigned. 

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Henry Bacon 
and Helen, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Brandreth, 
of Sing Sing, and they have one child, a daugh- 
ter, Florence. Mr. Bacon has for many years 
been recognized as one of the prominent Demo- 
crats of the state and nation and takes front rank 
as a member of the New York Bar. 



gEORGE TALMAN WISNER, the prosper- 
ous possessor of "Oak Hill Farm," is the 
great-grandson of Hon. Henr}- Wisner, of 
well won Colonial fame. The first ancestor of 
whom we have any record, Johannes Weisner (as 
the name was originally spelled) , was born in that 
cradle of indomitable martial spirit, of men who 
must be free or die — Switzerland. Living until 
manhood beneath the shadows of his native 
mountains, he was then employed as a .subaltern 
officer of the Swiss contingent of the allied army, 
commanded by the brave Dutchman, William, 
Prince of Orange, who.se great mission it was to 
humble the pitiless ambition and chastise the 
crimes of Louis XIV. of France. 

After the Peace of Utrecht the English queen, 
Anne, felt herself bound to provide, as far as pos- 
sible, homes for her di.sbanded soldiers. She sent 
some ten thousand of them to America, in further- 
ance of this plan, and among these was Johannes 
Wei.sner, who was accompanied by his wife, Eliz- 



abeth, and son Hendrick. A second son, Adam, 
was born on the tedious voyage, and three 
daughters after their arrival in America. The 
famil}^ encamped for three weeks on Governor's 
Island, after which, getting tired, the father went 
to Hempstead, L. I., whence he was sent to some 
land on the Wawayanda Patent, in Orange Coun- 
ty. Here, in what was then a remote and thinly 
peopled region, he became the owner of a farm, 
having purchased the same June 23, 1715, for the 
sum of thirty pounds, paid to the Snedicors, the 
original owners of the patent. In the town of 
Warwick, in sight of Mt. Eve, the brave old pio- 
neer remained until liis death, in 1744. His son 
Hendrick, also a farmer, became the husband of 
a New England girl, a Miss Shaw, and their son, 
Hon. Col. Henry Wisner, became one of the most 
prominent men of what were then the Briti.sh 
Colonies. 

This son Henry, who was born about 1720, 
owed his success in life doubtless to an energy and 
foresight inherited from his Swiss ancestors. He 
married Sarah Norton, of Queens Count}', receiv- 
ing with her a farm. He himself owned land in the 
vicinit)' of Goshen, on which he located and built 
a house. This hou.se was on the Florida Road, 
one mile south of Goshen, and within its hospita- 
ble walls were entertained at one time General 
Washingfton and Baron Von Stuben. Henry 
Weisner served in the New York Colonial As- 
sembly from 1759 to 1769. In 1773, before the 
unnatural mother on the other side of the Atlan- 
tic had spilled the blood of her American sons, he 
anticipated public sentiment and broke off the 
royal coat-of-arms from the corner-stone about to 
be placed on the Goshen court house. In 1776 
he was called to attend the first Continental Con- 
gress, which met at Philadelphia, and was ap- 
pointed one of the Committee of Safety. Being a 
second time returned to the Continental Congress, 
he voted for the adoption of the immortal Decla- 
ration of Independence, being the only man of 
the New York delegates who had the courage to 
do so, the rest believing themselves re.strained by 
the Continental Congress of New York. After 
recording the votes of the declaration, he ex- 
claimed, "The next thing we shall need is gun- 



33 



752 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



powder," a prediction which proved true. His 
name, however, did not appear among the actual 
signers of the declaration, owing to the fact that 
he was called away to New York City to make a 
sun-ey for General Washington. In 1775, feel- 
ing keenly the disadvantages under which the re- 
volted colonies suffered for the lack of gunpowder, 
he exerted himself to secure a supplj^ of saltpetre 
and built a powder-mill in the southern part of 
Ulster County, and in 1776 two others in Orange 
Count J- . 

From 1776 until 17S2 he sen-ed as a member 
of the New York Senate, in 1778 was a member 
of the New York Constitutional Convention, and 
later a Regent of the University of New York. 
During the whole momentous conflict with the 
Mother Countrj- he had the honor of the friend- 
ship of "the Father of his Country," and of help- 
ing to place him in command of the American 
army. His long and honorable career reached 
its close on the 4th of November, 1790, when he 
had reached the allotted tenn of threescore j-ears 
and ten. His descendants had lost all trace of 
the exact location of his burial-place in the Hop- 
per Hill Cemetery at Phillipsburg until its discov- 
ery, September 24, 1894, by Capt. Lewis Wisner 
and Capt. Charles B. Dalghren. The inscription 
on the tomb reads: "Sacred to the memor\- of 
Henr\- Wisner. who departed this life March 4, 
1790, in the seventieth year of his age, a devoted 
friend to the liberties of his country." He left 
two sons. Henrj" and Gabriel, and a daughter. 

Gabriel Wisner, who was born in the old house 
on the Florida Road, owned a farm in the Wa- 
waj-anda Patent, a short distance south of Goshen. 
Evincing the same military spirit for which the 
family was famous, while yet a young man he 
entered the army during the Revolution as a 
member of a militia compan\' from Goshen, com- 
manded by Captain Tusten. and was killed at 
the Minisink massacre. The first intimation his 
family had of his fate was the return of his rider- 
less horse. He left a widow (Elizabeth Waters 
in her maidenhood) and three children: Sarah 
Wisner, who married William Thorn: Henrj- G., 
and Gabriel, a prominent merchant in New York, 
who died in 1848. 



Henry G. Wisner, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in 1776, on his father's 
farm in the Wawayanda Patent. He enjoyed 
unusual educational advantages for those days, 
being educated at Princeton College, from which 
he was graduated in 1799, delivering the vale- 
dictory- oration. After his college career had 
closed he read law in New York City, was there 
admitted to the Bar, and practiced his profession 
for a short time, or until his physician advised 
him to locate in the country- for his health. Ac- 
cordingly he settled in Goshen, becoming one of 
the most prominent and distinguished attorneys 
in Orange County. During the War of 1812 he 
ser\-ed as Countj" Clerk. He made his home at 
"Oak Hill," the present residence of his son, ad- 
joining the village of Goshen, though his estate, 
which consisted of some six or eight hundred 
acres, was located in different places. With the 
same force of character which had distinguished 
all his ancestors, he became an important factor 
in the well-being of his locality, his influence being 
especialh' felt in religious circles. He was one of 
the founders of the Episcopal Church in his village 
and was an intimate friend of Bishop Hobart. As 
might have been expected, in his political lean- 
ings he was a stanch Whig. Those who have seen 
him remember him as a tall, slender man, hand- 
some and straight as an arrow. He died in Feb- 
ruary, 1842, having reached his sixtj-fifth year. 

Sarah Talman, the wife of Henrj^ G. Wisner, 
was bom in New York City and was a daughter 
of Samuel Talman, who was born on Long Island 
and carried on business as a merchant in New 
York Cit^-. Her brother, George F. Talman, was 
a prominent attornej' of that city and was Presi- 
dent of the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company 
of New York, and one of the chief factors in its 
great success. Mrs. Wisner died at "Oak Hill" 
in 1873, at the advanced age of eighty -nine years. 
To herself and husband had been bom ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom lived to grow up, but only 
three of whom are living at present. William H., 
a retired merchant of New York City, died in 
Januarj-, 1895, in his eighty-ninth year: the sur- 
viving son is George Talman; and the daughters 
are Mrs. George C. Miller, of Goshen; and Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



753 



Frances Murray, widow of Hon. Ambrose Spen- 
cer Murray, ex-Member of Congress and Presi- 
dent of the Orange County Bank. 

George Talman Wisner, who is living on the 
old homestead at "Oak Hill," was born where 
he now resides. He was educated here and then 
went to New York City and engaged with his 
brother Wi'liam H. in business. Fourteen years 
later, on retiring from a mercantile life, he re- 
turned to the home of his ancestors, and is now 
passing his declining years amid the familiar 
scenes of his boyhood, where he is respected by 
all for the integrity of his character and whereby 
his genial and kindly disposition he has won in- 
numerable friends. Mr. Wisner has never mar- 
ried. In politics he is now independent, though 
in early life he was a Whig, and later, or until 
1884, a Republican. In his religions connections 
he is an attendant at the Episcopal Church in 
Goshen. 

"Oak Hill," Mr. Wisner's residence, which 
has been in the family for over a century, is situ- 
ated within the corporation limits of the village 
of Goshen and comprises eighty acres. It is a 
fine place, surrounded by beautiful lawns and 
shaded by magnificent oak trees. Mr. Wisner is 
a great admirer of fine animals, and devotes his 
farm chiefly to the raising of .stock, among which 
are some thoroughbred horses. Besides his farm- 
ing interests, he is a Director and stockholder in 
the Goshen National Bank, and has interests in 
.several other enterpri.ses. 



nOSEPH SEARS EARL, who is engaged in 
I farming and the poultry business near High- 
(2/ land Mills, was born at Turner, March 18, 
1828. When he was five years old his father re- 
moved two miles southwest of .Turner, near the 
O'Neal Mines, and there the seven ensuing years 
were spent. At the age of twelve he accompan- 
ied the family to Niagara County, N. Y., where 
thej^ resided for two years in the town of Hart- 
land. Removing thence to Lockport, three years 
were passed in that place, during which time he 
attended the city schools two winters. For two 



years afterward he lived in the town of Pendle- 
ton, Niagara County, later spent a year in Lock- 
port and two years in Monroe Countj% twelve 
miles west of Rochester. While in Lockport he 
learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol- 
lowed to some extent there. 

After coming again to Orange County, Mr. 
Earl worked for one year in the employ of his 
brother-in-law, Elmer Earl, at Turner, and later 
worked in a foundry in Westchester County dur- 
ing one winter. He then managed a farm for 
Mrs. Elizabeth McKelvey for one 3-ear, after 
which he worked around among different farmers, 
making his home with his brother, John B., un- 
til his marriage. Upon establishing domestic ties 
he purchased a farm of eighteen acres on the east 
side of Mt. Basha Pond, but one j'ear later he 
bought out the interest of the heirs in the land 
left by his father-in-law, and in that way secured 
a farm of one hundred and si.xty acres situated 
on the west side of Mt. Basha Pond, south of 
Monroe. Twelve years were spent on that place, 
and he then bought a farm of one hundred and 
thirteen acres near his present homestead, engag- 
ing in the cultivation of that place for eleven 
years and then buying the farm of twentj' acres 
which he now owns and operates. This piece of 
land has been owned by the Earls for the past 
one hundred and fifty years. Here he has made 
his home since October, 1880, and from the rais- 
ing of cereals and fruits he has derived a profita- 
ble income. 

The parents of our subject, John and Martha 
(Thorn) Earl, were natives of the town of Wood- 
bury, and the father, who was a miller in his 
younger years, owned and carried on a small mill 
at Turner for a long time. He and his wife were 
the parents of fourteen children, viz.: Ebenezer, 
deceased; Abigail, Mrs. Thomas Lemoreux, de- 
ceased; Sarah, wife of Elmer Earl; Jesse, de- 
ceased; Elizabeth, Mrs. Andrew Lewis, deceased; 
John B. , a resident of the town of Goshen ; Martha, 
who died in girlhood; Charles, whose home is 
between Monroe and Southfield; Seth, deceased; 
Mar>- Ann, Vashti and William, who died young; 
Joseph Sears, of this sketch; and Mary Jane, Mrs. 
Jacob Green, deceased. 



754 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The first representative of the Earl family in 
America was John Earl, who during the Revolu- 
tionary War kept a public house on the site of the 
present mill, and at one time during the struggle 
for independence he was robbed of three hundred 
sovereigns by the noted freebooter, Claudius 
Smith. All of his sons took part in the Revolu- 
tion. One of these sons, Richard by name, was 
our subject's grandfather, and he, after the close 
of the war, settled on a farm at the foot of the 
Schunnemunk Mountain, the property having 
been given him bj- his father. He married a Miss 
Bull (whose first name was probably Sarah), a 
descendant of William Bull, whose wife, Sarah 
Wells, was the first white woman that settled in 
Orange Count\-. 

October 22, 1855, Mr. Earl married Miss Car- 
oline B. Earl, who was born near Ann Arbor, 
Mich., being a daughter of Daniel and Esther S. 
(Sands) Earl. Her father was a son of Peter and 
Sarah (Bull) Earl, the former a son of John Earl, 
the first representative of the family in this coun- 
try and a brother of Richard Earl, grandfather of 
our subject. Politically our subject is a Prohibi- 
tionist. He is interested in local matters and has 
served as School Trustee, Road-master, Overseer 
of the Poor thirteen years, Enrolling Ofiicer dur- 
ing the war, and Collector of Taxes for one 3'ear. 
Bj' his marriage six children have been born, viz. : 
Phoebe E.; Daniel, who died in boyhood; Henri- 
etta Matilda; Cornelia I., wife of Charles Jones; 
Horace G. and Allen G., who are in the cashier's 
office of the United States E.xpress Company. 



•♦^2+<> 



EHARLES D. DUBOIS. With the excep- 
tion of four years, during which time he 
was a resident of Ohio, Mr. DuBois has 
spent his entire life in the town of Minisink. 
Here, in Smith Village, his birth occurred Octo- 
ber 23, 1828. He has, however, been a resident 
of Westtown much of the time since infancy. 
Reared from boyhood to habits of industry and 
accurate observation of the methods of others, he 



has been successful in his enterprises, and is able 
to bestow upon his two children excellent advant- 
ages, encouraging and developing the worthy 
traits of their character. 

As the name indicates, the DuBois family is of 
French descent. The first representative in Or- 
ange Count}' was Dr. Nelson DuBois, grandfa- 
ther of our subject, who was born at Fishkill, 
and, crossing the Hudson, made settlement in the 
village of Warwick, where he became a promi- 
nent and successful phj-sician. Among his chil- 
dren was John E. , who was born in the town of 
Warwick, and married Orpha, daughter of John 
Roberts. Their union resulted in the birth of 
three children, namely: Charles D. ; Edward W. , 
who died in 1872; and Harriet, who passed from 
earth in 1875. 

Learning the harness-maker's trade in War- 
wick, John E. DuBois began work at his chosen 
occupation when only seventeen j'ears of age, 
and from that time forward his was a busy life. 
In 1824 he moved to the village of Smith, in the 
town of Minisink, and there he had a harness- 
.shop for three years. From that place he moved 
to Westtown, and engaged in the same business, 
continuing thus engaged until shortly before his 
demise. He died in Westtown, at the age of 
eighty-five, and he was laid to rest in the Pres- 
byterian churchyard there. He had lived a con- 
sistent Christian life, and had served as an Elder 
in the church. His wife, who was a member of 
the same church as he, died in 1872, aged sixty- 
eight. 

When a child of three years our subject was 
taken by his parents to Westtown, and there he 
grew to manhood. In the academy at that place 
he received a good education, and on leaving 
school began to learn the harness-maker's trade 
under his father. He was seventeen years old 
when he commenced, and he remained with his 
father until the retirement of the latter from act- 
ive labors, when the business was sold. He owns 
three residences in Westtown, and is one of the 
most energetic citizens of the place. Doubtless 
no one is more closely identified with its pros- 
perity and more deeply interested in its progress 
than is he, for with the exception of the time al- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



755 



luded to before, when from 1863 to 1867 he car- 
ried on a drug business in Tiffin, Ohio, he has 
hved here continuously since three years of age. 
Since 1885 he has not been actively engaged in 
business, having accumulated a sufficient amount 
to enable him to cea.-^e to some extent the ardu- 
ous labors of former years. Politically he is a 
Republican. In 1884 he married Miss Caroline 
Hull, who was born in this town, and they are 
the parents of two children, Grace and John. 



IILLIAM E. BARNEvS, a prominent bu.si- 
ness man of Warwick, was born in the 
town of Minisink, March 3, 1828, and is 
the son of John and Mary (Plowman) Barnes, 
who were natives of Hamptonburgh, and who 
spent their entire lives in this county. The fa- 
ther was by trade a carpenter, and followed that 
occupation in Minisink and Montgomery until 
his death, which occurred when William was but 
nine years of age. The mother died .some j'cars 
later at Newburgh. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was in the Revolutionary War, under Wash- 
ington, and performed many honorable deeds 
during those trying times. 

William E. Barnes received but a limited edu- 
cation in the district schools of Orange County, 
and after the death of his father it became neces- 
sary for him to do something for his own support, 
spending four years of his boyhood in the family 
of Marshal Wilkins, of Orange County. He 
earl)' learned the painter's trade, and in 1854 be- 
gan to follow that occupation in Warwick. While 
there he accumulated a snug sum, and later 
went to Chester, where he leased the Washing- 
ton Hotel, which he conducted for eight years. 
He then moved to Wallkill, in Ulster County, 
and was there engaged in the hotel business for 
four years. From Wallkill he moved to Gardner 
Station, and was there engaged in the same busi- 
ness for three years, when he went to Bloomfield, 
N. J., where he also engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness, but was unsuccessful. He there lost two of 
his children, and, meeting with reverses, in 1884 
he returned to Warwick and established the pop- 



ular Turf Exchange, which he has successfully 
conducted until the present time. No one has 
ever left this place dissatisfied. 

In 1857 Mr. Barnes was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary E. Case, daughter of John B. 
and Hannah (Fox) Case, the former dying in 
i88q, and the latter in July, 1868, as the result 
of an accident. The jiaternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Barnes, John F. Case, was a cooper by trade, 
but for manj' years commanded a sloop on the 
Hudson River, at which time he was a resident 
of Greene County . His son John B. also followed 
the cooper's trade, carrying on his business in 
Orange County, where Mrs. Barnes was born. 

The union of our subject and wife was ble.ssed 
with six children, two of whom are deceased. 
Tho.se living are William H., who is with his fa- 
ther in the hotel busine.ss; Louella, wife of Joseph 
W. Elliott, of Jer.sey City; and Franke and Mamie 
at home. Mr. Barnes belongs to the Odd Fel- 
lows and to the Knights of Pythias. In politics 
he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to official 
position. A whole-souled man, he is one who 
takes pleasure in making comfortable those around 
him. 



(^ 






^ 



0AMUEE RAYNOR, of the town of War- 
/\ wick, comes of good old Revolutionary stock, 
0/ his father, who was also named Samuel, 
serving for a short time in that great struggle. The 
latter married Abigail McElroy, who was born 
in Rockland County, this state, but who came to 
Orange County at an early day. Here they re- 
sided until death, the former dying in 1848 and 
the latter in 1865. 

The subject of this sketch was born in 1832, in 
the town of Warwick, and was here educated 
in the common schools. He was reared on a farm 
and has followed the occupation of a farmer 
throughout life, with the exception of three years. 
In October, 1855, ^^ married Miss Eouisa Mont- 
ross, a native of Sussex County, N. J., and a 
daughter of Samuel and Abbie J. (Taylor) Mont- 
ross, the former a native of New Jersey and the 



756 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter of Orange County. Of the marriage of our 
subject and wife five children survive: Fanny, 
wife of Elba Ball, of Newark, N. J.; Samuel, of 
New York City; Annie, wife of Robert Benedict, 
also of New York City; Hattie, wife of George 
Pitts, of Orange Countj-; and Louisa, wife of John 
Sly, of Pas.saic, N. J. The mother of these 
children died in 1871, and in 1872 Mr. Raynor 
was married to Mary Monell, of Orange County. 
Four children survive this union, Fred C, Grace, 
Ralph E. and Jay, at home with their parents. 

Mrs. Raynor and her children are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. 
Raynor is a Republican, and has ever taken an 
active part in political affairs. He has received 
the endorsement of his fellow- citizens three terms 
for Road Commissioner, and is now serving his 
second terra as Assessor. In every election he 
has run ahead of his ticket, and when the town 
was strongly Democratic he received a good ma- 
jority. His election to ofiice .shows the con- 
fidence reposed in him bj' his fellow-citizens, and 
none .stands higlier in the community in which 
he lives than does he. 



30HN WEYANT, who owns and occupies a 
farm in the town of Highland, three miles 
west of Ft. Montgomery, was born in Rock- 
land County, N. Y., October 2, 1832, and re- 
mained in the place of his birth until he was ten 
j-ears old, when he accompanied his father to Or- 
ange County. Until .seventeen years of age he 
attended the schools here, after which he began 
boating on the Hudson, and was thus engaged 
for six years. Later he was emplojed in a brick- 
\-ard for three years, then for two j-ears engaged 
in teaming at and near Ft. Montgomery. In the 
spring of 1877 he purchased three hundred acres 
of the Brooks homestead, including the old fam- 
ily residence, and here he has since resided. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of ten children, as follows: Hiram, Ed- 
win, Sarah and James, deceased; Henrietta; Will- 
iam, who lives in Ft. Montgomery; Catherine, 
who married Philip Henry Cramer; John, of this 



sketch; Susan, deceased; and Vincent, of High- 
land Falls. The father of this family was Mich- 
ael, a son of John Weyant, both of whom fol- 
lowed farming and teaming throughout their en- 
tire lives. The father was born February 14, 
1802, and died December 27, 1881, when over 
seventy-nine years of age. The mother of our 
subject, Mar>', was a daughter of William De- 
Grott, who was an exten.sive lime manufacturer 
at Tompkins' Cove, in Rockland Comity, and is 
remembered as a very genial, jovial old man. She 
was born December 25, 1803, and departed this 
life August 4, 1884, being over eighty years of 
age. 

At Peekskill, N. Y., December 24, 1859, Mr. 
Weyant married Miss Susan E. Rose, a native of 
this couiitj-, and a daughter of Reuben and Char- 
lotte (Weyant) Rose. Her paternal grandpar- 
ents were David and Rebecca (Carter) Rose, the 
latter in turn the daughter of Enoch Carter, a 
soldier of the Revolutionary^ War, who utilized 
his knowledge of the shoemaker's trade by mak- 
ing shoes for his comrades while in the service. 
At three different times he was hung up on ac- 
count of refusing to tell where some fat cattle were 
kept for the American army. At the solicitation 
of his wife he was released. The father of Mrs. 
Weyant was born September 30, 1795, and died 
December 2, 1875. Tobias Weyant at one time 
owned lona Island, about one mile below Ft. 
Montgomery. They were the parents of ten chil- 
dren, having five sons and five daughters. Enoch 
Carter, a bas-relief of whom appears at Washing- 
ton's Headquarters, was one of Washington's 
body-guard, and he was a cousin of David Ro.se, 
as was his sister, Mrs. Woolsey, to whom the 
watch of Martha Washington, exhibited at the 
headquarters, once belonged. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Weyant was blessed 
bj' the birth of three children, the eldest of whom, 
Ella E., married James Macy, and is the mother 
of two children, Susan E. and Matilda F. The 
other members of the family are Carrie F. and 
Elbert Ellsworth, deceased. They have an adopt- 
ed son, Edward S. Our subject and his wife are 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In politics he is a faithful adherent of Democratic 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



757 



principles, and has served as Trustee of Schools, 
rendering satisfactory service in tliat capacity. In 
the church to which he belongs he has filled the 
positions of Trustee and Steward, and is one of 
the most useful members of the congregation. 



[IIXIAM H. BENNET. A position of 
prominence among the agriculturists of Or- 
ange County is held by this gentleman, 
who owns and operates two hundred and twenty 
acres of valuable land in the town of Goshen. 
On this estate have been introduced all the im- 
provements of a modern, first-class farm, includ- 
ing substantial buildings adapted for the con- 
venience of the family and the promotion of the 
farm work. 

A native of this county, Mr. Bennet was born 
in this town, November 12, 1834. His parents, 
Gabriel and Mary A. (Jones) Bennet, natives of 
the town of Goshen, passed their entire lives in 
this county. Gabriel's birth occurred on the 
same farm which is now owned by his .son, our 
subject, and to the work of farming he gave his 
entire attention, becoming well known in this lo- 
cality. He was honest and upright in all his 
transactions, and his death, in 1870, was mourned 
by many of the re.sidents , of the neighborhood. 
His good wife preceded him to the land beyond 
by three years, dying in 1867. She was an in- 
telligent and noble lady, and devoted her life to 
training her children to occupy good and u.seful 
positions in the community. 

Our subject completed his education when 
eighteen years of age and then gave himself up 
to the work of becoming an agriculturist. He 
has made farming his business ever since, and 
the fact that he operates successfulh- two hundred 
and twenty acres speaks well for his ability as a 
tiller of the soil. His principal industry, how- 
ever, is dairy farming, although he raises the 
various cereals in large quantities. 

William H. Bennet and Miss Lyda Ann Smith 
were united in marriage December 7, 1859. The 



ladj' was the daughter of Hiram and Sarah Jape 
(Bull) Smith, also natives of this county, and, 
like the Bennets, were landmarks here. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Bennet there were born five children, 
three of whom are deceased. Those living are 
Mary J., the wife of William H. Strong, a promi- 
nent dairy farmer of this community; and Gabriel 
H., who married Miss Nellie I. Conklin, and re- 
sides on the home farm. The wife and mother 
was called to her final home September 26, 1882, 
and since that time her husband has continued 
to live on the old place, which is presided over 
by his daughter-in-law. 

In politics our subject is a stanch supporter of 
Republican principles, and on this ticket was 
elected to the office of Asses.sor, which he has 
filled creditably for the past eighteen years. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Goshen. He is highly regarded in 
this community', and those who have known him 
from boj-hood are numbered among his best 
friends. 



0ANIEL F. CARPENTER, one of the native 
.sons of Orange County, was born in the 
town of Goshen, January 12, 1836. He is 
well known in this locality as one of the mo.st 
progressive farmers and dairymen, and also de- 
serves mention for the brave service which he 
rendered his country during the late Civil War, 
having fought as a soldier of the Union army for 
three years. 

Our subject is the eldest son of John S. and 
Agnes C. (Fulton) Carpenter, also natives of 
this county, where they passed their entire lives. 
The father was a blacksmith Ijy trade, but dur- 
ing the later years of his life followed the occu- 
pation of an agriculturist. He was a quiet, un- 
assuming man, and was greatly mourned at the 
time of his death, in 1854. His ancestors were 
among the first re.sidents of the county, and with- 
out an exception they were industrious and 
worthy people. Mrs. Agnes Carpenter survived 
■her husband forty years, dying in 1894, when 
.seventy -six years of age. 



758 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



Daniel F., of this history, is a well educated 
man, and supplemented the knowledge gained in 
the schools of Goshen b\- a course of study at 
Princeton, N. J. He was prevented from gradu- 
ating from this institution, however, on account 
of failing eyesight, and after returning home de- 
voted himself to the care of the farm. During the 
late war, in 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, 
and was mustered into service at Goshen. For 
three years he suffered all the hardships and pri- 
vations of a soldier's life, and during that time 
participated in many of the engagements in which 
the company fought, including some of the most 
important battles of that period. While before 
Chancellorsville he was injured in the right arm 
by a gunshot wound, which pre\-ented him from 
taking part in anj- active engagement for some 
time. As soon as he was able to leave the hos- 
pital, however, he was detailed to convey prison- 
ers to New Orleans, and while en route was .ship- 
wrecked off the coast of Florida, and narrowly 
escaped being killed by a fall from the upper- 
deck into the hold of the ship, while attempting 
to obey orders. At that time he was also suffer- 
ing from a wounded arm. He had enlisted for 
three years, but as peace was established two 
months prior to the expiration of his term of en- 
listment, he filled out his time doing guard duty. 
When honoiablj- discharged he returned home to 
this county, where he has ever since made his 
home. 

Mr. Carpenter, owns fift\' acres of productive 
land, which he devotes largely to dair^- purposes, 
although he raises onions in great quantities. He 
established a home of his own in 1S74, when he 
was married to Miss Marj-, daughter of John and 
Hannah (Bailey) Ryerson, of New Jersey. Mrs. 
Carpenter, however, is a native of this county. 
She is a well educated lady, and became the 
mother of four children. Of these, Hannah died 
wheu seven years of age; Mars- Agnes, John H. 
and Daniel J. are at home with their parents, and 
are being given the best opportunities for an edu- 
cation which the locality affords. Both our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church at Go.shen, to which they 



contribute liberall}- of their means, and take an 
active part in church work. Socialb- Mr. Car- 
penter is a member of Cummings Post, G. A. R., 
at Goshen, and in politics never loses an oppor- 
tunity to cast his ballot and influence in favor of 
Republican principles and candidates. 



GlLONZO J. WILLIAMS, a prominent citi- 
Ll zen of Orange County, and also of the town 
/ \ of Warwick, is a native of New Jersey, hav- 
ing been born in Sussex County, April 6, 1847. 
He was the eldest child born to Abram C. and 
Sarah (Drew) Williams, both of whom were na- 
tives of New Jersej-, and who lived and died in 
that state. The father was for several years en- 
gaged in school teaching, and also carried on ag- 
ricultural pursuits. He died in 1853, and his 
wife, the mother of our subject, survived him 
twenty years, dying in 1873. 

Alonzo Williams grew to manhood in his na- 
tive state, and his education, which was obtained 
in the district schools, was supplemented by a 
short course in the schools of Wantage, N. J. 
The greater part of his life was spent on the farm, 
but for two years he was engaged as clerk in a 
grocerj- store. In early manhood he was in the 
employ of ex-Gov. Daniel Haynes, of New Jer- 
sey, and for seven years was superintendent, hav- 
ing the management of his estates. His present 
farm consists of one hundred and seven acres, 
and in addition to general farming he is largely 
engaged in the milk bu.siness. 

Our subject and Miss Clarissa J. Brundage 
were united in marriage in 1867. She was a 
daughter of Increase M. and Hannah (Brown) 
Brundage, natives of Orange County. Two chil- 
dren surs'ive that union, Catherine and Lizzie, 
the latter being the wife of Curtis W. Miller, of 
Garfield, N. J. Mrs. Williams died in 187 1, and 
the followuig year Mr. Williams married Harriett 
I. Wood, daughter of Edward and Sarah (Ed- 
sall) \^'ood, who are natives of Orange Count}'. 




HOX. AMBROSE SPENCKR MURRAY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIy RECORD. 



761 



Five children survive this union: Clarissa, Nellie 
V. , Alfred R. , Marj- and G. Herbert, all of whom 
are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Williams is an Odd Fellow, having passed 
through all the chairs in the order, and is a mem- 
ber of the Grand Lodge. He is also a member 
of the American Mechanics. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and for thirteen years ser\-ed his fel- 
low-citizens as Assessor of the town. He has 
also served as Collector, Excise Commissioner 
and as a member of the Board of Health. As a 
citizen he enjoys the confidence and respect of 
friends and neighbors, and is well and favorablj- 
known throughout almost the entire county. The 
entire family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



NO N. AMBROSE SPENCER MURRAY. 
More lasting than the crumbling granite of 
statel}' monuments is the memory of gener- 
ous deeds, sympathetic words and tender thought- 
fulness of those who have finished life's battles 
and left us, having, however, but "gone before." 
Although it has been ten years since Mr. Mur- 
ray's death occurred, his memor^• is still fresh in 
the hearts of all who knew him, and his fair 
name is a goodlj- heritage for his children. 

Mr. Murray was a native of New York State 
and was born in Wallkill November 27, 1807. 
He was of Scotch descent, his grandfather, 
George Murraj-, being a native of Scotland. The 
latter's birth occurred in the town of Inverness, 
where he spent his early years, and he later came 
to America as a soldier in the British army, being 
with Braddock's army at the time of its defeat. 
He was also with Wolfe at the battle of Quebec. 
After Braddock's defeat he located near Reading, 
Pa., and married Miss Snj-der. Subsequently he 
came to this state, locating in Orange County, 
here spending the remainder of his life. 

William Murray, our subject's father, was born 
in this county in 1773, and here spent his entire 
life, dying in the year 1849. His wife's maiden 
name was Marv' Ann Beakes, and her death oc- 
curred two years previous to that of her husband, 



at the age of seventy-two years. As an agricult- 
urist he was verj^ successful, his land lying near 
Wallkill. In many ways he served the public, 
and faithfully performed all duties imposed upon 
him. He was a member of the Baptist Church, 
and ever active in all benevolent projects. In 
educational matters he was deeply intere.sted, and 
politically was a member of the Democratic party, 
serving his party in many po.sitions of trust. He 
was Presidential Elector from New York, casting 
his vote for James K. Polk for President of the 
United States. 

In the famih- of nine children, our subject was 
third youngest. During his boyhood years he 
attended the common schools, and at the age of 
.seventeen became a clerk in the store of his uncle, 
Stacy Beckes, at Middletown, N. Y. There he 
remained until 1831, when he came to Goshen 
and entered the Orange County Bank, acting in 
the capacity of clerk. Here he had an excellent 
opportunity to develop his business capacity, and 
so faithful was he in the performance of every 
duty that he soon gained the confidence of his 
employers and in 1834 was elected Cashier. 

In 1845 occurred the death of the President, 
Gen. George D. Wickham, and Mr. Murray was 
elected to succeed him, occupying this position 
until his death, or for a period of forty years. 
Before the re-organization of the bank under the 
national banking law, its bills were printed on 
fine yellow-tinted paper, and on account of their 
peculiar color, and the locality from which they 
were issued, were known as "butter bills." On 
account of the high standing of the bank and its 
President, they were as good as gold wherever 
presented. 

Mr. Murray was a Director of the Wallkill 
Valley Railroad for many years, and served in a 
like capacity the Erie Railroad, being coiniected 
with the last-named for a term of fourteen years, 
ending in 1867. He was one of the Directors of 
the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company of New 
York, and his shrewd business ability made him 
an invaluable member of the board. Politicalh- 
he was a Whig until the formation of the Repub- 
lican party in 1856, when he espoused its princi- 
ples and became active in the work of advancing 



762 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



its interests. He was elected County Treasurer 
in 1851, and serv^ed three years. In the fall of 
1855 he was elected from the Tenth Congressional 
District, becoming a member of the Thirtj'-fourth 
Congress, and by re-election was also a member 
of the Thirty -fifth. 

When Sumner, of Boston, was as.saulted in 
Congress he hastened to the scene, pulled Brooks 
off and threw him from him. He had the name 
of being the strongest man in Congress, but it 
was really his Scotch pluck that gave him power 
in such cases. He was a personal friend of ex- 
Secretarj- of State W. H. Seward, and when the 
feeling of slavery was so strong in Washington 
and Seward was threatened, Mr. Murray and Ed- 
win B. Morgan were in the habit of escorting him 
back and forth from the Executive Mansion to 
protect him from violence. 

Februarj- 18, 1836, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Murray and Miss Frances Wisner, the cere- 
mony being performed at "Oak Hill," Mrs. Mur- 
raj-'s childhood home. She was the daughter of 
Henry G. Wisner, one of the most prominent 
attorneys of Orange Count}^ and was the great- 
granddaughter of Hon. Henry Wisner, who was 
a prominent member of the Continental Congress, 
and whose sketch will be found on another page 
of this volume. To our subject and his wife were 
born nine children. Ellen, Mrs. John V. Beam, 
Jr., who resides in Goshen, is a widow. George 
Wickham succeeded his father to the presidencj' 
of the Orange Countj' Bank. Wisner died in 
1876, at the age of thirty-three j-ears. Gertrude 
and Mary died young. Ambro.se Spencer, Jr. , is 
an attorney in New York City. Russell is a 
merchant of the same city. Francis \\' isner, who 
is a physician, also resides in New York City; and 
Malcolm died when j-oung. 

To Mr. Murray is due much credit for the de- 
velopment of this city and the surrounding coun- 
try, for he was a man who was prominent and 
enterprising in everj-thing he undertook. He re- 
modeled the old Orange County Bank, and it was 
due to his influence that it was the strongest, 
most substantial bank of the county. His beau- 
tiful residence, situated on Main Street, is sur- 
rounded by a fine grove of forest trees. He was 



the possessor of about three thousand acres in 
one tract, and owned many other farms in the 
county. For many j^ears he was recognized as 
one of the most prominent Republicans in the 
state, and during the war rendered valuable serv- 
ice in behalf of the Union cause. He, as is his 
wife, was one of the most prominent workers of 
the Episcopal Church and was identified with 
every good work. His death occurred November 
9, 1885, and his loss was deeply mourned, not 
only by his immediate familj- and acquaintances, 
but by those whom he had known in his different 
capacities of public service. His wife survives 
and occupies the beautiful home which has ever 
been a center of hospitality. 



HARRISON COMPTON was born Novem- 
ber 14, 18 19, in the town of Monroe, upon 
the farm where he now resides. This place 
was entered in 1792 by his paternal grandfather, 
Jacob Compton, who during the following year 
built the present famih^ residence, a substantial 
structure, doubtless good for man)- years yet to 
come. One of the bricks in the chimney has 
carved upon it the words, "J. C, 1793." The 
weatherboarding is of whitewood, the studding 
of heav}- hardwood timbers three feet apart, and 
the nails were manufactured by hand by a neigh- 
boring blacksmith. Jacob Compton lived to en- 
joy the comforts of this home, and in it he died 
at eight)- years of age. 

The father of our subject; Stephen Compton, 
was born near the present home of our subject, 
April 26, 1791, and died October 5,1867. Farming 
was his life occupation, and 'he served as a soldier 
in the War of 181 2. His wife was born in the 
same neighborhood, September 10, 1793, and died 
November 14, 1871. They were the parents of 
four children that arrived at years of maturity, 
three daughters dying in girlhood. The others 
were Annie, Margaret, Harrison and Eunice. 

Attending the district school at Turner until 
eighteen years of age, our subject then took up 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



763 



active life 011 the farm, which he inherited at the 
death of his father. In the town of Monroe was 
solemnized his marriage to Arminda Trickey, 
who was born in 18 15, and died February 28, 
1890. She was a daughter of David and Margaret 
(Rhodes) Trickey, and a granddaughter, on her 
father's side, of Jeremiah and Jemima (Stevens) 
Trickey, and on her mother's side of Hope and 
Mary (Jennings) Rhodes. The six children com- 
prising the family of Mr. and Mrs. Compton were 
as follows: Mary Eliza, deceased; Lucinda, her 
father's housekeeper; Abbie, deceased; vStephen, 
who lives on a portion of our subject's farm; 
George, residing in Paterson, N. J.; and Eliza- 
beth, wife of John W. Cargen, a farmer living 
near Mr. Compton. In politics Mr. Compton is a 
Jacksonian Democrat, and for many years he 
served as vSchool Trustee and Collector, filling 
both positions satisfactorily. 

pCJlLLDIE F. GIBSON, of the town ofWood- 
\ A / bun,-, is a member of a family that has been 
V V long and honorably associated with Amer- 
ican history, and has been noted especiall)' for pa- 
triotism. His great-grandfather, Henry Gikson, 
a hero of the Revolution, was one of the picked 
twelve of Washington's body-guard, and at his 
death, which occurred at the great age of one 
hundred and four, his body lay in state in New- 
burgh and the City Hall, New York City, and 
was buried in what is known as the Washington 
plot in Greenwood Cemetery. Our subject's 
great-uncle, Urzal Knapp, was a member of the 
same body-guard and was its last .survivor. A 
monument erected to his memory stands at Wa.sh- 
ington's Headquarters in Newburgh. David 
Gibson, our subject's grandfather, was a valiant 
soldier in the War of 181 2, and died in 1874, at 
the age of ninety-three. 

Aside from patriotism, the most prominent 
characteristic of the Gibson family is longevity. 
John W. Gibson, father of our subject, is now 
seventy years of age, and is hale, robust and act- 
ive, with mental and physical faculties superior to 
those of many men twenty years his junior. He 



married Miss Caroline Knapp, and they make 
their home in the town of Chester. The subject 
of this sketch was born in the town of Warwick, 
Februarj' 6, 1856, and remained in his native 
place until 1869, after which he worked at the 
carpenter's trade in New York, New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania. As a journeyman carpenter he 
traveled extensively throughout the United States, 
spending some time in the Northern States, be- 
tween Illinois and Connecticut, and going as far 
south as Virginia. 

From 1882 until 1893 Mr. Gibson re.sided in 
Jersey City, where he worked at his trade. In 
the fall of 1893 he came to the town of Woodbury, 
where he purchased a small farm, and here he 
has since engaged in general agricultural pur- 
suits, making a specialty, however, of the dairy 
business and the scientific manufacture of butter. 
While in New Jersey he served for ten years as a 
member of Company F, Fourth New Jersey Mili- 
tia. Socially he is a candidate for Masonic orders, 
and is a member of Onward Lodge No. 159, 
I. O. O. F., at Jersey City. Politically he be- 
lieves in the principles laid down by the Prohibi- 
tion party, and to these he gives his earnest sup- 
port. 

In 1879 Mr. Gibson was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary E. Taylor, and three children 
bless their union, Clara Mary, Ethelinda Taylor 
and Elmer Floyd. The father of Mrs. Gibson, 
William I. Taylor, was born July 7, 1825, on the 
old Taylor homestead where Col. A. H. Taylor 
now resides. He remained at home until his 
marriage, after which he moved to Southfield and 
for three years worked in the Peter Townsend 
Iron Works. Later, going to Central Valley, he 
engaged in cultivating the farm owned by his 
aunt, Elizabeth Taylor. After having spent three 
years there, he moved to New York City, where 
he was employed in carting for five years. On 
his return to Orange County, he operated rented 
land near Central Valley for eight )-ears more, 
and then spent two years in New York, engaged 
in carting. Next he rented a small place, but 
after a year spent there the house was burned to 
the ground and everything was lo.st save a little 
clothing. He then returned to his father's home, 



764 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



but a few months later settled on the farm where 
Supervisor Patterson now resides, and there he 
sta3'ed one year. Later he leased the Finn Farm 
in the town of Warwick for three years, then 
spent a similar period on James Wisner's farm 
near the village of Warwick, later had a truck 
wagon in New York City for five years, afterward 
was employed for one year in a tin and hardware 
business at Port Jervis, and from that place went 
to Branchville. N. J., a village which was ex- 
pected to "boom," Init wliich failed to do so, 
entailing a heavy loss upon him, as he had in- 
vested largely there. 

On coming back to Orange County Mr. Taylor 
settled at Warwick and engaged in hauling ore 
and iron for four j-ears, after which he carried on 
a farm for a number of years on Big Island, then 
leased the John N. Ryerson Farm in Hampton- 
burgh for a year, and from there went to Carmel, 
Putnam County, but not liking the outlook there 
he settled in Croton Falls, where he engaged 
in teaming for two years. In Patterson, Put- 
nam County, he was employed for some months 
in carting iron. His next position was as a 
workman on the grade of the Ontario & West- 
ern Railroad from Cornwall to Middletown, at 
which he spent the winter months. He then sold 
his horses and wagons and, going back to New 
York City, resumed the truck business, at which 
he was engaged for nine years. On again com- 
ing to Highland Mills, he bought a house and 
lot near the Schunnemunk Mountains, and April 
I, 1895, purchased the oyster and fish business 
near the village which he still conducts. He 
keeps a wagon on the road selling fish and clams, 
and during their season has on sale oysters and 
ice cream. His present home is within sight of 
his birthplace. 

The first marriage of Mr. Taylor occurred No- 
vember 6, 1844, at Highland Mills, Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Odell becoming his wife. This lady 
was born in Goshen, and became the mother of 
four children, namely: Elizabeth; Nathaniel, de- 
ceased; Theo W., who is engaged in trucking; 
and William I., deceased. The second marriage 
of Mr. Taylor united him with Ethelinda E. 
Odell, a native of Canterburv and dauarhter of 



Isaac and Sarah (Dunn) Odell. Of that union 
there were born Mary E., wife of the subject of 
this sketch; George W., decea.sed; and Myers P., 
who is engaged in the trucking business in New 
York City. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are Methodists 
in religion. In politics he was the first of the 
family to break from the old Democratic party, 
and he has given his loyal service to the Repub- 
lican party for years, believing that its principles, 
if carried out, will promote the welfare of our 
country. 



••>^r. 



•;+C-« 



n WALLACE BUSH, of Central Valley, is a 
I well known contractor and builder, and has 
v2/ erected a number of the most substantial resi- 
dences of this part of the county. In 1893 he 
purchased a lot on the east .side of the village, 
and there he erected a building which is utilized 
for a hardvi'are store and shop. Among the ele- 
gant private residences for which he has had the 
contract may be mentioned those of George Cor- 
nell, George Leonard, E. W. Edwards and Mrs. 
Mars- B. Birdsall. In the spring of 1895 he built 
a large summer boarding-house for John Ford, 
near Woodbury Falls. 

Referring to the history of the Bu.sh family, we 
find that the paternal grandparents of our subject 
were Peter and Abigail (Smith) Bush. The 
former was a son of Henry Bush, a representative 
of a good old Dutch family that has been identi- 
fied with American history from an early period 
in the settlement of this country. The story is 
told of his mother that one day when she had 
just taken several loaves of bread out of the oven, 
the famous bandit, Claudius Smith, came in and 
took possession of the bread, throwing her a 
guinea as he left. 

The parents of our subject were Hudson M. and 
Martha C. (Ford) Bush, the former born at Ar- 
den, the latter near Woodburj- Falls. The mother 
was a daughter of William and Esther (Camp- 
bell) Ford, and a granddaughter, on the mater- 
nal side, of Alexander and Martha (Mailler) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



765 



Campbell, and on the paternal side of David and 
Mary (Towiisend) Ford. David Ford spent his 
entire life on the farm where he was born, and 
which his father, Patrick, a native of Ireland, 
had purchased manj' j^ears prior to the Revolu- 
tion. Nathaniel Bush, a brother of our subject's 
father, was for many years architect for the po- 
lice department of New York City, and resigned 
when about seventy years of age. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of three children. His younger broth- 
er, Alexander, is deceased. The sister, Esther, 
who is a graduate of the State Normal School, 
taught for two years, then became the wife of 
Stanley Shaw, Principal of the schools of South- 
old, L. I., and they have one .son, Arnold Camp- 
bell. Our subject was born in the village of 
Turner, October 5, 1865, and was about five 
years old when the family came to Central Val- 
ley. Until the age of fourteen 3-ears he was a 
student in the old schoolhouse on the hill, after 
which he attended school at Institute Hall. Ow- 
ing to his father's aifliction, the partial support 
of the family devolved upon him. At the age of 
fifteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, 
and worked diligently at that occupation during 
the day, while at night he studied hard in order that 
he might pa.ss the examination at the State Normal 
School in Albany. He was succes.sful in his en- 
deavor, and, moving with his mother to Albanj', 
became a student in the normal school, but ow- 
ing to the continuous ill health of his mother, he 
was obliged to leave at the expiration of the first 
term. His si.ster, however, remained until grad- 
uation. 

Returning to Orange County, Mr. Bush worked 
for a month at his trade in Tuxedo, after which 
he was commi.ssioned by Dr. Ferguson, of the 
Falkirk Sanitarium, near Central Valley, to plan 
and superintend the Stanley Building, the finest 
structure of the in,stitution. The following year 
he started in business for him.self, buying out a 
Mr. Thompson, but later he di.sposed of the .stock, 
and since then has given his attention to contract- 
ing and building. While not a member of any 
denomination, Mr. Bush inclines to the faith of 
the MethodLst Episcopal Church, with which his 



mother is connected. Politically he favors the 
platform of the Prohibition part}-. Socially he is 
a member of Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & 
A. M., of Monroe, and Schunnemunk Lodge No. 
276, of Highland Mills. 

• g ^G=:^ 



gHARLES VAN FLEET. For many years 
successfully engaged in business, Mr. Van 
Fleet is now practically retired from active 
labors, having accumulated, during the course of 
his long and honorable career, a sufficient amount 
of this world's goods to provide for the closing 
years of his life every comfort and many luxu- 
ries. His real-estate interests are valuable, and 
include besides city property a tract of one hun- 
dred and sixty-four acres lying in Minisink, near 
the town of Greenville, and he is half-owner of one 
hundred and twelve acres in Sussex County, 
N. J. Upon the latter place there is a stone- 
quarry, which renders the property more valu- 
able. 

In Sussex County, N. J., within one mile of 
Unionville, N. Y., the subject of this notice was 
born January 15, 1819. His father and grand- 
father, both named Samuel, were born in New 
Jersey, and were of Holland-Dutch descent. The 
latter, who was the first member of the family 
to .settle in Orange County, came hither in the 
eighteenth century, and purchased large tracts of 
land. Here he continued to make his home until 
his death, which occurred at the age of seventy - 
eight. Samuel, Jr., married Malinda Dady, a 
native of Morristown, N. J., and they became the 
parents of the following children: Jesse, deceased; 
Charles, of this sketch ; Hannah, who is deceased; 
Amelia, also deceased; and Mary Jane, Mrs. 
Charles Coleman, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The fa- 
ther engaged in farm work until his death, at 
forty-nine years of age. His wife survived him 
many years, dying when seventy-three. 

Beneath the parental roof our subject passed 
the years of boyhood and youth, and he remained 
with his mother until his marriage. That im- 
portant event took place November 12, 1S42, 
when Miss Mary Everitt became his wife. Mrs. 



766 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Van Fleet was bom in Sussex County, N. J., and 
was a daughter of Noah and Leah E. (Cole) 
Everitt. By her marriage she had six children, 
but two of the number died in infancy-. The oth- 
ers are as follows: Albert, a merchant of Union- 
ville; Samuel, who is at home; Amelia, wife of 
Dr. E. C. Tuthill, of Deckertown; and Wilber, 
also at home. 

For a number of years following his marriage, 
Mr. Van Fleet was employed at the cooper's trade, 
after which, for three years, he operated a rented 
farm. For the four following j-ears he made his 
home in Middletown, from which city he returned 
to the old homestead, and for three years was en- 
gaged in tilling the soil of its one hundred and 
sixtj'-four acres. Next we find him in Union- 
ville, the proprietor of a flourishing mercantile 
business, which he carried on for twelve years, 
finally selling to his sons. Later he had charge 
of a feed store for ten years, and then sold it to 
his youngest son, since which time he has lived 
retired from active business. As above mentioned, 
he still owns some valuable real estate, and is 
financially well-to-do. Interested in religious 
work, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and a contributor to its support. While he has 
not taken an active part in politics, everj' ac- 
quaintance is aware of the fact that he is a stanch 
advocate of the Republican party and a champion 
of its principles. 



+= 



=-^ 



3 GEL H. CRISSEY was born in the town of 
Warwick in 1841, and was the eldest child in 
the family of George A. and Mary E. (For- 
shee) Crisse}-, both of whom are natives of Orange 
County. The father spent his entire life as a 
farmer, and died in Januarj% 1894, respected by 
all who knew him. He lived to the advanced 
age of seventy-seven, and the mother has now 
reached the age of seventy-three jears. 

The subject of this sketch received a good 
academic education, supplementing his district- 
school course with an attendance of several terms 



at the seminary at Florida and the Chester Acad- 
emy. With the exception of five years spent in 
school, he has been actively engaged in farming 
since early childhood. He has now two hundred 
and thirty acres of land, the improvements on 
which are of the most substantial character. In 
1868 he married Miss Martha Saj-er, who was 
born in Orange Count}-, and who is a daughter of 
William E. and Marj- (Brook) Sayer. TheSay- 
ers were among the earl}- settlers of Orange 
County, and the Brooks came from England in 
1820. The union of our subject and his wife has 
been blessed with two children. Elizabeth Alli- 
son is now the wife of George Morehouse Van 
Duzer. He is a son of Charles R. and Deborah 
(Morehouse) Van Duzer, also natives of the town 
of Warwick. Genevieve M. , the other daughter, 
is at home. Politically Mr. Crissey is a Repub- 
lican, and has an abiding faith in the purity of 
his party's teachings. Official positions have no 
attraction for him. He is a most worthy citizen, 
and alwaj-s endeavors to keep abreast of the 
times. 



EHARLES WEEKS, an old and highly re- 
spected citizen of the town of Woodbury, 
was born about two miles from Highland 
Mills, vSeptember 15, 1815. His parents, Samuel 
and Margaret (Earl) Weeks, were also born near 
Highland Mills, the fonner being a son of Thomas 
Weeks. In the parental family there were eight 
children: Merritt, deceased; Milton; Merritt, the 
second, deceased; Charles, Elizabeth, Phoebe, 
Samuel R. and Addison. When Charles was verj' 
young his parents removed to New York, and 
during the eight 3'ears of their residence in 
that city he attended school there. Returning to 
Orange County, the father bought a farm between 
the villages of Monroe and Highland Mills, and 
upon that place our subject gained the rudiments 
of his knowledge of agriculture. Five years or 
more were spent on that place, when the family 
returned to New York City and spent two years 
there, during which time the father died. 

While in the citj^ our subject was employed 
painting safes in a safe factory. After the death 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



767 



of -his father, he accompanied the other members 
of the family to this county and settled near High- 
land Mills, where he and his brother cultivated 
their mother's farm. On reaching the age of 
twentj-'two he began to work out in the employ 
of others, continuing in that way for a number of 
years. His marriage, September 14, 1837, united 
him with Miss Mary Fritz, who was born near 
Highland Mills. When she was quite young, her 
parents, Eber and Mary Fritz, removed to In- 
diana, but after a short time she was brought 
back to Orange County and here was reared in 
her uncle's family. The Fritz family is of Dutch 
descent. 

Two sons blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Weeks: William Henrj' Herman, with whom our 
subject makes his home; and Walter, who resides 
at Cornwall on the Hudson. The elder son was 
born in the town of Woodbury, June 18, 1840, 
and lived in various parts of the towns of Mon- 
roe and Cornwall until eleven years of age, at- 
tending district schools. During the two years 
that his father .spent in New York" City, he at- 
tetided the schools there, and from that place 
came back to the town of Woodburj^ where he 
has since resided. In the spring of 1874 he pur- 
chased a house and an acre of land, and has since 
purchased eighteen acres, the whole comprising 
a well improved farm. His attention is given 
principally to work at the painter's trade, to 
which he served an apprenticeship in 1862, and 
which he has followed for about fourteen j'ears in 
the employ of James Florence. 

At Bakertown, September 16, 1863, Mr. Weeks 
married Miss Lucy Burling, who was born in 
England, January i, 1841, and died in the town 
of Woodbur>' August 9, 1890. She was fourth 
among the thirteen children of William and Mary 
Ann (Betts) Burling, natives of England, by 
whom she was brought to America at the age 
of five years. The family settled in Brooklyn, 
where her father followed the harness-maker's 
trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weeks there were 
born three children, namely: Charles, a harness- 
maker residing in Brooklyn; Mary Elizabeth, 
wife of Charles Florence; and Emma Augu.sta, 
who is at home with her father. Mr. and Mrs. 



Florence and their daughter Lucy also reside at 
the old homestead. Mrs. Weeks was a devoted 
member of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church, and 
our subject, together with his children, also holds 
membership in that denomination. He takes an 
active interest in local affairs and votes the Re- 
publican ticket, both in county and national 
elections. 



IILLIAM T. JAYNE. Among the numer- 
ous examples of self-made men which Or- 
ange County affords, this worthy resident 
of the town of Goshen is a prominent example. 
He was born in the town of Warwick, this coun- 
ty, in 1853, and is now making his home on a 
fine piece of land located in the town of Go.shen, 
where he is engaged in farming and dairying on 
an extensive scale. 

The parents of our subject were Charles M. 
and Eliza (Thompson) -Jayne, natives of this 
county, in which section of the state they always 
made their home. The father was a well-to-do 
agriculturist and followed this vocation success- 
fully until retiring from active labors. He died in 
1863, respected by all who knew him for his up- 
right and conscientious manner of living. His 
estimable wife is still living and in the enjoy- 
ment of good health, although having attained the 
age of seventy-six years. 

William T. acquired his primary education in 
the public schools, after which he carried on his 
studies in the Seward Institute at Florida. It 
was his desire to become a good farmer, and since 
eighteen years of age he has made this his chief 
aim in life, and now has his wi.sh gratified, for he 
is one of the best tillers of the soil in the locality. 
He is now the possessor of a quarter-section of 
fertile land, the greater part of which is devoted 
to pasture for his large herd of milch cows. He 
also raises onions in great quantities, finding the 
soil of this locality to be particularly adapted for 
growing this vegetable. 

Miss Maggie A. Young became the wife of our 
.subject November 10, 1875. She was the daugh- 
ter of Robert and Margaret (Watkins) Young, 



768 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



natives of this countj-, the latter of whom is de- 
ceased, and the former is a resident of Durland- 
ville. To Mr. and Mrs. Jayne there have been 
born ten children, of whom Stewart is deceased. 
Those living are Charles R., Carrie S., Wilhel- 
mina, DeWitt C.., Bessie, Emma W., Mabel, Phi- 
lena Y. and William. The older members of the 
family have been given good educations, and all 
are at home with their parents. 

Socially Mr. Jayne is a member of the Order 
of Foresters of Goshen. In politics he has an 
abiding faith in the purity of the teachings of the 
Republican party, with which he never loses an 
opportiniity to vote. Although never seeking 
official po.sitions, he has been honored by various 
town offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens 
to bestow, and in discharging the duties of the 
same he has at all times given satisfaction. He is a 
kind husband, an indulgent parent, accommo- 
dating neighbor and worthy citizen, and we are 
therefore pleased to be able to here present the 
brief record of his life. 






-^") 



^' 



^^^OAH H. brooks, the owner and occupant 
\/ of a portion of the old Brooks homestead in 
l/j the town of Highland, two and one-half 
miles west of Ft. Montgomery, was born in the 
village of Monroe, this county, August 20, 1818. 
The family of which he is a member was first 
represented in America by his grandfather, John 
Brooks, Sr., who was born in Haarlem, Holland, 
January 24, 1741, emigrated to America prior to 
the Revolutionary- War, and enlisted in the Col- 
onial army during that conflict. At the capture 
of old Ft Montgomerj', he was taken prison- 
er by the British, and held until the close of the 
war, when he was released. As his life occupa- 
tion he followed the trade of a tailor. His death 
occurred December 3, 1834. He married a lady 
who was born in Paris, France. 

Our subject's father, John Brooks, Jr., was 
born October 18, 1779, and died April i, 1870. 
Prior to the War of 181 2, he was a carman in 



New York, and afterward, with a brother-in-law, 
he came to the village of Monroe, where he 
bought land. In 1821 he settled upon the place 
now owned by our subject, and here he leased a 
large tract of land in addition to that which he 
owned. Turning his attention to the lumber 
business, he gave constant employment to fifteen 
or twenty men all the time, and was one of the 
mo.st extensive dealers in lumber that resided in 
the county. He married Sarah, daughter of Will- 
iam and Mahala Reynolds. 

When our subject was about two years old his 
father moved to the northeast corner of the old 
town of Monroe, where he purchased over two 
thousand acres of timber-land, the propert)' in- 
cluding the six hundred acres now comprising the 
homestead. Blasting rocks from the fields, he 
built over ten miles of stone wall, erected a com- 
fortable residence and substantial outbuildings, 
investing about $1,300 in improvements. For 
manj' years he had a contract for delivering twelve 
to fifteen hundred cords of timber annuall\-, and 
he carried on a ver\' extensive bu.siness. 

After attaining his majority, our subject con- 
tinued to operate the farm, and made his home 
with his father for fifty years, when the latter 
deeded him three hundred acres of the property, 
and, building a neat residence, he has lived here 
ever since. His first marriage took place near 
the village of Highland" Mills, September 8, 1842, 
and united him with Miss Hannah C. Rider, who 
was born April 5, 1819, and died September 14, 
1853. She was a daughter of Henry and Phila- 
delphia (Cocks) Rider, the former of whom was 
a son of King Rider, Sr. The second marriage 
of our subject took place March 15, 1854, when 
Miss Sallie D. McElroy became his wife. This 
lady was a daughter of Capt. Isaac McElroy, of 
whom mention will be found in the sketch of 
Morgan Shtiit. She was born Februarj' 10, 1814, 
and died in 1891 . Both wives of our subject were 
of the Quaker faith. The first wife became the 
mother of six children, namely: Martha Ann; 
Charles H., who married Hannah Mandgo; 
Sarah E. ; John R., who married Nettie Heuiler- 
son; Henry and Hannah. The second marriage 
resulted in the birth of a son, Titus A., whi is 




LUCAS OAKLEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



771 



now a journalist in New York City. Politically 
Mr. Brooks is a defender of Republican principles, 
and believes that party will, a few years hence, 
restore our country to its former condition of 
peace and plenty. 



I UCAS OAKLEY, up to the time of his death, 
I C was one of the most successful men of New- 
l_2f burgh, and for years was connected with the 
Jesse Oakley & Co.'s Soap Works as superin- 
tendent. In company with his brother John, 
he operated the laundn,--soap department and 
erected a new building as the trade increased. 
He was clear-headed and sagacious in his finan- 
cial transactions and was courteous and honorable 
in his treatment of his fellows. 

Lucas Oaklej' was born at Salisbury Mills, Or- 
ange Count}', April 10, 1835, and was a son of 
Isaac K. Oakley, who was born in Chatham, Col- 
umbia County, N. Y., May 27, 1802. John 
Oakley, the ancestor of our subject, came from 
England and settled in Suffolk County, N. Y., 
where he engaged in farming until his death. 
His name was recorded in the history of Long 
Island as having acted with others in saving the 
Quakers from persecution on March 24, 1702. 
He married into a Knickerbocker family of 
Brooklyn and became the father of a large family, 
some of his children settling in Huntington, L- L, 
and others in New York State proper, mainly in 
Richmond, Dutchess and Orange Counties. One 
of his sons, Samuel, according to family tradition, 
was pressed into the British service with his team 
and cattle. He married Sallie Wood, of Hunt- 
ington, who bore him four sons and four daugh- 
ters. One of the number was Timothy, grand- 
father of Lucas Oaklej'. This gentleman moved 
to New Windsor, Orange County, in 1795, and 
later purchased a farm, mill and store at New 
Vernon, on the .Shawangunk Kill. In 1801 he 
disposed of his business interests in this county, 
and a year later invested the proceeds in a farm 
and mercantile establishment in Chatham, Col- 
umbia Count}'. In 1 8 13, in partnership with a 
young man from England, he erected one of the 



first cotton-mills in the state, at Kinderhook. In 
1823 he purchased the Salisbury Mills, and in 
connection with his two sons, Samuel and Isaac 
K., carried on merchandising and milling for sev- 
eral years. Then Samuel went to New York 
City, and Isaac K. engaged in the trading and 
teaming business at Highland Mills, subsequent- 
ly becoming owner of the vSalisbury Mill proper- 
tj'. The father, Timothy, retired from active 
besiness a short time prior to his death, which oc- 
curred in 1844, in Cornwall. For thirteen terms 
he was Supervisor, and at the beginning of the 
War of 181 2 was a member of the State Assem- 
bly. 

In his boyhood Isaac K. Oakley attended school 
at Chatham, Kinderhook and the Farmers' Hall 
Academy at Goshen. His inclination leaning 
toward abu.siness rather than an agricultural life, 
he went to Nassau, N. Y., when he was seventeen 
years of age and there learned the leather and 
tanning trade. Afterwards he was associated 
with his father and brother, as previously' relat- 
ed, and after the death of his mother, in 1833, 
bought the Salisbury Mills from his father and 
continued the bu.siness. A year later he built a 
flouring and pla.ster-mill at Salisbury, and soon 
afterwards a paper-mill. Iti 1835 he disposed of 
the tannery at Highland Mills to Joshua T. 
Cromwell. In 1853 he built the old paper-mill 
on Quassaick Creek (now the Adams & Bishop 
Mill) and operated it until 1866, when he sold 
out. The same year he sold the Salisbury Mill, 
retaining only thirteen acres of the old homestead, 
on which he erected a residence, in which he 
lived until his death. In 1854 he was chosen a 
Director of the Quassaick Bank of this city, and 
was President of it from 1876 until his demise, in 
September, 1885. In 1872 he became a special 
partner in the Oakley vSoap Works of Newburgh. 
His marriage united him with Christina, daugh- 
ter of Lucas and Maria Van Alen, of Kinderhook. 
Her death occurred in February, 1S66, at Salis- 
bury Mills, after she had become the mother of 
five children. The second wife of Isaac Oakley 
was Sarah E., daughter of Thomas and Catherine 
Oakley, of Minisink . She was the granddaughter 
of John Oakley, who was connected with the 



34 



772 



PORTRAIT AjSTD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



American army under Washington at the time of 
his encampment at Newburgh. 

Lucas Oakley was educated under private tu- 
tors to some extent and attended a private school 
at Maiden on Hudson. In his youth he learned 
the business of manufacturing paper, and became 
a practical workman. In 1S57 he took charge of 
his father's paper-mill on Quassaick Creek and 
conducted it successfiilly for ten years. Mo\"ing 
to the \-icinity of Elmira, N. Y., at that time, he 
embarked in the manufacture of machinery in 
partnership witli his brotlier John and E. E. 
Clapp. That establishment was burned five years 
later. He then came to Xewburgh and became 
sup>erintendent of the Jesse Oakley & Co.'s soap 
facton.-, remaining in this capacity until Septem- 
ber. 1SS3, when the affairs of the concern were 
wound up, and he and his brother John became 
proprietors of tlie laundr\--soap department. In 
a short time their trade had so increased that tliey 
were obliged to build larger quarters. They had 
been located in their new structure (now occupied 
by the Granite Cit\- Soap Works'^ scarcely a year 
when Mr. Oakley died. From the time of his fa- 
ther's death he had been a Director in the Quas- 
saick Bank. In the First Presbyterian Church, of 
which he was a valued member, he served as 
Tnistee, and all worthy enterprises found in him 
a fiiend. His death occurred at his residence in 
Newburgh, March 4, 1SS7. 

Februar\- 16. 1S59. Mr. Oakley was marrievl, 
in Xewburgh, to Harriet Towner, who was bom 
in Monticello, X. Y., February 3, 1S32. Her 
father. Jesse Towner, was bom in Poultney. Vt., 
and witli his brother and mother moved to Mont- 
icello. when that region was nothing but a wil- 
derness. He engaged in fanning, while his bro- 
ther, John M.. worked at his trade as a black- 
smith. October 3, 1S26, Jesse Towner, who was 
a man of integrity and marked financial abilitv-, 
was appointed County- Treasurer, and ser\-ed un- 
til November i6, 1S33, when he was retiimed to 
the office, which he held altogether some fifteen 
years. His death occurred when he was over 
threescore years, at his homestead near Monti- 
cello. His wife, who was formerly Mar\- Downis, 
was bom in Roxbun-. Conn., and with her par- 



ents was one of the early settlers of Sullivan 
Countx". arriving there in iSio. Her father, 
Le\i Downs, of Connecticut, owned a farm and 
kept a public house in Sullivan Count}.-. His 
wife was formerly Miss ZUlah Painter, of Rox- 
bur\-. Conn., whose ancestors were in the Revolu- 
tionarj- War. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Oak- 
ley was blessed with six children, two of whom 
died in infancy. Isaac K. and Edith. Harriet 
Bennett is the wite of Jacob S. BriU. of this city, 
and the others in order are Mar\- Towner. Chris- 
tina \'an Alen and Robert Dennistou. In politics 
Mr. Oakley was a stanch Republican. 



Gl -^ROX VAX DUZER WALLACE isthepro- 
Ll prietor of a successful fire and life insurance 
I I agency, with headquarters at Goshen. He 
is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and 
is always deeply interested in whatever concerns 
the advancement of his town and cotinty. He 
was bom June 20, 1S60. in the town where he 
now makes him home, and is the son of Harvey 
Wallace, whose birth occurred in Crawford. X. Y. 
Our subject's grandfather, William Wallace, 
who was a native of the Xorth of Ireland, came 
to the United States when quite a young man. 
He located in Orange Count\-, and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in the town of Crawford, 
where he died. Upon arriving at man's estate, 
Harvey Wallace, our subject's fatlier. became in- 
terested in merchandising in Goshen, the firm be- 
ing Wallace &; Hemmingway. Their establish- 
ment was located on Main Street, where they 
continued in business until the death of the former, 
which occurred in the spring of 1S69. when Mr. 
Wallace was fifty years of age. He was an ar- 
dent Democrat in political belief, and a ver\- 
active member of that party. Religiously he af- 
filiated with the Presbyterian Church, and was 
ever identified with all good works of that de- 
nomination. Hannah Van Duzer, our subject's 
motlier, was bom in this town, and is a daughter 
of Aaron Van Duzer, who belonged to an old and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECX)RD. 



773 



influential New York family, and who was for- 
merly a farmer of the town of Goshen. He up- 
held the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which he was an active member, and was a prom- 
inent member of the Republican part\-. His 
death occurred in the ,j-ear 1S67, at the age of 
sevent>--five years. 

Of the children bom to the union of Harvey 
.ind Hannah i^Van Duzer"! Wallace, six grew to 
mature years, and five are still living, three daugh- 
ters and two sons. Robert, our subject's only 
survi\nng brother, is a hardware merchant of 
Brooklyn. Aaron was next to the youngest in 
the parental family. 

Growing to manhood in Goshen, our subject 
received tlie best school advantages the town af- 
forded, attending both the public and pri%-ate 
schools. At the age of sixteen he became en- 
gaged as clerk in the gTocer\- house of L- G. An- 
drews, remaining in that position continuously 
for five years, and giving his employer faithfiil 
service. Upon severing his connection with this 
establishment, he was employed by an insurance 
agency, with which he also remained five years. 
Later he succeeded L. G. Andrews in the grocerv' 
business, continuing the same in the building lo- 
cated on the comer of Main and New Streets. 
After being thus engaged for a period of three 
years, he sold out to Mr. Seely, and in iSSS 
bought an interest in the insiu-ance business, go- 
ing into jjartnership with Capt. W. E. Mapes, 
under the firm title of Mapes & Wallace. One 
year later he bought Captain Mapes" interest and 
continued the business alone. Mr. Wallace in- 
sures principally against fire, and represents in 
all fifteen leading companies, among which may 
be mentioned the Liverpool. London and Globe: 
the .Etna. Hartford and Phcenix, of Hartford; 
the Home, of New York: the Lancashire, of Lan- 
cashire, England; and the Continental, of New 
York. He travels a great deal, having in charge 
the ' Toad' ' business. He is also a notary public. 

October 5. 1SS9, in this \-illage. Mr. Wallace 
was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Cnd- 
deback. daughter of Hon. Louis Cuddeback, 
who was descended from French-Huguenot*.. Her 
birth occurred in Cuddebackville, this count\-, in 



which A-illage her father was a merchant. He 
was a member of the New York Assembly, and 
in 1S6S. ha\-ing been elected to the office of Coun- 
tj- Clerk, he came to this place, spending the re- 
maining years of his life in this cit\-. He was 
interested in the organization of the Goshen Sav- 
ings Bank, and was for several years its Secreta- 
ry and Treasurer. His death occurred in 1S89, 
at the ripe age of eight>--three years. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace includes 
two diildren, who bear the names of Augustus 
Cuddeback and Helen, respectively. Mr. Wal- 
lace was elected Super\-isor of Goshen on the 
Democratic ticket, and alter ser\-ing three years 
declined re-nomination. He is a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the Goshen Savings Bank, 
is identified with the Orange Count>- Board of 
Underwriters, ha\-ing been on its Executive Com- 
mittee several times, and in the summer of 1S95 
was elected a member of the Board of Education. 
He is an active member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and socially is identified with the Knights 
of Pvthias. 



HENRY A. BENEDICT, who is numbered 
among the oldest li\-ing residents of the town 
of Warwick, was bom on the farm upon 
which he now resides in iSiS, and was the young- 
est child bom to James and Mar>- 1^ Wheeler^ 
Benedict, who were also natives of this town, and 
who made it their home during their entire lives. 
James Benedict was an agriculturist, beginning 
his Ufe in Orange County when the countrv- was 
quite a wilderness, and was a soldier in . the War 
of 1S12. serving as Captain of a company of mili- 
tia. His death occurred about 1S55. His wife 
had preceded him to the grave. 

When young, our subject was trained to farm 
pursuits, and his advantages for an education 
were limited indeed, being such as could be se- 
cured in the common schools of that early day. 
As soon as he was old enough he was put to work 
on the farm, and he has since been continuously 



774 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



employed at farm work. His marriage with Miss 
Laura Wright, of Orange County, occurred in 
1852. Ten children have been born to them: 
James H., of Orange County; John W. and Mary 
L., at home; Robert W., of New York City; 
Elizabeth T., Albert A., HattieE., Phoebe A., 
William S. and Abigail B., all of the town of 
Warwick. 

The home farm of our subject now comprises 
two hundred and thirty acres of land, all of which 
is under improvement. His residence and out- 
buildings are of modern structure and are such as 
are seen on a first-class farm. In addition to 
general farming, Mr. Benedict is also engaged in 
dairying. He is a Democrat at all times, and ini- 
der all circumstances, consequently opposed to all 
monopolies. He has never aspired to political 
honors, preferring to give his time to his own af- 
fairs. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict are seventy-seven 
and sixty-nine j-ears of age, respectively, but are 
in fairly good health. 

HAMES EDWARD MYER, proprietor of the 
I railroad restaurant at Turner, was born in 
Q) Highland Falls, June 13, 1855, and was there 
reared to manhood. His education was com- 
menced in the district schools and supplemented 
by a course of study in a select school taught by 
Maurice S. Smith, after which he again attended 
the public school. For a time after starting out 
to earn his own livelihood he clerked in his 
brother's store, and at the age of fifteen he ob- 
tained employment on a farm in the mountains, 
where he remained for seventeen months. His 
next position was in the employ of Benjamin 
Hazard, working on his farm in the summer and 
in his market during the winter months. 

With Charles T. Ford, who succeeded Mr. 
Hazard, our subject remained for one year. Upon 
attaining his majority he embarked in the whole- 
sale cattle business, in partnenship with Sidney 
Smith, this connection continuing for two years. 
For a similar period he was engaged in the 
butcher business with Charles Brooks. After 
his marriage he went west to Montana, and, set- 



tling at Phillipsburg, engaged in the meat busi- 
ness for seventeen months, and then for three 
months worked on a diamond drill for the Hope 
Mining Company. Again resuming work at his 
trade, he carried on a meat-market at Phillips- 
burg for four years. 

Western life, however, was not entirely pleas- 
ant, and not wishing to establish his permanent 
home in Montana, Mr. Myer returned to New 
York and opened a meat-market at Poughkeep- 
sie, where he remained in that business for two 
years. Later, for the same length of time, he 
engaged in the manufacture of a fertilizer, and 
for one year worked at teaming. On his return 
to Orange Countj-, he took charge of the depot 
restaurant, January i, 1894, the management of 
which he has since maintained. 

The father of our subject, Martin Myer, was 
born in Baden, Germany, and came to America 
in 1841, settling first at West Point, where he 
followed the trade of a shoemaker. While there 
he made shoes for General Grant, then a cadet, 
and had the personal acquaintance of all the ca- 
dets who have since become famous. For three 
years he sensed as a member of Company D, New 
York Light Artillerj\ He died at the home of 
our subject in Poughkeepsie, January 16, 1893. 
His wife, Margaret, was a daughter of Adam 
Heinold, who was born June 16, 1790. Her 
birth occurred in Baden, German)', February 5, 
1820, and January 3, 1839, she became the wife 
of Martin Myer. While he was employed as a 
shoemaker at West Point, she followed the trade 
of a tailoress, and made clothing for the young 
men whom he fitted with shoes. She passed from 
earth April 10, 1862. By her union with Mr. 
Myer there were born six children, viz.: Charles 
William, deceased; John Adam, whose home is 
at Highland Falls; Robert Franklin, a resident 
of Bayonne, N. J.; George M., deceased; James 
Edward; and Sylvanus Augustus, who died on 
the day President Lincoln was shot. 

February 15, 1880, the subject of this notice 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth R. 
Gillette, M. D., daughter of Dr. E. H. and Ra- 
chel K. (Mance) Gillette, residents of west New 
York. Mrs. Myer was graduated in 1877 from 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



775 



the Woman's Medical College of New York, and 
is a member of the medical societies of Dutchess 
and Orange Counties. In religious connections 
she is identified with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Turner. She is a lady of superior 
ability, and has been successful in her profession. 
Socially Mr. Myer is connected with lyodge No. 
276, K. P., at Highland Mills, and in political 
belief is a pronounced Prohibitionist. He and 
his wife are the parents of a daughter and .son: 
Elizabeth Rachel, who is attending school at 
Turner; and Edward Herman, a bright boy of 
.seven years. 



:^#(^ 



O^HARLES EARL, a farmer residing in the 
I r town of Monroe, was born in Turner, Feb- 
\J ruary 16, 1820. In the place of his birth 
he attended school until .seventeen, when he was 
apprenticed to the trade of a saddle and harness 
maker at Monroe, remaining in that village for 
two years. Later he spent one year at Florida, 
this count}', three years at Ft. Montgomery, and 
about the same length of time in Turner, after 
which he bought a farm situated on the west side 
of Mt. Basha Lake. Several j-ears afterward he 
sold that property, then rented for a time, and in 
the spring of 1857 purchased his present farm, 
consisting of ninety-three acres. At the time of 
purchase the land was covered with heavj' tim- 
ber, but he has cleared a portion of this and has 
planted an orchard of fifty trees. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
originally compri.sed fourteen children, of whom, 
however, only three survive, namely: John B., 
residing in the town of Goshen; Charles, of this 
sketch; and J. Sears, to whose sketch on another 
page the reader is referred for further informa- 
tion concerning the family. The parents, John 
and Martha (Thorn) Earl, were born near High- 
land Mills, the former being a son of Richard 
Earl, and the latter a daughter of Jesse Thorn. 

In the village of Monroe the subject of this 
sketch was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
R. Trickey, February 22, 1845. Mrs. Earl was 
born near Turner, on the 12th of August, 1824, 



being a daughter of David and Margaret (Rhodes) 
Trickey, the former of whom served in the War 
of 18 1 2. Her paternal grandparents were Jere- 
miah and Jemima (Stevens) Trickey, and her 
maternal grandparents Hope and Mary (Jen- 
nings ) Rhodes. Six children were born to the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Earl, the eldest of whom 
Martha, married John ■ Green, of Goshen, and 
has four children. Elmer, whose home is in 
Craig.sville, first married Julia Maybee, and after 
her death was united with Lizzie Davidson, hav- 
ing two children by each union. Jeremiah, de- 
ceased, married Sarah Elizabeth Smith, and had 
five children. Samuel, who married Eva Young, 
is a carpenter and lives at Long Branch; he is 
the father of five children. Etta is the wife of 
James Helmes, a dairyman of Goshen, and they 
have one child. Isaac, who is the proprietor of 
a feed store at Goshen, married Louisa Vale, of 
Ramapo, and has six children. 

During the existence of the Whig party, Mr. 
Earl advocated its principles, and since its dis- 
integration he has adhered to the policy of the 
old-line Democrats. For twenty years he has 
rendered efficient service as School Trustee, and 
for eighteen years he has served the town of Mon- 
roe as Poor Master. A sincere Christiai!, he has 
been a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
Monroe for fifty-four years, and his wife has been 
connected with the same organization for a period 
of fortj'-five years. They are a hospitable, gen- 
erous and neighborly couple, fond of doing good 
to those around them, and taking a warm interest 
in the welfare of others. 

■J ^ ^ <, A ■> p- .° "^ 

EAPT. ISAAC SMITH. In .summing up the 
list of influential farmers of Orange County, 
the name of Captain Smith should not be 
omitted. His career, perhaps, is not widely dif- 
ferent iVom that of other residents of the town of 
Montgomery who have .spent their entire lives 
within its limits, assisting in advancing its growth 
and prosperity. As the result of his labors, he 
is now in the enjo)'ment of a comfortable home 
as well as the esteem and confidence of those 



776 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



around him. His place consists of one hundred 
and twenty acres, of which he has purchased six- 
ty, the remainder having been bequeathed him 
by his father. In addition to the raising of 
cereals, he devotes considerable attention to the 
fruit and dairy business, and his services as a 
machinist and blacksmith are also frequentl}- 
called into requisition by his neighbors. 

The parents of our subject, David H. and Ma- 
tilda (Kain) Smith, were born in this town, where 
the former was a prosperous farmer. Their fani- 
ilj- comprised twelve children, of whom three 
sons and two daughters are still living. One of 
the brothers, James, is represented elsewhere in 
this volume, and to his biographical sketch the 
reader is referred for information regarding the 
family history. Isaac was born in this town, 
January 28, 1826, and in boyhood received a com- 
mon-school education. He remained at home 
until his marriage, at the age of twentj'-six, at 
which time he rented a portion of the old home- 
stead. When the estate was settled a few years 
later, he bought the property, and has since made 
it his home. 

December 26, 1850, Captain Smith married 
Miss Sarah J. Dickerson, of the town of Mont- 
gomery, and six children were born unto them, 
of whom four died in infancj-. David H. is en- 
gaged in the manufacture of incubators at James- 
burg, N. J., and Frank D., an energetic and 
capable young man, manages the home farm for 
his father. Mrs. Smith died August 11, 1895, 
aged sevent}- j-ears. three months and five days. 
Politicallj' our subject is a Republican, and has 
been Assessor, Trustee of Schools and Commis- 
sioner of Highways of said town for four years, 
filling these positions with credit to himself 

November 9, 1844, our subject joined the 
Montgomery Guards as a private. After seven 
years he was elected Second Lieutenant, four 
years later became Captain, and while serving in 
the latter office was called, June 2, 1862, into the 
service of the Union. With his company of forty- 
five men he went to Baltimore, and in that city 
and the surrounding country he was stationed 
for three months, returning home at the expira- 
tion of that time. He resigned as Captain of the 



National Guards of this town in 1864, but was 
again appointed in 1873, and held the office until 
the troops were disbanded. He and his family are 
members of the Reformed Church, and are prom- 
inent in the best social circles of the community. 

NIRAM TATE, editor and proprietor of the 
Advertiser, of Warwick, was born in Orange 
County in 1849, and is the son of Henry 
and Mary (Depuy) Tate, who were also natives of 
this county. Throughout life his father was 
identified with agricultural pursuits, but in earlj' 
life also worked at the trade of shoemaking. 
About 1858 he emigrated to Illinois, and there 
spent the remainder of his life, dying in the city 
of Chicago in 1890. His estimable wife is still 
living. 

The subject of this sketch received his primars' 
schooling in Orange County and completed the 
course at Fredonia, Chautauqua County, where 
a state normal school is now located. When a 
young man he learned the printer's trade, after 
which he went to Middletown, working on differ- 
ent papers there until 1882, when he came to War- 
wick and purchased his present plant, which he 
has successfully conducted ever since. The pa- 
per was an independent journal for many years, 
but since 1888 it has been Republican in politics, 
and is classed emong the leading Republican pa- 
pers of the county. It is commended for its con- 
sistent, conscientious course, even by those who 
oppose it in politics, and its influence has always 
been felt in public affairs. 

Soon after becoming the editor of the Adver- 
tiser, Mr. Tate took up the matter of village im- 
provement, advocating the removal of yard fences, 
and b3' his persistent efforts succeeded, until War- 
wick to-day is classed among the most beautiful 
towns in the state. He was a strong advocate of 
the development of the southern part of the vil- 
lage, and some of the leading business men have 
model village homes in that section, among which 
is his own residence on Oakland Avenue. 

In 188 1 Mr. Tate was united in marriage with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



777 



Miss Mary, daughter of James N. Pronk, of 
Middletown. The)' have two children, a son and 
daughter. Religiously the parents affiliate with 
the Calvary Baptist Church. 



HARVEY BROOKS, who is engaged in farm- 
ing on the old Weyant homestead in Queens- 
borough, town of Highland, was born in 
New York City, February 28, 1852. He is a de- 
scendant, in the third generation, from John 
Brooks, Sr. , who was born in Haarlem, Holland, 
Januarj' 24, 1747, and followed the trade of a 
tailor. During the War of the Revolution he 
was a valiant soldier, and was captured at Ft. 
Montgomery by the British, by whom he was 
held until peace was declared. His wife was a 
native of Paris, France. 

John Brooks, Jr., our subject's grandfather, 
was employed in New York City prior to the 
War of 1812, but about that time he and his 
brother-in-law, a Mr. Reynolds, settled near Mon- 
roe, Orange Count)'. In 1821 he moved to a 
large tract of land near Ft. Montgomery, where 
he le'Lsed thousands of acres of timber-land, and 
became an extensive dealer in wood. He was 
born October 18, 1779, and passed away April 7, 
1870, at the age of ninety-one years. His wife, 
Sarah, was a daughter of William and Mahala 
(Earl) Reynolds. 

The father of our subject, John W. Brooks, was 
born near the village of Monroe, January 29, 1806, 
and died October 15, 1890. He married Cath- 
erine Sutherland, who was born in Clove Valley, 
in 18 1 2, and died in November,. 1883. She was a 
daughter of William and Sarah (Reynolds) Suth- 
erland, and a granddaughter of Patrick and Lu- 
cretia Sutherland, the former a farmer of the 
town of Cornwall, where he died in 1765. The 
family is of Scotch origin. 

Until seventeen years of age our subject re- 
sided in New York City, and during the last five 
years of his residence there he worked in the 
employ of the Northwestern P^ur Company; The 



seven ensuing years were spent on a farm, after 
which he worked as teamster for a chemical com- 
pany in Putnam County, and from that place 
went to Long Branch, wh>;re for five years he 
was superintendent of stock for a large building 
and contracting firm. During the two following 
years he held a similar position in New York 
City. After his marriage he came to Orange 
County, and has since resided on a part of the 
Weyant homestead . 

In New York City, April 15, 1886, Mr. Brooks 
married Miss Alice A., daughter of King and 
Elizabeth (Kessler) Weyant. Mrs. Brooks was 
born at Verplanck's Point, Westchester County, 
and by her union with our subject has become 
the mother of three children, namely: Walter, 
who died in infancy; Mabel A. and Russell H. 
In religious belief Mrs. Brooks is identified with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. 
Brooks contributes, though not a member. In 
politics he is a Republican, and has .served as 
School Clerk. The family of which he is a mem- 
ber consisted of eleven children, of whom six 
died in infancy, the others being Carrie, wife of 
William WiLson; Sarah and Mary, deceased; 
Charles H., of Mystic Bridge, Conn.; and Har- 
vey, of this .sketch, who was second in order of 
birth. 



GILFRED D. LEONARD, M. D., of Central 
I I Valley, was born May 20, 1853, near Pink, 
/ I Wayne County, Pa. , and is the son of George 
W. and Persis E. (Purdy) Leonard, the former a 
native of Maine, and the latter of Pennsylvania. 
(See sketch of Hiram L- Leonard in another part 
of this work. ) He was reared in Wayne County, 
and attended the district schools until about fif- 
teen years of age, and then spent three years ir- 
regularly in attendance at the Wayne County 
Normal School, teaching in the mean time. Un- 
der the direction of Dr. George B. Curtiss, at 
Hawley, Pa., he read medicine, and at the same 
time had charge of the Doctor's drug store. Aft- 
er continuing with the latter for three years, he 
attended the medical department of the University 



778 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Pennsylvania during the winter term, and 
graduated therefrom March 15, 1878, after which 
he located at South Caanan, Pa., where he re- 
mained nine months. He then removed to Beth- 
any, that state, where he remained two years, 
and in May, 1881, came to Central Valle}-, where 
he has since made his home. Shortly after com- 
ing to this place, he built and established a drug 
and fancy-goods store, and in Maj-, 1S93, asso- 
ciated with himself Charles Rivenburg, and they 
are now conducting the business in partnership. 

Dr. Leonard was united in marriage, December 
4, 1878, at Prompton, Pa., with Miss Louisa Hall, 
a native of that state, and a daughter of George 
Hall, of Wayne County. Two sons have been 
born to them, Leroy and Clarence. Mrs. Leon- 
ard is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while 
the Doctor holds membership with the Baptist 
Church. In politics he is an independent Repub- 
lican. While in Bethany, Pa., he served as Town 
Councilman and Auditor. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Independent 
Order of Red Men. 

George W^. Leonard, the father of the Doctor, 
was born in Sebec, Piscataquis County, Me., and 
was a son of Lewis and Hannah (Blood) Leon- 
ard, who were the parents of six children: John, 
Nancy, Ann, George W., Hiram L. and Alvin. 
When George W. was ten years old, the familj- re- 
moved to New York, and later to Pennsylvania. 
While residing in Maine he attended the di.strict 
.school, and after his arrival in New York he at- 
tended the common schools during the winter 
months. When ten years of age, he began work- 
ing at oar-making, and continued at that trade 
until twenty-two years of age, when he began 
farming, the state of his health requiring out- 
door exerci.se. He continued on his farm in 
Wayne County, Pa., until the fall of 1894, wlien 
he sold out and moved to Central \'alley, where 
he now resides. While in Pennsylvania he was 
interested in bee culture, and realized more from 
that industry' than from farming proper. 

On the i6th of October, 1862, George W. Leon- 
ard enlisted in Company D, in the One Hundred 
and Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantrj-, and 
served nine months under Colonel Blair, but was 



on guard duty at Yorktown the greater part of thi 
time. He was in no heavy battles, being detailec 
to hospital service, and on the 27th of July, 1863 
was honorably discharged from the service ai 
Harrisbnrg, Pa. 

January i, 1850, in W^ayne County, Pa., George 
W. Leonard and Persis E. Purdy were united in 
marriage. She is a daughter of Reuben and 
Clarinda (Purdy) Purdy, who were born and 
married in Wayne County, Pa. Five children 
were born of this union, and two are now liv- 
ing: Dr. Alfred D. and Reuben C, the latter be- 
ing engaged with his uncle, Hiram L- Leonard, 
at Central Valley-. The parents are members of 
the Bapti.st Church. In politics Mr. Leonard 
was for some time a Prohibitionist, but of late 
years he has again united with the Republican 
party. 



(TOHN L. vSTAGE has pa.ssed from the .scenes 
I of life, but this record of his life shows that 
C2/ a man of his Christian character is not for- 
gotten. He was formerly one of the substantial 
residents of the town of Goshen, and was well 
and favorably known in this locality. His birth 
occurred in Sussex Count}', N. J., in 1830, his 
parents being Samuel G. and Lucette (Decker) 
Stage, natives of New York. 

The subject of this .sketch was given the ad- 
vantages of a common-.school education, and was 
reared to a life of usefulness on his lather's es- 
tate. Upon attaining his majority he began in 
life for himself b)- engaging in farming on a place 
located eighteen miles from Elmira, N. Y. He 
was there successfullj' occupied for a period of 
six 3-ears, when he disposed of that tract, and, 
coming to Orange County, selected the beautiful 
place which his widow now occupies. He was 
very industrious and prosperous, and as a con- 
sequence his widow now has everything comfort- 
able about her. Mr. Stage made a specialtj- of 
dairy farming, although he rai.sed grain and live 
stock in large quantities. 




HON. W. P. RICHARDSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



781 



The lady to whom our subject was united in 
marriage March 22, 1865, was Miss Cornelia, 
daughter of James and Eliza (Young) Dibble, 
also natives of this state. Her father, who was 
also a prominent agriculturist, departed this life 
in 1893. His estimable wife, the mother of Mrs. 
Stage, is still living. Mrs. Stage has been very 
ably conducting the home place since her hus- 
band's decease, which occurred December 12, 
1885. The farm is one hundred and fifty acres 
in extent, and is known throughout this section 
as the "Che Chunk Farm." Mrs. Stage is quite 
prominent among the best people of the county, 
and none know her but to respect and honor her. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Stage there were born four 
children. The eldest son, Arthur L., is a promi- 
nent photographer in Michigan; Amanda C. is 
next in order; Eliza L. is a trained nurse and a 
graduate of the hospital on Blackwell's Island; 
John J. completes the number. Mrs. vStage is a 
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and 
active in all good works in her neighborhood. 



HON. WILLIAM P. RICHARDSON. Sit- 
uated one mile west of Goshen lies a beauti- 
ful country .seat, surrounded by extensive 
and well kept grounds, and furnished in a man- 
ner indicative of the refined tastes of the inmates. 
The homestead consists of two hundred acres, de- 
voted to general agricultural purposes, though a 
specialty is made of the raising of good grades of 
horses and Holstein cattle. The improvements 
upon the place are first-class, including a com- 
plete set of farm buildings and the machinery 
necessary for the cultivation of the land. 

Within this pleasant home resides ex-Senator 
W. P. Richard.son, one of the influential resi- 
dents of Orange County and formerly State Sena- 
tor from the Thirteenth New York District. So 
prominent is he in this locality that our readers 
will be pleased to learn something concerning his 
life and lineage. He was born in Lawrence, 
Mass., May 10, 1848, and is a son of Rev. John G. 
and Sarah G. (Merrill) Richard,son, natives, re- 
spectively, of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 



His paternal great-grandfather, Capt. John Rich- 
ardson, was a Revolutionary soldier and a min- 
uteinan at Lexington. While in the Colonial army 
he was wounded at Stillwater, N. Y. On the 
maternal side the great-grandfather, Col. Samuel 
Collins, was also a Revolutionary soldier and 
fought through the entire war. 

In 1642 William and Edward Richardson came 
to America with their families and settled in 
Newbury, Mass., they being the founders of that 
place. From them descended this branch of the 
Richardsons in America. The eldest child of 
William was Joseph, and the latter married Mar- 
garet Godfrey. Her birth occurred October 9, 
1663, and she was the first white girl born in 
Newburj'. 

The Richard.sons trace their ancestry to a re- 
mote period in English history. In 1630 one 
Richard Richardson, of Bradford, Yorkshire, 
paid a fine of ^^40 for declining the honor of 
knighthood from Charles I. A receipt signed by 
Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, the leading minis- 
ter of Charles I., is still in the possession oi' his 
descendants. The old Richardson coat-of-arms, 
which was brought to this country in 1642, by 
William Richardson, is now in the possession of 
ex-Senator Richard.son. 

A brother of our subject, David C, was a .sol- 
dier in the Civil War. His father entered the 
ministr}' of the Baptist Church in early life, and 
followed that profession until his death, in 1890, 
at about the age of seventy-five. When about 
fifteen years old our subject accompanied his par- 
ents to Providence, R. I., where his father was 
pastor of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church. He 
attended the public schools for a time and then 
entered the Lawnsdale High School, where he 
completed his education. He started out in the 
world for himself at the age of sixteen, clerking 
in a drug store in Providence. Later he went to 
Paterson, N. J., where he spent one year, also 
being employed as a drug clerk. From there he 
went to the West Indies, and spent a short time 
in Cuba and the Bahama Islands. 

Returning to Paterson, N. J., Mr. Richardson 
.secured a position as clerk in a hardware store, 
and, saving his earnings, he finally accumulated a 



782 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAlv RECORD. 



suflScient amount to enable him to embark in the 
business for himself. Forming a partnership 
there with H. W. Mills, under the name of Rich- 
ardson & Mills, he carried on an increasing and 
profitable trade until 1876, when he retired from 
the hardware business. During the following 
3'ear he was engaged in the wholesale feed busi- 
ness in Paterson. In 1878 he came to Orange 
Count)% N. Y., and .settled in Goshen, where he 
has since continued in the wholesale feed business, 
making large shipments by car lots. In 1881 he 
purchased and removed to his present suburban 
home, where he has since led an active and busy 
life, his various undertakings having been more 
than ordinarily prospered. 

The success which has rewarded the efforts of 
Mr. Richardson is attributable to his tireless 
exertions and sagacious judgment. He started 
for himself without means, and on landing in 
New* York Cit}' on his return from the Bahama 
I.slands had but seventy-three cents in his pos- 
session. However, he had the sanguine disposi- 
tion of youth, and, undeterred bj' obstacles, he 
worked energetically forward until his finances 
were upon a solid basis. He has always been 
more or less identified with public affairs, and 
while a resident of Paterson served as Commis- 
sioner of the city schools. In 1888, at the time 
of the election of Benjamin Harrison, he was 
Presidential Elector for New York State. A ' 
still greater honor was conferred upon him in 
i88y, when he was elected, upon the Republican 
ticket, to the position of State Senator from the 
Thirteenth District. So satisfactory were his 
services, that two years later he was re-elected by 
a majority threefold larger than that originally 
given him, a fact which in itself proves his pop- 
ularity and efficiency as a public official. For 
a number of years he also served as President of 
the Farmers' Association of Orange County. 

The marriage of Mr. Richardson united him 
with Miss Annie E., daughter of the late John 
Woodward, of New York, and three children 
comprise their family: William G. , John W. and 
Florence. Socially Mr. Richardson is actively 
connected with the Masonic order at Goshen. 
Beginning life in humble circumstances, he has 



steadily, step bj- .step, won a solid footing in the 
business world, and is a fitting example of what 
is in store as a reward for energy and directness 
of purpose. As one of the standard-bearers of 
the Republican party, he has made for himself 
hosts of friends. Fortunate in his undertakings, 
prompt and energetic as a business man, he de- 
serves the esteem of his friends and the respect 
of his acquaintances, and through merit he has 
won his position among the eminent men of the 
county. 



••>K*®i>*^» — *--^- 



(lOHN D. MONTROSS was born September 
I 26, 1833, near Old Queensborough, upon 
V2/ the farm where he now resides, anc' from the 
cultivation of which he receives a fair income. 
He is a son of William V. and Margaret (Brush) 
Montross, natives, respectively, of Putnam and 
Rockland Counties, the former a son of Cornelius 
Montross, and the latter a daughter of Peter 
Brush. The parental family comprised twelve 
children, of whom only four are now living. 
They are Fannie, Mrs. Moses Lamereux; Ada- 
line; John D.; and Louisa, wife of Abraham 
Stevens. 

At the age of three years our subject was taken 
by his parents to Matteawan, Dutchess County, 
this state, and during the eleven years of his resi- 
dence there he was a student in the public 
schools. On the return of the family to Queens- 
borough, the father rented the farm now owned 
by Isaac F. Mandigo, and after a .short residence 
there he lived successiveh- at Highland Falls 
and Central Valley, retiring in 1869 to the birth- 
place of John D., who now owns forty-eight acres 
there. 

At Matteawan, September 17, 1855, Mr. Mont- 
ross was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth 
A., daughter of William and Rachel (Weyant) 
Rose. Her father was a son of Israel and Eliza- 
beth Rose, and her mother was a daughter of 
Tobias and Jerusha (Smith) Weyant. She was 
one of ten children born to the union of her par- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



783 



ents, five of whom are living, namely: Clark, 
who resides in Elizabethport, N. J.; Joseph, also 
a resident of that place; Emily, wife of Andrew 
Swim; Elizabeth Ann; and Andrew, whose home 
is in Garrison, N. Y. 

In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Mont- 
ross are active and earnest members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and take a warrn inter- 
est in the good works of that denomination. 
They had eleven children, but two of the number 
are deceased, the others being as follows: Frank, 
who lives at Ft. Montgomer)'; Arthur, whose 
home is in Central Valley; Eliza Jane, wife of 
Charles L. Green, now of Connecticut; Eldora, 
who married Benjamin Walsh, of Queensborough; 
Fred, who assists his father in the cultivation of 
the home farm; John, now at Haverstraw; Mar- 
tha, Mrs. Andrew J. Light; Harvey and Will- 
iam, who remain with their parents. Believing 
that the principles of the Republican party best 
subserve the welfare of the people. Mr. Montross 
gives his ballot to that party, both in local and 
national elections. For seven years he filled the 
position of School Collector, and for three years he 
served as Trustee, discharging the duties of these 
positions with credit to himself and to the satis- 
faction of his fellow-citizens. 

• — i^ P — ' , 



(TOHN R. HALSTEAD. July 5, 1893, the 
I town of Minisink lost in the death of this 
G/ gentleman one of its most worthy citizens, 
one who did honorable service in the development 
of this locality, and made a home for himself, 
gaining a high place among the neighboring 
farmers. Here, where he was born April 2, 1^31, 
he grew to a sturdy, .self-reliant manhood. His 
education was secured in the schools of the earlier 
half of the present century, which were not so 
fully equipped as those of to-day, and were often 
taught by instructors who were not proficient in 
their calling. 

The son of Joseph and Eliza (Roberts) Hal- 
stead, our subject was one of seven children, there 
being three sons and four daughters. He was 
born and reared upon a farm, and was graduated 



from Goshen Academy. When only twelve years 
of age he began to work, and from that time for- 
ward was mainly self-supporting. In boyhood 
he had evinced a decided preference for the medi- 
cal profession, and at the age of twenty he went 
to New York, and began the study of that 
science. Lack of means, however, prevented 
him from completing his medical education, and 
being obliged to find a ready means of support, he 
accepted a clerkship in Unionville, where he re- 
mained for three years. Later he carried on a 
mercaijtile business in that place, and met with 
good success, but after eight j-ears in the enter- 
prise he sold his stock. 

Removing to Meadville, Pa. , Mr. Halstead en- 
gaged in the planing and lumber mill business, 
and was also interested in the coalyards. After 
having spent five years in that place, he sold the 
business and returned to Unionville, where he 
purchased the farm of one hundred acres now 
owned by his widow. Some years after his re- 
turn he purchased a general store in Unionville, 
and this he conducted for fifteen years, meantime 
also carrying on a fire-insurance business. In 
political faith he was a Democrat, and at one 
time held the office of Postmaster; also served as 
Clerk, and for three years was Supervisor of the 
town. Socially he was identified with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. 

The lady who, May 13, 1863, became the wife 
of Mr. Halstead bore the maiden name of Emma 
Sayer, and was born and reared in this county. 
Six children were born of the marriage, but one 
died in infancy; Frank T. died at the age of three 
and one-half years; Minnie was taken from earth 
December 20, 1893; and Harry died December 9, 
1893, aged twenty-two. The only surviving chil- 
dren are John F. and Mary A. In his career as 
a business man, Mr. Halstead manifested shrewd- 
ness, discretion and an intelligent understanding 
of the principles of commerce, coupled with pru- 
dence and industrious habits. His credit was 
always good and his character unimpeachable. 
In his wife he had one who zealou.sly aided him 
in his work, and to her faithful co-operation and 
excellent counsel was attributable much of his 
success. .She survives him, and holds a promi- 



784 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nent place among the cultured ladies of the town. 
In the establishment of the Home for Aged Ladies 
of Middletown, she was deeply interested, and at 
present she is officiating as one of the Board of 
Managers. 



-ini 



z-f 



[gjEORGE W. GREENE, a wagon maker and 
|_l l)lacksniith at Highland Mills, was born in 
^_J this place October i6, 1846, and has made 
it his home through life, with the exception of the 
j-ears when he lived in the neighboring village of 
Central X'alle}-. Until a lad of .seventeen years 
he attended the common schools, after which he 
began /or himself by working out on farms dur- 
ing the summer. In the spring of 1862, however, 
he began working in his father's blacksmith-shop, 
it being his intention to learn the trade. In 
1870, after remaining with him for eight years, he 
went to Central Valley, taking charge of the 
blacksmith department of the large carriage fact- 
ory- of R. F. Weygant. He was in the employ of 
that gentleman for a period of twenty years, and 
in 1890 returned to his old home in Highland 
Mills, assuming charge of the business which 
during that time had been conducted by his fa- 
ther and brother. Since returning here he has 
given his attention speciall}' to repair work, job- 
bing in both iron and wood. 

The parents of our subject were Horatio Nel- 
son and Sarah Ann (Dickens) Greene, the for- 
mer of whom was born in the town of Monroe, 
and the latter at Highland Mills. They are both 
now deceased. The grandfather of our subject 
was Samuel Greene. His father, Samuel Greene, 
and his father-in-law, Mr. Marigold, forged the 
great chain which was stretched across the river 
at West Point for the purpose of preventing the 
passage of British ships. A portion of this chain 
is now at Washington's Headquarters at New- 
burgh, and is regarded as a valuable relic. 

In August, 1868, George W^. Greene was 
united in marriage, in Highland Mills, to Miss 
Mary E. Clark, daughter of Moses Clark. Her 



death occurred in August, 1869. In December, 
1870, he was married to Mary A. Campbell, the 
daughter of Archibald and Mary (Weygant) 
Campbell, of Highland Mills, the fonuerof whom 
was born January i, 1809, and died May 2, 1879. 
His parents were Charles and Isabel (Campbell) 
Campbell, natives of Argjleshire, Scotland, who 
emigrated to America about 1800, settling on 
the ea.stern .side of Pine Hill, near Highland 
Mills. The lady who became the third compan- 
ion of our .subject was Mi.ss Frances Greene, 
daughter of Henry Greene, of Florida, this coun- 
ty. By his first marriage Mr. Greene had one 
child, who died in infancj'. By his marriage 
with Miss Campbell he had two children, ot 
whom Archie departed this life when nineteen 
years of age. Jennie is living with her father. 

Mr. and Mrs. Greene are devoted members of 
the Methodist Epi.scopal Church. In social af- 
fairs he is a Mason of high standing, holding 
membership with Standard Lodge No. 711, of 
Monroe. He likewise is connected with Central 
Valley Lodge No. 502, I. O. O. F.; Schunne- 
munk Lodge No. 276, K. of P., at Highland 
Mills; and Wawa Tribe No. 235, I. O. R. M., of 
Central Valley. 

During the late war our subject enlisted in the 
Union service at Newburgh, but not being of age 
his father compelled him to return home. In 
politics he is a Republican, first, last and all 
the time, and therefore takes great delight in the 
success of his chosen party. 



RICHARD A. LAIN. A list of the progress- 
ive farmers of the town of Minisink would 
be incomplete without the name of R. A. 
Lain, who is esteemed for sturdy virtues of char- 
acter, and for the display of industry- in the cult- 
ivation of his farm. The one hundred and fifty 
acres comprising the property are devoted to the 
raising of diversified crops, and afford a very com- 
fortable support to the owner, who combines the 
dairy business with the tilling of the soil. When 
he was a 3-oung man he often hauled grain and 
produce from his farm to Newburgh, the nearest 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



785 



market, and from there they were shipped to New 
York, the transportation of the goods consuming 
two days. There has been a material change, 
fortunately, during the past half-centurj', and he 
has been an important factor in bringing about 
the present prosperous state of things. 

The first member of the Lain family who lo- 
cated in this county was our subject's grandfather, 
William, who came from Long Island about 1770, 
settling in the town of Minisink. He was then 
about twenty-five years old. His wife was Keziah, 
daughter of Increase Mather. On the farm where 
he settled at the time of his arrival in the town, 
he spent his remaining years, and here he died at 
the age of .sixt\'-seven. Among his children was 
David, who was born January 20, 1791, on the 
home farm in the town of Minisink, and who, in 
1812, married Millicent Aber, also a native of this 
town, born in the 3'ear 1793; she died April 2, 
1836. 

The parents of our subject had a large family 
of children, the fourth of whom died unnamed in 
infancy. The others were: Jonathan and John 
L., deceased; Richard A.; Emeline, the wife of 
Peter Wintermute; Sarah, Mrs. Jesse Van Fleet; 
Gideon O. ; Phoebe A. , who married Dennis Clark, 
and both of whom are now decea.sed; Lebbens L. ; 
James; William H. and David M., the two latter 
deceased. The second marriage of David Lain 
was to Rhoda Lee, and six children were born of 
this union, namely: Millicent A., who became 
the wife of Lanson Dun, and is now deceased; 
Charles; Caroline; Ira; Victoria; and Mary, the 
wife of Ernest Thompson and the only survivor. 

The entire life of David Lain was passed on 
the farm where he was born, and there he died at 
the age of seventy-nine years and five mouths. 
His membership was in the Bapti.st Church, and 
he was a man of deep religious convictions. Suc- 
cessful in his enterprises, he owned large tracts 
of land, and at one time his possessions aggre- 
gated about eight hundred acres. His son, our 
subject, was born on the home farm, February 3, 
1818, and grew to manhood in the town of Min- 
isink. December 12, 1840, he married Miss Caro- 
line M. Alward, who was born April 20, 1820, in 
Su.ssex County, N. J., being a daughter of Ste- 



phen and Sarah (Tuthill) Alward. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lain became the parents of five children, 
namely: Emeline, wife of Milton Terry, of Union- 
ville; Caroline M., who married Eber L- Brown, 
and lives in Minisink; Sarah and Phoebe, deceased; 
and Georgiauna L., wife of Charles W. Horton. 
The spring of the year following his marriage 
Mr. Lain settled upon the farm where he now 
lives and upon which he has made all the im- 
provements. His wife is identified with the 
Methodist Church, while he is a member of the 
Baptist Church, in which he is serving as Deacon; 
both take a deep interest in religious enterprises, 
and possess consistent Christian characters. In 
earl}' manhood Mr. Lain had the satisfaction of 
depositing his ballot for William Henry Harrison, 
and nearly a half-centurj' later he voted for the 
grandson of that illustrious statesman. Political- 
ly he is true to Republican principles, which he 
believes are for the best good of this country. As 
a citizen he is well informed, energetic, and al- 
ways in favor of enterprises calculated to promote 
the general welfare. 

HON. ERASTUS STICKNEY, who resides 
in the town of Wawayanda, was born on the 
farm where he still lives, Maj- 4, 1810, and 
is a son of LaFayette and Phoebe (Howell) Stick- 
ney, the former a native of Massachusets, and 
the latter of New York. They were the parents 
of seven children, named as follows: Erastus, 
Harriet, John, Charlotte, William, Julia and 
Benjamin. The father, who was a man of wide 
and deep learning, was by profession an attorney, 
and for many years held a position as teacher in 
the public schools. His death occurred at the 
age of eighty-three years. 

In the schools of Orange County the subject of 
this sketch received a fair education, though the 
advantages they offered at that time were far in- 
ferior to those of the present day. He grew to 
manhood on the home farm, and here he has 
spent his entire life, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. When eighteen years of age he com- 
menced to teach in the neighboring .school, and 



786 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



continued to follow that profession during the 
winter months for a period of eleven years. With 
that exception, he has devoted his entire atten- 
tion to agriculture, of which he has made a suc- 
cess. 

In 1836 Mr. Stickney married Miss Lucy R. 
Allen, of Sullivan County, and they became the 
parents of five children: Charles E., Erastus, 
Frances R., Hattie and John. In politics Mr. 
Stickney is a Jacksonian Democrat, devoted to 
the principles of that party. In 1856 he was 
elected a member of the Legislature, and the 
manner in which he discharged the duties of that 
responsible position was eminently satisfactory to 
all. From 1846 to 1879 he served as Justice of 
the Peace, and at different times he has held 
almost all of the elective offices of the town. He 
owns one hundred and forty acres of land, in a 
high state of cultivation, and superintends the 
management of his place, though he is now, ow- 
ing to advancing 3'ears, unable to engage active- 
ly in farm work, as was his custom in former 
\^ears. A life-long resident of this county, his 
friends are numbered by the hundred, and no 
man has a better reputation for honesty and in- 
dustr)' than Era.stus Stickney. 



(^ 



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-^■> 



t®:n 



EHARLES RIVENBURG, a prominent resi- 
dent of Central Valley, is an active partner 
in the drug store of Leonard & Rivenburg, 
and is also School Commissioner of the First Dis- 
trict. He is a native of this state, having been 
born at Mechanicsville, Saratoga County, Decem- 
ber I, i860, to Capt. Abram and Anna C. (Weav- 
er) Rivenburg. His parents were born in Col- 
umbia County, N. Y., and his father, who was 
for twenty years a captain on a river vessel, is now 
Postmaster and a merchant of Cheviot, Columbia 
County. 

Capt. Abram was the son of Adam Riven- 
burg, also of the above county. At Mellenville, 
that county, the father was the proprietor of a 
large wagon-making establishment, and he mar- 



ried Anna C. Weaver, the daughter of John 
Weaver, whose wife bore the maiden name of 
Catherine Youghans. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to mature 
years in Columbia County, whither his father re- 
moved when he was only two years of age. The 
father was engaged as teacher in the academy at 
Mechanicsville for many years and was verj' suc- 
cessful in this vocation. Charles attended the 
village schools until about sixteen years of age, 
when he received instruction at home one year 
from a private teacher. In 1878 he became a 
student in the normal at Albany, taking a course 
of eighteen months. After this he was Principal 
of the Cheviot school for one year, and was then 
hired by a New York firm as head bookkeeper 
and cashier. After resigning this position he 
taught in the village schools of Hillsdale, Fishkill 
and Central Valley until 1893, when he was 
elected School Commissioner from the First Dis- 
trict of Orange County. 

The marriage of our .subject with Miss Han- 
nah Emigh took place at Fishkill December 24, 
1885. This lady was the daughter of Ward and 
Helen (Champlain) Emigh, the former of whom 
was a very prominent attorney in the .state, and a 
graduate of Yale. He was engaged in practice for 
many years at Beekman, N. Y., but at the time of 
his decease, in 1872, made his home in Fishkill. 
He in turn was the son of George P. and Elizabeth 
(Pi;emble) Emigh, natives of Dutchess Count}', 
N. Y., and New Haven, Conn., respectively. 
George P. Emigh followed farming all his life, 
as did his father, Peter. Helen Champlain was 
born in Beekman, Dutchess County, and was 
the daughter of Gibbons and Hannah (Merritt) 
Champlain, the former born in Beekman, and the 
latter in Fi.shkill. Gibbons was the son of Elisha 
and Polly Champlain, and his wife was the 
daughter of Stephen Merritt, a wagon-maker by 
trade. 

Mrs. Rivenburg departed this life July 23, 
1895, after a brief illness. Mr. Rivenburg is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as 
was his estimable wife. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican and never losses an opportunity to cast 
a vote in favor of its candidates. Socially he be- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



787 



longs to Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M.; 
Central Valley Lodge No. '502, I. O. O. F.; 
and Wawa Tribe No. 235, I. O. R. M. He is a 
stockholder in the building and loan a.ssociation, 
and also interested in the land improvement com- 
pany. He combines the business of an insurance 
agent and notary public with his duties as School 
Commissioner, representing some of the old and 
reliable companies of the East. 



gEORGE ALBERT WALSH is .successfully 
engaged in the cultivation of a valuable farm 
situated in the town of Highland, near the 
village of Highland Falls. He is a native of this 
town and was born December 9, 1841, on a farm 
adjoining his present place. His father, Benja- 
min, was a son of John and Mary (Parker) 
Walsh, and was employed in the manufacture of 
furnaces throughout the most of his active busi- 
ness life. The mother, Harriet, was a daughter 
of John and Sarah (James) Clark, and a grand- 
daughter of Moses and Phcebe (Lamereux) 
Clark. 

When our subject was a lad of five years he 
was taken by his parents to Queensborough, and 
there the eleven ensuing years were spent. His 
education was carried on for a time in that place, 
and later he prosecuted his studies at Kruger's, 
four miles from Peekskill. Beginning life for 
himself upon attaining his majority, he was em- 
ployed as a boatman on the Hudson River for 
eighteen months, after which for twelve years he 
followed teaming. In the spring of 1890 he 
came to his present home, where he operates the 
valuable farm in which his mother-in-law has a 
life interest. 

Shortly before the clo.se of the Civil War, Mr. 
Walsh enlisted in the Union army, becoming a 
member of the Fifty-sixth New York Infantry in 
March, 1865. He remained in the .ser\'ice until 
October, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged at Charleston, S. C. He has always 
been a promoter of projects calculated to promote 
the welfare of his fellow-citizens, and in his polit-' 
ical belief he is a Democrat. At one time he was 



identified with the Knights of Honor, but at 
present is not actively connected with that organ- 
ization. 

At Highland Falls, March 14, 1867, Mr. Walsh 
married Miss Caroline Clark, and they are the 
parents of four children: LiHie, who married Al- 
bert Taylor, a carpenter and builder of Cornwall, 
and who has one child; Cassie, who is at home; 
Anthony, who is an apprentice to the carpenter's 
trade under Albert Taylor; and Harry, who aids 
his father on the home farm. Mrs. Walsh is a 
daughter of James and Catherine (Vought) Clark, 
the former of whom was born in Orange County 
in 1790, and died here in 1872. Her mother is a 
daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Conklin) Vought, 
the former born January 19, 1782, and died in 
May, 1827; the latter born October 17, 1786, and 
died in March, 1823. By the marriage of James 
and Catherine Clark, eleven children were born, 
one of whom, James, Jr., is represented on an- 
other page in this volume. In character Mrs. 
Walsh is kind-hearted, genial, accommodating and 
hospitable, and she has trained her children for 
positions of honor in the social and business 
world. 



I EWIS POTTER, owner of the "natural 
It bridge" farm in the town of Highland, was 
|_2^ born at Ft. Montgomery, August 17, 1825, 
and the first fourteen years of his life were passed 
in the place of his birth. He then came to For- 
est of Dean, and for the four ensuing years was 
in the employ of Daniel Slosson, upon the farm 
which he now owns. As soon as he had a suf- 
ficient amount saved to warrant independent 
action, he began farm work on his own account, 
and for a number of years thereafter he rented 
farms in Forest of Dean and Ft. Montgomery. 
His next venture was the purchase of a yoke of 
oxen, and thus equipped he engaged in teaming 
for three years, after which he was employed on 
the Hudson River for one year, and for two years 
tilled the soil in partnership with his brother. 
After his marriage Mr. Potter rented a farm 



788 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



near Ft. Montgomery, and this place he worked 
for nine years on shares. He then was employed 
for a year in New Jersey, but the following j-ear 
returned home and began the cultivation of the 
place where his family had resided during his 
absence. On this property, which was situated 
near Ft. Montgomery, he engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits for three j'ears, and later 
rented a farm near the mines for ten j-ears. De- 
sirous, however, of having property of his own, 
in 1873 he bought one hundred and twenty-six 
acres, and upon that tract he settled two years 
later. He has since added several hundred acres 
to the estate, which, under his efficient manage- 
ment, is one of the most productive farms in the 
neighborhood. The place is a very old one, and 
one field was cleared and has been in cultivation 

■ since a period antedating the Revolution. 

It is worthy of note that our subject's grand- 
father, Aaron, and great-grandfather Potter were 
participants in the Revolutionary struggle, and 
took an active part in the battle of Ft. Montgom- 
ery, where the latter was killed and the former 
had part of his ear shot away. For a time after 
the Revolution Aaron Potter lived on Long 
Island, whence he came to Orange County and 
took up a large tract of land near Highland Mills. 
After his death his son Thomas, our subject's 
father, removed to Ft. Montgomery, and died at 

• the home of his daughter there. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Margaret Weyant, and was 
a daughter of Tobias Weyant, of Highland Mills. 
The marriage of our subject took place at For- 
est of Dean, February 16, 1850, at which time he 
took as his wife Miss Phcebe, daughter of James 
and Catherine (Vought) Clark. Her father, who 
was a farmer by occupation, was a son of Moses 
Clark. Her mother was a daughter of Joseph 
and Amelia (Conklin) Vought, and the latter in 
turn was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Nelson) 
Conklin. Henry, father of Joseph Vought, was 
a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Mrs. 
Potter is the eldest of eleven children, of whom 
all but two are living. Our subject was the 
eighth among fourteen children, and he and his 
brother John M. , who was third in order of birth, 
are the only survivors. 



The family of Mr. and Mrs. Potter consisted of 
five children, namely: Millie Ann, who married 
Thomas Cox and is now deceased; Sarah Jane, 
who died in infancy; Jane, wife of George Van 
Tassell; Catherine, who pa.ssed away in infancy; 
and Mary Emma, wife of Fred Holman, a fire- 
man in an apartment house in New York City. 
The latter has one child, Arthur J., a fine lad of 
six years. In politics Mr. Potter upholds the 
principles of Democracy, and has been prominent 
in the local ranks of his party. For thirty years 
he has served as Collector, and he has also filled 
the position of School Director. 



0ANIEIv C. BUDD, a self-made man of the 
town of Goshen, is the owner of ninety-six 
acres of productive land, which he largely 
devotes to dairy farming, finding this branch of 
agriculture to be a very profitable one. His birth 
occurred in the town of Goshen, April 17, 1853, 
and he was the eldest of the household of John 
N. and Phebe C. (Case) Budd, both of whom 
were also born in this county, where they spent 
their entire lives. The father was a well-to-do 
farmer, and although quiet and unassuming in 
manner, took a prominent part in advancing the 
agricultural interests of his community. At his 
death, which occurred in 1868, he was universal- 
ly mourned, for in him the county lost one of its 
best residents. Mrs. Budd preceded him to the 
grave by many years, dying November 27, 1855, 
when our subject was only two years of age. He 
first attended the schools taught in his district, 
after which he became a student in the academy 
at Monticello. 

After completing his education, our subject re- 
turned to the home farm and gave his attention 
to learning the details of conducting a farm . Upon 
reaching his majority he began for himself, and 
as a result of investing his means in land from 
time to time, he is now the owner of a tract 
of nearly one hundred acres, which is productive 
and well cared for. On this may be found a large 




WILLIAM A. LAWRENCE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



793 



herd of milch cows, Mr. Budd making a special- 
ty' of dair>"ing. He was married in 1S79 to Miss 
Fanuie E. Wickham. the daughter of Albert and 
Harriet ( Budd ) Wickham. natives of this state. 
Mr. aud Mrs. Budd are the parents of two chil- 
dren: Etta Elizabeth, bom October 26. iSSo, and 
Mar>- Wickham. Februan,- 27, 1S82. They are 
bright and interesting children, and are pursuing 
their studies in the public schools. Our subject 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church at Goshen, aud take an active part in 
both religious and benevolent work. In politics 
the former is a Repubhcan, He is a man who 
stands well with ever\- class in the neighborhood 
and is one of the town's most substantial and 
progressive residents. 



ILLI-\M A. L-\WREXCE. Mayor of 
Chester, and one of her best businessmen, is 
the senior member of the firm of Lawrence 
& Durland, the largest manufacturers of the 
' ' Neufchatel ' " and ' * Star ' ' brands of cream 
cheese in the United States. Mr. Lawrence has 
been engaged in this business since he was a 
young man of twenty years, aud is therefore well 
posted in ever\- detail of the work required in the 
manufacture of these fine brands of cheese, which 
find a ready market in this and other countries 
of the globe. Mr. Lawrence is very enterprising 
and capable in a commercial sense, and has been 
the architect of his own fortune. 

Our subject was bom in Florida, N. Y., Janu- 
ary 29, 1S42, and was the fourth of the eight 
children comprising the household of Thomas 
and Sarah (Randall" Lawrence, natives of the 
town of Warwick. The father worked at his 
trade of a carpenter for man\- years, and was 
afterward interested in a sawmill. Upon dispos- 
ing of this business he engaged in farming, in 
which venture he was remarkably successfiil for 
one embarking in it so late in life. He was a 
quiet and unassuming man, and died in 1S52. 
His wife is still living, and, although quite ad- 
vanced in years, enjoys excellent health. 

Thomas LawTence emigrated with his familv to 



Michigan some time in the '40s, and it was at 
Xiles, that state, that his death occurred. A short 
time thereafter the mother returned to her native 
home with her children, and has here continued 
to live ever since. William A. first attended 
school at Florida, X. Y., and subsequently car- 
ried on his studies at Vemon, X, J. -After that, 
or until attaining his twentieth year, he worked 
on the farm, but not finding this occupation to be 
a congenial one, he engaged in the manufacture 
of cheese at Chester. The business grew rapidly, 
and to-day Lawrence & Durland are known 
throughout the United States as the makers of 
two excellent brands of cheese. Their sales the 
last year amounted to §1 20,000, which indicates 
in some manner the extent of their enterprise. 

September 12. 1S61, Mr. Lawrence was mar- 
ried to Miss S. Theresa Holbert. the daughter of 
James and Susan (Drake) Holbert. natives of this 
count}.-. To our subject and his wife was bom 
a son, Theodore F. , who is now associated with 
his father in business, being a ver\- valuable as- 
sistant. Mrs. Theresa Lawrence died May 24, 
1871, and June i.^, 1S72. our subject chose for 
his second companion Mrs. Mar\- t May ) Mur- 
ray, whose birth occurred in Xew Jersey. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are members in excellent 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in this body the former has been Trustee for 
many jears. Socially he is a Mason of high 
standing, ha\-ing passed the blue lodge, chapter 
and Knight- Templar d^rees. He is ver>- prom- 
inent in the fratemit>-, and is well known to the 
many noted men who are connected with this 
body in the United States. He is a Democrat in 
politics and in favor of protecting home indus- 
tries 

Although a verv" busy man and never aspiring 
to office. Mr. Lawrence has been complimented 
by the people of Chester, who have elected him 
to various positions of honor, among them being 
Mayor of the \-illage, which office he has occu- 
pied since the organization of the village under a 
city charter in 1S93. He is a man who is highly 
esteemed by all who know him, for he has always 
been honest and upright in his dealings with all 
and greatlv interested in the welfare of his com- 



794 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



munity. In the office of Justice of the Peace, 
which he is now filling, he gives entire satisfaction 
by the efficient manner in which he discharges 
his duties. In manner he is genial, cordial and 
kind-hearted, and thus readily makes friends. 

^^=£:m (' — ■ 



P Q ILLIAM KNIGHT SMITH, who for many 
\ A/ \ears prior to his death was identified 
Y Y with the farming interests of the town of 
Monroe, was bom there August 23, 1S29, and 
died November 16, 1892. His boyhood years 
were spent on a farm, and in the intervals of 
work on the home place he attended the neigh- 
boring schools. Having learned the carpenter" s 
trade, he followed that occupation, and after some 
}-ears became a contractor and builder. In Bell- 
vale, and later in Brooklyn, he was employed at 
his trade, and in the latter city he married. Upon 
returning to this county he puLrchased, in 1855, a 
farm that adjoins the present homestead, but 
twelve years later he sold that place and bought 
one hundred and thirty acres of land, where he 
continued to reside until his death, and there his 
widow still remains. 

The parents of onr subject, David C. and 
Cornelia ( Conklin) Smith, were among the 
earliest settlers of the Upper Clove. The father 
was a son of David and Abbie 1 Clark ) Smith, 
and the latter a daughter of David and Fannie 
(Knight) Conklin. During his residence in 
Brooklyn, February 9, 1854, William K. Smith 
was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Ann 
Stansbury, who was bom in Peekskill, N. Y. 
When she was a girl of twelve years her parents. 
Lorenzo D. and Sarah P. (Valentine; Stansbury, 
moved to Brooklyn,' where her father was en- 
gaged as an architect and builder, an occupation 
that seems to have been a favorite one in the fam- 
ily for many generations back. 

Lorenzo D. Stansbur\- was a son of John and 
Rachel Stansbury, and his wife was a daughter 
of John and Ann (Fosdick* Valentine. The 
maternal grandfather of Mrs. Smith. Mr. Valen- 
tine, was bom in Flushing, L. I., and was im- 
pressed by the British into their army during the 



Revolutionary War. At the earliest opportunitj- 
he escaped to American lines, and going to Gen- 
eral Washington offered to serve for his own 
country. It was a hazardous undertaking, as he 
did not know but that he might be executed for 
wearing British uniform, but his offer was ac- 
cepted and he entered the Colonial ranks. He 
served in a cavalry regiment for seven years and 
six months, and was honorably discharged at 
the close of the war. after which he returned to 
Long Island. 

The wife of this Revolutionary hero was bom 
at Oyster Bay, L- I., in 1764, and died Septem- 
ber 16, 1S27. She was one of six children bom 
to Sanrnel Fosdick, Jr., and his first wife, Deb- 
orah, daughter of Morris and Deborah Shadbolt, 
the former of whom was a man of prominence in 
Colonial days. Mr. Fosdick was bora in New 
London, Conn., March 11, 1710, and was eight 
years old when his fether moved to Charlestown, 
Mass., and twenty when he settled at Oyster 
Bay, L. I. His occupation was that of a car- 
penter and builder. 

Samuel Fosdick. Sr., was bom in New London, 
Conn.. September 16, 1684. His first wife, the 
mother of Samuel, Jr., was known in maiden- 
hood as Susanna Turner, and died in Charles- 
town. After removing to 0>ster Bay he again 
married. He was the first member of the Fos- 
dick Simily who settled on Long Island. His fa- 
ther, Capt. Sam.uel Fosdick, was bom at Charles- 
town, Mass.. December 15, 1655, and in 1680 
moved to New London. He married Mercy, 
daughter of John and Ruth 1 Brewster 1 Pickett, 
and granddaughter of Benjamin Brewster, whose 
father. Jonathan, was a son of Elder William 
Brewster, of "Ma>-flower" fame. Captain Fosdick 
served as a subaltern in Kling Philip's War. and 
was actively connected with the mihtia, gaining 
in that way the title by which he was usually 
known. During the years 1694— 96— 97— 98 and 
1 700 he served as a Deputy in the General Court 
from New London. 

The Captain' s father, John, was bom in Eng- 
land in 1626, was a carpenter by trade, and 
must have been a resident of Maiden for a time. 
as the records mention "Fosdick of Maiden.' 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



795 



AH but aboot two years of his life in America 
were spent at New London, where he married 
Ann, daughter of Stephen and Ann Shapleigh. 
His father. Stephen Fosdick, was bom in Lin- 
cohishrre, England, in 15S3, and like many of 
his descendants he was a builder by trade. Al- 
though a Onaker, he was received as a citizen by 
the people of New London at a time when the 
members of his sect were everywhere undergoing 
persecution. 

Four children were bom to the anion of our 
subject and his wife. The eldest, Sarah E., is 
the widow of J. T. Earl, and Uves at Washing- 
ton ville: Lorenzo D.. the next in order of birth, 
died many years ago: Fannie C. is the wife of The- 
odore Weygant. Jr. , a bookkeeper for the Ramapo 
Iron Company at HUlbum, Rockland County; 
and the youngest. Flora, an accomplished yotmg 
lady, makes her home with her mother, for 
whom she affectionately cares in her declining 
years. Mrs. Smith is identified with the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, while her husband alwa>-s 
inclined to the Presbyterian faith, in which he 
was reared. He was interested in all matters 
pertaining to the welfare of his community, but 
especially in educational affairs, and rendered ef- 
ficient service as School Trustee for manv vears. 



eH.\RLES CL-A.RK, a farmer residing in the 
town of Highland, near the village of High- 
land FaUs, was bom near Ft. Montgomery, 
October 16, 1858. He is the son of John S. and 
Susan ( MuUoy) Clark, both of whom were bom 
near Forest of Dean, and who were married April 
23. 1853. The paternal grandparents. Isaac and 
^liriam ( Swim » Clark, were natives, respectively, 
of Ft. Montgomery and Oueensborough Forge, 
and the former was a son of Moses and Phcebe 
(Lamereux* Clark. 

The Lamereux family originated in France and 
was of noble Huguenot blood. Phioebe was a 
daughter of Peter and Phoebe 1 Wood i Lamereux, 
the former a member of that devoted Huguenot 
band who suffered jjersecution and exile from the 
land of their birth. So sudden was their depart- 



nre, on account of the great peril that threatened 
their lives, that they left their lights burning in 
their houses and fled at night. Iea\-ing their large 
estates to be confiscated by their persecutors. On 
settling in America. Peter Lamereux became an 
enthusiastic adherent of Colonial principles, and 
on the outbreak of the Revolution he cheerfully 
gave his entire property to help in carrying on 
the war. The place upon which he lived he mort- 
gaged, and it was several years before he released 
it from debt. For supplies famished the army 
he received pay in continental money, which, be- 
ing worthless, he gave to the children to play 
with and they destroyed it. In after years all 
money of that denomination was redeemed, but 
he of coturse was unable to derive any benefit from 
this offer. 

Our subject's grandmother. Miriam, was a 
daughter of John and Polly ( Sheldon* Swim, and 
on her father's side she was of French descent. 
Susan Mulloy, mother of our subject, was a daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Hannah (Davenport) Mulloy, 
natives, respectively, of Greene and Orange Coun- 
ties, the latter having been bom near the village 
of Monroe. Daniel MuUoy was a son of John and 
Susan (Wooding) Mulloy, while his wife was a 
daughter of Robert and Susannah ( Lamoreux) 
Davenport, bom, respectively, at Highland Mills 
and Central Valley. Robert Davenport worked 
on the walls around old Ft. Putnam, overlooking 
West Point. He was appointed Lieutenant, and 
took part in the battle of Ft. Montgomery- and 
was wounded in that engagement. The familj- 
of Daniel and Hannah Mulloy consisted of three 
children, namely: Charles D., who resides near 
Central Vallej-; Susan, the mother of our subject: 
and Emily, who married Andrew Hallet. of 
Stroudsburg. Pa. The family of which our sub- 
ject is a member consists of four children, named 
as follows: Minetta Frances, who married E. 
Pierce Clonan. superintendent of a mine: Han- 
nah, wife of George H. Pascoe, of Hopewell Junc- 
tion, N. Y. : Charles and Delaphine. 

Recei\-ing in boyhood years excellent educa- 
tional advantages, Mr. Clark utilized these by 
teaching school, which profession he followed for 
five terms. Of it he has made a success, and be- 



796 



PORTR-\IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing deeph- interested in educational matters, he 

has been selected to ser\e as School Trustee for 
three terms in succession. He makes his home 
on the old farm, and his mother and sister reside 
with him. Politically he advocates Republican 
principles, and takes a warm interest in local af- 
fairs. Since Januarj-, 1S91, he has served as 
Justice of the Peace. Socially he is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Onda- 
ora Lodge No. 305, at Highland FaUs. 

61 XDREW H. MERRITT. a veteran of the 
LI late war. and a farmer in the town of Wood- 
/ I bury, was bom in the town of Blooming 
Grove, on the 19th of December. 1S35. His edu- 
cation was Umited to a brief attendance at the 
public schools prior to the age of twelve years, 
after which he gave his attention wholly to work. 
Though he continued to make his home with his 
father, he was employed principally by others. 
When fifteen he began an apprenticeship to the 
carpenters trade, which he became thoroughly 
famihar with. L'pon attaining his majority he 
went to Illinois and spent two years in Whiteside 
County, being engaged principally at his trade. 
After the panic of 1S57. the work decreased to 
such an extent that he abandoned the occupation, 
and secured a jxsition on a farm. 

After his return to Xew York. Mr. Merritt 
lived with his father and worked at his trade un- 
til 1S62. On the 22d of August of that year, he 
enlisted at \\'ashington\-ille in Company G, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Xew York Infantry-, 
under Colonel Ellis. He ser\-ed for a period of j 
two years and ten months, until the close of the { 
war, and was honorably discharged. June 2, 1S65. 
His service was mostly in Virgima. with the , 
Army ot the Potomac. Among the engagements 
in which he participated were those of Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Be\erly Ford. Gettj-sburg. 
Locust Grove, Mine Run. Wilderness. Poe River, 
Spottsylvania. Xorth Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold 
Harbor, siege of Petersburg. Deep Bottom, Boyd- 
ton. Hatcher's Run. capture of Petersburg. Sail- 
or's Creek and Lees surrender at Appomattox, 1 



besides a number of skirmishes which, though of 
less importance, were equally jjerilous to life. He 
was fortunate in escaping injur>-, though at one 
time he was slightly wounded by a piece of shell 
striking his wrist. 

When the war was ended. Mr. Merritt returned 
to his father's home and heljjed in the farm work. 
Soon he married, after which he worked at his 
trade until September, 1866, and then bought a 
tract of one hundred and fort>--two acres. Of 
this he has since sold eight3- acres, and upon the 
remainder he raises friiits and vegetables, hav- 
ing one of the best garden-truck farms of the 
town. 

The father of our subject, Caleb Merritt, was 
bom in the town of Xew Windsor. May 10, iSoo. 
and throughout hfe followed principally the trade 
of a coop>er, dying at the age of seventv--nine. He 
married Charity- Taylor, who was bom in the 
town of Blooming Grove in 1S02. and died in 
1865. Twelve children comprised their familj-, 
named as follows: John M.. deceased: Ann Eliza, 
who married Peter Conklin: Francis E., who 
lives at Monroe: Hannah, wife of Thomas Alex- 
ander, of Washingtonville: William E.. a resi- 
dent of Blooming Grove: Harriet A.. Mrs. An^ 
drew J. Thompson, deceased: Andrew H., of 
this sketch: James M., a resident of Xew York 
City: Sarah Jane, who died in childhood: Heze- 
kiah, of Blooming Grove: Sarah Jane. Mrs. Ru- 
dolph Fourch. who lives in CUnton. Conn.: and 
Alexander, whose home is in Middletown. The 
paternal grandfather. Daniel Merritt, married a 
Miss Hulse. and was a cooper by trade, though 
when advanced in years he ttimed his attention 
to raising fruit, which he shipped to Xew York. 
He died about 1S45. 

December 27, 1S65, Mr. Merritt married Miss 
Elizabeth M. Clark, a native of Xew York Cit\-, 
where her parents, Thomas R. and Amelia 
(Smiths Clark; were also bom. She was one of a 
large family, and lost her parents and a number 
of her brothers and sisters during the cholera 
epidemic in 1S49. The only child of Mr. and 
Mrs. Merritt, Charles E., was bom January- S. 
rS6S. and married. May S. 1SS9. Miss America 
Earl, daughter of Peter and Hannah vCouklin) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



797 



Earl, deceased. Four children were bom to them, 
of whom three daughters are living. Ethel. Laura 
and Ada. In religious belief Mrs. Merritt is con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to 
which our subject is a liberal contributor. Politi- 
cally he is a pronounced Republican, and socially 
belongs to the American Mechanics" Lodge No. 
59, at Monroe. In addition to raising fhiit and 
vegetables, he takes great interest in poultrj-, and 
owns an incubator which has proved a remark- 
able success. He is an energetic, enterprising 
man, and is highly regarded by the people of tlie 
town. 



-^Q^. 



^ESSE C. BROWN, who is engaged in farm- 
I ing on a valuable place located two miles 
(2/ north of Central Valley, was bom on the old 
homestead adjoining his property, April 5, 1S39. 
This former tract, which is ninety-five acres in 
extent, was granted to the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject in 1774 by King George of 
England, and on it all the sons of the family have 
been bom from that time down to our subject. 

Jacob Brown. Sr., the gentleman above referred 
to, was the father of Jacob, Jr. , who was the grreat- 
grandfather of our subject. His son was Jesse 
Brown, who in turn became the father of Samuel. 
The latter, who was the father of our subject, lived 
to be sixt\-six years old, dyiug in March, 1S76. 
He followed farming all his Ufe. and with the 
exception of two years always lived on the home 
farm. After his father's death his mother moved 
to Croton, Westchester County, in order that he 
might have better educational advantages, and 
there he lived for two years. Samuel Brown and 
his father were Quakers, and consequently were 
ver>- much opposed to war. In the parental fam- 
ily were three children, our subject's brother and 
sister being David T. and Euphemia, both of 
whom are deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
home faim and attended school until nineteen 
years of age. He then spent one year as a stu- 
dent in the Macedon Academy, near Rochester, 



and the following winter attended Cornell's In- 
stitute at Highland Mills. He then returned 
home and engaged in farming with his father on 
shares until 1866, when he assumed the fiiU con- 
trol of the work. After his fathers death he 
built his present fine residence, which gave ac- 
commodation to summer boarders until recently. 
At the present time the house is occupied solely 
by the members of Mr. Brown's family. In 1S92 
he sold a portion of the old homestead, which had 
been in the family for over one hundred years, 
reserving to himself one hundred and thirtv" acres, 
which he devotes mainly to dair\- farming. 

Mr. Brown was married. October 26, 1S66, in 
Westchester County-, to Miss Mar\- E. Hallock, a 
native of England and the adopted daughter of 
Samuel Hallock. Her father, a Mr. Page, came 
to America about 1836 or 1S37 and soon after- 
ward died. To our subject and his wife there 
have been bom four children: Alfired H., a baker 
of Central Valley, this county; Euphemia. the 
wife of Sidney B. Cornell, of the town of Wood- 
bur>-: Arthur J. and David T., at home. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown are members of the Societj" of 
Friends. Nevertheless the former volunteered 
his services during the late war. going to New- 
burgh to enlist, but was not accepted on account 
of a disabled arm. Mr. Brown is a true-blue Re- 
publican in politics, and although often urged by 
his triends to hold office, has always refused to do 
so, with the exception of filling the position of 
Commissioner of Highways for several terms. 
He is a wide-awake, practical farmer and is meet- 
in sr with success in his chosen vocation. 



- >- »» ^ — >—■ ^^^^ ' ' ' ' ' ■ . - 

<^HEODORE WEVGANT, who is a wagon- 
( C maker at Highland Mills, was bom near 
\Q this place September 13, 1828. and is a son 
of Smith and Charity- (^Lamoreaux) Weygant. 
the former a native of Highland Mills, and the 
latter of Central Valley. When a young man. 
Smith Weygant was a merchant, but later he 
learned the coof)er's trade, which he followed for 
a few years, and subsequently was connected with 
his brother in a fiimace at Woodbur\- Falls. 



798 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Thence he moved to a farm near Central Vallej', 
and was engaged in lumbering until his death. 
He was the son of Francis and Rachel (Earl) 
Weygant, both of whom were born near Highland 
Mills. The great-grandfather of our subject, and 
the father of Francis, was John Weygant. He 
married Mary Polly, who was a native of Orange 
County, where also his birth occurred. 

The Earls and Weygants were among the ear- 
liest families of Orange Count)-, and the home of 
our subject is a part of the land originally taken 
up by the Earls, it having been in the family for 
over two hundred years. Smith and Charity 
Wej'gant were the parents of eight children: 
Mary, wife of Anthony D. Vail, of Kansas; 
Theodore, our subject; Daniel, who died in in- 
fanc}-; Susan, wife of James W. Jackson, of 
Plainfield, N. J.; John Weslej-, who died in early 
manhood in Florida; Fletcher S., of Central Val- 
ley; Hannah, widow of Henr>' T. Cromwell, of 
Highland Mills; and Robert Francis, of Central 
Valley. 

When less than a year old, Theodore Wey- 
gant was taken by his parents to Woodburj- 
Falls, where the family lived four years, remov- 
ing thence to Central Valley. He went to school 
irregularly during his minority, and when about 
twenty j-ears old attended school west of where 
Central Valley now stands. His father owned a 
■ mountain tract where charcoal was made, and 
he was employed hauling this to iron furnaces. 
He remained home until his marriage in 1853, 
but for several years prior to this had been doing 
for himself, learning the wagon- maker's trade. 
In the spring of 1853 he went to New York City, 
where he remained about three months, working 
at his trade. He then returned to his old home 
and has lived within a mile of his birthplace ever 
since. For one year he worked in a shop on his 
father's place, and in the spring of 1854 came to 
his present place of business, and for over forty- 
one years has been serving the neighborhood as 
a manufacturer and repairer of wagons, carriages 
and farming implements. 

Theodore Weygant and Miss Frances Bennett 
were united in marriage, Februarj- 3, 1853. She 
is a native of the town of Warwick, having been 



born about a mile and a-half from Bellvale, and 
is the daughter of Peter and Margaret (Horton) 
Bennett. Her paternal grandfather came from 
what was known as the old Saw Works, in Or- 
ange County, where he owned property, but later 
traded this for property near Warwick. Frances 
was fifth in a family- of seven daughters and two 
sons born to her parents. Ten children blessed 
the union of our subject and wife, eight of whom 
are now living: Charles H., residing near Mid- 
dletown; Smith, who died in his third year; 
Margaret, now the wife of Charles Case, of Hack- 
ensack, N. J.; Theodore, who lives in Hillburn, 
Rockland County: Minnie, at home; Wilbur, who 
died in his second year; Lizzie, who married 
Ernest Shroeder, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; George 
emplojed at Summit Lake House, near Central 
Valley; Roxanna, who married Albert B. Park- 
man, General Superintendent of the Overman 
Wheel Compan)-, of Chicopee Falls, Ma.ss. ; and 
Howard, at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weygant are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Highland Mills. 
In politics he has always been an uncompromis- 
ing Republican. For a number of years he was 
a School Director, and is now serving as Collector 
for the school district. Few men are better 
known in the neighborhood than Theodore Wey- 
gant and none is more highly- respected. 

' ^P • 



(Joseph henry earl, a resident of High- 
I land Mills, was born here January 7, 1847, and 
Q) is a son of Alexander and Melinda (Thorn) 
Earl. His paternal grandparents were Jeremiah 
and Bushb)' (Weeks) Earl, the latter being a 
daughter of Jesse Weeks. The maternal grand- 
parents were Amos and Elizabeth (MackajO 
Thorn, the former a son of Jesse and Polly Thorn. 
Both Amos Thorn and Jeremiah Earl were sol- 
diers in the War of 18 12, and defended the inter- 
ests of our country on many a stubbornly contest- 
ed battlefield. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of ten children, one of whom died un- 
named in infancv. The others are: Bathsheba 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



799 



Ann, Elizabeth T., Joseph Henry, Amos, Wheel- 
er, Edgar, Charles, Sanford and Jessie. Prior 
to the age of eighteen our subject was a student 
in the schools of Highland Mills and Central Val- 
ley, though some years before that he had begun 
to be self-supporting. Beginning for himself 
when thirteen, he worked on a farm by the day 
until 1872, after which he engaged in teaming for 
thirteen years. In 1885 he returned to Highland 
Mills, where he has since been employed on a 
farm . 

At Highland Mills, October 6, 1868, Mr. Earl 
married Miss Phcebe A. Howell, who was born at 
Goshen, being a daughter of George and Julia 
Ann (Mapes) Howell, and a granddaughter, on 
her mother's side, of Joshua and Phoebe (Beach) 
Mapes. She was the only daughter of her par- 
ents, who had two sons, William H. H. and 
Charles Ezra. Her marriage has been blessed 
by the birth of seven children, of whom three sur- 
vive, George Henr}', Melinda Ann and Mary 
Frances. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Earl are 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His first ballot was cast for Grant, and from that 
time to this he has never failed to support the 
Republican candidate for the Presidencj'. 



pQlLUAM J. SLY, Justice of the Peace of 
I A / the town of Warwick, is a native of the 
V V town, and was born in 1828 to James C. 
and Eliza (Howell) Sly, who were also natives 
of this town. The father followed the calling of 
a farmer during his life, and was a man highly 
esteemed in the coumiunity in which he so long 
resided. That his fellow-ciiizens reposed confi- 
dence in him was shown by his repeated election 
to local office. He died in 1889, when eighty- 
five years of age. The mother is yet living, at 
the advanced age of ninety years. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
his native town, and at an early age was com- 
pelled to do his share of the farm work. His 
education was obtained at a district school. In 
November, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah J. 
Nainiy, of Orange County, who died December 



25, 1880. On the i8th of October, 1882, Mr. 
Sly married Elizabeth F. Seeley, who is also a 
native of this town. Three children survive this 
marriage: Almeda T., William J. and Roberta, 
all 3'et remaining under the parental roof. 

In politics Mr. Sly is a Democrat, and has 
.served his town in several local positions. He is 
now filling his second term as Justice of the Peace, 
in which he has always given great satisfaction, 
and he brings hard common-sense to bear on such 
cases as may be brought before him. The Squire 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Amity, 
in which body he long held the office of an Elder. 
Strong in the faith, he endeavors to walk in the 
footsteps of his Master, doing good as the op- 
portunity is afforded him. Mrs. Sly is also a 
member of the Pre.sbyterian Church, and in its 
teachings takes great delight. 

Squire vSly is one of the representative farmers 
of Orange County. Having lived upon a farm 
all his life, he is not only a theoretical, but a 
practical fanner, as well as one who thoroughly 
understands his business. He is a fond husband, 
indulgent parent, accommodating neighbor and 
valued citizen. 



SEORGE CROMWELL, a lumber and coal 
merchant of Highland Mills, was born in 
this village August 7, 1855, and is the 
youngest son of Joshua T. Cromwell, who set- 
tled in the village in the year 1835 Our subject 
grew to manhood in his native village, attending 
the public schools until about thirteen years of 
age. He then attended the private school of Eg- 
bert Cary, at Poughkeepsie, two winters, going 
from there to Chappaqua, where he attended the 
Quaker Seminary for two winters. In 1872 he 
was appointed telegraph operator, express and 
station agent at Highland Mills, which position 
he held for twenty years. In 1888 he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster of this place, serving four 
years. He resigned the railroad position in 



8oo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1892 in order that he might give his exclusive 
attention to his lumber and coal and farming-im- 
plement business. 

George Cromwell and Miss Annie E. Hunter 
were united in marriage on the i6th of Octo- 
ber, 1S7S, at Monroe, of which place she is a 
native. She is a daughter of Levi and Louisa 
(^Clark) Hunter, the former a native of Orange 
County, and the latter of Ulster Count>-. Levi 
Hunter was a son of Levi, Sr. , and Annie Hun- 
ter, and Louisa Clark was a daughter of Archi- 
bald and Annie Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Le\-i Hun- 
ter were the p>arents of nine children: EUa, the 
widow of Phiueas R. Hudson: William and Al- 
bert, deceased: Emma, wife of William Suther- 
land, of Monroe: Annie, wife of our subject: Ida, 
wife of John Demiug, of Paterson. N. J.: Phineas 
and Charles, both of Paterson: and Carrie, the 
wife of Frank Magennis, of New Mexico. 

To our subject and his wife have been bom 
seven children, Joshua T., Louise H.. George, 
Elsie S., Elwood W., Sarah T. and Frank M. 
Mr. Cromwell is a member of the Friends" Church 
(^Hicksite 1, while Mrs. Cromwell occasionally at- 
tends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politi- 
cal!}- he is a stanch Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Health, and has also served 
his time as an active member of the School 
Board. For ten years he has been a notary- pub- 
lic. He is also a charter member of Schunne- 
muuk Lodge No. 276, K. of P., of Highland 
Mills, of which he is a Trustee. 

(James E. POUGH. Among the wide-awake 
I and enterprising business men of Montgom- 
(2? er}- whose names are scattered through the 
pages of this volume, none is more worthy of 
mention than the gentleman whose name heads 
this brief biographical notice. His birth occurred 
on the 30th of November, 1S50, in Montgomer>-, 
and he is the youngest in a family of seven cliil- 
dreu, three sons and four daughters, bom to 
Frederick and Elizabeth ( Eisenberg") Pough. 

On lea\nng the home farm, our subject served 
an apprenticeship of two and a-half years to the 



carpenter's trade. After his father's death his 
mother removed to New York Cit>-, where she 
remained for three years, when she returned to 
Montgomery, making her home here until her 
death. Our subject remained at home with his 
mother, and after learning his trade for about 
nine years worked as a journeyman, after which 
he began contracting. He is a practical archi- 
tect, and has erected some of the most substantial 
buildings of this village, including the school- 
house. His work gives general satisfaction, and 
his part of a contract is always religiously ful- 
filled. 

On the Sth of May, 1S59, Mr. Pough was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Jane Caswell, 
daughter of John R. and Corlinda « \'an Arsdall) 
Caswell, and she was bom in Montgomery-. Her 
mother was a daughter of Richard and Catherine 
i^RockafeUer^ Van Arsdall. and a cousin of Mr. 
Pough" s mother, Elizabeth Eisenberg. By his 
union our subject became the father of eleven 
children. Odell S. died at the age of twenty-one 
years: George. Warren and Minnie died in child- 
hood, within five days of one another; Eugene is 
employed with his father: Carrie L., a graduate 
of the academy, has taught for five years, and is 
now teaching near Walden: Anna B. is at home; 
Ada died in infency; and Homer and Jennie are 
still attending school. 

Formerly Mr. Pough supported the Democracy ; 
later, on account of his temperance principles, he 
became a Prohibitionist, but now votes indepen- 
dent of party ties, although his principles have 
not changed. He is now serving as one of the 
Village Trustees, in which capacity he has served 
before. He and his wife are people of high con- 
sideration in social circles in this communitj-, 
and are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. For thirty years he has been counecled 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
is a keen, practical man. well gifted with mental 
and physical ^"^go^. 

The Rockafeller family, to which Mrs. Pough 
belongs, dates back about as early as any in the 
county. Two brothers. Christian and John Rock- 
afeller, came iirom Germany and settled in Or- 
ange County. N. Y.. about 1740. the former 




JOSHUA WARD OSTROM, II.D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



803 



locating in the village of Montgomerj', then 
known as West Camp, but the latter made his 
home in East Camp, now Esopus, Ulster Count}'. 
Christian, who was a blacksmith by trade, prob- 
abh- opened the first shop of that kind in the 
town of Montgomerj-, and here his death occurred 
at the age of eightj-one. His son, John Rocka- 
teller, secured the old farm, owning about eight 
hundred acres. He wedded Miss Crist, also of 
an old family, and she owned property, as her 
parents were quite wealthy. He died at about 
the age of eight\--one years, leaving a daughter. 
Charity, who became the wife of Uriah Johnson, 
a soldier in the Revolutionarj- \Var, in which he 
ser\-ed for a year and a-half, when he was taken 
ill, and, being sent home, died there at the end 
of three months. His widow later became the 
wife of Christian Eisenberg, who, with his broth- 
er John, was a native of Hes.se-Cassel, Germany. 
They were pressed into military service, being 
hired by King George of England during the 
Revolutionary War. They were among the Hes- 
sians who served the British during that struggle, 
but at its close Christian Eisenberg drifted into 
Orange Count}', where he met and married Mrs. 
Johnson. They remained upon the Rockafeller 
farm,- where her death occurred at the age of 
eighty-three years, and his at the age of fiftj'- 
five. Their third daughter. Elizabeth Eisenberg, 
married Frederick Pough, the father of our sub- 
ject. 

One of La Fayette's soldiers, coming from 
France after the Revolution, located in Phila- 
delphia, where he married Miss Hensler, and as 
the result of this marriage Frederick Pough was 
bom. When about twenty years of age he was 
apprenticed to a potter. One night he left a pot of 
glazing fluid open upon a bench, and during the 
night his employer, looking for something to 
drink, found the fluid, which he swallowed, not 
knowing what it was, and the next morning was 
found dead. Threatened by arrest for his care- 
lessness, Frederick left, coming to Orange Coun- 
ty, where he later married the mother of our 
subject. The name was first spelled Fought, 
later the "t" was dropped, it becoming Fough, 
but it afterward was changed to Pough, and now 



some of the family use the modern spelling of 
PuflF. The father used the last mode from about 
18 18 until his death, which occurred in 1836, at 
the age of fifty -three years. His wife was eighty- 
one 3'ears of age at the time of her death. 



(lOSHUA WARD OSTROM, M. D. In re- 

I viewing the life of Dr. Ostrom one is reminded 
(2/ of the saying, "How long we have lived, not 
years but actions tell," for even when we take 
into consideration the fact that he is the oldest 
phj'sician in point of years of practice in Orange 
County, the length of his life seems increased by 
the good deeds, helpful words and generous acts 
which he has cast over the lives of others with 
prodigal hand. His financial success is but the 
sign of the faithfulness with which he has en- 
deavored to help his fellow-men, and his many 
friends warmly appreciate the beaut\' of his life 
and the potencj- of his example. 

The Doctor is a native of this state, where he 
has always made his home, and his birth occurred 
in Marlboro, Ulster County, July 10, 1814. He 
is the son of Rev. James I. Ostrom, who was bom 
in Dutchess County, N. Y., in which place the 
grandfather was also born. The Doctor's father 
was a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and 
continued preaching in Marlboro until retiring 
from the ministry. His death occurred when he 
had nearly reached the age of ninety years. 

The wife of Rev. J. I. Ostrom was before her 
marriage Ehzabeth Ward, the daughter of Col. 
Joshua Ward, who made his home in Pleasant 
Vallej", Dutchess Count}'. The Ward family- 
was of English descent, and Colonel Ward gained 
his title in the Revolutionar}' War. Mrs. Os- 
trom was the mother of ten children, only one 
of whom is now living. Of this family the Doc- 
tor is the next to the eldest, and, as has been said, 
the only sur\'ivor. 

The early years of our subject's life were 
passed in Marlboro, and there he began his edu- 
cation. Subsequently the family removed to Sa- 



So4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lina. X. Y., and in that city he attended Fairfield 
Academy, and later graduated trom Fairfield Col- 
legre. Upon completing: his college education he 
spent some time reading medicine under Dr. Rob- 
ert Smith, finally entering tlie medical college at 
Castleton. Vt.. where he remained cmly one year. 
He then Trent to New York City and became em- 
ployed in a drug store, and at the same time 
pursued his studies under Dr. Bedford, one of the 
professors of the New York Medical Coll^ie. 
After spending some time in the store he entered 
the college, from which he graduated in 1S39, 
with the degree of M. D. 

Coming to Goshen that year. Dr. Ostrcan began 
the practice of medicine and has remained here 
continuously since. As before stated, he has been 
very successful, both from a financial and profes- 
sional standpoint, and has ne\-er been away from 
the city for a period exceeding four days and 
nights, and then only when called away by duties 
relating to his profession. At the time « his 
coming to this place the city was a mere hamlet, 
and it has been his pleasant dut>- to aid in its de- 
velopment and advance its interests. He soon 
gained a good practice, which has grown with 
the growth of the city. 

For twdve years after beginning practice Dr. 
Ostrom was a believer in allopathic tneatmait, 
but since that time he has used homeopathic 
■ methods. When it was decided to locate the state 
asylum at Middletown, the Doctor was very act- 
ive in the plans for its erection, and was ap- 
pointed one of its first Trustees, in which office he 
has since continued to serve. He was at one time 
President of the board, receiving his appoint- 
ment from the Governor of the slate. He built 
the beantitul residence which he now occnpies and 
which is located on South Street, surrounded by 
beautiful grounds, the tract induding twelve 
acres. He also owns the building on Main Street 
in which his office is located. 

The first marriage of Dr. Ostrom occarred in 
Gosh«i December i, 1840, and united him with 
Miss Emily Charlotte Gedney, daughter of Dr. 
Gedney, of Newburgh. Shedievi March 24. 1S79, 
leaxnng fi\-e children. Charlotte married Rev. 
Mr. Conant. who is an Episcopal minister of Mill- 



eisville. X. Y. Gunning S. Bedford, who was a 
merchant of this dtj-. died April 26. iSSS. at the 
age of forty-four years. Eliza became the wife of 
Mr. Yan Amee. who is an attorney of Middle- 
town. Annie is the wife of Rev. Mr. Dowes, an 
Episcopal minister of Xew York Cit\-: and Dr. 
Homer I. is a prominent practicing physician of 
Xew York City. He is a graduate of the Xew 
York Medical College and has been very snccess- 
fiil in the practice of his profession. 

Emma Gertrude Lu Gar, widow of the late Ed- 
gar T. Lu Gar, of Xew York, became the second 
wife of our subject, and thdr marriage occurred 
in Xewburgh April 26, iSSi. Mrs, OstrcHn, who 
was bom in Xew York City, is the daughter of 
the late Prof. L. A. Benjamin, of that cit>-. By 
her former husband she had two children, cmly 
one of whom is living. May G. T. Lu Gar, who 
is residing with her mother. Of oar subjects 
second marriage one child, Frank Ward, was 
bom. The Doctor is a fiaithfiil and active mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Chnrdi and is ever fore- 
most in her good works. Politically he is a 
stanch Republican and has held positions of pub- 
lic tmst- He has been Trustee of the village of 
Goshen and was President of the board tor three 
years. He is a member of the Orange County 
Medical Society, of which he was Presidait far 
two tsms and in the workings of which he took 
an acti\-e part until retiring £ncm the more onei- 
oas duties of his prcutessiou . Known and esteemed 
by all, he is passing his defining days in the 
peace and cranfoit of the knowledge of a life wdQ 
spent- 



— 1:2V* 



rr DWARD H. SE-A.M-\X. Among the prxan- 
1^ inent residents of Orange County we make 
I mention of Mr. Seaman, who is at present 
living in the village of Monroe, where his birth 
occurred August 7, 1S49. He comes of an old 
and honored family, and traces his aocestry back 
to Capt. John Seaman, who came to An>aica 
from England about 1660. and located in Hemp- 
stead, L. I., where he and six cri" his sons had a 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S05 



patent o£ land. The coat-of-anns of the family 
iq»resaited a seahrase. Of his first write we have 
DO recmd. bat it is known that his second mar- 
riage was with a Miss Moore, who bore him ibor 
sons and seven daughters. 

Of the above &mfly. Nathanid, the third son, 
married Radiel. the daaghto* oi John Titns. 
They became the parents of nine childroi. and 
died in 1759 and 1739. respectively. Thdr 
youngest son, Samod. St.. married Martha Val- 
entine, and reared a &nuly <M deven chfldien. of 
whom Samnd. Jr.. was the ninth. He married 
Keriah. daughter of Thomas Titns. and their 
marriage resulted in the birth of eight diildren. 
Of these Silas was the second. He married a 
Miss Greene, and fivechfldriaa wesebom to them, 
of wbcKU William was the thinL 

William Seaman, the &ther of our snbje<^. was 
bom cm what is now known as the Houghton 
Fann, in the town of Cornwall, in April. 1S17. 
He was reared in Ciaigsville, whither his parents 
removed when he was qtiite young. Samuel Sea- 
man. Jr., owned a miU at this place, and in it the 
£ither of our sulgect w^orked for a time. After 
his marri^e. however, he removed to Seaman- 
viDe, whkji {dace had been named in ho«H' of 
the family, and which was located within one mile 
oi the village of Monroe, and there c^tened agen- 
aal stofe. AAec one year ^lent in conducting 
the same, he moved into the village, and, pnr- 
chaang^a stoc^ of goods, continued in the mex- 
cantile baaness nntil Decemba" 20. 1875. The 
mher was a pnmunent man in his localin-. and 
for nearly thirty years hdd the office of Justice of 
the Peace. He proved very valuable in settling 
up estates, drafting wills and drawing np l^al 
documents and deeds. Rdigioosly he was a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends. 

William Seaman was married to 3k[is5 Hannah 
PearsalL. in the town of Blooming Gn>ve. She 
was the daughter of Rowland and Mary 1 Bow- 
man^'i Pearsall. the latter of whom was bom in 
England. Her Other's birth occurred on Lcmg 
Island, where he folknred forming. He in turn 
was the son of Wait Pearsall, who came to Or- 
ange County, and was engaged in cultivating the 
soil nntil the time of his decease. In the parental 



iamih- wmc four childrai: William Hairy, who 
died in in&ncy: Mary A., who married George 
Greene, and who after his death became the wife 
of Samuel Thompson, of Middletown: Sarah, the 
wife of Warren M. Smith, of Monroe: and Ed- 
ward H. 

The subject of this sketch aU'aided the public 
schools of Monroe until a lad of tburteen years, 
when he began clerking in his father's store. In 
1S69 he was taken into the business as partner, 
and continued to work with his father until the 
death of the latter, in 1S75. Then, cm account 
erf ill-health, he sold ont his stoci of gcxxis. and 
for two years lived retired. In the spring of 
1S7S we find him living on a &rm near Monroe, 
where for twelve years he was occupied in tilling 
the soil. In 1S90. however, he returned to Mem- 
roe, and still makes this place his home. 

The marriage erf Mr. Seaman with Miss Libbie 
Roe was celebrated October 22. 187^. She was 
bom near this village, and was the daughter of 
John K. and Elizabeth Y, Miller' Roe. H&: 
fatho- was the sou of Lewis H. and Sarah Kingt 
Roe, the finmer erf whom was bom in 1 790. He 
in turn was, the scm erf Nathanid Roe, whose birth 
occurred in 1761. He married Mar\- Satterly. 
who was bom in 1763. Capt. Nathanid was 
the son erf Jonas Roe, who s^tkd cm property in 
the town erf Chester in 1 751. and this farm is still 
in the possessicm of the family. He died in iS 13, 
aged eighty -eme years. His wife. Susannah, died 
within two days erf his demise, and was at that 
time in her dghty -third year. Junas Roe was a 
native erf Scotland, and settled in Flcxida. Orange 
County, in 1730, having a parchment deed to a 
tract erf land whirJi was dated 1737. 

To cjur subject and his wife there have been 
bom two c^hildren: George R., ederking in Mon- 
roe: and William £.. a student in the schexds erf 
that placre. The parents are members of the 
Pre^yterian Church, and take an active part in 
<±urch work. Mr. Seaman has been Trustee erf 
his congr^atiem since iSSi, On the death erf his 
£ather be was appointed Justice erf the Peace, and 
hdd the c^ice until resigning in i$77. He has 
been in office most oi the time since, and in March. 
1S95. was re-^ected icH- a term ot four years. He 



8o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



represented his town on the Board of Super\-isors 
for three years, succeeding Morgan Shuit, who 
was the incumbent of the office for thirty three 
5'ears. He is an enterprising and progressive 
citizen, and has the good- will of all who know 
him. 

s -^ g-^-^^A-^P^^ — ^ 

<^0\VNSEND THORN, who has made his 
I C home in Highland Mills since the spring of 
\2) 1895, was born near this village February- 
12, 1851, and is a son of James S. and Drusilla 
(Weeks) Thorn. His father, whose birth oc- 
curred May II, 1 8 19, was a son of Capt. Amos 
Thorn, an oflficer in the War of 1812, and grew to 
manhood in Orange County. June 15, 1848, he 
married Drusilla Weeks, daughter of Capt. James 
Weeks. She was born near Highland Mills Feb- 
ruary 18, 1824, and departed this life March 16, 
1887. Two children blessed her marriage, the 
other besides our subject being Mary A., Mrs. 
Charles H. Smith, deceased. 

Prior to the age of sixteen the subject of this 
sketch was a student iu the school at Highland 
Mills, but at that time he left school and be- 
gan life for himself. Apprenticing himself to 
Robert Weygant, of Central Valley, he gained, 
under the preceptorship of that gentleman, a thor- 
ough knowledge of the trade of a carriage-painter. 
When twentj'-three he went to New Jersey and 
for several j-ears was emplo3'ed at Ramsey's, in 
Paterson, N. J. From there he went west to Chi- 
cago, and for a number of years was in the em- 
plo}' of the Western Union, Bell Telephone and 
Pullman Palace Car Companies success! velj-. On 
his return East he made his headquarters in 
Brooklyn, where he was employed most of the 
time, though he also v.'orked in New Jersey for a 
short period. In 1888 he returned to Orange 
Count}' and established his home in Central Val- 
■\ey, where he remained three years. After a 
short residence in Highland Mills he built a neat 
cottage between the two villages, and there he 
lived about three j-ears, removing thence to 
Highland Mills in the spring of 1895. 

In Green Point, a suburb of Brooklyn, Mr. 
Thorn was united in marriage, August 13, 1888, 



with Miss Angenetta Van Horn, a native of Pat- 
erson, N. J. She is a daughter of John J. and 
Maria E. ( Quackenbush ) Van Horn, natives, re- 
spectively-, of Ea.sl Paramus and Pompton, N. J. 
Her paternal grandparents were James and Sarah 
E. (Herring) Van Horn, the latter of whom at- 
tained the age of almost one hundred years. Her 
maternal grandparents were Abraham and Eliza- 
beth (Storms) Quackenbush, the former a native 
of Pompton, N. J. The family of which she is a 
member consisted of nine children, nameh': Mrs. 
Sarah E. Doremus, Mrs. Rachel J. Perry, Mrs. 
Thorn, Rosanna (who died unmarried), James 
E., Mrs. Mary Emma Moen, John J., Abraham Q. 
and Charles Wesley. The union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Thorn has been blessed by the birth of six chil- 
dren, nameh^: James Howard, Charlotte, Charles, 
Medford, Elmer and Angenetta Merea. Mrs. 
Thorn is a ladj- of kind and amiable disposition, 
and in religious faith is connected with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Politically our subject 
advocates Republican principles, and in his so- 
cial connections he is a member of Purit}- Lodge 
No. 337, I. O. O. F., at Brooklyn. 



(lOHN WILLCOX, proprietor of the Amity 
I House, was born in the town of Warwick in 
Q) 1867, and is a son of William H. and Fran- 
ces N. ( Waterbury) Willcox, who are also natives 
of this town. The father, one of the prominent 
citizens and prosperous farmers of Orange Coun- 
t}', is living in a handsome residence on a splen- 
did farm near Amitj-, and has spent his entire life 
in farm pursuits. 

The primarj- education of our subject was ob- 
tained in a district school, and he subsequently 
attended the Goshen Institute, but did not gradu- 
ate therefrom. He was reared on the farm and 
assisted in its cultivation until twenty years of 
age, when he went to Jersey City and engaged in 
the milk business. After following this for three 
years, he returned to the farm and for the succeed- 
ing four years was engaged in tilling the soil. In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



807 



January-, 1895, he took charge of the Amity 
House, and although having served as a landlord 
but a short time, he has shown ability in the dis- 
charge of the arduous duties of a hotel life. He 
is a gejjjal, whole-souled host, and all who enter 
under his roof are satisfied with the treatment 
shown them. 

In 1887 Mr. Willcox was united in marriage 
with Catherine Ryerson, who is the daughter of 
John F. and Catherine J. (Drew) Ryerson. Three 
children have been born to them, namely: Will- 
iam J., George H. and Frances M., bright, inter- 
esting children, at home with their parents. In 
politics Mr. Willcox is a Republican and has 
abiding faith in the purity of that party. He has 
neither sought nor accepted political office, pre- 
ferring to give his time and attention to his per- 
sonal affairs. 



[cJEORGE E. YOUMANS, freight agent for 
I— the West Shore Railroad at Newburgh, was 
\J( born in Cold Spring, Putnam County, N. Y., 
May 7, 1855. He is a member of a family long 
established in the United States, and his paternal 
great-grandfather was a hero of the Revolution- 
ary War. The first of the name in this country 
came hither from Holland during Colonial days, 
since which time the representatives have been 
honorably identified with the history of New York 
through successive generations. 

The parents of our subject, Phineas D. and 
Hannah (Davenport) Youmans, were natives, re- 
spectively, of Phillipstown and Cold Spring, Put- 
nam County, N. Y. , and both are still (1895) 
living, the former being seventy-seven and the 
latter seventy-four. The maternal grandfather, 
Stephen Davenport, was born in Cold Spring, and 
was a farmer throughout his entire life. His 
father was a participant in the Revolutionary 
War, and a descendant of English ancestors. 

Entering the railroad business at an early age, 
Phineas D. Youmans was for fifteen years road- 
master of the Hudson River Division of the New 
York Central. Later he removed to Syracuse, 
where he was roadmaster on the Syracuse & 



Binghamton Road for four years. He then for 
two years made his home at Hoboken, during 
which time he was assistant roadmaster of the 
Morris & Essex Division of the Delaware, Lack- 
awanna & Western. Since retiring from active 
work he has made his home at Fishkill-on-the- 
Hud.son, where he is highly esteemed as an up- 
right and honorable man. His support has 
always been given to the Republican part}', for 
the candidates of which he never fails to cast his 
ballot. He is a member of the Baptist Church, 
to which his wife also belongs. Of their three 
children, two attained mature years, George E. 
being the younger. Stephen, who engaged in 
railroading prior to the Rebellion, enlisted during 
the war as a member of Company H, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-eighth Infantry, but the hard- 
ships and exposures wrecked his health, and he 
was an invalid from that time until his death, in 
1879. 

The subject of this sketch was reared at Fish- 
kill-on-the-Hudson, where he attended the public 
schools. At the age of nineteen he began his 
railroad career as brakeman on the Syracuse & 
Binghamton Railroad, running between those 
two cities for one year. In 1875 he went back to 
Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, where be secured a posi- 
tion as local assistant agent for the New York 
Central Road. Later he held a similar po.sition 
at Dutchess Junction. In 1884 he became an 
employe of the West Shore Road, his first work 
being that of freight agent at South Schenectady, 
N. Y. , where he remained nearly five years. In 
June, 1889, he was transferred to Newburgh, 
where he has since resided, his office ranking 
fourth on the Hudson River Division in amount of 
freight business done. In his department employ- 
ment is furnished to thirty men, and while his 
position is one of great responsibility and trust, 
he fills it in a manner entirely acceptable to the 
officials of the road. 

Socially Mr. Youmans is a Master Mason, be- 
longingto Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., 
and is also identified with the Royal Arcanum. 
In political views he advocates Republican prin- 
ciples. His marriage took place in Fishkill-on- 
the-Hudson, November 2, 1882, at which time 



8o8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Miss Helen VosBurgh became his wife. This 
lad}' was born in StUA'vesant, N. Y., and is a 
daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth VosBurgh, the 
former a principal of schools, now living retired 
in Stuj'vesant. Mrs. Youmans is a graduate of 
the State Normal School at Albany, and prior to 
her marriage taught school at Matteawan. Two 
children bless the union, Warren and Leland. 



(^ 



L*7- 



^ 



NENRY TITUS CROMWELL was born at 
Highland Mills, March 29, 1839, and passed 
from this life December 2, 1889. Our sub- 
ject was reared in his native village and attended 
its schools until about twelve j-ears of age, when 
he entered the Quaker Academy at Chappaqua, 
where he completed the course. He then entered 
into partnership with his father and brother Oli- 
ver, under the firm name of J. T. Cromwell & 
Sons, conducting a general store, gristmill, tan- 
nery and sawmill at Highland Mills. Oliver 
took charge of the store, and our subject of the 
tanner}', while the father managed the entire bus- 
iness. Thej' also had a tannerj' at Hawley, Pa. 
Our subject remained with the firm until about 
a year after his marriage, when he withdrew and 
went to New York City, buying and selling for the 
two tanneries, and also dealing largel}' in hides 
from the West. He did a large commission busi- 
ness in New York, and at the time made his 
home in Brooklyn. In 187S, his health failing, he 
spent one winter in the South, and for the two 
following j-ears boarded with his father. He then 
bought a farm between Highland Mills and Mon- 
roe, and after living there one j-ear sold out and 
purchased the old Weygant property at Central 
Vallej^ where his wife was born. About this 
time his father failed in business and he purchased 
a store at Highland Mills, which he continued 
until his death, December 2, 1889, at the age of 
fifty years. 

Henrj' T. Cromwell and -Miss Hannah M. 
Wej'gant, a daughter of Smith and Charity Wey- 
gant, were united in marriage November 26, 



1862. (See sketch of H. W. Cromwell, and also 
that of Theodore W. Weygant, in another part of 
this work). To Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell were 
born five children: Ella A., who died in infancy; 
Henry W. ; Frank, who died when twent}' months 
old; Edward, who died in his sixth year; and 
Elizabeth L., who resides with her mother. 

Mr. Cromwell was a member of John D. Wil- 
lard Lodge, F. & A. M., which held its meetings 
on Broadwaj-, New York City, and was also a 
member of Schunnemunk Lodge No. 276, K. of 
P., of Highland Mills. In the home of his widow 
may be seen a fine framed cop}- of the resolutions 
passed b}* the Knights of Pythias, which is indeed 
a beautiful work. By birthright Mr. Cromwell 
was a Quaker, but was a regular attendant at the 
Presb3'terian Church of Brooklyn. Mrs. Crom- 
well was formerh' a member of the Presb3'terian 
Church at Brookl3-n, but now holds membership 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Central 
Valley. 

Robert Lamereux, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Cromwell, was of French origin. During his 
time people traveled principall}' on horseback. 
He was the first to own a carriage in Orange 
County, and people came forty miles to see it. 
He was also the first to have an ingrain carpet on 
his floors, a curiosity in those days, for at that 
time floors and tables were polished, no carpets or 
table-covers being used. His household furniture 
was of solid mahogany. 



I>*^®^®J<«. 



GlLEXANDER THOMPSON, engaged ' in 
LI farming near Turner, was born within a 
/ I few feet of his present home, August 27, 
1820, and is a son of Phineas H. and Rachel 
(Young) Thompson, the former of whom was 
born in the town of Goshen, July 4, 1788, and 
died in 1852. During his entire life he followed 
farming, and moved from Goshen about 18 10 to 
the farm where our subject now resides. He was 
the son of William Thompson, who married a 
Miss Hudson, and who died in 1836, at the age 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



809 



of seventj'-five years. Rachel Young was born 
in the town of Goshen, in 1792, and was the 
daughter of Birdsey and EHzabeth (Hnrd ) Young, 
natives of the towns of Goshen and Blooming 
Grove, respectiveh'. The farm of Birdsey Young 
came to him from his father, the former selling it 
to the father of our subject, and it has been in 
the family over one hundred years. A barn that 
is over one hundred years old still .stands on the 
place. 

To Phineas H. and Rachel (Young) Thomp- 
son were born the following children: Elizabeth, 
who at the age of eighty-two years makes her 
home with our subject; Harrison, who died in 
bojhood; Charles and Phineas H., deceased; 
Alexander; Cornelia andKeturah, both deceased; 
Isaac H., who makes his home near Turner; 
Virgil, deceased; Edmond; and Nathan, who died 
in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on his 
father's farm, and attended the district school, 
which was east of his father's house, at the foot 
of the mountain. His last schooling, however, 
was received at Turner. April i, 1836, he went 
to Newburgh in a sleigh and there apprenticed 
himself to a cabinet-maker, with whom he served 
three years. As soon as he completed his trade, 
he began work as a carpenter, and continued in 
that line two years, when he began mill build- 
ing, finding the two trades much more profitable 
than that of cabinet-making, and continued thus 
engaged until about 1861. In the mean time, in 
1857, he purchased his father's farm, which be- 
fore this time had been rented, and in 1861 he 
moved upon it and has since followed farming 
exclusively. Only once since that time has he 
done any work at his trade. When the workmen 
at the mines needed assistance, the manager 
came to Mr. Thompson, who soon had everything 
in good working order, much to the satisfaction 
of the manager and proprietor of the mines. 
Among the buildings erected by him are those of 
the mining works in the southern part of Orange 
County, tho.se of Peter P. Parret, Peter Town- 
send, Jacob Stout, Jacob M. Ryerson and Jere- 
miah Pearson. He worked two years contin- 
uously for Mr. Parret, and for the same length 



of time was engaged in building at Warwick. 
At Goshen he worked at his trade for one j'ear, 
and at Tuxedo Park he built a large house and 
barn for Peter Lorillard. 

Alexander Thompson and Miss Eleanor Bush 
were married in 1856 at Arden, N. Y. She is 
a daughter of Peter and Abbey (Smith) Bush, 
natives of Rockland and Orange Counties, re- 
spectivel}'. Three children have been born to 
our subject and wife: Phineas H., Eleanor B. and 
Alexander, Jr. In politics Mr. Thompson is in- 
dependent, voting for the best man. For eight- 
een years he was School Trustee, having been 
forced to accept the office when he first moved in- 
to the district. He insisted on improvements in 
the school, until it was pronounced the best 
school in the county, and was instrumental in 
closing the rum holes at the mines on the Erie 
Road. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church of Monroe. Alexander Thomp- 
son, Jr., is now serving his second term as Justice 
of the Peace, being first elected when twenty-one 
years of age. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
an officer in the Revolutionary War, while two 
of his father's brothers served in the War of 1812. 
The sword of the Revolutionary hero has been 
seen many times bj' Mr. Thompson. The father 
of our subject was a Mason, and the Bible which 
was used in the Masonic lodge of which he was 
a member is now in our subject's possession. 

|ILLIAM BARNES. Among the well-to- 
do agriculturists of Orange County who 
were born within its bounds, we make 
mention of Mr. Barnes, who owns a well-im- 
proved estate near Turner. February 11, 1829, 
his birth occurred in the town of Cornwall, where 
he was reared to mature years, and where he at- 
tended school until reaching the age of eighteen. 
He continued to make his home with his parents 
until of age, when, having served a three-years 
apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, he located 
at Turner, there plying his trade for about thirty 
years. In 1862, however, he purchased his pres- 



8io 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



ent farm, and until 1883 carried it 011 in connec- 
tion with his trade. Since that time he has given 
his entire attention to his farming interests, and 
is meeting with signal success in his undertaking. 

Mr. Barnes is the son of Matthew and Mary 
(Van Duzer) Barnes, the former born in western 
New York about 1800. He came to Orange 
County when a young man of eighteen years, and 
here married, passing the remainder of his life in 
farming. Mrs. Barnes, who departed this life in 
1885, was the daugliter of Benjamin Van Duzer, 
a native of this county, and by her union with 
Matthew Barnes became the mother of thirteen 
children. Benjamin died in infancy; Mary mar- 
ried Joel Pinknej', now deceased, and she makes 
her home at Turner; Isaac also resides near that 
place; Van Duzer is living near Pine Island; 
William, of this skerch, was the fifth-born; Sarah 
married Joshua Fritz, who is deceased; Hiram, 
now deceased, formerly lived at Marlboro, Ulster 
County; Samuel died when twenty-one years of 
age; Phebe became the wife of Andrew Thorn, 
of Newburgh; Nathaniel is living at Mountain- 
ville; Ann is the widow of Samuel Quackenbush, 
and makes her home on the old place in the town 
of Cornwall; James Henry is a resident of Moun- 
tainville; and John M. makes his home in Cen- 
tral Valley. The mother of this large family was 
a member in excellent standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and reared her sons and daugh- 
ters to occupy good and useful positions in life. 

The subject of this sketch was married, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1858, at Arden, to Miss Hannah Belch- 
er, who was born in that place. Her parents 
were William and Margaret (James) Belcher, the 
former of whom was born in Arden, in 1809, 
and died in April, 1866. Mrs. Belcher's birth 
occurred at old Ft. Montgomery, about 18 12, 
and she died the year following the demise of her 
husband. The grandfather of Mrs. Barnes, James 
Belcher, was a drummer in the War of 1812. 

The five children born to William Belcher and 
his estimable wife were Elizabeth, now deceased; 
Hannah, the wife of our subject; Mahala, Mrs. 
Smith Weygant, of Central Valley; Mary, the 
wife of William H. Hazard, of Michigan; and 
Peter. There were seven children born to Mr. 



and Mrs. Barnes, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of 
David M. HoUenbeck, a merchant of Turner; 
Annie, deceased; Mary, who married Frank 
O'Neal, a farmer near Monroe; William and 
Grace, deceased; Frank, a bookkeeper for a firm 
in Jersej' City ; and one who died unnamed. Mr. 
and Mrs. Barnes regularly attend the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and takes great interest in the success of his party, 
although he could never be prevailed upon to 
hold office. 



^B 



yyiERRITT H. C. GARDNER, of the town 
y of Wawayanda, has resided on his present 
(9 farm since he was fourteen years old, and he 
is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres 
of valuable land, upon which he carries on gen- 
eral farming, making, however, a specialty of the 
dairy business. His propert)' is the old home- 
stead of Dr. M. H. Cash, and is known as Rut- 
ger's Place, which he inherited from his uncle. 
Dr. Cash, after the death of his mother. 

The grandfather of our subject was Ira, a 
son of Samuel, and grandson of John Gardner. 
He was born on Long Island and was of English 
descent, being a member of the branch of the 
familj' that settled Gardner's Island. Our sub- 
ject's father, John E. Smith Gardner, was a 
farmer throughout his entire life, and politically 
adhered closely to Republican tenets. In 1836 
he married Miss Phoebe Millicent Cash, daughter 
of Reuben and Millicent (Howell) Cash, and sis- 
ter of Dr. Merritt H. Cash, tor many years a 
prominent physician and public man of this coun- 
ty, whose biography is given elsewhere in this 
work. 

The parents of our subject had a family of 
seven children, of whom we note the following: 
Reuben F. lives in the town of Wallkill and 
is engaged in farming; Clara was married to Hor- 
ace A. Dunning, and died January 12, 1895; 
Charles E. is a member of the real-estate firm of 
Gardner & McWiUiams, of Middletown; Ira S. 
is retired from business, and makes his home in 
Middletown; H. Louise married J. W. Wilcox, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



813 



of Piue Island: Merritt H. C. is next in order of 
birth: Emmett V. R. is a farmer ofWesttowii. 
The father of these children passed from earth 
November 12. 1S81, and his wife died August 25, 
1S75. at the age of sixty years. Both were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

In the town of Wallkill the subject of this 
sketch was bom September 7, 1848. As above 
stated, he has resided on his present farm since he 
was fourteen, and agriculture has been his life 
occupation. Politically he is a Republican. He 
is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which 
his famih- are also members. November 19, 
1879. he married Mi.ss Belle, daughter of Coe S. 
and Frances Amelia (Stuart) Howell, her mother 
being connected with the royal house of Stuart 
of Scotland. They have two children, namely: 
Coe Smith, who was born August 20. 18S0; and 
Ira Nathan, December 20, 188-5. 



(TOSEPH M. WILKIN, A. B., A. M., is a 
I prominent attorney -at-law of Montgomerj-, 
G/ and is President of the Montgomerx" & Erie 
Railroad. He has gained his present high posi- 
tion at the Bar through a merit that has won him 
a liberal patronage. The record of his life is as 
follows: A native of the Empire State, he was 
bom in Hampton burgh, on the iSth of April, 
1828, and is a son of Daniel and Harriet (Haynes) 
WUkin. The ancestry of the family is traced 
back to William Wilkin, the father of Daniel, 
and the family, which is probably of Irish origin, 
was founded in America in Colonial days. Mrs. 
Wilkin was a daughter of David B. Haynes, 
of the town of Montgomery. General Wilkin, 
an uncle of Daniel, was a prominent man in 
the Empire State. The father followed farm- 
ing, and both he and his wife had almost reached 
the age of fourscore years when called to the 
home beyond. They had a family of six chil- 
dren, of whom Joseph is the youngest. One 
brother, Daniel F., resides in Nashville, Tenn.; 
Moses B. is a machinist of Elmira, N. Y. ; and 
John G., who was Judge of Orange County for 
some years, died in Middletown two years ago. 

36 



Joseph M. Wilkin is descended from Irish, 
Dutch, English and French ancestry, and has in- 
herited many of the best traits of those nationali- 
ties. He was reared on the home farm until six- 
teen years of age. when he entered MotitgomerA- 
Academy, and later the Union College of Schenec- 
tady, N. Y., pursuing the classical and mathe- 
matical courses, and graduating in 1848 with the 
degree of A. B. Three years later the degree of 
A. M. was conferred upon him. Among his fel- 
low-graduates were Hon. Chester A. Arthur, and 
Charles C. Knott, Judge of the District of Colum- 
bia. Mr. Wilkin accepted a position in Kinsley's 
Classical and Mathematical School at West Point, 
where he remained for three years. The gentle- 
man at the head of the school was an old army 
oflBcer and professor at West Point, and estab- 
lished his school on a militar}- basis. On leaving 
that institution, Mr. Wilkin accepted the Princi- 
palship of Montgomerv" Academy, where he re- 
mained from 1851 until 1854. There are only 
three older academies in the state, and Montgom- 
er\- is still in a flourishing condition. It then 
had an enrollment of about one hundred, and one 
could pursue a preparatory- or a business course. 
Mr. Wilkin looks back over that period of his 
life as one of the most successful, for he did good 
work as a teacher. During that time also he 
read law and attended Fowler's Law School of 
Poughkeepsie, being admitted to the Bar at New- 
burgh in the fall of 1854, before the Supreme 
Court of the state. He then went to Nashville, 
Tenn., and began practice with his brother, Dan- 
iel Flavel Wilkin, there contijiuing until 1861, 
when he returned to New York. 

On the outbreak of the Civil War. our subject 
was at home, but started to return to Nash^■ille. 
All communication was cut off at Louisville, and 
in consequence he again came to New York, 
where soon after he married Miss Catherine Cop- 
ley, of Montgomery, daughter of Harve\- D. Cop- 
ley, a prominent citizen and extensive land-own- 
er. The family numbers four children, Louise C, 
John Flavel, Hattie and Joseph M., Jr., all yet 
at home. 

L^pon their marriage. Mr. Wilkin located upon 
a farm belonging to his wife. When the Mont- 



8i4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gomerj' & Erie Railroad was built, he became its 
President, and has since held that position. The 
line extends from Montgomery to Goshen, ten 
and a-quarter miles, and is now leased to the Erie 
Railroad Companj-. The road was built and 
carried on bj- the stockholders for three years, 
the stock being nearly all owned by Montgomery- 
parties. It had an authorized capital of $260,000, 
but sold only $150,000 worth of stock. It has 
been a paying investment, and the stockholders 
have received more than they originally paid in. 
From the beginning Mr. Wilkin has been its 
popular President, and no dissenting vote has 
ever been cast against him. 

In connection with his other interests, Mr. 
Wilkin was \'ice-President of the Walden Na- 
tional Bank for .some years. He has also prac- 
ticed law for many years, his business being 
mosth" in the Surrogate Courts. In politics he is 
a stalwart Republican, deeply interested in the 
success of his party. His family is one of prom- 
inence in the community, where true worth and 
intelligence are received as the passport into good 
society. They have a large librar\- in their home, 
which is situated three-fourths of a mile from the 
town, and abounds in evidences of refined and cult- 
ured taste. Mr. Wilkin is a widely-read man, of 
broad general information, is a successful lawyer 
and business man, and withal is a courteous gen- 
tleman, whose excellences of character command 
the highest respect. 



=m>-^^<m^-^- 



I EWIS W. Y. McCROSKERY, one of the 
It representative lawyers of Xewburgh, is a son 
U of ex-Mayor J. J. S. McCroskerj-, President 
of The National Bank of Newburgh. He is a 
leader in the ranks of the local Democracy, and 
was elected in March, 1891, to ser\-e four years in 
the office of City Recorder, in which he acquitted 
himself with ability and with fidelity to the pub- 
lic. For a young man his rise has been rapid, 
both in political and business circles. He was 
admitted to the Bar May 12, 1882, and has con- 
ducted a general law practice in Newburgh since 
that time. In July, 1886, he entered into part- 



nership vnth A. H. F. Seeger, but on the expira- 
tion of two years their connection was dissolved 
by mutual consent, Mr. McCroskery continuing 
in practice alone, with his office at No. 44 Third 
Street. 

The McCroskery family is of Scotch- Irish lin- 
eage, but for several generations members of the 
famih- have been residents of America. A his- 
torj- of our subject's ancestry may be found in the 
biographj- of his father, Hon. J. J. S. McCros- 
kery, which is given elsewhere in this volume. 
The birth ofL. W. Y. McCroskery occurred in 
Newburgh, November 8, i860, and he received a 
good education in the public schools. In 1876 
he was graduated from the free academy and took 
up the study of law under Judge Charles F. 
Brown and Hon. A. S. Cassedy. He was ad- 
mitted to the Bar as soon as he reached the legal 
age, having been prepared to stand examination 
some time before. He remained with his precep- 
tors for several years, then starting in business 
for himself. In the spring of 189 1 he was elected 
by a Democratic majority of three hundred and 
sixty-six votes to the office of City Recorder. 

In September, 1879, Mr. McCroskery- enlisted 
as a private in Company- E, Seventeenth Battalion 
of the National Guard, State of New York, and 
ser\-ed for fourteen years, resigning his commis- 
sion as Captain August 19, 1893. He was suc- 
cessively promoted, being Corporal, Sergeant, 
Second and First Lieutenant, and finally was 
commissioned Captain by Governor Flower. In 
1892, as First Lieutenant, he sened with his 
company during the ten-days riot in BuflFalo. 
For seven years he was a member of Lawson 
Hose Company- No. 5, and is now identified with 
its Yeteran Association, also with the Yeteran As- 
sociation of the Tenth Separate Company, Na- 
tional Guard of New York. Fraternally he be- 
longs to Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & 
A. M., of which he is Junior Warden; Highland 
Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson River Com- 
mander*- No. 35, K. T.; and the Royal Arcanum. 
Active in politics, he is a member of the county 
committee, and has ser\-ed on local committees in 
an executive capacity. 

In this city, February- 15, 1888, Mr. McCros- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



815 



ken- married Margaret R. Corwin, who was born 
and reared here. Her father, Isaac Corwin, was 
superintendent of the Consumers' Gas Companj- 
at the time of his death. Two children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCroskery, a son 
and daughter, namely: Marquis Corwin and 
Maude Barclay. The parents are members of the 
Union Presbyterian Church 



(cJlLAS G. CORWIN. The life of a farmer is 
/\ not devoid of opportunities for the practice 
\~J of the sterling virtues of industry, persever- 
ance, honesty and brotherly kindness. On the 
contrary, it affords abundant opportunity for the 
efforts of all who wish to build up a fine charac- 
ter, while carrying on their chosen vocation. 
That this is true, may be seen in the life and 
character of Silas G. Corwin, an honored and life- 
long resident of the town of Mt. Hope. He has 
always been active in those movements which 
tend to advance the welfare of the communit)- in 
material afiFairs, and justly ranks among the most 
prominent farmers of his locality. 

The farm owned b)- Mr. Corwin, and now man- 
aged by his son Ira G. , an energetic young agri- 
culturist, has been in the possession of the family 
for about one hundred years. It is situated in 
the town of Mt. Hope, and contains one hundred 
acres. A full line of necessary and convenient 
farm buildings stand upon the broad acres, and 
evidences of practical, progressive oversight are 
manifest on every hand. Upon this place our sub- 
ject was born October 21, 182 1 , and he has known 
no other home than this. " He is a son of Joshua 
and Priscilla (Mapes) Corwin, who had thirteen 
children, all now deceased excepting five. 

The father of our subject was born in the town 
ofWallkill, October 19, 1785, and was there 
reared to manhood, learning the cooper's trade in 
his youth, and following that occupation for a 
time in early manhood. On coming to the town 
of Mt. Hope, he bought the farm now owned by 
Silas G., and here he remained until his death, 
which occurred in March, 1874, at the age of 
eightj'-nine. A Republican in politics, he was 



prominent in local affairs, and served as Justice 
of the Peace and Supervisor of the town. For 
fifty years he officiated as Deacon in the Presby- 
terian Church, the doctrines of which he upheld, 
not only by words, but also by the example of 
his noble Christian life. His wife, who was born 
in the town ofWallkill, November 23, 1788, died 
in December, 1842; she was also a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

When only sixteen years of age, our subject 
assumed the management of the home farm, 
which he inherited at his father's death, and here 
he has since made his home. October 22, 1846, 
he married Miss Charity Ann Corwin, who was 
born in the town of Wallkill, April 2, 1826, and 
died June 26, 1894, leaving .six children. They 
are Daniel J., a railroad man living in Baltimore, 
Md.; Ira G., who superintends the home farm; 
Joseph K., a resident of Hoboken, N. J.; Sarah 
F. , wife of I. E. Ketcham, whose sketch is pre- 
sented on another page of this volume; Mary E., 
Mrs. George W. Brink, of Middletown; and Car- 
rie G., wife of Edward Anderson, of New York 
City. 

Mr. Corwin is well known by the people among 
whom his Nouthful years were passed, and among 
whom he has grown old, and all accord him the 
respect due his age and worth, He takes a Hvelj' 
interest in political affairs, and is an advocate of 
the principles of the Republican party. His has 
been a busy life, and by his industry he has se- 
cured a competence that will fortify him against 
want in the coming years, and will render manual 
labor unnecessarv in his declining days. 



<5^0MAS ESTRADA PALMA, of Central 
^C Valley, is a native of Bayamo, Cuba, born 
\Q July 9, 1835, and is a son of Andres Estrada, 
who was also a native of Cuba, and a large plant- 
er of the island. He took no part in public af- 
fairs, but devoted himself entirely to his business. 
His death occurred when our .subject was a stu- 
dent at Havana. The grandfather, Manuel Jose 



8i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Estrada, was also a large landed proprietor, and 
a distinguished lawj-er of the island. He was at 
times Counselor for the city of Bayamo, and was 
an author of some note, among his productions 
being a history- of the city of Bayamo. He died 
when our subject was an infant. The mother of 
our subject was Candelaria Palma, a daughter of 
Thomas Palma, a large sugar-planter near Baya- 
mo. He married Candelaria Tomayo, a daugh- 
ter of Manuel Tomaj-o, who was also a large 
landed proprietor, and the wealthiest man in the 
city of Bayamo. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in his native citj-, attending school un- 
til fourteen years of age, when he entered the 
University of Havana, taking a four-years course 
in philosophy. Receiving his degree, he then 
took a three-years course in law, going to Seville 
to complete his studies. His father having died 
while he was in Havana, it became necessarv- for 
him to return home to attend to the large estates, 
which had become entangled and were too much 
of a charge for his mother. 

In October, iS68, when the rebellion broke out 
in Cuba, our subject took sides with the Revolu- 
tionists, fighting nine years. In October, 1877, 
he was taken prisoner and confined one j-ear in 
the Figueras Castle, province of Catalonia, Spain. 
Some four "or five months after the close of the 
war, he was released and went to Paris, where he 
remained one month, then sailed for Xew York. 
After remaining there a short time, he came to 
Central \'alley, here making his home with the 
Cornells. In June, 1879, he went to Honduras, 
and served as Postmaster-General in that countrv 
five years. In 1884 he returned to Central Val- 
ley, and in the fall of 1885 established the Estrada 
Palma Institute, over which he now presides. It 
is a school for boys, in which they are prepared 
for college. EngUsh, French and Spanish being 
taught. 

April 8,, 1882, while residing in Honduras, our 
subject was married to Donna Genoveva Guar- 
diola, a daughter of Santos Guardiola, President 
of the Republic of Honduras. To them have 
been born five children; Manuel Jose, Tomas 
Andres, Candelaria, Carlos Joaquin and t,uz. 



The two last are twins. The first-named was 
born in Honduras, and the others in Central \'al- 
ley. 

Professor Estrada Palma is a man of extraordi- 
nary abilit}-. During the war he was a Deputy 
of the Chamber of Republic, and was then elected 
President of the Republic. On the fall of the re- 
public his lands and possessions were confiscated. 
After his release from prison, he was invited to 
return to Cuba and receive back his estates if he 
would swear allegiance to Spain, but he would 
not again come under Spanish domination. The 
Professor was reared in a Catholic countn,-, but 
is not now a member of anj- church, though he 
has strong religious feeling, and is a believer in 
God and in Jesus Christ. He supports the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church of Central \'alle\". While 
in Cuba he was made a Mason, but has never 
united with the order in this countn,-. He is now 
a citizen of the United .States, and is as lo\-al to 
the Stars and Stripes as he was to the flag of the 
Republic of Cuba. 

■ — £^ P — '- 



J UGEXE D. STOKEM, a prominent attor- 
'S ney engaged in practice at Turner, is a na- 
tive of this section, and was born November 
7, 1836. He attended the schools of the town of 
Woodburj- until a lad of twelve years, when he 
was sent to New York, carrjing on his studies in 
the grammar schools of that cit\- for two years, 
and for the next two j-ears he attended the New 
York Free Academy, located on Twenty-third 
Street and Lexington Avenue. 

For two years after his return home he was en- 
gaged in farming, but as he was desirous of study- 
ing law, he began fitting himself for that profes- 
sion, and went to Goshen and read in the oflBce 
of Hon. Charles ^[onell for a twelvemonth. He 
ne.xt went to Port Jen-is, and for three years was 
in the office of Hon. Thomas J. Lyon, and May 12, 
1859, he was admitted to practice at Poughkeep- 
sie. He continued with Mr. L3.'on one j-ear there- 
after, then came to Turner and was engaged in 
practice until 1863. 

December 10 of the above j-ear, Mr. Stokem 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



817 



enlisted in Company I, Fifb,- -fourth New York 
Regiment, and with his comrades was sent to a 
point near Charleston, where they remained until 
the city was evacuated, when they entered the city, 
and our subject stayed there until the expiration 
of his term of enlistment. He served the greater 
portion of the time on detached duty intheofl5ces 
of the Adjutant-General and Provost- Marshal. 
Mr. Stokem was honorably discharged at Charles- 
ton, S. C, April 14, 1S66, at which time he re- 
turned to Turner, where he has since given his at- 
tention to his profession. In addition to his oth- 
er duties he has managed and edited the Monroe 
Tiniis for the past twelve years. 

The parents of our subject were Dr. John D. 
and Sallie Ann (^Lockwood ) Stokem, both na- 
tives of the town of Fairfield, Conn., the former 
of .vhom was bom January 25, 1806, and died 
February 25, 1884. The literary education of 
the father was secured in his native state, while 
he attended medical lectures in New York, in 
which city he was the proprietor of a drug store 
for a time. He afterward located at Cornwall, 
where he made his home for a short period, and 
then took up his abode in the old town of Mon- 
roe, where his son, our subject, was born. He 
was an eminent physician and engaged in prac- 
tice here until his decease. June 27, 1827, in 
Fairfield County, Conn., he was married to Miss 
Sallie Ann Lockwood, whose birth occurred No- 
vember 2. 1807. She was the daughter of Ed- 
mund Lockwood, a wealthy agriculturist of that 
county, who married a Miss Smith. Both the 
Lockwoods and Smiths were of English de.scent. 
Of a family of four children born to her parents, 
Mrs. Stokem was the second. 

Dr. John D. Stokem was the son of E. Lemuel 
and Rachel Stokem , the former of whom was born 
in the Nutmeg State, and died about the year 
1855, when sevent%--five years of age. He was a 
farmer by occupation, following this in connec- 
tion with his trade of a carpenter. He was of 
English descent, while his wife was of French ex- 
traction. To them were granted eight children, 
of whom John D. was the eldest but one. 

The parental family also included eight chil- 
dren. Cordelia A. is the widow of Thomas 



Windsor, of Boundbrook. N. J.: Frances Amelia 
is deceased, as is also Julian D. ; Eugene D. is the 
subject of this sketch: Adolphus \V. is a success- 
ful architect and builder of Newark, N. J.; Celes- 
ta P. married Charles Rhodes, a druggist of New- 
ark; Isadore V. is the wife of James Fullshier, a 
resident of Brooklyn; and Julian D. (second), 
nowof Scranton, Pa., was formerly in \'anderbilt's 
office in St. John's Park, N. Y. He is an expert 
bookkeeper, telegraph operator and railroad clerk. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Jennie 
McLaughlin occurred at Turner, Januarj- 10, 
1S67. The lady was born in the North of Ire- 
land, near Belfast, of Scotch- Irish parents, and 
joined her sister, now Mrs. Kate Johnson, in 
America. Mrs. Stokem'sparents were James and 
Ann McLaughlin, and both spent their entire 
lives in the Old Country. 

Of the five children born to our subject and his 
wife, two died unnamed in infancy ; Kittie passed 
away when sixteen months old; Julian D. is en- 
gaged as a blacksmith at Midvale, N. J.;and 
Clara C. is the wife of John D. Rake. Mr. Stok- 
em has been a life-long Democrat, as were his fa- 
ther and grandfather before him. In April, 1883, 
he assumed control of the Monroe Times, and is 
now running the business on a good paying basis. 
It is a well edited organ and independent in pol- 
itics. Mr. Stokem has been Justice of the Peace 
for six years and notary public for fifteen years. 



(lOHN Cz. EARL, Postma.ster at Highland 
I Mills, and the owner of a fine farm near that 
G/ village, has held a number of important po- 
sitions in the town of Woodbury, and is closelj' 
identified with its progress and welfare. Politi- 
cally a Democrat, he is recognized as one of the 
party leaders of the neighborhood. For four 
years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace, 
for three years sensed as Assessor, and was Col- 
lector and Supervisor one year. Both at Turner 
and at his present place of residence he has 
served as Tru.stee of .schools. 



8i8 



PORTRAIT AND.BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



The ancestors of Mr. Earl were among the 
early settlers of this countrj', and his great-grand- 
father was a soldier in the War of the Revolu- 
tion. His father, Elmore, was a son of William 
and Elizabeth (Gray) Earl, and was born near 
Bull's Mills, Town of Chester, July 13, 1808. 
Farming was his life occupation, and he followed 
it continuously until his death, which occurred 
in December, 1869. His wife, Sarah, was a sis- 
ter of Joseph Sears Earl, to whose sketch on 
another page the reader is referred for the fam- 
ily history. She was born May 9, 1808, and died 
at the home of I. H. Thompson, June 29, 1895. 

At Turner, this county, the birth of John G. 
Earl occurred December 10, 1836. He attended 
the common schools of his native place until eight- 
een years old, and was an inmate of his father's 
home until twenty-four, at which time he se- 
cured a position as fireman on the Erie Railroad. 
After a time he resigned and took charge of the 
operating of a stationary engine for the Greenwood 
Iron Company at the O'Neal Mine, in which ca- 
pacity he was employed for eighteen months. 
After running an engine in Middletown for three 
months, he was employed as fireman on the rail- 
road for six months, and then took charge of 
the boilers and gas house in the Turner Hotel 
for Mr. Stevens, the proprietor, remaining at the 
hotel for seven years, during which time he 
married. 

In partnership with his brother, Mr. Earl pur- 
chased the old homestead, and there engaged in 
farming for one year. In 187 1 he purchased a 
house and lot in Turner, where he made his home 
for nine j^ears, in the mean time devoting his at- 
tention principally to trading in cattle. From 
his uncle, Joseph S. Earl, in 1880 he bought one 
hundred and thirteen acres near Highland Mills, 
where he has since resided, engaging principall)' 
in farm pursuits. He makes a .specialty of the 
dairy business, and has shipped as high as seven- 
ty-five hundred gallons of milk per j-ear. 

At Middletown, June 26, 1867, Mr. Earl mar- 
ried Catherine Daih', a native of Otisville, this 
county, and daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Muldie) Daily, of whom the former died when 
Mrs. Earl. was a small child. Six children were 



born to the union of our subject and his wife, 
namely: Sarah, wife of Frederick Thomas, of 
Central Valley; Emma, who is Deputy Postmas- 
ter at Highland Mills; Cora, who has taught 
school and is now a student in the State Normal 
at New Paltz, N. Y.; Elizabeth; Elmore, who 
carries the mail at Highland Mills; and John 
Gilbert. Socially Mr. Earl is connected with 
Huffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., at Mid- 
dletown , 



EHARLES E. WILLIAMS was born in New- 
burgh on the 2d of May, 1829, and passed 
from this life April 4, 1895. He was a son 
of Samuel Williams, whose birth occurred in 
Canterbury, Orange County. The family is of 
Welsh origin, and the first to come to America 
was Richard Williams, who was accompanied by 
his brother Jonas, and arrived here in 1660. Be- 
ing a Dissenter, he could not submit to the strin- 
gent and un-Christian regulations imposed on 
him, and, like thousands of others, left the land 
of his nativity for conscience' sake. He located 
at Huntington, Long Island. From him in di- 
rect line to our subject there were Nathaniel, Na- 
thaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Jonas and Jonas, 
the last-named being his grandfather, whose birth 
occurred November 5, 1754, and who died Jul)' 
25, 1825. 

At the commencement of the Colonial troubles 
the grandfather was about twenty-one years of 
age, and as the British were at that time taking 
military possession of the island, and the place 
was getting too hot for many of the Whigs, he 
located in the town of New Windsor, Orange 
County, about 1775. In 1779 he wedded Abigail 
Brewster, who was born November 23, 1761, and 
who died December 22, 1804. They had a fam- 
ily of twelve children. Mrs. Williams was a 
daughter of Samuel Brewster, of New Windsor, 
who owned a forge on "Murderer's Creek." Soon 
after the Revolution Mr. Williams became the 
owner of the estate, and for many years continued 
the manufacture of iron extensively. The bar 
iron which was used in constructing the chain 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



819 



of Ft. Montgomerj' or cheval-dc-fiisc from Pal- 
lopets Island to Plum Point in 1777, under the 
direction of General Clinton, was made at this 
forge, which contained four fires. When Mr. 
Williams first conducted the forge the ore was 
transported from the Forest of Dean, in the town 
of Monroe, in packs on the backs of mules and 
horses, there being no wagon road at that time. 

Before coming to Nevvburgh, when the Colonial 
army was stationed at Morristown, N. J., Mr. 
Williams had a contract to supply part of it with 
provisions, and though the avenues of transpor- 
tation were infested in all directions by robbers 
and Tories, still he executed his contract satisfac- 
torily to the Government, and without much loss 
to himself from pillage. The money furnished 
by the French Government to assist Congress in 
carr3ing on the war was landed at New Haven, 
Conn. , or some eastern port, and from there was 
transported to different points in the countrj^ 
where it was needed to pay the arm5^ A portion 
of this money was brought here under a guard 
from New Haven across the country and given to 
Mr. Williams to pay the soldiers. He hid it in the 
old dirt cellar under the Williams homestead un- 
til it could be paid out. He was an industrious 
and enterprising man until age and infirmity de- 
prived him of his .strength and activity. Oliver 
Cromwell's daughter Bridget married Charles 
Fleetwood in 1652, and their son Thomas came 
to Long Island, when the name was changed to 
Fleet. Thomas Fleet married Ester Yarah, and 
they had five sons and five daughters, and two of 
the sons and two of the daughters married mem- 
bers of the Williams family. In February, 1827, 
Mr. Williams departed this life at the age of seven- 
ty-three years, in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Samuel Williams, the father of our subject, was 
engaged in importing tea at Newburgh during 
the War of 181 2, it being brought across the moun- 
tains to Newburgh from New Haven, Conn. He 
continued to conduct a wholesale tea trade until 
1839, when he became President of the Powell 
Bank, which position he filled until the bank was 
di.scontinued. He then lived retired until his 
death, which occurred in 1S62, at the age of 



seventy-four years. He was a quiet, reserved 
business man, and belonged to the Presbyterian 
Church. In political sentiment he was first a 
Whig and later a Republican. He was a mem- 
ber of the Board of Village Trustees, and was 
also on the Board of Education. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Mary A. Johnes, was 
born in Morristown, N. J., and was a grand- 
daughter of Rev. Dr. Johnes, who was the first 
minister of the old Presbyterian Church of that 
place. It was built for him, and he there preached 
until his death, when he had reached his fifty- 
sixth year. While the American army was en- 
camped there during the Revolution, General 
Wa.shington and his staff attended his services. 
Mrs. Williams died in Newburgh in 1875, at the 
age of eighty-four years. 

Our subject is one of a family of eight children 
who grew to maturity, but only two are now liv- 
ing. Charlotte A., who was the wife of R. A. 
Forsythe, died in Newburgh in 1893, ^t the age 
of eighty years. Eliza Catherine is now Mrs. 
Samuel A. Walsh, of New York City. Jonas, 
who was a large stockholder and Treasurer of the 
Beveridge Brewing Company, died in this city in 
1887. William J., who was a Captain in the 
Fiftj'-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, was 
killed at Seven Oaks, in his second engagement. 
Harriet is now Mrs. Francis P. Weed, of Hart- 
ford, Conn. Charles E. was next in order of birth. 
George A., who graduated from West Point, was 
in the regular army under General Bragg, but 
before the Civil War he had been appointed Pro- 
fessor of Spanish at West Point. Later he re- 
turned to his old company and regiment, with 
which he remained until the close of the war, 
during which he was made Major and breveted 
Colonel. Later he was honorably retired from 
the army, and resided in Newburgh until his death. 
Samuel, a merchant of Olympia, Wash., died 
there in 1893. 

Charles E. Williams, whose name heads this 
sketch, attended the Glebe School and the New- 
burgh Academy, but at the age of fourteen en- 
tered a dry -goods store as clerk, where he re- 
mained until 1S46, when he went to New York 
City, being employed in the same capacity mitil 



820 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the spring of 1852. At that time he made a trip 
to California via the Isthmus of Panama, and after 
landing in San Francisco, proceeded to Portland, 
Ore. , where he remained for four j-ears engaged 
in general merchandising. Going to Olympia, 
Wash., he there conducted a hardware business 
until 1870, but during that time, in 1866, he had 
returned to Newburgh and was married. 

At Newark, N. J., February 13, 1866, Mr. 
Williams married Miss Margaret S. Ryerson, a 
native of Pompton, N. J., and a daughter of Peter 
Martin Ryerson, who was also born there. The 
Ryersons were French-Huguenots, who went to 
Holland, but soon after came to America, settling 
on Long Island, near the present site of Brooklyn. 
The first of the family to come to this country 
was Martin Ryerson, who came from Amsterdam 
in 1646, and Maj' 14, 1663, married Aneetje Rap- 
plye, whose sister Sarah was the first white 
child born on Long Island. Their third son, 
Ryer, wedded Rebecca Van Der Shines, in 1695; 
and their fourth son, Johannes, married Cathelyna 
Berrie, January 13, 1741, the latter being a de- 
scendant of the Duke of Berrie. Johannes was 
the first to locate at Pompton, N. J., and his fifth 
son, Judge Martin Ryerson, was the grandfather 
of Mrs. Williams. His marriage occurred Au- 
gust 16, 1778, and united him with Vrouche Van 
Winkle. He was a large land-owner, and also 
owned the mines and furnaces near Pompton and 
Ringwood. His fourth son was Peter Martin 
Rej'crson, who wedded Mary Williams, Septem- 
ber 13, 1825. When La Fayette visited the United 
States in 1824 he came to Newburgh, where a re- 
ception and ball were tendered him, the latter be- 
ing held in a hall attached to the old Orange 
Hotel. Mrs. Ryerson, then Mary Williams, was 
a young lady of eighteen, and she had the honor 
of dancing with La Fayette. Mrs. Williams still 
has the gloves worn on that occasion, on the 
wrists of which are his portrait and the words 
"Welcome to La Faj-ette." Mrs. R)-erson was a 
daughter of Richard B. Williams, who belonged 
to the same family as did our subject. Mr. Ryer- 
son, who was born June 20, 1798, was a wealthy 
laud-owner and manufacturer of iron, having two 
rolling-mills. He was a very influential man and 



was commissioned Colonel of the Eighth New 
Jersey Volunteer Infantr}- during the Civil War. 
He was killed at the battle of William.sburg, 
May 5, 1862. His wife survived him until 1888. 
Of their sons we make the following mention: 
Peter, who was a Lieutenant in a New Jersey 
regiment, had been a cadet at West Point, and 
was wounded and died in Tennessee; John died 
at the opening of the war; David A., Colonel in 
the Thirteenth New Jersey Regiment, .served dur- 
ing the war; and Richard w-as iu the Provost-Mar- 
shal's ofiice at Charleston, S. C. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born three chil- 
dren, Maj^ E., Alice R. and Harold E., and the 
family now reside at their beautiful home on 
Montgomery Street. They are members of the 
First Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Williams 
ser\^ed for several years as Trustee. He was a 
Mason, being identified with Hudson River Lodge 
No. 607, F. & A. M. At one time he was Pres- 
ident of the Board of Trade. In politics he was 
a Republican. 



(Tames W. CAMPBELL, justice of the Peace, 
I and for forty years a school teacher in Or- 
(2/ ange County, was born near Highland Mills, 
November 14, 1834. He was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm, and remained at home until twenty- 
four years of age. He attended the district school 
until eighteen years old, when he received a cer- 
tificate to teach. For .some years afterward he 
taught during the winter season, and in the sum- 
mer worked on a farm. In the earl}' days it was 
customary for ladies to teach .school in the sum- 
mer months, and therefore Mr. Campbell had to 
seek other employment during that season. 

On the I st of December, 1858, near Highland 
Mills, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah A. Birdsall, daughter of William and 
Catherine (Gurnee) Birdsall, the former a native 
of Westchester Count}', and the latter of Rock- 
land Count)'. After his marriage Mr. Campbell 
bought a farm on the ridge west of the Methodist 




HENRY HAI.L. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



823 



Episcopal Church, and here resided from 1S61 
until 1865, when he sold out and rented farm 
land for three years in the town of Cornwall. In 
the spring of 1S70 he purchased his present place, 
which has been his home ever since. During the 
years from 1S73 to 1879 he taught school in 
Rockland County, but since that time he has 
been teaching within driving distance of his home. 

The subject of this sketch is the son of Archi- 
bald and Man.- (^Weygant) Campbell, both of 
whom were natives of Orange Countj-. The 
former was bom Januar\- 1, 1809, and died May 
2, 1S79. He was the son of Charles and Isabel 
(Campbell) Campbell, natives of Argyleshire, 
Scotland, and who emigrated to this countrj- 
about iSoo. Charles Campbell was one of the 
Campbell Clan, and first located east of Highland 
^KUs, on the east side of Pine Hill. He followed 
farming all his hfe. Archibald was sixth in a 
family of four sons and three daughters. He be- 
came the father of eight children: James W., our 
subject; Charles, who lives one mile west of 
Highland Mills: Janett, wife of William Birdsall; 
William Henry, who is now living in Larchmont, 
and was a member of the One Hundred and Twen- 
t\--fourth Xew York Infantn.": Mary- Ann, who 
married George W. Greene, and was bom March 
4, 1S47, and died in August, 1891: George, who 
lived two miles west of Highland Mills: and Isa- 
bel, the widow of Henry Pendleton, who hves 
near Highland Mills. 

Our subject and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Central \'alle\-, 
in which he has held ofiicial jxjsition ever since 
he became a member. With but little intermis- 
sion he has been the Sunday-school Superintend- 
ent for the period of thirty years. He is the lo- 
cal preacher in the church, and has also pro- 
claimed the Gospel in regions round about. Iii 
politics he has been a life-long Republican, and 
cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, the first 
Republican nominee for the office of President. 
Mr. Campbell was the first Clerk of the town of 
Woodbury after it was separated fi-om Monroe, 
and is now ser\-iug his second term as Assessor of 
the town. In the spring of 1S91 he was elected 
Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected to succeed 



himself for the term beginning January- i, 1896. 
Socially he is a member of Central \'alle\- Lodge 
No. 502, I. O. O. F., having passed through all 
the chairs in the lodge, and- ser\-ed as a delegate 
to the Grand Lodge at Utica in 1894. He is also 
a member of Wawa Tribe Xo. 135, I. O. R. M. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born five chil- 
dren, of whom four died in infancy. The only 
surviving one is Alice, the wife of George W. 
Weygant, residing near Highland Mills. They 
have one child, Isabel, born December 29, 1SS8. 
George W. Weygant was bom June 23, 1854, and 
is the son of Francis and Elizabeth We>gant. 

NEXRY HALL. In noting the old and es- 
tablished industries of Orange County, men- 
tion should be made of the business carried 
on by Mr. Hall, of Highland Mills. The enter- 
prise is an old one, and dates back to 1S40, when 
it was founded by Henry Hall. Thirty years after- 
ward the name was changed to Henr\- Hall & 
Sons, and in 1S82 the title became Henn,- Hall & 
Sons" Company, the business being incorporated at 
the same time. In 1884 our subject purchased the 
concern and conducted it under the name of 
Henry Hall, Jr., until 1S95, when the "Jr." was 
dropped, and the name is now the same as it 
was when the business was established, fiftv-five 
years ago, A specialty is made of the manufact- 
ure of linen, silk and cotton twisted and braided 
fish lines, snelled hooks, fish hooks, gut leaders 
and rods, large quantities of which are turned 
out even,- year. 

The Hall family resided for many generations 
in the neighborhood of Belfast, Ireland, where 
one of their ancestors. Rev. Joseph Hall, Bishop 
of Ulster, a man w-ell known in the histor\- of 
Ireland, made his home. The earliest ancestor 
of whom there is any record was our subject's 
great-grandfather, Thomas HaU, who married a 
Miss Johnson. Their son Henr\-, who married 
Marj- Ewert, was the first in a line of four of the 
same name, of whom our subject's son, Henr>% is 
the last. Mary Ewert was of Scotch descent, 
her ancestors having belonged to the McFarland 



824 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



clan, and for a number of generations they were 
connected with the flax spinning and weaving 
trade. Alexander G. Hall, an uncle of our sub- 
ject, was a member of the Queen's body-guard, 
and ser\-ed during the Crimean War. 

Heur\- Hall, our subject's father, was bom in 
Belfast, Ireland, January- 31, 1821, and died April 
II, 1892. He emigrated to America in May, 
1838, embarking at Liverpool in the sailing-ves- 
sel "Arg>-le," Captain Fletcher, and after eight 
weeks on the ocean landed at the old batter\- in 
New York. Doubling yams in this countn." was 
then almost unknown. He established a factor\- 
on the comer of Flushing Avenue and Broad- 
way, Brooklyn, where he first manufactured 
thread. This enterprise not proving as profit- 
able as he desired, he returned to Ireland to take 
charge of the large linen-mill of his micle. Will- 
iam Ewert. Two years were spent in that way, 
after which he again came to the United States and 
opened an office at No. 14 Cedar Street, New 
York, where he acted as agent for his uncle's 
large establishment. When General Grant was 
on his tour around the world, he visited Belfast, 
and was shown through the large flax-spinning 
mills of Carlyle & Johnson, the former of whom 
was a brother-in-law and the latter an uncle. 

In the winter of 1S43-44 Heur\- Hall revisited 
Ireland, and while he and his wife were in Bel- 
fast, their son, our subject, was bom, Januarv- 31. 
1S44. The first trip of the latter across the At- 
lantic was in March and April of 1S44, in the 
sailing-vessel "Great Republic." the voyage re- 
quiring six weeks, and since then he has crossed 
the ocean about twent\- times. In 1S50 the sen- 
ior Mr. Hall began the manufacture of linens 
and damasks for himself in Belfast, Ireland, where 
he built a large mill and remained until 1S54. 
At that time, as the result of having placed too 
much confidence in friends, he failed in business, 
after which he again came to America, hoping to 
rebuild his shattered fortunes. 

Securing capital. Mr. Hall built a rope walk at 
Mott Haven, Manhattan Island, manufacturing 
twines and whipcords i^the latter of which at 
that time were used for fishing lines\ and selling 
his goods through Harvey & Bassett. In 1S58 



he removed to Northport, L. I. , where he buUt a 
factor^• and engaged in tlie manufacture of linen 
lines, twines and small rope. Owing to the poor 
shipping facilities at Northport. he removed to 
Hauppauge, some eighteen miles distant, and 
there remained until 1S61 , when he came to Wood- 
bun,-, as partner of Thomas H. Bate, continuing 
the factor\" at Hauppauge under the charge of 
our subject. In the \\'oodbur\" establishment were 
manufactured fishing tackle of all kinds, rods, 
reels, etc. 

In 1 868 Mr. Bate died, lea\ing the business in 
a bad shape, and the executors refused to con- 
tinue the concern on the same terms as deceased, 
so Mr. Hall closed out the enterprise at Wood- 
buiy and removed to Highland Mills, establish- 
ing the business to which his son has succeeded. 
In the parental family were eleven children, six 
of whom survive. Ann Jane. Heur>- and Rev. 
James were bom in Belfest. Barbara, who was 
bom at Hauppauge, L. I., married Henr>- C. 
Thorn, of Central Valley. He died Februarv- 2 1 . 
1 89 1, aud she later married John Rogers. Alex- 
ander G. was bom at Hauppauge. L. I.: and 
Grace, who was bom on the ocean, was named 
in honor of Captain Grace, of the National Line 
of steamers. 

Throughoiit almost his entire active life our sub- 
ject has been interested in his present enterprise. 
WTien a boy, having a strong desire for a sea life, 
he left; his home and spent eighteen months at 
sea. On his return home he resumed work in 
the factory. From 1S61 until 1S63 he had charge 
of the works on Long Island, and from the latter 
date he was in the employ of his father until he 
and his brother James were admitted as partners 
in the business. 

At St. James. Suffolk Counts-, L. I.. Mr. Hall 
w*as united in marriage, July 6. 1862, with Miss 
Esther Ann Caldwell, daughter of Capt. Ed- 
ward Caldwell, Jr., who was the son of a sea- 
captain, and himself also followed the sea for 
many years, but was finally lost on the ocean 
with his ship. From the many ports visited by 
his ship he brought back curios, many of which 
are now in possession of Mrs. Hall, by whom 
they are highly prized. In their religious belief 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



82.i 



Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Episcopal 
Church. They became the parents of seven chil- 
dren, namely: Sarah, Edward and Alexander, 
deceased: Henr\- and George, who are associated 
with their father in business: Annie, wife of 
William C. Lawson, agent for the Erie Railroad 
at Highland Mills: and William C, who was 
the youngest member of the family. Mr. Hall 
has a cultivated taste for music, and for years 
acted as leader of the band. In the local ranks 
of the Republican party he has been influential 
for twenty years or more. but. excepting the 
minor offices, he has always refiised pohtical 
preferment, choosing rather to devote his whole 
time and attention to his business. Interested 
in educational and religious matters, he has fiUed 
the office of School Trustee for twent\--four years, 
and for a long time held the position of Church 
Trustee. 

EHAUXCEY B. KNIGHT, who for many 
years occupied a prominent place among the 
business men of Monroe, depiarted this life 
July 24, iSSo, greatly mourned by a host of warm 
friends in this locality. Before entering further 
into his life history- we will make mention of his 
ancestors. His great-grandfather, who vbore the 
name of Samuel Knight, lived at Goshen, and 
among his children was Nicholas Knight, who 
was bom in 1755. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and it is thought moved from Goshen to 
Monroe after the War of 1S12. His marriage 
united him with Elizabeth Case, whose birth oc- 
curred in 1 76 1. The ten children bom to the 
last-mentioned couple were Da\-id, Fannie. Jo- 
hanna. Daniel C Cornelia. Jeremiah, Wilmot, 
Benjamin, Walter E. and William G. Their son 
Daniel C. was bom in Goshen. May 5, 1789, and 
died February 4. 1S62. He, too, was a farmer, 
and when establishing a home of his own married 
Catherine Brooks. Their three children were 
Chauncey B.. our subject: Minerva, the wife of 
James H. Bertholf: and John H.. who married 
Milicent Seeley. 

The birth of our subject occurred September 5. 



1S22. in Monroe. He attended the ^•illage schools 
until a lad of fourteen years, when he began 
clerking, but a few years later he abandoned this 
occupation and carried on his studies for one 
year. At the end of this time he entered a store 
in Newburgh. where he remained for several 
years, then went to Elmira, where for one year he 
was employed in a store. Afterward he returned 
to Monroe and engaged in business for himself, 
here sp)ending the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Knight was married, September 3, 1844, in 
Monroe, to Miss Man,- Thompson, whose birth 
occurred in Goshen. Her parents were Rev. John 
J. and Sarah 1 Webb ■ Thompson, natives, resp>ect- 
ively. of Goshen and Middletown. The former 
was the son of William W. Thompson, at one 
time Sheriff of Orange Count>-. The last-named 
was the son of John, whose father. William. Sr., 
was a native of Ireland, whence he crossed the 
Atlantic many years ago, settling in America 
prior to the Revolutionan,- War. He was a black- 
smith, and received a grant of one square mile of 
land as a bonus for locating here. This tract was 
located two miles south of Goshen, on the Florida 
Road. William W. Thompson married Sarah 
Allison, whose father. William Allison, was a 
Colonel in the Revolutionan.- War. and the fam- 
ily still have in their possession his commission, 
which was signed Gov. George Clinton. During 
that conflict he was taken prisoner with his regi- 
ment, at the capture of Ft. Montgomer\-. and re- 
mained in capti\-it\- until the close of hostilities. 
He married Miss Man,- Jackson. His father was 
Jaseph Allison, of Southold, L. I., who, it is 
supp>osed, was a native of Edinburgh. 

Sarah Webb, Mrs. Knight's mother, was bom 
in Middletown and was the daughter of Col. Ben- 
jamin and Sarah i^Vairi Webb, of Middletown 
and Goshen, resp>ectively. He was a Colonel of 
militia in Middletow-n, and one of his sons. Jon- 
athan B., was a soldier in the War of 1S12. Col. 
Benjamin was the son of Jonathan and Peneloj)e 
(Bennett t Webb, the former of whom purchased 
a farm in an early day. which has been handed 
down from father to son for one hundred years. 
Sarah Vail was the daughter of Gilbert T. Vail, 
who was killed in the Indian battle of Minisink. 



826 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



His name is on the monument erected in nienion- 
of the old soldiers of Goshen. His wife was Han- 
nah Arnot, one of tlie mothers of the Revolution, 
her husband's death having left her with a large 
family of children to care for. 

To Chauncey B. Knight and his wife there 
were born five children. Charles Thompson is 
engai;ed in the grain business in Monroe; he 
was married to Miss Rose Jenkins, of Xewburgh. 
Caroline married Rev. O. H. Elmer, of St. Paul, 
Minn. Frederick J. is a civil engineer in Mon- 
roe; he married Mrs. Emma Irene Patterson, of 
Washington, D. C. Henry B. is a feed and grain 
merchant of Gcsheii. Mary Eugenia married 
George R. Conklin, who is in partnership with 
Charles T. Knight. The mother of this family is 
a devoted member of the Presbyterion Church of 
Monroe. In politics our subject was a Repub- 
lican, on which ticket he was elected at various 
times as Supervisor. He was a Mason of high 
standing and took a great interest in the work of 
that order. Honorable in his dealings, kindly 
and social in domestic life, he was ever regarded 
with a due measure of esteem bv those about him. 



^=z 



(lEREMIAH HORTON THOMPSON, one of 
I the substantial agriculturists of the town of 
Q) Monroe, was born on the farm adjoining his 
present estate. January 13, 1821. He was reared 
in his native town and there attended school lui- 
til his nineteenth year. He lived with his parents 
until the time of his marriage, which occurred 
when in his twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth year, 
when he located upon his present farm. The 
place did not contain many improvements at that 
time, but Mr. Thomp.son has caused to be erected 
substantial buildings of every description and 
placed the fields under advanced tillage. 

The parents of our subject were Nathaniel and 
Sarah (Horton) Thompson, both born in the 
town of Blooming Grove, the former December 2, 
1792, and the latter March 15, 1797. They took 
up their abode in the town of Monroe about 1S19, 



purchasing at that time one hundred and fifty 
acres of land. Nathaniel Thompson died Feb- 
ruary 7, 1S79, and his good wife March 11, 1875. 
The patenial grandparents were George and Eliz- 
abeth (Oregon,) Thompson, farmers, who were 
likewise boni in Blooming Grove. The fonner 
diet! about 1S40, aged .seventy-nine years, and his 
wife in 1826, when in her sixtieth year. 

The Thompson family in America originatetl 
from one of three brothers who came hither from 
the North of Ireland, the great-grandfather, 
George Thompson, Sr., settling in the town of 
Goshen. The other brothers were William and 
James. George Thompson, Jr., was a lad of six- 
teen years on the outbreak of the Revolutionary 
War, and although anxious to engage in battle, 
was too young to be accepted. He had two 
brothers, however, who participated in the battle 
of Ft. Montgomery. 

Nathaniel Thompson .served in the War of 
18 1 2, taking the place of his brother, who had 
been drafted, but who through illness was pre- 
vented from going to the front. Mrs. Sarah 
Thompson was the daughter of Jeremiah and 
Mary (Goldsmith) Horton. Her father was 
born October 24, 1759, on Long Island, and was 
the son of Lieut. Israel and Sarah t Lee) Horton. 
He made his home with Grandfather Lee until 
sixteen years of age, when he came to Orange 
County, and, Januarj- 12, 1783, married Miss 
Man,- Goldsmith. He served as a soldier in the 
War of the Revolution, and was under the com- 
mand of General Washington at various times. 
By trade he was a stone-mason, and- a farmer by 
occupation. He was in the empVoy bf'the Gov- 
ernment during the building of old F't. Putnam, 
near West Point, and the contract for this job, 
which bears his signature, is still in the posses- 
sion of the family. After locating in Blooming 
Grove he erected the large stone residence which 
is now occupied by the widow of his only son. 
He departed this life September 7, 1841. and his 
good wife died June 10, 1833. 

Lieut. Israel Horton was the sou of Jonathan 
and Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Horton, and was bom 
on Long Island alxiut 1728. In 1755 he married 
Miss Sarah Lee, who was born in 1730, and who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



835 



Road Commissioner, but would never accept any 
other office. Mrs. Turner is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church of Monroe. The family en- 
joy the respect of every one with whom they are 
acquainted, and are numbered among the best 
citizens in Orange County. 



gEORGE GOUGE, whose decease occurred 
March 14, 1885, was for many years a pros- 
perous and wide-awake business man of Or- 
ange County, and was a farmer of some promi- 
nence. His estate, which was located in the 
town of Hamptonburgh, he purchased in 1864. 
It comprised one hundred and forty acres of pro- 
ductive land, and this he cultivated in a most 
thorough and profitable manner. 

Mr. Gouge wui? born in Trenton, Oneida Coun- 
ty, this state, June 10, 18 10. His parents were 
Jacob and Mary Gouge, who were born near 
Springfield, Mass., and who departed this life 
many years ago. Our subject was fairly well 
educated in the schools near his home, and when 
ready to establish a home of his own was married 
to Miss Matilda Booth, a native of the town of 
Hamptonburgh, her birth occurring April 26, 
1825. She was the daughter of Je.sse and Hilah 
(Hawkins) Booth, well-to-do residents of this 
section. 

The subject of this sketch was trained in his 
native place, and when about eighteen years of 
age learned the blacksmith's trade. Wishing to 
better his condition financially, he decided to 
change his location, and went to Wisconsin. See- 
ing a good opportunity, he speculated largely 
in land, which he subsequently sold to good ad- 
vantage, and then returned to Oneida County. 
Shortly afterward, however, in 1856, hearing of 
the beautiful country in and around Hampton- 
burgh, he came to Orange County, locating in 
the town of Hamptonburgh, where he took charge 
of a creamery, operating the same for a period of 
twenty-two years in partnership with Nathaniel 
D. Woodhull, who joined him shortly after the 
business was thoroughly established. In the 
mean time, however, in 1864, he purchased and 

37 



located upon the farm now occupied by Mrs. 
Gouge, and divided his attention between it and 
the creamery. 

Mr. Gouge was a prominent man in his neigh- 
borhood, and for a time was Town Supervisor. 
He was a member of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Hamptonburgh, and was also a Mason 
of high standing. In his death the county lost 
one of its mo.st progressive and enterprising resi- 
dents. Mrs. Gouge has a pleasant home in the 
village of Campbell Hall, where she spends the 
summer months, sojourning in the South or on 
the Pacific Coast in the winter. She was former- 
ly a member of the Associate Reformed Church, 
but is now a devoted member of the First Pres- 
byterian Church of Hamptonburgh, located at 
Campbell Hall. The edifice is a pleasing struct- 
ure, to the erection of which Mrs. Gouge was 
a very liberal contributor. 



HENRY W. CROMWELL, a leading mer- 
chant of Highland Mills, was born in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., December 28, 1866, and is a 
•son of Henry T. and Hannah M. (Weygant) 
Cromwell, the former a native of Highland Mills, 
and the latter of Central Valley, N. Y. The 
Cromwell family is of ancient English origin, and 
the American branch of the family is directly de- 
scended from the father of Oliver Cromwell, the 
Great Commoner of England. Joseph Cromwell, 
the brother of Oliver, emigrated to America, and 
the branch of the family in Orange County is de- 
scended from him. Rich was another brother of 
Oliver; then comes Colonel John, the third son 
of Rich, who had a son also named John. The 
latter emigrated from Holland to the New Neth- 
erlands, and in 1686 resided at Long Neck, 
Westchester County, N. Y., which place was 
afterwards known as Cromwell's Neck. He mar- 
ried and left two sons, John and James. John 
Cromwell, the third, was born December 5, 1727, 
and married Anna Hopkins, of Long Island, 
who was born January 12, 1730. John was an 
active patriot during the Revolutionary War, and 
died in 1805. 



sr,6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The earliest record of the femily in the old 

family Bible now in possession of our subject, 
and inscribed in the quaint Quaker style, is as 
follows: "John Cromwell, bom fifth day, twelfth 
month, A. D. 1727; Anna, his wife, bom first 
month, twelfth day, 1730." Their marriage 
must have occurred about 1750, as their first- 
bom. James, was bom November 6, 1752. Daniel, 
Naomi. Esther Hannah, John, Joseph and Will- 
iam, their remaining children, were bom between 
1752 and 1773. James was married. May 16. 
17S2, to Charlotte Hunt, whose birth occurred 
November 11, 1762. To them were born ten 
children, Hannah. Rebecca, Daniel. James, Oliver, 
David, Ann. William and Mar>-, twins, and John. 
Oliver's birth occurred April S, 1792. and he died 
May 4, 1S43. His marriage. December 22, 1S13, 
united him with Sarah Titus, who was bom June 
28. 1794, and died November 7. 1S4S. They 
had ten children, Joshua T. , Ann. Man,-, Thomas. 
Hannah. James, John, Phcebe, William and Char- 
lotte. Joshua T. was bom March 24, 1S15, 
and was married, Februan,- 4, 1836, to Miss Eliz- 
abeth Little Titus, whose birth occurred June 29, 
181 1. To them were born eleven children: Mar- 
tha. Sarah. Henn.- T.. Oliver. Phcebe, Mar>-. 
Mar>-, Charles, Edward, George and Elizabeth. 

Hannah M. vWeygant > Cromwell, the mother 
of our subject, is a daughter of Smith and Char- 
ity (^Lamoreaux) Weygant, the former being a 
son of Rev. Francis and Rachael Earl Weygant, 
both of whom were bora near Ceutral \'alley. 
Smith Weygant was a farmer, and owned large 
tracts of mountain land, which furnished im- 
mense quantities of charcoal to the furnaces in the 
count\-. He also owned a large saw aud planing 
mill. Rev. Francis Weygant was a Methodist 
Episcopal minister, and died on the old homestead, 
near the Methodist Episcopal Church at Highland 
Mills. Charity Lamoreaux was the daughter of 
Robert and Hannah (^ Lentil Lamoreaux. 

To Henn,- T. and Hannah M. Cromwell were 
bom five children: Ella, who died in infancy; 
Henn,- W., the subject of this sketch: Frank, 
who died at the age of eighteen months: Edward, 
who died at the age of six years: aud Bessie, 
now residing with her parents. 



Henrj- W. Cromwell, the subject of this sketch, 
remained in Brooklyn until fourteen years of age, 
during which time he attended the Brooklyn 
public schools, and the year following he at- 
tended the Unionville school. In 1S83 he was 
with his parents on the farm, but from that year 
until 1 886 was with his father in his store at 
Highland Mills, and the succeeding four years 
was in the grocen,- business in New York Cit\-. 
On the ist of March, 1890. as his father had died 
December 2, 1SS9, he succeeded to the business 
and took charge of the store w-here he is now 
located. He carries a general stock of merchan- 
dise and enjoys a large trade. 

The subject of this sketch was married, August 
14, 1886. in New York Cit>-, to Miss Nellie Davis, 
who was bom in Cornwall, and who is a daugh- 
ter of John L. and Jane (^McKelvey^ Da\-is, the 
former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter 
of Orange Count},-. Three children have been 
bom unto them: Ethel W., Helen T. and Ma- 
rion. Mrs. Cromwell is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Crom- 
well is a Republican, and socially is a member of 
Standard Lodge No. 711, of Monroe. He is al.so 
a member of Schuunemunk Lodge No. 276, K. 
of P., of Highland Mills. 



LIVER B. TYRRELL. As one of the old 
residents of Orange County, and a man 
whose energies have been devoted to the de- 
velopment of its agricultural resources, the name 
of Mr. Tyrrell well deser\-es mention in this work. 
His farm is one of the best in the to^-n of Mt. 
Hope, and does credit to his judgment in select- 
ing such a locality- as the place of his future resi- 
dence, and to his iudustn,- in bringing it into a 
state of superior cultivation. The one hundred 
acres comprising the place are devoted to general 
farming and the dain,- industn,-, from which lines 
of activity he receives a substantial income. 

Noting the parental histon,- of our subject, we 
find that his father, Joseph P. Tyrrell, was bom 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



837 



iu Counecticut, and learned the hatter's trade at 
Daubur\-. that state. About 1790, when a young 
man. he removed to Ulster County. X. Y., and 
purchased a farm, where he si>ent the remainder 
of his life, dying at the age of about seventy -five. 
Politically he favored Republican principles. He 
was a man of Christian belief, and found a relig- 
ious home in the Methodist Church. In his un- 
dertakings he was fairly successful, and though 
not able to g^ve his children even.- advantage, 
nevertheless started them in life with habits of 
ndustr\- and perseverance well formed. His wife, 
•ho bore the maiden name of Sophia Bessley. 
Tas born in Ulster County, and died when about 
lOrty-five years of age. She. too, was a member 
of the Methodist Church. 

In Oster Countv the subject of this notice was 
bom August 23, 1823.' and there he attended the 
district schools. At the age of seventeen he went 
to Sullivan County and learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed there until November. 
1S49. ^^^ ^^^^ of his removal to Orange County-. 
On coming here he purchased a farm in tlie town 
of Wallkill. and followed agricultural pursuits in 
connection with his trade for fourteen years. 
Finally disposing of that place, he bought his pres- 
ent farm in the town of Mt. Hope, and here he 
has since made his home, devoting his time to 
farm work and his trade. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Tyrrell 
January- 16. 1S47, was Mrs. 1 Mapes ' Hulse, of 
the town of Wallkill. Eight children were bom 
unto them. namel\-: William Henr}-. who died at 
the age of four years: Alice J., who married Gab- 
riel M. Pollard, and died at the age of thirr\--four 
years: Ettie. who departed this life when four 
^•ears old: John, who is engaged in the milk bus- 
iness in Jersey Cit>-: Charles B.. proprietor of a 
grocers- store in Middletown: George H., who 
now manages the home farm; Elsworth O. , a 
railroad man residing in Middletown ; and Libbie, 
who died at three years of age. 

An active worker in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Mr. Tyrrell has sers-ed as Trustee for 
twenty years, and has iq that time filled nearly 
all the oflBces of the church. In politics his 
opinions are no less pronounced than up)on other 



subjects, and he gives his unqualified supfKjrt to 
the men and measures of the Republican party. 
He deser\-edl\- ranks as one of the best citizens of 
the town and one who. by his strict sense of hon- 
or, has won the position for himself. 



""PHRAIM MANNING. Few men have 
^ lived more quietly or unostentatiously than 
^ Mr. Manning, yet few ha\-e exerted a more 
salutars- influence upon the immediate societx- in 
which they move, or impressed the community 
with a more profound reliance on their honor, 
ability and sterling worth. He owns a beautiful 
farm of one hundred and fifty acres, situated in 
the town of Mt. Hope, and improved with all the 
accessories of a modem estate, including a neat 
residence. Near it are such structures as the 
practical development of a model farm calls for, 
while through the proper rotation of crops and 
fertiHzing of the soil, the land has been brought 
under excellent cultivation. 

Bom in the town of Green\"ille. this county, 
December 11, 1S39, Ephraim Manning is the 
elder of two sons comprising the family of Joseph 
and Eveline (Blizard t Manning. Merritt C, the 
younger, is in the milk business in New York 
City. The father was born in the town of Greeu- 
\-ille, April 14, 1S14. and was reared on a farm, 
becoming familiar in youth with the occupation of 
an ag^culturist. which he made his life calhng. 
In his political \-iews he was a Democrat and took 
an active part in local politics, filling the major- 
its- of the town oflBces. After a long and useful 
life, he passed to the home beyond, June 2S, 1S91. 
The old homestead, which is stiU in possession 
of members of the family, was purchased by the 
grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Manning, 
who was of English descent. Our subject's 
mother was bom in the town of Greenville in 
1819. and is still living, making her home with 
her son Ephraim. 

After completing the studies of the common 
schools, our subject became a student in the 
academy at Mt. Rose, Pa., where he finished his 
education, Up)on attaining his majorit\- he was 



838 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married, aud about the same time purchased the 
farm where he has since resided. His union with 
Miss Caroline A. Rundle, of the towu of Green- 
ville, was solemnized November 21, 1861, and 
was blessed with two children: Albert, who is en- 
gaged in business in Xew York City: and Eva K.. 
wife of Abraham Wyckoff, of Hopewell, Mercer 
County, X. J. 

While never willing to accept official positions, 
Mr. Manning is deeply interested in public mat- 
ters, and is an unswen-ing advocate of the Dem- 
ocratic party. His wife is identified with the 
Old-school Baptist Church, and he is in sympathy 
with the religious sentiments of the same and a 
contributor to its success, but is not connected 
with it by membership. He is a man of great 
self-reliance, one who by experience has learned 
to depend upon himself. In disposition he is 
straightforward, unassuming, energetic, and his 
friends are numerous iu the town where he makes 
his home. 



RESTCOME POTTER COXKLIX has long 
been prominently identified with the historj- 
of Orange County, both in an official aud 
civil capacity. For many years he has been the 
efficient Police Magistrate of Chester, iu which 
village he was born October 14. 1S47. He is a 
member of a family long and prominently con- 
nected with the history of this state, and is a 
descendant, through his mother, of Judge Piatt 
Potter, an emiueut jurist aud author of two vol- 
umes, published iu J 779, entitled "Potter on 
Corporation;" also a treatise on "Equity Juris- 
prudence.' ' 

Restcome, the father of Judge Potter, and the 
great-grandfather of our subject, was a native ot 
Massachusetts, but took up his abode iu New 
York City early in life. During the war with 
England, he engaged in militan* service under the 
command of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionan.- fame; 
later he received a Colonel's commission in the 
militia from Gov. George Clinton, for whom he 
named one of his sous. In 1806 he brought his 



family to Saratoga County, where he engaged in 
farming. Soon after coming here, he was chosen 
to represent the people in an official capacity, 
aud at different times held various important posi- 
tions. For sixteen years he was Judge of the 
Common Pleas Court, aud for some time he 
served as Supreme Judge of New York. He 
died in 1853, esteemed by all who knew him. 
It is in honor of this ancestor that our subject is 
named, and this sketch will serve to explain how 
this strikingly unusual name was conferred upon 
him. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ben 
jamin Couklin, was united in marriage, iu 179c 
with Mehitable Mather, daughter of Ebenezei 
Mather, of historic fame. Their sixth child was 
Walter H., our subject's fathe-, and a native of 
this couut3\ After the deatu of his parents, which 
occurred when he was thirteen years old, he made 
his home with his brother Daniel, and when 
}-oung was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade. 
As soon as he became proficient in this business, 
he established a merchant-tailoring store at Ams- 
terdam. N. Y. 

While in that city, in 1S42, Mr. Conklin mar- 
ried Lucretia Chamberlain, and they became the 
parents of six children, of whom Jennie and Rest- 
come Potter are the onh- survivors. Their daugh- 
ter Charlotte D. married W. H. Sparks, and is 
now deceased. Jennie E. is the wife of Thomas 
W. Brooks, of Washingtonville, N. Y. In 1845 
the father removed to Chester and there contin- 
ued the merchant-tailoring business until his 
death, which occurred July 25, 1895, at the age 
of seventy-five years. For fortj-five years he had 
served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, 
and his loss was deeplj' felt in his congregation. 
His wife, who was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., 
still makes her home in Chester, aud is now 
(1895) in her seventy-eighth year. 

In boyhood the subject of this notice attended 
Chester Academy, and later completed his edu- 
cation in the Cooperstown (N. Y. 'J Semiuan,-. 
After leaving school he gave his attention to agri- 
cultural pursuits, and for mauv years he has been 
extensively engaged in raising onions. He has 
never joined the army of Benedicts, preferring to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



827 



was the daughter of Rev. John Lee, of Lj'on. 
Israel moved to the town of Goshen with his 
family in 1762, and there made his home until 
his decease, in 1771. Jonathan Horton was the 
son of Jonathan, Sr., and Bertha (Couklin) Hor- 
ton, and he was bom on Long Island about 1694. 
In 1720 he married Miss Elizabeth Goldsmith, 
the daughter of John Goldsmith. Jonathan, Sr. , 
was in turn the son of Caleb and Abigail (Hal- 
lock) Horton, the former of whom was bom about 
1668, and was married in 1693. Caleb was the 
son of Bamabus, whose birth occurred in 1640, 
and his marriage with Miss Hallock was cele- 
brated in 1665. She was the daughter of Peter 
Hallock, who came over in the "Mayflower." 
Barnabuscame to America in the ship ' 'Swallow, ' ' 
about 1633, and was one of thirteen on board 
who brought their tombstones with them. His 
epitaph was carved thereon, with the exception of 
the date of his death . 

The Hortons, who came to Orange County 
from Long Island, were originally of English 
stock. It is presumed, however, that they were 
of Roman origin, as the name has been known 
in English history since the conquest of Cae- 
sar, and in Anglo-Saxon means an enclosure. 
The coat-of-arms is a stag's head. The first of 
the family to make his home in America was 
Bamabus, who first located at Southold, L. I., 
about 1633. He erected a house at that place 
about 1660, which was still standing and in a 
good state of presentation in 1S73, when last 
seen by the family. 

The subject of this sketch was married, Decem- 
ber 5, 1846, to Miss Man,- Webb, a native of the 
town of Monroe, and the daughter of Samuel and 
Abigail ( Conklin) Webb, the fomier of whom was 
a farmer and bora in the town of Goshen. The 
mother was a native of Monroe and a daughter of 
Daniel Conklin. Samuel \\'ebb was the son of 
Charles and Martha (Van \'aeter ) Webb, proba- 
bly natives of Goshen. Samuel, a brother of 
Charles, was killed by the Indians, as was also his 
father, who likewise bore the same name. The 
latter was a very large man, being six feet nine 
inches, and the Indian who killed him boasted 
that he had killed the biggest man in the settle- 



ment. Charles Webb moved to the town of Mon- 
roe in 179S, settling near Mt. Basha Pond, and 
there the family lived for four or five generations. 
Sanmel was born about the close of the Revolu- 
tionan,- period, and was five years of age when 
Washington was elected first President. He was 
Ensign in the War of 1S12, was later promoted to 
be Captain, and at the close of the conflict was 
commissioned Colonel. 

He was a noted athlete and was very prominent 
after the war in the militia as trainer. In 1823 
he was elected to the General Assembly, and 
sen-ed several tenns as Justice of the Peace. In 
political affairs he took a great interest and was a 
man of influence in his party. 

By her union with our subject Mrs. Thompson 
became the mother of three children. Sarah 
Abigail, now deceased: Anna D., who died when 
thirt}- years of age; and Xancy, at home with her 
parents. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the 
Presbj-terian Church. Like his ancestors, our 
subject was in early life an old-line Whig, and 
now votes for Republican candidates. He has al- 
ways refused oflficial positions, and with the ex- 
ception of sen-ing for seven or eight years as In- 
spector of Elections has not held ofiice. During 
the war he was a member of the Union League, 
and helped forward the cause of the Union as 
much as possible. 



CySAAC BARNES, one of the succes.sful busi- 
I ness men of Turner, was bom in the town of 
X Cornwall, October 25, 1826, and there passed 
the first twenty-two years of his life. In the 
mean time he had been given the privileges of the 
district .school, making the best of his opportuni- 
ties, for he fully realized the advantages to be 
gained by having a good education. 

A year after attaining his majority our subject 
left home, and, coming to Turner, engaged to 
work for Peter Turner. In 1859, however, he 
went to Bay City, Mich., and remained there un- 
til 1866, working in the lumber busine.ss. At 
the expiration of that time he returned to Turner 
and has made it his home ever since. The oar- 



828 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ents of our subject were Matthew and Mary 
(Van Duzer J Barnes, the former born in the west- 
ern portion of this state in 1 800. When a young 
man he came to Orange County and here met and 
married his wife. They located on a farm, and 
passed the remainder of their hves in its cultiva- 
tion. Mrs. Barnes, who was the daughter of 
Benjamin Van Duzer, died in 1885. 

The parental household included thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom the eldest, Benjamin, died in in- 
fancy; Mary married Joel Pinkney, who is now 
deceased, and she resides in Turner; William is 
a well-to-do agriculturist near this place; Van 
Duzer is living near Pine Island; Sarah married 
Joshua Fritz, who is deceased; Hiram, now de- 
ceased, was for many years a resident of Marlboro, 
Ulster County; Samuel died when a young man 
of twenty-one years; Phebe became the wife of 
Andrew Thorn, of Newburgh; Nathaniel is liv- 
ing at Mountainville; Ann is the widow of Sam- 
uel Quackenbush and is still living on the old 
home farm in the town of Cornwall; James Henry 
is a resident of Mountainville: and John M. is liv- 
ing in Central Vallej'. 

Our subject was married at Turner, October 26, 
1854, to Miss Sarah J. Rumsey, a native of this 
place, and the daughter of Courtland and Michal 
(Thorn) Rumsey, natiyes, respectively, of High- 
land and Central Valley. Courtland Rumsey 
was the son of Jeremiah and Esther (Earl) Rum- 
sey, farmers who lived near Highland Mills in 
the early days. Michal was the daughter of Da- 
vid and Euphemia (Earl) Thorn, who were born 
and reared upon a tract of land which is now in- 
cluded within the limits of Central Valley. 

To Courtland Rumsey and his wife there were 
born five children, of whom we make the follow- 
ing mention: Euphemia married Thomas R. Earl, 
of Turner: Sarah J., Mrs. Barnes, was the second- 
born; William Henry is fireman on the Erie Road, 
with headquarters at Middletown; Elizabeth E- 
died in infancy; and Charles M. is Ferry Master 
at Chambers Street, in New York City. 

The seven children who came to bless the home 
of our subject and wife were: Mary E., now the 
wife of John D. Forsdick, of Port Jervis; Hannah, 
who died when fourteen years of age; William I., 



a resident of Port Jervis; Carrie, whose death oc- 
curred when in her third year; Charles H., at 
home: Emma G., who married Adam Jacqmein, 
a barber of the village of Monroe; and Euphemia 
R., the wife of B. F. Quick, of Port Jervis. 

In religious affairs our subject is not connected 
with an)' denomination, although he contributes 
liberally to the support of the Presbyterian Church, 
to which his wife belongs. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and on that ticket has been elected 
Constable and Road Commissioner, serving in 
the former position for nine years. 



0IDNEY B. CORNELL. Among the young 
r\ farmers of Orange County who are pursu- 
V*J/ ing their course in life with great energy 
and much skill, we call the attention of the reader 
to Mr. Cornell, who is gaining very satisfactory 
results from operating a fine farm in the town of 
Woodbury, near Central Valley. He was born 
in the town of Cornwall, October 7, 1866, and 
there lived until a lad of fourteen years, in the 
mean time attending the district school. He 
then went to Green Point, now a part of the city 
of Brooklyn, and for a period of five years clerked 
for J. S. Drake, who afterward became his 
brother-in-law, and who was a hay and grain 
merchant. Upon leaving his employ our sub- 
ject opened up in this line for himself, and con- 
tinued there until November 6, 1893. April 15, 
1894, he came to this county and took up his 
abode on his present estate, which was left to 
Mrs. Cornell by her grandfather. The farm is 
located near that of his father-in-law, Jesse C. 
Brown, and was formerl}^ part of the old home- 
stead. 

William M. Cornell, the father of our subject, 
who is now one of the prosperous farmers of 
Orange County, was born in the town of Monroe, 
August 19, 1826. His father, who bore the 
name of Josiah, was a large land-owner, having 
in his possession about seven hundred acres of 
land, which he divided among his children. Our 
subject's mother was formerly Miss Sarah Cor- 
nell, and was the daughter of Harrison and Char- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



829 



ity (Earl) Cornell. She was married to our sub- 
ject's father at Highland Mills, November 24, 
1859, and to them were born six sons and daugh- 
ters, viz.: Charlotte, who married John S. Drake, 
of Green Point, L. I. ; Harrison, a farmer liv- 
ing near his father: Josiah, who is a resident of 
Central Valley; Sidney, our subject; and Charity 
and Charles, at home. The parents were mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends. For a more com- 
plete history of the parents, we refer the reader 
to the sketch of the father, found elsewhere in 
this volume. 

Our subject was married, December 24, 1891, 
to Miss Euphemia Brown, the daughter of Jesse 
C. Brown, who was born on the old homestead, 
of which our subject's farm is a part. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Cornell there were born two children: 
Gertrude, who was born May 24, 1893; and one 
who died unnamed in infancy. In religious af- 
fairs both our subject and his wife belong to the 
Quaker Church, and in politics he is a Republi- 
can. Mr. Cornell follows dairy farming prin- 
cipally, in which line he is meeting with success. 
He is a man of exemplary habits and is classed 
among the most worthy citizens of the locality. 



EHRISTOPHER HAGERTY, for many years 
a successful farmer of Orange County, died 
June 13, 1895. The place upon which he 
made his home is situated in the town of Minisink, 
and is quite valuable, owing to the fact that it is 
largely devoted to the cultivation of fruit, and 
also because it is advantageously located adjacent 
to Unionville. In addition to this property he 
also owned one hundred and sixty acres of land 
in the town of Warwick, embodied in a well im- 
proved farm, containing all the modern improve- 
ments. His attention was devoted to the super- 
vision of his propert}', and he received a good in- 
come from his land. 

Across the line in the neighboring county of 
Sussex, N. J., Christopher Hagerty was born 
August 7, 1823. The early years of his life were 
quietly and busily passed upon the farm were he 
was born, and in boyhood he gained a thorough 



knowledge of all the details incident to farm 
work, becoming in that way iittedto superintend 
large and important agricultural interests. He 
remained beneath the parental roof until he was 
twenty-eight years of age, when he married and 
established a home of his own. 

The marriage of Mr. Hagerty occurred May 
12, 1851, when he was united with Miss Jemima 
Kinney, daughter of David Kinney, of Sussex 
County, N. J. After his marriage he rented the 
old homestead for five years, and being industri- 
ous and economical, at the expiration of that 
time he was able to purchase property. He 
bought one hundred and fift) -six acres of land in 
the town of Warwick, and there engaged in the 
work incident to the cultivation of a first-class 
farm. In 1874 he removed to Unionville and 
subsequently bought additional land, so that his 
place here comprises about sixteen acres. 

Mr. Hagerty began life without capital and 
worked his way .steadily upward, overcoming the 
obstacles in his path, until he was numbered 
among the substantial citizens of his community. 
Politically his energies were put forth in the in- 
terests of the Republican party. He was identi- 
fied with the Baptist Church at Glenwood, and 
his wife is at present a member of the Methodist 
Church. He gave hearty encouragement to en- 
terprises that would in any way contribute to the 
advancement of the community. Honesty and 
probity characterized his dealings, and his char- 
acter is above reproach. 



J^JlLBERT TURNER, a farmer in the town of 
|_l Woodbur)', near Turner, was born within 
\^ one hundred yards of his present residence, 
March 11, 1822. The family has long resided 
in this county. Peter Turner, the father of our 
subject, was born in 1791, and came to Orange 
County in 1808. His main occupation was that 
of a farmer, but for some years he was engaged 
in keeping a hotel where the village of Central 
Valley is now located. He also kept a general 



830 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



store and wood depot at Ft. Montgomery, .selling 
wood to various sloop.s on the Hudson River. 
At Turner he also followed milling, and there 
had a general .store and tavern. It was for him 
that the village of Turner was named. He died 
in 1873, at the age of eighty-two. Peter Turner 
was the sou of Gilbert Turner, who was born near 
Peekskill, August 12, 1768, and followed farming 
in his native county and in Orange County until 
his death, December 10, 1824. At the time he 
settled in Orange County wild game was in abund- 
ance and he .shot wild turkeys on his farm. In- 
dians used to camp on his farm, and the country 
was full of gray forest wolves. He married Han- 
nah Brewster, who was born in Putnam County, 
October 14, 1763, and died March 18, 1839. 

Peter Turner, the father of our subject, married 
Mary Ann Galloway, who was born near Central 
Valley, and who was a daughter of James and 
Miriam (Archer) Galloway, the former born on 
the farm where Gilbert Turner now resides, and 
the latter between Monroe and Turner, on what 
is known as the Ola Archer Farm. To Peter 
and Mary Ann Turner were born five children: 
Charles, who resides near Monroe; Theron, who 
died in 1890, in the town of Cornwall; James, who 
died in 1892, at Newark, N. J.; Gilbert, our sub- 
ject; and a daughter who died in infancy. 

When five years of age Gilbert Turner removed 
.with his parents to Lamoreaux Tavern, which 
was located in what is now the village of Central 
A'alley. The family resided here two years, and 
then moved to old Ft. Montgomery. When a boy 
he remembers tying his fishing-line to the ring 
to which the chain across the river was fastened. 
Afterward, while at Newburgh, he saw the links 
of the chain taken from the river. The family 
re.sided at Ft. Montgomery five years, then re- 
turnetl to the farm and remained two years, going 
thence to Ft. Montgomery, where they remained 
seven years more. Our subject first attended the 
district .school at the latter place, and remembers 
finding human bones among the rocks there. He 
attended school off and on until his twentieth 
year, but when eighteen years of age he started 
in life for himself, clerking in the store of Victor 
M. Purdv at Canterburv, where he remained two 



years. He then returned home and took care of 
the mill for his father at Turner, and also engaged 
in farm work for two years. Later he went to 
Milton, Ulster County, and clerked in a store for 
one year, and afterward .spent one year at home 
working for his father. Subsequently he went 
to Poughkeepsie and .spent four years as a clerk 
in the largest store in that city, that of Bowen, 
Trowbridge & Co. , and for the next five years 
was at home, a.ssisting his father in his business. 

On the 28th of June, 1847, o""" subject was 
united in marriage, in the city of New York, with 
Miss Martha Susanna Pollard, who was born in 
that city, and who received her education in pri- 
vate schools, and also in Cooper In.stitute. She 
is a daughter of Capt. William and Eliza (Mc- 
Keag) Pollard, the former of whom was born in 
Portland, Me., and followed the seas about twenty 
years. The latter resides in Brooklyn, at the age 
of ninety-four years. Mrs. Turner's paternal 
grandfather was also a sea-captain and lost his 
life at sea, his vessel being wrecked. Her father 
was also on the same vessel, but he and some 
other seamen were saved by lashing themselves 
to a mast. Our subject has in his possession an 
old Bible that was carried on that trip, and his 
wife has a collection of curios from every country 
in Europe, brought home by her father. In her 
father's family were ten children, four sons and 
six daughters, of whom Mrs. Turner is second in 
order of birth and the eldest daughter. 

To our subject and wife were born eight chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living: Franklin C, 
who resides west of the Mi.ssouri River, and is 
connected with the beef trust; Peter, living on the 
old Archer Farm, between Turner and Monroe; 
George, a car man of New York City; Duane, 
who died at the age of thirty-two; Eliza Wilheni- 
ett.a, who was killed In' the cars; Mary Ann, who 
married Howard B. Youngs, at Rye, Westchester 
County, a produce dealer at that place; Alexan- 
der, who is engaged in farming near Newburgh; 
and Theron S. , who married Miss Ellen Odell, 
and is residing with our subject. Politically Mr. 
Turner has always been a liberal Republican, 
voting for the best man in local affairs. Though 
against his wishes, he has served several times as 



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MRS. GEORGI-: GOUGE. 




GKORGE COIGE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S39 



live in single blessedness. In religious matters 
he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
discharges the duties of Trustee in a satisfactory 
manner. He has always voted for Republican 
candidates, and never lets an opportunity pass 
when he can use his influence for furthering the 
interests of his party in the count}-. The cause 
of education has had in him an able champion, 
who has done much toward advancing the stand- 
ard of scholanship in Chester, and he is at pres- 
ent serving as a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion. In 1892 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace and Police Magistrate, and is still the in- 
cumbent of both of these responsible positions. 



pQlLLIAM WILSON, a farmer re.siding near 
\ A / Highland Mills, is a native of Aberdeen, 
YV Scotland, and was born July 10, 1858, in 
the village of Fetterangus, located in the north- 
eastern part of that shire. He is the second in a 
family often children, of whom only two besides 
himself came to America, the others being Alfred 
Noble, who resides in the town of Woodbury, 
and Joseph, whose home is near Boston, Mass. 
The parents, John and Ann (Massie) Wilson, 
were born in Scotland, where the father followed 
the shoemaker's trade in Fetterangus until his 
death. In that village the mother still makes 
her home. The paternal grandparents of our sub- 
ject were John and Christina (Noble) Wilson, 
the former of whom was a stonemason by trade; 
the latter was a daughter of Peter and Jane 
(Williamson) Noble. The maternal grandpar- 
ents, William Massie and his wife, who was a 
Miss Jeffrey, were life-long residents of Scotland, 
where he engaged in building stone walls. 

In the parish school of Fetterangus the sub- 
ject of this notice passed the da3's of early youth 
in close attention to his books, but at the age of 
eleven he was obliged to di.scontinue his studies 
and begin the battle of life for himselt. Until 
fourteen he was employed on a farm, after which 
he worked with his father at the shoemaker's 
trade, following that occupation in the Old Coun- 
try until 1885, when he came to America and 



settled in New York City. There he secured a 
position in McComber's store, at No. 52 East 
Tenth Street, where he was employed for ten 
years. At the death of the foreman, in 1892, he 
was promoted to that position, which he held un- 
til January I, 1895. Meantime, in 1892, he had 
purchased a farm of fifty-three acres, known as 
the Rumsey Homestead, and situated in the town 
of Woodbury, Orange County. Hither he came 
in 1895 ^""i established his permanent home. 

While in New York City, November 3, 1887, 
Mr. Wilson married Miss Carrie Brooks, a na- 
tive of that place. Her parents, John Walter and 
Catherine (Sutherland) Brooks, were natives, re- 
•spectively, of Ft. Montgomery and Monroe, Or- 
ange Count}^ and the former was a son of John, 
Jr., and Sarah (Reynolds) Brooks. John, Jr., 
was a son of John, Sr. , a soldier in the Colonial 
army during the Revolution, who was taken by 
the British during the engagement of Ft. Mont- 
gomerj'. A brother of Sarah Rej-nolds, William, 
who helped to plant the first trees in Greenwood 
Cemetery, died at the age of ninety -nine years 
and eight months. The mother of Mrs. Wilson 
was a daughter of W^illiam and Sarah (RcA'nolds) 
Sutherland, and the latter was a daughter of 
William and Mahala (Earl) Reynolds.. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brooks were the parents of thirteen 
children, of whom only three are now living. 
In religious belief our subject and his wife are 
Presbyterians, and their membership is in the 
First Church, on Thirty-fourth Street, New York. 
Politically he is a Republican. 



GInDREWJ. GUMAER. The name of this 
I I gentleman is closely linked with the history 
/ I of the little village of Guymard, for he was 
one of its founders, and has been devoted to its 
welfare from the first. He is the proprietor of 
a mercantile business here, and being a man of 
wise judgment and business foresight, he has been 
enabled to make a success of his enterprises. In 
addition to his property in this place, he is the 



840 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



owner of a beautiful farm in the Neversink Val- 
lej-, and also has about two hundred acres in the 
town of Deerpark. 

Mr. Gumaer was born in the town of Deer- 
park, November 4, 1833, and was next to the 
youngest of the famih" of seven, five sons and two 
daughters, born to Peter E. and Esther (Cudde- 
back) Gumaer, to whom reference is made in the 
sketch of Peter L. Gumaer. elsewhere presented. 
Our subject remained at home until he became of 
age, meantime working in a store at the Locks 
with his brothers. Afterward he continued with 
his brothers, owning an interest in the enterprise. 
At the time of his father's death, when the estate 
was divided, he sold his interest in the store to 
his brothers, but kept the farm. 

A few years later, forming a partnership with 
his brothers, Ezekiel P., Jacob C. E. and Peter 
L. . our subject built a private wagon road through 
the mountains to where the station of Guymard 
is now located, and founded this place on the 
Erie Railroad. In digging the cuts in the moun- 
tains for the road, they discovered mineral, which, 
upon investigation, proved to be lead and zinc 
ore. There being an abundant supplj- of the ore, 
it was deemed wise to open a mine. According- 
ly a stock companj- was formed, which opened a 
mine on the land now occupied by the village of 
Guymard. In a short time our subject sold his 
interest, and when the village was established, 
his brothers, Peter L. and Jacob, came here and 
opened a store, while he and the other brother 
carried on the store at the Locks, in the town of 
Deerpark. In 1875 he sold out the business at 
the Locks and came to Guymard, where he has 
since been engaged in merchandising. 

In 1862 Mr. Gumaer married Miss Annie E. 
Strong, of the town of Deerpark. but she died 
after four years of wedded life. In 1868 he was 
united with Miss Adelia R. Strong, a sister of his 
first wife. She died March 7, 1890, leaving four 
children, namely: William I., who operates his 
father's farm in the town of Deerpark: Annie E., 
a successful teacher of music; Andrew A. and Ce- 
cil E., who are with their father. Politically Mr. 
Gumaer is a Republican, but the demands of his 
business have engrossed his attention to such an 



extent as to prevent participation in public affairs, 
hence he has always refused office. As a busi- 
ness man he is keen and shrewd, and has attained 
unaided his present financial success. 






*ySAAC E. KETCHAM. This well known 

I resident of the town of Mt. Hope, who is en- 
X, gaged in the milling business and farming 
pursuits, was bom August 6, 1848, upon the 
farm where he now resides. He is the youngest 
of four children comprising the famih' of Amos 
and Sallie (Seybolt) Ketcham, the others being 
as follows: Lamira, wife of E. Sweezy, of Orange 
County: George, a miller, whose home isiuMid- 
dletown: and C. C. V., who died at the age of 
about fifty-one years. 

Our subject's father was born August 21, 18 10, 
on the farm now owned by our subject, and here 
he spent the greater portion of his life, but when 
advanced in years he moved to Otisville, and 
there his death occurred June 8, 1S87. In 1848 
he built the mill in which Isaac E. is interested, 
and which is the third mill erected on that site by 
iijembers of the Ketcham family. Politicalh- he 
was a firm Republican, and took an active part in 
local affairs. He represented his fellow-citizens 
in various positions of trust, among which may 
be mentioned tho.se of Super\-isor and Assessor. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Isaac 
and Elizabeth (Beyed) Ketcham, were boni Au- 
gust 7, 1780, and August 7, 1788, respectively, 
and the latter died April 13, 1S54, while the 
former survived her many years, passing away 
January 15, 1S71. It is worthy of mention that 
his birth occurred upon the place where our subject 
is now living. He went to the front during the 
War of 181 2, and took an active part in the same. 
Our subject's mother was born in the town of 
Mt. Hope, May 12, 1814, and died February- 11, 
1S71: her remains were buried in Otisville Ceme- 
tery-. 

At the death of his parents, the .subject of this 
sketch inherited the old homestead, and here he 
has since engaged in farm pursuits. September 
17, 1871. he married Miss Sarah Frances Corwin, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



841 



daughter of Silas and Charity (Corwiii) Corwin, 
of this town, and ten children were bora unto 
them. The eldest, Amos, was born December 
15, 1872, and was drowned October 23, 1875. 
The names and dates of birth of the other chil- 
dren are as follows: Gilbert C, June g, 1874; 
Sweezie, January 7, 1S76; Ella E., May 26, 
1877; Charles W., June 16, 1879: Etta L., Jan- 
uar\- 9, 1881; Albert R., November 13, 1882; 
Robert T., August 13, 1884; Theodore \V., April 
18, 1887; and Isaac, August 7, 1889. 

Believing that the principles of the Republican 
party are calculated to advance the interests of 
our people, Mr. Ketcham gives his ballot and in- 
fluence to its measures and candidates. He is 
now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace 
in the town, and he has also been Collector for 
four years. In religious belief he is a Presbj-- 
terian, while his wife holds membership in the 
Methodist Church. The farm upon which he re- 
sides comprises one hundred acres, all well im- 
proved, and is devoted to general farming and to 
the milk industrj-, in which he has met with suc- 
cess. FraternaUj' he is a member of Hoffman 
Lodge Xo. 412, F. & A. M., of Middletown. 



P 6JILLI AM H. CARPENTER. The town of 
\ A / Mt. Hope contains no better example of 
Y V the quiet. efScient discharge of agricultural 
duties than that afforded by Mr. Carpenter. Early 
in life he determined to become a farmer, and, 
giving all the strength of his mind to becoming 
proficient in his chosen work, he has succeeded 
well, having an estate of one hundred andthirtj'- 
five acres, which produces abundantly of various 
crops in their season, and is furnished with .such 
improvements as make it a place of most inviting 
appearance. 

A native of the town of W'allkill, born Feb- 
ruary II. 1840, the subject of this article is the 
youngest child of William C. and Mary (Jessup) 
Carpenter. He is the only surviving member of 
the family, his brother, Theodore, having died at 
the age of thirty, and his sister, Clara E., at the 
age of nineteen years. The father was born in 



the town of Warwick, and was reared on a farm 
there, but after attaining manhood removed to 
the town of Wawayanda, where he spent the re- 
maining years of his life. In his undertakings 
he was moderately .successful. He was a faithful 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and in the 
hope of eternal happine-ss fell asleep at the age 
of seventy-three. A Democrat in politics, he 
served as Justice of the Peace for a quarter of a 
centur3% and was Highway Commissioner for a 
number of years in early life. 

The first wife of William C. Carpenter, yiary 
Jessuji, as she was known in maidenhood, was 
born in the town of Miniisink, and died at the age 
of twenty -two, when her youngest child was an 
infant. Afterward the father married Maria Reed, 
who died leaving one child, E. Dallas, now a 
resident of Slate Hill, this county. His third 
marriage united him with Emeline Carpenter, 
who is now living in Middletown; the children 
born of that marriage are Simon, Bud and Kirb3'. 
At the time of his mother's death our subject was 
a year old. He was reared by his step mother, and 
attended school near his home, where he laid the 
foundation of his education. For a time he was 
a student in the Wallkill Academy, but was 
obliged to abandon his studies on account of poor 
health. 

Upon attaining his majority, our subject was 
given a farm by his father, and that place he 
made his home for six years. He then went to 
Chemung County, N. Y., and purchased a tract 
of land, upon which he engaged in fanning for 
fourteen years. On his return to this county, he 
settled in the town of Mt. Hope, purchasing the 
place where he now resides. November 16, 1859, 
he married Miss Emily Wilson, a native of this 
counts', and there were born unto them three 
children: Mary, wife of Charles Leigh, of New 
York City; and two who died in childhood. 

As a Democrat Mr. Carpenter has always taken 
an active part in politics. He is now serving his 
second term as Justice of the Peace, and his elec- 
tion to that position proves his popularity, as the 
town is strongly Republican. Socially he is a 
member of Chemung \'alley Lodge No. 350, F. & 
A. M., and Cayuta Chapter No. 450, at Waver- 



842 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ly. In former years he was identified with the 
Comniamlery. but there is none near enough his 
home to permit his attendance at the present time. 
In religious views he is a Presbyterian, and holds 
membership with the church of that denomina- 
tion near his home. With commendable public 
spirit he favors all efforts to advance the welfare 
of the community, and has contributed his quota 
to the development of its interests. 



a#!#E 



HON. ANANIAS BRKWSTER HULSE, one 
of the best known residents of Orange Coun- 
ty, has held some official position since 
twenty-seven years of age, when he was elected 
Town Clerk. He was next honored by being 
chosen as a member of the State Assembly, ser\-- 
ing acceptably for one term. After this he was 
Asses.sor for three years. School Trustee for a 
period of eighteen years, and January i, t 896, will 
have served his seventeenth year as Justice of the 
Peace. 

Mr. Hulse comes of good old German stock. 
His earliest ancestor in this country- of whom 
anything definite is known was one Jesse Hulse, 
who was born on Long Island, November 22, 
1779, and died July 14, 1S55, in the town of 
Blooming Grove. His two brothers, Stephen 
and Ebenzer, moved to Ohio, and all trace of 
them has since been lost. Jesse was a carpen- 
ter by trade, and probably came to Orange 
County as a journeyman. He married Miss 
Hannah Moor, a native of New Jersey, her birth 
occurring October 30, 1779. She died April 28, 
1863, after becoming the mother of four children. 
Of this family Alfred Preston, the father of our 
subject, was the eldest. Sally Moor Hulse died 
unmarried, when eighty-three years of age; 
Martha was twenty-five at the time of her demise: 
and Ebenezer E. departed this life in Blooming 
Grove. 

The father of our subject was born in the town 
of Cornwall, near Bethlehem, Febnian,- 4, 1805, 
and died in Februar>-, 1887. He was quite young 
at the time his parents removed to the town of 
Blooming Grove, where he was reared to mature 



years, and where he engaged in farm pursuits all 
his life. He was a leading politician and was 
prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party. 
For many years he sen-ed as Road Connnissioner. 
and in ever>- position which he was called upon 
to fill never failed to give .satisfaction. He mar- 
ried Miss Harriet Chatfield Tuttle, who wasboni 
in the town of Blooming Grove, and who was the 
daughter of James I. and Hnlda (Brewster) Tut- 
tle. Her father, who was also a native of this 
county, was in the early days a mas<in by trade, 
but pa.ssed his la.st years on a farm. His parents 
were George and Anna ( Hulse) Tuttle. 

Hulda Brewster was born in the town of Bloom 
ing Grove, and was the daughter of Daniel and 
Esther (Chatfield ) Brewster, natives of Massa- 
chusetts, who also lived for a time on Long Island. 
Daniel Brewster, who was the son of John, was 
Town Clerk for a period of fifty years, and was 
in other ways prominent in public affairs. His 
father was a direct descendant of old Elder Brew- 
.ster, one of the passengers in the "Mayflower." 
Esther Chatfield was torn on Long Island, and 
her mother was a Miss Hunting. 

The parental family included six sons and 
daughters, namely: Ananias B. , of this sketch: 
Jesse, living in the town of Monroe; Dr. Hulda 
T. , who first married Neil Campbell, and after 
his death became the wife of Robert Gunn, of 
New York City: Hannah, deceased, fonnerly the 
wife of Col. T. Benton Brooks, of New Windsor; 
Esther B., who married Ethan Carpenter, but is 
now deceased; and Fannie, who was a graduate 
of the state nonnal. The latter, who has also 
departed this life, was the wife of Charles M. 
Lawler, Superintendent of the Reading Railroad. 

The birth of our .subject occurred in the town 
of Blooming Grove, on what is now known as 
the Woodhull F'arm, January i, 1830. He re- 
mained in that town until a lad of six years, 
when his parents movetl to a farm near the vil- 
lage of Monroe. Here young Hulse attended the 
public schools until reaching his seventeenth 
year, and ever since that time has kept hini.self 
well informed on what is going on around him. 
He was an inmate of the parental household un- 
til thirty-four years of age, in the mean time 




SAMUEL WICKHAM MILLS, 1). D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



845 



proving of valuable assistance to his father in 
managing the estate. The year following he 
moved into the village of Monroe and began deal- 
ing in flour and feed. A twelvemonth later, 
however, he established a grocerj' business, and 
for three years was the proprietor of a thriving 
trade. Since that time he has been an auc- 
tioneer, and so successful has he been in dispos- 
ing of goods that his services are greatly in dcv 
mand. Mr. Hulse, like his father and grandfa- 
ther before him, is a Democrat, and has been 
elected on that ticket to many of the important 
ofiices which it has been within the gift of his 
fellow-townsmen to bestow. For some twenty 
j-ears he has been Road Master, and during that 
time made many valuable improvements in*the 
roads. 

Hon. A. B. Hulse was married Februar)- 24, 
1866, in the town of Monroe, to Miss Su.san Mc- 
Kelvey Forshee, a native of this town. Her par- 
ents were Barnard and Eliza (McKelvey) Forshee, 
also natives of the town of Monroe. Her pater- 
nal grandfather al.so bore the name of Barnard, 
and was a well-to-do farmer. He married a Miss 
Annie Cole, who, it is thought, was of Dutch 
origin, while the grandfather was of French de- 
scent. Eliza McKelvey was the daughter of John 
and Charity (Cooper) McKelvey, both natives 
of this town. John McKelvey was the son of an 
old Revolutionary soldier, who was of Scotch- 
Irish descent. Charitj' Cooper was descended 
from the same family as was Peter Cooper, ot 
steamboat fame. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
were born three children. Alfred Preston, who 
died in December, 1894, was a finely educated 
and highly esteemed young man, and held the 
important position of Chief Clerk on the Elgin 
Belt Line Railroad, with headquarters at Chica- 
go. He was married on his death-bed to Miss 
Olive Hopewell, of Areola, 111. The second of 
the hou.sehold was Miss Eliza Forshee, who mar- 
ried Newton N. Millington, of Monroe, Wis.; 
they have a .son, Newton Caldwell. Harriet 
Chatfield married Theodore F. Lawrence, of 
Chester, this county. 

John McKelvey Forshee, a brother of Mrs. 



Hulse, was assistant surgeon of the Fire Zouaves 
during the late war, and was later surgeon of the 
One Hundred and Sixty-sixth New York In- 
fantry. He served through the Peninsula cam- 
paign under MacClellan, and during his army 
life contracted typhoid fever, from which he died 
while at home on a furlough. 



mAMUEL WICKHAM MILLS, D. D., one of 
r\ the highly respected citizens of Port J ervis, 
ilJ/ is a native of Orange County, born in the 
town of Wallkill, near Scotchtown, five miles 
north of Middletown, on the 5th of April, 1820, 
and is a son of Samuel and Esther (Stitt ) Mills. 
His mother was a daughter of John and Nancy 
(McCullough) Stitt, of Bloomingburg, Sullivan 
County, N. Y. The Mills family came from 
Yorkshire, England. Some of the name are of 
Holland extraction, the first to come to America 
being Peter Vander Mulin (the name meaning 
"from the mills"), who settled in Windsor, 
Conn., where the family took the English name 
of Mills. The English family can be traced back 
to the DeMolis, founded in 1083, in Devon, Eng- 
land, the name being derived from Meulles of 
Normandy. Members of the family bearing that 
name went to England with William the Con- 
queror in 1066. The name has several times 
been changed, being Milne in 1530, Mills in 1560, 
Millne in 1584, Milles in 1612, and Mylle from 
1627 to 1665, these being found in the records of 
Yorkshire, England. 

John Mills came with Governor Winthrop to 
Massachusetts in 1629 or 1630, his name appear- 
ing thirty-third on the roll of the first church of 
Boston, in which church his two daughters, Joy 
and Remembrance, were baptized in October, 
1630. He became a freeman of Boston in 1632, 
but later removed to Braintree, Mass. , where he 
.served as Township Clerk in 1653. His will was 
made in 1670, and he left his estate to his son 
John, a.sking also that one of John's sons be edn- 



846 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cated for the niinistn-, as many of his predecessors 
were of that profession. Richard Mills was a 
pioneer schoolmaster on Long Island and in Con- 
necticut. Samuel Mills, of Dedham, Mass.. and 
Samuel Mills, of Windsor, Conn., came from 
England at an early date, but it is not known 
whether they were related to the branch of the 
family to which our subject belongs. George 
Mills, who was probably the ancestor of the Long 
Island branch, came from Yorkshire. England, 
about 1665, and diet! in Jamaica, L. I., in 1694. 
at the age of eighty-nine years. He is supposed 
to have been a brother of John Mills, of Boston. 

From George, in a direct line to our subject. 
are Samuel, Jonathan. Timothy. Jonathan. Jacob 
and Samuel, the latter the father of our subject. 
George's son Samuel was boni on Long Island in 
1631. and died in Jamaica. L. I., in 1726. at the 
age of ninet>-five, a notice of his death appearing 
in the New York (Jact^fc, March 12. 1726. He 
had sixteen children, nine of whom were living at 
the time of his death, together with eighty grand- 
children and fifty-four great-grandchildren. His 
sou Jonathan was bom at Jamaica. N. Y., was 
married in 17 10, and had four children: Timothy, 
Samuel, Isaac and Jonathan. The records show 
that he purchased a piece of land March 3. 1677. 
Timothy, born in 1677. left Jamaica and settled 
at Mills" Pond in 1693, to which he gave the 
name. He died March 30. 1751. His first wife. 
Elizabeth, had two children, and the second wife, 
Sarah, had eleven. Jonathan, the sixth of the 
latter marriage, was boni October 2^. 17 10, 
and was married in 1 737 to Ruth Rudyard, of 
Perth Amboy, X. J. They had six children, and 
after her death he was again married, Januar>- 
25. 1756. this time to Dorothy Miller, and to 
them were bom three children. His death occur- 
red at Mills' Pond. October 23, 1798. Of the 
first marriage, Jacob and Timothy were twins, 
born December 22, 1746. 

At the age of nineteen Jacob Mills began whal- 
ing, which he followed for six or seven months 
out of the year. He came to Orange County be- 
tween 1768 and 1770, near New Windsor, and 
started a tanner>-. When he first moveil here he 
bought twenty-two hundred and fifty acres of land 



in the town of Wallkill, five miles north of Mid- 
dletown, and the place was known as Millsburg. 
On the 27th of December, 1773, he was married, 
in Goshen, to Catherine Denton. During the 
Revolutionar\- War he made shoes for the soldiers 
of the militia company to which he belonged, and 
received his pay in Continental money, which 
was worth but ven,- little. His company wa.s 
orderetl to Ft. Montgomerj-, but it was captured 
before they arrived. His tannery was enlarged, 
and in 1791 he built a stone house near the same, 
and there our subject was bom. He occupied 
that house until 1807. when he erected a large 
frame dwelling. He died at the home of his son 
Charles, in 1841. at the age of ninety-five years. 
He*\vas quite a liberal man. and assisted largel\ 
in building the Presbyterian Church at Scotch- 
town. In his family were twelve children, six 
sons and six daughters, and with the exception of 
Catherine all reared families of their own. Will- 
iam Wickham was the only one that did not live 
in Orange County. He made his home on Long 
Island, where he was heir to his uncle's property 
at Mills' Pond. At the time of his death Jacob 
Mills had ninety-seven grandchildren, forty-eight 
grandsons and forty-nine granddaughters, nearly 
all of whom became farmers. There was one 
physician, one clergyman, and one Sheriff of 
Orange County. 

Samuel Mills, the father of our subject, suc- 
ceeded to the old home place. He was bom Au- 
gust 27, 1776, and died on the 13th of November, 
1S60. at the age of eighty-five. He cast his last 
vote just before his death. On the 13th of Janu- 
an,-, 1807, he married Esther Stitt. who was Ixim 
August 28. 17S7. and her death occurred Novem- 
ber II. 1S63. Of their family we note the follow- 
ing: Catherine marrietl Archibald Slaughter, and 
died Junes. 18S8, in her eighty-first year: Nancy, 
wife of Hiram S. Dunning, died in her thirty - 
fourth year, March 3, 1843: William dieil Oc- 
tober 31, 1885, at Petersburg. \'a.. in his seven- 
ty-sixth year; Caroline, wife of DeWitt Slaugh- 
ter, died November 9. 1861, in her fiftieth year; 
Mary Jane, the wife of Robert J. Bull, of Wall- 
kill, is now in her eighty-first year: John Stitt 
died when young: Sarali Elizabeth, who was the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



847 



wife of Gen. Alfred D. Hurtin, died April 24, 
1886, in her seventieth year; Jacob Stitt passed 
away when young; Samuel Wickham is next in 
order of birth; James Jackson lives at Scotchtown; 
Albert died on the old homestead in his sixty- 
sixth year, July 25, 1890, where his widow still 
resides; Edwin Hves near Phillipsburg, this 
county; and Ruth died in childhood. The father 
of this family carried on a tannery and' also en- 
gaged in farming, owning a large tract of land, 
which comprised three farms. He was quite a 
successful business man, and assisted his children 
very materially. 

We now come to the personal history of Rev. 
Samuel Wickham Mills. He was the ninth in 
the family, and remained at home until reaching 
the age of fifteen, when he entered Rutgers Col- 
lege at New Brunswick, N. J., from which he 
was graduated in the Class of '38, at the age of 
eighteen. He then began studying in the Theo- 
logical Seminary of the Reformed Church at 
New Brunswick, from which he was graduated 
in 1842. Among his classmates at Rutgers there 
were many who afterward became quite noted, 
among them being John DeWitt, who became 
Professor of Ancient Languages at the Theological 
Seminary at New Brunswick; Theodoric R. West- 
brook, Supreme Judge of New York, who made 
his home at Kingston, this state, and died while 
serving on the Bench; and Dr. James A. H. Cor- 
nell, a minister of New Baltimore, N. Y., who 
has been quite prominent in church work in the 
state. Upon his graduation from college he was 
awarded the English salutatory, which at that 
time was third in the list of honors conferred by 
the faculty of the college. 

At Bloomingburg, Sullivan County, in May, 
1843, Mr. Mills was ordained and began his pas- 
toral work. At the end of fifteen years he located 
at Port Jervis, where he engaged in preaching for 
fourteen years, or until 1872, the date of his ar- 
rival here being in February, 1858. He here 
erected the present Reformed Church edifice at a 
cost of $44,000, one of the principal contributors 
being Henry H. Farnham, who gave $13,000, be- 
sides a fine organ. The architect was Isaac G. 
Perry, the present Capital Commissioner of Al- 



bany, and a noted man. Rev. Mr. Mills was 
very fortunate in the erection of the church, as 
the entire amount of its construction was obtained 
before the dedication. During his ministry here 
he received two hundred and forty-nine members 
into the church. Of late he has had no charge, 
but does supply duty, and has preached in nearly 
all of the churches in this section of the country. 
He is a member of the clas.sis of Orange, in the 
higher judicatories of the Reformed Church, and 
during his pastorates, as well as since, has repre- 
sented the same. He gives "entire .satisfaction 
wherever he goes, and is an luitiring worker 
among all classes. He has .served as President of 
the Minisink Valley Historical Society since its 
organization in 1889. For thirty-,seven years, or 
up to June, 1895, he was Corresponding Secre- 
tarj- of the Orange County Bible Society, and then 
was made President of the society. 

Rev. Mr. Mills was married, on the 17th of 
January, 1844, to Miss Almeda J. Bailey, a 
daughter of Nathaniel Bailey, of Middletown, and 
a sister of Daniel H. Bailey, later Mayor of the 
same city. She was born February 28, 1822, and 
her death occurred on the 12th of March, 1867. 
By her marriage she became the mother of six 
children: Harriet Bailey, who died in childhood 
on the 2d of April, 1847; Esther, the wife of C. E. 
Cuddeback, an attorney of Port Jer\ds; Anna, 
whose death occurred April 5, 1879, at the age of 
twenty-nine years; Theodore Denton, a doctor of 
Middletown; Cornelia Hunter, who died Novem- 
ber 24, 1 87 1, at the age of seventeen years; and 
Mary Delia, wife of J. Alex Stitt, an attorney of 
New York City. On the 29th of November, 
1870, Rev. Mr. Mills was again married. Miss 
Amira St. John becoming his wife. She is a 
daughter of Stephen St. John, of Port Jervis. 

Mr. Mills is a well read, cultured gentleman, 
and a natural pulpit orator. His record has been 
an honorable one, his years have been fruitful 
with deeds of usefulness and kindness, with malice 
towards none and friendliness towards all who 
have come under his influence, and he has gained 
the respect and honor of the whole community. 
He is now living in his hand.some residence on 
the main .street of Port Jervis, lying at the foot of 



848 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the mountain, which looms grandly above it for 
several hundred feet, and is surrounded by beau- 
tiful grounds. In this lovely spot he intends to 
spend his remaining days. 



EHAL'NCEY CARPENTER. While using j 
his influence to advance the development 
and financial standing of this county, Mr. 
Carpenter has acquired con.siderable property and 
is classed among the well-to-do farmers of the 
town of Greenville. In the management of his 
interests he has displayed excellent judgment and 
good business talents, and through his efforts the 
farm upon which he was born, and which is still 
his home, has been placed in the best possible 
shai)e, its substantial buildings and other im- 
provements showing his thrift and industry. 

Born February 2, 1839, the subject of this 
article is the eldest of eight children comprising 
the family of Oliver L. and Julia M. (Raynor) 
Carpenter. His father, who also was born on this 
farm, spent the greater portion of his life here, 
but at the age of sixty-eight he retired from act- 
ive business cares and removed to Port Jervis, 
where he purchased residence property. His 
death occurred at the age of seventy-eight. A 
successful farmer, his landed possessions aggre- 
gated six hundred acres at the time of his death. 
In his political views he was a Democrat, but al- 
ways refused to accept public ofiSce. His wife, 
also a native of this county, is still living and 
makes her home in Port Jervis. Notwith.stand- 
ing her eighty-one years, she enjoys good health 
and is a well preserved woman. 1 

With the exception of the time spent in Mt. 
Holly Institute in Burlington County, N. J., our 
subject remained at home with his parents until 
he attained his majority. For two years he taught 
in the district school, and then for one year taught 
in the village school at Ridgebur>-. He had pre- 
pared himself for the occcupation of a civil engi- 
neer, but instead of engaging in that calling he 
began the cultivation of one of his father's farms, | 
and here he has since resided. In all his under- | 
takings he has been assisted by his efficient and 



amiable helpmate, and his success may be largel 
attributed to her active co-operation. She was : 
maidenhood Mi.ss Frances A. Curtis, of the tow: 
of Minisink, and became his wife April 16, 186 
Five children were born to them, but two died 111 
infancy. The three who surv'ive are Ida, wife of 
William Wehner, of New York City; Florence 
Annie, Mrs. Perr>- Van Ness Moore, of this town; 
and Louis E., who is at home. 

As a member of the Democratic party, Mr. 
Carpenter takes a deep interest in local affairs. 
I'pon his party ticket he has been elected to a 
number of town oflBces, having served as Col- 
lector for two years and as Justice of the Peace 
for twelve years. Socially he is identified with 
the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge in 
Port Jer\is. Mrs. Carpenter is a member of the 
Mt. Salem Bapti.st Church. Our subject's farm 
of two hundred acres is under excellent cultiva- 
tion and bears a full line of improvements. He 
is a genial, good-hearted man, ever ready to re- 
spond to the calls of the needy, and stands high 
in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. 



«yRA P. HALLOCK. A life-long farmer, pro- 
I gressive in his ideas regarding the occupation, 
X anxious to excel, and energetic in di.sjxjsition, 
Mr. Hallock has secured a valuable estate, and is 
enabled to surround his family with all the com- 
forts of life. His farm is .situated in the town 
of Greenville and comprises two hundred acres, 
upon which have been placed various improve- 
ments, stamping it as the abode of one who has 
prospered in worldly affairs and possesses sound 
judgment. 

Upon the fann where he now lives. Mr. Hal- 
lock was born September 14, 1847, being the 
youngest of the seven children of Parker and 
Sallie (Helm) Hallock. His brothers and sis- 
ters were as follows: Marj-, Mrs. Edson Mul- 
ford, who died at the age of twenty-four; Orange, 
who died at fifty-six years; Nimgad, who died 
in infancy; Helen, widow of Ira Mulock, and at 
present residing with her mother; Elmina. whose 
death occurretl at four years; and Hortense, wife 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Charles M. Mulford, a resident of Stuart, Neb. 
Mrs. Miilock was also born on the old homestead 
now occupied by her brother, Ira P. Hallock. 
She was educated in the home schools, and in 
New York City, November 2, 1854, she married 
Ira Mulock. After their marriage they lived on 
a farm near Centerville, in the town of Green- 
ville, for eighteen years, and in the spring of 
1874 nioved to Canon City, Colo., where Mr. 
Mulock was engaged in the cattle business. In 
1889 he .settled in Monterey, Mexico, where he 
staid one year, and also spent one year at Agua 
Caliente. Altogether he was in Mexico about 
five years, though Mrs. Mulock was with him 
there only two years. He died February 2, 1893, 
in Agua Caliente, Mexico, and is buried in 
Canon City. To Mr. and Mrs. Mulock were 
born five children, three of whom reside in Colo- 
rado, one in El Paso, Tex., and one at Agua 
Caliente. 

Our subject's father was born in the town of 
Greenville, July 15, 1802, and .spent his entire 
life upon a farm here, dying at the age of sixty- 
five. In his political belief he was a Republican, 
and took a prominent part in local affairs. The 
family history in America dates back to Peter 
Hallock, who emigrated from England to this 
country in 1640 and settled on Long Island, at 
what is now known as Hallock's Neck. Our 
subject's mother was born in the town of Mt. 
Hope, Julj^ 25, 1806, being a daughter of Brew- 
ster and Polly (Vance) Helm. Her father, who 
was of Scotch ancestry, was born in Orange 
County, followed the occupation of a farmer, and 
served in the War of 181 2. Her mother was 
born in New Jer.sey, and died at an advanced 
age, in the town of Mt. Hope. Mrs. Hallock is 
still living on the old homestead and is now 
(1895 ) eighty-nine years of age. It is a remark- 
able fact that she is one of a family of five .still 
living, all more than seventy years of age, her 
yoiuiger sisters being eighty-four, seventy-nine 
and seventy-three, respectively, while her brother 
is about seventy-one. They are all well preserved, 
and in good health considering their advanced 
years. 

In youth our subject attended the common 



schools and the business college at Binghamton, 
this state, spending one term in the latter in.stitu- 
tion. Upon gaining his majority he inherited 
the farm where he has since made his home, with 
the e.xception of three years in New York City, 
during which time he was engaged in the milk 
bu.siness. Though he has always refused to ac- 
cept office, he has decided opinions upon the 
great questions of the day, and champions Re- 
publican principles. In addition to general farm- 
ing, he devotes some attention to thg dairy busi- 
ness, which he finds remunerative. 

May 7, 1873, Mr. Hallock married Miss Velma 
E. Skinner, of the town of Deerpark, this coun- 
ty, who was born in March, 1853, being the 
daughter of Thomas and Juliette fPierson) Skin- 
ner. Six children comprise their family: Harry 
E., Walter L., Norman, Percy, Bertha and Ethel, 
all of whom have been carefully reared and given 
good educations, and so fitted for useful and hon- 
orable positions in life. 



ftjAMUEL C. HOWELL, a resident of the 
/\ town of Wallkill and a well known citizen of 
v*y the village of Howells, was born in this town 
May 21, 1807, being the only son of William A. 
and Elizabeth (Calander) Howell. His father, 
who was born in Orange County in 1780, was the 
son of Edward and Clementina (Albertson) How- 
ell, both natives of Long Island. The former was 
born in 1745, and came to Orange County after 
his marriage, in 1779. The maternal grandfather 
of Samuel C. Howell, for whom he was named, 
was a Virginian by birth and a Lieutenant of 
light - horse cavalry during the Revolutionary 
War. William A. Howell was engaged in farm 
work until his death, August 28, 181 1. The 
mother, who was born December 11, 1780, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Howell December 22, 1803, 
and departed this life in September, i860, having 
long survived her husband. 

At the time of his father's death, our subject 
was onl)' about four years of age, and he, being 
the only son, was early obliged to aid in the main- 
tenance of the family. When a young man he 



850 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
in Midtlletown when that now thriving city was 
a hamlet containing a few honses. In i8j?4 he 
married Miss Sallie Jane, dangliter of Joseph and 
Anna (Whitter) Beaks, who was born in the 
town of Wallkill, Februar>- 20, 1S12. and who 
is still living, enjoying excellent health for one of 
her age. Nine children were horn to them, six 
sons and three danghters, namely: Albert J., a 
prosperous fanner of the town of Mt. Hope; 
Frances E., >vho resides with and looks after the 
welfare of her parents: Joseph, a representative 
farmer of Mt. Hope: William Harrison, a mem- 
ber of Company E. One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth New York Infantr\-, in which he enlisted, 
in 1862. as a private, and was afterward promoted 
to be Corporal. ser\ing in that capacity until he 
was killed in battle at Spottsylvania Court House, 
Va., May 12. 1864: Henr\-, also of Company E, 
One Hundre<l and Twenty-fourth Regiment, who 
was wounded in the leg in the same engagement, 
and who is now I'nder- Sheriff of the county, 
making his home in Newburgh: Janies T., owner 
of the old homestead in the town of Mt. Hope, 
and a resident of Jersey City: Sidney, who lives 
in Ohio: Annie E.. wife of HerlDert Dolson, of 
Norwich, N. Y.: and Mary L., who died at the 
age of six years. 

At the time of his marriage our subject pur- 
chased a small farm in the town of Mt. Hope, and 
to this he addetl trom time to time until he owned 
four hundred acres of valuable land in this and 
Wallkill Towns. When the New York & Erie 
Railroad was built through here he built a depot 
and established the village named Howells in his 
honor. He was the first railroad agent and Post- 
master at the place, but the work of these |x>si- 
tions was done entirely by deputies, his attention 
being devoted to the management of his farm. 
To the establishment of the church and other en- 
terprises that were calculated to benefit the j)eople, 
he was a very liberal contributor. For a number 
of \ears he served as Assessor and took a promi- 
nent part in the local work of the Republican 
party. 

The life of Mr. Howell is one from which may 
be gleaned lessons for the young. Orphaned in 



childhood, he was early forced to become self- 
supporting, but this fact, instead of being an in- 
jur>-, was perhaps helpful to him, as it caused 
him to develop in his character traits of self- 
reliance and sound judgment that secured his 
success in later years. No one has done as much 
for the village of Howells as has he. Anything 
that will promote the welfare of the place receives 
his hearty co-operation, and while he is now too 
old himself to carrj- out projects for its advance- 
ment, he still takes the warmest interest in its 
growth and progress. 

Joseph B. Howell, our subject's son, was born 
in the town of Mt. Hope, May 7, 1839, and re- 
mained with his parents on the home farm until 
he attained his majority. November 9, iS6s, he 
married Miss Mary H. Corwin, who was born in 
the town of Wallkill. April 9. 1845, being a 
daughter of George W. and Lamira ( Horton 1 
Corwin. Her father was born in the town of 
Wallkill. April 25. 1S12. and in early life engaged 
in merchandising, but later engaged in farming. 
His death occurred October 26, 1892. He w.is a 
son of Daniel Cor\vin, who was bom on Long 
Island and ser\ed in the War of 1812. The 
mother of Mrs. Howell was born near Blooming- 
burg, Sullivan County, this state, became the 
wife of Mr. Corwin December 18, 1838, and died 
in the town of Wallkill October 30, 1879. She 
was buried in the Baptist Cemeterj- at New 
\ernon. 

Three children blessed the union of Joseph B. 
and Mary H. Howell. Man,- Lena, the eldest, 
was Ixirn August 4, 1866, and is now the wife of 
George F. Fish, a wholesale celery dealer of New 
York, but a resident of Middletown and a man of 
prominence there. George E., who was boni 
June 26, 1 868, received a good education in the 
Binghamton Business College, and is now con- 
nected with the Amfrican Poultry Fanru-r. at 
Johnstown, N. Y. : he is a young man of su}>erior 
ability, and is quite successful in his undertak- 
takings. One died in infancy. At the time of 
his marriage Joseph B. Howell purchased from 
his father a tract of about ninety acres, and here 
he has since made his home, being engaged in 
dairj- fanning. He is a man of depth of thought. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S.si 



originality- in his methods and siiflBcient persever- 
ance and judgment to earn.- out his plans, making 
of them a success. In his neighborhood he is 
ptopular, and all who know him give him their 
respect and esteem. 



(31 XDREW JACKSON MOORE. This pop. 
Ll ular citizen of Goshen was for about five 
I I years Postmaster of this village, and is at 
present filling the position of Deputy Postmaster. 
For ten years he was a soldier in the regular 
army, a part of that time participating in the bat- 
tles of the Rebellion. He is favorably known 
throughout this portion of the state, and as one 
of the representative men of the count},- we are 
pleased to present a sketch of his life to our 
readers. 

Our subject was bom in Xewburgh, December 
31, 1S3S. His father. Patrick Moore, was born 
in Queen's Count\-. Ireland, whence he emigrated 
to America in boyhood and settled at once in 
Xewburgh. In 1S40 he began to work as a 
butcher, and continued to follow that trade until 
his death, which occurred August 10. 1871. lu 
politics he was a Democrat. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Eleanor Duell, was a native of 
this state, and died October 10. 1SS3. when sev- 
entj--nine years of age. Her children were three 
in number, two daughters and a son. Andrew J. 
being the second-bom. 

After completing his studies in Farmers' Hall 
Academy. Mr. Moore enlisted in the regular 
army, and was mustered in as a member of the 
Second United States Dragoons at Carlisle, Pa., 
from which place he went, in May, 1859. to join 
the regiment at Camp Floyd. Utah, making the 
overland march from Leavenworth, Kan., a dis- 
tance of thirteen hundred miles. It was the duty 
of the regiment to protect the residents of that 
section firom the Indians and Mormons, but more 
especially to escort emigrant trains to the Far 
West. July 2-. 1S61, the regiment started east- 
ward, marching to Leavenworth, thence to St. 



Joe, Mo., from there to Hannibal and on to 
Quincy, 111. On reaching Washington. D. C, 
they were re-organized and formed into a cavalr\- 
reser\-e brigade. 

As a soldier in the Civil War, Mr. Moore par- 
ticipated in every engagement in which the Army 
of the Potomac fought until he was mustered out, 
November i. 1863, with the rank of First Ser- 
geant. August 31, 1S62, at Chantilly. Va., a 
squad of sevent\- men of the Second Dragoons 
was out on a reconnoitering exp>edition, and 
was surprised by General Stuart's brigade of 
cavalry. A skirmish ensued with a slight loss, 
and fift>--six of the seventy men were captured. 
However, owing to the request of Col. Beverly 
Robertson, late Adjutant of the Second, who was 
present at the time, the men were paroled on the 
field, and were also allowed to retain their private 
projjerty. On the ist of January. 1S63, Mr. 
Moore joined his regiment, ha\-ing been ex- 
changed in December previous. 

Returning home at the expiration of his period 
of ser\-ice, Mr. Moore worked for his father un- 
til June 24. 1S67, when he again enlisted in the 
regular army and was commissioned drill instruc- 
tor at CarUsle barracks. He held that position 
until June. 1S68. when he was made First Ser- 
geant in Compan\- C. Third L'nited States Cav- 
alr>-, and with his regiment was sent to New 
Mexico on the Canadian River expedition, and 
participated in the battles fought during that ex- 
pedition. After peace was estabUshed they re- 
mained at Ft. Bascombe, X. M.. until 1869, 
when they were ordered to Arizona and made 
their headquarters in that territory until Decem- 
ber I, 187 1, when they marched to Wyoming, 
Mr. Moore was honorably discharged while at 
Ft. Russell. June 24. 1S72. and immediately re- 
turned to Goshen. 

The father of our subject having died during 
his last p)eriod of ser\-ice in the army, he there- 
after cared for his mother until her death. His 
first business venture was in the cigar trade. In 
1874 he opyened a cigar store in Goshen, and con- 
ducted it with success until he was appointed 
Postmaster in 18S7. He assumed the duties of 
the oflSce May i of that year, and served until 



852 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1892, since which time he has been Deputy. The 
office is second-class, and three clerks are em- 
ployed in addition to the Postmaster. 

In 1S73 Mr. Moore was made Clerk of the vil- 
lage, and he sen-ed in that capacity until ap- 
pointed Postmaster. For four years he was Town 
Clerk, for six years Supervisor of the town, and 
in 1880 was Chairman of the Board of Super- 
visors. Socially he is a Mason of high stand- 
ing, and is connected with the Society of the 
Army of the Potomac and Cavalry Corps; he is 
also Pa.st Commander of Cummingfs Post No. 176, 
G. A. R. Politically he is a Democrat, and has 
firequently been a delegate to the county conven- 
tions of his party. 

• ^ P ' 



r^KTKR L. GUMAER. Postmaster and station 
L/^ agent at Guymard, in the town of Mt. Hope. 
1^ was bom in the town of Deerpark, January 
29, 1S27, being the fourth among the seven chil- 
dren of Peter E. and Esther (Cuddeback) Gum- 
aer. Of the others we note the following: Morgan 
was bom January 27, 1815, and is now deceased: 
Ezekiel P. was born May 10, 1S17, and died June 
25. 1877: Jacob C. E., whose birth occurred 
October 18, 1820, is a farmer in Ovid, Mich.; 
Xaomi, who was born Januan.- 20, 1S30, died 
May 2, 1862; Andrew J., boni November 4, 
1833, is represented elsewhere in this vohmie: 
Esther Harriet was bom August 30. 1S35, and 
now lives in New York City. 

The father of our subject was horn in the towni 
of Deerpark, May 28, 1771, and followed the oc- 
cupation of a farmer throughout life, giving some 
attention also to surveying. Though self-edu- 
cated, he was very well informed, and was known 
as an able writer and a man of broad knowledge. 
At different times beheld almost all of the offices 
of the town. He was successflil, and at the time 
of his death. December iS, 1S69, owned consider- 
able land. During the War of 1812 he sensed as 
a Captain in the militia. His wife, who was born 
in Montague, N. J., November 30, 1793, died 
April 6, 1S70, and both are buried in the Laurel 
Grove Cemeterx-. The histor\- of tlie familv in 



this county dates back to Peter Gumaer, a native 
of France, who emigrated to America, and set- 
tled in the town of Deerpark, where he lies buried. 

During the winter months, our subject in boy- 
hood was a student in the district schools, while 
in the summer he worked on a farm. When he 
was fifteen, his brother built a grocery- store on 
the Delaware & Hudson Canal at Port Clinton, 
and he and two other brothers also became inter- 
ested in the enterprise, carrying on a grocery at 
that place. For twenty years he retained his in- 
terest in that business. In 1857 the four brothers 
began building a wagon road from Port Clinton 
to the top of the Shawangimk Mountains, which 
they completed about 1861 . They then purchased 
a large tract of land on the mountain, and started 
the \-illage of Guymard, our subject building the 
depot and an hotel. He was appointed Postmas- 
ter, express agent and ticket agent, in addition 
to which he carried on the hotel for fourteen 
years and erected the majority of the buildings in 
the place. At one time he was quite wealthy, 
but through financial reverses he lost almost all 
of his money. He has to some extent retrieved his 
losses, and is now in comfortable circumstances. 

December 29, 1853, Mr. Gumaer married Miss 
Sarah Jane Mulock, daughter of Joshua and Sal- 
lie (Greenleaf) Mulock. Six children were bom 
of their union, namely: Georgiana, who was bom 
Februar>- 14, 1S55, and died May 10, 1872; 
Laertes \V., who was born November 22, 1857, 
and is now in the employ of the Commercial Cable 
Company of New York City: Chauncey I., who 
was bora February 20, 1S60. and resides in Alma, 
Colo., where he is prominently connected with 
the mining interests: Franklin Peter, bom Au- 
gust 20. 1863, and now engaged in the real-es- 
tate business in Denver, Colo. : Marie Louise, 
bom April 15, 1866, a talented professional sing- 
er, who has traveled throughout the United 
States. gi\-ing concerts in the large cities: George 
S.. who was born August 12. 1874, and is now a 
law student in Paterson, N. J. 

In his views u|X)n matters of general import- 
ance Mr. Gumaer is frank and firm. He favors 
Greenback principles and the free coinage of sil- 
ver, which he believes would greatlv enhance the 



,1 





HENRV I). FDWLKR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



855 



prosperity of our countrj-. Socially he belongs to 
the Masonic order at Middletowii. He is a man 
of strict honest}- and generous disposition, willing 
to aid in local enterprises and especially interest- 
ed in the progress of the village where he makes 
his home. 



HENRY D. FOWEER, a prominent and pro- 
gressive farmer of the town of Newburgh, is 
now living on the old homestead where his 
father, who bore the name of Peter V. B. Fowler, 
was born, the date of the event being February 
20, 1800. The grandfather, Caleb Fowler, also 
lived and died on the old home farm, the latter's 
father, Isaac, Jr., having removed to this locality 
from Westchester County, N. Y. He was of 
Welsh descent, and became fairlj- well-to-do in 
his labors as an agriculturist. The paternal 
grandmother of our subject, before her marriage, 
was a Miss Sebring, and her mother was in maid- 
enhood a Miss Van Ben Schoten; both families 
resided in Dutchess County. The father of our 
subject was named in part for his great-grand- 
mother's family, as were also two of his brothers, 
Matthew and Jacob V. B. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Eliza Du Bois, 
was a native of Dutchess County, and the daugh- 
ter of Garrett and Hannah (Cooper) Du Bois. 
She married Peter Fowler October 20, 1826, and 
became the mother of four children, all sons. Of 
these, Henry D., of this .sketch, was the eldest; 
Abram was born July 17, 1830, and died October 
7, 1854; Caleb G. was born October 27, 1835, and 
died January 29, 1879; and Peter, born July 20, 
1844, died in February, 1855. 

When twenty-one years of age, Peter Fowler 
left home, and, going to Loyd, was engaged in 
farming near that place for some time. From 
there he went to Shawangunk, Ulster County, 
and there lived until 1833, when he returned to the 
old homestead and made it his permanent home, 
dying in 1875. He was a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian Church, active in all the good works 
of the congregation which he attended. His wife 
departed this life April 12, 1866, and her remains 

38 



were interred in Highland Cemetery, at Middle 
Hope, where her husband was also buried. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Shawan- 
gunk, July 26, 1827, and was therefore a lad of 
six years when his parents returned to the home 
farm, where he has continued to reside ever since, 
with the exception of the time spent in gaining 
an education. He spent five years, from the age 
of twelve to .seventeen, as a student in the acad- 
emy at Newburgh, after which he attended the 
Montgomery Academy for a year. He was then 
prepared to enter the academy at Andover, Mass. , 
and upon completing the course in that institu- 
tion was enrolled as a student at Amherst Acad- 
emy, and later at College Hill, Poughkeepsie. 
Upon finishing his education he returned home, 
and has since given his time and attention to the 
cultivation of his valuable property. 

Mr. Fowler was united in marriage, October 20, 
1853, at Newburgh, to Miss Anna, daughter of 
M. W. and Elizabeth (Jennings) Du Bois, natives 
and citizens of Newburgh. Mrs. Fowler was 
born in Orange County, and b)' her union with 
our subject became the mother of seven children, 
namely: Eliza D., Abram D., William J., Charles 
D., Wygant D., and two children who died in in- 
fancy. Charles D. married Louisa Storm, the 
daughter of John T. Storm, and a resident of 
Dutchess County, N. Y. They have two chil- 
dren, Annie and Henry. 

Politically Mr. Fowler is a Republican, and has 
always voted that ticket. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is liberal in his contri- 
butions to the same. 



->--> t-^Ks 



teS<h^^». 



(Tames F. DURLAND, a farmer residing in 
I the town of Deerpark, was born January 17, 
C2/ 1S17, in the town of Greenville, this county, 
being the yoiuigcst of the twelve children of John 
and Martha (Holbert) Durland. His father was 
born and reared in Chester, this county, and 
when a j'oung man removed thence to the town 
of Greenville, where he purchased a tract of un- 



856 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



improved land in the wilderness. This section 

of the -State was then sparsely settled, and his was 
the pioneer task of clearing the land and bringing 
it under cultivation. He lived to enjo)- some of the 
fruits of his labors, to see the town thickly popu- 
lated, and cities .spring up within its borders. He 
died April 5, 1837, at the age of sixty-four. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
Captain in the Revolutionary War, and soon after 
the close of the conflict settled in Chester, where 
his remaining years were spent. Our subject's 
mother was born in 1769, in Chester, and spent 
her entire life in this county, dying December i, 
1835, at the age of sixty-six. In religious be- 
lief she was a member of the Baptist Church. 
Her father was one of the heroes of the struggle 
for independence, in which he rendered valiant 
ser\'ice for the colonies. 

Of the family of twelve children, our subject is 
the only survivor. He was seven years old when 
his father lost his home and the family broke up 
housekeeping. From that age until he attained 
his majorit}^ he made his home with an older 
brother on a farm, and upon starting out for him- 
self rented a farm in the town of Deerpark, where 
he tilled the soil for four years. By using econ- 
omy and good management, he saved a sufficient 
amount to enable him to become a land-owner. 
He purchased one hundred acres of unimproved 
land in the Shawangunk Mountains, where he 
built a cabin and began the difficult task of clear- 
ing his property. Later he sold that place and 
purchased the farm which he now owns. At the 
time of settling here there were but three children 
in this school district and the country was infest- 
ed with wild animals, presenting little promise of 
its present highly cultivated state. 

December 22, 1838, Mr. Durland married Miss 
Thirsa Drake, of Sullivan County, and they be- 
came the parents of four children. George died 
at the age of twenty-two years. Mary, Mrs. Sam- 
uel W. Patterson, died at the age of thirty-eight, 
leaving three children: Dr. Chauncey, deceased; 
George W., who lives in New York City; and 
Alva Elmer, who makes his home with his grand- 
father. Nathan is a resident of Sparrow Bush, 
and has one son, James F. AngeUne is the wife 



of George Van Etten, of the town of Greenville, 

and the}' have one son, Clement. For many j-ears 
Mr. Durland was active in local affairs, contrib- 
uting to the progress of the community. Politi- 
cally he has always voted the Democratic ticket. 
For fifteen years he was Assessor, and for fifty 
years he ser\-ed as Roadmaster, beginning in the 
latter position when the roads of the district were 
onlj- six miles long and there were only eighteen 
daj's' work required per j'ear. He is now the 
owner of two hundred and twenty -three acres of 
good land in Orange and Sullivan Counties, all 
of which has been accumulated through his own 
efforts, and from the cultivation of which he re- 
ceives a fair income. He is one of the oldest res- 
idents of the town, and is a man of honor and the 
utmost probity of character, who is in every way 
worthv of the esteem in which he is held. 



\A R S. IDA P. GRAHAM. In traveling 
y through the town of Mt. Hope, the many 
(9 friends of Mrs. Graham seldom pass the 
pleasant place where she makes her home without 
stopping for a social chat or protracted visit. She 
is popular in the neighborhood, and justly so, for 
she is a lady of great kindness of heart, energetic 
and capable, looking after the management of 
the place and training her children so that, in 
future years, they maj- fill positions of honor with 
credit to themselves and to her. 

Mrs. Graham has spent her entire life in this 
county, and she is therefore well acquainted with 
the people of this localit}-. She was bom in Otis- 
ville, July 7, 1855, and is the only child of Dr. 
Sanford and Dr. Maria (Stevens) Plumb, both of 
whom were physicians of that place. Her girl- 
hood years were passed beneath the parental roof, 
and she was given by her parents the best educa- 
tional advantages the schools of the village afford- 
ed, becoming an accomplished lady, well fitted to 
take charge of a home of her own. 

September 29, 1880, the subject of this sketch 
was united in marriage with George Graham, 
who was born in the town of Mt. Hope, on the 
farm now occupied by his family. At present he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



857 



is in Australia. Four children were born of this 
union, namely: Jessie P.; Nellie L,. , who died in 
infancy; Mary E. ; and Theodore, who passed away 
in early childhood. The two surviving children 
are bright and intelligent, and are attending the 
district schools of the neighborhood. 



Gr 









[ILLIAM D. HUNT. The first represent- 
ative of the Hunt family who settled in 
this county was Aaron, father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, and a native of New York 
City, in which place the earlier part of his life 
was passed. July 31, 1821, he was united in 
marriage with Millicent Knapp, and they became 
the parents of two sons, the elder of whom, Na- 
thaniel, passed away August 4, 1S41. Shortly 
after his marriage the father removed, in com- 
pany with the paternal grandfather, to Orange 
County, and settled upon a tract of two hundred 
and sixtj'-one acres, now owned and operated 
by the subject of this notice. He commenced 
the cultivation of this place, and succeeded in 
introducing a number of improvements. Death, 
however, cut short his career and removed him 
from the scene of his usefulness when he was 
forty-five years of age. The first day of 1835 
was his last upon earth and his first in eternit}-. 
His wife survived him for more than thirty }'ears, 
her death occurring April 20, 1867, at the age 
of .sixty-five years and ten months. 

Upon the farm where he still resides our sub- 
ject was born May 5, 1823. In boj'hood he at- 
tended the schools of this locality, alternating 
work at home with atteudahce at school. At the 
age of twenty-two he married Miss Sarah Young, 
the ceremonj- which united them being performed 
October 28, 1845. Mrs. Hunt was born in Sus- 
sex County, N. J., July 24, 1824, a daughter of 
Robert and Sarah (Wintermute) Young, old res- 
dents of that county. By her marriage Mrs. 
Hunt became the mother of three children, one 
of whom died in infancy. Sarah M., the elder 
daughter, is the widow of John Martin, who died 



August 5, 1879; they had a family of four chil- 
dren, namely: William D., George L., John R. 
and Lewis, the last-named deceased. Emma, 
the younger daughter, is the wife of R. B. Wick- 
ham, a farmer of the town of W^avvayanda, and 
they have four children: William, Howard, Clar- 
ence and Mabel B. 

When Mr. Hunt was a boy of twelve years his 
father died, and he was a mere lad when force 
of circumstances obliged him to assume the man- 
agement of the home place. His mother con- 
tinued to reside with him until her death. He is 
the owner of two hundred and sixty-one acres, 
comprising the estate originally' purchased and 
improved by his father. It is regarded as one of 
the best farms in the town of Wawaj-anda, and is 
devoted to general farming and dairying. As 
an agriculturist, Mr. Hunt is progres.sive, quick 
to seize opportunities and possessed of great en- 
ergy, so as' a natural consequence he has met 
with success. While he is not identified with 
any denomination, he is a believer in Christian- 
ity and contributes to the support of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which his wife is a member. 
His political belief from boyhood years has caused 
him to ally him.selfwith the Democratic party, 
and he always votes the part}' ticket and supports 
the platform of that organization. 

LIVER GREEN. One of the most thrifty, 
progressive and liberal-minded citizens of 
this county is the gentleman with whose 
name this sketch is introduced. His home is lo- 
cated in tile town of Mt. Hope, where he owns 
one hundred and fifty acres of land, supplied with 
a complete line of buildings and the various im- 
provements that might be expected of a man of 
progressive ideas. Farming having been his life 
work, he is thoroughly informed regarding the 
peculiar qualities of soil, the best methods of fer- 
tilizing and the rotation of crops which will pro- 
duce the best results. 

In that portion of the town of Minisink now 
comprised in the town of Greenville, Oliver Green 
was born June 25, 1S17, being the eldest of the 



858 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nine children of Daniel and Catherine (Vantyle) 
Green. His father was born October 6, 1794, 
in the town of Wallkill, on the ground where the 
city of Middletown now stands. There his boy- 
hood days were pa.ssed, and thence he accompanied 
his parents to the town of Greenville, settling 
upon a farm, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. At the time of his death he was sixty-three 
years of age. In politics he was a loyal adher- 
ent of Democratic principles. He ser\'ed as a 
private in the War of 18 12, and was a man of 
patriotic impulses, interested in the prosperit\- of 
our country and devoted to its welfare. His fa- 
ther was born April 2, 1760, in Connecticut, 
from which state he removed to New York. Our 
subject's mother was born February- 12, 1792, in 
the town of Greenville, and died at the age of 
seventy-eight. 
^^^^ The parental family consisted of the following 

y^\«e.C-\K children: Mahala, widow of Levi Van-^-leet, of 
Ulster County, N. Y.; Elizabeth, widow of Dan- 
. \l,'^-* iel Bodell, and a resident of Illinois; Ira, a rail- 
road man residing in Rockland County, N. Y.; 
James. Caroline, Louis, Horace and Oscar, all de- 
ceased. Our subject being the eldest of this large 
famih-, and his parents being poor, he was obliged 
to become self-supporting at an earh- age. In 
youth he learned the cooper's trade, which he 
followed near Port Jervis for six years. He then 
purchased a small farm in the town of Mt. Hope, 
and there engaged in tilling the soil for ten years, 
after which he disposed of the place and bought 
the farm that he now owns. 

July 3, 1841, occurred the marriage of Oliver 
Green and Miss Susie Hallock. This lady was 
born in the town of Mt. Hope, May 31, 1820, 
and is the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Young) 
Hallock, natives, respectively, of the town of Mt. 
Hope and Long Island. Mr. Hallock was a 
soldier in the War of 181 2. Farming was his 
life occupation, and this he followed both in New- 
York and later in Illinois. His death occurred 
in Lee County, that state, February- 15, 1S49. 
His wife died in the town of Greenville, January 
14. 1827. 

Mr. Green is a firm supporter of the princi- 
ples of Democracy, believing that when thor- 



oughly carried out they best promote the public 
w-elfare. Socially he affiliates with Port Jervis 
Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., at Port Jen-is. At 
various times he has been chosen to represent his 
fellow-citizens in official capacities, including that 
of Assessor of the town, in which he rendered 
efficient service. He takes an earnest interest in 
all that seems in his j udgment adapted to build 
up the material prosperity, moral or educational 
advancement of the communit\-, and the respect 
in which he is held is in accord with his ability 
and worth of character. 



(TOHN B. BRADNER, a merchant of Bellvale, 
I was bom in that village in 1849, being fourth 
(2/ in the family of ten children born to Adol- 
phus B. and Pauline (We\-nier) Bradner. The 
father has been engaged in carpentering the great- 
er part of his life, having learned that trade when 
a j-outh. Although past his fourscore years, he 
enjoys fair health, and makes his home in Bell- 
vale, where he has alwaj-s resided. The mother 
died May 12, 1S88. 

The Bradner family is an old one, and can be 
traced back a number of generations. Rev. John 
Bradner emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland, 
about 1 72 1, and was the first minister in Goshen. 
His son Colville owned what is now the Henrj- A. 
Benedict Farm, near Stone Bridge. In 1790 he 
also purchased of John Taylor, of New York City, 
the farm at Bellvale now- known as the Bradner 
homestead. His sou John, a direct descendant 
of the Rev. John Bradner, was the grandfather of 
our subject, and wasone often children born to 
Colville Bradner and wife. He always resided on 
the Bellvale purchase, and by his marriage with 
Mar\- Robinson thirteen children were born. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
his native county, and attended the district school 
of Bellvale during his youth. At the age of four- 
teen he began working on a fann, being thus em- 
ployed for four years. When eighteen years old 
he commenced clerking in the general merchan- 




JOHN B. BRADNER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAlv RECORD. 



86 1 



disc store of A. J. Burt, at Bellvale, and after 
remaining in that capacity seven years, was taken 
into partnership, business being conducted under 
the firm name of Burt & Bradner. This partner- 
ship continued for two and a-half years, when Mr. 
Bradner withdrew from the firm, built a store of 
his own and engaged in business at Greenwood 
Lake. His was the first store at that point, and 
there he conducted a successful trade for nine 
years. At the end of that time he retired from 
business and built a comfortable and commodious 
home at Bellvale. In October, 1890, Mr. Brad- 
ner re-engaged in business at that place, occupy- 
ing the store in which he had formerly been in 
business. He carries a fine stock, suitable to the 
trade of his locality, and is recognized as one of 
the wide-awake business men of Orange County. 
He is the owner of a finely productive orange 
grove in Florida, where also, in connection with 
I,. Y. Jenness, he is interested in real estate. 

In 1873 Mr. Bradner was united in marriage 
to Miss Clara R. Hunt, daughter of Nathan and 
Esther (Rhodes) Hunt, natives of Orange Coun- 
ty. Their union was blessed by the birth of four 
children, only two of whom are now living, Ida 
Beatrice and Pauline, both residing with their 
parents. In politics Mr. Bradner is a Democrat, 
and is at present the efficient Postmaster of Bell- 
vale. In educational matters he has always taken 
a deep interest. He was elected to the office of 
School Trustee, filling that position for three 
years satisfactorily, and is now one of the Trus- 
tees of the Warwick Savings Bank. As a busi- 
ness man he has been very successful. 

(Tames SMEETON WILCOXSON, foreman 
I of the blacksmith shops of the Erie Railroad 
v2/ at Port Jervis, was born at Ripley, Derby- 
shire, England, in July, 1838. In the Butterley 
Iron Works at Alfreton, Derby.shire, he learned 
the blacksmith's trade, at which he served an 
apprenticeship of seven years, between the ages of 
fourteen and twenty-one. His wages were small, 
varying from five to eleven shillings, Engli.sh 
money, with a di.scuunt for sho]) club dcniands. 



Through his long apprentice.ship he gained a 
thorough knowledge of his trade and also became 
familiar with all lines of mechanical work. For 
a time he was employed in Manchester, and 
thence in 1864 he went to Eondon, where he se- 
cured employment in the shops of the Metropol- 
itan Underground^Railroad. 

The fidelity with which Mr. Wilcoxson dis- 
charged the duties of his position was appre- 
ciated by the officers of the road, and he was made 
foreman of the shops, having charge of about six- 
teen men. He continued in that place until 1869, 
when he resigned and emigrated to America, 
coming direct to Port Jervis. For two years he 
was employed in the Erie shops, but was laid off 
at the time of the removal of the works to Jersey 
City. He then went to Scranton, Pa., and for 
eighteen months was employed in the Dixon Lo- 
comotive Works, after which he returned to Port 
Jervis. In the spring of 1875 he was made fore- 
man of the shops and has since held that position, 
having usually fifteen or twenty men under him. 
His entire time and attention are concentrated 
iipon his position, the duties of which he dis- 
charges in a manner eminently .satisfactory to his 
employers. 

Socially Mr. Wilcoxson is identified with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights 
of Honor. In national elections he votes with 
the Republican party, but in local matters he 
gives his support to the best man, irrespective of 
politics. Soon after going to London he married 
Miss Charlotte Tarr, and they are the parents of 
four daughters: Lottie, who is a bookkeeper; 
Olive; Ida, a teacher in the Bellvale schools, this 
county; and Emma. The family attend the Epis- 
copal Church, of which Mr. Wilcoxson is a 
member. 

^ 5,^ ^<. A, >[^ ■» ^ 

^"HOMAS BRADLEY. The hotel business 
I C in Goshen is well represented by Mr. Brad- 
Vi/ ley, the genial host of the Occidental Hotel, 
which he is conducting in partnership with A. H. 
May. He is a native of this village, and was born 
vSeptember 26, i860. His father, John Bradley, 



862 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a native of Ireland, whence the grawdfather, 
Daniel, came many years ago, settling in Goshen, 
where he afterward lived and died. John Hrad- 
ley is still a resident of this village, bnt is net at 
pre.sent engaged in any active business. 

The mother of our subject, prior to her mar- 
riage, was known as Jane O'Donnell. She be- 
came the mother of twelve children, only three 
of whom are now living, tho.se besides Thomas 
being Mrs. Margaret Conor and James, both of 
whom are residents of Goshen. 

The subject of this sketch has made his own 
way in the world since he was a lad of twelve 
years. Prior to that time, however, he attended 
the public schools, but the information of which 
he is now the possessor has been acquired largely 
by experience and reading. He has always been 
a great lover of horse-flesh, and began in life as 
groom to a trainer. He was in the employ of 
George T. Wisner for many years, and in 1881 
accepted the position of trainer with Mr. Gurney, 
continuing with him until i<S84. He next worked 
for Preston Brothers, of Brooklyn, acting in the 
same capacity, and during the five j-ears he con- 
tinued there drove in many noted races. Among 
the famous horses which he drove were "Stephen 
G. Onward," "Breeze Medium" and "Kelsey." 

In 1885 Mr. Bradley came with these animals 
to Goshen, being under contract with Preston 
Brothers, of Brooklyn. The horses were under 
his charge in the races which followed until 1889, 
when he began in busine.ss for himself, training 
and preparing for the races "Nora L," who made 
a record of 2:29/2 ; "Nellie," 2:29,'4; and "Fitz- 
clark," 2:3i'2. He also owned and trained 
"Blackstone," a .stallion who.se record was 2:23 '4''; 
"Peter Mack," 2:29 '4'; and "Orange Bud," 

2:22,'4'. 

In the year 1S92 our .subject, in company with 
A. H. May, purcha.sed the property of the Occi- 
dental Hotel, which has been remodeled and re- 
furnished, making of it one of the best hotels in 
the city. It is centrally located on Main Street, 
and is first-class in every particular, and Mr. 
Bradley po.ssesses the qualities neces.sary for con- 
ducting a first-class hotel. For some time he was 
the incumbent of the po.sition of Excise Com- 



missioner, only resigning in order to give his un- 
divided attention to his hotel business. He is a 
stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and in 
religious matters is a devout Catholic. Socially 
he is a member of the order of Fore.sters. 



^^ 



0AVI1) DOREMl'S, one of the mo.st popular 
conductors on the Erie Railroad, whose home 
and headquarters are at Port Jervis, runs the 
fine vestibule train No. 5 from Jersey City to 
Binghamton, and has charge of No. 10, an east- 
bound vestibule train. He has been conductor 
of the former some fifteen years, and of the latter 
for two years, and for thirty -eight years has served 
as a conductor in the employ of this company. 

The birth of David Doremus occurred in Tap- 
pantown, Rockland County, N. Y., November 17, 
1 83 1. This village is the place famous for the 
execution of Major Andre, as history relates. 
Our subject's parents were John and Sarah E. 
(Blanche) Doremus, the former of *vhom was en- 
gaged in the meat business for .several years. 
After his father's death our subject became his 
succes-sor in the business, which he carried on for 
four years. In February, 1856, the young man 
embarked in railroading at Piermont, on the Hud- 
son, then the eastern end of the Erie Road, in the 
capacity of flagman. His ability was not long 
undiscovered, for in April, 1857, he was made 
conductor of an extra freight train. Two years, 
later he was given a regular train and crew, and 
was thus employed until February, 1865, when 
he was promoted to be passenger conductor, and 
as such is still ser\'ing. For eleven years he made 
the full run from Jersey City to Binghamton, and 
his faithful attention to duty deser\-es the credit 
which he receives from his superiors. He has 
been verj- fortunate, in that his trains have es- 
caped disaster, and though he has encountered a 
few of minor con.sequence, no wreck has been 
.sufficient to injure any of his passengers. 

February 14, 1861, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Doremus and Sarah Catherine Gecox. of Al- 
pine, N. J., opposite Yonkers, N. Y. William 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RKCORD. 



863 



G. , the eldest son of this worthy couple, is in the 
baggage department of the railway service, run- 
ning between New York and Buffalo; Frank P. 
is a fireman on the eastern division; and Edgar 
W. is engaged in the confectionery and station- 
ery business. The young men all possess good 
business abilitj', have received fair educational 
advantages, and at the present time are all un- 
married. Mrs. Doremus is an active member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes great 
interest in religious and charitable enterprises. 
Mr. Doremus is a member of Piermont Lodge, 
I. O. O. F., and is also identified with the Knights 
of Honor of Port Jervis. In politics he is affili- 
ated with the Republican party. 



(ILLIAM H. REEVE, a blacksmith of the 
town of Mt. Hope, was born May 18, 1844, 
in the town of Wallkill, near Middletown, 
and is a son of David W. and Harriet E. (Reeve) 
Reeve. The former was a farmer, and was born 
in Orange County, on the old homestead in the 
town of Wallkill. His death occurred when he 
was about thirty-five years of age. Our subject 
was only about three years old when his father 
died, and for a short time he lived with A. J. 
Horton. He was then sent to his grandfather, 
Elijah Reeve, at New Vernon. The grandfather 
had been a farmer and distiller at Howell's De- 
pot for a great many years, but spent his latter 
days at New Vernon, which was quite a village 
at that time. Here William remained until he 
was twelve j-ears old, when he went to live with 
L. D. Hoyt, of the town of Wallkill, where he 
spent the next four years. From Wallkill he 
went to Oti.sville to learn the wagon-maker's 
trade, but the man with whom he worked sus- 
pended after he had been with him six months, 
and as there was no other place open where he 
could finish his trade, he commenced to learn the 
blacksmith's trade in the same village, but only 
remained there six months, going thence to 
Westtown, where he worked six months. Ashe 
was seriously injured by a horse jumping on him, 
he returned to his grandparents at New Vernon, 



where he was laid up for about a year. He fin- 
ished his trade in that village, and then worked 
in different places at his trade for a couple of 
years, after which he started a shop for himself 
but at the expiration of four years sold out and 
went to Cuddebackville, where he ran a .shop for 
four years. Moving back to New Vernon, he 
rented a shop for several years, and then built his 
present shop, in which he has since carried on a 
successful business. 

The subject of this sketch married Miss Eliza- 
beth Young, and five children have been born to 
them: Minnie J., now the wife of Everett E. 
Nichols, of Binghamton; Frank A., now in New 
York City; May E., Grace E. and Etta, all of 
whom are at home. 

Politically Mr. Reeve is a Democrat, and has 
served as Constable of the town. Socially he is a 
member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., 
of Middletown. Besides his shop he is the owner 
of a good house and lot. All that he has repre- 
sents his own earnings, as he did not inherit a 
dollar. 



gEORGE W. THOMPSON, an energetic 
and successful farmer of the town of Mon- 
roe, was born March 2, 1824, in the house 
where he still resides. He was reared on the 
home farm, and attended the district schools until 
about sixteen years of age, gaining an education 
that fitted him for successfully following the 
teacher's profession. While employed on the 
farm in the summer months, he taught school for 
two winters, but since the death of his father he 
has given his attention wholly to the manage- 
ment of the farm. His principal industry is the 
dairy business, although he raises a small amount 
of grain and feed for his cattle. 

The first marriage of Mr. Thompson took place 
January 5, 1848, at which time Miss Charity 
Conklin became his wife. She was born in the 
town of Monroe and was a daughter of Sylvester 
and Charit}' (Reynolds) Conklin. Two children 
were born of this union, of whom Mary died at 



S64 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the age of six years. Georg^ana, who received 
an excellent education in a female seminan,-, is 
the wife of John H. Carpenter, a son of Lewis 
and Georg^ana (Wood) Carpenter. Mrs. Charitj- 
Thompson died March 15. 1S75. In Brooklyn. 
N. Y.. May 26. 1S76, our subject was united in 
marriage with Louisa Di.'con, daughter of Will- 
iam and Jane (Roberts) Dixon. Mrs. Thompson 
was bom in Rochester, X. Y.. December 11, 
1S41, and is the mother of one child, Frank Hor- 
ton, bom Ma\- 30, 187S, a bright and promising 
young man. 

During the existence of the Whig party Mr. 
Thompson was a supporter of its principles and 
advocated Henr\- Clay for the Presidency, being 
a great admirer of that statesman. UpKjn the 
dissolution of the Whig part>- he became a Re- 
publican. He remembers ha\-ing seen President 
Lincoln during the war. For many years he 
ser\-ed as Inspector of Elections. Ever loyal to 
the Government, he was a member of the Union 
League during the Rebellion. He is an excellent 
ci%"il engineer, and has done considerable survey- 
ing in the neighborhood. He has held the posi- 
tion of Treasurer of the Monroe Dain.- Association 
since its organization. 



^AMES CREEGAX. one of the honored and 
I highly respecteii citizens of Port Jervis. was 
v2/ for many years connected with the business 
and commercial interests of this city, though he 
is now living comparatively retired. He still 
looks after his extensive real-estate interests, 
however, and is agent tor steamship and fire-in- 
surance companies. He makes his home at Xo. 
S7 Ball Street. 

Mr. Creegan is a native of the Emerald Isle, 
bom in County Leitrim, about sixt\--five years 
ago, and is a son of Miles and Bridget (Kane) 
Creegan. His father, who was a wealthy man, 
was an extensive farmer of Ireland. At the age 
of sixteen. James first came to America in search 
of an older brother, who had crossed the Atlantic 
about a year previously, in 1S44. He found his 
brother in Rhode Island, but as the latter refiised 



to return with him, our subject went back to Ire- 
land alone. In 1847 he again came to the United 
States, going to Rhode Island, where his brother 
was stiU located. He was then employed on the 
construction of a railroad in Massachusetts, re- 
maining with that company until its completion. 
The Chemung Branch of the Erie Railroad was 
then being built, and Mr. Creegan intended to 
work on the same, but on passing through Or- 
ange County he stopped at Port Jervis, where he 
had a cousin li\-ing, who advised him to remain. 
This was in July, 1849, and he has since made 
this place his home. 

For seven years Mr. Creegan was employed in 
the railroad ser^-ice as oil man on a train running 
fi-ora Port Jer%-is: afterward he was made brake- 
man, and then was connected with the Delaware 
Division. With the capital he had saved from 
his wages, he opened a general store at the Sus- 
quehanna depot of the Pennsj-lvania & Delaware 
Division of the Erie Railroad, and there remained 
in business for three years, recei\nng an excel- 
lent trade. He then built a store in Port Jervis, 
at the comer of King and Brown Streets, putting 
in a full stock of general merchandise. He also 
made a contract to supply wood to the railroad 
company, following this for eleven years, or until 
coal came into general use. During that time he 
purchased land, from which he cut the timber, and 
also bought wood of the farmers. He often had 
in his employ as many as one hundred men chop- 
ping wood at fifty cents per cord. pa\-ing them 
regularly ever>- Saturday night. In this way he 
cleared five hundred acres of timber-land. For 
thirt\- years he carried on mercantile pursuits, 
and as he was the only man of his nationality 
that conducted a store in Port Jer\-is. he received 
a liberal patronage. 

By industr\-, enterprise and good manag^ement, 
Mr. Creegan accumulated considerable capital, 
and has invested over $1 15,000 in real estate. He 
has built several houses in this village, and in 
1867 erected a fine three-stor\- block on Pike 
Street. This is a double building, divided into 
storerooms, with a mansard roof, and has a 
frontage of seventy feet, and a depth of sixt>--five 
feet. It is known as the Creegan Block, and is 



POKTKAIT JlXD SIOGi; ATHir AT. SBOQUX 



ser 



-jiii i pii^^ SB liie Tcrc- ^ean ce ^Ak ^naaes cBsaicL 
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ItespcQ^ sac i±asiie sgrrK- 

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of Ae Cafetfir Oj^r^ cg «ini± i^ier r:^ jfnsrEl 
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3Bse vsajd aieE lie vas crimEaisd 

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ierlm^aads^SDOcaeded^oi^iEaaagesiieii: cc 



868 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



luaiiner indicative of her ability and sound judg- 
ment. The location of the works is at No. 417 
Washington Street, which is likewise the family 
residence. All kinds of soft drinks are manufact- 
ured, hut the principal business is that of manu- 
facturing and bottling soda-water, and bottling 
lieer. During the busy .season, five teams are 
kept on the road, di.stributing the products of the 
factory in Newburgh and the surrounding towns. 
Goods are shipped into neighiioriug cities, and no 
better soft drinks are manufactured. Mrs. Baker 
has shown herself a woman of gotxl business abil- 
ity, and has not only .succeeded in retaining, but 
has enlarged, the trade of the manufactoni-. 



S. Kl'SSELL, M. D., although a young 
man, is a prominent physician of Highland- 
Mills. He was born in New York City, 
January 2, 1870, and is a son of John H. and 
Charlotte (Macy) Russell, the former a native of 
Philadelphia, Pa., and the latter of Brooklyn, 
N. Y. The Russells were Presbyterians in their 
religious belief, while the Macys were Quakeis. 
John H. Russell was the son of DeWitt Clinton 
Russell, and the family are descendants of An- 
neke Jans, who married John Bogardus. The 
Russells were originally from Ro.'^e Hill, England, 
from which the family name originated. Lord 
John Ru.ssell, of historic fame, was one of the 
ancestors of the Doctor. 

Dr. Russell is the eldest and only surviving 
child of the parental family. He was reared in 
New York City, and attended the city schools un- 
til fifteen years of age, at which time he graduat- 
ed from the public .school. Then for two years 
he attended the College of the City of New York, 
taking only a half-course on account of ill health, 
and the following year took private instruction, 
lu 1 888 he enteretl the medical department of 
the University of the City of New York, in which 
hecoutinuetl until the summer of 1892. Owing to 
ill-health he gave out after completing half of the 
examination, but on account of his high standing 



was granted a private examination, the first in 
the history of the university, but was not allowetl 
to receive his diploma until the end of the school 
year, in 1893. He then took a po.st-graduate 
course, during which time he delivered lectures. 
He had the peculiar distinction ofl)eing lecturer to 
the class with which he was to graduate. Dur- 
ing his post-graduate year he practiced his pro- 
fession to some extent in New York City. After 
receiving his diploma, he rested a few months 
and then located in Highland Mills. 

In New York City, Septen>l)er 12. 189.5, Dr. 
Russell was married to Miss Nellie Tanner, a na- 
tive of New York City, and a daughter of William 
J. and Ellen E. (Bartlett) Tanner. They have 
one son, Stanleigh Seaton. In politics Dr. Rus- 
sell has been a life-long Republican. He is a 
memljer of the Alpha Delta Phi, a college frater- 
nity. As soon as he was graduated, in 1893, he 
was offered a position as assistant in Materia 
Medica in the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of the City of New York, and also as instructor 
in Materia Medica in the Loomis Laboratory. 
The next year (1894) he was engaged as Profes- 
sor of Materia Medica and Pathology- in the New 
York Dental School, which position he now holds, 
and goes to the city twice a week to deliver lec- 
tures. He also has an office in the city and is build- 
ing up quite a practice in his profes.sion. In High- 
land Mills he is Health Officer and Town Physi- 
cian. Few men, under the adverse circumstan- 
ces in which he has labored on account of deli- 
cate health, have ever attained such high stand- 
ing. The future is certainly a bright one for him 
in his chosen profession. 

• — ^ m c^ • 



EHARI.ES FREDERICK L.xMONT, who is 
one of the protuiuent citizens of Turner, is 
the manfacturerer of crystalized eggs, his 
factory being located in St. Louis, Mo., with 
branch offices in New York City and Chicago. He 
was born in the metropolis, February 21, 1858, 
and there pas.sed the first eight years of his life. 
His father at that time came to Turner, purchas- 
ing the property where his son, our subject, now 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



makes his home. He first attended the district 
school at Turner, afterward the Seward Institute 
at Florida, Orange County, and completed his 
education in the Yonkers Military Academy. 

When twenty-three years of age he engaged in 
business with his father in the manufacture of 
crystalized eggs, and .since purchasing the right 
from his father has had complete control of the 
business. They had an exhibit at the Centennial 
Exposition, and .'since that time the business has 
developed until it is now an immense concern. 
Arbuckle, the well known coffee man, uses over 
one hundred thou.sand pounds of this article per 
year. Mr. LaMont spends the summer in St. 
Louis, where eggs are cheapest, and the rest of 
the year may be found either at his New York of- 
fice or at Turner. 

Our subject is the son of Charles A. and Re- 
gina (Warren) LaMont, the former of whom was 
born in the tovi'n of Monroe. To them were born 
fourteen children, of whom eight are now living. 
Charles F., of this sketch, was the eldest of the 
household. He was united in marriage, March 
22, 1882, to Miss Alice McKelvey, who was born 
at Turner, and who is the daughter of Rensselaer 
and Rachel (Weyant) McKelvey, the former born 
in Turner, December 11, 1814, and died April 10, 
1868. Mrs. McKelvey was born at Highland 
Mills, in 1819, and is now making her home with 
her daughter, Mrs. LaMont. Mrs. McKelvey is 
a daughter of John and Mary (Hazard) Weyant, 
natives of Orange County, and bj- her marriage 
became the mother of seven children. The pa- 
ternal grandparents of Mrs. LaMont were John 
and Mary (Stewart) McKelvey, natives of Scot- 
land, the grandmother being related to the royal 
house of Stuart. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there were 
born a son and daughter, both of whom are de- 
cea.sed. They have taken into their home and 
hearts a nephew of Mrs. LaMont, who was named 
for our subject, Charles Frederick. Mrs. La- 
Mont is a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and an active worker in the same. 

Mr. LaMont belongs to Standard Lodge No. 
71 1, F. & A. M., of Monroe, and in politics is a 
straightforward Democrat. That he is very pop- 



ular in his communitj' is shown bj' the fact that 
he has served for .several years as Supervisor in 
a Republican district. He is prominent in local 
politics and in public affairs and for some time 
was a member of the Countv Central Committee. 



0AVID MARSTON. The town of Newburgh 
is a rich agricultural center, and the men who 
conduct its farming interests are enterpris- 
ing and self-reliant. Among these the subject of 
this .sketch occupies no unimportant place. He 
was born in this town, June 18, 1822, and is a son 
of William and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Marston, the 
former a native of Queens County, L. I. Our 
subject's maternal grandfather was Dr. William 
Wyatt, a member of a prominent family of Ulster 
County, that early settled within its limits. 

The parental family consisted of two .sons and 
two daughters besides the subject of this sketch, 
namely: Samuel, William H., Catherine and Ann 
E. Our subject remained at home until he was 
ten years of age, when he went to live on an ad- 
joining farm with his uncle, David Wyatt, re- 
maining with that gentleman until he was about 
twenty-two years old. October 30, 1844, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Martha Gillies, 
whose birth occurred in Fostertown, June 16, 
1826. She is the daughter of Jacob and Martha 
(Waring) Gillies, natives of the town of New- 
burgh and now deceased. 

After his marriage Mr. Marston located in New 
York City, where he resided for ten years, being 
employed by a wholesale jobbing house. During 
his sojourn in that city he saved some money, 
and on returning to Orange County .settled on the 
old homestead, where he has since resided. His. 
farm comprises seventy acres, and upon it are a 
substantial residence, and the necessary barns and 
outbuildings. In addition to general fanning, 
he has a number of high-bred horses and cattle, 
and also devotes considerable attention to fruit- 
growing, which is a very important industry in 
this portion of the country. 

Of recent years Mr. Marston has found cause 
to change his political views, and he now votes 



870 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for Prohibition candidates. In religious affairs 
he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. They are the parents of seven 
children, namely: Mary, Elvira, Lucy, Wilber, 
William, Catherine and Jacob G. 



-^^+^[ 



(TOHN D. CARPENTER. The first repre- 
I sentative of the Carpenter family in Orange 
Q) County was Solomon Carpenter, a native of 
Long Island, who, coming to the town of Goshen, 
there married a Miss Dunning, and continued to 
reside until his death. Among his children was 
Benjamin, whose wife, Margaret, was a daughter 
of Maj. John Decker, or Johainies Decker, as he 
was called by the Dutch. Under date of Febru- 
ar3' 28, 1776, he was commis.sioned Major by the 
Provincial Congress, and so prominent and bold 
did he become in his attacks upon the enemy, 
that a reward was offered for his scalp by the 
British Government. In the hope to secure this 
reward, the Indians, led by the infamous Brant, 
made a desperate attempt to capture him, but he 
escaped, though several of his comrades were 
killed. When the squad of red men came into 
the little village, Margaret was in the schoolhouse 
with a number of other children, but fortunatel3' 
none of them were attacked. She attained an 
advanced age, dying when eighty-four 3'ears old. 
Settling in Orange County, Benjamin Carpen- 
ter secured the strip of land between the Never- 
sink and Delaware Rivers, on the boundary line 
of New Jerse3^ Pennsylvania and New York. 
This place was called Carpenter's Point, but is 
known at the present time as Tri States. At the 
junction of the two rivers he kept a ferry, an oc- 
cupation in which he found considerable work, 
for all the travelers going westward crossed the 
Delaware at this point. He was nearly seventy 
years of age when he passed from this life. 

Concerning the children of Benjamin Carpenter 
we note the following: Sallie married Solomon 
Van Vleet, and removed to Allegheny County, 
Pa. : Eleanor became the wife of Levi Van Etten, 
and their son was the late Dr. Sol Van Etten; 
John Decker is the subject of this sketch; Solo- 



mon died unmarried when thirty years old; Ben- 
jamin married, reared a family, removed to Bing- 
hamton and died there; Margaret, the youngest, 
is the widow of John Van Etten and is living at 
Sparrow Bush. 

John D. Carpenter married Catherine Westfall, 
daughter of Simon Westfall, of Sparrow Bush. 
Her grandfather, Simeon, was a son of Simon 
Westfall, who owned the old stone house and mill 
at Carpenter's Point. After his marriage Mr. 
Carpenter for many years made his home in Car- 
penter's Point, but the last years of himself and 
wife were passed in Farley, Dubuque Count}', 
Iowa, his two sons having removed to that state. 
His wife died at the age of sixt3'-four, and he sur- 
vived until in his ninetieth year. In religious 
belief he was identified with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. His two daughters still live at 
Port Jervis: Margaret, the widow of George Cud- 
deback, of the town of Deerpark; and Asenath, 
who became the wife of Nathan Skinner, and is 
now living with her son, John N. At the age of 
fourteen years she became a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, but later she identified 
herself with the Reformed Church, and to this 
organization she has since belonged. 

The wife of John D. Carpenter was of Dutch 
descent, but the Westfall family was represented 
in America from an early period of its settlement. 
The first of the name to come here were two 
brothers, Julian and Symon, who emigrated from 
Holland and settled in New York. Julian, Jr., 
a son of Symon, was the father of Simon, and a 
son of the latter, Simeon by name, was the father 
of David. Simon married Jeannette Westbrook, 
April 17, 1743, the ceremony being performed by 
Justice Peter Kuyckendall. As above stated, the 
stone house and mill at Carpenter's Point were 
erected by him. Later they were partially de- 
stroyed, but were re-built, and the house stood as 
a residence until about twentj- years ago. 

Among the eleven children of Simon and Jean- 
nette Westfall, Simeon was the fourth. He mar- 
ried Sarah Cole, who was a daughter of David 
Cole, and she died in 1837, aged ninety-five. 
They lived across the river in Matamoras, direct- 
ly opposite the Erie depot in Port Jervis. On 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



871 



that site, before the Revolution, he built a large 
stone house that still stands, a landmark of those 
old days. For a time during the war it was used 
as a fort, and it stands opposite "Sim's Clip," a 
ledge of rocks in the river named for him. Their 
son David married Jennie Cuddeback, and re- 
sided in Matamoras, Pa. 

Their youngest daughter, Sarah, was married 
over sixty years ago to Hon. James Burnett. 
She was born March 29, 1802, and died in Feb- 
ruary, 1895, when almost ninety-three }'ears old. 
Her five brothers and one sister also attained ad- 
vanced ages. At the age of twenty-five she joined 
the Reformed Church, becoming a member of the 
old church that stood near the cemetery for many 
years, but was taken down long since. At the 
time of her death she was the oldest member of the 
church, both in respect to age and j'ears of mem- 
bership. Not onl}' was she well posted in regard 
to the early history of this section, but she also 
kept informed regarding current events, and was 
in many respects a remarkable woman, pos.sessing 
mental powers of a high order. In family his- 
tory she was especially well informed. vShe was 
conversant with the many legends connected with 
the vicinity, and had a fund of anecdotes of rare 
and thrilling interest. Her death broke the chain 
that bound the present with the past. 



+= 



z^ 



EHARLES H. TOWNSEND was born in the 
house where he now resides at Highland 
Mills, November 12, 1838. He attended the 
village school until about twelve years of age, 
and then went to Cornwall, where for two years 
he attended the private school of Alfred C. Roe, 
a brother of E. P. Roe, and was later in a school 
on Long Island, in what is now the village of 
Buckran. When his school days were over he 
returned to Highland Mills, and remained at 
home with his mother until her death. His fa- 
ther died when he was but twelve years of age. 
At Highland Mills, December 28, 1858, he was 
married to a daughter of Joshua T. Cromwell. 



The Townsend family is one of the oldest of 
which our country can boast. It can show an 
unbroken line back to the Norman Conquest in 
1066, in which year we first find mention of 
them. After William of Normandy had defeated 
Harold, he divided the spoils among his most 
valiant leaders. It was from this source that 
Raynham or Roverhouse, in Norfolk (still in the 
possession of the Townsends), was deeded to De- 
Harille Townsend, who was the finst of the blood 
in England. About forty years afterward, Hen- 
ry came over to England with a number of nobles 
in his train, who intermarried with the wealthy 
daughters of the adventurous spirits who had fol- 
lowed William of Normandy. So it happened 
that one Ludovicus or Loomis, a Norman of the 
bluest blood, married a daughter of De Harille and 
assumed the family name of Townsend. The land 
surrounding Raynham has not only remained in- 
tact for eight hinidred years, but has been added 
to from time to time according as the reigning 
sovereign has desired to repay a Townsend for 
distinguished services. In 1483 the head of the 
house was raised to a baronetcy by Richard III. 
Nearly one hundred years later Roger Townsend 
was knighted for gallantry by Admiral Howard, 
after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. 

The Townsends were always strong Protest- 
ants, continually maintaining their aversion to 
the Romish supremacy, and this same Roger 
Townsend, with Sir Francis Drake and others, 
manned and fought in their own ves.sels when 
Rome endeavored to exterminate Protestant wor- 
ship in England. About the year 1827, Caroline 
Drake, a lineal descendant of Sir Francis,' and al- 
so of the poet, Joseph Rodman, married John R. 
Townsend, of New York, a descendant of the 
above-mentioned Roger Townsend. 

Of the Irish branch. Col. Rich Townsend was 
so able and valiant a leader under Oli'- ' 
well that the large estate in the, • 
where the family now re.'^.V 
him. 

In 1630-33 the Tov 
the shores of Massa- 
mother country ch- 
then existing t 



872 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ideas of free government, free speech and free re- 
ligion, that they were obliged to leave Massachu- 
setts for Long Island, where, at Oyster Bay and 
Glen Cove, they were granted large tracts from 
the Crown, which land is still in the possession 
of the family, the old homestead remaining stand- 
ing until this day. Of the three brothers who 
came to America in 1630, Henry (first) was the 
progenitor of the family to which our subject be- 
longs. He settled at Oyster Bay prior to Decem- 
ber 16, 1661, as the Mill Grant bears that date, 
and was admitted as a townsman November 4 
of the same year. For the benefit of the poor he 
gave a legacy to the town- of Jamaica, which was 
enjoyed by them until a very recent date. He 
was a very busy man and prominent in the com- 
munity, owning a saw and grist mill, which gave 
emploNinent to many men. For years he held 
the office of Town Clerk, and made many surv'ej's 
in the neighborhood. He was employed with 
his nephew Thomas in all public business, such 
as adjusting boundaries, procuring patents, and 
buying land of the Indians. He assisted in the 
settlement of his brother's estate, was executor of 
several wills, and was one of those appointed by 
Capt. John Underbill to see that his children were 
not wronged in case his widow married again. 
While active in the affairs of others, he was not 
neglectful of his own, having accumulated much 
propert}', which was divided among his children. 
His wife was Annie Coles, a daughter of Robert 
Coles. 

Of eight children, Henry (second) was the next 

ancestor of our subject. He married Deborah, 

daughter of Capt. John Underbill. He died prior 

to 1703. There were four children, Henry (third) 

being second in order of birth. He married Eli- 

phal, daughter of John and Mary (Townsend) 

Wright. He succeeded his uncle, John Mill, as 

and bought back laud sold by his fa- 

"lan of great promise, but died 

°. Two children were born 

• (fourth) and Absalom. 

"th Titus, a beautiful 

ter, Orange Coun- 

'lenry (fifth) was 

born in 1725, 



and died March 28, 1803. He married Annie 
Wright, who died September 17, 1825, at the age 
of ninety. Of his children, Betsey and Zebulon 
are of interest to this branch of the family. Mrs. 
Townsend is descended from Betsey , whose second 
marriage united her with Robert Little. One of 
their daughters, Martha married Henry Titus. 
The latter's daughter, Elizabeth, married Joshua 
T. Cromwell. Zebulon, who married Anna Cook, 
died October 4, 1836. His wife survived him 
until March 3, 1851, dying at the age of eighty- 
eight years. Of their five children, Henry, fa- 
ther of our subject, was the youngest. He was 
born May 9, 1803, and married Harriet Conk- 
lin; who was born in 1789. He died September 
29, 1849. To them were born the following chil- 
dren: Charles, our subject; Henry, Margaret, 
Mary and Edward. All died young, with the 
exception of our subject. 

The grandfather of our subject came to High- 
land Mills and in 1804 purchased the homestead 
on which our subject resides. He followed farm- 
ing and also owned a mill, which he usually rent- 
ed. It was built in 1756 and was burned July 3, 
1873. Later it was rebuilt and sold to the broth- 
er-in-law of our subject, now deceased. 

To Charles H. Townsend and wife were born 
nine children, four of whom are now living: Har- 
riet, wife of William Mackintosh, managing ed- 
itor of the Buffalo Netvs; Elizabeth, living with 
her sister in Buffalo; Margaret and Rosamond. 
Mrs. Townsend is a member of the Quaker 
Church, of which body Mr. Townsend's father 
was also a member. In politics our subject is a 
Republican, and shouted for Fremont, the first 
Republican nominee for President, but cast his 
first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. 

' ^ P • 



pQlLLIAM N. CASE. Very few of the resi- 
\ A / dents of the town of Deerpark have been 
V V identified with its history for so long a 
period as has the venerable gentleman who forms 
the subject of this notice. Though not a native 
of this count}-, he was brought here when so 
young that he remembers no other home than 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



873 



this. He witnessed the development of the town, 
the growth of its material interests, the progress 
of its commercial enterprises, and the springing 
np of thriving villages. Now in his old age, he 
can recall with pleasure the many incidents con- 
nected with the early history of this part of the 
county, and can also dwell with pride upon his 
own connection with the increasing prosperity of 
the community. 

Mr. Case is now ninety-one years of age, hav- 
ing been born April 14, 1804. A native of New 
Jersey, he was the eldest of the nine children of 
Henry and Catherine (Nearpass) Case, who were 
born in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respective- 
ly. Of the family he and his brothers, John D., 
of Pennsylvania, Henry A., of Sparrow Bush; 
and Jacob, of Deerpark, are the only survivors. 
The father came to the town of Deerpark about 
1806, and had the distinction of being one of the 
first white .settlers of this part of the county. 
Here he remained until his death, which occurred 
when he was about fourscore years of age. His 
wife passed from earth when sixty years old. 

Upon attaining his majority, the subject of this 
sketch rented one of his father's farms in this town, 
and after a time he purchased the property. His 
interests were varied, and he was prospered in 
his different undertakings. For some time he 
ran a sawmill, also kept an hotel, and dealt ex- 
tensively in timber and lumber. August 13, 
1827, he married Miss Sarah Cuddeback, of this 
town, who died April 12, 188S. Seven children 
were born of this union, namely: Benjamin, who 
died at the age of sixty-four years; Henrj-, a 
farmer of Sullivan Count)'; Samuel, who.se death 
occurred at the age of about fifty-four; Jacob, who 
has charge of the old homestead, and looks after 
the welfare of his father in his declining years; 
Jeremiah, an agriculturist of this town; and Kate 
and Charlotte, both deceased. 

In his younger years Mr. Case took a warm in- 
terest in public affairs, favoring all measures cal- 
culated to advance the welfare of the town. Po- 
litically he has alwaj's adhered to the Democracy. 
For many years he filled the position of Justice of 
the Peace, and he was also Supervisor for a year. 
In the Methodist Episcopal Church he has held 



the majorit}' of the offices, and while he is no 
longer able to take an active part in religious 
matters, his faith is as bright as it was in the days 
of his prime. Notwithstanding his advanced 
years, he is well preserved, and is comparatively 
robust and strong. A good and upright man, his 
memory will be held in veneration long after he 
shall have passed from the scenes of his lifetime 
associations. 



<x;^.^.^.■^»^4.» »^.^^s. ^ »•^»»■^^i•^§.■{•■^.■^■i.^ ■>C> 

(TOHN FIELD, an employe of the New York, 
I Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, 
C2) residing in Otisville, is a native of England, 
born in the city of Chester, in July, 1838. He 
remained at home until about fifteen years old, 
when, for a period of five years, he was compan- 
ion and servant to a gentleman who traveled over 
England, Ireland, Wales, and a part of France. 
On leaving his emplo}-, he set sail for America, 
and on arriving at New York City proceeded at 
once to Otisville, where he has since made his 
home. On his arrival here he began hauling 
wood to market, but continued in that occupa- 
tion only a short time, when he accepted a posi- 
tion with the New York, Lake Erie & Western 
Railroad, and has been in the employ of that 
company ever since. During this time he has 
never been reported, discharged or laid off. He 
began work for the company as a section-hand, 
but was soon transferred to the milk train run- 
ning from Otisville to Jersey City. 

Mr. Field was united in marriage, in 1855, 
with Mary Griffith, a native of the .southern part of 
Wales, who came to this country in early life, 
and who died in Otisville, in 1885, leaving six 
children: Marietta, widow of Anson Drake, of 
the town of Mt. Hope, who now makes her home 
with our subject; William, who make= ' 
in Otisville, and is employed o'* 
road; Nellie, who still rem'' 
a telegraph operator on ' 
Jr., a flagman on the 
home in Otisville; 
ator in New York 
In his polit' 



874 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but is very liberal, being perfectly willing that 
others should have the same privilege that he 
asks for himself in voting for men and measures. 
He is a well informed man, and is content to live 
a quiet and peaceable life, living as far as he can 
in accordance with the Golden Rule. 



•♦>3^> 



5j^«- 



0TTO ANDREA, of the town of Woodbury, 
was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Octo- 
ber 15, 1 82 1. The family is descended from 
Jacob Andrea, a German divine, who was born at 
Waiblingen, Wurtemberg, March 25, 1528, and 
died June 7, 1590. He studied at Stuttgart and 
Tubingen, and was ordained pastor in the former 
town in 1549. In 1557 he became preacher to 
Duke Christopher of Wurtemberg, whom he ac- 
companied to the Diets of Ratisbon and Frank- 
fort. In 1562 he was appointed a Professor of 
Theology and Classics in the University at Tu- 
bingen, and Provost of the Church of St. George, 
and from this time took a prominent part in the 
movements and discussions of the Protestant 
Church. He was especially instrumental in the 
adoption of Formula Concorda: as the common 
profession of faith of the two Protestant parties. 
His grandson, Johann Valentine, a voluminous 
German author, born at Heninberg August 17, 
1586, died at Stuttgart June 27, 1654. After 
traveling over Germany, Switzerland, Italj' and 
France, he filled various ecclesiastical positions 
for some time, and officiated at the chapel of the 
Duke of Wurtemberg. His "Mythologae Chris- 
tiana' ' and other Latin works have been partly 
translated into German by Herder and Sontag. 
In 1633 he published a work advocating repub- 
f "' ristianity in Germany. His German 

"=d several poems, among which 
'"is highly praised by Her- 
' ndrea boldly announced 
•'entun,' which no one 
eighteenth century, 
of Rosicrucians in 
"1 regarded by 



some as the founder of the order. His autobiog- 
raphy was published in 1849 in Latin. He was 
a friend of Luther. 

Otto Andrea is a son of Bernard and Johanna 
(Clause) Andrea. The father was also born in 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, his birth occurring Au- 
gust 7, 1781, and his death in 1871. He was a 
merchant at Frankfort, but retired from business 
long before his death. Bernard Andrea was 
known as Chef Andrea, the title being one giv^en 
to ex-Burgomasters of the city. Johanna, his wife, 
was a daughter of a citizen of Aix-la-Chapelle, 
where he was a large manufacturer of cloth. She 
died in 1834, at an advanced age. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive cit\', and until sixteen years of age attended 
the gymnasium. He then went to school at Ve- 
vay, Switzerland, where he remained about one 
year; thence went to Bordeaux, France, where he 
entered a mercantile house and remained two 
years. Later he went to London, and for one year 
was employed in a mercantile house in that city. 
From London became to New York City in 1841, 
but remained only a short time, when he went to 
Havana, Cuba. Disliking the institutions of the 
Spanish country, he returned to New York City 
after two months' residence in Havana, and 
there remained until 1858. From New York he 
went to Switzerland, and there engaged in busi- 
ness until 1866, when he again returned to New 
York, and as a member of the firm of Andrea, 
Graven & Co., importers of silk, he continued in 
business until 1888. 

In 1872 Mr. Andrea purchased a home in 
Orange Count}-, and on retiring from business 
lived here permanently. The land lies a short 
distance from Central Valley, and here he takes 
great delight in growing roses and violets, the 
propagation of which he commenced in 1881. 

On the 23d of April, 1845, Mr. Andrea was 
united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Matilda 
Gale, a daughter of Anthonj' and Maria (Helme) 
Gale. To them were born five children: Jo- 
hanna, who married Bernard Andrea, a cousin, 
whose home during his lifetime was in Vienna; 
Pauline, who married Carl Schroeder, of New 
York, now deceased; George C, of New York 




JOHN EDSALL McCAIX. 




CHARLES THOMAS McCAIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



879 



City, who succeeded to his father's business; 
(Hto.whowas associated with his brother George, 
and makes his home in the town of Woodbury, 
near Highhind Mills; and Gertrude, who died in 
infancy, in I'Vaukfort. 

Mrs. Andrea traces her ancestry back to Jf)liann 
Weisuer, who was a Swi.ss soldier in the allied 
army under the I'rince of Orange and then under 
the Duke of Marlborough, until peace was de- 
clared in the reign of Queen Anne. He then 
came to America and had large grants of land in 
Orange County. His .son, Hendrick Weisner, 
and his grandson, Henry Weisner, were members 
of Coleman A.ssembly from 176710 1769. Henry 
Weisner married .Sarah Walters in ijfxj. Mary 
Weisner, his daughter, married Phineas Helme, 
and Anna Helme, their daughter, married Oba- 
diah Helme. Their daughter, Maria D,, married 
Anthony Gale, the father of Gertrude Matilda 
Gale, the wife of our subject. 



(3I':NIvCA JKSSUP. Though he has resided 
/\ upon his present farm for a short time only, 
\~ J Mr. Je.ssup is well known throughout Orange 
County, for he was born here and has been a res- 
ident within its borders througliout his entire 
life. The farm of one hundred acres upon which 
he settled in August, 1893, is pleasantly situated 
in the town of Goshen, and is under a high state 
of cultivation. It is embellished with a good .set 
of buildings, the most conspicuous of which is the 
family residence. Near it are such structures as 
the practical development of a model farm calls 
for, while through the proper rotation of crops 
and fertilizing of the soil the land has been 
brcjuglit under excellent cultivation. 

The Je.ssup family is 'of English origin, and 
the first rejireseutatives in America settled in 
Montauk Point, L. I. Some of its memVjer par- 
ticipated in the Revolutionary War, and our sub- 
ject's grandfather was a soldier in the War of 
18 1 2. His father, Samuel Jessup, was a native of 
Orange County, and a resident of the town of 
Warwick. His mother, Hannah (Steinmetz; 
Jessup, was a native of Chemung C<junt,N'. She 

39 



was a granddaughter of Jacob Steinmetz, a soldier 
in the American Revolution. The family came 
originally from Holland and at an early period 
settled in the Mohawk Valley. Of their children 
the following survive: Charles L., a resident of 
the town of Warwick; James J., whose home is 
in Lincoln, Neb.; Seneca; Sarah, wife of J. W. 
Martin, of New York City; John and Samuel, 
who are living in Chicago, 111. 

In Orange County, where he was hirn June 
II, 1849, the subject of this notice jjassed the 
years of boyhood and youth, alternating work on 
the home farm in the town of Warwick with at- 
tendance at the conunon schools. On comiileting 
the .studies of the public schools he entered the 
Seward In.stitute at Florida, this county, from 
which institution he was graduated after a five- 
years course of study. In 1868 he removed from 
W'arwick to the town of Goshen, and settled one- 
half mile .south of where he now resides, remov- 
ing to his present place in August, 1893. He 
still owns one hundred and sixty-eight acres ly- 
ing one-half mile .south of his present home, and 
his wife owns two hundred acres of well improved 
land, one hundred of which comprise the home- 
stead where the family resides. 

The marriage of Mr. Jessup, November 25, 
1868, united him with Miss Jennie A., daughter 
of the late John Edsall McCain, an old settler of 
the town of Warwick. The McCain family has 
been identified with the history of this county 
since Colonial days, and seven brothers served in 
the Revolutionary War, one of whom was killed 
at the battle of Monmouth, and another was the 
gallant Gen. William McCain. Few, if any, 
families of this county can show such a record of 
patricjtism as this family exhibited during the 
Revolution. They were people of influence in 
this locality, and by intermarriage with the .Sew- 
ard, Edsa'l and Johnson families allied themselves 
with other pioneer residents of the county. 

John lulsall McCain married Abigail, daugh- 
ter of David and Sarah (Davis) McCamly, and a 
relative of the Gedney and .Sands families, pio- 
neers of Orange County and of English de.scent. 
The great-grandfather of Mrs. McCain, David 
McCamly, who emigrated to America October 9, 



88o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1729, was one of the earliest settlers of the town 
of Warwick, and became the owner of twenty-five 
hundred acres of land there. His son David, 
Mrs. McCain's grandfather, grew to manhood on 
the home farm, leaving it for service in the Colo- 
nial army, in which he was promoted to the rank 
of Colonel. The McCamly family was of Scotch- 
Irish lineage. John Edsall McCain and his wife 
were the j»arents of two daughters, the other be- 
sides Mrs. Jessup being Amelia, who married Dr. 
Andrew Jessup. and they are both now deceased. 
The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Jessup. John 
Seward and Jennie A., have been given the ad- 
vantages of good educations, and are intelligent 
and well informed. By his energy and resolute 
force of character. Mr. Jessup has not only ad- 
vanced his material success, but has given an im- 
petus to the growth of the town, and has actively 
forwarded various enterprises for its advancement 
in important directions. In politics he has always 
affiliated with the Democratic part>- and uniformly 
voles that ticket. He has met with good success, 
all of which is attributable to his energy and in- 
dustry- , backed by a large share of common sense 
and th<; assistance of his estimable wife. 



-^^llt®^ 



~0' 



EHARLES THOMAS McCAIN. The record 
made by the McCain family during the early 
settlement of America is one of which their 
posterity- may well be proud. Identified with the 
history of Orange Count>- fix>m a period antedat- 
ing tlie Revolution, they have been prominent 
here both in times of peace and war — as soldiers 
valiant and as citizens progressive. The first of 
the name to come to this country- were seven 
brothers, Robert, Joseph, William. James, Alex- 
ander, Th<Hnas and Edward, who became mem- 
bers of the Committee of Safet>- June 2, 1775, 
and afterward served as soldiers in the war with 
England. 

Of these brothers. Thomas was the grandfather 
of our subject. He married Charlotte Johnson, 
who was bom near Florida. Orange County, of 



English parentage, being one of eleven children 
and an only daughter. Her fcither and brothers 
removed to Virginia, and afterward settled in 
Tennessee. On his mother's side our subject was 
a descendant, in the third generation, of Richard 
Edsall. a native of Wales, and one of the early 
settlers of the Vernon Valley, owning twelve hun- 
dred acres of land in Orange and Susses Coun- 
ties. Richard Edsall, Jr., our subject's grand- 
father, was Captain of a company in Col John 
Seward's Sussex Count\- regiment. In 177 1 he 
married Mary Seward, who was bom in 1752. 
being the eldest child of Col. John and Mai>- 
(Sweezyl Seward. Eight months after her mar- 
riage she died at Merritt's Island, and her bodj- 
was buried in the Dutch Reformed Churchyard 
at Warwick. The second wife of Capt. Edsall 
was also a Miss Seward, being a niece of Col. 
John Seward. 

The subject of this sketch was bom near Am- 
ity, this count>-, December 27. 1S21, being fourth 
among the seven children of Thomas and Amelia 
(Edsall I McCain. Five of the femily reached 
mature years, namely: Phoebe, bom in iSio, who 
married Thomas Hinchman, of Bedford. Mich.: 
''ohu Edsall, bom in 1S15, and of whom mention 
:> :iiade in the sketch of Seneca Jessup, on 
another page: Charles Thomas, of this sketch: 
James Sewaid, bom in 1S25: and Edward H.. 
bom in 1S27. The two youngest brothers in 
1S49 went to California, where Edward, a young 
man of superior intellectnal ability-, died the fol- 
lowing vear. J. Seward became a successftil mer- 
chant of San Francisco, being senior member of 
the wholesale house of McCain, Flood & Mc- 
Clure, and afterward became interested in silver 
mining, borax and salt works. 

The marriage of Thomas McCain and Amelia 
Edsall took place March iS, 1S09, and twenty 
years later, in 1S29, he passed away, so that the 
care and maintenance of the children devalve.. 
up>on the mother, a woman f»ossessing many es- 
timable qualities and much strength of character. 
The sons and daughter were given excellent 
educational advantages, and under her wise train- 
ing were fitted for the honorable positions which 
thev afterward filled, Charles Thomas was a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pnpn of Samuel G. Hopkins, and later began 
the study of medicine. Afterward, however, he 
turned his attention to dvil engineering, and be- 
came a recognized authority on land-snr\"eying. 
For several years he was School Superintendent 
of the town of Warwick. In 1S53 he and his 
brother, John Edsall. left the ferm where three 
generations of the family had been bom, and re- 
moved to their late residence, two miles south of 
Goshen. Politically he was a Democrat and took 
a quiet interest in public afiaiis. He was a man 
of keen intellect, and of indomitable energy and 
perseverance, possessing the greatest int^rity 
and decision of character, and always performing 
with strictest honesty all offices of trust and re- 
sponsibUily. He had never married, and passed 
away May 15, 1S93. mourned by a large circle of 
old-time friends. 



NEXRY BENJAMIN FULLERTOX, Spe- 
cial Count\- Judge of Orange Counr\-. is 
ppjMbly the youngest Judge in the United 
Stales, and as an attorney he ranks high, while 
be is the silver-tongued orator of Orange Conn- 
rv-. He was bom in Sparrow Bush, two and 
a-half miles west of Port Jervis. on the 4th of 
March. 1S6S, and is a son of Peter Mills Fuller- 
ton . a tanner and currier of Sparrow Bush. The 
famiiy was originally from Ireland, and the first 
to come to America was William Fullerton. The 
genealogy can be traced from that gentleman to 
our subject, the next in direct line being William, 
Jr.. and he was followed by Stephen, Daniel, 
Peter and Heruy- Benjamin. 

William Fullerton, Sr. . came from Dublin. Ire- 
land, and died in 17S6. He had married Sarah 
Cooley, and their son William was the first of 
the name to settle in Orange County. His death 
occurred February 21. 1S17. at the age of fifty- 
one years. His children were William, Daniel, 
Stephen W. and Elizabeth. Stephen W. married 
Esther Stevens, a daughter of Holloway Stevens, 
and to them were bom the following children: 
Daniel. Ehzabeth. William (an ex-Judge of the 
Court of Appeals, who is a &mous lawj-er of New 



York City), Mary, Holloway S., Stephen W. 
{also an attorney of New York Cit\-, and ex -Coun- 
ty Judge of Orange Count\-, who resides in Go- 
shen \ Peter P.. Benjamin S., John H., Elsie T., 
Esther L. and Frances E. Daniel E. Fullerton, 
the next in direct line, first married Sarah Car- 
penter, and after her death married Miss De Witt, 
who still survives. He was an attorney of prom- 
inence in Orange Countv-. and resided at the old 
homestead where his great-grandfather. WiUiam 
FuUerton, had located. He died at the age of 
sixty years. By his first marriage he had the 
following children: Helen. Man.-. Peter M., and 
Capt. Stephen W., an attorney, who died while 
in the ser\-ice at the age of thirty years, being a 
member of the Union army during the Ci\"il War. 
The following children were bom of the second 
marriage: Angeline, Harriet, Millie. Jtilia, Jen- 
nie. Ogden and Daniel. 

Peter Fullerton, the father of our subject, served 
as a soldier during the Rebellion, enlisting at the 
first regular rail for troops, when he became a 
member of Company D. Eighteenth New York 
Volunteers, and later re-enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty -fourth New York Regiment. 
He was wounded in the shoulder by a spent ball, 
at the battle of Gettysburg. He enlisted as a 
private, but later was made Corporal, and after 
four years of valiant service he received an hon- 
orable discharge, in June. 1865. He emigrated 
to Kansas, but did not make his home long in 
that state, and on his return to New York located 
at New Hampton, where he resided for two years. 
He then settled at Sparrow Bush, where he was 
employed as a tanner and currier until his death, 
which occurred in June, 1S92. at the age of fifty- 
four years. He was not a public man. but by all 
who knew him was held in the highest respect. 

Peter Fullerton wedded Catherine A. Van Fred- 
enberg. the only daughter of Aaron and Maria 
(De Witt ' Van Fredenberg. who were descended 
from old Holland families, who came to America 
about 1645. Mrs. Fullerton, who is still living, 
became the mother of two children: Henry Ben- 
jamin and Kittie B., the latter a teacher in the 
public schools of Sparrow Bush. 

Henry B. Fullerton received his priman.- edu- 



882 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cation in the common schools, anil later attended 
the Port Jervis Academy. He has supplemented 
his school work by extensive reading. At the 
age of eighteen he began reading law in the office 
of C. I',. Cuddeback, and was admitted to the Bar 
in Marion, Kan., in September, 1SS9. In De- 
cember of the same year he was admitted to gen- [ 
eral practice at Brooklyn, and in ^'ebruary, 1890, 
he openetl an office at Port Jervis, where he has 
built up a lucrative practice. At the age of nine- 
teen years, while still a student, he defended two 
young men by the name of Conkling and Hed- 
ding, having received permission by the court. 
At the first trial the jury tiisiigreed, !)ut later the 
young men were aciinitled. This made him a 
reputation as a defender, and as a jileader and 
cross examiner he ranks among the first. Dur- | 
ing all his clerkship he had been trying cases, so 
he had a splendid career opened up before his ad- 
mission to the Bar. His work has covered sev- 
eral important cases, one of which was that of 
Bennett .-'.?. McCardle, which attracted great at- 
tention. He was the plaintifTs attorney, and the 
leading lawyer on the oppo.site side was L. K. 
Carr, one of the prominent attorneys of Orange 
County. The jury brought in a verdict for nomi 
nal damages, which was practically a vindication 
for Bennett. Mr. Carr, who is now Kx?ated at 
Albany, as attorney for the Delaware & Hudson 
Railroad Company, is a man of fine oratorical 
powers, but here he was overshadowed by Judge 
Knllerton, who delivereil one of the ablest speeches 
of his life. 

Before the Judge was eighteen years old he 
was known as a caujpaign sjieaker, and worked 
in the interest of the Republican party for two 
weeks during the campaign of 1S8S, while in 
1892, during seven weeks, he delivered forty-two 
.speeches in the northern part of the state. For 
three weeks in 1S94 he was engaged in the state 
campaign. As an orator he has won distinction 
that is simply remarkable for one so young, and 
on Decoration Day and the Fourth of July he 
has often been called upon to use his powers. At 
Monticello. on the ^th of July, 1893, he is said 
to have delivered one of the finest orations ever 
heard in the cxiunty. In 1S93 he was nominated 



for the office of Special County Judge, and was 
elected by a majority of twenty-two hundred and 
si.\ty-four, one of the largest ever given in the 
county. He holds court in chambers, and his 
jurisdiction is co-ordinate with the County Judge, 
John J. Beattie, of Warwick. The Judge was 
appointed to the position of City Attorney for 
Port Jervis ill May, 1895, which appointment is 
another proof of the ability of this young man. 

The Fullerton family has always been noted 
for its brilliancy, and among the men of the fam- 
ily there are several distinguished lawyers, of 
whom our subject is not the least. The Judge is 
a careful student of his profession, and ciualified 
to hold the responsible position he has been called 
upon to fill. He is frank and engaging in man- 
ner, and wins the confidence and respect of all 
with whom he comes in contact. 



Il.T.IAM J. COLLIKR was born in Port 
Jervis, July i, 1S53, being the eldest of the 
five children of Thomas R. and Margaret 
vMcLanghlin) Collier. Of his brothers and sis- 
ter we note the following: Thomas R., Jr., is an 
engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad in New 
Mexico. James E., who at one time was an in- 
fluential business man of Port Jer\is, removed to 
Colorado, where he has the principal undertaking 
establishment of Puelilo, and indeed of that .sec- 
tion of the state. Patrick IT., who learned the 
undertaking business with his brother James, is 
now engaged at that occupation, together with 
the livery business, in partnership with our sub- 
ject; for three years he has served on the police 
force and as Constable, and he has also done 
considerable detective work here. Mary A., the 
youngest-lxirn, married Thomas Mahan, of Port 
Jervis. 

The father of our subject was born May 20, 
1831, in (Jueeus County, near Dublin, Ireland, 
and was there reare<l to manhood. Coming to 
America in early manluKxl, he settle*! at Port Jer- 
vis and secured a pasilion on the Erie Railroad. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



883 



which was then building. For two jears he 
worked as brakenian, but the killing of one of liis 
friends by the cars cau.sed him to resign and .se- 
lect an occupation less dangerous to life and limb. 
He purchased a horse and truck and began cart- 
ing, which business he energetically prosecuted 
until he had .several delivery wagons and drays. 
For thirty years he had all the bu.siness in this 
line in Port Jervis, and for sometime he delivered 
the goods for .both glass factories. For a while 
he kept a hotel, which was one of the leading 
headquarters for traveling men in this part of the 
state. At the time that Dunn and Davis fought 
here, Dunn stopped at the hotel and trained for 
three months, eventually winning in the fight, 
that was the greatest affair of the kind ever held 
here. 

In addition to his other enterprises, Thomas R. 
Collier alst) engaged in the livery business on a 
small scale. He was sub-contractor in building 
the Barrett Bridge across the Delaware River at 
this place, and transferred the rock down the river 
for the bridge. When the bridge was completed 
he was the first man who crossed it with a horse. 
He owned the first ballroom in Port Jervis. A 
liberal, free-hearted man, he had a host of friends 
and was very popular in the cit>- where he made 
his home for so many years. In him the poor 
had always a friend, and it is probable that he 
gave more in charity than any other resident of 
the place. In his religious belief he was a Cath- 
olic. His death occurred August 5, 1882. He 
was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, and the fun- 
eral was one of th^ largest ever held in the city. 
Our subject's mother was born March 15, 1837, 
in Ireland, near the birthplace of her husband. 
She came to America in girlhood, and September 
19, 1852, became the wife of Mr. Collier. Her 
death occurred April 12, 1873, in the New York 
City Ho.spital, where an operation for the removal 
of a tumor had been unsuccessfully performed. 
In religious belief .she was a Catholic, and her 
body rests beside that of her husband in St. Mary's 
Cemetery. Her mother, Margaret, came to this 
country a few years after she did, and from that 
time until her death, at the age of about ninety, 
made her home with Mrs. Collier. Our subject's 



father was a second time married, his wife being 
Miss Mary Connell, of Paterson, N. J. They had 
one son, Stephen, who is now a machinist and 
lives in Paterson. 

Upon attaining his majority- the subject of this 
sketch began to work at the baker's trade, which 
he followed two years, after which he was in a 
grocery store one year, and ran a boat on the 
Delaware & Hud.soii Canal a year. I'or thir- 
teen years he was manager and collector for his 
father-in-law, Fred Redaker, who ran the brewery 
in Port Jervis, after which for a year he was as- 
sistant superintendent of the Rock Lsland Ivleva- 
tor in Chicago. At the time of his father's death 
he returned to Port Jervis and purchased a livery 
siable on Pike Street, which he carried on for ten 
years, then bought the Delaware Hou.se stable 
property that he still owns. June 17, 1883, he 
married Mi.ss Barbara Redaker, of Port Jervis, 
and they are the parents of four children, Thomas 
Fred, William J., Jr., Kittie Ma.\- and Lillian 
Margaret. 

In 1890 Mr. Collier purchased his brother 
James' undertaking business, which he has since 
managed, and which is probably the largest in 
the city. As a detective he has gained con.sider- 
able local fame, having captured several hor.se 
thieves. Though interested in politics as a mem- 
ber of the Democratic party, he has never accept- 
ed local positions of trust. 






!|;h/ 



H 



j^ ^ •• 



yyiRS. ANN (VAN ETTEN) MORRISON, 
y a highly esteemed lady of Orange County, 
CS was born July 18, 1829, in the house where 
she still makes her home, on a fine farm of one 
hundred and nineteen acres of good land. Her 
grandfather, Levi Van Etten, purchased this 
place before the Revolutionary War, and was 
living here at the time of the Brant Raid, on the 
20th of July, 1779, at which time this leader, with 
a number of Indians and Tories, destroyed nearly 
all the household goods, homes and stock in the 
vicinity. They also murdered and beheaded a 
school teacher at the .schoolhouse, which was 
only a short distance from Mrs. Morrison's home. 



884 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The first of the Van Etten family to locate in 
the town of Deerpark was Jacob and his wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Antje Weslbrook. 
Their son, Anthony \'an Etten, who weddetl 
Hannah Decker, was the father of Levi, Mrs. 
Morrison's grandfather. The latter was quite 
wealthy, and he and his wife, Jane (Westbrook ) 
\'an Etten, were the owners of several slaves. 
Among their children was Hon. Thomas \'an 
Etten, the father of our subject. 

Thomas Van Etten was \x>m on the old home- 
stead. May 4, 1795. where he spent his entire 
life, but he added to the farm until at one time he 
owned from five to six hundred acres of rich 
farming land. He was married, August 5, 1S16, 
to Miss Sally Van Auken, whose birth occurred 
April II, 1800, and she was a daughter of Evert 
and Sarah (^ Westbrook ) Van Auken. By this 
union nine children were boni. Lydia, wife of 
Judge Martin Cole, of Sussex County, X. J., died 
at the age of seventy-nine years; Belinda passed 
away at the age of fifty-eight years: Isaac is also 
deceased: Ann is the subject of this review: Sarah 
resides with her daughter in Cedarville, Ohio: 
Mark is a resident of Sussex County, N. J.: Cor- 
nelia wedded R. F. Gardner, of Middletown; 
Thomas lives in Sauk Rapids, Minn.: and Hud- 
son diet! at the age of forty-seven years. The 
father was one of the prominent men of Orange 
County, and in 1836 represented his district in 
the State Assembly, being elected on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, of which party he was one of the 
leaders in this community. His death occurred 
August 12, iS6i, at the age of sixt\--six years, 
four months and eight days, and his wife died on 
the sth of Decemlier. 1S71. (See sketch of 
Thomas Wan Etten elsewhere in this volume. ) 

On the 2d of Februan.-, 1S61, Miss Ann Van 
Etten became the wife of John H. Morris<in, who 
was born in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, and 
was a son of Dr. John Adams and Catherine 
(Nyce"> Morrison. After their marriage they lo- 
cateti on a farm in Sullivan County, where the 
husband engaged in agricultural pursuits on the 
old Morrison homestead. There they continued 
to li\e until his death, which iKcilrred in 1S75, at 
the age of forty-eight years. In their family were 



four children, three daughters and a son, but the 
fonner all died within two weeks of each other of 
diphtheria. Thev were Sallv, who was named 
in honor of her grandmother: Katie Nyce, named 
in honor of another grandmother; and Delia The 
only sur\-ivor is George, who was born on the 
I Sth of August, 1S7 1 , and is still with his mother, 
helping in the management of the home place. 

About 1S83 Mrs. Morrison returned to her old 
home in the town of Deerpark, and in connection 
with her brother Mark later came into possession 
of the farm, which now contains one hundred and 
nineteen acres. 



30HX PIERSON. a representative fanner of 
the town of Mount Hope, was bom Septem- 
ber 13, 1834, on the farm that he now owns. 
His parents. Silas G. and Salome B. (Cookl 
Pierson, had a family of four children, two of 
whom died in infancy. Those living are our sub- 
ject, who is the eldest, and Harriet N., who mar- 
ried Alsop Dodge, a merchant in Otisville. The 
father was bom in 1799, on the same farm that 
our subject now owns, and here he sf)ent his en- 
tire life, dying at the age of forty -three years. 
He was a snccessfiil farmer, and a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. The mother was bom July 
28, 1S04. in Hampshire County, Mass., and her 
death occurred March i. 1892, in the town of Mt. 
Hope. She was also a member of the Presbj-te- 
rian Church. 

The subject of tliis sketch and his sister inher- 
ited the property at tlieir parents' death. John 
attended the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood and afterward attended for a time Middle- 
town Academy and a school at Bethany, Pa. 
Januar\- i. 1S63, he married Miss Li/.zie Halsey. 
of Sullivan County, and to them were bom eight 
children: Silas G., a bookkeeper at Denver, 
Colo.: Frank H., still at home: John M., also a 
bookkeeper at Denver; Helen G., a nurse in the 
I Presbyterian Hospital in New Vork City: Cora, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



885 



at home; vSalome C, now in Philadelpliia attend- 
ing school; and Susan C, at home. One died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Pierson lia.s been residing on hi.s tarni a 
period of sixty-one years. He is well known and 
universally respected, and in politics is a Repub- 
lican. He has been As.ses.sor ot the town three 
terms, and Inspector of Elections several years. 
He is a prosperous farmer, and owns two hundred 
and twelve acres of good land. Religiously he 
and his fainil\- are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



30HN J. BROSS, Justice of the Peace and one 
of the representative farmers of the town of 
Deerpark, was born in Port Jervis July 22, 
1824, being the next to the eldest among the five 
children of Abraham B. and Phoebe (Doinielly) 
Bross. His father was born and reared in this 
county, and after learning the trade of a shoe- 
maker put up a shop in the town. Until his 
death, which occurred at the age of forty-six, he 
followed his trade at Sparrow Bush. In his po- 
litical views he was a Republican and always 
took an interest in matters of public importance. 
The mother of our subject was born in Penn- 
.sylvania and died at the home of our subject 
when seventy-four years old. Her father was 
stolen by the Indians in infancy, and when re- 
stored to his family some years later did not even 
know his real name. Our subject remained with 
his parents until he became of age, meantime 
working at the shoemaker's trade until the death 
of his father. Afterward he began to work on 
the Delaware River rafts, which occupation he 
followed each spring for forty con.secutive years. 
During the other portions of the year he gives his 
attention to farm work. 

During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Bross, 
whose sympathies were thoroughly enli.sted on 
the side of the Union, became a member of the 
Twentieth New York Light Artillery, entering 
the service September i, 1S64, and remaining 
until Jul>- 31, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 



charged. During the most of the time that he 
was in the service he was on detached duty in 
and near New York. He is a Republican politi- 
cally, and upon that ticket he has been elected to 
numerous local offices. From 1855 to 1858 and 
from 1 86 1 to 1864 he served as Justice of the 
Peace, and in 1894 he was again chosen for that 
position, which he is filling at the present time. 
In addition to that place he has also been Con- 
stable and Tax Collector. 

In December, 1847, Mr. Bross married Mi.ss 
Laura Cole, of New Jersey. They are the par- 
ents of three daughters. Mary F. is the wife of 
William Campbell, an attorney of New York 
City. Martha is the wife of Professor McLain, 
who is connected with the Brockport (N. Y.) 
Normal School; and Jessie F. , who taught in the 
school in Yonkers, N. Y., eleven years, is now a 
student in the normal .school of Brockport. Mr. 
Bross and his family are connected with the Bap- 
tist Church, toward which he is a liberal contrib- 
utor. The farm which he owns and operates 
consists of one hundred and sixty acres and is 
under a high state of cultivation, being consid- 
ered one of the finest places in the town. 



l-***^ 



DGAR L. REgUA, who makes his home 
^ at Highland Mills, spends the most of his 
^ time, however, in traveling over the states 
of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine 
and Vermont, in the interest of Lee, Tweedy & 
Co., importers of foreign dress goods, hosiery and 
underwear, of New York City, and is now com- 
pleting his thirtieth year as connnercial traveler. 
Our subject was born in the town of Ossening, 
Westchester County, September 14, 1845. His 
parents afterward removed to a point near Sing 
vSing, where Edgar L. attended the district school 
until reaching his fourteenth year. The family 
later moved to Tarrytown, where our subject was 
for two years a student in Newman's Academy. 
He then entered a drug store, with the intention 
of learning the business, Init meeting with an ac- 



8S6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(ddent a year aftercrard was ctrnpelled to give ap 
his position and ose cmtcjies ibr scaae time. 

Upon regaining his health voting Reqna began 
working as oflttce boy in a dry -goods store in 
Sing Sing, and later became a derk. A year aft- 
erward he made application and was givoi a po- 
sition with A. T. Stewart, of New York, and 
nnder Mr. Leyman was advanced three times in 
one year. His object in grang to the city was to 
get a position in a jobbing honse, and socm there- 
after be was taken into the establishment of Wil- 
son & Co., dealers in notioiis and mncy goods. 
After ranoaining with them a year, he a{^>lied fcK" 
a poati<Mi with Johnson & Wagno-. fancy dry- 
goods manchants. He was accepted and was sent 
oat on six-months trips in soothem New Jefe«", 
his dnties beii^ to settle cdd daims and do col- 
lecting ibr the firm. He was soon jKomoted to 
be gensal manager of the hoose, and hdd this 
positioa six months, whoi he reined andtoc^ a 
position with anotberfirm as cotnmercial traveler, 
remaining with than ten years. We nest Snd 
him with McCabe & Conway, importers of tency 
gnoods and notions, where he remained kkt five 
years, or ontil the &m ^iled. Mr. Reqna thoi 
obtained a portion with Lee. Tweedy & Co.. in 
whose interest he has traveled since iSSi. He is 
one of the best known men on the road, and his 
kxig experience has made him a v^y valuable 
man to his employes. 

Onr subject is the stm of Justice Dearmoat and 
JoUa Ann Host > Reqna. both of whom wse 
bom in Westchester Cosmty . The former was in 
early life a pointes* by trade, but later drifted into 
the mercantile buaness. beconting the ptx^nietor 
(^ a large boaness, bat was mined in the panic 
erf 1S57. 

The mother of dot soligect was the danghto' of 
Lewis and Rachel (Ogden* Hnnt. onners of 
Westchesto- County. Ho- nnitm with Mr. Reqna 
resolted in the iHrth of eight ddldren. of whosn 
Edgar L.. of this iustofy. was the ddest. Frank- 
iia seni-ed in the War of the Rebrflioa. and died 
_ its. the regular anrty is Dakota, sevsal vears 
after peace was established: Mary is the wiie of 
Charies Post, of Farniers' Mills, Patnam Coon- 
ty: Jniia Ann is deceased: Charlotte is the wife 



<rf Archibald Damman: Jesse and Minnie, twins, 
are both married, the Ibrmer to Sidney Sherwood, 
of Sing Sing, and the latter to James M. Fei^n- 
son, of the same |dace: and Justice died in in- 
iancy. 

Onr subject traces his ancestry bac^ to three 
brothers, who 9ed bom their native land, France, 
and landed at New Rocfaelle. Edgar L. was 
married in Xew York City, June 3. iS63, to Vi<is 
Annie M. Hunter, whose birth oocnired diere in 
1S45. Sex parents weie Alansm and Cartrfiiie 
M. «^BrD>wer ; Hunter, the formo' erf wbotn was 
the son c£ James Hnnts*. The Hunter amily 
was of Engli'Ji origin, while the Browexs were 
Xew Jersey DutcJi people. Mis. Reqna was one 
in a amfFy of three sons and tiiree daughters: 
James: Annie M.. Mis. Reqna; Charles, George 
and Sarah, deceased: and Isaiah, a resident of 
Highland Mills. 

To onr sntqect and his estimaUe wife these 
have been IxKn two sons and two dai^litas, viz. : 
Edgar, now in Cleveland, where he is stmHii^ 
for the ministry: Gertrude, Eugene and Caorie. 
The p ai e uta are monbes <^ the Orthodox 
Friends' Soci^y. Socially our snl^ect is a char- 
ts- membe' of Sdinnnemnnk Lo^e No. 276, of 
Highland Mills, which he has repcesaited in the 
grand lodge evey year bat two since its or- 
ganizatioii. Since 1S67 be has beai a Masoa, 
and at present is ideatified with Standard Lodge 
Xo. 711, <K Mcmroe. He was fee* many years an 
Odd Fellow, bat is now a damtted member. 

Mr. Reqna is very much intsested in breeding 
^ncy pooltry. hatuWing the ^sgle Combs. &owii 
Legbonss and Buff Cocfaan Bantams. Daring 
the existaice ot the Hndson River PDoItiy, Dog 
and Pec Stock Association, be was its Piesideiit. 
He is a manbs- of tbe Orange Coonty Agr imlt- 
ural Society, and in the year iS9{. was snperin- 
tsident of tbe poolty departmait. windi made 
the largest sbowis^ of pooltry in ^le United 
States^ there bang on exhibitioa ove- five tboo- 
saod birds. This society also exMfaited poottiy 
at tbe Wodd's Fair, taking tbe first, second, 
third, foortfa and fifth pie u iiuui a. It also won 
tbe prize at tbe Madison Sqoaie Ponltry Show 
many years ago. In politics Mr. Reqoa is a Re- 




EUaOCS L. CLARS- 



PCS:ISAIT AXD BTOGSAPHICAI. RTC :Sir>. S&g 



I 3Si:e iSSqi las ?!e^ C^Tnmtr^ of i5sc cct. S;c- ;-_ ^r .!- l S^zrirs: oc PyiT-^Rs. be- 

^e CBH^ite^ fe- she aow* oc "VTcci&snr, sbg jcesri^ 3> Gv r ;^ I > - X-x :^5, — ^x-g^ael 

: >-_ He :5 - li ^ae Rcyal Ar- 

rJ sases^El jvBs: rGszjeas — -- :cy e«lij-^ a- oc »5a:i be 5s i ShssI ssjooctcr. la poisks fee 

jsr, 25 i sacsTie •oc' i&^ cdissst. suvrnc beer 'Srcx <Cter s^^jtac^ 's- i po=a3^. eafiEspeasi^^ *» Mig 

a* MaodkrHs^. Se^SEMQ^ iS- 3>-:. He c-.t-!^ b=iC3S5 ^0=1. ssi 25 oeaeiTefiir pofwfar miBfc ail 

oe sooS «M Sen^Kao^Biy s&vk. £x£ x5f -rr-"S^ -sx^ wib-^is be s^ ^a&i^. Hi? goo^ asre of 

Tj I m\ II C3ba&- Jz.. ^ v^ Eni zrr:r:sii-j fca:<«ra ^se fcjss: CfssSrr mS aie q^aoted ax. r^ke icmeA 

iSkKm^ jaH aae csaeiey- F.-t- ? ~~ iisrcrr cc zis prices He cSi ibe p tF'wIwag »<iA: oa tfce lesH 

1 Ike sesefer 25 r^err^i ::; ris ^eo^i 'as oasiae flc disTJes Crrer. of CbEswan. wfaick is 

iflij ififii i*iiii mI WiB iiltiTiiili III 'r _i I I "1 ^ 





[ as a pEactKal amd expst we&- 

Xr- 77 SecBBi SessSl, wveie he k^ £ sse s^£>- bees ^ Cesrrrsl ViZ-er ^^^■s : ; - : - 

flwwi ]■ 1^ lb& ^fe wcc^-SBoo 2S ia ^e sear £sd £-sr'- vesrs bs -b-i^ rcrihrDei r^ ibe dsatk of 

oeaKSEacs. viiiebBSsaan^eaceseisiiKaaBdca bis pEseacs- v^sssb. 5c-. jet^i Cxibert-e I^erasr- 

rVTiaSj"^ ^:^3L He &!e~ gensTM p^^fa^^ enx Meab s:- rbii be iiD.T- rrrzTarsrrreij .hie 

: -mBBk. SHJE 5s aa^ &es B ra|>- c^'ccgrr^-g b5s gjjgc-sl bnsr-~rr- be Ses:^ «ae c^y 

: ^p a 3ai^ ssir^viBsg^e sw" las esoES- rsrrssssLE^rre :c rbe "^ — ~j r^ rby cneaBv'. His 

Efe Ins ae^ es^akjnr^d oa mamr <£ ^ciber. '>^t"~ St.. vss £ aaa <K JosEfih 3fea&. 

Ike iaise 'i ■**'+■ ka^ses ^ liie c£i-. as «e9 as £ai -^35 b:r^ bi Si^iaeid. Fsk^^d CioeaEr. 

sooae at Ae aae a^aasBCSs^ '?E XcvTKS^. Coc=-. 3^ icr —-Am DaabaFr. atese. it s pce- 

Tke manure « Mr Cisrk itu-amal ia Ae SESiei. be t^^s resied. la poeitk ke gxaed £ 

cEy. Xo>i^3tb€!r ::l : - e was aaatai ailk £ h ut»ia gh kaaaia^e q£ WMd-&aalife^. beeaaaag 

SiEsS &:ace T*. T^- - :i Fiak9. She a ■ ■ t ■^■f* et-gtat ia ^£E &e. He czaK to tM~ 

is sfe ilii^ir I oc Gil:4^ri ZTapaB,, ImmmI* a eaaa&i- Sae 3ke paxpose of iu^mtwH^ ike k^h- 

B of Fx^IeS. iMEt ako E aays kaei sas. be^ gaeaaed aitk tke pgo gperts . 

baEBESS ia isas ^=rr 25 i b-?cse seriei zr CerrrsI ViZ^e^. aBanaed a daagitter of 

. To St- aac Mrs^ CiErk -'-e^ ^ SLrcer: bs^er^^zx. ;c 'bK ygfrgr. ami iij i ri aa i i i 

E&DB S&zsue?^. Tke fmaJT <i> ^aks ass asoae i>ece aaaS ias dealk. a iS2fL 

kooae st Xo. 170 Ck^abos ae siie age of aSNSs sar xcans. 
I tke besit carcie of socaetr ^ Ix i^ rSs^e a^se ke aas boea Ae saljecE of 




Soo 



PCM«1LMT A^TD PIOGRAPHICAl KZC^C^O. 



xisis ^eicji passed titedarsof lasytKBiiiBaa iza- 
everrnil ^tBaaer. S3id ia tke sjcSkmIs of flffit juace 
£ri Xli^anoe be csnied oa kis sisS&i'&snl lie 
vas abceat asxeea. He was mied ia Ae borne 
OS li35 gTff»T>Tfea« aad poior bo Wltfwaing las isa- 
josirr be devoEed 333s aetaatka to &ixb vork, rte- 
iiKT eanjOcjried br tie day cr stoatik m feis u^i- 
l»CBisoi>i. Xirbea twaatv-ciDe be CEsse iato pos- 
sessita of dae oJd boQestesd. wiki ODasjirises 
Twv> i-HDCrec aad fiiiy acses of nse ie-jd. rjc-^w 
ow-ised r>T Dr. EJsaer, This be cnidvixed fcr kt-t 
vesis. ^Siea soJd ibe pilBC« to McCi:£:n Sir: r £:3C. 
paKC§tB~ed a large tract of laad ■«rbe^ be tjc^w 
fires. To ibjs be bss sdded frtsm tirse to thae.. 
HSiil bis landed pi.TSsesaoKt5 jkw sggregs te twe=- 
rr-Aiee ^adied acres of lacgrcTa^ i^d is- ,';.^!.ig 
laad^ Dcsiag ibe urar, -Kbesi timier -wes Tgpr 
b^k. be ssaJd lai^ qaasiiiSes frcaa bis l£s£, £tj£ 
fi was ndSiKd Iw- ixiinaads jod 5a tsmaiss be- 
xcie cvsal beciiae Tbe saiTiie ibe2- 

Tbe iftdv mbd ia iScii becEsse tbe wiK of Mr. 
Mesd K-«Te dae xaajden isfiaoe of LElt Syensoc, £3d 
djec two years ifres- ber saETtieire. Her cmbr 
ci3d is deceased. I3 piSctics; Mr. Meed is £21 
cSd-liae l>ga»c*crat, tad bis £355 voce wss ess kit 
Jasies K- PoSk- TliroQgb Tic^orr aad dssEt be 
bas cisajiTraed s> saiToan ibe oild parrr e^rer siace 
be becaane i Tfocer . sad expecss to iiive it bis £l~ 
}£§xfisce *s jos^ as be 5t«5- He is as eaergetic. 
sodBiSiiaQS saan, wbc«se Hjn^ibt 3ifc bas ^tvin ior 
Mm ibe ccBsSdajce of Ae p«w3e wbo bave bees 
ios fije-^o^ asskxiates. 



SI LVA VAX ETTEX, Tbent is ajo cs^ss^ of 

LA b6c^iT*ieswb3cbis3i)0«nei3Heiesnjs|rtoTeaid 
I I tbar; tbat of tbe ijsdiKCricsrs aad enterjeis- 
33^ Krrkrii^rETisL "^-■' — ■ • -: stdocj: ibe iesdiig- 
iarTDers of tbe toTr ^ is tbe geastiemaja 

■wbcsse name beads ..-.-.- He "•res boirn cm 

tbe iarn; 'absre be bow resales. Apnl t>o.. t$5>^. 
a-- - ■"-: -^:^ ■ ■' — - ^ ^~ r obiid^en wbo 

. s«er Gannaer 
a:., r.- .- ^ -.,;i3i- 



Tfae ixEader of ibe msaaeross Vaa Ctsea ficnSy 

ia AiBsica was Jaccc> Jassen Vaa EtSesi, wbo 
aa^^raied to tbis conaitTT ir<3ssi Etsea. is Xoeib 
RtabasK. HcJlsBd. He auoiied AwB«§e Adii- 
aase. of AsisSiEsdaia. ob ibe aSsb of December. 

iSfii. at ITTTigsSCTa, X- Y- T%ar scat, AaiboBiy 
Van Eaten, wedded Haizsab Decier, acsd oa tbe 

irib of Febmaty. 175?- we ba-re a i^ccird of Ae 
baTOsas of tbecr san Lexi- Tbe laitET was'sasted 
is TT-.RTTJEge witb Jazie Graiase^e Wessbsook. 
This woGtby ccemSe were ibe gTeat^^riaaidpBaaEs 
cf our icbiec^ 

Tbe iktber of A3ra. ft*a?r Gsntaer Vaai lR?-»-w 
was bora ai HzKraeDce. Jabr 50. iSjy bis biitb 
cccsnisj: ce ibe ^nc acw owned br tbe widow 
oc HoQ. CbarjesSC- Jobs. His parents wsre Sal- 
ooacc aad Jemiaa Gmaaer Vas Etten, ibe lat- 
ter a dai^iter cf Peser Grfrnpes". wbo owaed tbe 
farm wbere bis graudscm. Peter Vaa Kate^. was 
botrs. Tbe ftsc to lc«CBte tbers wbs Jacob G^Baer. 
aad it later csjne isto pcssesssoE cf Jaoec* De"ttln 
Ontnaer. wbo o<wi!ed it at tbe trroe cf tbe Btehi 
Raid, wbea bis rsrcoeny "was assrrcyed br fire. 
He died at abcsni die age of seveaty-eigitt vcei^ 
wbes bis sec Peter was ombr KSErseei; years cfld. 
Tbe grajjdiEtber of ocr sElnec5_ SciiottDciE Vas Et- 
tes, was a som of Leri a3>d Jaaie "Wescbraot 
Vas Erren. and be nsade bis boaae ro»cBi^}e sasie 
fann ~oaii 3 Scr^ axtil Ms deatVi wbici tvctcrred 
is aS~c^ £1 tbe age cf sgbty-i^rbt years;. Has 
«i5e died at ibe age cf setieDiy-^^bt. Ia :3»ear 
:ViEib- were ave ciildreii; JoTrm . wbo Sred m 
>r£b.->:<r.rTe is Peer Park Towasb^ died at ibe 
.^; . ^r.rv -two years: Ja3»e. ibe wie cf Peter 
J"- J=_,.ir-.aii, died at tbe .^je of serentr- 
'\->sr; Salbe. wbo died at tbe k^ cf aSy-senesi 
;>-^e£rs- was tbe wife cc Jc«=«* Wfcxktci:; Ifeser G- 
is tbe lEtber cf Alva; aaid Levi laakes bis borne 
in CabJccT^. C*a ^le iocs of XonreiEber. i?5j;. 
Peter G, Vax Eiten -wedded Saras Ass Caa^*- 
bsH. aT»d be sdH asakes bis boose is Pccrt Jerris- 
bct sbe departed liis life X-o^ianber .r7, iSo?. a: 
tbe age cc s.^-^ -« - ^ e?.TS 

Oe dse ou -\>ra Vas Esiea tcsBasaed 

sstil bis s- . Miiss Aimf 1_ TysBeaaa, 

wbkb was .-. aie .?d of Jaaueiy, iSSc- 

Tbe ladv is " ~ S. asd ESsae Mcib- 



POSXXAIT AXD BIOC»AFHICAI. HHTOKP S91 

rne lymescm. <s Oesv^e. X. Y.. -viiae ber ^ ^»c«£ » die K^rsaone SteBE v^h las ttdKr. 

ujsr s £S^ Scx^. Sr :M> scxb: i^Tse laOBCSS- Isaac VJber- OrsafefKt njutiucd cM i^hoi»e 

i^ daldi^ lifiTe bes: >Krcx: GeDcriere ESss. nsai sar Co^rs^son sadl ^ w£S im^aa i ' vesis 

liisa Jmhuujj ^5. ifoc : Ije^cn- Trrmf-^. J jumm* cb .^e. vb^ be '«eAt so Gosaoa^. X. Y. 

Tbe fHB^iis acaciiif i^ Reiarmec C Lii:^ £: Cso- ^ecsaHie coBoacKd v^i la^oad eafifernrsef . her-x 

'.a^ifwux 4ae i^ sbbc be-vx? ssade £ cvodacter cn^ie sezDe r ^ 

AIkt Us ^aa33^!e. Mr. Ybj; Stjse Tnrroiased CtmcEe & BkissStETs;, 433c aa SestsiEber. i x^jv. 

£. "satt «f flBe ^wmfrgg £i>c svyrr-ggfe acres of acssTCec £ passDcni ss ■ T t-'Hi CTi xstd estrineer, teb- 

iiffld. wIk^ s cs«Ksa£ bn- ise ceusI BS-m^asry seiic cme eijgasie ■his3 J^anar* la. ifiiO- He irsa 

twB si^QB^ aad vldcii cstisarcrei x p.-rD3E oe" essrec zie ga^n of ^e Ene Jtciraac is lie 

lie fiU ScioBWi Tm Etea FaciaL. sov carsec r«r ^iccs £: T ^rmV^r t- ^gg ssibseqiiesihr scw^ £s est- 

lijs. OMBfVg Sl JflkK. Bte aaiiss? £ 5E«ecs£ir« ce giae oc lie We=EarB DhissceL lprj=- Sptpf itecs- 

tbifSMiil kcfai ef Ac ta^n- per x^bt. He ji^ 3^5o- ^ ^^^^ 3b Oe Si^Evxre^ Dniao^ sjc is 

lAcHb^ ia •»>•■ ftfe RHOe esaoic^Kr ^cbb los bo^ie )Le9c^ ^sekTvi^ caaie x^ Pcjn Terris. Abcici 

aalheS^oig ll g Mje HaEL jadagpBMgaheTgMie iMstiiBe be bad xvscx^ce: lie Xeverszk Bridie 

of ^^^^ewsK. aada^KkS ot IcsiBjasiifcEKisbe ^be e^liae nBsi^ cf i&e oac^ sue sc~ki=:^ £a 

oSv l^Tie«s ae is acoBS^ssce 'ci:^ :ie £^Bib- i^. bei los teo&s^ Hoet. mbo ites £7^ 



Scaa fostr^ *lud he erer si^pnn? tw" is? bfilkc. "»^h£ di?w3i viiii ibe e^gise yn^ ■«S5 t^-trv^ Tie 
aai uftjs 9°*^ >■ aein« psr: fz jarsl t»5rxs. fwadTSw, Rg«aeE Cett. -«res .^sa ksst. Ins 3^ 
He is <HKCB Ae i^icseasxEfve ririTgag cf lii^ coccsed. 

portioB «f &e owali , xsd i^ sH «m kxKNr Issb Dcai^ tte gitji sS3&e of 3$^ Mr. Wadker 

s biM a ^ Swgig^ jggjgd. cSeredissenrioes^e lite Hsrlan KsSb^oad. ^Bd 

-Kss is ^idT eofSnr sssf! Arci: -5. jSe«d. Ibs^^ 
":»3ig teoKeea Xev Ycci edc ASiEirr. 



^--JCTZI. SnATTOX WAI.SEK -vss <se xi^seBsaa on axEra af^c^s^ ^ iffiber's old 

/Sy of lie aDKE le^ecSB^ sate, -r^jnei enrOr^v^^ io^KStead. htt ia Scgftmu bg was baci: ia tie ac~ 

Vy JT tW- Rrjp fmtma^ zmf^ p — T>^ -^-rrt^ .-f v^ CBSSoBasd 3«MliBe Frv3Bs tbai t^e ssti! ^e £l5£ 

aadi •«;«; its <flflr°it e^inser in yacs of senrice. cf A^b5 be nat ^ £r "ertrE"' cc: lie Sne, 21 

He b— IBffl a3 laa& oc e^^i^ in 1^ Jco^ es- llwV l V . ^u a Lii , vb^ be vas crvsr s. ' » ■ £> " ' ? n'm 

p e ri e r e. gtaa die alfl-a^yie oae « Ku - Tae sL laas viBi^bei-EziirsejeB3saiida-b£}£ I2 Xov^b- 

3D 4ne vc^i^^ «ffie YrD:^r?f Idbs. Hy demb bar. rS^a. lie <ss:£oce d lie res vas es^eded 

was ii licsQ^b ii-^ ^ itcsr as»£ use- ^o Pert Jsris frotE Xea- Ycri , esc h was 

3il 'ri: as be See i: rmj- Oe a ocfld ibeaorasni i2ic»wr as lie Cr:Eii£:e Crcacx Esrcssa, 

■MasB^ ia wiffie? I^^srcrisr 51, iS^i ti?^ ^^f-^ For Jbe liSH^ 5«rk«G of rwsinT-^»eTeE j-eErs^ cr lai- 

gfaneteb^e^^ieis lie jxr5s £ha£C xixETo'ckKk i51 F^srstsy. r^">^ ?£r 'Vraltsr iac asanre ce 

JL. »-, tmS. "W iiaJMj ^ Krao&c lie ^ab^ ly-mp-kec 31 lins UmLxl. am _ - r or atemEie dars^ pt^ 

afleKasae SmcsoiIe Sucs&ezi. asc e-missi imnsr- agrg'TiiM'tai . '~if ai lie itt^er •rmr. 

&Kte3> esfivBi. ji^prnv a si r w^iiciii: -ram aiid. w^ta: s mcce is^oax^Se. aevcr bad aa aod- 

Ifr. YaBTT w:^ bcEx ^ Ci-niugiacL- Tii^x Tttt Tie ^as: sx i i eMiib oa ids caseo' be cpesatted 

Comftv. ft.. Sesex!ir«r 2S. if^ut. Ms pEreus r«- lie '^pisber" e^iae ■om ibe IS Imrfi^ am^ 

i^ Kfl*nl srai Kwf^iHi Jctesos WaSsr. Tie eas: of liis csrr. 

te:aer was a aadiv «t X^ Hjaiyi^Be aad le- la 1S71. jdmn ibe gnae sre:. Mr. Wilfer vas 



S92 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engineer of the femons train sent with supplies to 
Chicago by the Erie Railroad. He was given a 
gold medal, bearing the inscription, '"Presented 
to Samuel S. Walker, by Col. James Fisk, Jr., 
Vice-President of the Erie Railway Company, for 
the skillful judgment displayed by him in running 
the Chicago Relief Train fix>ra Jersey City to 
Port Jervis, October 1 1 . 1S71." On the reverse 
side appears a beautiftil engine, surmounted by 
the words, "Chicago Relief Train."" This train 
made the best record for speed up to that time, 
but later Mr. Walker made the trip, a distance of 
eight\--eight miles, in two hours and four minutes. 
His service in the capacity of engineer covered 
forty -five years. The only society to which he 
belonged was the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- 
gineers, he being a charter member of Division 
No. 5 i . Political matters had but little interest 
for him, and he voted independently. 

May iS, 1S62, Mr. Walker and Charlotte A. 
Johnson, of Coving^ton, Pa , were united in mar- 
riage. The latter is still li\-ing at her home in 
this city with the only daughter, Ida May. Will- 
iam Henn,-, the only son, is in the employ of the 
Ontario & Western Railroad, at the coal-mines 
near Peck\-ille. Pa. Mrs. Walker is a member 
of the Methodist Church. 

30HX R. PATTERSON. One of the most 
':^e.iutiful homes of Orange County is that 
wiiich is owned by Mr. Patterson. It is pic- 
tiuiesquely situated on the banks of the Delaware 
River, and is embellished with all the conveni- 
ences of modem times. Its varied attractions 
have become known outside the limits of the 
county- , and it has become a popular summer home 
for city guests. For several months eacli year it 
is filled with boarders, who find here a needed 
recreation firom business cares, and a delightful 
change from the oppressive air of the city. The 
farm comprises seventy-five acres, uj>on which 
garden truck and celery- are raised, Mr. Patterson 
being the most extensive gardener of the town of 
Deerpark. 

In Sparrow Bush, where he now resides, the 



subject of this sketch was bom March 7, 1S36, 
being the second of nine children comprising the 
family of Samuel and Xancy ■ Ra>Tnond) Patter- 
son. His father, who was bom and reared in the 
town of Deerpark, worked at the lumber business 
in early life, but later bought and sold ship tim- 
ber, and also carried on form work in Sparrow 
Bush. During the panic of 1S57 he lost almost 
all his pro|)ert\-, but afterward to some extent re- 
trieved his losses. He died in 1870, at the age 
of sixty-three years. Politically a Democrat, he 
took an active interest in party affairs. In relig- 
ious belief he was a member ol the Baptist Cnurch, 
and his character was such as to win the confi- 
dence of a host of acquaintances. 

The jMtemal grandfather of our subject. Joseph 
Patterson, was bom in Paterson, X. J., which 
city was named in honor of his family, and was 
among the first hunters and trappers along the 
Delaware River. Our subject's mother was bom 
in Connecticut, but was only one and a-half years 
of age when her parents came to the town of 
Deerpark. and she continued to reside here until 
her death in 1S72, at the age of sixty-four. John 
R. remained with his parents on the home farm 
until their death, meantime assisting his father in 
the ship-timber business. At the age of twenty-' 
one he embarked in that occupation for himself, 
cutting large quantities of ship timber and lumber 
in the woods near the Delaware and shipping 
them down the river on his rafl. After having 
successfiilly engaged in this enterprise until 1S75, 
the building of wood vessels was discontinued, 
and he therefore turned his attention to another 
occupation. He purchased the old homestead at 
Sparrow Bush, and here he has since engaged in 
gardening. June 50, 1863, he married Miss Mary 
Dot\-. of SpiaiTOw Bush, and they became the 
parents of four children, namely: Mary Allie, who 
died at the age of twenty- five years; Frank D., 
the present Road Commissioner of Deerpark and 
now residing with his father; John R., Jr., who 
died at the age of seventeen; and George H., who 
is with his parents. 

Since attaining his majority Mr. Patterson has 
been an active worker in the local ranks of the 
Democratic party. For one year he was Tax Col- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S9J 



lector, and he also served as Census Enumerator. 
His most important service, perhaps, was as Road 
Commissioner, which f>ositiou he held for fifteen 
years. During his incumbency of the office, the 
Hawk"s Xest Road was built from Sparrow Bush 
to Mongaup Valley, a distance of three and one- 
fourth miles, through the Hawk's Xest Mountain. 
He had the entire charge of the construction of 
this road, which was built in 1S75-76, and which 
is one of the best roads in the countj,-. The econ- 
omy noticed by him in its building may be judged 
firom the fact that the entire cost of construction 
was only $4,000. Socially he is associated with 
the Improved Order of Red Men and the Ameri- 
can Le^on of Honor. 



(I OB VAX IXWEGEX is a representative busi- 
I ness man of Cuddeback\-ille, a me":l>er of the 
v2/ well known firm of S. & J. Van Inwegen, 
general merchants. His entire life has been spent 
in the village which is still his home, his birth 
ha\-ing here occurred September 23. 1836. His 
parents were Capt. Moses and Susan t^Mapes"* 
\'an Inwegen. His {xitemal grandfather was 
Cornelius \"an Inwegen, and in his family were 
the following children: Moses: Simeon, deceased: 
WiUiam: Man.-, who became the wife of William 
Penny, and after his death married Jacob Case: 
Margaret, who became the wife of Daniel Hop- 
son, who died at the age of eightj- years: and 
Sally, who married George Gumaer. 

Capt. Moses \'an Inwegen died in 1863, at the 
age of sixty -seven yeai-s. He was a prominent 
business man, who carried on farming on the old 
homestead now occupied by his sons, and he also 
established the general merchandise business at 
the time of the building of the canal, in 1826. He 
there carried on operations until iS6o. when he 
sold out to the present firm. He was twice mar- 
ried, and by his first union had the following 
children: Harriet, widow of Samuel Gordon, of 
Port Jervis: Angeline, widow of H. B. Holmes, 
of Wurtsboro: Stoddard, a partner of the firm: 
Job: Mary, who died at the age of twenty -two: 
Susan, who married Lvman O. Rose: and Ruth. 



who was drowned at the age of five. After the 
death of his first wife. Captain Van Inwegen wed- 
ded Eliza Shimer. of Pike County, Pa., who sur- 
vived him about thirty- years, dying in 1S93. at 
the age of sixty -five. Their children were Moses, 
a brakeman, who was killed at the age of thirty: 
Clarence, a coal dealer of Chicago, 111. : Welling- 
ton, who is associated with his brother in busi- 
ness: George Albert and Elmer, also of Chicago: 
and Charles, of California. 

Job \"an Inwegen was bom and reared on the 
old family homestead where he still resides, and 
the days of his boyhood and youth were quietly 
passed, unmarked by many events of special im- 
portance. He aided his father on the farm and 
in the store, and in 1S60 became one of the pro- 
prietors of the mercantile estabUshment. which 
has been conducted under the present firm style 
for thirty-five years, and which has been in ex- 
istence for sixty -nine years. The brothers also 
own a part of the old home farm, and give some 
attention to its cultivation and improvement. 

Job Van Inwegen was married, in December, 
1S60. to Miss Jane Whitlock, daughter of Joseph 
and Sally 'Van Etten > Whitlock. Their union 
was blessed with the following children: Mary, 
wife of B. W. Burdick. of Albany. X. Y.: Ehza, 
wife of William Jackson, of Deerpark: Joseph, 
who died at the age of seventeen: and Ruth, a 
music teacher. 

Stoddard Van Inwegen was bom October 3, 
1S34, and, like his brother, was reared on the 
old home place. He first married Hester Hilfer- 
ty. of Carpenter's Point, who died, leaving a 
daughter, Laura, now the wife of Archie C. \"an 
Etten, of Port Jer\-is. He afterward wedded Je- 
mima Swartwout. daughter of Peter Swartwout, 
and her death occurred about four years later. 
On the 26th of October, 1S76, was celebrated the 
marriage of Stoddard Van Inwegen and Miss 
Sarah Alice, daughter of John J. and Man.- 1 Cnd- 
deback ) Van Etten. Her father lived at Hugue- 
not, where he owned a miU and farm. On that 
place Mrs. Van Inwegen was bom, and in 1870 
the family removed to Cuddeback\-ille. where her 
father died, August 6. 1S72, at the age of fifty- 
seven. His wife passed away March 21, 1878, at 



894 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the age of fiftj--seven. Their children were Mar- 
garet, who became the wife of Lyman O. Rose, 
and died at the age of twent}--one: William, a 
miller, who died at the age of twenty-seven: Mrs. 
Van Inwegen: Marj- Ellen, Edgar L., Isabel and 
Carrie, all of whom died in childhood; Charlotte, 
wife of James Frost, of Morristown, X. J.: and 
Miner\-a, who died at the age of fourteen. 

Stoddard Van Inwegen is a leading member of 
the Reformed Church, in which he is sening as 
Elder, and for some years he has been Superin- 
tendent of the Sundaj'-school. His wife also be- 
longs to the same church. In his social relations 
he is a Mason, and both brothers are Republicans 
in their political views, but take no active part in 
politics, preferring to give their time and energies 
to their business interests. 



The subject of this sketch remained at home 
until he attained his majority, with the exception 
of the time spent in school in New York City and 
at Middletown Academy. He was married, March 
29, 1876, to Miss Josie Morris, of Otisville, and 
there have been bom to them three children: 
Harrj- E., Marj- Irene and Bessie L. , all of whom 
are attending school at Middletown. 

On the death of his father Mr. Reeve inherited 
the home place, on which he has since continued 
to reside. The place is a beautiful one. with a 
large, roomj- house and large bam, outbuildings, 
orchards, etc. During the summer months the 
house is usually filled with boarders from the 
city. Politically he is a RepubHcan. 



NEXRY S. REEVE, a farmer and proprietor 
of a summer resort house at New Vernon, 
was bom July 24, 1853, on the farm where 
he now resides, and is the son of William L. and 
Betsey M. (Confort) Reeve. The former is a na- 
tive of the town of Wawayanda, bom November 
15, 1810, and the latter a native of the town of 
Mamakating, Sullivan Countv. In 1834 the fa- 
ther purchased the farm of one hundred and fiftj' 
acres that is now occupied bj- his son, and here 
spent the remainder of his life, engaged in farm- 
ing and occasionally teaching a term of public 
school. For a time he engaged in teaching at 
New Vernon, which was then a thriving little 
village. Politically he was a stanch Republican 
and was always active in local affairs, sending three 
terms as Super\-isor of the town of Mt. Hope. 
Though not a member of any church, he contrib- 
uted of his means to those in the neighborhood, 
and firmly believed in the Golden Rule. He was 
a good man and had many friends in the commu- 
nity where he long resided. His death occurred 
May 16, 1892, and his remains lie buried in the 
old Baptist Cemetery in the town of Mt. Hope. 
The mother, who is also deceased, was a member 
of the Old-school Baptist Church, and was a gen- 
uine Christian woman. 



^/' HOMAS BURKE, who was for many years 
I C a resident of Otisville, was bom Februan,- 2, 
v2/ 1815, in County Galwa)-, Ireland, where he 
remained until about twenty- three years old, 
when he came to America and located at How- 
ells Depot, X. Y., where he worked on the rail- 
road for a time. He then purchased a small farm, 
on which he remained until about i860, and then 
removed to Otis\-ille. Here he rented for a short 
time, then purchased about four acres of land in 
the village of Otisville, on which was a dwelling, 
and there he remained until his death. He was 
a man of good education, having attended college 
in his native land. 

Mr. Burke married Fannie Grady, of County 
Galwa\-, Ireland, who died in this countr\- in 
1855, leaving five children. Joseph G. is employed 
in the oil works in Long Island City; Eleanor H. , 
the widow of James Cosgrove, of Long Island 
Citj-, is now living in Lasalle, 111.: Annie M. 
died at the age of thirty-seven; Thomas M. died 
at the age of thirt\--nine; Katie V. is now the wife 
of Nathaniel Comeilsou. who is engaged with 
the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company, of 
Brooklyn. 

In JanuatA", 1S57, Mr. Burke was again mar- 
ried, taking as his wife Ann Malone. a native of 
County Tyrone, Ireland. She came to this coun- 
tr}- when about seventeen years old, and lived in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



New York City and Howells Depot until her 
marriage, when she came to Otisville, which has 
since been her home. Two children were bom of 
this union: Fannie, Mrs. William E. Hynard. 
who lives in Xew York City: and Henry E., en- 
gaged with the Standard Oil Company of Jersej- 
City, X. J. 

Mr. Burke made his home in Howells Depot 
and Otisville for about fifty-three years, and 
worked as a mason and millwright at various 
places throughout the county. He was not a 
member of any church, but died in the Catholic 
faith. His death occurred October 9, 1891. and 
his remains were buried in the Catholic Cemeterj- 
at Otisville. In his political views he was a 
Democrat. Mrs. Burke is also a Catholic. 



gEXJAMIX VAX FLEET is carrying on 
his chosen occupation of farming in the 
town of Deerpark, a half-mile north of Port 
Jer\-is, on the place where he was born, May 21, 
1826, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Cuddeback) Van Fleet. In March, 1662, there 
came to America in the ship ' ' Faith' ' from Ut- 
recht, Holland, Adriaen Gerritsen (the son of 
Gerrit), with his wife and five children. He was 
an agriculturist. His name next appears as 
Ariaen Gerritsen, in 1663, in connection with the 
burning of Wiltwyck fnow Kingston), at which 
time his daughter was made captive by the In- 
dians. In 1664 his full name, Ariaen Gerretsen 
Van Vliet, is given in the history- of Ulster Coun- 
ty, he voting to send two delegates to represent 
Wiltwyck in the General Assembly, and in con- 
nection with his tilling one of Governor Stuyves- 
ant's farms at that place. Among his children, 
according to the King.ston church records, was 
Machtel, who was born in Utrecht, and who first 
married Barent Van Bor.sum, and later, Septem- 
ber i8, 1684, Jan Jancob Stol, of Kingston. It 
is probable she was the one who was taken cap- 
tive by the Indians when a child, and recaptured 
bj- the soldiers. His second child, Jan, wedded 



Judith Hossey; and the third in the family, also 
named Jan, by his union with Jesyntje Swart- 
wout became thefatherof Jacobus Van Miet, the 
grandfather of our subject. 

Thomas \'an Fleet, the father of Benjamin, 
was bom on the old home farm where his son 
Solomon now resides, his birth occurring on the 
19th of October, 1788, and about 1819 he pur- 
chased the land where our subject lives, a tract of, 
over one hundred acres, which was a part of the 
old Johannes Decker Farm . There he lived until 
his death, which occurred September 13, 1847. 
His first marriage was with Margaret Cuddeback, 
and after her death he wedded Elizabeth Cudde- 
back, who was born December 29, 1794, and was 
a distant relative of his first wife. Her father, 
Henn,- Cuddeback, was born March 23, 1771, and 
on the 3d of October, 1 794, married Esther Gu- 
maer, the mother of Mrs. Van Fleet, who died 
Februar3- 5, 1847, and he passed away October 
30, i860. By his first union Mr. Van Fleet had 
one son, James, who was united in marriage with 
Emeline Ferguson, of Port Jervis, and after her 
death married Mrs. Catherine 1 Fountaine) Scott, 
the widowed mother of William E. Scott, Cashier 
of the Xational Bank of Port Jervis. James died 
at Jacksonville, Fla. , of yellow fever, November 
23, 1857, at the age of forty years, leaving no 
children. By his second marriage Thomas Van 
Fleet had three children: Margaret, who died in 
childhood; Benjamin, of this sketch; and Solo- 
mon, who was bom December 18, 1829. The fa- 
ther was an intelligent, well read man, politicalh- 
was a strong Democrat, and attended the Re- 
formed Church. 

On the I st of December. 1852, Benjamin Van 
Fleet was united in marriage with Miss Jane Van 
Etten, who was bom in Cahoonzie. town of Deer- 
park, on the loth of Juh-, 1829. She is the eldest 
of seven children born to John and Margaret 
(Carpenter) Van Etten, all of whom are living. 
Her father was a son of Solomon Van Etten, and 
he was born Xovember20. 1806. The latter was 
a son of Levi Van Etten, whose grandson Levi 
now lives on the old farm in the Xeversink \'al- 
lej-. Mrs. Van Fleet's faiher was an extensive 
lumberman, owning a large sawmill at Cahoon- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



zie, where he died April 14, 1889. His wife, 
who was born on the 20th of December, 1809, is 
a daughter of Benjamin Carpenter, who owned 
Carpenter's Point, now known as Tri-States. She 
now resides in Sparrow Bush, one of the most 
active ladies of her age, her mind still clear and 
her memorj- good. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Van Fleet have been born six 
-children: Amanda, at home; Thomas, who mar- 
ried Eva Tracy and resides in Massena, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y. ; Margaret, the wife of A. J. 
Dennis, of Newark, N. J.; Frank, Clara and Jen- 
nie, who are still with their parents. Mr. Van 
Fleet assisted his father in the management of 
the home farm until the latter' s death, and since 
that time has continued its cultivation and im- 
provement. He is a prosperous farmer and his 
place well indicates the care and enterprise of the 
owner, who is numbered among the prominent and 
representative citizens of the town of Deerpark. 
To the Democratic partj' he gives his earnest sup- 
port, never failing to cast his ballot for its men 
and measures. Mrs. Van Fleet is a member of 
the Reformed Church. 



(lOHN L. KETCHAM, a farmer residing in 
I the town of Mt. Hope, was born February 
Q) 22, 1S20, in the house where he still lives. 
He was the next to the j-oungest of the ten chil- 
dren of Joseph and Mar\- L. (Mulock) Ketcham, 
and concerning the others we note the following: 
Sarah, the eldest, was born February 21, 1803, 
became the wife of John W. Martin, and died 
May 18, 1865; Arminda, who was born Septem- 
ber 17, 1804, married Jasper A. Writer, and 
passed away April 23, 1893; Lydia was born in 
September, 1806, married John K. Davis, and 
died November 10, 1876; Marj- Ann, whose birth 
occurred April 18, 1808, was first married to Coe 
Finch, later became the wife of Gilbert Moore, 
and died December 15, 1861; Julia Etta, born 
April 15, 1810, married Alexander McDowell, 
and passed away Augu.st 8, 1881; William Ja}-, 
who was born November 3, 181 2, has for verj- 



many years been a clerk in the PostoflSce Depart- 
ment at Washington; Chauncey L- was born Sep- 
tember 18, 1814, and died March 18, 1872; Re- 
becca J. was born June 12, 1818, married Will- 
iam Y. Wilson, and died April 13, 1886; and 
Keren N., the youngest, was born October 23, 
1823, was married to Ferdinand Sewalt, and died 
March 12, 1872. 

The father of this family was born in the town 
of Mt. Hope, June 21, 1782, and died here June 
4, 1854, having spent his entire life in this place, 
where he followed the trade of a mechanic and 
the occupation of a farmer. The grandfather, 
Joseph, Sr. , was born on Long Island, Septem- 
ber 23, 1750, of English extraction. Our sub- 
ject's mother was born June 21, 1783, in Orange 
County, and died December 31, i860. She was 
the daughter of William and Sarah (McBain) 
Mulock, and was a descendant of Scotch ancestry. 

In youth our subject worked on the farm, in a 
mill and a machine-shop, and at his father's 
death he inherited the old homestead, where he 
has since resided. November 14, 1844, ^^ mar- 
ried Miss Harriet Writer, who was born June i, 
1821, and died August 30, 1870, leaving a daugh- 
ter, Electa J., born on the ist of February-, 1855. 
Mr. Ketcham was again married, October 17, 
1874, his wife being Maria Seybolt, of this coun- 
ty, who died October 8, 1876. 

Politically Mr. Ketcham is a Democrat, and in 
former years took an active part in local affairs, 
having served several terms as Assessor, and also 
filled other positions of trust. The nifirmities in- 
cident to advancing years prevent him from ac- 
tively superintending his farm, but his daughter, 
Mrs. C. B. Penney, wife of an engineer on the 
North Hudson County Railroad in New Jersey, 
makes her home with him, and looks after the 
farm affairs, at the same time ministering to his 
comfort and maintaining an affectionate interest 
in his welfare. She possesses an unusual degree 
of business tact and ability, and under her keen 
oversight the place is kept in splendid condition, 
the property proving as remunerative as any farm 
in the neighborhood. Fraternally Mr. Ketcham 
is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 227, of New 
York City. 




MRS. LUCY H, WASHINCTOX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



899 



r)EV. SHADRACH WASHINGTON, pastor 
1^ of the Baptist Church of Port Jervis, was 
p\ born in Fayette County, Pa., June 28, 1830, 
and is a son of John and Sarah (Reed) Washing- 
ton. His grandfather, Lund Washington, was a 
native of A'irginia, and a cousin of Gen. George 
Washington, their fathers being brothers. An 
uncle of our subject, John Washington, was also 
born in Virginia, but removed to Pennsylvania 
in an early day, and served in both the Revolu- 
tion and the War of 18 12, being an officer in the 
latter under General Harmer. He died in Fay- 
ette County, Pa., at the advanced ageofninetj' 
years. In 1845 his father removed to Dayton, 
Ohio, where he died at the age of eighty-three. 
In a family of nine children, Shadrach was first- 
born. His father, a devout Christian, of sterling 
integrity, was a millwright. 

When our subject was a boy, the father went 
to his pastor and said: 'I want to talk with you 
about Shadrach. I find he has spent his money 
on Latin books, and spends all his spare time 
studying them. A knowledge of Latin is not 
necessary to run a planing-mill. I am sure I 
don't know what the bo\- will amount to." The 
pastor was at once interested, and the result was 
the boy was prepared for college. At the age of 
nineteen he entered Granville (Ohio) College, 
now Denison University. Later he changed to 
Rochester University, where he was graduated in 
the Class of '56. In September following he en- 
tered Rochester Theological Seminary, where the 
full course was completed. He was ordained at 
Woodstock, 111., in 1859, and soon after became 
pastor at Aurora, 111. He has served as pastor 
successively in Pittsburg, Pa. ; Jacksonville, 111. ; 
Keokuk, Iowa; Paterson, N. J.; Essex, Conn., 
and is now serving his seventh year in Port 
Jervis. 

After thirty-seven years in the ministry, Mr. 
Washington's strength is unabated. He is nat- 
urally retiring and unostentatious in manner, yet 
as an orator, theologian or a pastor he is rare- 
ly excelled. When he located in Port Jervis, the 
church had a fine edifice, with a burdensome 
debt upon it, however. The debt was paid, and 
the mortgage was burned, but the church burned 
40 



six months later, September i, 1893. Upon an- 
other site a new house of worship has been erect- 
ed, at a cost of $25,000. It is admired for con- 
venience of arrangement, and has a seating capac- 
ity, auditorium and chapel combined, of eight 
hundred. 

On the 14th of July, 1859, Rev. Mr. Washing- 
ton married Miss Lucy H. Walker, in Rochester, 
N. Y. Mrs. Washington is widely known as a 
temperance worker and author, and as a helper 
in church work is rarely equaled. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Washington do all within their power 
for the uplifting of mankind, and their earnest 
Christian lives have won them general love and 
esteem. 

• — ^ m c^ — • 

yyiRS. LUCY H. WASHINGTON, wife of 
y Rev. Shadrach Washington, was born in 
(9 Whiting, Vt. , and is descended from New 
England ancestry dating back two hundred and 
fifty years. Her paternal lineage is traced to 
Deacon Philip Walker, of Rohoboth, Mass., who 
was one of the chief actors in the bloody drama 
of King Philip's War. On the maternal side her 
descent is from Samuel Gile, one of the eleven 
first settlers of Haverhill, Mass., in 1640. 

From her mother Mrs. Washington inherited 
a love for the beautiful in nature, and an ear and 
soul attuned to song. Her first printed verses 
appeared at the age of fourteen. Her early edu- 
cation was such as the common and select schools 
and academy of her native .state afforded. With 
active intellect and ambitious characteristics, she 
resolved to enter upon a wider course of study, 
and became a pupil of Clover Street Seminary, 
Rochester, N. Y. , where she graduated with the 
highest honors of her class in 1856. In the sem- 
inary Miss Walker's talent met cordial recogni- 
tion, and the aid of her muse was often invoked 
for special occasions. She was frequently num- 
bered ( in plea.santry) by her classmates with the 
poets of America, or styled "Poet Laureate" of 
the school. From this time her verses and 
sketches frequently appeared, until the manifold 
duties of an active life left little time for muse or 
pen. 



goo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Washington's home has been subject to 
the changes incident to a pastor's life. This has 
broadened her influence, which has ever>' where 
inspired to good work. When her husband was 
pastor in Jacksonville, 111., she was made a leader 
in the "crusade" movement of thst city, and in 
response to the needs of the hour was brought 
into public speaking. Her persuasive methods, 
Christian spirit and eloquent language made her 
at once an effective speaker, acceptable to all 
classes. Her first address in temperance work, 
outside of her own city, was given in the Hall of 
Representatives in Springfield, 111. She says: 
"I gathered all my courage to face the audience, 
and resolved that it should be my 'last public' ap- 
pearance. " Of this address, the State Journal 
said: "Representatives' Hall was crowded last 
evening to its utmost capacity with an intelligent 
audience. Mrs. Washington, upon invitation, 
spoke for nearly an hour, with an eloquence which 
not only commanded the rapt attention of her 
hearers, but served to inspire a new zeal in the 
cau.se of temperance in this city. It is no dis- 
paragement to other speakers who have repre- 
sented their views to large audiences here, to saj' 
that Mrs. Washington's address was the best that 
has j'et been delivered. ' ' Commendatory press 
reports brought her to more extended public no- 
tice, led to repeated and urgent calls, and opened 
a door to service which has never been closed. 

During the succeeding j'ears Mrs. W^ashington 
has in various official capacities, national, state, 
and local, been connected with Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union work, and has given ad- 
dresses in twenty-four states, her labors extend- 
ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The three- 
fold gifts of choice speech, rare pen, and unique 
administrative talent are hers, which she has 
faithfully devoted to work for ' 'God and home 
and native land." She is President of the Or- 
ange County Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union, in which capacity she has served four 
years. 

Mrs. Washington became the mother of six 
children, tv^'o of whom died in infancy. The 
four reaching maturity were all finely educated. 
Irving, a graduate of Rochester University, re- 



sides in Chicago; Martha, who, after a course of 
study in South Jersej^ Institute and Vassar Col- 
lege, married Rev. Lyman R. Swett, died sud- 
denly in 1894, in Vineland, N. J.; Lucy May is 
the wife of Dr. R. S. I. Mitcheson, of Philadel- 
phia; and Eleanor, unmarried, is still at home. 
As an author, Mrs. Washington has contribu- 
ted occasional sketches to periodicals and maga- 
zines .since early life, and has published two vol- 
umes in verse, "Echoes of Song" and "Memory's 
Casket." Her themes are marked b\- wide di- 
versity, and inspired by, or gathered from, the 
ever-changing experiences of an active life. 



GlARON W^ KORTRIGHT, who for many 
Ll years was a blacksmith in the town of Mt. 
/ I Hope, was born in the town of Goshen, 
March 14, 1816, and remained with his parents 
until he was about sixteen years of age. He at- 
tended the district school as opportunity was af- 
forded him, and at the age mentioned went to 
Ridgebury to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 
that place and at two or three other points in 
Orange County, he worked for a short time, and 
then went to Finchville, in the town of Mt. Hope, 
where he rented a shop and continued to ply his 
trade for about six years. He later went to 
Cherry- Ridge, Pa. , where he remained two years, 
and then returned to Finchville. Renting a shop, 
he remained there two years, at the expiration of 
which time he purchased ten acres of land where 
his widow and son now live, built a shop, and 
worked at his trade until his death, which occur- 
red July 1 1 , 1894. He added to his farm, until at 
his death it comprised thirty acres. 

On the 3i.st of December, 1842, our subject 
married Miss Hester Middaugh, a native of Mt. 
Hope, born May i, 1826, and a daughter of 
Leonard and Sarah (Walker) Middaugh, the 
former a native of Pennsjlvania, and the latter of 
Orange County. To this union five children 
were born. Sarah A., born Januar\- 21, 1845, is 
now the wife of William Ketchum, of Nichols, 
N. Y.; Anna A., born March 21, 1854, died July 
26, 1875; Emma M., born March 16, 1857, is the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



go I 



wife of James H. Wood, of this town; George D., 
born December 13, 1859, is a noted horseshoer 
and carries on his father's old shop; Ella, born 
February 3, 1862, died July 23, 1887. 

Mr. Kortright was a stanch Democrat in politi- 
cal views, but would never accept any political 
position. He was not a member of any church, 
but lived a quiet, moral life, enjoying the respect 
of his fellow-citizens. Few men in his town had 
more friends and less enemies. 



(Judge SAMUEL V. JONES, in the occu- 
I pation of an agriculturist, which he has made 
G/ his life work, Mr. Jones has been notably 
successful, and has gained a place among the 
prosperous farmers of the town of Greenville. 
His prosperit}' has been self-attained, for, with 
the exception of a small inheritance from his fa- 
ther, he has worked his way unaided in the 
world, gaining by the force of his industry and 
tireless perseverance the success he now enjoys. 
He is the owner of one hundred and twenty-five 
acres, from which he receives a substantial in- 
come annually, and in the cultivation of which he 
has passed the best years of his life. 

In the town of Minisink, this county, Mr. 
Jones was born June 4, 1834, being fourth among 
the five children of Samuel and Susan (Owens) 
Jones. His father, also a native of the town of 
Minisink, was a farmer by occupation and a 
cooper by trade, and made his home in that town 
until his death, at seventy-two years of age. 
While he never became wealthy, yet he accumu- 
lated a large share of this world's goods and was 
numbered among the substantial citizens of his 
town. Politically he was prominent in the local 
ranks of the Democratic party, and held most 
of the town offices. His wife, who was born in 
Orange County, died here at the age of about 
eighty-five years. 

Until becoming of age Mr. Jones remained with 
his parents, in the mean time attending the com- 
mon schools of the district. Upon gaining his 
majority he rented a farm, where he made his 
home for a year. He then purchased the farm 



where he has since lived. In November, 1855, 
he married Mary A. Goldsmith, a native of this 
county and a daughter of Charles Goldsmith, an 
old resident of this county. Identified closely 
with the public aff'airs of this locality, Mr. Jones 
has always espoused the Democratic party, 
supporting its candidates and measures with fidel 
ity. For about twenty years he has filled the re- 
sponsible position of Justice of the Peace, has also 
.served as Commissioner of Highways (in which 
position he aided in opening and improving the 
roads of the town) , and as Assessor and Inspector 
of Elections, etc. For several years he was a 
member of the Democratic County Committee. 
He takes an interest in religious and benevolent 
enterprises, and may be relied upon to aid every 
progressive and beneficial project to the extent of 
his ability. 



yyiOSES DEPUY, an extensive dealer in both 
y coal and wood in Port Jervis, is now .serv- 
(3 ing as the efficient President of the village. 
He was born in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, on 
the 28th of June, 1840, and is a son of Elias and 
Helen (Broadhead) Depuy. The father was born 
in Sullivan County, and the mother in Wawar- 
sing, Ulster County. The former was a son of 
Major Depuy, an honored and early resident of 
Sullivan County. In that county Elias Depuj' 
engaged in farming and the lumber bu.siness. He 
there owned a mill, attended to cutting the tim- 
ber, hauling it, and converting it into lumber. 

Our subject remained on the farm until reach- 
ing his majority, helping to cut logs in tlie win- 
ter, while during the summer months he was 
employed in the mill. At the age of twenty -two 
he started out in life for himself, coming to Port 
Jervis, where he worked for his brother. Ten 
Eyck Depuy. The latter was engaged in the 
lumber trade, and our subject remained with him 
for some years, when, April i, 1866, he and 
Frank R. Broadhead purchased the business. 
His brother now makes his home in Rochester. 
The firm was known as Depuy & Broadhead, and 
the ca])ital invested was$5,ooo, but the>- increased 



902 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their stock, carrjing on operations for two years, 
when Mr. Depuy purchased his partner's interest 
and has since conducted the business alone. The 
former location was on Pike Street, on the site of 
the present postoffice, where he remained until 
1 88 1 , when he sold his lumber interests and re- 
moved to his present place of business on Jersey 
Avenue. He first leased the land, but has since 
purchased the same, erecting his extensive build- 
ing, where he carries a full stock of coal, and 
handles about three thousand tons annually. Mr. 
Depuy is also extensively engaged in furnishing 
wood to brickyards by contract. He has also 
supplied the ties for railroads. He purchases a 
piece of land, cuts the wood and hauls it, and in 
this way clears large tracts of land and furnishes 
the wood for many large brickyards on the Hud- 
.son River. He has a large number of men in his 
employ. 

In political sentiment Mr. Depuj- is a Demo- 
crat, and is now serving his second term as Pres- 
ident of Port Jervis. He has also been Trustee 
of the village, and is in favor of all improvements 
which will benefit the community. For six years 
he was a member of the Board of Education, 
while for one year he was President of the same, 
and during his term of ofiice two new school build- 
ings were erected. He advocates the use of free 
textbooks, and has always been an active work- 
er in the cause of education. Usually he is a del- 
egate to his party's conventions. Now he is 
ser\-ing as President of the Deerpark Democratic 
organization, and has served as Collector for the 
town of Deerpark. 

In 1859 ^fr. Depuy wedded Miss Margaret 
Westbrook, of Sullivan County, and her death 
occurred in iSSi. Later he was married to Miss 
Mar>- V. Ketchum, of Oakland, Sullivan County, 
and to them have been born two children: Min- 
nie C, who has now reached the age of fourteen: 
and Ketchum M., aged eight years. The family 
attends the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Depuy 
takes an active interest in civic societies, holding 
membership with Ustayantha Lodge No. 143, 
I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the 
chairs: served as a delegate to the grand lodge; 
and is a member of the encampment. He is a 



prominent Mason, belonging to Port Jer\'is Lodge 
No. 328, F. & A. M., in which he has filled most 
of the chairs; Neversink Chapter No. 186, R. A. 
M.; and Delaware Commandery No. 44, K. T. 
He is one of the prominent and leading citizens of 
Port Jen-is, and in public as well as private life 
always discharges his duties, his career having 
ever been an honorable one. 



EEORGE SMITH, a leading merchant of 
Otisville, and senior member of the firm of 
Reed & Smith, was born in the town of Mt. 
Hope, Februar>- 8, 1835. being sixth in order of 
birth in the parental family. His father was bom 
in the town of Wallkill, near Middletown, and 
came to Mt. Hope with his parents when quite 
3-oung. There he spent the remainder of his life, 
dying at the age of seveuty-nine years. His wife, 
who was in maidenhood Sarah Crawford, was a 
native of the town of Crawford, and died at the 
advanced age of seventy-nine. 

The subject of this sketch remained -with his 
parents until sixteen years of age, when he com- 
menced to learn the trade of a carpenter, working 
at that occupation for the ensuing three years. 
He then came to Otisville and clerked in a gen- 
eral store about a year and six months, after 
which he started in business for himself, opening 
a mercantile store in partnership with Mr. Dun- 
ning. After about one year Mr. Reed bought 
Mr. Dunuing's interest, and for several years 
thereafter the business was carried on under the 
firm name of Reed & Smith. Later Mr. Smith 
purchased his partner's interest and continued 
alone for five years, after which Mr. Reed again 
purchased a half-interest, and the partnership has 
continued ever since. Their store is the leading 
one in Otisville. and the large trade among the 
people of the surrounding countr\- speaks well for 
the energ>" and enviable reputation of the pro- 
prietors. 

In 1864 Mr. Smith married Miss Cynthia 
Green, of Otisville. In his political views he is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



903 



a Democrat and has always been an advocate of 
that party. For eight years he has filled the of- 
fice of Town Clerk, and for seventeen years he 
was Super\-isor. He has never been defeated for 
any oflSce for which he was nominated, and has 
always been popular with the people. 



nOHX J. VAX KEUREX, the owner of a 
I beautiful farm of one hundred and four acres 
Q) in the town of Moutgomen,-, is a descendant 
of Tjerck Van Keuren, who was born in Holland, 
December 16, 1682, and came thence to America 
when the Huguenot exiles were seeking refuge 
here. He .settled in Ulster County, X. Y., where 
he remained until death. The paternal grand- 
parents of our subject were Benjamin and Mar\- 
(^Miller) Van Keuren. The former, a native of 
the town of Montgomery, was a merchant, miller 
and farmer, and the mill which he owned was the 
largest of its kind in this locality. He owned the 
first carding-machine in the county. During the 
Revolutioiian,- War he was too young to be ac- 
cepted for service, but rendered valuable aid by 
carrying dispatches back and forth for his father, 
Capt. Henry \'an Keuren. 

The father of our subject, Miller \"an Keuren, 
was bom in 1795. in the town of Montgomery, 
where he was reared to mature years and spent 
his entire life. He served in the War of 18 12, 
and was also ver>- prominent in an official capac- 
ity in his town, holding many positions of trust 
and responsibility. For many years he was an 
Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and aided in a 
material way every good work that was instituted 
in his community. As an agriculturist he was 
more than ordinarily successful, and during his 
later years he enjoyed the comforts which inces- 
sant toil in early life made f)o,ssible. His death 
occurred June 14, 1883. 

Jane Jackson, mother of our subject, was bom 
in the town of MontgomerA- May 27, 1795, and 
died here July 13, 1883, when eighty-eight years 
of age. She was the daughter of James and 
Elizabeth (McCobb) Jackson, the former of Scotch 
extraction and the latter of Irish birth, but among 



the earliest settlers of Orange County. John J. is 
the eldest child of his parents, and was born in 
the town of Montgomery June 22, 1822. His 
sister and brothers were named as follows: Mary, 
Mrs. William \A'ilkins, formerly of Montgomery, 
but now deceased; Har\-ey, a farmer of this town; 
and Charles, who is engaged in the coal business 
at Xewburgh. 

August 19, 1853, Miss Elizabeth Jackson be- 
came the wife of our subject. She was bom in 
the town of Hamptonburgh, this county, June 18, 
1824, and was the daughter of Gabriel and Nancy 
(Conklin) Jackson, natives of the above town. 
Her father died in Xewburgh when sixty-five 
years of age. Her grandfather was a native of 
Ireland, and gained the title of Captain after com- 
ing to America, while in service on a Hudson 
River steamer. Mr. and Mrs. Van Keuren be- 
came the parents of three children, of whom 
Anna E. died in infancy. Mary E. is with her 
parents. Miller, who also resides at the old home- 
stead, married Xellie Mowbray Crist December 
22, 1886, and they have two children, Anna B. 
and Eleanor. 

Politicalh- Mr. \'an Keuren is a Republican, 
but is not in any sense of the word a politician, 
as he prefers the quiet of country life to the tur- 
moil of public position. He is a Trustee of the 
Presbyterian Church, with which he has been 
connected for many years. His farm is devoted 
especialU- to the dairy business, although he does 
not neglect the raising of large quantities of 
grain. 

■ e ^ P • 

GlBRAHAM JACKSOX Cl'DDEBACK was 
LJ one of the wide-awake and enterprising citi- 
/ I zens of Port Jervis, a man of liberal views, 
who was in hearty sympathy with ever\- move- 
ment that would in any way add to the prosperity- 
of the citj-. By all he was held in the highest 
esteem. His manners were easy, courteous and 
affable, and he was a thorough gentleman under 
all circumstances. 

Mr. Cuddeback, who was born April 4, 1851, 
on the old homestead two and a-half miles from 
Port Jervis. remained upon the home farm un- 



904 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



til after his marriage. His father, Abraham J. 
Cuddeback, Sr. , was a son of Jacob Cuddeback, 
and to him and his wife, Catherine, were born 
nine children, of whom two died in childhood 
and only one is now living, Amanda. Of those 
who grew to maturitj', we make the following 
mention: Margaret, who was the wife of William 
C. Drake, of Cochecton, N. Y., died at the age 
of fifty-six years. Martin, the second of the fam- 
ily, married and settled in Virginia, and at his 
death, which occurred at the age of forty -seven 
j^ears, he left two sons: William, aged nineteen 
years, who is an operator and now resides with 
Mrs. A. J. Cuddeback; and Charles, who still 
makes his home in Mrginia. Amanda is the 
wife of E. P. Mulock, of Denver, Colo. Esther, 
who made her home with Mrs. Cuddeback, died 
on the gth of July, 1891, at the age of- fiftj--five 
years. Henry, who died March 31, 1894, at 
Pittston, Pa., at the age of forty-seven years, left 
a widow and two sons, who make their home in 
that citj'. Diana died at the age of sixteen jears. 
Our subject was the youngest of the familj'. The 
children were all reared upon the old home place, 
where the parents spent their entire lives, the fa- 
ther dying at the age of seventy-four years, and 
the mother at the age of sixty-eight. 

Mr. Cuddeback, of this sketch, was united in 
marriage, on the 19th of October, 1876, with 
Miss Lou B. O'Reillj', and to them were born 
two daughters. Lulu O. and Helen McClellan, 
the latter named in honor of the General, who 
was a great friend of her Grandfather O'Reilly, 
as was also General Sheridan. Mr. Cuddeback 
was a man of elevated tastes, highly educated, 
and at one time began studj-ing for the ministry^ 
but did not complete his theological course. He 
was closely connected with the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he was an active worker. His 
hand was never withheld from doing good, and 
he was a citizen worthy of the high respect and 
confidence reposed in him by the community. 
He received a stroke of paralysis, from which he 
never recovered, and for five years, or until Au- 
gust 9, 1892, was an invalid. 

Mrs. Cuddeback, who still makes her home in 
Port Jervis, is a daughter of Phillop and Harriet 



(Fentoone) O'Reilly. Her father was born in 
Dublin, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage. With 
his parents, Martin and Sarah (McCoy) O'Reillj', 
he came to the United States, locating in New 
York City, where his father lived retired. The 
latter, who was a highly educated man, could 
trace his ancestry back to the old Irish kings, 
and he inherited a large property. His wife, who 
was born in the city of Bologne, France, was the 
daughter of a high officer in the French service, 
who was pure French, as was also his wife. On 
coming to America Martin O'Reilly purchased a 
tract of land seven miles along the Delaware Val- 
lej', and extending twenty -one miles back from 
the river. It was located in Sullivan Countj-, 
N. Y., and in Wayne County, Pa., and besides 
this he owned a great amount of property in 
the cit\- of New York, where he resided for 
some time. Later he located at Cochecton, on 
the Erie Railroad, where he built a hotel, which 
he conducted for manj- j'ears. The citj' was built 
on his property, and he emploj-ed several men in 
clearing up the land. Much of the original tract 
is still in the possession of his descendants, two 
of his grandsons of the same name still living at 
Cochecton. He died there at the age of eighty- 
two J- ears. 

Phillop O'Reilly, the father of Mrs. Cudde- 
back, who was the eldest of two sons, was only 
three years of age at the time the family crossed 
the Atlantic, and was eleven when thej' removed 
to Cochecton. At Ft. Madison, Iowa, he wedded 
Harriet Fentoone, a daughter of Colonel Cass and 
Caroline (Montaine) Fentoone. Her father was 
a retired French officer, and was a man of con- 
siderable property, owning plantations and slaves 
in Maryland, and after his death his two daugh- 
ters, Harriet and Catherine (in company with 
his brother, George Fentoone, who had made in- 
vestments for each of them), went to Maryland. 
Catherine married a Mr. Adler, and their son, 
Frank Adler, is a noted millionaire of Chicago, 
111. 

By the Goveniment Mr. O'Reilly was sent to 
Ft. Madison, Iowa, where he built the fort, trad- 
ing-houses, etc., and from the Sac and Fox In- 
dians received a grant of fifteen hundred acres of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



905 



land lying between that fort and Keokuk. He 
received a full buckskin suit, hand-enibroidered 
with beads, made by Nanasaw, Blackhawk's wife, 
who presented it to him. This is now in the pos- 
session of Mrs. Cuddeback. Mr. O'Reill}- was 
the first actual settler of Lee County. Iowa, and 
at Ouincy, 111., built a flatboat, on which he took 
a company of soldiers and carpenters to Ft. Mad- 
ison. The year before General Fremont crossed 
the plains to California, he took a company of 
twenty -one and they explored the country over- 
land to that state. He was there during the gold 
discovery, and mined the largest nugget ever 
picked up on the Mar\ville River. Eleven years 
were devoted to mining, and he also had a Gov- 
ernment contract to furnish supplies to the United 
States Cavalry. He platted a village, built a saw- 
mill and laid out a racecourse, the latter of which 
Mrs. Cuddeback still owns. 

On the return of Mr. O'Reilly to Ft. Madison, 
he wedded Harriet Fentooue, who was the widow 
of Dr. Nathaniel Knapp, a native of Goshen, 
Orange Counfy, who had been a United States 
army officer. The lady was educated in a Cath- 
olic school in New York City, and when quite 
young was married at Goshen. With Dr. Knapp 
she went to Ft. Madison, where he died, and she 
was left a widow at the age of nineteen years, 
with one little son, who died about a year ago, in 
the state of Washington. Mrs. Cuddeback was 
the onh- child of the last marriage. Her father 
remained at Ft. Madison for several 3ears, where 
he had a Government contract to buy horses. 

When his daughter was thirteen years of age, 
Mr. O'Reilly returned East, locating at Damas- 
cus, Wa\-ne County, Pa., on a portion of the 
property left bj- his father, after which he still 
took contracts for the Government and furnished 
tht horses for Ft. Moonlight, on the plains. He 
was extensively engaged in lumbering, and in 
later life erected a sawmill at Callicoon and 
Reillyville, Pa. He continued to make his home 
at Damascus, but his death occurred in Port Jer- 
vis, on the 30th of September, 1883. He had 
come here to attend the funeral of Hon. Abraham 
J. Cuddeback, the father-in-law of his daughter, 
and in crossing the railroad track was killed bv 



the cars. He had traveled around the globe three 
and a-half times with no accidents, but now 
within forty miles of his own home was killed. 
His wife survived him only about ten months. 
During the war much of her Mar\-Iand property 
was confiscated, but two of her old slaves con- 
tinued to remain with her until her death. She 
never lived on her plantation, on which were 
many slaves, it being in the hands of an overseer. 
Mr. O'Reilly was a man widelj' known and 
had hosts of friends. His weight was about two 
hundred and forty pounds. He was quick in 
thought, always having a ready answer, no mat- 
ter what the subject, was of a joking disposition 
and was always pleasant. Among his most loyal 
friends were H. H. Farnum and Charles St. John, 
of Port Jervis, and on his death the latter asked 
that Mrs. Cuddeback' s children call him grand- 
father. He was kind-hearted and dearly loved 
his grandchildren, whom he often took to New 
York City on his business trips. 



•>*i«^®^»— -*~^- 



LIAB HAWKINS, a retired farmer of 
'p the town of Mt. Hope, was born March 
^ 14, 1S03, on the farm where he now resides, 
and is seventh in the family of ten children bom 
to Samuel and Eunice (Osbom) Hawkins. 
Moses, the eldest, was bom in 1787, and died 
Januan,- 21, 1849: Jennie, born March 3, 1792, 
died at about the age of ninety; Mary, born Jan- 
uarj- 8, 1790, died manj' years ago; Sarah, born 
November 18, 1797, cied in old age; Amelia, 
bom in 1800, died many years ago; Eliab is our 
subject; Hannah was bom December 7, 1806; 
Deborah's birth occurred July 9, 18 10; and two 
died in childhood. 

Samuel Hawkins, the father of our subject, 
was born on Long Island, March 14, 1752, and 
died November 25, 1822. He located in Orange 
Countj- at a ver\- early day. and purchased a farm 
of one hundred and fifty-three acres for one hun- 
dred and twenty-two pounds, eight shillings. 
This land is still in the familv. The father was 



9o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a successfbl farmer, but in early life was a sea- 
captain. His father, the grandfather of oar sub- 
ject, also named Samuel, Tras, in all probability, 
a native of England. Eunice Osbom. the mother 
of our subject, was bom in Salem. Mass.. but 
was of German extraction. Her death occurred 
December 9. 1S4S. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his 
parents tmtil their death, when he inherited the 
old homestead, which has always been his home. 
The opportunities for securing an education were 
limited, and he can not boast of great learning 
derived from books. His life has alwavs been 
one of toU, and as a farmer he was considered 
one of the best in his town. He was married, 
April 10, 1824. to Miss Clarinda Muloch. who 
was also a native of Orange Connt>". but who 
died December 11. 1S80. They had five chil- 
dren. Almira, bom May 27, 1825, married Hiram 
Horton. of HoweUs Depot. Emxna, bom Decem- 
ber 4. 1S26, is the widow of James H. Corwin. 
of Howells Depot. Deborah J. . bom January 1 1 . 
1829, married George Elston, a merchant of Port 
Jervis, and died May 15, 1S50. Ira E.. bom Au- 
gust 4. 1837, married Elizabeth Comstock. a na- 
tive of the town of Greenville. He died May 26. 
1875. leaving three children, viz.: Maggie, who 
married John Post, of Brcome County : Vantyle, 
who married LiUie Mace, of Broome Count>-: and 
Effie, hving with her mother. Joshua C. . bom 
May 26. 1S42, married Charlotte Green, Sep- 
tember 26. 1867. She was a native of this coun- 
ty, and died March 29. 1S75. ^^ the age of thirty- 
one years, leaving one son. Irwin E.. who is a 
progressive farmer in the town of Mt. Hope. Her 
husband subsequently married Margaret John- 
son, of SuUivan Cotmt>- . and to them have been 
bom three children: James. Coe C. and Eva. aU 
of whom are at home. Joshua C. is now man- 
ager of the old homestead, and is also the owner 
of one hundred and fbrtj--tbur acres in the vkin- 
ity. He has been Supervisor of the town two 
terms. 

Our subject in early life was an old-line Whig, 
but on the organization of the R^nbhcan party 
adopted its principles, and has ance beoi an 
earnest advocate of the same. He has never 



been a member of any church, but his wife was 
for many years a member of the Baptist Church. 
He is now in his ninety-third year, and is a re- 
markably well preserved man for that age, and 
his many friends ardently desire that he shall 
live to pass the century mark. 



nOHX D. KING. In the twilight of his use- 
I nil life this venerable man is in the enjoy- 
V2/ ment of all the comforts of existence, and at 
the close of an honorable career can review the 
events of the past without rancose, and look for- 
ward to the fiitnie without fear. Weil preserved 
in mind and body, his longevity and good health 
may be attributed largely to his excellait habits, 
to which, having been trained in youth, he cltmg 
throughout life. While the infirmities of age 
prevent him from actively tilling the soil, he is 
still active and useful, and may often be seen at 
wcR'k upon his farm in the town of Mt. H(^)e. 

The birth of our subject occurred in the boose 
where he now lives. March 9. 1809. He was the 
youngest of the seven children of John and Eliz- 
abeth 1 Godfrey) King. His father, who was bcHii 
in this county, purchased in ^uiy manhood the 
tann now occupied by John D.. and here he re- 
mained tmtil about seventy years of age. when he 
went to Montgomery and made his home with 
a son near that place. The^e he died at sev«ity- 
two years of aige. He was among the earliest 
settlers of this part c£the town, and was [Kobably 
of Irish parentage, as it is supposed his &ther 
was bom in Ireland. For many yeais he was 
Assessor of this town, and he has also filled otbs' 
local (^ces. His wife, who, like himseH". was a 
native of this county, died at the age of axty- 
five. Both were coosstent membsrs of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

The early life of oar subject was spent with his 
parents, and after having cultivated the home 
farm for a lc»ig time, his &tiier gave him a deed 
to it. October 27, 1S31, he married Mis Char- 
lotte Wiggins, who was bom in tiiis town, July 
29, iSii, and died S^Jtenabo- 12, 1SS5. By this 
marriage three ciiikiien were bom: William H. , 




WILLIAM H. HALLOCK. 
W'ASHIXr.TONVII.I.K. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



909 



now living on the farm; Henry L,., who died 
in infancy: and Harrison, who operates the old 
homestead. Politically Mr. King is a Republi- 
can, and in an early day served as Superintend- 
ent of the Poor and Commissioner of Schools. He 
is a man of devout religious faith and holds mem- 
bership in the Presbyterian Church. For his 
second wife he married Mrs. Catherine (Stone) 
Decker, who died June 6, 1892. She also was 
identified with the Presbyterian denomination. 

The two surviving sons of our subject, Will- 
iam H. and Harrison, were born on this farm. 
The former has always made it his home, as also 
has Harrison, with the exception of five -years, 
during which time he was engaged in the milk 
business in New York City. February 26, 1861, 
he married Mi.ss Mary J. Decker, of Port Jervis, 
N. Y., and they have three children, namely: J. 
Wallace, who is in the milk business at Jersey 
City; G. Herbert, a prosperous farmer of this 
town, living on a part of the old homestead; 
and lyOttie, wife of Dr. Ansel T. Eager, of San 
Francisco. Like his father, Harrison King is a 
stanch advocate of Republican principles, and is 
intelligently interested in affairs pertaining to 
the welfare of the community. With his family 
he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church. 



pCJlLLIAM H. HALLOCK, who was born 
\ A / at Highland Mills, has always made his 
V V home in Orange County, and for thirty 
years has been a resident of Washingtonville. 
He is known as one of the extensive farmers and 
cattle dealers of the county, and is a large prop- 
erty-holder, owning, besides some valuable village 
property, the O'Brien Farm of one hundred and 
twenty-three acres, a fine one-hundred-acre farm 
situated within the limits of the village where he 
lives, the Stewart Farm, comprising three hun- 
dred and fifteen acres, the David Smith Farm of 
one hundred and eighty-five acres and the Mc- 
Dowell Farm of one hundred and fifteen acres. 
These farms are not rented, but are cultivated 
under his personal supervision, and all have 
been greatly improved by him. On the land, 



which is used for dairying purposes, he keeps 
nearly three hundred cows, as well as a large 
number of horses. 

The Hallock family is of English extraction, 
but has been represented in America for a num- 
ber of generations. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Martin Hallock, came from Long Island to 
Orange Count}-. The parents of our subject, 
Thomas B. and Sarah (Hunter) Hallock, were 
farmers at Highland Mills. The latter was a 
daughter of James Hunter, of English descent, 
and died when about seventy years of age. 

Our suDJect was born February 14, 1842, and 
is the second of six children, the others being as 
follows: Louisa, who died at the age of twenty- 
three; Mary, wife of Israel Owen, a farmer of 
Highland Mills; Alanson, a resident of Wash- 
ingtonville; James M., who is manager of Ar- 
mour's packing house at Rochester, N. Y.; and 
Thomas B., who resides on the old homestead at 
Highland Mills. William H. was reared on a 
farm, and, being of an observing nature, he early 
gained a comprehensive knowledge of farming. 
He onlj' received a common-school education, but 
through business relations and thoughtful read- 
ing he has gained a broad knowledge of men and 
things, and is well posted concerning current 
topics of interest. 

Upon attaining his majority Mr. Hallock rent- 
ed a farm, and being active, energetic and indus- 
trious, he cleared a handsome profit. The fol- 
lowing year he rented another farm and there, 
too, he met with success. In 1865 he purcha.sed 
the McDowell Farm, which he still owns, and up- 
on which he made his home for a few years, 
from time to time purchasing other estates. In 
addition to general farming, Mr. Hallock has for 
thirtj' years made a specialty of the stock busi- 
ness. Being a good judge of horses and cattle, 
he met with success from the time he began to 
handle stock, becoming in a few years one of the 
principal .stock-drovers of the county. In [868, 
after the death of his wife, he moved to Wash- 
ingtonville. In 1 870 he formed a partnership with 
William Church, handling a larger number of 
cattle than any other dealer in the county, and in 
1877 Mr. Church retired from the business. The 



gio 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



property which our subject owns is valuable and 
well improved, and his success is such as to prove 
his accurate judgment and untiring persever- 
ance. 

The first marriage of Mr. Hallock united him 
with Miss Elizabeth Hunter, daughter of David 
Hunter, of this county. She died in 1868, leav- 
ing four children, namely: Annie, at home; Car- 
rie, Mrs. J. A. D. S. Findlay, who has four chil- 
dren, Annie, Wilhelmina, Thomas B. and Julia; 
Edward N., who is in the stock business in part- 
nership with his father, and who married Lizzie 
Kessel; and Jennie, wife of George E. Howell. 
By his second wife, who was Miss Annie E. Ver- 
non, Mr. Hallock had seven children, six of 
whom are living: Charles J., who married Mar- 
tha Thew, and lives in Washingtonville; Julia; 
Willie, who died when about eight years old; and 
Georgia, Emma, Kittie and Willie H., who are 
at home. Politically a Republican, Mr. Hallock 
is a member of the Board of Village Trustees, 
and has served on the School Board for a number 
of years. He has been a Director of the Orange 
Countj' Agricultural Society since 1878, and has 
always taken a great interest in all public im- 
provements in his town. 



••>^^ 



•^*^. 



HON. THOMAS VAN ETTEN was for many 
years one of the prominent and influential 
citizens of Orange Count)'. He was de- 
scended from Jacob Van Etten, the founder of the 
family in America, who after his arrival wedded 
Antje Westbrook, by whom he had several chil- 
dren, one of the number being Levi, who, on the 
27th of November, 1777, married Jane Westbrook. 
Both Levi Van Etten and his wife owned slaves, 
and thej' located on their farm in the town of 
Deerpark before the Revolution, it being the 
farm where their granddaughter, Mrs. Morrison, 
now resides. One of the three forts erected in 
1777 or the j'ear following stood on this place, 
and on the 20th of July, 1779, Brant, with his 
following of Indians and Tories, came into the 



neighborhood, where they committed all manner 
of depredations. In a stone schoolhouse on the 
brook that ran near the Van Etten home, the in- 
famous Brant murdered and beheaded the teacher. 
Nearly all of the families of the community lost 
heavilj', either in stock or goods. 

On this farm on the 4th of May, 1795, Hon. 
Thomas Van Etten first opened his eyes to the 
light of day, and there his father died October 25, 
1843, and his mother December 23, 1837. In the 
house which his father erected he spent his entire 
life, though he later overhauled and enlarged it. 
He extended the boundaries of the place until it 
comprised from five to six hundred acres of the 
best land in Orange County. Just before his 
marriage he took a raft of lumber, during a freshet, 
down the Delaware River, and with the money 
thus earned he purchased a silver watch, which 
he carried up to the time of his death. 

On the 5th of August, 1816, was celebrated the 
marriage of Thomas Van Etten and Miss Sallj- 
Van Auken, who was born April 11, 1800, and 
was a daughter of Evert and Sarah (Westbrook) 
Van Auken. Her father departed this life October 
19, 1844, and her mother passed awa)- September 
6, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Van Etten began house- 
keeping in the house which stood near the old mill, 
which he operated for a time, it being located on 
the farm. His wife became a good business woman, 
but at the time of her marriage could not even 
bake a cake, as she had always depended upon 
slaves. By her marriage she became the mother 
of nine children. Lydia, who died at the age of 
seventy-nine, was the wife of Judge Martin Cole, 
of Sussex County, N. J.; Belinda died unmarried 
at the age of fifty-eight years; Isaac is also de- 
ceased; Sarah resides in Ohio; Ann is now the 
widow of John H. Morrison; Mark resides in Sus- 
sex County, N. J.; Cornelia is the wife of R. F. 
Gardner, ot Middletown ; Thomas is a resident of 
Sauk Rapids, Minn. ; and Hudson died at the age 
of forty -seven years. 

In his political views, Hon. Thomas \'an Etten 
was an uncompromising Democrat, taking a deep 
interest in the welfare of his party, and doing all 
in his power for its success. In 1836 he was a 
member of the State Assembly of New York, in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gii 



which he served with distinction. He was a man 
of good business talent and was very succes.sful in 
his undertakings. His portrait shows him to be 
a great man of the old style, with strong features, 
overhanging eyebrows and a keen eye. He was a 
large man physically, broad-shouldered and rather 
stern, always carrying out his ideas. He was 
strictly temperate, and was a man of great influ- 
ence in the connnunity, his advice being often 
sought by many of the best citizens of Orange 
County. He was called from this life on the 12th 
of August, 1861, at the age of sixty-.six years, 
four months and eight days, and his wife died 
December 5, 1871. They were both highly re- 
spected people and their deaths were sincerely 
mourned. 

' Q ^ P . 

(TjAMUEL BROOKS has been a resident of 
/\ Highland Falls since 1863, and is well known 
V~/ to the people of this community. In 1893 he 
embarked in the grocerj- business, which he has 
since continued, carrying in his establishment a 
large assortment of staple and fancy groceries, 
and replenishing his stock from time to time in 
order to meet the demands of the trade. His life 
has been spent in Rockland and Orange Counties, 
and he has a large circle of friends in both. 

The father of our .subject, Oliver Brooks, was 
for many years a prominent farmer of Rockland 
County, and in connection with that occupation 
also worked at the trade of a blacksmith. His 
death occurred when he was seventj'-five years 
of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Cath- 
erine Burns, was born and reared in Rockland 
County, and became the mother of eight children, 
of whom the eldest, Luke, is deceased. The 
others are: Eliza, Mary J., Samuel, Warren, 
Sarah M., Margaret and Oliver. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Rock- 
land Count}', January 9, 1834, and there passed 
his youthful days. His parents were people of 
limited means, and as he was obliged to com- 
mence working very early in life, his education 
was verj- meager. When twenty-three years of 
age he worked as a blacksmith and wheelwright 
at Ft. Montgomery for four years. He afterward 



came to Highland Falls, where he was similarly 
occupied, and after accumulating a goodly .sum 
of money engaged in the grocery business for 
himself He abandoned working at his trade for 
the reason that carriage and wagon factories be- 
came verj' numerous, and his busine.ss was so di- 
minished that he was dissatisfied and became in- 
terested in another direction. He is self-made in 
the truest sense, and is now regarded as one of 
the substantial and solid business men of the 
community. He is also a practical farmer. 

At Stony Point Mr. Brooks was married, in 
1859, to Miss Adelaide Benson, a native of Rock- 
land County, who departed this life a year and a- 
half after her marriage. October 19, 1865, our 
subject was married to Miss Maria V. Nelson, who 
died about eighteen months later. The lady who 
is now his wife was formerly Miss Mary A. 
Washburn, a nativeof Rockland County, and the 
daughter of Richard and Marj- Wa.shburn. 

Although in former years a Democrat, our sub- 
ject is now an ardent supporter of Prohibition 
principles, and by his influence has induced 
many to join that party. He is a consistent 
member of the Methodist Epi-scopal Church, and 
his upright life and example are well worthy of 
emulation. 



^z 



z^ 



(Tames F. SEYBOLT, proprietor of the Hu- 
I guenot Mill, and dealer in flour, feed, bran, 
Qj etc., is one of the most wide-awake and en- 
terprising business men of Orange Count}'. In 
1884 he came to Huguenot, where he has since 
made his home. He is a native of this coun- 
ty, born in Greenville, March 16, 1850, and is a 
son of Isaac M. and Mary C. (Seybolt) Seybolt. 
His father, who still resides upon the farm in 
Greenville, is a son of Lewis A. Seybolt, and has 
now reached the age of seventy-two years. The 
family was founded in this country by John Sey- 
bolt, who came to the New World from Germany, 
where for many generations his ancestors had re- 
sided. 



912 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



After reaching the age of eighteen years, James 
F. Seybolt entered Cornell Universit\-, taking a 
scientific course, and graduated from that institu- 
tion after four years' attendance, in the Class of 
'73, with the degree of B. S. Among his class- 
mates were Dr. David S. Jordan, President of 
Leland Stanford University of California; Hon. 
John De Witt Warner, Member of Congress from 
New York City; Hon. D. E. Salmon, Chief of 
the Bureau of Animal Industry in the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture; W. H. French, of Chicago; 
and Julius Chambers, late editor-in-chief of the 
New York U'otid. 

After leaving college Mr. Seybolt taught for 
one year in Orange County, at the expiration of 
which time he took the law course in the uni- 
versity at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in the 
Class of '76, and was there admitted to the Bar. 
He then returned to Orange County, but at the 
end of one year located at Riverton, Neb., where 
he practiced his chosen profession for two years, 
during which time he was candidate on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket for County Judge. For the same 
length of time he then followed the legal profes- 
sion in Port Jervis. 

Mr. Se3-bolt was married on the 30th of March, 
1882, Miss Carrie E. Fowler becoming his wife. 
Her parents, Charles W. and Millie Ann (Laj'- 
man) Fowler, are both now deceased, the former 
dj'ing at the age of seventy-eight years, and the 
latter at the age of seventj-two, and both passed 
away while residing in Huguenot. The father 
was a millwright, and for eighteen or twenty years 
owned and operated the mill now belonging to 
our subject. Mrs. Seybolt is one in a family of 
five children, three sons and two daughters, all 
of whom are living. The others are: En-ing G., 
who is engaged in newspaper work in Port Jer- 
vis; Joseph W., a resident of Rockland County; 
Charles W., who lives in Topeka, Kan.; and 
Mary E., wife of Charles Clark, of the town of 
Wawayanda. Our subject and his wife have an 
adopted son, Flo3'd E. 

In 1884 Mr. Seybolt purchased his present 
property-, consisting of a mill and farm. The 
former, which was built a good many years ago, 
he has overhauled, enlarged and changed, and 



has practically made a new plant. He manufact- 
ures chiefly feed, meal and flour, also dealing in 
bran, middlings, etc., doing quite an extensive 
business in this line. His farm comprises one 
hundred acres, and in its cultivation he is meet- 
ing with a well deser\-ed success. He supports 
the principles advocated bj- the Democracy, and in 
the conventions of his party he takes an active 
part. As a business man he is shrewd and ener- 
getic, and his success has come from his own un- 
aided efforts. Mrs. Seybolt is a member of the 
Reformed Church, to which he liberally contrib- 
utes. 



(lOHN S. PALMER, a farmer in the town of 
I Mt. Hope, was born May 12, 1818, ju.st 
G/ across the line in Sullivan County. He w-as 
fifth in a family of nine children born to Stephen 
and Esther (Winter) Palmer, both of whom were 
natives of Dutchess County. His father removed 
from Dutche.ss to Sullivan Count}- when a young 
man, there buying a farm, which he sold after 
holding it for several years. In 1820 he pur- 
cha.sed the farm in the town of Mt. Hope which 
our subject now owns, and where the father's 
death occurred in 1825. He was a farmer, but in 
early life worked at carpentering. 

The subject of this sketch was onlj- about 
seven years old when his father died. He re- 
mained at home with his mother until her death, 
when he purchased the interest of the other heirs, 
and has made this his home ever since, with the 
exception of four years spent in the village of Mt. 
Hope, where he worked at the blacksmith's 
trade. 

On the 17th of January, 1850, Mr. Palmer 
married Mar}- E. Book, of Middletown, and to 
them have been born three children. Frances 
Charlotte is still at home; George M., a prosper- 
ous farmer in the town of Mt. Hope, married 
Elizabeth Evans, a native of this town; and Rob- 
ert B. resides at home and manages the home 
farm. It consists of one hundred and forty acres 
of land, and has been in the family for seventy- 




* 



il 



HENRY HARDK.NBKRGH. M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



915 



two years. It is under a high state of cultivation, 
and is one of the best farms in this section. As 
has been intimated, Mr. Palmer learned the trade 
of a blacksmith, which he has followed at odd 
times almost all his life in connection with farming. 
Politically he is a Republican, and as a citizen 
none stands higher in the estimation of his fel- 
low-men than the subject of this sketch. 



NEXRY HARDENBERGH, M. D., one of 
the leading practitioners of Port Jervis, was 
born in this village on the 23d of April, 
1S35, and is a son of Charles and Mary E. 
(Chandler) Hardenbergh. The following facts 
concerning the family have been gleaned from the 
Kingston Record: The family is descended from 
Gerritt Hardenbergh, who came from Holland 
and located at Albany, X. Y., in 1667. The 
records show that in 1690 he owned the sloop 
"Royal Albany," and that in 1678 he and his 
wife, whose maiden name was Jopje Schepmos, 
made a joint will. His son Johannes married 
Retsen. daughter of one of the wealthy land-own- 
ers along the Hudson, who lived at Kingston, and 
he also became quite wealthy. He was desig- 
nated as a patroon, and for many j-ears was one of 
the merchants of Kingston. He succeeded in 
securing large tracts of land in Ulster, Delaware, 
Sullivan and Orange Counties, some of which 
were purchased from the Indians and the remain- 
der was a grant. The family became large 
land-owners, and were prominent people in civil 
and military- life. Washington was entertained 
at Kingston by one of them, and Rutgers Col- 
lege, of New Jersey, was founded b\- one of the 
family. Major Hardenbergh, in company with 
Moses De Witt, obtained the Government con- 
tract for surveying all the militarj- land in Xew 
York State. The family has ever been promi- 
nent, and has produced many lawj'ers, doctors 
and clergymen. Johannes was followed by his 
.son Abraham, who was baptized January- 7, 171 1, 
married Margtjen Roosa, and lived at Kingston, 
X. Y. His son John, of Xew Paltz, Ulster Coun- 
ty, married Rachel Du Bois, and to them was 



bom Abraham, who also lived near Xew Paltz, 
and wedded Margaret Du Bois. 

Dr. Charles Hardenbergh, the father of our sub- 
ject, is the next in direct line, and was born in 
Guilford, Ulster County, June 7, 1802. In 1823 
he graduated from a medical college, and the 
following year located in Port Jer\-is, where he 
remained in practice until about ten years before 
his death. He first wedded Anna Smith, from 
near Pine Bush, who died two or three years 
later, leaving a son, Samuel A. J., who became 
a merchant of Newburgh, and died at the age of 
fifty-nine years. In 1832 the father was united 
in marriage with Marj- E. Chandler, of Union- 
ville. Orange County, and to them were born the 
following children: Henrj-, the subject of this 
sketch: Dr. Daniel S., of Jersey City; Margaret, 
Mrs. Theodore Schoonmaker, who lives in Ohio; 
Marj- widow, of John Hollingshead, of Jersey 
City; Gertrude, deceased: and Charles, who died 
in California, at the age of thirty years. After 
his marriage the father erected a house near 
where the Reformed Church parsonage now 
stands, which he made his home for many vears, 
and for a long time was the only doctor of the 
place. At that early da>- Rev. Mr. Elting of the 
Reformed Church was located here, and both 
were great men, each in his special line. He 
enjoyed a good joke and told a ston.- well. Once 
while amputating the leg of an old German, the 
man said, "Wait a minute. Doctor, while I take a 
pinch of snuflF," which he did, and continued to 
bear the operation without a groan. The Doc- 
tor traveled many miles in his practice, especi- 
ally when the canal was building. His death oc- 
curred Xovember 11, 1874, at the age of seventy- 
two years, five months and four daj-s. He was 
wideh" respected and universalh- beloved, and 
his memorj- will long be cherished. Socially he 
was an ardent Mason. 

We now come to the personal histor\- of Dr. 
Henry Hardenbergh, who was educated in the 
private schools of Port Jer\-is, and took a medical 
course in the same college which his father had 
attended, recei\-ing the degree of M. D. in the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York 
City in 1S60. He had previously- read medicine 



9i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with his father, and now began practice with him, 
and on the retirement of the latter he succeeded 
.to the patronage. He belongs to the Orange Coun- 
ty Medical Association. In both medicine and sur- 
gery he has ever met with most excellent suc- 
cess, and is a close student of his profession, 
keeping fully abreast with the times. He is 
wholly devoted to his calling and justly deserves 
the lucrative practice he now has. He is a Di- 
rector both in the bridge and water works com- 
panies of Port Jervis, and has always been ready 
to aid proper enterprises for the development of 
the village. 

The Doctor was married, February 17, 1864, to 
Miss Delia Bailey, of Middletown, and to them 
was born a son, Daniel Bailey, who is now prac- 
ticing medicine in Middletown. For man}' j-ears 
the Doctor has belonged to the Reformed Church, 
in whose work he takes an active part. He is 
one of the leading citizens of Port Jervis, inter- 
ested in all that will advance the town and com- 
munity, and aids materially in every good work. 
In politics he is a Republican. 



(TOHN MATHER DOLPH, the efficient Su- 
I perintendent of the schools of Port Jervis, is 
(2/ one of the leading educators in this part of 
the state. He was born at Havana, Schuyler 
County, on the i8th of October, 1845, and is a 
son of Chester Valentine and Elizabeth Yander- 
bilt (Steele) Dolph. 

The Dolph family is descended from Balthazar 
De Wolf, who came to Connecticut with the New 
Haven Colony in 1635. He was followed by Ed- 
ward, his son, who was born in 1646, and died in 
1712. Then comes Charles, born in 1673, and 
who died in 1731. Joseph, son of Charles, who 
was bom in 17 17, is said to have been killed be- 
fore Eouisburg in 1757, during the French and 
Indian War. He was 'married, on the 8th of 
March, 1738, to Tabitha Johnson, and they had 
three children: Prudence, born in 1739; Mar- 
garet, in 1741; and Abda, October 25, 1743. 



Abda De Wolf was left an orphan in 1757 and 
went to live with his uncle, Henry Johnson. On 
the 17th of March, 1766, he wedded Mary Cole- 
man, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth Coleman, 
and they lived in Fairfield County, Conn., until 
1775, when they removed to Spencertown, 
Columbia County, N. Y., where he had two 
cousins living, who had taken the name of Dolph. 
Up to the time of the French and Indian War 
the name had remained De Wolf but the branch 
of the family residing at Glastonbury, Conn., 
spelled it D'olph, and Abda later changed his 
name to Dolph. His two cousins were both in 
the Revolution, and he served as scout during 
the same struggle. In 1787 he removed to He- 
bron, Washington County, N. Y., and in 1832 
went to live with his son George in Ashtabula 
Couutj-, Ohio, where he died October 26, 1833, 
at the age of ninety years and one da}'. 

Joseph Dolph, the grandfather of John Mather, 
was born June 6, 1767, and attended Brown Uni- 
versity. Soon after the Revolution he went to 
Pennsylvania, surveying the land where Scran- 
ton now stands for Moses Dolph, one of the 
cousins of his father. On the 5th of October, 
1794, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth 
Norton, of Martha's Yineyard, who was a de- 
scendant of Nicholas Norton, one of the founders 
of Weymouth, Mass. In 1807 Joseph Dolph re- 
moved to Hector, Schuyler County, X. Y., 
where for twenty years he conducted a pri\'ate 
school. His death occurred there December 2 1 , 
1827, at the age of sixty years. In his family 
were ten children, Chester Y. being the youngest. 

Chester Y. Dolph, the father of John Mather, 
was born February 14, 1812, and followed farm- 
ing in both Tompkins and Schuyler Counties. 
For several years he also engaged in teaching 
and sun-eying, and held the office of Justice of 
the Peace. He married Elizabeth Yanderbilt 
Steele, who was born March 25, 18 13, and who 
was a cousin of Cornelius Yanderbilt. She was 
a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and 
her death occurred Januarj- 22, 1884. The fa- 
ther died near Havana, November 3, 1869, at 
the age of fifty-seven years. In the parental 
familj- were five children, four sons and one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



917 



daughter, namely: Hon. Joseph Norton, who for 
twelve )'ears was Senator from Oregon; William 
Vaughan, who is Justice of Sessions in Schuyler 
County, and for six years was Postmaster of 
Havana; Cyrus Abda, an attorney of Portland, 
Oregon, who is acting in that capacity for the 
Oregon Railwaj- and Navigation Company and 
the Orej^on Improvement Company; Rosalie 
Gordon, wife of Rev. James H. Ross, a Method- 
ist minister, located at Van Etten, N. Y. ; and 
John Mather, who completes the family. 

The boyhood days of John Mather Dolph were 
passed near Havana, and during the winter 
months he attended school until reaching the 
age of eighteen. He then taught for a time in 
Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler Counties, N. Y., 
and Jackson County, Mich., after which he at- 
tended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, where 
he prepared for college. In 1867 he was ad- 
mitted to Genesee College at Lima, N. Y., which 
afterwards became part of the Syracuse Uni- 
versity. He took a complete course, graduating 
in the Class of '72 with the degree of B. A. Be- 
fore leaving college he taught for one year in 
Huron County, Ohio, and after graduation he 
came to Port Jervis, where for .six years he was 
an instructor in the high .school. In 1878 he be- 
came Superintendent of the graded schools of 
Honesdale, Pa., where he also remained for six 
3'ears. 

In 1884 Professor Dolph was recalled to Port 
Jervis, where he succeeded Prof. A. B. Wilbur, 
who had charge of the schools for thirteen years. 
The school is under a Board of Regents of the 
State University and stands high among the 
schools in the county. There is an enrollment 
of about two thousand pupils; forty-two teachers 
are employed, and there are five good school 
buildings, two of which are modern brick struct- 
ures, having been erected within the last ten 
years. 

The Professor was married, on the 1 2th of Au- 
gust, 1874, to Mi.ss Anna E. Van Etten, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin and Prudence (De Witt) Van 
Etten. Her father was a son of Levi Van Etten, 
and a brother of Dr. Solomon Van Etten. He 
died during Anna's childhood, but his wife is 



still living and makes her home at Port Jervis. 
In various private schools, and also at Mt. Retire- 
ment, a private school, Mrs. Dolph received her 
early education, after which she attended Claver- 
ick Collegiate Institute. She also engaged in 
teaching in the city schools from 1869 until 1874. 
By her marriage she has become the mother of 
three children. Benjamin Van Etten, born Octo- 
ber 18, 1875, graduated from the high school of 
Port Jervis in the Class of '93, and is now a med- 
ical student; Bertha Mae, born July 11, 1878, 
also graduated in the Class of '93; and Ada Isa- 
bel, who was born June 16, 1880, completes the 
family. 

Politically Professor Dolph affiliates with the 
Republican party, and socially is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. With 
the Methodist Episcopal Church he holds mem- 
bership, being active in both church and Sun- 
day-school work, and is serving as Treasurer of 
the church and as a member of the Official Board. 
In 1884 he provided a plant hst of northeastern 
Pennsylvania for the geological survey of that 
state, as the result of part of his work at Honesdale. 
He has also been active in geological work, and 
discovered a new trilobite in the trilobite ledge of 
the Lower Helderberg group, which is described 
in the report of the State Geologist in 1892 as 
the Dalmanites Dolphi. 



(TACOB KADEL, a retired business man of 
I Port Jervis, was for many years connected 
C2/ with the commercial interests of this place. 
He is a native of the Fatherland, born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, on the 8th of October, 
1S36, and is a son of Frederick and Anna Kadel. 
At the age of fourteen, in company with his 
brother John, he left his native land and sailed 
for America, landing in New York City, where 
he remained for six years clerking in a clothing 
store. About a year later his father and brother 
Michael also came to the New World. 

At the end of six years our subject came to 
Port Jervis, where he was employed by the same 
firm, Sampter & Ash, but later returned to New 



9i8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York, remaining in their employ twelve }'ears. 
On the expiration of that time, in connection 
with Mark Samuels, who was also a clerk for the 
same firm, he purchased the Port Jer\-is branch 
of the business, and the name was changed to 
Samuels & Kadel. For fifteen months they car- 
ried on business, when Mr. Kadel sold out and 
with the capital he had acquired started a new 
store, which he conducted with excellent success 
from 1866 until 1887, a period of twenty-one 
years. His place of business, which he owns, 
lies opposite the old Masonic Hall on Pike Street, 
at the corner of Ball. He always gave the busi- 
ness his personal attention, and was one of the 
best known merchants in his line in the city. 

In 1872, in company with Frank Kunkel and 
Jacob Pope, Mr. Kadel erected the Opera House, 
a building containing six storerooms; it has a 
frontage of one hundred feet on Pike Street 
and is seventy feet deep on Hammond. Both 
partners are now deceased, and he and the widow 
of Mr. Pope own the property. He was ever a 
successful business man, honest and upright in all 
his dealings, and well deserves the competence 
which now enables him to live retired, and rest 
in the enjoyment ot the fruits of his former toil. 

On attaining the age of twenty-two Mr. Kadel 
was married, in Orange County, the lady of his 
choice being Catherine Stoll, who died after 
twelve years of happy married life, leaving three 
children: John A., a shoe dealer of Port Jervis; 
Christian, proprietor of the Park Hotel; and 
Jacob, who carries on the Starr Hotel. Mr. 
Kadel has materially aided his sons, and they are 
all now first-class business men, making a suc- 
cess of their undertakings. After the death of 
his first wife our subject wedded Anna Nie- 
meyer, and to them have been born the follow- 
ing children: Wilhelm, who is with his broth- 
er in the shoe store; Lizzie, Michael, Henry, 
Charles, Lena and Otto, all of whom are single. 

In political sentiment our subject is a Republi-' 
can, always casting his ballot in support of its 
men and measures, and has served his fellow- 
citizens as Assessor. He is greatly interested in 
civic societies, holding membership with Attilla 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the 



chairs, and the Knights of Honor. He was one 
of the charter members of the Maennerchor, which 
was organized in 1867, and is the only one of the 
twenty who still survives. He has taken an act- 
ive interest in the welfare and prosperity of Port 
Jer\'is and Orange County, and in this volume 
his name deserves an honored place. 



EHARLES N. SKINXER, M. D. Although 
a )-oung man, there is none who stands 
higher in the medical profession in Port 
Jervis than does the subject of this notice. As a 
physician and surgeon it is difficult to win a 
name and place of prominence. Many aspire to 
it, but few reach it. In commercial life one may 
start out on a more advanced plane than others. 
He may enter into a business already established 
and carry it forward, but in the medical profes- 
sion one must commence at the beginning and 
work his way upward by ability, gaining his 
reputation and success by merit. From the ex- 
cellent beginning Dr. Skinner has made, we 
would prophesy that he will reach the goal for 
which he is striving, that of success. 

The Doctor is a native of Port Jer\-is, born 
March 9, 1866, to John N. and Anna M. (Mal- 
ven) Skinner, who are still residents of this 
place. He remained upon the home farm until 
reaching the age of seventeen years, receiving an 
excellent education, and completed his literary 
studies in Wyoming Seminary at King.ston, Pa. 
At the age of twenty-two he began reading medi- 
cine in the office of Dr. W. L. Cuddeback, after 
which he took a course of lectures at Belle\'ue, in 
New York City, from which he was graduated in 
the Class of '92. He then began the practice of 
medicine and surgery in Port Jervis, where he is 
meeting with excellent success. He is a member 
of the Orange County Medical Society, in which 
he takes an active part. 

On the 9th of June, 1892, Dr. Skinner was 
united in marriage with Miss Marj- B. Hiller, of 
Tuukhannock, Pa. She is a daughter of Will- 
iam M. and Oresta L. (Burdick) Hiller, natives 
of England and New York, respectivelj-. Her 




CHARLES BROX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



921 



father is a Methodist minister. Mr. and Mrs. 
Skinner are consistent members of the Reformed 
Church of Port Jervis, and in its work take an 
active part. In social circles they stand high, 
and their friends throughout the communit}- are 
many. 



(^ 



EHARLES BROX, one of the proprietors of 
the Orange County Flint Glass Works of 
Port Jervis, the most important manufactur- 
ing industry of the city, is also connected with 
other leading interests. The glass factory was 
established by Mr. Brox in 1873, with a capital 
of $25,000, and employment was furnished to 
fifty or sixty men, but the business has steadily 
increased. After a year's operation. Wade Buck- 
ley was admitted to partnership, that connection 
continuing until 1888, and from that time until 
August I, 1895, our subject was alone. On the 
date mentioned Benjamin Rj-all became a partner 
of the firm. From eighty-five to one hundred 
men are employed. The present pay-roll amounts 
to about $3,000 per month, the capital invested 
is about $60,000, and the annual business runs 
from $80,000 to $90,000 per year. Many special- 
ties of flint glass are manufactured and sold to 
other manufacturers, as well as to jobbers. Mr. 
Brox believes in patronizing home industries, buy- 
ing his materials from local merchants whenever 
it is possible. He has made a success of life and 
is numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Port 
Jervis. 

Mr. Brox is a native of Germany, born in Prus- 
sia, January 21, 1836, and in his native land 
learned the trade of flint-glass making, serving 
an apprenticeship of three years, during which 
time he only received half-pay. He was then 
employed in Denmark for four years, working in 
the city of Hol-me-gord, on the island of Zealand. 
In 1857, however, he decided to come to the 
United States, and in Brooklyn, N. Y., worked 
for C. Dorflingerfor nine years, being a specialist 
in the shade work. In connection with William 
Pountney, in 1866, he started a gla.ss factory in 



Port Jervis, but disposed of the same in 1873. 
He had invested $8,000, and by persistent effort 
and strict attention to business increased his cap- 
ital, in the latter year establishing his present 
factory. He is a Director of the First National 
Bank, and President of the Electric-light Com- 
pany of Port Jervis, which office he has held since 
the organization of the company. It was started 
with a capital of $30,000, but has since added an 
incandescent plant, and the stock has been in- 
creased to $45,000. He gives his personal atten- 
tion to this business, and it has become very profit- 
able. 

On the i6th of March, 1870, Mr. Brox was mar- 
ried to Miss Minnie Hannah, of Trenton, N. J. 
They are active workers in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and for thirteen years he has served 
as Trustee. For three terms he was Trustee of 
the village, during which time he always voted 
for those measures calculated to upbuild the city, 
and was a member of the Board of Education for 
two terms, serving on the Building Committee at 
the time of the erection of the new academy. His 
industry in conducting his business, his spotless 
private life, and the character of service which he 
has rendered in official capacities, have gained 
for him the esteem of the community in which he 
lives. In political affiliations he entirely coin- 
cides with the doctrines and platform of the Re- 
publican party, and in the exercise of his elective 
franchise supports the candidates of that organi- 
zation. He has been a delegate both to district 
and county conventions of his party. 

(e)OEOMON VAN FLEET. Among the 
/\ substantial and enterprising farmers of the 
\~/ Neversink Valley whose names are scattered 
through the pages of this volume, none is more 
worthy of mention than the gentleman whose 
name stands at the head of this biographical no- 
tice. He is now carrying on operations on his 
fine farm, located about two miles northeast of 
Port Jervis, where, in connection with general 
farming, he is also engaged in the dairy business. 
The first member of this family to locate in Or- 



41 



922 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ange County was John (Jan) Van Fleet, who mar- 
ried Jane Swartwout, and their son James became 
owner of the old homestead. The latter wedded 
Margaret Palmatier, by whom he had seven 
children: John, who married Catherine VA'estfall; 
Thomas, the father of our subject; Eudicia, who 
died October 22, 1832, at the age of sixty-four 
years and eight months; Lydia, who passed 
away October 23, 1835, at the age of fifty -nine 
years, nine months and ten days; Solomon, who 
died on the 8th of February, 1869, at the age of 
seventy-seven years, ten months and one da}'; 
Michael, whose death occurred December i, 1874, 
at the age of ninety-two years, three months and 
two days; and Clara, who died May 22, 1882, at 
the age of eighty-eight years, two months and ten 
days. The father of this family was called to his 
final rest December 27, 1821, at the age of eighty- 
three years and five months, his death occurring 
on the old homestead, and his wife died March 
27, 1841, at the age of ninety-one years, four 
months and twenty-six daj's. The farm later 
came into possession of Michael, Solomon and 
Clara, and is now owned by our subject. 

Solomon Van Fleet, whose name introduces this 
review, was born on the farm where his brother 
Benjamin now resides, December 19, 1829, and 
was the youngest child born to Thomas and Eliz- 
abeth (Cuddeback) Van Fleet. (See sketch of 
Benjamin Van Fleet.) He remained with his 
father until the latter' s death, when he was about 
eighteen years of age. In 1869 he became owner 
of the farm on which his great-grandfather had 
located prior to the Revolution, and his son James 
was living on the place at the time of the Indiau 
raid made by the infamous Brant. During this 
raid he was burned out, losing ever3'thinghe pos- 
sessed except a few yards of cloth. He afterward 
erected a stone house, which .stood for many years, 
our subject helping to tear it down. His uncle 
Michael built the present dwelling, in which he 
and his brother and sister, Solomon and Clara, 
resided until their deaths. They were all un- 
married, and the brothers were chiefly engaged 
in farming, though for a time Solomon was in a 
store. Both were large, genial men, and gave 
their support to the Democratic party. On the 



death of Solomon our subject came to live on the 

old homestead, and his remaining uncle and aunt 
made their home with him. 

On the 13th of February, 1878, Mr. Van Fleet, 
of this sketch, was married. Miss Phoebe Cole be- 
coming his wife. Her parents, William and Eliz- 
abeth (Townsend) Cole, were residents of Sussex 
County, N. J., where she was born June 9, i8'37. 
Besides the cultivation of his farm of one hundred 
and thirtj- acres, Mr. Van Fleet devotes some at- 
tention to dairying, keeping on hand from twenty 
to twenty-five cows. The house is pleasantly lo- 
cated on a ridge at the foot of Shawangunk Moun- 
tain, within a few rods of the Erie Railroad, and 
the place contains a fine orchard, some of the 
trees of which were set out over one hundred 
years ago. Politically our subject affiliates with 
the Democratic party, but takes very little part 
in politics. 



EHARLES N. KNAPP, M. D., one of the 
leading 3'oung physicians and surgeons of 
Port Jervis, is building up a fine and lucra- 
tive practice. He is a native of the Empire State, 
born in Homowack, Ulster County, on the 27th 
of March, 1868, and is a son of DeWitt and Susan 
(Campbell) Knapp, who were descended from old 
families of Orange County. The paternal great- 
grandfather of our subject was the founder of the 
family in this county, and his son, John Nelson 
Knapp, became one of the leading business men 
of Montgomery, Orange Count}-. DeWitt Knapp 
is a well known hotel-keeper of Cochecton, Sulli- 
van County, where he is extensively' interested in 
real estate, owning a great deal of farming prop- 
ertj-. The Campbells were also Orange County 
people. 

In Cochecton, N. Y., Dr. Knapp was reared, 
and at the age of twenty-two began his medical 
studies. He attended Claverack College and 
the Hudson River Institute, graduating from the 
latter in the Class of '91. After reading medicine 
in the office of Dr. W. W. Appley, of Cochecton, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



923 



he took a course of lectures at Bellevue, in New 
York City, from which he graduated in 1894, and 
also had hospital advantages. The Doctor be- 
gan practice in Cochecton after receiving his de- 
gree, but in October, 1894, came to Port Jer\as, 
where he is now engaged in general practice, in 
which he is meeting with excellent success. In 
the sick-room he wins the utmost confidence, and 
is a thorough student of his profession. He holds 
membership with the Orange County Medical 
Societ}-, and is greatly interested in its work. He 
is a supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and 
socially is identified with Port Jervis Lodge No. 
328, F. & A. M., and also the Legion of Honor. 
He is athletic in his tastes, taking quite an inter- 
est in base ball. Although Port Jervis has been 
his home for onlj' a short time, he has won many 
friends, and is held in the highest esteem by all 
with whom he comes in contact, whether profes- 
sionally or otherwise. 






EHARLES WESLEY BANKS, M. D. This 
prominent young physician of Port Jervis is 
a native of Ulster County, having been bom 
at Eddyville, near Kingston, January 31, 1867. 
His parents were William C. and Elizabeth 
(Drake) Banks, also natives of this state. The 
father located in Sparrow Bush, this county, in 
1869, and during the years in which he was a 
resident of that place carried on a thriving trade 
as a general merchant. Later he engaged in bus- 
iness in Germantown, a suburb of this village, 
where he is a prominent business man. He has 
one of the best stores in that place, and receives 
his share of patronage from the best people of the 
village and surrounding country. 

Charles W. was graduated from the high school 
of Port Jervis with the Class of '84, and in the 
fall of that year began the study of medicine in 
the ofBce of Dr. William L. Cuddeback. After 
contiiuiing with him for one year he entered the 
Bellevue Hospital College of New York City, 
taking a two-years course. He then became a 
student in Cornell University, taking up special 
work bearing upon his study of medicine, and re- 



maining there for two years. Later he took an- 
other course in Bellevue College, graduating 
therefrom with the Class of "90. The following 
year he spent as a resident phj'sician at the hos- 
pital, where he obtained valuable knowledge in 
the line of surgery. 

In the .spring of 1891 Dr. Banks opened an 
office in Port Jervis, and is now one of the most 
popular practitioners in this village, having an 
extensive and lucrative patronage. He has suc- 
ceeded admirably in surgery, and has performed 
many noted and difficult cures in this community. 
The Doctor is a member of the Orange County 
Medical Association, and also belongs to the 
Bellevue Hospital Alumni Association. He is 
the proprietor of a fine drug store at the corner of 
West Main and Ferry Streets, where his office is 
also located, and carries a full line of druggists' 
supplies, making a specialty of filling prescrip- 
tions. 

Dr. Banks was married, June 25, 1891, to Miss 
Lena C. Hammond, a native of Port Jervis, and a 
daughter of William Hammond, whose sketch ap- 
pears in this volume. She was graduated from 
the high school of this village, and also from the 
Syracuse University, completing the course there 
in 1890. She is a member of the Kappa Kappa 
Gamma Society of that institution. One child 
has been born to our subject and wife, Harold A., 
whose birth occurred May 10,1892. The parents 
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which the Doctor is Steward. Socially 
he is an Odd Fellow. 



(TOHN GREENE MILLS. Among the schol- 
I arly and eminent men who at different periods 
(2/ of the present century have made their home 
in Orange County, none attained greater popu- 
larity or won the esteem of a larger circle of ac- 
quaintances than did John G. Mills. His life 
was a singularly happy and fortunate one; be- 
loved b}- friends, esteemed by all, he lived amid 
the luxurious surroundings adapted to his tastes 



924 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and secured through his personal efforts. He 
possessed intellectual qualities of a high order, 
together with the geniality of disposition that in- 
variably wins friends. 

The life which this article sketches began in 
Wallkill Town, Orange County, N. Y., August 
30, 1844, and closed in Washington, D. C. , April 
14, 1883. His boyhood years were passed in 
Mt. Hope, and at the age of fourteen he accom- 
panied the other members of the family to Al- 
bany. He was an exceedingl}' bright boy, and 
at the age of fifteen he was able to write the Lord's 
prayer in five different languages. It seemed 
perfectly natural for him to master any language. 
When only eight years old he began the studj- of 
German, of which he soon acquired a thorough 
knowledge. He mastered French, German and 
Spanish, besides his academic knowledge of Greek, 
Latin and Hebrew. In addition to these lan- 
guages, he learned Italian and Portugese, and 
when he died he was pursuing his studies in 
Chinese. 

At the age of nineteen Mr. Mills graduated 
from the Albany Law School, and received his 
diploma to practice in the Superior Courts, and 
was admitted to the Bar in 1865. After a short 
time in Goshen, he went to Washington, D. C, 
where he was associated with Col. Robert G. In- 
gersoU. He became attorney for the New York 
State Cider and Cider Vinegar Makers' Associa- 
tion, and pressed their claims with all of his en- 
ergy and talent upon Congress, wiiming sj'm- 
pathy and support from many members of that 
body. 

Personally Mr. Mills attracted every one who 
came in contact with him. With truth it maj- be 
said of him that he had no enemies. Men loved 
him; women and children considered him a friend. 
He was a memberof the Anthropological Societ}-, 
and was identified with other organizations, so- 
cial and historical. His death was a personal 
loss to his many friends. It was a sudden at- 
tack of pneumonia, resulting fatally. THe fun- 
eral services were held at the residence of Col. N. 
W. Fitzgerald, in Washington, and the oration, 
in accordance with the request made by Mr. Mills 
during his last illness, was pronounced by Colonel 



Ingersoll, who spoke with even more than his 
usual eloquence and power. The remains were 
then conveyed to Port Jervis, N. Y., where they 
were laid to rest. Thus early died one who was 
numbered among Washington's most honored 
and scholarly citizens. 



(TOHN N. SKINNER is a representative of 
I one of the honored early families of Orange 
(2/ County, and now makes his home just out- 
side the corporation limits of Port Jervis. The 
Skinner famih- on this side of the Atlantic was 
established by seven brothers, four of whom lo- 
cated in Canada, and the others in the United 
States, two settling in New York and the other 
in New Jersey. From the latter branch our sub- 
ject is descended. 

Daniel Skinner was bom in New Jersey, but 
later became a resident of Orange County, N. Y., 
where he spent his remaining days. Here he 
married Mary Smith, of New York. Their son, 
Moses, removed to Canada in 1826, though Feb- 
ruary 17, 1807, he had married Miss Mary 
Archer, in this state. She was of Scotch ances- 
try, and her parents had located at Red Hook, on 
the Hudson. To them were born ten children 
who grew to maturity, Nathan being among the 
number. His birth occurred in Otisville, Orange 
County, September 7, 1816, and by occupation 
he became a carriage-maker. He remo\-ed to 
Canada, but later went to Ohio, where he re- 
mained until 1839, when he returned to Port Jer- 
vis and attended school for fort}' daj's. In 1840 
he wedded Asenath Carpenter, daughter of John 
D. Carpenter, whose family were early settlers at 
Carpenter's Point, and who were also descended 
from Maj. Johannes Decker, who sen-ed in the 
Indian Wars. To this worthy couple were born 
three children: Martha Ellen, who died at the 
age of fourteen months: John N. ; and Charles N. , 
also deceased. 

In 1853 Nathan Skinner retired from business 
and three years later purchased a farm on the 
east bank of the Neversink, adjoining the corpor- 
ation limits of Port Jer\-is. For fourteen years 




CZ^'V-:^^ ^ :y^^^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



927 



he worked at the trade of carriage-making, but 
later engaged in farming. He was an ardent Re- 
publican in political sentiment, but desired no 
official preferment, and in religious matters was 
an earnest supporter of the Reformed Church. 
His death occurred March i, 1S91, at the age of 
seventy five years, his loss being deeply mourned. 
He was a man who stood high in the community 
where he resided and had the confidence of his 
neighbors and friends. 

John N. Skinner, whose name heads this sketch, 
was born June 13, 1844, and is the only surviv- 
ing member of the family. On the 3d of July, 
1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Anne 
M. Malven, whose birth occurred in Strouds- 
burg. Pa., and who later removed with her par- 
ents to Iowa. B}' this union two children were 
born: Charles N., a prominent physician of Port 
Jer\'is; and John M., who was born May 18, 1871, 
and who died suddenly of heart disease on the 
4th of October, 1893. He had married Katie Van 
Etten, a daughter of Mark Van Etten, and with 
her two children, Marj- Asenath and Anna Van 
(twins), born January 5, 1892, she now makes 
her home with our subject. 

30HN T. JOHNSON, President of the Ches- 
ter National Bank of Chester, is at the head 
of the largest institution of this kind in the 
county, and is recognized as one of the most ef- 
ficient and successful business men in this portion 
of the state. The institution was organized as the 
Bank of Chester in 1846, and in 1865 was chartered 
as a national bank. Mr. Johnson acted as Cashier 
until 1 88 1, and on the death of James Burt in 
that year he was elected President, which posi- 
tion he now holds. The enviable reputation en- 
joyed b)' the officers is due almast entirely to the 
skillful management, cautious judgment and in- 
defatigable penseverance of its President. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the 
town of Goshen, this county, in the year 18 15, 
and was the only child born to John and Orpha 
(Tuthill) Johnson. The father was a native of 
Newark, N. J., and upon attaining manhood 



learned the trade of a saddle and harness maker. 
His death occurred when his son was six years 
old, after which event he went to live with his 
grandfather, then a resident of Chemung Coun- 
ty. Remaining under his care and guidance 
until fifteen years of age, he came to Chester, and 
found employment in the mercantile establish- 
ment of his uncle, Francis Tuthill. Six years 
later we find him clerking for the firm of Town- 
send & Kinney at Peru, 111. Some two years 
after entering their employ the firm met with 
financial reverses, and Mr. Johnson was then 
engaged as clerk for Hardin Bigelow, who was 
railroad contractor for the Illinois Central Road. 
As his business took him away from home a great 
deal, 3'oung Johnson was intrusted with the man- 
agement of affairs, which he conducted in a most 
satisfactory and highly profitable manner. The 
contract for the building of this road was given 
by the state, which was at that time unable to 
pay its obligations. Through an act of the Legis- 
lature an order was given to .sell the iron on hand 
(which had been shipped from England) for 
scrip, and in this manner raise the desired amount 
of raonej'. They were delayed in so doing, and, 
taking advantage of the proviso under which the 
iron had been shipped, viz., that no duty was to be 
paid if used in a certain time, the Government 
seized it, and the contractor and his men were 
not paid their wages. Mr. Johnson was sent to 
Chicago to await the result of a revision of the 
duty act, but it availed him nothing. He then 
returned to Peru, 111., where he was engaged 
with Isaac and Nat Abrahams, and made that 
place his home for a time. 

In the year 1843 Mr. Johnson again came to 
Chester, and was at once taken into the employ 
of his uncle, then in the mercantile business. 
The latter very soon retired from active work, 
and placed the business with his three nephews, 
our subject being one of the number. Mr. Tut- 
hill had been instrumental in the organization of 
the Chester Bank, and five years after, in 1851, 
Mr. Johnson was cho.sen Ca.shier, and has been 
connected with the nistitulion ever since. In 1865 
it was re-organized and chartered as a national 
bank, our subject being elected its President, and 



928 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from that time until the present he has been at 
its head. He is a capable, energetic and popu- 
lar business man, and has gained success by his 
unaided energy and business ability. 

Mr. Johnson lias never joined the army of ben- 
edicts and still lives in single blessedness. He is 
one of the most influential members of the 
Methodi.st Epi.scopal Church, in which he holds 
the oflicc of Trustee. Ever since the Civil War 
he has affiliated with the Republican party, be- 
ing a stanch supporter of its principles and can- 
didates. In every walk in life he has shown 
him.self to be thoroughly tru.stvvortliy and honor- 
able, and by the exercise of these qualities has 
won a high place in the esteem of a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. 

RICHARD HALLOCK. Some one has said, 
"It is not difficult to write a biography; the 
greater difficulty is to live a life worth writ- 
ing." No resident of the town of Greenville is 
more worthy of representation in this volume 
than the late Richard Hallock, a well known 
farmer. His life was spent in usefulness, his la- 
bors not expended for himself alone, but for the 
benefit of those among whom his lot was cast, 
and in who.se welfare he was deeply interested. 
'He had one oftho.se noble natures which win re- 
spect from every acquaintance and retain the deep 
esteem of all who come to know the pos.sessor 
well. 

The farm in the town of Greenville wliere Mr. 
Hallock was born May 5, 1805, was also the 
scene of his death nearly ninety years later, March 
8, 1895. His father, Richard Hallock, Sr., was 
born on Long Island, and toward the close of the 
eighteenth century came to Orange County, where 
he cleared a farm in the town of Greenville. The 
lii.story of the family in this country is traced 
back to Peter Hallock, who came from P'ngland 
and settled on Long I.sland in 1640. 

In early manhood our subject taught a few 
terms of school, but with that exception he made 
agriculture his life occupation. November 8, 
1S34, he married Miss Catherine Manning, who 



was born August 8, 1806, and died September 
30, i8^8, leaving four children, namely: Emily 
A., wife of A. R. Vail, of Sus.sex County, N. J.: 
Charlotte, Mrs. Asa J. Ogden, who lives on the 
old home.stead; Hannah, who married A. B. 
Moore, and also resides on the home farm; and 
Abbie, widow of Andrew Weed, of Paterson 
N. J. The second wife of our .subject was Sarah 
Blizzard, of the town of Greenville, who was born 
January 4, 1816, and died November 1, 1884. 
At her death she left three cliildren, namely: John 
W., a farmer of this town; Richard E., who is 
also engaged in agricultural pursuits in thiscoun- 
ty; and Jane, who is unmarried and resides on 
the old homestead. 

An active worker in local politics, Mr. Hallock 
always favored Republican principles, and upon 
that ticket he was elected to a number of town of- 
fices, including that of Supervisor. He was a 
steady, reliable man, one who never betrayed a 
trust, and who at all times and on all occasions 
was found to be a careful and read}- helper by 
those needing assistance, and his neighbors who 
consulted him in regard to personal matters found 
him a safe counselor, as he was discriminating 
and just in his judgments. At his death he left 
a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, com- 
prising the homestead that has been in possession 
of members of the family for a hundred years. 
Here his daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Ogden, now 
lives, directing the affairs of the hou.sehold in a 
systematic manner and maintaining the high cla.ss 
of improvements for which the farm has always 
been noted. 



0ANIEL MULOCK. When fourteen years 
of age, the subject of this sketch was given 
by his father a farm in the town of Mt. 
Hope, and at once came hither, settling upon the 
place where, with the exception of a few years, he 
spent the remainder of his busy life. He was a 
man of force and decision of purpose, one whose 
integrity was uiK|uestioiied and his name above 
reproach. When he died it was felt that the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



929 



town had sustained a loss, for he had ever advo- 
cated and supported those measures calculated to 
further the progress of the conmiunit)'. 

The birth of Mr. Mulock occurred in the town 
of Mt. Hope, February 28, 1S13. His father 
owned several farms, and when Daniel was a lad 
of fourteen he was left to run one of them. He 
immediately commenced the cultivation of the 
one hundred and fifty acres comprising the estate, 
and for a time "bached," working on the farm in 
the summer and attending the district school dur- 
ing the winter months. In 1845 he bought this 
farm from his father, and here his death occurred. 
In 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Cynthia Mulock, a native of the town of Green- 
ville, and a lady whose kindness of heart is recog- 
nized by all her acquaintances. 

The entire life of Mr. Mulock was passed on 
his farm in this town, with the exception of some 
six or seven years, during which time he made 
his home in Middletown. He built there a ma- 
chine-shop and foundry, which, on his return to 
the farm, he turned over to his eldest son. In 
addition to his other interests he also operated a 
distillery and cider-mill near his home for about 
forty years. He was a great lover of horses and 
always had the best and fastest horses of any in 
this vicinity. He imported stock from Canada 
and greatly improved the breed throughout Or- 
ange County. Having considerable natural abil- 
ity as a machinist, he devoted more or less at- 
tention to that trade throughout his active life. 
His was a useful, happy, honored life, and in 
death he was mourned by many. He passed 
from earth December 26, 1887, and was buried in 
Mt. Hope Cemetery. He was a man of broad 
knowledge, well informed concerning public af- 
fairs, and a supporter of the Republican party. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Mulock con.sisted 
of nine children, concerning whom we note the 
following: Charles was proprietor of a foundry 
at Middletown until his death; Abbie is the wife 
of Jacob Gumaer, of Ovid, Mich.; Fannie resides 
with her mother on the old home.stead; Justus is 
deceased; Samuel J., a farmer by occupation, re- 
sides in California; Mary is the widow of George 
A. Wood, of Florence, Colo.; David died, leaving 



a son, who at present is residing with his grand- 
mother; Ada is the wife of W. E. Johnson, Presi- 
dent of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad, 
in Colorado; and Chauncey, who is the youngest 
of the family, married Laura Polley, of the town 
of Greenville, and they reside on the home farm, 
which he rents. He is a young man of more than 
ordinary business ability and is meeting with suc- 
cess in his undertakings. 



^z 



REUBEN G. BIRDSALL, a farmer resid- 
ing near Highland Mills, was born near that 
village, September 29, 1840, and is the son 
of William and Catherine (Gurneej Birdsall. 
They resided for many years on a farm, where 
almost their entire family was born. Micajah 
Birdsall, the father of William, was the first 
owner of the land. By profession he was a .school 
teacher, but usually followed farming for a live- 
lihood. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his 
native town and attended the conmion .schools of 
Highland Mills until about nineteen years of age. 
When twenty-two years old he began in business 
for him.self as a butcher, at the same time deal- 
ing in butter, eggs and country produce. After 
following the meat bu.siness for seven vears, he 
purchased the old homestead where he was born, 
and where he has since continued to reside. On 
his farm, which consists of .sixty acres of tillable 
land, he engages in general farming, giving the 
greater share of his attention, however, to raising 
fruit and vegetables. He was married, December 
14, 1870, at Central Valley, to Miss Christina 
Thorn, who was born in that place, and who is a 
daughter of Henry and Christina (Campbell) 
Thorn, natives of Orange County and Scotland, 
re.spectively. Henry Thorn, who was the son of 
David Thorn, became the father of seven chil- 
dren, of whom five survive; Mary Ellen, now 
deceased; David, living on the old homestead; 
Chri.stina, the wife of our subject; Henry, de- 
ceased; Belle, the wife of Samuel Emslev, of 



930 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cornwall; Lizzie, who married Floyd Mailer, of 
Cornwall; and Emma, the wife of Reuben Lanard, 
of Central Valley. 

Reuben G. and Christina Binlsall became the 
parents of three children: George R., now resid- 
ing in Cornwall: Christina, who died in infancy; 
and Isabel T. Both Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Central Valley, of which he is Trustee. In pol- 
itics he is a Republican. He is a man highly 
respected in the commuity where he has so long 
resided, and has served his fellow-citizens in the 
capacity of Town Collector. 



(TOHN L. McKINNEY. The busine.ss inter- 
I ests of Pine Bush have a successful repre- 
(2/ sentative in the subject of this sketch, a mem- 
ber of the firm of Armstrong & McKinney, who 
conduct a large and profitable trade here as deal- 
ers in general merchandi.se, ready-made clothing, 
and drugs. Mr. McKiiniey began business with 
very limited capital, but by resolution and an in- 
domitable will, combined with unvarying indus- 
try and judicious management, he has won his 
way to a position of assured success, and enjoys 
the confidence of the people, among whom he has 
transacted business in a thoroughly honorable 
manner for a number of years. 

The history of the McKinney family dates back 
to about 1740, when Arthur McKinney emigrated 
from Scotland and settled near Walden, in Orange 
County, where he established his permanent 
home. He was a .soldier in the Revolutionary 
War and a successful business man, but little else 
is known concerning his history. The homestead, 
which is now owned by a brother of our subject, 
has been the birthplace of five generations of that 
name, and is one of the oldest farms in the county. 
Our subject's grandfather, who was born on 
this farm, served in the War of 18 12, and died at 
the age of seventy-three. The father, Luthe? 
McKinney, was also born on the home farm ir. 
the town of Crawford, the date of his birth being 



June 25, 1816. There he spent the greater part 
of his life, and there, at the age of threescore years 
and ten, his eyes were closed upon the scenes of 
earth. He was a man of quiet but genial dispo- 
sition, earnest in his support of the right, and 
popular among his circle of acquaintances. 

Maria Morrison, as the mother of our subject 
was known in maidenhood, was born in the town 
of New Windsor, December 5, 181 1, and is still 
living, her home being in Pine Bu.sh. Notwith- 
standing her advanced age (eighty -four), she is 
vigorous and well preserved, and retains the full 
possession of her mental faculties. Her parents 
were born in this county, and her father partici- 
pated in the War of 18 12. By her marriage she 
became the mother of five children besides the 
subject of this sketch, who was the youngest of 
the family. The eldest child, Marj- A., became the 
wife of Jonathan Falconer, a farmer of the town 
of Crawford; William S. died when twenty-six 
years old ; George A. is engaged in business in New 
York City: Anna K. is a resident of Orange 
County; and Henry J., a retired farmer living in 
Pine Bush, is the owner of the old homestead in 
the town of Crawford that has been in the posses- 
sion of .some member of the family for five gener- 
ations. 

Born March 6, 1856, our subject was reared on 
the home farm, where he remained until twenty 
seven years of age. His education was com- 
menced in the connnon .schools and completed in 
Prof S. H. Banks' private school in Newburgh. 
At the time of his marriage he rented a farm in 
the town of Crawford, where he engaged as a 
tiller of the soil for about a year. Later he clerked 
in a grocery store in New York for two years and 
then came to Pine Bush, where he has since re- 
sided. For five years he carried on a profitable 
milling business, and in 1891 he formed a part- 
nership with Mr. Annstrong in a general mer- 
cantile bu.siness, which he has since conducted. 

The first marriage of Mr. KcKinney was in 
October, 1882, when Miss Minnie Rhinehart, of 
Burlingham, N. Y., became his wife. This lady 
died in February, 1884, leaving a son, J. Morri- 
son, who was born January 12, 1884. The pres- 
ent wife of Mr. McKinnev, with whom he wa> 




CLARENCE ORMSBEK, M. I), 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



933 



united in September, 1887, was Miss Mariana 
Decker, of Bru3'nswick, Ulster County, N. Y. 
Their union has been blessed by the birth of a son, 
Howard D., and a daughter, Marion. In polit- 
ical views Mr. McKinney is a firm advocate of 
Republican principles. Identified with the United 
Presbyterian Church, he has served as an Elder 
for ten years, and his father held tlie same posi- 
tion for a period of forty years. 



QLARENCE ORMSBEE, M. D., is the only 
1 1 physician of the town of Newburgh, where 
\J he has made his home since 1866. At pres- 
ent he is one of the examining surgeons on the 
Pension Board of the counties of Orange and 
Rockland, having been appointed by the Commis- 
sioner on Pensions of the United States. He has 
been verj' successful in his chosen field of labor 
and is favorably known throughout the surround- 
ing country. 

Nathaniel Ormsbee, the Doctor's father, was 
born in Ashland, Greene County, N. Y., being 
a son of Solomon Ormsbee, who was of English 
descent, and who was born in the Green Mountain 
State. Nathaniel Ormsbee chose as his partner 
in life Miss Lucinda Buel, by whom he had a fam- 
ily of ten children, as follows: Albert, who is an 
Episcopal minister at Monroe; Clarence; Frank- 
lin, an attorney-at-law in Madalin, Dutchess 
County: Daniel, engaged in a real-estate and con- 
tracting business at Matteawan; Nathaniel, de- 
ceased, and twin brother of Daniel; Addison, who 
is engaged in merchandising in Matteawan; Lucy, 
who died in infancy; Laban A., Ca.shier of the 
Savings Bank of Matteawan; Howard, who is 
proprietor of a grocery at Matteawan; and Su- 
sette. The father was Sheriff of Greene County 
for one term and held many other public positions. 
He was born March 10, 181 1, and died in 1880, 
his wife surviving him about six years. 

Dr. Clarence Ormsbee was born in A.shland, 
Greene County, August 25, 1839, and in his boy- 
hood divided his time between work on the farm 
and play. He obtained a public-school educa- 
tion, and was about eighteen years of age when he 



entered the academy at Ashland. After two 
terms spent in that institution he taught school 
for three terms. Then, being desirous of learn- 
ing the medical profession, he went to Burlington, 
Vt. , and took one course of lectures in the medi- 
cal college there. The following winter he be- 
came a student in the office of Dr. Strong, at Sar- 
atoga, and continued with him about a year. In 
1865 he was graduated from the medical depart- 
ment of the New York University and located at 
Dwaar Kill, Ulster County, N. Y., where he 
conducted a family practice for a year. Then for 
a few months he was located in the village of 
Pine Bush, this county, and in 1866 removed to 
his present home. 

In 1867 Dr. Ormsbee married Elizabeth Craw- 
ford, by whom he has had two children, a son 
and daughter. Addison C, an attorney-at-law, 
is a young man of promise, and is now numbered 
among the rising members of the legal profession 
in Newburgh. Lucy, the daughter, is still living 
at home with her parents. The Doctor is a mem- 
ber of the Orange County Medical Society, and 
in political matters deposits his ballot in favor of 
the principles and candidates of the Democratic 
party. 

Mrs. Ormsbee is a member of one of the oldest 
and most prominent families of Orange County. 
Her father, John Addison Crawford, was a well 
known citizen and very successful business man 
of this county, the town of Crawford being named 
in honor of the familv. 



3^e 



gEORGE W. CAMPBELL, of Highland 
Mills, was born February 22, 1849, about 
one mile we.st of this village, and as the date 
of his birth was the anniversary of the birth of 
George Washington, he was named in honor of 
that famous General and President. He is a son 
of Archibald and Mary ( Weygant) Campbell, 
concerning whom mention is made in the sketch 
of James W. Campbell, on another page of this 
volume. His brother, William H., enlisted in 
the Union army under Col. Charles Weygant, 



934 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and served as a member of the illustrious One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, usually 
known as the "Orange Blossoms." 

When our subject was a lad of twelve years 
his father moved from the farm w'here he had 
spent a quarter of a century and settled in High- 
land Mills, purchasing a residence near the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Prior to that time 
George W. had been a student in the Bakertowu 
schools, and afterward he attended those of High- 
land Mills, devoting the winter seasons to study 
until he was twenty-five. In 1874 he went to 
Kansas and took up a claim on the old Govern- 
ment trail, between Lamed and Hays City, and 
there he remained one year, meantime traveling 
over the western portion of the state, and locating 
claims as claim agent. 

On his return to New York, Mr. Campbell 
began teaching school, and this profession he 
followed for fifteen years, after which he married 
and commenced the supervision of his wife's 
farm of thirty acres. He makes a specialty of 
the dairy and poultrj' business, in which lines he 
has met with success. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican, and served as Collector for the town of 
Monroe before its division. In his fraternal 
connections he is a member of Central Valley 
Lodge No. 502, I. O. O. F. With his wife he 
holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Highland Mills, in which he is serving 
as Steward. 

In his present residence, October 16, 1890, Mr. 
Campbell was united in marriage with Miss 
Phoebe Earl, who was born on the old Earl 
homestead, March 11, 1863. She is one of three 
sisters, the others being America B., wife of 
C. E. Merritt; and Georgia J., Mrs. George W. 
Brooks. Her paternal grandparents were Elam 
and Eunice (Clark) Earl, concerning whom men- 
tion is made in the sketch of Moses Clark, else- 
where presented. Her father, Peter Earl, was 
born May 19, 1830, and died October 18, 1881. 
He made agriculture his life work, and owned a 
large part of the Schunnemunk Mountain, known 
as the Benton Brooks tract, upon which he spent 
many a day in hunting the game that abounded 
there. His marriage united him with Hannah 



Conklin, who was born October 10, 1834, being 
a daughter Of John and Susan (Bennett) Conklin. 
She survived him j,ome ten years, and passed 
from earth April 22, 1891, when fift\--six years 
of age. 



(lOHN B. SLAWSON. There are few farms 
I in the town of Wallkill that are more finely 
C2/ improved than the one owned and occupied 
by the subject of this notice. It consists of one 
hundred and eleven acres, divided by neat fences 
into fields and pastures of convenient size, and 
embellished with substantial and modern build- 
ings, including a cosej- residence of modern design 
of architecture. While Mr. Slawson has given 
a large portion of his time to the supervision of 
this estate, he has also had other interests. For 
the past twentj'-seven years he has been engaged 
in the milk business in New York City, supph'- 
ing his customers there with milk purchased in 
Orange County. 

The parents of our subject, Joseph and Rosetta 
(Sayer) Slawson, were natives of this county, 
with the agricultural interests of which the fa- 
ther was identified for many years. A man of 
quiet, unpretentious disposition, he never mingled 
activelj' in public affairs, giving his time to the 
development of his private interests. He died in 
1864, and his wife, who survived him for a num- 
ber of years, passed away in 1887. Our subject 
was born in this countj', December 3, 1836, and 
in boyhood attended the district schools and Den- 
ton Academy, gaining the foundation of the 
knowledge which he afterwards acquired through 
self-culture. 

When fifteen years of age our subject went to 
New Orleans, and there made his home with his 
uncle, John B. Slawson, for whom he had been 
named, and with whom he continued to reside 
until 1867. His uncle was largely interested in 
street-railway work, and in the winter of 1860- 
61 built thirty-two miles of line in New Orleans. 
Subsequently he became interested in New York 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



935 



street railwaj'S, and built several of the principal 
lines in that city. His death occurred in Feb- 
ruarj-, 1886. 

In t88o our subject married Miss Anna, daugh- 
ter of John and Hannah (Bailey) Ryerson, old 
and respected citizens of this count}'. Two chil- 
dren bless their union, John R. and Alice May, 
both now attending the district school. Mr. and 
Mrs. Slawson are popular in social circles, and 
are attendants at the Presbyterian Church of 
Goshen. While he has never aspired to official 
distinction, he has firm convictions on political 
questions, and advocates the measures of the 
Democratic party, supporting its candidates in 
local and general elections. 



3 AMES HAZEL JOHNSTON. A position 
of influence among the residents of Orange 
County is held by this gentleman, who is 
classed among the successful farmers of the town 
of Crawford. He is a native of this localitj-, hav- 
ing been born in Pine Bush, January 7, 1820. 
His parents, Michael and Mary (Van Keuren) 
John.ston, had a family of eleven children, of 
whom he was the ninth. Of this large household 
all are deceased with the exception of James H. 
and his two sisters: Keziah, now the widow of 
William Van Keuren, of Jersey City, N. J.; and 
Christina, the widow of Jasper Van Keuren, who 
resides in W^alden, this county. 

The father of the above family was born in Ire- 
land, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
where he continued to make his home until he 
reached young manhood, when he came to Amer- 
ica. About 1823, when in middle life, he passed 
away. In New York he married Miss Van Keu- 
ren, who was born in Ulster County, and who 
died about 1870, when in her eighty-fourth year. 
Her parents were natives of Germany, and after 
coming to the United States, during the Revolu- 
tionary War, Mr. Van Keuren was made mail- 
carrier. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home 
until about eleven years of age, when he was 
obliged to look out for himself At that early age 



he found work on a neighboring farm, and for 
five years worked for his board and clothing. At 
the end of that time he was considered a "full 
hand," and obtained employment by the month 
during the sunnner season. The winters he spent 
at home and attended school until twenty-six 
years of age. Mr. Johnston was then married, 
and until 1872 operated rented property with suc- 
cess. That year he was enabled to purchase land, 
becoming the possessor of the estate which he 
still occupies. 

February 26, 1846, Mr. Johnston and Miss 
Catherine McGroty were united in marriage. 
The lady was also a native of Ireland, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
three children, namely: William H., a resident 
of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Mary Jane, the wife of 
William N. Van Keuren, a farmer of Ulster Coun- 
ty; and Michael, who is at home, and who aids 
in the management of the farm. The place, which 
lies one mile from Pine Bu.sh, contains one hun- 
dred and twenty-four acres, and stands as a mon- 
ument to his industry and good judgment. Mr. 
Johnston has never desired office, but has been 
content to use his influence in a quiet way by 
voting with the Democratic party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Dutch Reformed Church, and tries to 
carry out the teachings of the Divine Master in 
his daily life, making all who know him respect 
him for the faith which he so earnestly upholds. 



— .>^s 



»®>*<»- 



C^HOMAS AND JOHN MARSH, prosperous 
f C millers of Phillipsburg, of the town of Wall- 
Vjy kill, were born in England, the former No- 
vember 6, 1837, the latter May 8, 1840, being 
the sons of Thomas and Susanna (Martin) Mar.sh. 
Their father, who was a man of energy, integrity 
and perseverance, was engaged as a miller in 
England, and followed that occupation through- 
out the entire period of his residence in his native 
land. Believing, however, that America offered 
greater opportunities for him and his children, he 
resolved to come hither, and in 1854, accompanied 



936 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by his family, he crossed the ocean and settled at 
Yonkers, N. Y., where for two years he was en- 
gaged in the milling business. 

In 1856 the senior Mr. Marsh brought his fam- 
ily to Orange County and settled on the Wallkill 
River, where he took charge of a mill known as 
the Dr. Phillip's Mill. He remained there, suc- 
cessfully engaged in conducting the mill, until his 
death, which occurred August 6, 1886. His wife 
had died some years before, her death having oc- 
curred in 1870. At the time of the death of the 
father, our subjects, who for several years pre- 
vious had superintended the mill, continued its 
management until 1892, when they dissolved 
partnership, Thomas acquiring the propertj', 
which he now rents. They and their only sister, 
Emily, live together, none of them having ever 
taken a helpmate. They are earnest members of 
the Episcopal Church, and are highly respected 
bj' all who know them. Politically the brothers 
have never been active, preferring to give their 
attention to personal matters, but they are loyal 
citizens of our Government, and interested in 
everything pertaining to the welfare of the peo- 
ple. 

Thomas Marsh is the owner of a park adjoin- 
ing Midway Park, a popular resort between Go- 
shen and Middletown. This park is on the line 
of the trolley and is equipped in modern style. 
It contains over seven acres and is shaded by a 
beautiful growth of native trees, making it one of 
the prettiest spots for miles around. It is becom- 
ing known for its many attractions, and will un- 
doubtedly .soon be one of the attractions of this 
locality. 

[ILLIAM J. VAN WORMER, who holds 
the position of General Yardmaster of the 
Erie Road at Port Jervis, occupies a beau- 
tiful residence in this village, located at No. 37 
Hudson Street. He is a native of this state, hav- 
ing been born at Binghamton, April 9, 1842, and 
his parents were James and Maria (Youngs) 
Van Wormer, the former of whom was born in 
Holland. He came to America when a young 
man, settling at first in Albany Count}% N. Y. 



In his native land he had learned the trade of a 
blacksmith, and for some years after coming 
hither followed it with success. Later, how- 
ever, he abandoned it in order to engage in farm- 
ing, owning a good estate within eight miles of 
Binghamton. On this he pas.sed the remainder 
of his life, dying when past eighty-two years. 
His wife died two years previously, when in her 
eightieth year. 

To James and Maria Van Wormer there were 
born nine children, five of whom came to Port 
Jerv'is, and at one time were in the employ of the 
Erie Railroad Company. They were Youngs, 
Aaron C, Azariah R. , George and Addison, the 
latter of whom is deceased. The first-named was 
a conductor on the Delaware Division for many 
years, his run being from New York to Elmira, 
and his service with the Erie Road extended over 
a period of thirty years, his headquarters being 
at Port Jervis. About 1877, however, he became 
proprietor of the Delaware House, in connection 
with our subject, and this they conducted for 
about twelve months, when Youngs removed to 
Binghamton, where his death occurred several 
years later, when sixty-two j'ears of age. Aaron 
C. was engaged as engineer on the Delaware 
Division until 1880, being an employe of this 
company for a period of twenty years. He after- 
wards went to Scranton as engineer on the Erie 
& Wyoming Road, and there died in 1891, aged 
sixty-one years. Azariah R. at present holds the 
position of engineer on the Erie Road, with which 
he has been connected more or less since 1854, 
with the exception of ten j-ears, when in the em- 
ploy of the Williamsport & Elmira Railroad Com- 
pany. He, too, makes his home in Port Jervis. 
George became a conductor for the Erie Road in 
1863, and after four or five 3'ears was made Gen- 
eral Yardmaster of the road at Susquehainia, 
holding this position for fourteen years. On the 
completion of the West Shore Road to Albany, 
he was made conductor, and he and his brother 
were among the first employed after the road was 
opened. After holding this position for eight 
successive years, George resigned and retired to a 
farm which he owned in Broome County, N. Y., 
where he is still living. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



937 



The boyhood days of our subject were passed 
at Binghaniton, and upon attaining his majority 
he left home and became brakeman on the Dela- 
ware Division of the Erie Road, coming to Port 
Jervis Januarj' 12, 1862. After working nine 
months in this capacity, he was promoted to be 
extra conductor, and a year later was given a 
regular run on a stock train. This he continued 
to run for about four or five years, when he be- 
came passenger conductor on the day express, 
running from Port Jervis to Owego, June 4, 
1884, however, he went to Albany, and took the 
first train over the West Shore Road, which left 
Newburgh at 7:25 A. M., June 4, and ran into 
the Pennsylvania depot at New York City. 

Our subject ran the train which carried Presi- 
dent Cleveland from Albany to New York City 
in March, 1888. They pulled out of the depot at 
Albany in the night time in order to keep the 
knowledge of Mr. Cleveland's departure a secret. 
General Superintendent Bradley, of the West 
Shore Road, was on the train and ordered Mr. 
Van Wormer not to stop at Kingston. They 
were obliged, however, to slow up, and the crowd 
that had gathered there cheered them as they 
passed. Our subject remained with the West 
Shore Road for five years, and he looks back with 
pleasure to that time as being one of the pleas- 
antest experiences of his life. He was conductor 
of the finest train on the road, the "Saratoga," 
and was alwaj's designated to run the specials 
for Vanderbilt, who bought the road while he 
was in its employ. 

October 18, 1887, our subject accepted the pos- 
ition of General Yardraaster of the Erie Road at 
Port Jervis, which he has filled ever since. He 
has under his charge one hundred and twenty- 
three men, and by his long experience as a rail- 
road man he is thoroughly qualified to hold this 
responsible position, to which he gives his entire 
time and attention. During the thirty years in 
which he has been on the road, he has never lost 
more than thirty days, a record which very few 
men make. He never had any serious accident 
happen to his train while on the road, nor was 
there ever a passenger killed or seriously injured. 
Hugh Riddle, late President of the Chicago, 



Rock Island & Pacific Road, was Superintend- 
ent when Mr Van Wormer began his career as a 
railroad man. 

The subject of this sketch was married, De- 
cember 27, 1867, to Miss Ophelia, daughter of 
Benjamin and Caroline (McNish) Quick. Her 
father was conductor on the Erie Road for about 
twenty years, and died while in the service of the 
company at Port Jervis. To Mr. and Mrs. Van 
Wormer there have been born two daughters: 
Caroline, at home; and Jessie, now Mrs. Adel 
Moore, of Scranton, Pa. Mrs. Van Wormer is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he 
is a charter member of L,odge No. 102, American 
Legion of Honor, and in politics is a stanch sup- 
porter of Republican principles. He always takes 
a prominent part in local affairs, for a number of 
years has rendered efficient service as a member 
of the Board of Health, and is now serving as 
Alderman. 



HARLAN P. HALL, a farmer of the town of 
Wawayanda, was born here April 19, 1842, 
and is a son of Richard and Eliza (Schultz) 
Hall, who were the parents of two children. After 
the death of the mother, the father married Sarah 
Courtwright, and by that union were born five 
children. Our subject was born and reared on a 
farm, and received such advantages as are usual 
to the average country boy. He began life for 
himself when thirteen years old, working on 
neighboring farms b)' the month. 

During the second year of the war Mr. Hall en- 
listed as a private in Company D, One Hundred 
and Fifth Ohio Volunteers, the date of his enlist- 
ment being August 8, 1862. He was mustered 
into the service at Cleveland, Ohio, though his 
first engagement was at Richmond, Ky., and he 
was subsequently in the siege of Louisville and 
the battle of Perryville. The regiment was on 
guard duty the greater part of the time in Ken- 
tucky and the Carolinas. He was mustered out 
of the service at the close of the war, and then 
returned to New York State. In coiniection with 



938 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dr. Webb, he was in the mercantile trade at Ridge- 
bury for about six years, and then engaged in 
farming. In 1878 he removed to his present place 
of residence, where he devotes much of his atten- 
tion to fruit culture, though he also engages in 
general farming. Besides his other interests he 
has a saw and grist mill, which he actively oper- 
ates. 

September 29, 1868, Mr. Hall was united in 
marriage with Sarah S. Crane, a daughter of 
Horace and Maria (Xusk) Crane, natives of Or- 
ange County, but who at the time of the mar- 
riage of their daughter were living in Ridgebur3\ 
Both are now deceased, the mother dying in 1876, 
and the father in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hall be- 
came the parents of four children: Jessie Stewart, 
who died at the age of eight months; and Horace 
Crane, Jessie Louise and Margaret Coleman, at 
home with their parents. Politically Mr. Hall is 
a Republican, and is also an active member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Masonic 
order. Religiously he is identified by member- 
ship with the Presbyterian Church. 



lILLIAM A. McINNES, a general farmer 
of the town of Wallkill, was born here 
April 20, 1848, his parents being Daniel 
and Myra (Jackson) Mclnnes, al.so natives of this 
county. His father, who was an industrious 
farmer, remained upon his homestead until his 
death in 1889, at the age of eighty -eight years; 
the wife and mother had died man}- years prior 
to his demise. William A. received a practical 
common-school education at Mechanicstown and 
Phillipsburg, and remained with his parents on 
the home farm until twenty years of age, after 
which he began an apprenticeship to the painter's 
trade. Eleven j-ears were spent at this calling, 
and he then engaged in farming for one year. 
Later he went to Middletown, where for eighteen 
years he carried on a large trade as a butcher. 

On retiring from that business, Mr. Mclnnes 
in 1893 purchased and settled upon the well im- 
proved and valuable farm formerly owned by 
William C. Doyle. Here he has one hundred 



and seven acres of land, divided into fields and 
pastures of convenient size, and containing all 
the buildings necessary for the proper manage- 
ment of the place. In all his labors he has the 
co-operation of his excellent wife, with whom he 
was united in marriage in 1867. She was Miss 
Sarah Brundge, and was born in this county, 
where her father, William Brundge, was a farm- 
er. There are two sons in the family, the elder 
of whom, Harrj-, is at home, and the younger, 
Edward E., is engaged in railroading. 

Fraternally Mr. Mclnnes is a member of the 
Order of Knights of Pythias, and is also identi- 
fied with the Royal Templars of Temperance. 
He and his wife are adherents of the Methodist 
Church. In politics he is independent, and casts 
his ballot for the candidate whom he considers 
most worthy, deeming character a more vital 
requisite than the advocacj- of certain political 
tenets. 



yyiARTIN D. GRAHAM, one of the wide- 
y awake and enterprising citizens of Port 
y Jervis, is a native of the Keystone State, 
born at Painter's Brook, near the village of Sho- 
hola, Pike County, on the 19th of October, 1822, 
and is a son of John L. and Maria (Dietrich) 
Graham. His father was a native of Marietta, 
Ohio, and a son of John Graham, who came to 
this countr}- from Scotland and settled in Ohio at 
an early date. The Dietrich famil}' was origin- 
ally from Holland, and was founded in this coun- 
tr>- by the grandfather of Mrs. Graham, who lo- 
cated in Pennsylvania. 

Martin D. Graham remained upon the home 
farm until he had reached the age of twenty years, 
when he started a grocery store on the Delaware 
& Hudson Canal, about sixteen miles from the 
old homestead. This he conducted for nineteen 
years, or until 1861, when he came to Port Jer- 
vis and built the Graham House on Front Street, 
which he carried on for six years, but which is 
now known as the Commercial House. In 1866 
he sold out and opened a store on Pike Street, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



939 



opposite the Opera House, where Anderson's 
drug store now stands. There he erected a block 
three stories in height, with a fifty-one- foot 
frontage on Pike Street, and with a depth of 
seventy feet. There he conducted a general store 
for four years, though he still owns the building. 

Mr. Graham has extensive real-estate interests 
in this city, owning on Hammond Street, back of 
the Opera House, a block one hundred feet front, 
which is divided into five dwellings, and also a 
double house on Sussex Street. In 1890 he also 
erected a block on Jersey Avenue, sixty -six feet 
front, two stories in height, arranged for four 
stores below and dwellings above. On West Main 
Street he has a six-apartment building near the 
canal, and also a two-story block on Ball Street, 
opposite the First National Bank. The latter, 
which he erected himself, has fifty-eight feet 
front, being divided into three storerooms. On 
the same street he has a tenement-house two 
stories in height, containing four apartments. He 
also deals extensively in vacant property in Port 
Jervis, and has two fine valley farms in Sussex 
County, N. J., about a mile from the village, one 
comprising two hundred and twenty acres, and 
the other fifty-four acres. These he rents. In 
Pennsylvania property he has also dealt to some 
extent, and is interested in the Port Jeivis & 
Monticello Railroad. 

On the 3d of January, 1844, Mr. Graham was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Jane Ridge- 
way, who was born in Milford, Pike County, Pa., 
February 25, 1823, and is a daughter of Charles 
B. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Ridgeway. Her fa- 
ther was Justice of the Peace for many years 
in Pennsylvania. Her maternal grandfather, 
Thomas J. Barnes, was the founder of the family 
in the United States, and was an Englishman by 
birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been 
born five daughters. Mary Ellen is Mrs. Howard 
Marvin, of Port Jervis. Florence, now Mrs. Peter 
Wit.shchief, lives with her parents and has two 
children: Graham Witshchief, who graduated from 
the high schools of Port Jervis and the Albany 
Law School, and is a student in Judge Howell's 
law office; and Sarah Gertrude Witshchief, who 
graduated from Vassar College in the Class of 



'95. Blanche is the wife of John Lester, of Ham- 
ilton, Canada. Grace, who is the wife of Irving 
EUston, makes her home in Port Jervis. Anna, 
who completes the family, married William H. 
Dafoe, an expert accountant, and they now make 
their home in Chicago, 111. 

Mr. Graham affiliates with the Democracy, but 
takes no active part in politics. He is not con- 
nected with any religious organization, but his 
wife holds membership with the Presbyterian 
Church. They now reside at their beautiful and 
commodious home at No. 72 East Main Street, 
where they entertain their many friends, and are 
surrounded with all the comforts and manj' of the 
luxuries of life. Mr. Graham is a man of large 
phy.sique, in manner courteous and gentlemanly, 
and is held in the highest respect throughout the 
community. 

EHARLES W. HOYT was born in 1856 upon 
the fann in the town of Wallkill which he 
still owns. Since attaining manhood he has 
been engaged in business for himself as a general 
farmer, and his landed possessions now include 
some one hundred and fifty acres of highly im- 
proved land. In the management of his interests 
he has displayed excellent judgment and good 
business talent, and has placed his farm in the 
best possible shape, its substantial buildings and 
other valuable improvements showing his thrift 
and industry. Especially noticeable is his barn, 
a model structure of its kind, 36x120 feet in di- 
mensions, with basement; it has commodious 
quarters for the storage of grain, and also has a 
capacity for thirty-.six head of cattle. 

The parents of our subject, Samuel D. and 
Ruth (Reeves) Hoyt, were born in this county, 
where the father spent his time principally in ag- 
ricultural pursuits, although for four years he 
conducted a hotel at Fair Oaks, also one at How- 
ells. He died April 22, 1895, having for thirty 
years survived his wife, who died in 1865, at the 
time her son, Charles W. , was only nine years of 
age. Our subject gained the rudiments of his 
education in the public school, after which he at- 



940 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tended a private school at Middletown. Reared 
upon a farm, agriculture has been his main occu- 
pation in life, and of this calling he has made a 
success. 

When read}' to establish a home of his own, 
Charles W. Hoyt was united in marriage, in 1881, 
with Miss Sarah F. Carpenter, daughter of Joel 
and Arminda (Godfrey) Carpenter, the former a 
native of Orange, the latter of Sullivan County, 
this state. Two children bless this union, named, 
respectively, Lillie M. and Harold \V. In his 
fraternal relations Mr. Hoyt is actively identified 
with Lancelot Lodge No. 169, K. of P. He pos- 
sesses sound common sense, a marked faculty for 
practical work, and these attributes, together with 
his financial sagacity, have enabled him to lay 
the foundation of solid and .substantial prosperity. 
His reputation for honesty and general integrity 
is good, and he stands well with his neighbors. 
In politics he has allied himself with the Demo- 
cratic party. 



0AMUELJ. MASTERSON, the well known 
?\ merchant of Howells, was born in Mt. Sa- 
Q) lem, Sussex County, N. J., July 27, 1843, 
being a son of Zelotes G. and Jane (Hoyt) Mas 
terson. His father, who spent his entire life in 
New Jersey, was engaged in general farming, 
and took an active interest in religious and 
benevolent enterprises. He died in that state in 
1847, when our subject was onl}' four years of 
age. The wife and mother, who was born in the 
town of Wallkill, died Februarj' 12, i860. Both 
the Masterson and the Hoyt families originally 
came from Holland, but have been represented 
in this country for several generations. The 
paternal grandparents of our subject were Sam- 
uel and Sarah Masterson, natives of New Jersey. 
On account of his father's death our subject 
was obliged, at an early age, to assume the man- 
agement of the home farm for his mother, and in 
that way there were developed in his character 
traits of self-reliance and independent thought. 
In 1855 he accompanied an uncle to Illinois, 
where he remained until 1859, and then returned 



to his native home. When a young man he 
learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol- 
lowed to some extent. In 1865 he opened a mer- 
cantile store at Howells, and since then has en- 
gaged in merchandising most of the time. He 
has also had a large trade in the buggy and 
wagon manufacturing business, which he still 
follows. 

March 23, 1871, Mr. Masterson married Miss 
Julia A., daughter of Charles and Julia A. Gil- 
lett, of this county. Four children comprised 
their family, but Janie May and Homer are the 
only survivors. Wilbur J., the eldest son and a 
young man of business ability, was engaged in 
merchandising in this county until his death, Oc- 
tober 15, 1894. George E. is also deceased. Mr. 
Masterson is a member of Middletown Lodge 
No. 112, I. O. O. F., and politically affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 



WILLIAM H. HOLDEN is the proprietor of 
the glove and mitten factory at Mechanics- 
town, which by his enterprise and sj'stem- 
atic management has become one of the import- 
ant industries of the county. He was born in 
Montgomery Count}-, this state, in 1859, and is a 
son of Henry and Maria M. (Plank) Holden, 
both natives of this state, and at present residents 
of Gloversville, Fulton County. The father is 
still actively engaged in business, and holds the 
position of finisher of glove-leather, having al- 
ways devoted especial attention to that industry. 
The common schools of Mechanicstown afford- 
ed our subject his primary educational advantages, 
and afterward he received instruction from a pri- 
vate tutor at this place. Early becoming familiar 
with the process of glove-making, he has made 
this his life occupation, and in it he has gained 
success. In 1890 he established his present bus- 
iness, and the industry is a valuable one in the 
county and to the citizens. His institution fur- 
nishes employment for some twenty-five men and 
women, and the plant has an average capacity of 




SAMUEL ROBERSOX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



943 



thirty-five dozen pairs of gloves per da}'. All 
the products of the factory- are marketed in Xew 
York City. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Holdeu 
in 1881 was Miss Cora E., daughter of Theodore 
and Mary C. (St. John ) Bradner, all natives of 
this county. Mr. and Mrs. Holden are the par- 
ents of two sons. Arthur B. and Henry T., who 
are intelligent and promising lads. The family 
attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which 
both Mr. Holden and his wife belong. Socially 
he is actively connected with the American Le- 
gion of Honor at Middletown. While he lias 
never taken an active part in politics, his busi- 
ness matters consuming his entire time, he is 
nevertheless well informed on public questions, 
and is a stanch adherent of Democratic principles. 
He has his factory fitted up with all needed ap- 
pliances, and conducts his business after the most 
approved methods, as a result of which he has 
met with success, and his factory has steadily 
grown to its present importance. 



-^=m>^-<^ 



^AMUEL ROBERSOX, Sr., one ofthe wor- 
/\ thy citizens of BuUville, in years past took an 
C^ active part in man\" of the leading indus- 
tries and enterprises of the place. For many 
years he conducted the Bullville Hotel, and also 
owned a distillery, which he ran with much suc- 
cess for nearly twentj- years. As a merchant of 
good standing in Sears\-ille, he carried on a splen- 
did business for a number of years; was also the 
owner of considerable farming land in the town of 
Crawford, and was engaged in the sawmill busi- 
ness for some time. 

Our subject was born April 6, 1S15, in West- 
chester County, X. Y.. and was the elde.st but 
one in a family of nine children born to Dele- 
van and Abigail (Ferguson) Roberson. Reu- 
ben, the eldest, died aged threescore years and 
ten: William is a resident of Xew York City; Al- 
bert died when seventy years old; John was 
wounded during his service in the late war, and 
was an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, 
X. Y., where he died; Isaac died at the age of 



sixty -six years; Alouzo makes his home in Bing- 
hamton, this state; Jane is the wife of Philip 
Deyo, who also makes his home in the last-named 
place; and Lodima lives in Brooklyn. 

The father of our subject was also born in 
Westchester County, whence he removed after 
attaining mature years to Ulster County, and 
there lived until his death, which occurred when 
he was seventy years old. His parents in turn 
were bom in Xew York, and as far back as our 
subject has any record his ancestors were natives 
of this state. Mrs. Abigail Roberson was also 
born in Westchester CountA-, and was seventy -six 
years old at the time of her decease, in 187 1 . 

When a lad of seven years our subject left 
home and went to live with a neighboring farmer, 
it having been arranged that he was to work for 
his board and clothes. After remaining with him 
for four years he left and went to Xorwalk, Conn. . 
where he obtained employment in a hat factor},-. 
He continued in that cit}- for a number of years, 
and afterward followed this business in other 
places until 1840, the year in which he went to 
Searsville. He at once engaged in the mercantile 
business, running a good store for a time, or un- 
til he gave his undivided attention to conducting 
a hotel. In 1857 he came to Bullville, and, pur- 
chasing a hotel, was its proprietor until retiring 
from active life. At the same time he became 
the proprietor of fort\- acres of excellenth- culti- 
vated land, which he operated in connection with 
his other enterprise. He still owns this land, al- 
though he does not operate it. 

In 1837 Mr. Roberson and Miss Margaret 
Martin were united in marriage. The lady was 
also a native of this state, and became the mother 
of seven sons and daughters, viz.: Theodore: 
Samuel D., whose sketch the reader will find 
elsewhere in this volume: William James: Mar- 
garet Ann: Mar\- Jane, who died in 1859; and 
two who died in infancy. 

In his younger days our subject took an active 
part in politics, and was influential in the ranks 
of the Democratic party in this vicinity. He 
served as Clerk and Auditor for a number of 
years, but did not seek office, as he preferred to 
give his attention to his private interests. He is 



944 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



not a member of any religious denomination, but 
contributes liberally to the support of the churches 
in his community. Among other contributions 
he gave the land on which was erected the fine 
brick Methodist Church building near his home 
in Bullville. He is a remarkably well preserved 
old gentleman, being now in his eighty-first year. 
His life throughout has been most active and 
successful, his good wife aiding and assisting in 
all his enterprises for over fifty-eight years. They 
are now retired and living in the enjoyment of rest 
and health in a nice residence in the village of 
Bullville. 

(Tames H. smith, who for many years was 
I a resident of the town of Wawayanda, was 
(2/ born in Sussex County, N. J., October 15, 
18 18, and was the son of William and Lucy 
Smith, who were the parents of three children. 
Our subject was reared on a farm until eighteen 
years of age, receiving .such education as was af- 
forded by the common schools, and as.sisting in 
the farm work. When eighteen he began to 
work at the carpenter's trade, following that oc- 
cupation until 1843. That year occurred his 
marriage with Miss Sarah Van Tassel, of the 
town of Wawayanda. They became the parents 
of three children, Virgil V., William and Ga- 
briella, but all are now deceased. Mrs. Sarah 
Smith died in 1846, and January 16, 1852, Mr. 
Smith was united with Miss Harriet Doty. She 
was born November 27, 1824, in the town of 
Wawayanda, and is the daughter of John and 
Dolly (Hemingway) Doty, who were the parents 
of nine children, four sons and five daughters. 
By his second marriage Mr. Smith had seven 
ehildren: Jolui, now residing in Warwick; Eliza- 
beth, wife of John Young; James H., of Middle- 
town; Jennie, deceased; George W., Herbert, 
and Charles, at home. 

After their marriage, the young couple moved 
to a farm in the town of Wawaj'anda, where they 
lived until 1866, when they came to the farm 
where the family now resides. The farm con- 
sists of one hundred and seven acres, and here 



Mr. Smith lived and carried on farming until his 
death, which occurred March 6, 1886. He was a 
member of the Methodist Church, to which de- 
nomination his wife also belongs. Politically he 
was a Democrat. His death was mourned by a 
large circle of friends, and his remains are inter- 
red in the Ridgeburg Cemetery. Commencing 
life a poor bo)', he continued to work until he 
succeeded in accumulating enough of this world's 
goods to place himself and family in comfortable 
circumstances. 



(^ 



(^ 






^ 



/TlLARKSON BIRD, whose farm is one of the 
I C most beautiful in the town of Wallkill, was 
^J born in Sussex County, N. J., July 6, 1852. 
His parents, Clarkson and Mary E. (Bond) Bjrd, 
were natives of Hunterdon County, N. J., but 
spent their lives principally in Sussex County, 
where the father followed the occupation of a 
farmer, also for some time engaged in mining, 
and for twenty years successfully conducted a 
creamery. By his upright life he commended 
himself to the confidence of the people, and his 
death, in July, 1883, was mourned by all who 
knew him. His estimable wife passed away in 
1889. 

In the district schools of Sussex County, which 
were inferior to those of the present day, "Clark" 
Bird received his education. Early in life he 
gained a thorough knowledge of the occupation 
of a farmer, and this he has followed, more or less, 
since starting out for himself For fifteen years 
he was engaged in the creamery business, in 
which he built up a large trade and was very suc- 
cessful. In the spring of 1895 he located upon 
the beautiful farm where he now resides. This 
comprises one hundred and eight acres of highly 
cultivated land, improved with buildings .suited 
to their varied purpo.ses and a residence of modern 
design and architecture. Here he carries on ag- 
ricultural operations, making a specialty of the 
milk business, in which he has so long and suc- 
cessfully engaged. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



945 



December 28, 1875, Mr. Bird was united in 
marriage with Miss Fannie, daughter of Legrand 
and EmeHne (Longcor) Pellet, natives of New 
Jersey. Mrs. Bird was born in Sussex County, 
that state. Her children, four in number, are; 
Lulu, Emma, Edith and Lizzie. One son, Fred- 
die, is deceased. While Mr. and Mrs. Bird are 
not identified with any denomination, thej' attend 
services at the Presbyterian Church and are in- 
terested in its welfare. In politics he favors Re- 
publican principles, and is well informed concern- 
ing the great questions of the age. 

' — Q ^ P — • 



NILAND H. HUNT. At the time Mr Hunt 
came to Middletown, in 1852, it had a popu- 
lation of only eighteen himdred, and pre- 
sented few indications of its present pro.sperity. 
He was one of the first manufacturers to establish 
him.self in business here from abroad, but his 
coming induced another firm to establish a factory 
on what is now Railroad Avenue, and after a 
time others followed. In this way he assisted in 
laying the foundation of the present prosperity of 
the place and its importance as a manufacturing 
center. In 1839 he began to manufacture carpet- 
bags in Windham, Greene County, and in 1852 
he and his partner, J. M. Matthews, removed 
their plant to Middletown, where they purchased 
buildings on North Street. Here from the first 
they met with success. For many years while 
Mr. Hunt was at the head of the concern, steady 
employment was furnished to from one hundred 
to one hundred and fifty hands, and the industry 
was one of the most important in the city. 

Near Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y., Mr. 
Hunt was born April 28, 1818, being a son of 
Daniel and Mary (Rowley) Hunt. His grand- 
father, Joseph Hunt, was born in Columbia Coun- 
ty, thence removed to Greene, and later to Albany 
County , where he died . He was a cooper by 
trade, and during the Revolution took part in the 
defen.se of the colonies. His ancestors were of 
Scotch birth. Daniel Hunt, who was born in 
Columbia County, was a soldier in the War of 
i8i2. He was proprietor of a store and also op- 



erated a mill at Windham, Greene County, where 
he died at the age of forty-eight. His wife, who 
was born in Columbia County, was a daughter of 
Nathan Rowley, a farmer there; she died at six- 
ty-five years of age. 

The nine children comprising the parental fam- 
ily attained years of maturity, but only four are 
now living. Hiland H., who was the eldest 
child and is the only surviving son, was reared 
in Greene County, where, before he was fifteen, 
he began to clerk in his father's store. In 
1839, when he was twenty-one, he formed a part- 
nership with Jonathan M. Matthews, and the 
firm of Matthews & Hunt carried on a general 
store, also engaged in manufacturing carpet-bags, 
etc. In 1845 they established a store in New 
York City, which still exists, being a wholesale 
carpet-bag manufactory. After coming to Mid- 
dletown, J. F. Matthews was taken into the firm, 
and the name was changed to Matthews, Hunt 
& Co. As such it remained until 1869, when 
Mr. Hunt sold out and retired. 

During his residence in Middletown Mr. Hunt 
has dealt extensively in real estate, and he now 
owns a number of houses in different parts of the 
city, also the Exchange Building on North Street. 
In 1852 he purchased his present homestead, and 
five years later he erected on this site a residence 
that was then the finest in the place, and is .still a 
substantial and handsome dwelling. Realizing 
that railroads would increase the commercial ac- 
tivities of the city, he was an active factor in the 
building of the Middletown, Unionville & Water 
Gap Railroad, now the New York, Susquehanna 
& Western, of which he was Managing Director 
and one of the first stockholders. 

October 14, 1845, at Windham, N. Y., Mr. 
Hunt and Miss Mary Blanchard were united in 
marriage, and fifty N-ears later, at their home in 
Middletown, they were the recipients of congrat- 
ulations from hosts of friends on the occasion of 
their golden-wedding day. Mrs. Hunt was born 
in Durham, where her father, Joseph Blanchard, 
was a practicing physician. Though childless, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have seldom been without 
children in their home, and several are indebted 
to them for care in childhood. They adopted a 



946 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



daughter, Louise, who is a graduate of Wallkill 
Academy and wife of W. F. O'Neil, an attorney 
of this place. Formerly our subject was connect- 
ed with the Masons and the orderof Odd Fellows. 
A Democrat in politics, he was at one time promi- 
nent in local affairs, and served as Trustee of the 
village of Middletown for five years during the 
early period of his residence here. 



y/l ORRIS ROBINSON. At various times 
Y representatives of other nationalities have 
\3t sought a home in Orange County, and 
among this class of foreign -born citizens few have 
met with greater success in agricultural operations 
than has rewarded the efforts of Mr. Robinson, of 
the town of Wallkill. He is a native of Poland, 
and was born in 1854, being the son of Udel and 
Fannie Faulkofif, who spent their entire lives in 
that country. At the age of twenty he came to 
America to seek his fortune in the New World, 
bringing with him no capital, but plenty of perse- 
verance, energy and determination to succeed. 
His education, which had been received in his 
native land, was fair and practical, and it was not 
long before he had a thorough knowledge of the 
language and customs of the people of the United 
States. 

After coming to America Mr. Robinson engaged 
in a mercantile business in different places, and 
in 1880 he settled in the city of New York, where 
he has since been identified with important inter- 
ests. In May, 1895, he purchased the beautiful 
place known as the "Hollyrood Stock Farm," 
which consists of three hundred and fifty acres of 
well improved and valuable land, making an ideal 
home. The residence is a substantial structure, 
containing every modern convenience and fur- 
nished in a manner indicating the refined tastes of 
the family. The environments are also all that 
could be desired, the grounds attractive, and every 
improvement made that will add to the beauty of 
the place. The barns and outbuildings are 
adapted to their varied u.ses and are very large. 



covering several acres of ground. All in all, the 
home is one of the most inviting and beautiful in 
the county. 

In 1865 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage 
with Miss Fannie Smith, also a native of Poland. 
They are connected in religious belief with the 
Jewish Church, in which faith they have reared 
their children, Samuel A., Betsy, Benjamin and 
Rachel. One of their children is deceased, and 
the four who are living are still with their par- 
ents. Socially Mr. Robinson is a member of the 
Masonic order, and politically he is independent, 
casting his ballot for the candidate whom he con- 
siders best fitted for the office. 



(3 6JILLIAM S. SAYER, one of the successful 
\ A/ business men of Middletown and proprietor 
YY of a livery and sales stable, was born in 
the town of Wallkill, two and a-half miles west 
of Middletown, in 1854. His father, Luther 
Sayer, is an extensive farmer in the town of 
Wallkill, Our subject, who was the second of 
three children, was reared on a farm and received 
his primary education in the public schools, later 
taking a course at Wallkill Academy. On leav- 
ing school he located on the farm one and a-half 
miles from Middletown, on the Dalsantown Road. 
There he engaged in farming, but gave the greater 
part of his attention to the dairy business and to 
the breeding of racehorses. Among some of the 
fine horses that he raised may be mentioned 
' 'Eldorado, ' ' of Knickerbocker stock, which he 
sold when four years old for $1,000. "Jim Fisk" 
was another horse which he raised and trained, 
selling the same for $400. He also sold the 
sweepstake mare "Bessie," besides others. He 
owns "Willie Brook," who has made a mile in 
2:263^, and has a brown horse by "Sweepstake" 
which is one of the finest horses in the citj-. 

In 1886 Mr. Sayer located in Middletown 
and started a livery stable. In this business he 
has been very successful and has built up a very 
large trade. His stable is supplied with about 
thirty head of horses, together with carriages and 




CUL CHARI.KS J. WRIC.HT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



949 



vehicles of every description. He makes a spe- 
cialty of supplying vehicles for wedding parties 
and funerals. 

In 1880 Mr. Saver was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary J. Wood, daughter of John E. Wood, 
who was for many years proprietor of the Knick- 
erbocker Stock Farm. They have two children, 
Lena and Emmett. Politically Mr. Sayer is a 
true-blue Republican and a firm believer in the 
principles upheld by that party. As a citizen, 
he is at all times willing to do his part in the up- 
building of his adopted city . 

QOL. CHARLES J. WRIGHT. Beautifully 
1 1 located at Cornwall on the Hudson, is the 
\J New York Military Academy, of which Mr. 
Wright was the founder and of which well known 
institution he is President. From the start it has 
been very successful, and the present attendance 
of cadets is larger than the enrolled number in 
any of the state military academies of the North. 
Colonel Wright, who has been for a great many 
years thoroughlj^ in sympathy with educational 
progress, is recognized as an able and scholarly 
man, and this in.stitution will prove a fitting mon- 
ument to his foresight and executive abilitj'. 

The Colonel's father, Capt. L. M. Wright, is 
still living and is practicing his profession as a 
civil engineer at Troy, N. Y. Though now 
eighty-three years of age, he enjoys good health 
and might pa.ss for a man twenty years his junior. 
His grandfather, Benjamin Wright, was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, shouldering his mus- 
ket at the time of the battle of Lexington, and 
continuing with the army under Washington at 
Boston. He was in the front line in the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and the comrade who marched be- 
side him in the retreat across Charlestown Neck 
was killed by a shot from the British war vessel. 
The grandfather remained in the service until the 
end of the war, and during the last years of his 
life received a pension from the Government. 

The birth of Col. C. J. Wright occurred at St. 
Johnsbury, Vt., October 21, 1839, and his early 
education was received in Oliver Grammar School 



of Lawrence, Mass. , his instructor there being 
George A. Walton. Later he attended Dwight's 
School, of Boston, and the high school of Niagara 
Falls, N. Y., his father at that time being engi- 
neer of the ship canal at that place. He graduated 
from Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., in the Class 
of '62, and shortly afterward volunteered as a pri- 
vate in the Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 
While encamped at the battery in New York City 
he was promoted to be Fifth Sergeant of Company 
G. With the others of the regiment he was sent 
on transports in the expedition against New Or- 
leans, where he was promoted to the rank of Ser- 
geant-Major. Later his regiment went on a cam- 
paign to Baton Rouge, and subsequently on that 
of the Red River. It was during this expedition 
that a portion of the regiment captured a confed- 
erate fort at Bute-a-la-Rose, La. This was done 
chiefly through the instrumentality of the gun- 
boats, and after the fleet of small war vessels and 
transports had passed up the Red River the fort 
was destroyed and abandoned, the troops going 
aboard the gunboats to act as sharpshooters and 
guards against the Confederate bushwhackers, 
who frequently fired upon them from the dense 
jungle which bordered the narrow bayou. Vol- 
unteers were called for to take dispatches to Gen- 
eral Banks, who had reached Port Hudson, and 
Sergeant Wright was selected. He was taken on 
board the "Hartford," which then lay in the Mis- 
sissippi above Port Hudson, and from Commodore 
Farragut himself received the dispatches and in- 
structions. It was necessary that the gallant 
young officer .should make his way about twelve 
miles through a region occupied by the Confed- 
erate army. A little before midnight, with one 
companion and two good horses, he started on his 
perilous ride. As he approached the hamlet of 
St. Francisville, which was about one-half of the 
journey, a large body of troops was seen to be 
encamped about the place, their sentries pacing 
to and fro. Before Sergeant Wright had decided 
whether it would be best to turn back or to go 
forward, the question was settled by the approach 
of a large body of Confederate cavalry. Drawing 
to one side of the road and saluting the officers in 
command, the dispatch-bearers passed in the 



950 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



darkness withoTit diallmge. The important mes- 
sages were duly delivered to General Banks before 
daylight, and shortly afterward our subject was 
commissioned Lieutenant of Company K. 

On the 19th of April. 1S64. the young Lieu- 
tenant was appointed Lieutenant-Colond of the 
Thirt\--ninth Regiment. U. S. C. T.. and was 
ordered to Annapolis to drill and instruct the 
Foment. This he did successfully, and at the 
opening of the Wilderness campaign he was 
ordered to take command of the Twenty -^venth 
Regiment, U. S. C. T. He was very active 
throughout the campaign, taking part in all its 
battles and marches, and later, at Petersburg 
and in firont of Richmond, did most excellent serv- 
ice. The losses were very heay\- and Colonel 
Wright was himself woonded at Petersburg, 
though remaining in command of the regiment 
until the end of the fight. At Ft. Fisher he was 
again injured, this time very severely, as a bullet 
passed through his left shoulder, becoming im- 
bedded in the scapula, and in later years he was 
granted a pension for this wound. Though still 
suffering very much, he returned to dutj- in time 
to be present at the surrender of Johnstons army 
at Raldgh, N. C. March 13, 1S65, he was 
commissioned by the President ""Brevet-Colonel 
United Slates Volunteers, for gallant and merito- 
rious service during the war." He continaed in 
the Government employ, being engaged in the 
work of reconstruction, until December 4, 1S65, 
when he was honorably discharged. 

WTien only fifteen \-ears of age Colond Wright 
had been appointed teacher of the district sdiocd 
on Grand Island, in the Niagara River, and dis- 
tinguished himsidf, winning the approval of the 
Trustees, parents and pupils. It w^as at this time 
that he felt the need of a college educatio:; 
which he determined to secure, and after twc 
years of piedagc^c work prepared himseU" in the 
higher branches and earned the necessary money 
for expenses. On the termination of his army 
service he relumed to his (^os»i field of labor, 
and in one month &om the time he had sheathed 
his sword was again in the schocdroom. For 
three years he was Principal of the Milton Class- 
ical Institute, for five years was \lce-PrincipaI of 



the Yonkers High .Schocd, and for foorteen years 
was Principal of Peekskill Academy. That in- 
stitution owes much to his management, for 
when he took hold of it there were but nineteen 
students in attendance, and when he reagned the 
principalship there were about one hnndred and 
fifty cadets enrolled. He introduced new sys- 
tems of discipline and study, and made several 
important additions to the original edifice. Since 
iSSS he has been President of the New York 
Military Academy. The school is chartered by 
the stale of New York, and its miUtary work is 
under the supervison of the war department, and 
a United States officer is detailed as Professor of 
Military Science, and is also Commandant. 

The marriage of Colonel Wright and Margaret 
Worrall Bard was celebrated in 1S6S. Mrs. 
Wright is a daughter of James M. Bard, formerly 
Registrar of Westchester Count\-. X. Y. She has 
always been deeply interested in educational work 
and has been of great assisLmce to her husband, 
who nankly attributes much of his success to her 
sympathy and clear ideas. At present she has 
charge of the preparatory department for the Mil- 
itar\" Academy, known as Bard Hall. Colood 
Wright is very- popular with his pupils and is a 
genial and pleasant instructor. Fraternally he 
belongs to the military order of the Loyal L^on. 
the Scms of the Revolution, and the Grand Army 
of the Republic. He takes great pleasure in 
travel, and is a man who has seoi much .of the 
world. It was his privilege in i S7S to visit Europe, 
making extensive trips in England. Scotland, 
France, Germany. Switzerland, Italy. Belgium 
and Holland. In politics he is a stanch Repub- 
lican. 

_^=i:^ ^ — • . 

^HEODORE COMFORT. As one of the 
I C capable, efficient tartners of the town of 
V2/ Wallkill. Mr. Comibrt is well and favorably 
known throughout this locality. With the ex- 
cepticm of six months spent in New York City, 
he has constantly engaged in agricultaral pnr- 
snits. and his success in this occnpaticn is such 
as to substantiate the belief that he made no mis- 
take in selecting his vocation. He makes his 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECX)RD. 



home upon a finely improved farm of one hundred 
acres, upon which are good buildings and imple- 
ments bearing the latest improvements. 

In this count\- the birth of Theodore Comtbrt 
occurred June 26. 1S49. his parents being Theo- 
dore S. and Jane (^ McWilliams Comtbrt, also 
natives of this couut>-. His lather learned the 
trade of a blacksmith when he was a young man, 
and followed that occupation tor many years, but 
for some time he has devoted his attention especi- 
ally to farm work. Notwithstanding the tact that 
he is now eighty-six years of age. he enjoys ex- 
cellent health and the possession of his mental 
iaculties unimpaired. His estimable wife, who 
for many years was his wise helpmate, passed 
jfirom earth in 1S79. 

Attending the district schools in boyhood, our 
subject gained a practical education that fitted 
him for active life. He was reared upoo a farm, 
and upon arriving at man's estate selected agri- 
culture for his vocation. This he has sauce fol- 
lowed, making a specialty of the dairy business, 
which he conducts on an extensive scale. His 
farm buildings are modem, each adapted to its 
special purpose. There is not the minutest ap- 
pearance of neglect on the place, but everA'thing 
indicates the careful attention of the thrifty 
owner. 

April 12. 1SS7, occurred the marriage <rf Mr. 
Comfort and Miss K. Anna Sloat. daughter of 
A. C. and Matilda • Famham Sloat. of this 
county. Mrs. Comfort graduated . from the Al- 
bany State Normal, and for several years prior to 
her marriage taught school. Two children bless 
their union, Charles A. and Newman. Mr. and 
Mrs. Comfort are earnest and devoted members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and in this connec- 
tion, as in all the relations of life, they are active 
in forwarding the mterests of those about them. 
He is an Elder in the congregation, also a teach- 
er in the Sunday-school, and has officiated as 
President of the Christian Endeavor Society-, and 
as Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a 
number of years. In politics he is a stalwart Re- 
publican, always voting his part\- ticket, but 
never aspiring to public positions for himself, pre- 
ferring to give his attention to his private affairs. 



His life in -this communit>- has been one which 
not only redounds to his credit, but also to the 
good of his neighbors. He has ever identified 
himself with the best interests of the town, and 
is known as a valued citizen, whose life entitles 
him to the regard and esteem of all. 



^g^^^* 



(lOHX W. ELLIS. With the exception of 
I two years sj)ent at sea. Mr. Ellis has been 
v2/ engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout 
his entire active life, and he has met with com- 
mendable success in his chosen occupation. In 
the town of Wallkill he owns and oj»erates a val- 
uable estate of sixty-four acres, upon which he 
has made substantial improvements, and which, 
as a result of his efibrts. has been placed under a 
high state of cultivation. 

Bom in this county January 13. 1S22. the sub- 
ject of our sketch is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth 
. Lamb> Ellis. His fether. who was a native of 
Dutchess County, came to Orange Count>- in 
early manhood, and spent the remainder of his life 
here. His chosen occupation was that of a coop- 
er, which trade he followed in connection with 
rarming pursuits. Though he never became well- 
to-do, he was prospered in his undertakings, and 
in his last days was surrounded by the comforts 
of life, secured through the judicious manage- 
ment of his afiairs in former years. His good 
wife passed away some years after his decease. 

No event of an unusual nature marked the 
youth of John W. Ellis, which was quietly passed 
in the routine of farm work and attendance at 
school. At the age of twenty-four, in 1S46. he 
was united in marriage with Miss Phcebe R.. 
daughter of Ananias McCarter. of this county. 
Seven children were bom of the union, of whom 
four are now living, as follows: Ann Elizabeth, 
who is with her parents: Albert Eugene: Isaac 
B.: and Alice L., wife of Peter B. Harford, of 
Middletown. In religious belief Mrs. Ellis is 
connected with the Old-school Baptist Church. 
Interested in educational affairs, our subject has 



952 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



served as a school officer, and has been of aid in 
promoting the welfare of the schools of his dis- 
trict. He is a firm Democrat politically, and is 
opposed to all monopolies, believing that they de- 
grade labor and depreciate its value, while plac- 
ing the wealth of the countr\- in the hands of a 
few. 

: "^•?^#=— I 

P'RAXKLIN GOULD, the owner of a valu- 
jM able farm in the town of Wallkill, was bom 
I ^ in New Hampshire in 1S26, and is the son 
of Jarel and Miriam (Worthly^ Gould, who 
spent their entire lives in New Hampshire, their 
native state. The father, who was a farmer by 
occupation, was a quiet, unassuming man, a 
good citizen and kind neighbor, and his death, in 
1S65, was mourned by all who knew him. The 
mother preceded him to the better land, dying in 
1852. 

In boyhood Franklin Gould had only such ad- 
vantages as the common schools afibrded. He 
remained under the parental roof until he was 
twent\--one years of age. when he embarked in 
the railroad business, becoming'au engineer. For 
a period of almost thirt>- years he was employed 
in that capacit\-, being mainly in the ser\-ice of 
tlie Erie Road, and had the honor of running the 
first narrow -gauge engine ever run on that rail- 
itjad. For eighteen months he had charge of 
sixty engines and more than two hundred men 
on a Missouri road. After severing his connec- 
tion with the railway company, he came to Or- 
ange Count\- and purchased the fine farm upon 
which he still li\-es. The place consists of one 
hundred and fortj- acres, upon which there are 
substantial and well equipped buildings, adapted 
to their varied uses. While he is not actively 
engage! in tilling the soil, he maintains a general 
oversight of tlie land, and its fine improvements 
are due largely to his enterprise. 

In iS6i Mr. Gould married Miss Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Jouailian B. Dunning, a well known citi- 
zen of this countv-. They became the parents of 
fi\-e diildren, but met with a heavy loss in the 
death of four of the number. The only surviv- 
ing child is a son, Harry Dunning, a promising 



young man who resides with his parents. Mrs. 
Gould is a lady of sincere Christian character, 
and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Middletown. Her mother was Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Vail, formerly one of the farmers 
of the town of Goshen. Mr. Gould has a sister 
yet li\-ing, Mrs. Emily Osborne, who is in good 
health at the advanced age of fourscore years. 

While Mr. Gould has never taken an active 
part in politics, his convictions on questions re- 
lating to the welfare of the Government are very 
strong. He is a Republican, with an abiding 
faith in the purit>- and logic of that f>art\-"s teach- 
ings. Preferring to devote his attention to his 
private affairs, he has never sought official posi- 
tions nor cared to occupy public places. He is 
unquestionably a good citizen, interested in all 
enterprises affecting the progress of the town, and 
de%-oled to the welfare of the people. 



3 AMES M. BROWX is a retired fiarmer liv- 
ing in the town of Wallkill, where he was 
bom in 1S31. He is a son of John Brown. 
Jr., and Rachel Coleman ■ Brown, both of whom 
were natives of the same town, and who here 
spent their entire lives. The father was quite 
prominent in his day, ranking among the best 
farmers of his town, and served his fellow-dti- 
zens as Suj»ervisor for a number of years. He 
died many years ago, loved and respected by all. 
His good wife preceded him to the better world 
several years. 

The subject of this sketch attended the district 
schools as opportunity was affi>rded him in early 
life, and was reared on the farm, spending man> 
\-ears of his life in agricultural pursuits. For 
about tweut\-five years, however, he was en- 
gaged as a drover, in which he was fairly snc- 
cesisful. In Januarx-. 1895. he retired from act- 
ive business, and is now spending his days quiet- 
1\- upon his beautiful farm, which consists o: 
fift>- acres of finely impro\-ed land, on which are 
model, substantial farm buildings. While carry- 
ing on farming to a limited extent, his attention 
has been principally given to the milk business 




HON. MORCAN SHUIT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



955 



In 1872 Mr. Brown was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary J. Mackison, a native of Orange 
County, and a daughter of William and Margaret 
(Wilson) Mackison, who were likewise natives 
of Orange County. Mrs. Brown is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church at Scotchtown, and 
takes great interest in all religious and charitable 
work. In politics Mr. Brown is a stalwart Re- 
publican, with which part\' he has been con- 
nected since its organization, but has never had 
any desire for official position. His business in- 
terests have been such in the past that he has had 
little time to devote to anything else. However, 
he tries to keep posted on current events, especi- 
ally in the political history of hisstat^ and nation. 



-inz 



z^ 



HON. MORGAN SHUIT, who died July 29, 
1884, was born in Ridgefield, Conn., Jan- 
uary- 21, 1812, spent his childhood in Ridge- 
field and Danbury. that state, but when twelve 
years of age he walked across the country and 
came to Orange County, and stopped with his 
uncle, Josiah Mueller. Some years afterward, in 
connection with his brother James, he began the 
manufacture of fancy combs at Highland Mills, 
at which he was quite successful for a time, but 
fashions changed and the business was disposed 
of, there remaining not more than $1 between 
them. His brother afterward embarked in the 
mercantile business, which he continued until 
his death, in 1S44, when our subject took charge 
of the business and continued it until 1864, when 
he disposed of it to his nephew. 

Retiring from the mercantile business, Mr. 
Shuit engaged in farming and continued in that 
vocation until his death. He seemed to have a 
mania for buying land, and before his marriage he 
owned three farms, besides large tracts of wood- 
land, and for many years furnished wood to the 
Erie Railroad. 

Mr. Shuit was twice married. By his union 
with Mary Ann Titus, which took place Decem- 
ber 3, 1846, there were born seven children: 



Hannah M., now Mrs. Milton Barnes; Mary- 
Anna, who married Peter Turner, and resides 
near Monroe; William Welling, living on Long 
Island; Sarah M., who married Dr. E. E. Elmer, 
of Central Valley; Harriet T., who died in girl- 
hood; Elizabeth T., who married Henry Strouth- 
ers, of New York; and Philadelphia M., who 
married James H. Sharpe, of Moorehead, Minn. 
Mrs. Mary A. Shuit died, and he was married in 
1870 to her sister, Phoebe B. Titus, who was born 
in Canterbury, and who was a daughter of Isaac 
B. and Elizabeth (Cocks) Titus. The former, it 
is thought, was a native of Westbury, L. I., and 
the latter of Lower Clove \'alley, on Woodburj- 
Creek, Orange County. Isaac B. Titus was a 
son of Isaac and Man,- (Betts) Titus, both na- 
tives of Long Island. Soon after the Revolution- 
ary,- War, the great-grandfather, Nicholas Town- 
send, and a great uncle, Jacob Cocks, bought the 
whole valley from what is now Mountaiuville to 
the mineral stream that flows into Woodbury 
Creek, to Woodbury- Falls, and to the mountain 
crest on each side. Isaac Titus was a son of 
Thomas Titus, of Westbury. L. I., who in his 
old age sold his farm on Long Island and spent 
his declining days near Canterbury. His wife 
was a Miss Mary Powell. The mother of Isaac 
B. Titus, Mary Betts, who was from Newtown, 
L. I., was a daughter of Capt. Samuel and 
Mary Betts, the former of whom served in the 
Revolutionary army. During that struggle their 
house was destroyed, and they remarked that if 
they had the rebel captain they would hang him 
to an apple tree then growing in the yard. This 
tree, a seedling, was the tree from which New- 
town pippins originated. 

Elizabeth Cocks was a daughter of Jacob and 
Hannah (Townsend) Cocks, the latter of whom 
was born on Long Island, and was a daughter of 
Nicholas and Philadelphia (Robbins) Townsend, 
both of whom were natives of Long Island. Jacob 
Cocks, a son of Henn,- Cocks, was also a native 
of Long Island. To the parents of Mrs. Shuit, 
Isaac B. and Elizabeth Titus, were born seven 
daughters. Sallie D., now deceased, was twice 
married, first to Alexander McElroy, and then to 
Noah Brooks: Marv Ann was the first wife of 



956 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Morgan Shuit; Hannah C, deceased, married 
Robert L. Gough, of Westport, X. Y.: Martha 
died young: Susan C. is also deceased; PhcebeB. 
married Morgan Shuit after the death of her sis- 
ter: and Elizabeth is also deceased. 

Morgan Shuit was a leader in local politics, aud 
was origiually an old-line Wliig. but later became 
a Republican. For thirty -one years he was Su- 
per\"isor of the town, serving longer iti tliat oflSce 
than any man in the state, and was also Justice 
of the Peace for thirty-three years. Though a 
man of few words, aud having a countenance that 
to strangers was hard to judge, his neighbors 
knew him to be a man of sound judgment, and 
he was therefore trusted by all. He was chosen 
executor for many estates because he could be 
trusted. From 1S79-S0 and from iSSo-Si he 
sened as a member of the Assembly. The Betts 
family were Episcopalians, and the Cocks and 
Townisend families were Quakers. 

Philadelphia Robbins was a granddaughter of 
Philadelphia Masters, the first female child bom 
in Philadelphia. She was named for the city, 
and securer! from the municipality handsome 
presents. A pap-sjKHJu and napkin given her are 
now in possession of Philadelphia Sharpe, ot 
Moorehead. Minn. The baby -basket and other 
presents are scattered among the family. 



GlVSTlN H. LIDIXGTON, general yardmas- 
Ll ter of the New York, Ontario & Western 
I \ Railroad, was bom in Fulton, X. Y.. Sep- 
tember 12, 1S47. The Ludiugtons were of Scotch 
descent, four brothers of tliat name coming from 
Scotland to this countr>- at a ver>- early date. 
The grandfather of our subject. Nathaniel Lud- 
ington. who was bom in Herkimer Count\-, N. 
Y., was by occupation a fanner, and was a com- 
missiouevl officer in tlie Revolutionar>- War, faith- 
fully serving his country. Moses E. Ludington, 
the father, was also a native of Herkimer Coun- 
ty, bora in iSoo. He was a general contractor, 
both in railroad and canal work, aud was Super- 
intendent of Construction on the Osweg^o. the 
Erie, and tlie Cavuga & Seneca Canals. He did 



some railroad contracting for the New York Cen- 
tral Railroad between Oswego and Syracuse, and 
afterward established a line of transp>ortation boats 
on the Erie Canal. Finally, however, he sold 
out aud retired irom the business. 

In 1S49. on the discovery of gold in California, 
the father started to that El Dorado. \-ia Cape 
Horn, and was six months in making the voy- 
age to San Francisco. From the latter place he 
traveled on horseback to the mining regions, and 
there remained about three years, when he re- 
turned home, via Panama, and resumed contract- 
ing. In politics he was originally a Whig, and 
later became a Democrat. In religious belief he 
was a Universalist, and fraternally was a Mason. 
He married Elvira Ring, a native of Northamp- 
ton. Mass., and a daughter of Jonathan Ring, 
who was also a native of that state. By occupa- 
tion he was a farmer, and his death occurred in 
Massachusetts many years ago. Of their family 
of twelve children, nine grew to maturit\\ and 
six are living. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the yonug- 
est in the family, was reared in Fulton, and was 
educated in the \'alley Seminary of that place. 
He attended school untU sixteen years of age, 
when he took a position as brakeman on the Os- 
wego & Syracuse Railroad, but was soon after- 
ward made baggageman, and before the expira- 
tion of one year was made conductor. With that 
road he continued until Jannar\-. 1S64. when he 
enlisted in Company K, Twent>--fourth New 
York Cavalry, and was mustered into the service 
at Auburn as a private, for " "three years, or dur- 
ing the war." He saw ser\-icein the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania and Petersburg, and was mustered 
out and honorably discharged at Washington, in 
June. 1S65. 

On recei\"ing his discharge. Mr. Ludington at 
once went to the oil country, locating at Pit Hole, 
aud there engaged in prospecting and sjiecula- 
ting. He was uusnccessfijl at first, but with two 
Syracuse men formed a company, which later be- 
came the Empire Company. For about eighteen 
months he continued in the oil region, and then 
sold out and returned to New York, beginning 
work on the construction of the Pennsvlvania 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



957 



Petrolenni Railroad as a walking boss. Later 
he was foreman of cv>nstniclion on the Buffalo & 
Washington Railroad, running between Buftalo 
and Emporium, Pa. He was next on the Bii£falo 
Division of tlie Erie Railroad, as conductor be- 
tween Buffalo and Homellsville, then with the 
Rochester & State Line i^now the Buffalo, Roch- 
ester & Pittsburg Railroad"*, being in charge of 
the track- laying. Later he was with the Standard 
Oil Company, having in charge the construction 
of their pipe line from Bradford. Pa., to Tide Wa- 
ter. . He then went to Arizona, and built a water 
line from the Wahtoka Mountains to Tombstone. 
Ariz., a distance of twenty-five miles. Return- 
ing East, he accepted a position on the Terre 
Haute & Evans\-ille Railroad at Evans\-ille, as 
conductor between the two pioints. and was then 
on the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. 
running from Toledo to Cincinnati as conductor. 
From that road he returned to the Buffalo, Roch- 
ester & Pittsburg, and after remaining a short 
time in their employ as conductor went to Sioux 
Cit\-. Iowa, in charge oi the construction of the 
Sioux Cit>- & Northern Railroad from Sioux Cit\- 
to Garretson, a distance of one hundred miles. 
He was then in charge of the construction of the 
Pacific Short Line, from Sioux City to O'Neill, a 
distance of one hundred and thirt>- miles. In 
September. 1S90. he accepted a position with the 
New York, Ontario & Western at Hancock, as 
yardmaster. and was there until March. 1S91. 
when he became general yardmaster at Middle- 
town, a position which he yet fills. He has 
charge of all the yards of the road at this point. 
Mr. Ludington was married, in Buchanan, 
Mich., to Miss Alzadie McCoy, who was bom in 
that city, and who is a daughter of Russell Mc- 
Coy, of Virginia, but of Scotch descent. The 
latter was engaged in lumbering and milling in 
Michigan. Besides his pleasant home at No. 123 
Wickham Avenue, Mr. Ludington also owns the 
building at No. 47 Broad Street. In politics he 
is a Democrat, and is Chairman of the First Ward 
Committee. In 1893 ^^^ '"'^s elected a member 
of the Council from the First Ward on the Demo 
cratic ticket, and was made Chairman of the Rail- 
road, Public Buildings and Grounds and the Au- 



diting Committees. Besides he was on several 
otlier important cv">mmittee5, including those of 
Streets and Lighting. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of Warsaw Lodge No. 549, F. &. A. M.: 
Wyoming Chapter No. iSi. R. A. M.: Monroe 
Commanderv- No. 12: Rochester Consistory: and 
Damascus Temple. N. M. S. He is a member 
of tlie Order of Railway Conductors: and is Chief 
Conductor of Millard Di\nsion No. 104. at Mid- 
dletown, and is Chairman of the Committee of 
Arrangements for its annual clam bake. He is 
also President of Ontario Hose Company No. 5, 
of which he became a member in 1S93, and of 
Capt. W. A. Jackson Post. G. A. R. 

From the record here given it will be seen that 
the life of Mr. Ludington has been a very busy 
one. In his work he has been f>ennitted to \-isit 
the greater number of the states in the North and 
West. In railroad business he is thoroughly 
posted, and as a citizen he is esteemed by all who 
know him. 



•1^2^:^ 



:^«- 



(TOHN T. BULL. Postmaster at CircleWUe. 

I and the leading merchant of that place, was 
V2/ born in 1S4S, near the village where he now 
resides. His parents. William H. and Caroline 
1 Welleri Bull, were natives of this count\-, and 
here sf)ent their entire lives, the mother passing 
away on the home farm in 1S94. The father. 
who is still li\-ing, has made of agriculture his 
life occupation, and makes his home upon his fine 
farm near Circleville. He is one of the substan- 
tial and enterprising citizens of the counts-, and is 
deser\-iug of the high esteem in which he is held. 

Reared to manhood on the old homestead, the 
subject of this sketch received a practical educa- 
tion in the district schools, which he attended 
during the winter months. Meantime the sum- 
mer seasons were spent in the ordinar\- routine ot 
farm work. He followed the occupation of an 
agriculturist until he reached the age of twenty- 
three, after which, for some years, he was en- 
gaged in the cattle and stock business. In 1S74 



958 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he purchased his uncle's interest in the mercantile 
business at Circleville, and here he has since re- 
mained, gaining the confidence of the people of 
the town by his upright dealings and sound judg- 
ment. His store is now one of the leading gen- 
eral mercantile establishments in this section. He 
carries a full stock of goods and is prepared to 
supply the wants of his customers. 

In Januar)', 1885, Mr. Bull married Miss Mar- 
tha, daughter of Samuel D. and Susan C. (Budd) 
Shorter, natives of Orange County. One son 
blesses this union, William S. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Bull are sincere Christians, his membership 
being in the Presbyterian Church, while she be- 
longs to the Methodist Church. Socially he is 
identified with Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. 
O. F. In politics he is a firm believer in the 
policy adopted by the Republican party. In 1889 
he was appointed Postmaster at Circleville, and 
although the politics of the administration have 
rotated to the opposite party, he continues to fill 
the office and is discharging its duties to the sat- 
isfaction of all concerned. 

Mr. Bull has quite a reputation as a hunter, 
and has three very finely mounted deer heads, he 
having killed the animals himself. He also has 
a hawk and owl mounted. In Orange and Sulli- 
van Counties he is known as the " Hunter and 
Fisher." 

_:=£D^ P • 

UjEWTON HIGBY, one of the influential citi- 
\ I zens of Pine Bush, was elected to the hon- 
I Ui orable and responsible position of Justice of 
the Peace several years ago, and is still the in- 
cumbent of the office. He was born Februar}- 
26, 1855, on the old homestead in the town of 
Crawford, and was the eldest but one in the fam- 
ily of four children born to Samuel C. and Helen 
M. (Knapp) Higby. James, the eldest, is a resi- 
dent of Denver, Colo. ; Lora is living in Wayne 
County, Pa.; and Samuel Ellsworth died when 
seven years of age. 

Samuel C. Higby was born on the same farm 
on which our subject was born, and lived there 
until 1859, the jear in which he came to Pine 
Bush. He made that place his home until 1870, 



when he was accidentally killed bj' a tree falling 
on him. At that time he was about fortj'-three 
years of age. The paternal grandparents of our 
subject were born on Long Island, and came to 
this section about 181 2. The first of the name to 
.settle in America came hither many years ago 
from Wales. 

The mother of our subject was born in the 
town of Montgomery- in 1829, and now, at the 
age of sixty-six j-ears. makes her home in Penn- 
sylvania with her daughter. Her father was pre- 
vented from participating in the War of 18 12 on 
account of lameness, but two of his brothers, 
Elijah and Alexander, fought in that conflict. 
Her great uncle, Uzeal Knapp, whose grave is 
marked by a monument at Washington's Head- 
quarters in Xewburgh, was the last to survive 
of Washington's bodyguards. 

Our subject remained on the home farm and at- 
tended the common schools until attaining his 
majorit}', when he purchased propertj- near his 
old home, and engaged in furnishing ship-timber 
to the trade. This he has found to be very profit- 
able and has followed it more or less ever since. 
He erected a hotel in Pine Bush, with a liverj- 
stable adjoining, and conducted the same for a 
period of three years After disposing of this 
enterprise he invested his money in a meat- 
market, carrying on a thriving business for three 
years, when he began contracting for dock piles 
and timbers, for which there is a great demand in 
this locality. He also built two good residences 
in the village, but disposed of them later. 

In the spring of 1895 Mr. Higby purchased a 
half-interest in the meat-market at Pine Bush, 
and his aflPairs are so arranged that he devotes 
more attention to this branch of business than he 
does to farm pursuits. The date of our subject's 
marriage with Miss Alice M. Brink was Decem- 
ber 18, 1877. She was born in Ulster County, 
this state, and has become the mother of four 
children, viz.: Irene, an accomplished young 
lady, who is still with her parents; Roscoe, 
Everette and Ellsworth. In politics Mr. Higby 
is a stanch Democrat and takes quite an active 
part in local affairs. Four years ago he was 
elected Justice of the Peace, and so well and ef- 




;A.ML hi, K. FAK.NL.M. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



961 



ficiently did he discharge the duties of the same, 
that he was re-elected by an almost unauimous 
vote, and is now filling his second term. He is 
also serving as Assessor, to which office he was 
elected a second time. Always actively interested 
in school work, for two years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Village Board, and it was owing to his 
push and energy that the addition was made to 
the school building here. He is a member of 
Hiawatha Lodge No. 252, K. of P., of this place, 
and was its representative to the Grand Lodge at 
Watertown, N. Y., in 189.).. He is regarded as 
an able financier, and his success is well merited. 
Among the best residents of the county he has 
many friends, and by all who meet him he is held 
in the highest esteem. 



G: 



'■jy- 






-^1 



^ 



^AMUEL BERNARD FARNUM, who died 
/\ Januar}' 11,1892, was one of the most eminent 
C~/ and honored citizens of Port Jer\is. He was a 
pioneer in various public enterprises, was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Education here for two years, 
and also served much longer as a member of that 
body. He had hosts of friends, to whom he was 
always true, but it was particularly in his domestic 
relations that his amiable and happ\- qualities were 
noticeable. He possessed a rare charity and a 
disposition to overlook the faults of others. 

The birth of S. B. Farnum occurred June 22, 
1 8 10, in Litchfield, Conn., he being the j-oung- 
est son in a large family. With his parents, Peter 
and Chloe (Steel) Farnum, he removed to Otse- 
go County, when he was but five years of age, 
and there passed his youth. In his nineteenth 
year he came to Port Jervis, and thenceforward 
for nearly half a century was connected with the 
Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. His broth- 
er, H. H. Farnum, well known in these parts, 
had been with the concern for about two years 
prior to that time. When but twenty-one j-ears 
of age, our subject was advanced to the position 
of Superintendent of that section of the canal ex- 
tending from Fish Cabin to the Never.sink Locks. 



He retained this office for nearly forty years, and 
was one of the most reliable and fathful emplo3-es 
of the company. During this time the canal was 
enlarged from a mere ditch to its present capaci- 
ty, and although he had never received an engi- 
neer's training, his years of experience had qual- 
ified him well for the great work of construction 
along the section under his charge. He built the 
miles of solid masonr\- above the Delaware River 
upon which the canal rests, and this now stands, 
after the lapse of four decades, a monument to 
his ability. In later years he became interested 
in real estate, and bought and platted several 
tracts of land, also erecting a number of tene- 
ment houses, still in possession of his heirs. More- 
over, he became interested in timber-land near 
Port Jervis and Bolton Ba.sin, besides dealing 
in land at various points. 

A man of strong religious tendencies, Mr. Far- 
num was probably more active than any other 
one person in the erection of the Presbyterian 
Church of Port Jervis in 1851. He contributed 
freely of his own means to this end, and was 
Chairman of the Finance Committee. Again in 
1889 he served on the Building Committee hav- 
ing in charge the erection of the handsome brick 
chapel, and for twenty-five years was Treasurer 
of the Church Board. At the time of his death 
he was one of the Ruling Elders, and was the 
last survivor of the original Board of Trustees. 

Januarj- 12, 1837, Mr. Farnum married Asen- 
ath, daughter of Benjamin Cuddeback. They 
became the parents of six children, of whom five 
survive: Mary, Mrs. R. F. Lord, of New York 
City; Benjamin C; Henry H., civil engineer on 
the public works at Harlem; Lizzie, wife of Al- 
bert StoU, a merchant; and Kittie. Mrs. Far- 
num, who was born May 12, 18 14, is a lady re- 
markably preserved, both mentally and physi- 
cally. 

Never an aspirant for public office, Mr. Far- 
num was nevertheless devoted to the interests of 
the Republican party. He was strictly temperate 
in all his habits, in personal appearance was an 
imposing figure, and in stature was tall and slen- 
der. During his later years his abundant hair 
and full beard were snow-white. His eve was 



962 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



keen and eagle-like, readily piercing to the depths 
of duplicity and beaming in kindliness on ever\' 
one whom he esteemed worthy. He was devoted 
to his family, who in turn nearly worshiped him. 
and to all his children he gave superior educa- 
tional advantages. He was well posted in the 
leading events of the day, and was a great read- 
er, giving much time to the study of histor}- and 
national affairs. 



r~ DWARD McCOXVILLE, who was an agri- 
1^ culturi.st of prominence, notwithstanding the 
I reverses which almost invariably attend the 
career of bread-winners throughout the world, 
came boldly to the front, and with his character- 
istic push and energy- surmounted all diflScult- 
ies. The estate which he formerly occupied com- 
prises a quarter-section of excellent land, located 
in the town of Crawford. 

Our subject was a native of Ireland, and was 
born in Count\- Armagh in September, 1831. His 
parents were James and Mary (Sherdon) McCon- 
ville, the former of whom died when our subject 
was only two j-ears of age. He was an extensive 
fanner, and to some extent he also worked at the 
cooper's trade. Edward was reared by his moth- 
er, acquiring a splendid education in the pub- 
lic schools, and in April, 1852, when twent\--one 
j-ears of age, he embarked on a vessel bound for 
American shores. On arriving at New York he 
made his way to this county and rented a farm in 
the town of Montgomen,-. This he operated suc- 
cessfully for the following eight years, and in 
1864 purchased the estate in the town of Craw- 
ford on which he resided until his decease, July 
23, 1890. 

The subject of this sketch was married, in Au- 
gust, 1858, to Miss Ellen Campbell, who was 
born in County Down, Ireland, in December, 
1826. She was there reared, and when twenty- 
three years of age. in November, 1849. came to 
the United States with her mother. They, too, lo- 
cated in the town of Moutgomerj', where she met 



and married our subject. There were two daugh- 
ters born to them, Mary Helen and Catherine 
Ann, both of whom are still living on the old 
homestead. The wife and mother survived her 
husband until 1893, and in October of that year 
passed away, when sixty-seven years of age. 
The\- were both members of the Roman Catholic 
Church, and were buried side by side in St. 
Mary's Cemetery in Montgomery. 

Edward McConville was at all times and under 
all circumstances a decided Democrat and took a 
great interest in the success of his party. He was 
ver>- active in local affairs, and for over twenty- 
years was Overseer of the Poor. By all he was 
regarded as a representative farmer, and by his 
good management, enterprise and perseverance 
he accumulated a valuable property, leaving his 
daughters well provided for. They give their 
personal attention to the management of the farm 
and have been remarkably successful in garnering 
in each year abundant har\-ests. Mr. McConville 
was very popular in his community and left many 
sincere friends. 



(ejTEPHEX A. SMITH, a prominent farmer 
^\ of the town of Wallkill, was born in the town 
V*J/ of Goshen, April 16, 1855, being a son of 
Stephen and Emily (^Randolph) Smith, both na- 
tives of Orange County. Stephen Smith was well 
known in his day, and during his entire life was 
an agriculturist. In church affairs he took an 
especial interest, and was ever active in his Mas- 
ter's work. He died in 1886, respected by all 
who knew him. His estimable wife is yet living, 
enjoying good health. 

Stephen A. Smith received his early education 
in the schools of Goshen, and for two years he 
attended .school at Chester. He was reared on 
the home farm, and remained under the parental 
roof until the age of twenty-four, assisting his fa- 
ther in the cultivation of the fann. He then came 
to his present farm, which comprises one hundred 
and fifteen acres of finely improved land, and 
which has upon it all the outbuildings necessary 
to make of it a model farm. His home is one of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDl 



963 



the most inviting in the county. In addition to 
farming, for the past four years he has been en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brick, many thou- 
sands of which are turned out annually, and he 
has furnished the material for man\- of the finest 
brick buildings in the thriving city of Middle- 
town. 

Mr. Smith was married, in 1S79, to Alice El- 
mira Robertson, a native of this county, and 
daughter of George \V. and Elsie (Stanton) Rob- 
ertson, who were also natives and respected citi- 
zens of Orange County, although the famih- is of 
Scotch extraction. This union was blessed by 
the birth of two children, one of whom, Gracie 
A., closed her eyes in death at the age of two 
years. Stanley Robertson is yet living and re- 
mains at home with his parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church at Middletown. in 
which body he holds the position of Trustee. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and is a firm believer 
in the principles of that party. He cares nothing 
for oflScial position, preferring to give his atten- 
tion to private affairs. 



i^RS. S. MARETTA THRALL is well 
Y I known to ever\- citizen of Middletown and 
iOl Orange Count\-. She was born at Pratts- 
ville. Greene Countj-, and is a daughter of Al- 
bert E. Babcock, who was born in Ashland, that 
count}.-. Her grandfather, Levi Babcock, was a 
native of Connecticut, and at an early day lo- 
cated in Greene County, where he engaged in 
farming until his death. There also her father 
was reared, and for some \-ears was engaged in 
merchandising at Prattsville. Later he removed 
to Beaver Kill, Sullivan Count\-, where he pur- 
chased a tannery, but after operating the same a 
few years sold out to his brother, Linus Babcock. 
He then located at Callicoon, in the same county, 
where he again engaged in the tanning business, 
also carrying on the lumber trade. During this 
time he ran a sawmill, and was engaged in mer- 
chandising. From the latter place he removed 
to Middletown, and later purchased a tannerj' at 



Lake Como, Wayne County, Pa., where he con- 
tinued business until his death. He died, how- 
ever, in Middletown, at the age of about seventy 
years. He was a successful business man, and 
his political affiliations were with the Republican 
party. He married Margaret Laraway, who was 
bom in Prattsville (formerly known as LeRoy"), 
and who was a daughter of Martineau Laraway, 
of Greene County. On her father's side she was 
of French descent, and on the mother's Holland- 
Dutch. Her death occurred in Middletown, 
when she was seventy years old. She was reared 
in and for many years was a member of the 
Dutch Reformed Church, but while in Middle- 
town attended the First Presbyterian Church. In 
the parental family were two children: S. Maret- 
ta, our subject, and A. Le Roy, who died at the 
age of about twenty-one years. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in 
Libert}- Academ>-, and in Delaw-are Literan- In- 
stitute, at Franklin, Delaware County. At Cal- 
licoon, Sullivan County, she married John \V. 
Thrall, who was born at Milford, Pike County, 
Pa., and who was a son of S. S. Thrall, 
a farmer of that county. When sixteen years 
of age her husband went to Xew York City 
and began clerking in a wholesale house, 
gradually working his way up until he became a 
partner in the firm of Herring & Co. : afterwards 
he was a member of the firm of Thrall & Thom- 
son, of that cit>-. In 1865 he removed to Middle- 
town, and here continued the wholesale grocerj' 
business, and also engaged with his father-in- 
law, Mr. Babcock, in the tannen,- business. Fra- 
tenially he was a Mason. In the business affairs 
of life he was very active, and was ver\- popular 
with all who knew him. His death occurred 
here some years ago. 

From her father Mrs. Thrall inherited consider- 
able property in Middletown, running through 
from College Street to Wickham Avenue, and 
nearly to North Street. That she is not a selfish 
woman is atte.-^ted by her gifts to her adopted citj-. 
Thrall Park, which is nicely laid out and adonied 
with tree,< and shrubbery, was one of her gifts to 
Middletown. In 1892 she gave the site of Thrall 
Ho.spital and erected a building, a large and 



964 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



handsome edifice, at a cost of $13,000. There 
are twentv" ward beds and six private rooms in 
the hospital, which was first incorporated as the 
Middletown Hospital Association, but was later 
changed to Thrall Hospital, in honor of Mrs. 
Thrall. The business is conducted by a board 
of lady managers, consisting of nine ladies, resi- 
dents of the city, and nine city physicians com- 
prise the hospital staff. The hospital is an elegant 
one. and is well furnished throughout. In the 
rotunda of the building has lieen placed a fine 
bronze tablet, manufactured and engraved by 
Tiffany of Xew York, with the following inscrip- 
tion: "This Hospital was erected and presented to 
the city of Middletown. A. D. 1S91, by Mrs. S. 
Maretta Thrall, as a memorial to her parents, 
Albert Evander Babcock and Margaret Laraway 
Babcock." 



«ySAAC H. LIVINGSTON, of the town of 
I Wallkill. was bom in Albany, N. Y.. in 182S. 
X being the son of Hon. Aaron and Nancy 
(^Hollenbeck ' Livingston, natives of this state, as 
were also their resp>ective parents. The father, a 
man of superior intelligence and excellent judg- 
ment, was for many years successfully engaged 
in the mercantile business in Albany, and also 
carried on agricultural pursuits for a long time. 
He represented his district in the General Assem- 
bly, where his ability and acumen made him the 
peer of any of the members. In addition to this 
position of honor, he was also the incumbent at 
different times of various minor ofiices. and as a 
public official, no less than in his p>ersonal affairs, 
he was knowni for his unflinching integritv- and 
shrewd discernment. He attained to an advanced 
age, and passed from earth in 1S77. His good 
wife, who also lived to be more than fourscore 
years of age, followed him in death three years 
after his demise. 

At the age of eighteen the subject of this sketch 
entered a flour and grain store in Albany as clerk, 
and for ten years he remained with the firm. 



They were engaged ver\- extensively in the buy- 
ing and selling of grain, and Mr. Li^'ingston re- 
calls the fact that on many days the}- handled as 
much as thirt>- thousand bushels of barlej-. In 
1865 he came to the valuable farm upon which 
he still lives. This place consists of one hundred 
and seventy acres of finely improved land, ujwn 
which have been erected buildings of modem de- 
sign and substantial character. Though engaged 
in general farming, his principal industry is the 
dair>- business, and in it he has met with success. 
In 1S55 Mr. Livingston married Miss Mar>- T., 
daughter of Isaiah and Temperance 1 Reeve") 
Hulse. natives of this county, where Mrs. Living- 
ston was bom. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. 
Livingston. Elisha Reeve, was a Sergeant in the 
Revolutionary War and died in 1S37. at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty -eight years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Li\"ingston are the parents of four children, as 
follows: Franklin, whose home is in Chemung, 
N. Y.: Smith H. and Annie, who are with their 
parents; and Jennie, wife of Josiah Cox. of Mid- 
dletown. In religious belief Mr. Li\-ingston is a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mid- 
dletown. to which his wife and children belong. 
Politically he advocates Republican principles in 
general elections, but is inclined to be conserv-a- 
tive in local matters. 



Gl LEXANDER C. SLOAT. who has spent his 
Ll entire life in this coimty. and for many years 
I I has been a resident of the town of Wallkill, 
was born in October, 1S22, in the towTi of Craw- 
ford. His parents. Cornelius and Charitj- (Cum- 
mins) Sloat, were also natives of this county, 
and his father for many years satisfactorily and 
efficiently filled the position of Postmaster of 
Pine Bush: also at different times ser\-ed in other 
resp)onsible jtositions, the duties of which he al- 
ways discharged in an able and energetic man- 
ner. His death occurred in 1S50. and his good 
wife followed him in death some years later. 
During his bovhood vears Alexander C. Sloat 




JUSKPI! HMMET .MihiR]'; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



967 



had such educational advantages as the*district 
schools of his neighborhood afforded, but the 
broad information he now possesses has been 
gained rather by self-culture than by training in 
schools. His life has been an unev^entful one, 
unmarked by thrilling events, but he has pursued 
the even tenor of his way peacefully and busilj', 
making friends with all whom business or social 
relations brought him into contact. In youth he 
learned the trade of a wagon-maker, and this oc- 
cupation he has followed almost continuously 
since, and although now in the twilight of life 
he still does considerable work at his trade. 

In 1850 Mr. Sloat took unto himself a help- 
mate. Miss Matilda Farnham becoming his wife. 
This excellent lady is a daughter of Stephen 
Farnham, who was born in this county and spent 
his entire life here. The union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Sloat was blessed by the birth of six children, 
two of whom are deceased. Those who survive 
are Annie, wife of Theodore Comfort, of this coun- 
ty; Stephen, who resides in Middletown; Em- 
mett, who is studying for the ministry, and is 
now at home; and Mary, who is a successful 
teacher in the schools of Bloomfield, N. J. In 
their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Sloat 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. Dur- 
ing his younger years he was a Democrat in 
politics, but for the past few years he has cast 
his ballot with the Republicans. He is a man of 
noble character and has a host of friends in the 
town. 



JOSEPH EMMET MOORE. Among the 
farmers and stock-raisers who have been 
prominent in securing the high standing of 
this county as a great agricultural center, no 
name is more worthy of mention than that of Mr. 
Moore. For many years he has been a resident 
of the town of Greenville, and here he has de- 
veloped a farm that is first-class in all its appoint- 
ments, and is conceded to be one of the best 
regulated estates of the locality. The place con- 
sists of ninety-nine acres, supplied with a fine 
set of conveniently arranged buildings, and its 

43 



broad and well tilled fields yield large harvests 
and a good annual income. In addition to gen- 
eral farming, he is extensively engaged in buy- 
ing and selling hides, and also carries on a large 
trade as a wholesale butcher. 

In the town of Wallkill Mr. Moore was born 
May 7, 1839, being the only child of Jacob and 
Eunice (Parsons) Moore. His father, who was 
a native of Wallkill, died when only twenty-seven 
years of age, and afterwards his mother married 
M. L- McGill, of the same town. She was born 
in Wallkill, and died there August 12, 1863, hav- 
ing had by her second marriage the following 
children: Eugenia, nowthe wife of J. W. Racket, 
of the town of Greenville; Josephine, Mrs. John 
Clark, of Ellenville, N. Y. ; Morgan L. , who de- 
parted this life July 19, 1891; Chauncey, a resi- 
dent of Hudson County, N, Y.; and Charles E., 
whose death occurred at the age of twenty-one, 
April 17, 1876. 

When too young to realize his loss, our subject 
was orphaned by his father's death, after which 
he made his home with his grandfather and an 
uncle. At the age of seventeen he began for 
himself, securing a position on a farm, and being 
thus occupied for three years in the town of 
Wallkill. Later he was emploj'ed in a butcher- 
.shop in Newburgh for a year, after which he 
came to the town of Greenville and made his 
home on a farm with his stepfather, being en- 
gaged mainly in buying and selling stock. Aft- 
er his marriage December 26, 1863, to Miss Sarah 
Jane, daughter of Isaac and Harriet Jane (Schultz) 
Van Ness, he settled upon a rented farm in the 
town of Minisink, where he remained for one 
year, engaged in farming and butchering, and 
carrying on a whole.sale meat trade in Port Jervis. 
On coming to the town of Greenville, Mr. 
Moore purchased a farm, where he remained two 
years, then spent three years on another farm in 
this town, and afterward, in 1870, he bought the 
farm that he still owns. At the time of pur- 
chase it had a tannery upon it, and this he ran 
for two years. He and his wife are the parents 
of .seven children. Lewis Edgar, who is collector 
and solicitor for the East River Gas Company in 
New York City, married Emily Seigel; Lulu 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Eugenia is the wife of William H. Hunt, who is 
engaged in the milk business in New York City; 
James M , a merchant oi Greenville, married 
Minnie J. Hallock; Hattie Idella married John 
G. Seelj', a wholesale and retail milk dealer of 
New York City; Perry Van Ness, who cultivates 
the home farm and is a great help to his father 
in the work, married Florence Annie Carpen- 
ter; Cleta, May and Flora Alda are with their 
parents. 

As a farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Moore has 
shown himself to be practical, skillful and pro- 
gressive, and through, his unaided exertions he 
has risen from poverty to a position among the 
substantial men of the town. He is a man of 
good habits, his honesty, integrity and stability 
of character are well known, and his credit is 
good in financial circles. In politics, as in other 
matters, he has decided opinions, and gives his 
vote and influence to the Republican party. So- 
cially he belongs to Neversink Lodge No. 358, 
I. O. O. F. For thirt3'-five years he has been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which church his wife is also a member, and has 
always been one of its most generous contrib- 
utors, having given one-third of the amount 
necessary for the erection of the church at Green- 
ville, and in other ways assisted in its progress. 



HENRY G. CUDDEBACK, who is prominent 
among the farming interests of the town of 
Deerpark, is located on a tract of three 
hundred acres. He was born on his present farm 
on the 17th of October, 1849, and is a son of 
George and Margaret (Carpenter) Cuddeback. 

His grandfather, Henry Cuddeback, married 
Esther Gumaer, a sister of Peter Gumaer, and to 
them were born seven children: Jacob, who died 
near Milford, Pa.; Simeon, who also passed away 
near the same place; George, the father of our 
subject; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Van Fleet; 
Syrtche, wife of David Swartwout; Catherine, 
wife of Abraham J. Cuddeback; and Huldah, 
wife of David Westfall. 

The third son of this family, George Cudde- 



back, was born in Huguenot, Orange County, 
August 10, 1 81 5, and when eighteen years of 
age removed with his father to the present home 
of our subject. It was Maj. John Decker who 
purchased it from the Indians in 1732, giving as 
compensation various cooking utensils, powder, 
lead, etc., and the original survey was made by 
Peter E. Gumaer, December 6, 1799 On the 
2ist of December, 1848, George Cuddeback mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Carpenter, who was born 
March 24, 1824, and was a daughter of John D. 
and Catherine (Westfall) Carpenter. Her father 
was a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Decker) 
Carpenter, the latter a daughter of Major Decker. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cuddeback became the parents of 
seven children: Henry G., of this sketch; John 
D., who died September 14, 1871, at the age of 
twenty-one years; Mary Ellen, Esther and Mar- 
garet Alice, who died in childhood within a few 
days of one another; Martha, the wife of Reuben 
P. Bell; and George, at home. In 1883 the father 
purchased a farm adjoining that of our subject, 
where he made his home until his death, which 
occurred on the i8th of January, 1889. 

Henry G. Cuddeback has been twice married. 
In 1878 he wedded Miss Libbie A. O'Reilly, a 
daughter of Thomas O'Reilly, of Cochecton, 
N. Y., but after one year of married life she 
died, on the 29th of November, 1879. His sec- 
ond union, which was celebrated February 28, 
1883, was with Miss Sarah Whitlock, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin and Jane (Swartwout) Whitlock, 
of Lyons, N. Y. , and her birth occurred in that 
city. May 29, 1848. Her father was also born in 
Lyons, but while young spent three years in 
Orange County. Her mother was a daughter of 
Philip and Esther (Westbrook) Swartwout, but 
the latter before marrying Mr. Swartwout was 
the widow of a Mr. Westfall. 

After attaining his majority Mr. Cuddeback 
spent two years in teaching in Iowa, but later re- 
turned to the farm, where he remained for the 
same length of time, after which he became pay- 
master for Ross & Sanford, builders of docks 
and bridges of Jersey City, N. J., being stationed 
both in Newburgh, N. Y., and in Virginia. On 
leaving that firm he again made another trip 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



969 



West, and for two years he also carried on the 
grocer}- business in Port Jervis. He is now em- 
plo\'ed in the cultivation and improvement of his 
home farm of one hundred and eightj' acres, and 
also a tract of one hundred and ten acres, the 
latter the old A. J. Cuddeback homestead. In 
connection with general farming he is also en- 
gaged to some extent in stock-raising and the 
dair}' business. He is an industrious, hard-work- 
ing man, and his place indicates the thrift and 
enterpri.se of the owner. His estimable wife 
holds membership with the Reformed Church. 



■•♦>^®(®®^«- 



ROBERT W. SHAW. Upon one of the finest 
farms of the town of Wallkill we find the 
home of Mr. Shaw, a native-born son of 
Orange County and prominent and well known 
as a member of its farming community. Through 
his activity in developing the agricultural re- 
sources of his town, he has. materially promoted 
its rise and progress. For almost a quarter of a 
century he has owned and occupied his present 
farm, which consists of one hundred and forty 
acres of land, amply provided with buildings of a 
neat and substantial class, and all the modern ap- 
pliances for carrying on agriculture to the best 
advantage. 

In the county where he has since resided Mr. 
Shaw was born August 30, 1832, being a son of 
Alexander W. and Adeline (Welch) Shaw, na- 
tives of this county, who passed their entire lives 
within its limits. His father learned the taimer's 
trade in his j-outhful j'ears, and this he followed 
for a time, though his latter years were main- 
ly devoted to the occupation of an agricultur- 
ist. He was a man who had the esteem of all 
who knew him. The interests of the community 
he made his, and as a true citizen he aided in 
many ways its development and progress. He 
died in 1852, when Robert W. was twenty years 
old, and his wife passed away some six years 
later. 

The education of our subject was gained prin- 



cipally in the Wallkill Academy at Middletown. 
He was reared on a farm and has made agricult- 
ure his life work. Iti 1872 he came to the fine 
farm npon which he still lives, devoting his at- 
tention largely to the dairy business. In 1857 he 
married Miss Marj' E., daughter of Abraham 
Brink, a resident of the town of Wallkill. Their 
union was blessed by the birth of seven children, 
of whom one daughter, Elizabeth S., was taken 
hence by death at the age of thirteen years. 
Those who are living are as follows: Addie; 
DimickB.; Alexander H., of this county; Abra- 
ham B., a jeweler in New Rochelle, N. Y.; Hat- 
tie N. ; and Minnie W., the wife of George B. 
Harris, of Orange County. 

In his political views Mr. Shaw is conservative 
and votes for the man whom he deems best quali- 
fied for ofSce, no matter what his political affilia- 
tions may be. He and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and find in its fellowship 
and activities an abundant field for their religious 
efforts. His life work, farming, he has followed 
with good success. He has a pleasant home, 
good barn, improved machinery and the other con- 
veniences of a first-class farm, and the finely im- 
proved acres give evidence of the care and super- 
vision of a thrifty and industrious owner. 

• ^ P ' 



HARRY VAN DEWATER. This gentleman 
occupies a prominent place among the most 
sagacious farmers of the town of Wallkill. 
While using his influence to advance the devel- 
opment and financial standing of his community, 
he has secured a good living and is classed among 
the well-to-do men of his town. The farm which 
he owns and where he makes his home consists of 
one hundred and fift}- acres of arable land, upon 
which have been placed good improvements, in- 
cluding a neat residence. Though not neglecting 
the raising of grain, he has made the milk indus- 
try his specialty, and keeps at present some forty 
cows. 

In the town of Montgomery, this county, Mr. 
Van Dewater was born November 11, 1864, his 
parents being John and Sarah E. (Bookstaver) 



97° 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



\'aii Dewater. natives of this county. His father, 
who has spent his life in agricultural pursuits, re- 
tiretl from active business cares in 1893. and 
since that time he and his estimable wife have 
been living quietly in their rural home, sur- 
rounded by every comfort which their tastes ren- 
der necessan,-. Our subject received his primary 
education in the district schools, but subsequently 
entered the Montgomery school, which he at- 
tendeil for a brief period. He was reared on a 
fann, and has sj'Mjnt much of his life in this occu- 
pation, though for a time he was an attendant in 
the State Asylum at Middletown. 

The marriage of Harry Van Dewater took 
place April 10. 1S90, at which time Miss Agnes 
Wilbur l>ecame his wife. Mrs. \'an Dewater is a 
daughter of James and Margaret i Mclntyre) 
Wilbur, the former a native of New York and the 
latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Wilbur is still liv- 
ing, making her home with her daughter at Pine 
Bush. Two children bless the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Van Dewater, interesting daughters, named 
respectively Jeiniie Klein and Helen Louise. In 
their religious connectiotis Mr. and Mrs. Van De- 
water are identified with the Dutch Reformed 
Church. Politically he is an ally of the Demo- 
cratic party, in which he is quite active, though 
not an office-seeker. 



rix. 



(J^ 






y^ATTHIASR. HARDEN. This progress- 
y I ive and well-to-do agriculturist of Orange 
(j)| County has made his home in the town of 
Wawayanda since 1855. • He finds both pleasure 
and profit in cultivating the soil, and tends to 
raise the standard of his chosen occupation by 
means of dignity and ability. His fine estate, 
including ninety-eight acres, is plea.santly lo- 
cated, and is embellished with large and commo- 
dious bams, and a substantial brick residence, 
which was erected in 1870. 

Mr. Harden was born in Sussex County, N. J., 
May 13, 1825, and is the son of Joshua, and 
grandson of Thomas, Harden. Qui subject's 



mother, formerly Hannah Rogers, had nine chil- 
dren, of whom three dietl unnamed. Hosea is 
deceased; Miles is a farmer of Sussex County, 
N. J.; Mar>-, who is deceased, l)ecame the wife 
of James Dennis; Tharp is a resident of Sussex 
County, N. J.; our subject was the next-born. 
The father of this family passed his entire life 
in his native county, engaged in farm pursuits. 
He was fairly well-to-do in this world's goods, 
and at the time of liis decease, in 1844, when in 
his sixty-second year, left his family conifortablv 
provided for. His wife survived him thirteen 
years, passing away in 1857, at the home of her 
son Matthias R. 

Our subject has followed fanning more or less 
ever since old enough to be of assistance to his 
father, and it was very natural that when em- 
barking in life for himself he should choose this 
vocation. However, for a number of years be- 
fore his marriage he worked at the carpenter's 
trade. He was married. January 6, 1853, to Miss 
Martha Havens, a native of Luzerne County, 
Pa. She was the daughter of Zephaniah and 
Elizabeth (Moored Havens, old settlers of Sus- 
sex County, N.J. For a number of years they 
lived near Abingdon, Luzerne County, Pa., and 
it was there that Mrs. Harden was bom, July 14, 
1829. In 1835 they returned to Sussex County, 
N. J., to the old homestead where the father 
was born, and both continued to live there until 
their deaths. He passed away when in his eighty- 
fiflh year, and his wife when much younger, her 
death occurring in 1S45. Four children were 
born to our subject and wife: Adley, at home; 
Ora, agejit for the New York, Susquehanna & 
Western Railroad, making his home in Decker- 
town, N. J.: Ida, who is the wife of James H. 
Smith, of Middletown; and Reeve, living at Ham- 
burg, N. J., where he is General Agent for the 
New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad 
Company. Mrs. Harden is a member of the 
Methodist Church. 

When eighteen years of age young Harden ap- 
prenticed himself to learn the trade of a carpen- 
ter, and after mastering the business followed it 
for nine years. In 1855, however, he came to 
Orange County, purchasing the property which 




JOHN WHlXixKK- 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



973 



he oow oxms, and iqian wfaidi be has resided 
e-ner since. His ksowiedge of carpentering proved 
very valoaUe to him during the erecdoa of his 
r^esidence, vhkh is boilt of brick and is finished 
in a substantial and pleasii^ manner. Hedidthe 
planning, besides the gieater pait of the «txk of 
the buildings on the hooKStead. Hr. Harden 
makes use of er^y acreof his land, and as a rdi- 
afale and steady-going citizea has met vith success. 
In politics be is a supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples. IntEscsted in all worthy mattes that af- 
fect the wd&re of his community, he is always a 
wiDii^ contribator to public causes. He has 
many firiends and leads a ha{9y litie. smrounded 
by a kyring £unily and all the comforts which a 
oood income can secme. 



30IDV WHTTLOCK. a tanner oi the rox<ra of 
Mt. Hope, was bom November 12, 1S20. in 
ihe lowTj of Deerpark. and is a son of Joel 
and Hiizabah (^Hn£F t \niiilo<i, the ftwnier a 
native of Connecticnt. and the latter of New Jer- 
9^. Jod Whitlock came to Orange County 
when a boy. and during his entile life was en- 
gaged in farming. He sored as a stddier in the 
War of 1S12. In politics he was a Republicai: 
and religiously be was a monber of the R^mned 
ChurdL, in wliidi body be hdd the ofBce of 
Deacon, and was known fax and wide as "Deacon 
\k*hitk>ci." He died at the age oi sevesitx-coe 
years, and the mother died suddenly, when sixty- 
nve yeais of age. 

The subject of this sk^db remained at home 
with his parents xmtil twenty-two years of age. 
and later went to Cayi^a County. X. Y.. and 
woiked on a &im with his farodier one year. Re- 
mmxng to die old homestead, he remained aboQi 
£ve years, and was then ntamed. Coming to the 
town oi Mt. Hope, he bought the &mi on which 
he now resides, and whidi has ever since been 
his home. Ajnil 6. i S4S. he was married to Miss 
Jane Swartout, cti~ the town of Deerpark, who 
died, leaving four children, two of whom died 



wheal quite yonng. Of these children, David 
died in eaiiy manhood, and Joei is now a resi- 
dent of Michigan. Mr. Whitloci subsequently 
married Miss Mary TnthiD, as the town of Mt. 
Hope, and by this union there wiae bom five 
children: George, who died in infancy: Emmett. 
still at home: Jennie, who married Charies M. 
Hai>3ing, bnt is now deceased: Eliza, who is Sill 
at home: and Mary Addie, now the wife of J. C. 
Gowdey, of Bloomingburg. 

Mr. \^"Tiitlock is now the owner (^ one hundred 
and ibny-one acres of land, whi(^ is under a high 
ssate of cultivation. He combines the dairy bus- 
iness with general fenning, having a nice herd of 
graded cattle. The milk be ships to New York 
City. His residence is a pleasant one. command- 
ing a ^oidid view €d the Shawangunk Moun- 
tains and surrounding valley, and the bam and 
other oudiaildings are locmy, and are substan- 
tially bnOt. Taking everything together, his 
home is one of the pleasantest in the town. 
Aldiongb seventy-five years cdd, he is still able 
to wtnk in the field, and is a wdl preserved man. 
Politically be is a Republican, but would ner^- 
accept a position of any kind. 



NJ. SHELLEY. M. r>.. : : . -. . in the 
".own of Wawayanda. :? „ . : Water- 

f:rc; C:=- :•;— Mir^h ^r, zicj;, and is 
tte ^:" :f L. C' i".". 5irab .A iTteuiel-s < Sheilev. 
His early ".::t - - ; : - r . - 

his rHimarv r 



■V- 








natr 


T" 










Ohio 


TTV 


. 








" ^ 


-lley 


\,.^ 


Dr 


Sb, 


wai 



arriagre with Miss 
--h Har- 
- Thev 



974 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dr. Shelley commenced the practice of medi- 
cine at New London, Conn., and there remained 
until June, 1894, when he came to Ridgebury. 
While in New London he was City Physician 
three years and a member of the Board of Health 
several years. He was also Medical Examiner 
for the Knights and Ladies of Columbus, United 
Order of the Golden Cross, of Endowment Rank, 
K. of P., and of the Metropolitan Life Insurance 
Company. In 1S92 he was Surgeon-General on 
the staff" of General Fox, of the Loyal Legion. 
Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias and the Independent Order of Red Men, and 
in political matters he is a Republican, being a 
member of the Republican County Central Com- 
mittee. In August, 1895, he was elected School 
Trustee. Mrs. Shelley is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Since coming to Ridgebur> Dr. Shelley has 
built up quite an extensive practice, and is recog- 
nized as a physician of more than ordinary abil- 
ity, keeping well posted on all matters pertaining 
to his profession. 



yy H. AUSTIN, a native of the town of 
y W'awayanda, was born September 1 1, 1848, 
(S and is the son of James C. and Elizabeth 
(Courtwright) Austin, who were the parents of 
ten children, six sons and four daughters. His 
paternal grandfather was Abraham Austin. Our 
subject was reared on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the district school, and on reaching the 
age of seventeen years he began working in a 
creamer>-, continuing there until 187 1, a period 
of six years. He then determined to learn the 
carpenter's trade, and for the succeeding three 
years sen-ed as an apprentice. At the close of his 
apprenticeship he was made foreman of a gang of 
men, whom he continued to manage until 1880. 
when he turned his attention to manufacturing. 
After six years he retunied to his trade, at which 
he is still engaged. 

On the 17th of November, 1870, Mr. Au-^^tin 



married MissMalinda Wickham, and two children 
were born to them: Harry O., who died at the 
age of eight years; and Edna L. Their home 
stead consists of ten acres, and they have a neat, 
comfortable house, which during the summer 
months is usually occupied with boarders. In 
1881 Mr. Austin was first elected Town Clerk, 
and later was re-elected, serving six years. Aft- 
er an intermis.sion of four years he was again 
elected to the office, and has now served altogether 
a period of eleven years. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically is a 
Democrat. Every enterprise calculated to up- 
build his native place receives from him a cor- 
dial support. 



rr MMETT E. WOOD. The firm of Wood & 
1^ Baldwin, of Middletown, embarked in the 
I liver>- business on James Street in 1891, and 
has since carried on a large trade in their line. In 
addition to this concern, they are proprietors of a 
sandbank of limitless capacity, which they have 
successfully operated, securing from it every va- 
riety of sand. As business men they are keen, 
shrewd and far-seeing, and the success with which 
they have met is the reward of their industrious 
efforts. 

The senior member of the firm, who forms the 
subject of this article, was born at Key Port, 
Monmouth County, N. J., in 1855. He is a son 
of John E. Wood, a native of Little Britain, 
Orange County, where his father, Isaac, was bom, 
reared and engaged in farm pursuits. The fam- 
ily are heirs of the Tonley estate in England, and 
the first of the name to settle in this country ac- 
companied the Puritans hither in the historic 
"Mayflower." John E. Wood removed from 
this county to Key Port, on Raritan Bay, where 
he was extensively and snccessfully engaged in 
the maiuifacture of brick. For a short time prior 
to settling there he was engaged in the ice busi-, 
ness at Rockland Lake, and assisted in the organ- 
ization of the now well known Knickerbocker 
Ice Company; also carried on a retail ice business 
in New York Citv. From Moimiouth County he 




COL. CHARLES H. SHEPARD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



retunied to OraHge County and purchased a farm 

in the town of Wawayanda. two miles south of 
Middletown, and containing one hundred and 
twenty-eight acres. 

On tliat place, which was known as the Knick- 
erbocker Stock Fann, John E. Wood engaged in 
raising horses until his death, which occurred in 
iSSq. at the age of sixty-three. From youthful 
years he showed a decided fondness for a fine ani- 
mal, and while in New-Jersey he owned the fest- 
est road team in Monmouth County. While 
there he also bought the mare "Lady Patchen." 
by "George M. Patchen." She was the dam of 
"Knickerbocker," by "Old Hambletonian, " the 
name being given the colt after the Knicker- 
bocker Ice Company. In December, 1866, on 
removing from thetown of Wawayanda. "Knick- 
erbocker" ■ was shipped here, and from him were 
raised colts that were sold throughout the entire 
country, including "Onward." "Stephen G." 
"Grace" and "Pedro." After the death of Mr. 
Wood, our subject sold "Knickerbocker" to 
William Morrow, of Xash\-ille. and he died there 
in the spring of 1S95. He received the first pre- 
mium wherever exhibited. So wide was his rep- 
utation that repeatedly large offers of money were 
made for him. and as much as S15.500 was re- 
fused for him by his owner. 

Politically John E. Wood was a strong Repub- 
lican, and in his social connections he was a Ma- 
son, also a life member of the New York State 
Agricultural Society. His wife, who is at pres- 
ent a resident of Middletown. bore the maiden 
name of Amanda Cook, and was bom near Pine 
Island, or Libert>- Comers. Her father, Isaac, 
was a descendant of Captain Cook, the great ex- 
plorer, and for three years was on a whaler: he 
was also a schoolteacher and merchant at Libertv 
Comers, and for years served as Supervisor, rep- 
resenting his town on the County Board. 

The subject of this sketch is the second of three 
children, his sisters being Man- J., wife of Will- 
iam Sayer. of Middletown: and Lena, who mar- 
ried John Ryerson. and lives in the town of Wa- 
wayanda. Our subject was reared in Key Port 
until eleven years of age, when he accompanied 
the family to Wawayanda. His education, com- 



menced in the public schools, was completed in 
Dr. Warrens private school. He remained with 
his fatlier. engaged principally in training horses 
on the old track, until 1SS7. when he began in the 
liven.- business on East Main Street. Two years 
later he sold out and embarked in the sand busi- 
ness, fonuing a partnership witli C. G. Baldwin, 
with whom he also carries on the liven,- 3nd sales 
stables. His attention is devoted principally to 
training horses for .speed, and he owned and de- 
veloped "Bessie," who had a record of 2:17'... , 
and was the fastest horse in this locality. The 
training stables are situated at the Campbell track, 
and close attention is paid to this branch of the 
business. 

In Xew Hampton, this county, Mr. W<x)d mar- 
ried Miss Ida Puff, a nati\-e of that place, and 
daughter of Fowler Puff, who was agent for the 
Erie Railroad at that place for a number of years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wood attend the Congregational 
Church, and politically he votes the Republican 
ticket. He was one of the originators of the Mid- 
dletown Driving Park Association, in which he is 
now a stockholder and Director. He is especiallv 
fond of fine horses, and no one is a better judge 
of the animal than is he. 



EOL. CHARLES H. SHEPARD was for- 
merly an oflBcer of the regular army, having 
sen-ed in the volunteer sen-ice during the 
Civil War, and also in the regular sen-ice after 
the close of the war. He is a typical New York- 
er, and is a native of New York Cit>-. the son of 
Thomas S. and Elizabeth 1 Garrison 1 Shepard. 
His grandfather. Jesse Shepard. was a practicing 
physician, who at an early day removed from 
Connecticut to Schoharie County, N. Y.. where 
Thomas S., the father of our subject, was bom. 
In early life the latter began merchandising, in 
which business he continued until late in life, 
when he removed to Flushing, L. I., where his 
death occurred. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject. Hosea Hamilton, was a personal 
friend of General Washington, sennng as physi- 
cian on his staff during the Revolutionan- War. 



976 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Later he was an extensive farmer near Albany, 
X. Y. Elizabeth (Garrison > Shepard, the moth- 
er of our subject, was a daughter of Judge Harry 
Garrison, who was born on Staten Island, and 
who was one of the sugar-house prisoners in Xew 
York City. He also served in the Revolutionary- 
War, later was a farmer, and for some years was 
County Judge. Garrison on the Hudson, oppo- 
site West Point, was named in his honor. 

The subject of this sketch was third in a fam- 
ily of six children, three of whom are living, but 
the Colonel was the only son. He grew to man- 
hood in New York City, where he attended high 
school and in his young manhood entered into 
business life for five years, or until the breaking 
out of the war, serving as clerk in a mercantile 
establishment. In August, 1862, he enlisted in 
the Xew York Mounted Rifles, and was mustered 
into the service as a private. Soon afterwards, 
however, he received a commission, and was first 
on detached service in the Adjutant-General's 
Department at Washington, and later on the 
staff of Generals Weitzel, Wister and Butler, ser\-- 
ing until the close of the war. His last ser\-ice 
in the war was having in charge a large com- 
missary depot on the Appomattox River, which 
was a branch of General Grant's headquarters. 
He was nmstered out of the volunteer ser\-ice in 
Xoveuiber,. 1865. and in February, 1S66. was 
commissioned to the regular United States service, 
as Second Lieutenant of the Xinth United States 
Infantry-. The appointment and commission came 
to him unasked. He was first stationed in Xew 
York Harbor, after which he was sent to Arizo- 
na, Colorado. Wyoming, San Francisco and other 
places in the West, doing duty principally as 
Quartermaster. Later he was promoted to be 
First Lieutenant serving as such until 1S71, 
when he resigned and retired to private life. 

At^er his resignation. Colonel Shepard located 
at Flushing, L. I., where he remained until 187S. 
and then removed to Orange County, and in iSSo 
located in Middletown. where he purchased his 
present fine residence property on Highland 
Avenue. This is one of its finest places in the 
citj-. being on one of the highest elevations, and 
the lawn in front of the house comprises three 



acres of land. On coming to this city he accept- 
ed a position with the First Xational Bank as a 
clerk, but could not stand the confinement, and 
therefore resigned after a few years. 

Colonel Shepard was married, at Flushing, 
L. L. to Miss Emily Lawrence, who was born 
there and who wa.s a daughter of Hon. John W. 
Lawrence, for many years President of the Sev- 
enth Ward Bank of Xew York City, now the 
Seventh Xational Bank. " They have one child, 
Robert Lawrence. In politics Colonel Shepard 
is a stanch Repubhcan, and in religious belief is 
a Presbyterian. He is a member of the Loyal 
Legion in Philadelphia, and was one of its char- 
ter members. 



•♦^« 



(TOSEPH E. LITTLE was bom June 10. 

I I S3 1, upon the farm in the town of Wallkill 
G/ where he has since made his home. He is 
in order of birth the fifth among the children of 
Joseph and Hannah ^ Harlow) Little, natives of 
Orange County, both of whom spent their entire 
lives here. His father, when a young man, 
learned the trade of a wagon-maker, which he 
followed exclusively for a uumljer of years. Later 
he embarked in general farming, and carried on 
the two occupations for some time, after which 
he concentrated his entire attention upon agri- 
culture. At the age of sevent\- he retired from 
active business cares and from that time until his 
death, in January, 1874. he passed his days in the 
enjoyment of the comforts which his judicious la- 
bors had accumulated. His wife passed away 
several years after his demise. 

When a boy the subject of this sketch was a 
pupil in the district schools, laying there the 
foundation of the extensive information he has 
since acquired through self-culture. With the 
exception of two years spent in the West, he has 
known no other home than the place where he 
was bom. This farm consists of one hundred 
and twenty acres of improved land, upon which 
stand a neat residence and model outbuildings. 




^ 



\ 



IJW^' 



CHARLES G. MYGATT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



979 



While he gives some attention to general farm- 
ing, his principal industrv^ is the milk business. 
The marriage of Mr. Little in November, i S62 . 
united him with Miss Aug^ista. daughter of Ga- 
briel and Sarah A. 1 McWiUiams 1 Myers, all na- 
tives of this count\-. Mrs. Little departed this 
life in 1876. and two years later our subject was 
united in marriage with Mis^ Susan M.. daugh- 
ter of Warren and Lucinda (Roe) Woodruff, of 
Orange County. One daughter blesses this union. 
H. Belle, who is now a student in the Middletowu 
Academy. In religious connections Mr. Little 
and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he is ser^nng as an Elder and 
Trustee. He is a Republican politically, and on 
that ticket has been chosen to ser\'e in a number 
of local offices, the duties of which he has dis- 
charged with efficiency. 

EHARLES G. MYGATT. whose home is in 
Port Jer\-is. is an engineer on the Delaware 
Division of the Erie Railroad, and comes 
from a family many members of which have been 
identified with railroading in one way or another. 
He is one of the best known engineers on the 
road and has been a faithful and trusted employe. 
It has been said of him that " 'he is a walking New 
York Tribune in two editions' ' as regards infor- 
mation on all matters relating to the history of 
the Erie Railroad and those connected with it for 
thirty years past. 

In tracing the ancestry- of our subject, we find 
that one Joseph Mygatt was bom in England in 
1596, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and, 
with his wife. Ann, crossed the Atlantic in 1632, 
in the good ship '"Griffin."' having as fellow- 
passengers Revs. Thomas Hooker, John Cotton 
and William Stone. They arrived at Boston Sep- 
tember 4, and soon took up their abode at Newton, 
one of the outhing villages. This was the eighth 
society founded in the Massachusetts Colony, and 
Rev. Mr. Hooker became pastor of the Newton 
church. Joseph Mygatt received "'four acres by 
the Pine Swamp, ' ' but within a few years the lit- 
tle colony, desiring larger quarters, started for 



Connecticut, and settled in the vicinity of Hart- 
ford. Thej- named their new location in honor 
of the old Newton Colony whence they came, but 
in Februan,-. 1637, the name was changed to 
Hartford, in honor of the English birthplace of 
Rev. Mr. Stone. They obtained the title to their 
land from the Indians, and Joseph Mygatt was 
granted thirty -five acres, besides a homestead of 
six acres, on the west bank of the Connecticut 
River. In 1640 he was made one of twelve com- 
missioners for the division of the land on the east 
side of the river. He was honored with many- 
local positions, and for twelve sessions represented 
Hartford in the General Court. The years of his 
active pubUc life were between 1640 and 1669. 
His last will is dated November 27, 1676, and 
four years later he was called to his final rest, De- 
cember 7, 16S0. His wife, Ann. whom he had 
married in England, died in 16S6. Their onlv 
son was Jacob, who was bom about 1633, while 
a daughter, Mary, was bom in 1637. The An- 
cient Burying -ground Association of Hartford 
erected a monument to Joseph Mygatt and wife. 
The son Jacob, just mentioned, married Sarah 
Whiting, the marriage settlement being dated 
November 27, 1654. Their son Joseph married 
Sarah Webster, November 15. 1677. and died in 
March, 1688. leaving nine children. Joseph, the 
next in line of descent, married Elizabeth Ste- 
phens, and died December 27, 1724. in Hartford. 
His four children were Jacob, Joseph, Sarah and 
Mar}-. Joseph married Elizabeth Starr, by whom 
he had eight children, and his death occurred in 
Danbury, Conn., in 1749. His son Thomas, 
born in 1735. moved to Dutchess County. N. Y.. 
where he died in October. 1799. His wife, who 
was previously Christiana Fairfield, died in April, 
1800, leaving four children. German. Horace, 
Milton and Nelson. Joseph, of the seventh gen- 
eration, bom July 5, 1771. married Sarah Ger- 
man, and died in Cornish, Chenango County, 
N. Y., in 1828. His son Horace married Harriet 
Crandall. of Deposit, N. Y., June 16, 1834, and 
died there September 13, 1852. at the age offifh'- 
one. His wife departed this life on her birthday, 
August 19. 1894, aged eighty-eight years. 

C. G. Mygatt was bom November 2, 1S38. in 



gSo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Deposit, N. Y., and was only fourteen years of 
age when he commenced to work on railroad con- 
struction, distributing spikes and assisting in lay- 
ing tracks. In 1853 he was made fireman on the 
Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad, between 
Port Jervis and Susquehanna. October 13, 1856, 
he was given an engine, remaining in charge of 
the same until 1859, when he commenced run- 
ning over the entire division. Up to 1862 he was 
in the freight transportation department, but for 
the past thirt3'-two years has been an engineer on 
passenger trains. For two j'ears he has been in 
charge of the milk train, a day run. In his long 
service he has met with few accidents, but in 
1862 his engine struck a caboose and capsized, 
falling into the river. Again, in 1870, when 
running at full speed, a flange on the wheel broke 
and the engine turned completely over. The 
fireman jumped off, was run over and killed, but 
our subject, who stuck to his engine, was not 
seriously injured. In 1861, during a collision, 
he jumped from the engine, and thus escaped in- 
jury. He maj' well be proud of the fact that in 
these long years not a single pas.senger has ever 
been killed on his train. For twelve years he was 
in charge of Engine No. ^3. which was an old 
favorite. 

Januarj' 15, 1873, C. G. Mygatt was married, 
in Warren, Ohio, to Catherine Shoenberger, of 
that city. Their only child, Eouis, born Febru- 
ary 21, 1 88 1, died on the 8th of October, 1888. 
Mrs. Mygatt's sister Olive is the wife of A. T. 
Palmer, Superintendent of the Union Pacific 
Railroad at Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. M}-gatt, who 
is a lady of fine education and intellectual attain- 
ments, was one of the belles of her day in War- 
ren. 

Our .subject's father, Horace Mygatt, was pres- 
ent at the time the first shovelful of dirt was dug 
when the Erie Railroad was commenced at De- 
posit. He was a contractor on that line, and had 
also built a portion of the Erie Canal. His son 
Henry P. runs an engine on the Summit grade 
of the Erie Railroad, and his engine, which 
weighs one hundred and five tons, is one of the 
largest in the world. A sister of our subject's 
mother married Alexander Main, First Auditor 



of the Erie Railroad; another sister became the 
wife of John B. Girard, an old conductor, and 
formerl}' agent of the Erie Railroad; another 
married N. A. Guerney, late Chief Civil Engineer 
of the Erie lines and a resident of New York; and 
a fourth sister's husband was Solomon Jones, 
who for years was a train dispatcher on the El- 
mira & Northern Central Railroad. In his po- 
litical faith Mr. Mygatt has long been identified 
with the Republican party. 



/^JABRIEE H. lee, of the town of Wallkill, 
1^ is a native of this county, and was born in 
\Ji the town of Greenville, in 1836. His par- 
ents, Jeptha B. and Catherine (Courtright) Lee, 
were also natives of this county, where they spent 
their entire lives, the former dying at the vener- 
able age of eighty-seven, and the latter attaining 
the advanced age of eighty-eight. A life-long 
agriculturist, the father was a quiet, industrious 
and honorable man, and held the regard of his 
fellow-citizens, by whom he was elected to a num- 
ber of local oifices of trust. During the War of 1 8 1 2 
he enlisted in the service of our country, and re- 
mained in the army until the close of the conflict. 
In partial compensation for his services, he was 
given a land warrant by the Government, and 
was also in receipt of a pension until the .time of 
his death. 

The parental family consisted of eight children, 
five of whom are living, namely: Gabriel H.; 
John P. , who resides with a sister in Matamoras, 
Pa.; Mrs. Hannah E. McConnell, whose home 
is in Wisconsin; Miss Jennie, of Port Jervis, N. Y.; 
and Mrs. Catherine Quick, of Matamoras, Pa. 
In boyhood our subject had only such advantages 
as the common schools afforded. He was reared 
upon a farm, and has spent his entire life in the 
occupation of an agriculturist, being now the 
owner of a well improved farm of fortj- acres in 
the town of Wallkill, where he makes his home. 
In 1858 he married Miss Eleanor Crummel, 
whose parents resided in Pennsylvania. She 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



died in 1866, leaving two children, namely: Will- 
iam, who resides in Wisconsin; and Fred, of 
Washington, D. C. The present wife of Mr. 
Lee bore the maiden name of Clara Parsons, and 
was a daughter of Gilbert L. Parsons, a resident 
of the town of Wallkill. Two sons bless this 
union, Gilbert B. and Winfield, the former a clerk 
in Middletown, and the latter at home. 

As his father served valiantly in the War of 
1812, so fifty years afterward our subject dis- 
played his patriotic spirit by enlisting in the Un- 
ion army. He served creditably in a Wisconsin 
regiment until he was disabled and consequently 
discharged. In politics he is a pronounced Re- 
publican, and upon the ticket of his party he 
was elected Overseer of the Poor, receiving a 
majority of one hundred and seventy-four votes. 
He filled that position creditablj-, as indeed he 
has done in all local offices to which he has been 
elected. 

gENJAMIN CUDDEBACK, a prosperous 
farmer located at Cuddebackville, was born 
May 23, 1840, on the place where he now 
lives, the old house having stood on the very 
same site of his present home. His parents were 
James and Catherine (Cuddeback) Cuddeback, the 
former a son of William A. and Charlotte (Van 
Inwegen) Cuddeback, and the latter a daughter 
of Benjamin and Blandina (Van Etten) Cudde- 
back. 

The name was formerl)' spelled Caudebec, and 
the founder of the family in this country was Jacob 
Caudebec, who wedded Margaret Provost, and 
to them were born the following children, who 
took the name of Codebec: Benjamin, William, 
James, Abraham, Jacob, Elsie, Morice, Dinah, 
Eleanor and Naomi. William Codebec wedded 
Jemima Elting, and they became the parents of 
five children, who assumed the present form of 
spelling the name. They were James, Capt. 
Abraham, Benjamin, Roulif and Sarah. Capt. 
Abraham was united in marriage with Esther 
Gumaer, and they had six children: Col. Will- 
iam A., Peter G., Jacob, Cornelius, E.sther and 
Jemima. Col. William A. Cuddeback, the grand- 



father of our subject, married Charlotte Van In- 
wegen, and they became the parents of nine chil- 
dren: Samuel, Abraham, Margaret, Ezekiel, Har- 
manus, William, Col. Peter, James and Lewis. 

James Cuddeback, the father of Benjamin, was 
twice married, his first wife being Jemima Cud- 
deback, a daughter of Cornelius Cuddeback, who 
was a son of Capt. Abraham Cuddeback, and a 
cousin of himself They had one son, Cornelius, 
who is residing in the town of Deer Park, near 
Otisville. The father's birth occurred March 18, 
1799, and on the ist of August, 1829, he mar- 
ried Catherine Cuddeback, who was born June 
6, 1809. By this union five children were born, 
three sons and two daughters: Lewis, Benjamin, 
Levi, Caroline and Jane. The father died Octo- 
tober 12, 1883, and the mother, who survived 
him about four years, passed away October 3, 
1887. The former was a farmer by occupation, 
and owned the land now comprised in the farms 
belonging to his two sons, Benjamin and Lewis. 
This property was purchased by the grandfather, 
who lived to an advanced age, and whom our 
subject slightly remembers. The father erected 
the present home of Benjamin in 1848, with 
whom both he and his wife resided until their 
deaths. She was a member of the Reformed 
Church, and in politics he affiliated with the 
Democracy. The father was nearly six feet tall, 
a hard-working man, and attended strictly to 
his business interests. 

The boyhood days of Benjamin Cuddeback were 
passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, assist- 
ing in the labors of the fields, and in attend- 
ance at the district schools. On the 2d of Decem- 
ber, 1863, Miss Eliza Whitlock became his wife. 
She was born February 27, 1841, and is a niece 
of Aaron, and a daughter of Joseph and Sally 
(Van Etten) Whitlock, who had two other daugh- 
ters: Jane, the wife of Job Van Inwegen; and 
Jemima, wife of William Norris, of Port Clinton, 
N. Y. Her father, who was born December 13, 
1808, died March 3, 1848, at the age of forty 
years. On the 17th of November, 1836, he had 
married Sally Van Etten, who was born July 22, 
1813, and her death occurred January 11, 1873. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Cuddeback were born four 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children. Joseph died in infancy; Elting, born 
March 29, 1867, is an attendant at the State 
Hospital in Middletown, N. Y.; Myron Whit- 
lock, bom December 28, 1868, is at home; and 
Sarah Catherine, born June 14, 1871, is with her 
parents. The mother and her children are mem- 
bers of the Reformed Church. In his political 
views Mr. Cuddeback is a stalwart Democrat, 
which party always receives his support, and by 
his fellow-citizens he was elected to the office of 
Road Commissioner, which position he has now 
filled for sixteen years to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. He is a man of sound judgment and 
one whose opinions are held in general respect. 



-^^ 



--^ 



G^HEODORE M. ROBERSON. Orange 
I C County is justly proud of her native-born 
v2/ citizens, who are honorably bearing their 
share in sustaining her interests and extending 
her wealth. Among these is the subject of this 
brief biographical review, who is one of the most 
progressive and prominent farmers of the town of 
Crawford. Within its confines he owns an estate 
of two hundred and forty acres, which was one of 
the first cleared in this section many years ago. 

Mr. Roberson was born in the town of New 
Windsor, August 6, 1839, and was the .son of 
Samuel and Margaret (Martin) Roberson. The 
father is now living in BuUville, this state, in 
which locality he is well known and highly re- 
garded. He was formerly engaged in the hotel 
business, also carried on a thriving business as 
general merchant at Searsville, and was engaged 
in other enterpri-ses in the town of Crawford. At 
present he is retired from business of any kind, 
and is taking life easy. For a full history of this 
gentleman the reader is referred to his sketch 
elsewhere in this volume. 

Our subject remained at home until attaining 
mature years, in the mean time receiving a good 
education in the public schools. August 19, 1862, 
he enlisted in Companj' E, One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth New York Infantn,-, one of the 



noted regiments of the army. He received the ap- 
pointment of First Sergeant, and as such partici- 
pated in many noted battles. May 3, 1863, he 
fought in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he 
was wounded in the right knee. He was taken 
to the hospital at Philadelphia, where he was con- 
fined until September, when he returned to his 
regiment and was mustered in as Second Lieuten- 
ant. In the spring of 1864 he was promoted to 
be First Lieutenartt, and in January, 1865, was 
commissioned Captain, the duties of which office 
he discharged until the close of the war. On be- 
ing mustered out, in June, 1865, Captain Rober- 
son returned to this couut\- and engaged in farm- 
ing on his father's estate. He was also made 
agent for the Middletown & Crawford Railroad, a 
branch of the Erie Road at Bullville, where his 
parents were then living. 

November 27, 1867, occurred the marriage of 
our subject with Miss Josephine Bull. To them 
have been bom four children, namely: Louis, 
still at home; Margaret, the wife of Elmer E. 
Rosencrans, of Walden, N. Y.; Clarence D. and 
Amy, still under the parental roof The land 
which they reside upon was first cleared and oc- 
cupied by Daniel Bull, formerly one of the oldest 
residents of the county. 

Mr. Roberson is thoroughly acquainted with 
the business in which he is engaged, and is mak- 
ing a decided success of cultivating the soil. He 
is well liked in his community, and is justly re- 
garded as one of its most substantial residents. In 
politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and socially is 
a member of Capt. William Jackson Post No. 
301, G. A. R., of Middletown. 



30HN E. LEEMON. .M. D., was born No- 
vember 27, 187 1, in Middletown, which has 
been the only home he has ever had. His 
preliminar\- education was obtained in the public 
schools of this place, and he received the best of 
training from his estimable parents, J. B. and 
Jane (Frame) Leemon, of whom extended men- 
tion is made elsewhere in this volume. For some 
time he was a student in Wallkill Academy, but 




JOSEPH P. VAN NESS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



985 



left at the close of the junior year. He then en- 
tered the Cook Academy at Havana, this state, 
and remained there until his graduation, in 1891. 

Having by a thorough course in literature and 
the sciences laid the foundation for future more 
extended study, our subject entered the medical 
department of the University of New York a few 
months after his graduation from the academy. 
For three years he carried on his studies, acquir- 
ing a broad knowledge of the profession, and 
graduating from the university May 2, 1894, with 
the degree of M. D. At once upon the conclu- 
sion of his course of study, he returned to Middle- 
town and opened an office in this cit}', where he 
has since engaged in the general practice of medi- 
cine and surgery. 

In his social relations he is identified with the 
Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Democrat. 

(JOSEPH P. VAN NESS. It is always 
I pleasant to record the success attending the 
G/ efforts of an intelligent and enterprising man. 
One of the successful farmers of the town of 
Greenville is Mr. Van Ness, who in his agricult- 
ural affairs has displayed those traits of persever- 
ance, foresight and tact that are necessary to the 
successful prosecution of any occupation. Hon- 
esty and fairness have characterized all his deal- 
ings, and his public and private life are alike 
above reproach. 

In the town of Minisink, this county, near the 
village of Westtown, Joseph P. Van Ness was 
born February 16, 1840, being the fourth among 
the nine children of Isaac M. and Harriet J. 
(Schultz) Van Ne.ss. Of this family two died in 
infancy, and concerning the others we note the 
following: John, the eldest, died when about 
twenty-seven years old; Mary E. is the wife of 
John Hadden, of Middletown; Deborah married 
Williams. Labarr, of Sullivan County ; Sarah J. 
is the wife of J. Emmet Moore, who.se biograph- 
ical sketch will be found on anotlier page of this 
volume; Frances E. is the wife of James Mnlford, 
of this town; and Alice married Albert Cox, of 
Middletown. 



Our subject's father, who was the son of Gar- 
rett Van Ness, a native of Holland, was born in 
Pompton Plains, N. J., and accompanied his par- 
ents to Orange County at an early age. Besides 
the occupation of a farmer, he engaged to some 
extent in work as a tanner, and made his home 
in the town of Minisink until he died, at fifty-one 
years of age. His wife, a native of the town of 
Wallkill, was a daughter of James and Deborah 
(Reeves) Schultz, who were of German extrac- 
tion. Her death occurred at the age of about 
seventy -seven. 

In the district schools and Westtown Academy 
our subject obtained so good an education, that 
when only fourteen years of age he began to teach 
school, his first term being taught near Warwick, 
this county. Returning from there to his home, 
he soon afterward went to New York City, where 
he clerked in a restaurant for four months. From 
New York City he went to Chemung County 
and took a school, but on account of his father's 
death he discontinued teaching and returned 
home, taking charge of the place until the .settle- 
ment of the estate. Later he went to Sullivan 
County and taught school there during the win- 
ters, while in the summer he engaged in farming 
and butchering, also in buying and selling cattle. 
Four years were spent in that county, and upon 
his return to the town of Greenville he taught 
here one winter, then became manager of the 
creamery built here by his uncle, William Seeley. 
His next venture was the purchase of the farm he 
now owns, comprising eighty-seven acres, and 
here he has resided since 1862, meantime dealing 
in stock and selling meat both to the wholesale 
and retail trade. During 1863 and 1864 he was 
a partner of his uncle in the creamery business, 
which proved a profitable venture. 

The marriage of Mr. Van Ness to Miss Martha 
Mulford, of this county, was solemnized October 
II, 1864, and was one of mutual happiness and 
helpfulness until the death of his wife, November 
9, 1891. The two children born of the union, 
Myrtie A. and Frank H., are also deceased, the 
former dying when twent3--three, and the latter 
when eight, years old. Politically Mr. Van Ness 
is inclined to be very liberal and independent. 



986 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



binding himself to no party or platform. For fif- 
teen jears he has been Assessor of the town. His 
actions in life have been directed by energj-, per- 
severance and sagacity of judgment, combined 
with honorable and conscientious dealings, that 
have raised him to a high place in the estimation 
of his fellow -citizens. His fann is in a productive 
condition, which speaks well for the ability of 
the man who has cultivated it for years. 



^"HEODORE C. WILKIN. Known as an 
I C energetic and efficient farmer, Mr. Wilkin 
v2/ has through unremitting exertions become 
the owner of a valuable farm comprising one hun- 
dred and fifty-seven acres, all under a good state 
of cultivation, and divided into fields of conven- 
ient size for the pasturage of stock or raising of 
cereals. He has embellished his estate with sub- 
stantial farm buildings and a commodious resi- 
dence, and is carn,-ing on the work of general 
farming systematically and with pleasing success. 

In view of the fact that he was born Maj- 3, 
i860, and is therefore only thirty-five years of 
age at present, Mr. Wilkin's success is note- 
worth}-. He is a native of this county, as are 
also his parents, Stephen D. andSu.san M. (Com- 
fort) Wilkin. His father, when a young man, 
learned the tinner's trade, which he started to 
follow and which it was his intention to make his 
life work, but the accidental drowning of three 
brothers changed his plans and caused him to re- 
turn home. He took up the farmer's occupation, 
which he still follows at the old homestead in the 
town of Hamptonburgh. He and his excellent 
wife are in the enjoyment of good health and the 
regard of their neighbors. Financiall}- the}- are 
well-to-do, and socially the}- are welcome guests 
in the best homes of their town. 

The youthful years of our subject were passed 
in much the same manner as tho.se of other farmer 
boys, alternating attendance at school with labor 
at home. He early gained a practical knowledge 
of agriculture, and when prepared to start out in 



life for himself naturally chose farming as his vo- 
cation. For this he was well equipped both by 
training and by his personal inclination. His ed- 
ucation; which had been conducted in the public 
schools and in the Montgomery Academy, also 
fitted him for active and practical business af- 
fairs. As above stated, he now owns one hun- 
dred and fifty-seven acres of fine land, and here 
he resides, making the dairy business his prin- 
cipal industry. 

In 1882 Mr. Wilkin married Miss Agnes E. 
Mowbray, daughter of Ralph and Sarah (Smiley) 
Mowbraj', natives of this county. They have 
had six children, but one of their daughters, 
Edith, has been taken from home by death. The 
others are Irene, Erskine, Charles M., Alma and 
Harold, bright and interesting children, in whose 
training the parents take the greatest care and in- 
terest. Politically Mr. Wilkin advocates Demo- 
cratic theories, always voting the party ticket. 
His wife is connected with the Dutch Reformed 
Church, but he has not identified himself with any 
denomination, though a supporter of the church. 
He displays a keen appreciation of the best 
methods of farming, and has so profited by obser- 
vation and experience that he is now one of the 
most prosperous farmers in his locality. 



(lOSEPH D. STAGE, deceased, formerly a 
I farmer of the town of Wallkill, was born in 
Q) Westtown, this county, March 18, 1828, be- 
ing a son of Samuel G. and Luzetta Stage, also 
of this county. In the schools of the neighbor- 
hood he gained a fair education, though he was 
not able to attend school regularly, being obliged 
to assist in the home work. Upon selecting an 
occupation he chose that with which he was most 
familiar and became a farmer, entering industri- 
ously upon that work and engaging in it con- 
stantly until his death, in 1878. Meantime he 
also took an active part in public affairs and 
served as Assessor of the town, also in a number 
of other local offices of trust, including that of 
Census Enumerator. 
June 21, 1854, Mr. Stage was united in mar- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



987 



riage with Miss Marj' J. Gregory, who was born 
in this county, as were also her parents, Noah 
and Sallie M. (Smith) Gregory. In girlhood her 
educational advantages were limited to a brief at- 
tendance at the country schools, but possessing a 
large fund of native common-sense, she has pre- 
sided economicall}^ and hospitably over her home 
and has reared her children to occupy positions 
of usefulness in the world. Her eldest son, Bart- 
lett, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y.; S. Gregory super- 
intends the home farm; Sarah Luzetta is the wife 
of Martin Gregory and lives in this county; Mary 
E. is married to Frank Livingston, of Chemung 
County, N. Y. ; and Noah, the youngest, makes 
his home in Sullivan Count)', this state. Greg- 
ory, who unfortunately is crippled as a result of 
hip trouble, is a young man of intelligence and 
excellent judgment, and manages the farm in 
such a way as to secure the best results therefrom. 
He married Jessie Stage, and they are the par- 
ents of a daughter, Ethel. 

The old homestead consists of three hundred 
and fourteen acres and is devoted principally 
to the dairy business, an industry from which 
good returns are secured. Mrs. Stage is a ladj' 
of stability and firmne.ss of character, and her life 
has been one of earnest effort on behalf of her 
family. She is a devoted Christian, and with her 
children holds membership in the Presbyterian 
Church at Scotchtown. 

^HEODORE WRITER, M. D., a physician 
( C of Otisville, was born July 17, 1837, one 
VJy mile south of the village, and he was the 
eldest in a family of five children born to Aaron 
K. and Abigail (Penny) Writer. Of the other 
children we note the following: Daniel D., a tel- 
egraph operator, who was born February 5, 1839, 
died in 1869. Sarah E., born in the town of Mt. 
Hope, married Timothy A. Wood, in 1866, and 
died in 1885, leaving a son and daughter, Frank 
and Abbie. Josephine, also born in this town, 
married Robert Penny, of Otisville, and now re- 
sides in Goshen; they have one son, Daniel. Lou- 
ise A. now makes her home with our subject. 



The founder of this branch of the family in 
America was Jasper Writer, who came from Ger- 
many prior to the Revolutionary War, and land- 
ed in Philadelphia when a lad, orphaned by the 
death of his father, which occurred while cross- 
ing the Atlantic. He went to live with a fam- 
ily by the name of Depue, near Lancaster, Pa. , 
and there remained until reaching his majority. 
He then went to Phillipsburg, Orange County, 
and here, September 8, 1772, he married Eve 
Kortright. In 1784 he settled near Otisville, on 
the farm now owned and occupied by his great- 
grandson, S. R. Writer, and there his death oc- 
curred November 15, 1842. His wife had passed 
away December 21, 1830. Eight children were 
born of their union, of whom Aaron was the sec- 
ond, the date of his birth being April 25, 1776. 
He married Elizabeth McKeeby, and they were 
the parents of fourteen children, the tenth of the 
family being Aaron K., our subject's father. It 
is a noteworthy fact that all of the fourteen chil- 
dren married and reared families. 

In the house where our subject was born, his 
father first opened his eyes to the light in 181 1. 
He was reared on a farm and remained there un- 
til 1864, when he sold out and removed to the 
town of Greenville. His death occurred there in 
187 1, when about sixty years old. For ten years 
prior to his decease he was an invalid, suffering 
from a cancer that caused his death. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, a good citi- 
zen and had many friends. His wife was a daugh- 
ter of Daniel D. and Lucy (Ketcham) Penny, the 
latter a native of this town. The former came on 
horseback from Long Island to Orange County 
when nine years old and settled in Mt. Hope, 
where he remained until his death. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home, 
assisting his father in farm work, until becoming 
of age. His primary education was obtained in 
the common schools, and his literary education 
was finished in the Seward Institute at Florida, 
this county, which he attended from 1858 until 
1861. He then entered Bellevue Hospital Med- 
ical College, from which he graduated in March, 
1866. For one year after his graduation he re- 
mained in New York in the practice of his pro- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fession, when he came to Otisville and formed a 
partnership with his preceptor, Dr. A. Cook, 
which terminated at the close of two years. Since 
that time he has continued alone and has built 
up a good practice. 

On the 3d of November, 1869, Dr. Writer mar- 
ried Miss Helen A. Green, a native of the town 
of Mt. Hope, and a daughter of Osmer B. Green. 
To them has been born one son, Daniel D., who 
still remains at home. In politics Dr. Writer is 
a Republican, and is active in the counsels of his 
party. He takes a deep interest in everything 
pertaining to the welfare of his county and state, 
but his professional duties are such that he can 
give but httle time to outside matters, though he 
has served as Supervisor of the town. Socially 
he is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. 
& A. M., of Middletown. For thirty years he 
has been in continuous practice, and is regarded 
as a reliable physician and a whole-souled citizen. 



I EVI VAN ETTEN, who is residing in the 
It town of Deerpark, is one of the leading farm- 
|_2/ ers and highly respected citizens of Orange 
County. The first of the family to locate in this 
town was Anthony Van Etten, a .son of Jacob and 
Antje (Westbrook) Van Etten, who were mar- 
ried in Kingston, Ulster County, N. Y., April 
22, 1 7 19. They came to the Delaware Valley 
about 1730, settling at Normanock, on the Jersey 
side of the river, opposite the island of the same 
name. Anthony was born in Napanoch, Ulster 
County, N. Y., and was baptized in the Dutch 
Reformed Church at Kingston, June 12, 1726. 
On the 3d of August, 1750, his marriage was cel- 
ebrated with Hannah Decker, daughter of Thom- 
as and sister of Major Decker. For a time the^^ 
resided at Normanock, N. J., but soon after came 
to Deerpark, having received a piece of land from 
Mrs. Van Etten's father. Here Anthony built a 
stone house, which was later occupied by his son, 
Capt. Henry Van Etten, and also erected a black- 
smith shop, in which he did a thriving business. 



He became owner of one of the finest farms in the 
town of Deerpark. He was about five feet ten 
inches in height and weighed one hundred and 
sixty pounds. For many years he served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, holding the office up to the time 
of his death, which occurred in 1778. His wife 
survived him many years. They were the par- 
ents of the following children: Thomas, Antje, 
Janneke, Margarieta, Levi, Alida, Hendricus, 
Blandina, Maria, Thomas, Jacob and Anthony. 

Of this family, Levi Van Etten was the grand- 
father of our subject, and his farm included that 
owned by the latter, though his home was just 
north of his grandson's residence. His entire 
life was passed in agricultural pursuits, but dur- 
ing his last years he vvas blind. He and his wife 
reached advanced ages, his death occurring Oc- 
tober 25, 1843, and hers December 23, 1837. I" 
their family were five children; Jacob, who mar- 
ried Charity Gumaer, October 27, 1799; Solomon, 
who wedded Jemima Gumaer, September 18, 
1806; Levi, the father of our subject; Thomas, 
who married Sally Van Auken, August 5, 18 16; 
and Blandina, who on the 26th of December, 
1805, became the wife of Benjamin Cuddeback. 

The father of our .subject, who was born Au- 
gust 13, 1790, was united in marriage, December 
12, 1811, with Eleanor Carpenter, whose birth 
occurred on the i6th of November, 1793, and 
they became the parents of ten children. Margar- 
et, born March 11, 18 13, married Simon West- 
fall, and died at about the age of seventy-four 
years; John, born February 4, 1815, died Au- 
gust 7, 1872, at the age of fifty-seven years, six 
months and three days; Jacob, born March 10, 
1817, died at the age of twenty-six years; Benja- 
min, born June 16, 1819, died at the age of thir- 
ty-two years; Levi, born April 12, 1822, is the 
subject of this record; Ann Eliza, born Decem- 
ber 18, 1827, is the widow of Archibald Camp- 
bell, of Port Jervis; Solomon, born Jul}' 30, 1829, 
died in 1894, at the age of sixty-five years; Alva, 
born February 6, 1833, died April 10, 1854, at 
the age of twenty-one; Jane, born April 28, 1835, 
died in childhood; and Ellen, born December 27, 
1836, is the widow of Charles R. Bodle, of Port 
Jervis. After his marriage the father began his 




HON. FRANCIS MARVIN. 




MRS. AMKLIA ST. JOHN MARVIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



993 



domestic life in a stone house on the farm where 
his son Levi now makes his home, and there he 
erected the present dwelling on the same founda- 
tion of the old stone house. Here he passed the 
remainder of his life in the cultivation of his 
farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, which 
comprises one of the best farms in the neighbor- 
hood. In his political views he was a stalwart 
Democrat, and held several local offices, includ- 
ing those of Justice of the Peace and Super- 
visor. He was a supporter of the Reformed 
Church, to which his wife belonged. His death 
occurred June 7, 1865, at the age of seventy-four 
years, nine months and twenty-four days, and 
his wife passed away on the 3d of July, 1872, at 
the age of seventy-eight years, seven months and 
seventeen days. They were laid to rest in Lau- 
rel Grove Cemetery. 

On the 26th of December, 1876, Levi Van Et- 
ten, of this sketch, was united in marriage with 
Mrs. Mary (Chapman) Green, a daughter of Si- 
las and Keturah (Taylor) Chapman, of Cudde- 
backville. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman had formerly 
been residents of Otisville, town of Mt. Hope, 
where Mrs. Van Etten was born. Mr. \'an Et- 
ten is now engaged in the operation of his fine 
farm, in which he is meeting with excellent suc- 
cess. His business dealings are characterized 
by fairness and strict honesty, and he and his 
amiable wife have won for themselves an enviable 
place in the regard of others in the community. 



^^■•?-#i€^-?-'^ 



=^ 



HON. FRANCIS MARVIN, one of the most 
prominent men of Orange County, repre- 
sented his district in the Fifty-third Con- 
gress, and is one of the leading business men of 
Port Jervis, being President of the National 
Bank. In the city of New York he was born on 
the 8th of March, 1828, to Francis I. and Mary 
(Hill) Marvin. The father was a native of Con- 
necticut, and the family can be traced back to the 
first member who left England for the United 
States. 

In 1634 or 1635 Reinold Marvin came from 
Leicestershire, England, to Boston, but soon aft- 

44 



er located at Hartford, Conn., where his name 
appears as a member of the first church, before 
1639. He afterward became one of the proprie- 
tors of Farmington, and acquired land in Say- 
brook, on both sides of the Connecticut River. 
He probably resided in the latter place, and built 
his house in that part of the town which later 
became Lyme, there dying in 1662. His home- 
stead is still standing, and has always remained 
in the possession of his descendants. He had two 
children, Reinold and Mary. He was made a 
Freeman of Lyme on the 20th of May, 1653, at 
the General Court of Election. 

Reinold Marvin, son of the former, born in 
1634, was known on the town records as Lieuten- 
ant, and in 1665 was one of the committee ap- 
pointed to divide the town of Saybrook. He rep- 
re.sented Lyme in the General Court in 1670 and 
from 1672 to 1676. He had three sons: John, 
born in 1664; Reinold, the third, in 1669; and 
Samuel, in 167 1. He was appointed Sergeant of 
the band at Saybrook by a general court in ses- 
sion at Hartford, October 3, 1661, and was pro- 
moted to be Lieutenant, by which he was distin- 
guished from his father, who bore the title of 
Captain. The next in direct line is John Marvin, 
who died December 11, 1711, and he is followed 
by his sixth child, Benjamin, who was born in 
1705, and died January 21, 1775; while the next 
is his son Benjamin, who was born November 7, 
1743, and died June 14, 1823. The latter' s sec- 
ond son, Uriah, who was born August 8, 1770, 
married Olive Ingraham, January 19, 1794, and 
with four brothers settled in Albany, N. Y., in 
the early part of the present century. He was 
formerly a sea-captain, but afterward became a 
successful business man of that city. The family 
had several representatives in both the French 
and Indian War and the Revolution. 

Frtincis Ingraham Marvin, the father of our 
subject, was born October 11, 1795, and was one 
of the eleven children of Uriah Marvin. He be- 
gan business in AlbanJ^ but later became a gen- 
eral merchant of New York City, where he after- 
ward carried on a wholesale grocery. On the 4th 
of August, 1823, he wedded Mary Hill, of Cats- 
kill, N. Y., who was of English descent, belong- 



994 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing to one of the early families of Guilford, Conn. 
John Hill came from Northumberland, England, 
in 1654, and settled at Guilford, where his death 
occurred in 16S9. Mary Hill belonged to the 
seventh generation in direct line from that gen- 
tleman. Her father, Capt. Highland Hill, was a 
ship-builder, and was employed in the large yards 
at Catskill. He was born in 1759, and his death 
occurred in 1845 To Francis I. Manin and his 
wife were bom seven children, of whom our sub- 
ject is the eldest, and the four daughters died in 
infancy. Howard is a resident of Port Jer\-is: and 
Charles lives in Pike County, Pa. The father, 
wishing to retire from business, removed to Port 
Jen'is in 1846, where his death occurred at the 
age of sixty-four years. He was never verj- act- 
ive in public affairs, but by all who knew him was 
held in the highest respect. 

Francis Mar^-in, whose name introduces this 
review, spent his early life in New York Cit}-, 
but in 1S46 arrived in Orange Count>-, and for a 
few years successfully conducted a general store 
at Port Jervis, which had been started by his fa- 
ther. In 1S47 1'^ ^"^^ ^ surveyor on the sur\-ey- 
ing corps of the Erie Railroad, and later was 
made station agent at Callicoon. For one year 
he was disbursing agent for Gen. D. C. McCal- 
lum. Master of Bridges, but after three years he 
returned to Port Jervis, and in connection with 
his brothers carried on the store there until 1S56, 
when he became bookkeeper for the Bank of Port 
Jervis, now the National Bank. He was first 
bookkeeper and assistant cashier, while Henr\- H. 
Farnum was President, and Augustus P. Thomp- 
son Ca.shier. He was one of the original stock- 
holders before becoming bookkeeper, and his 
connection with the bank has contiiuied for thirty- 
nine years. He is now sending as President of 
the same, succeeding Charles St. John, whose 
death occurred in July. 1891, at which time our 
subject was elected to that oflBce. Mr. St. John 
had succeeded H H. Farnum, the first President 
of the bank. Mr. Manin comes from a family 
of bankers, and prior to 1891 he had served as 
^'ice-President and Director. 

In iS6i, with others, our subject assisted in 
the organization of the Port Jervis Gas-light 



Company, and managed the business from that 
time until 1S94, ser\-ing as President from 1879, 
on the death of H. H. Farnum. He had per- 
sonal management of its finances, and it became 
one of the most successfiil enterprises of the city. 
In 1869, in connection with Messrs. St. John, 
Farnum and oUiers. he was one of the incorpora- 
tors of the Port Jervis Water- works Company, of 
which he was made Treasurer and Director, and 
is now serving as Vice-President. In 1869 was 
also organized the Barrett Bridge Company, of 
which he was made Secretary and Treasurer, and 
he had personal super\-ision of the wire bridge 
constructed across the Delaware. He has ever 
been actively interested in the growth and wel- 
fare of Port Jer\ns, and aids materially in all her 
worthy public enterprises. In 1870 he was one 
of the incorporators of the Port Jervis & Monti- 
cello Railroad, a line of twenty -two miles, and 
was made Treasurer and Director, but as this was 
not a paying investment, he later withdrew. 

On the loth of June, 1850, Mr. Marvin married 
Miss Amelia, youngest daughter of Stephen St. 
John. She was called to her final rest March 7, 
1894, dying in Washington, D. C, where they 
were then staying. She was ver\- domestic in 
her tastes, and was an active church worker. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Marvin held membership with 
the Reformed Dutch Church ofPort Jer\-is, attend- 
ing the old Mahackemech Church. For forty years 
she had hardly ever missed a church ser\'ice. and 
was a consistent Christian woman. 

In 1S65 Mr. Mar\-in was elected President of 
the village, and ser\"ed for several years as a 
member of the School Board. He was Superv-isor 
of Deerpark in 1SS9-90. In 1S64 he ran for the 
office of Assemblyman on the Republican ticket 
wth Lincoln, but as the district was strong!}- 
Democratic, he was defeated. He was candidate 
for State Senator in 18S1. the candidate of the 
opposite party being James Mackin, of New- 
burgh. He is a stanch supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, and has served as delegate to both 
State and Senatorial Conventions. In 1892 he 
was elected to the Fifty-third Congress, while the 
Democratic candidate was Hon. Henri,- Bacon, 
who had for two terms represented the district. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



-995 



being elected in 1886 and 1890, while he was de- 
feated in iSSS. ilr. Marvin received a majority 
of one hundred and fifty, and represented the 
Seventeenth Congressional District, which in- 
cludes Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Counties. 
He ser\-ed on many important committees, includ- 
ing the one on Accounts, and also the one on 
Private Land Claims. In 1S94 he declined a re- 
nomination, preferring to live a retired life at 
Port Jervis, surrounded by his man\- friends, who 
hold him in the highest respect. 

• ^^^ g^ P • 



\A RS. AMELIA ST. JOHN MARVIN, the 
y late wife of the Hon. Francis Marvin, died 
(3 at Hotel Hamilton, in Washington, D. C, 
on the 7th of March. 1894. The funeral services 
were performed at the hotel by Rev. Dr. George 
P. A'an.Wyck, who had united her in marriage 
forty-four years before, and by whom she was re- 
ceived into the church fifty -three years previous. 
She was the daughter of Stephen and Abigail 
( Horton) St. John, and was born on the iSth of 
March, 1829, in the old stone hou.se in German- 
town owned by her father, which is still stand- 
ing. She received an excellent education in the 
schools of Port Jer\-is. 

During her married life Mrs. Mar\-in dispensed 
a refined and generous hospitality, and her death 
came as a personal loss to hundreds in Port Jer- 
vis. Her life was one of continual beneficence, 
and she was always ministering to the wants of 
those less fortunate in riches than she. Inherit- 
ing a fortune from her father, she had ample 
means to gratify the noble dictates of her kind 
and sympathetic heart. Her charities were con- 
stant and unceasing, her purse ever open to assist 
the needy, and she aided in everj- good work. 
She was mistress of a hospitable home, and is 
deeply missed from society and church. She 
stood at the head of every benevolent effort. Her 
memory is enshrined in afi'ectionate remembrance 
of friends and relatives, and she will continue to 
live in the hearts of those whose troubles were 
lightened and sorrows eased bv her kindlv visita- 



tions. She died full of hope in the blessed here- 
after, and no woman whose death has occurred in 
Port Jervis in the last decade or two has been so 
widelv mourned. 



G: 



^m 



^rz- 



^^1 



-^") 



^ 



(Tames ward, a farmer and dairyman of the 
I town of Crawford, was boni December 9. 
(2/ 1S34. on the farm where he now resides, and 
was the youngest of five children born to James 
and Jane (Decker) Ward. The other children 
were: Eve, who was bom in IHster County, and 
who married John Bowles, of Brooklyn, Pa.; 
Elizabeth, also born in Ulster County, but now 
deceased; William S., who was born in the town 
of Crawford, and died in May, 1S95, having been 
a resident of the town during his entire life: and 
Mahitable Jane, the wife of James Wallace, now 
deceased. 

James Ward, Sr., the father of our subject, 
was born in Februar)-, 1797, in the town of New- 
burgh, where he grew to manhood. His parents 
died when he was about ten years old, at which 
time he was bound out to an uncle and learned 
the tanner's trade. When he attained his major- 
ity, he came to the town of Crawford and rented 
a small tannery, which he conducted a short time 
and then moved to Ulster County. There he 
purchased a farm, on which he remained until 
1826. when he returned to Orange County and 
purchased the farm in the town of Crawford now 
in the possession of our subject. He was quite 
successful in life, as he commenced his career 
without capital, and at his death left two good 
farms, which were well improved in every re- 
spect. The family were early residents of Or- 
ange Countj-. Jane (Decker) Ward, our sub- 
ject's mother, was born in the town of Montgom- 
ery, and was a daughter of Philip Decker. She 
was a devout member of tlie United Presbyterian 
Church until her death. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
his native county and received such education as 
the common schools afforded. On the 21st of 



996 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Januarj% 1863, he married Miss Elizabeth Mc- 

Buniey Crans, who was likewise a native of this 
town. To them were bom three children: John 
E., now a merchant at Thompson Ridge; Cris- 
siej., who died young: and George N., a dentist 
in Walden. The father of Mrs. Ward was bom 
in the town of Montgomery- , but hispwrents were 
natives of Germany. 

On the death of his parents, our subject in- 
herited the home farm, which comprises one hun- 
dred and ten acres of well tilled land, on which 
he keeps a fine herd of graded cattle. He is a 
member of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, of 
which body his wife is also a member, and in his 
political \-iews is a Democrat, but is quite liberal. 
He is a man well posted in general affairs, and 
enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know 
him. 



EOL. PETER P. SWARTWOUT was for 
many years one of the leading agriculturists 
of the town of Deerpark, and was a mem- 
ber of an old and honored family of the Empire 
State. He was bom in Sussex Count\-. X. J., 
May 25, 181 7, where his mother was residing 
temporarily, eight miles below Carpenter's Point. 
He was a son of Philip and Esther ( Westbrook) 
Swartwout. the latter being formerly the widow 
of a Mr. Westfall. 

The founder of the family in Orange County 
was Anthony Swartwout, who located here in 
1690. He had two sons and one daughter. 
Samuel, who wedded Esther Gumaer, had one 
daughter, Elizabeth, who became the wife of 
Benjamin Dupuy. Maj. James Jacobus Swart- 
wout married Anna Gumaer: and Jane became 
the wife of John (.Jan) Van Fleet. (See the sketch 
of Benjamin Van Fleet.) Maj. James Swart- 
wout had five children, one of whom, Gerardus, 
was killed in the French and Indian War. Philip, 
who inherited his father's estate, married Antje 
Wynkoop, by whom he had four sons, Gerardus, 
Philip, James and Cornelius: and by his second 
marriage, with Deborah Schoonover, had a son 
Peter. The father of this family was a Justice 
of the Peace before and during the Revolutionarv 



War, and ser\-ed on the Committee of Safety. 
Himself and two sons were killed by the Indians. 

The next in direct line is Peter Swartwout, who 
was bom June 11, 1766. and married Jane West- 
fall, whose birth occurred October 20, 1770. (See 
sketch of Peter D. Swartwout. ) Their second 
son was Philip, whose birth occurred on the 1 2th 
of October, 1 790, and he was united in marriage 
with Esther Westfall. nee Westbrook, and to them 
were born six children, of whom our subject is 
the eldest. His only brother, Hem^- B., died 
October 27. 1S50, leaving three children: George 
Henry, a resident of the town of Deerpark: Mrs. 
Hattie Dunham: and Belle, wife of Emery Judd. 
His sisters are Jane, widow of Benjamin Whit- 
lock, of Lyons, N. Y. : Catherine, deceased, the 
wife of George Robertson: Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
Peter G. Van Inwegen. of Middletown; and 
Sarah. Mrs. Coe Robertson, of Kansas Cit>-, Mo. 
The father of this family died on the 3d of June. 
1S62. 

The boyhood of Peter P. Swartwout was passed 
at Huguenot, Orange Count\-. and on the loth of 
November, 1S42. he was married, by Rev. C. C. 
Elting. to Miss Hannah Cuddeback, daughter of 
Benjamin and Blandina 1 Van Etteu) Cuddeback. 
I See sketch of Elting Cuddeback.'^ They im- 
mediately located on the farm where his widow 
now resides, which has always belonged to the 
Swartwout family, they buying it from the In- 
dians, Later it was purchased by the father of 
our subject, and came into possession of the lat- 
ter in 1S46. He there carried on agricultural 
pursuits until his death, which occurred October 
27. 1SS5. In his younger days he had also done 
some lumbering in connection with his father on 
Ten Mile River, and engaged in rafting logs. 
He had a good farm of eighty -five acres, and was 
an energetic, industrious man. He attended the 
Reformed Church, and politically affiliated with 
the Democracy, and was elected by that party to 
the office of Town Super\-isor. in which he served 
for two terms. On family and Valley history he 
was one of the best posted men in this portion of 
the state. He took great pride in training an old 
militia company, of which he was Captain, hence 
his title. 




HENRY F. WEST. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



999 



In the family of our subject were eight chil- 
dren. Catherine, widow of Daniel De Witt, now 
makes her home in New York; Jemima, who died 
September lo, 1874, at the age of twenty-nine 
years, was the wife of Stoddard Van Inwegen; 
Jane is the wife of Hector J. Bidwell, of Port 
Jervis; Philip died at the age of twenty-one 
years; Esther, who was the wife of Henry Her- 
bert, passed away in 1892; Ellen is now Mrs. 
CharacJ. Van Inwegen, of Huguenot; Benjamin 
is the next in the family; and Henry B. is a phys- 
ician of Port Jervis. 

Benjamin C. Swartwout now has charge of the 
home farm, which he has operated since the death 
of his father. He was born on the 2d of Septem- 
ber, 1858, and on the 8th of October, 1884, he 
married Miss Blanche Cuddeback, a daughter of 
Solomon and Ellen (Van Etten) Cuddeback, the 
former dying when she was yet an infant. Her 
mother is now the widow of Charles Bodle, of 
Port Jervis. Mrs. Swartwout's birth occurred 
on the nth of September, i860, and by her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of five interest- 
ing children: Willard Henry, Nina Blanche, 
Harry Coleman, Van Etten and Frank Benjamin. 
The famih' is one of prominence in the town of 
Deerpark, and in social circles ranks high. 



^^ 



HENRY F. WEST, a retired merchant resid- 
ing in Sparrow Bush, town of Deerpark, 
was born September 18, 1830, at the mouth 
of the Mongaup River, in Sullivan Count)-, about 
three miles from Sparrow Bush. He was the 
fourth among eight children comprising the fam- 
ily of Jonathan and Sarah (Lawrence) West, na- 
tives respectively of Maine and Philadelphia. His 
father, who was reared on a farm, came to Sulli- 
van County, N. Y., in 1816, and engaged in the 
lumber business, also built dams for sawmills. In 
1826 he removed to Sparrow Bush, where he em- 
baiked in the mercantile business, but after a 
short time there he sold out and purchased a 
stock of goods at Mongaup, remaining in that 
place for eight years. 

On his return to Sparrow Bush, Jonathan 



West purchased the farm that Henry F. now 
owns, and here he contiiuied to reside until his 
death, which occurred at eight)- years of age. 
He was a man whose success was attributable 
solely to his unaided exertions. Starting in life 
without any means, he built up a good trade and 
a reputation as a reliable merchant. His success 
was more than ordinary, and his last years were 
passed in comfort, retired from business cares. 
Politically he was a Republican, but did not take 
an active part in public affairs. His wife died at 
the age of seventy-two, and their bodies were 
buried side by side in the Pine Hill Cemetery, on 
the West farm. 

During the years of his youth our subject at- 
tended school in winter and boated on the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Canal during the summer months 
for five years. On reaching his majority he went 
to Brooklyn and drove a baker's wagon for a 
short time there, after which he was employed on 
a railroad bridge at Elniira. Then going west 
to St. Louis, Mo., he engaged in railroading for 
six months, but did not care to establish his per- 
manent home there, so returned to New York, 
where he secured a position as foreman on the 
Delaware & Hudson Canal. For three years he 
filled that place, having charge of the repairing 
of the canal. For eight years following he car- 
ried on a general mercantile business at Mon- 
gaup, then sold out and built a store at Sparrow 
Bush, where he carried on business for two years. 
His next enterprise was the purchase of twen- 
ty-eight hundred acres of timber-land in Delaware 
County, N. Y. , which large tract enabled him to 
carry on a very extensive lumber business, and 
he was successful during the five years he was en- 
gaged in this occupation. At the expiration of 
that time he sold out his lumber interests and 
once more engaged in the mercantile business at 
vSparrow Bush, purchasing the old homestead 
here. In 189,5 he retired from active bu.sine.ss 
cares, and since then has devoted his attention to 
superintending the management of his farm. 

In 1873 Mr. West married Mi.ss Mary Stanton, 
of Forestburg, Sullivan County, daughter of Ben- 
jamin and Sarah ( Carr) Stanton, natives of Orange 
County. Mr. Stanton is deceased, but his wife is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



living at Forestburg, at the age of eighty-four. 
Four children were born unto our subject and his 
wife. Lillian A., the eldest, isthewifeof L. A. 
Johnson, who succeeded Mr. West in the mercan- 
tile business at Sparrow Bush. The3' have one 
son, Harold West. The family met with a 
deep bereavement in the loss of the three sons, 
all of whom died young. The political views 
of our subject bring him into active co-op- 
eration with the Republican part\% and he is one 
of the .sturdj^ defenders of that faith in the town 
ofDeerpark. The farm which he owns consists 
of one hundred and seventy-five acres, containing 
all the equipments of a model estate, including a 
neat residence and substantial outbuildings for 
the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. 

'5 =— SI <"T ■> ^"^ S 

HARVEY ROE was born in the tow<i of Wall- 
kill October g, 1814. He has spent his en- 
tire life in this town, with the interests of 
which he has been identified for many jears as one 
of its most practical and successful farmers, and in 
one of its pleasantest homes he is passing the last 
years of a long and useful life in retirement. Dur- 
ing his long residence here his course in business 
has been such as to win him universal respect, 
and he is liked by all who have come under the 
genial influence of his manly character, his help- 
ful ways and his unsw'erving allegiance to the 
right. 

The parents of our subject were Samuel and 
Marj' (Tiers) Roe, who were born in this town 
and spent their entire lives here. The father, 
who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1848, 
and was survived by his wife for twentj' years, 
her death occurring in 1868. Harvey Roe did 
not in j'outh have the advantages which fall to 
the lot of the boj-s of the present generation, but 
he was able to attend a few terms at the district 
schools, and having given some tims to self-cult- 
ure since attaining manhood he has become a 
well informed man. With the exception of two 
years, during which time he was engaged in bus- 
iness at Scotchtown, this county, he has devoted 
his attention throughout his active career to the 



occupation of a farmer. He is now the owner of 
two hundred and fourteen acres of productive 
land, upon which substantial buildings have been 
erected. 

In 1838 Mr. Roe married Miss Hannah Maria 
Puff, who died in 1852. Two years later he was 
again married, his wife being Melissa Winfield, 
who died sixteen years later. His present wife, 
with whom he was united in 1876, bore the 
maiden name of Jane Brooks and is a ladj- of es- 
timable character. No children survive of these 
unions. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are members of the 
Presbj'terian Church at Scotchtown and are reg- 
ular contributors to religious and benevolent en- 
terprises. Politically he casts his vote and exerts 
his influence in behalf of the Democratic party, 
and upon that ticket he has been chosen to ser\-e 
in a number of town ofiices. He has efficienth' 
served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Poor 
Master and Assessor, as well as in a number 
of minor positions. Though incapacitated for 
active manual labor through the infirmities of 
age, he is still quite rugged for one of his j-ears 
and retains to a large degree the possession of his 
physical faculties. That he may live for years 
yet to come, in the enjoj^ment of mens saria in 
corpore sano, is the wish of his many friends. 



(John R. manning was bom in the town 
I of Wawayanda, and has spent his entire life 
v2/ within its limits. Since the age of fifteen he 
has had charge of grain, saw and cider mills, be- 
sides which he has done considerable bridge and 
highway work. At the age of fifty-five, however, 
he turned his attention to farming, and has since 
followed that occupation. His educational advant- 
ages were limited to attendance at the district 
schools of the neighborhood. 

The Manning family originated in Ireland, but 
has long been represented in Orange Count}-. 
Our subject's father, Hiram, was a son of Wal- 
ter, and was born in the town of Greenville. He 
married Catherine Rascine, who was of French 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



descent, and they became the parents of nine 
cliildren, as follows: John R., who was born 
August 15,1837; Fannie A., whose home is in 
Washington; Walter, a resident of the town of 
Minisink; Coe F., who died in i860, aged about 
fifteen years; Benjamin, now livnig in Washing- 
ton; Josephine, residing in Michigan; Hiram C, 
a resident of Washington; Seymour, also living 
in Washington; and Harding, who resided in 
Michigan until his death in i8go, at the age of 
twenty-six years. 

In 1862 our subject married Esther J., daugh- 
ter of Daniel T. Durland. She was reared in the 
family of Lawrence Forgerson, and was called by 
their name until her marriage. She died in 187 1, 
leaving two sons, namely: Coe F., born July 5, 
1864, and now living in Washington; and Hiram, 
born February 14, 1868, who now owns the 
homestead, and has charge of the mills. In 1873 
Mr. Maiming married Sarah E., daughter of 
Stewart T. Durland, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Jennie D., born March 3, 1879. 

The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
John and Anna (Coleman) Rascine, the former 
being a son of Charles and Esther (Schuyler) 
Rascine. In 1785 Charles Rascine left the house, 
without hat or shoes, to drive his cattle from his 
grain field, but he was never afterward heard of 
It is supposed that the Indians killed him. The 
parents of Anna Coleman were Gideon and Cath- 
arine (Bull) Coleman. Our subject's mother, 
Catharine, had an only sister, who married 
Stephen Harding. The father of our subject 
died in 1866, aged fifty years, and the mother in 
1875, at the age of fifty-five. 



OC »»-2"i-»»-i"i"i"i--i"i' ^ -H"i"i''i"i"S''S'»'i''H' !X> 

30SEPH H. CLARK, a farmer of the town 
of Crawford, was born in New York City, 
November 19, 1831, and was third in a fam- 
ily of five children born to Ira and Eliza (Bark- 
ley) Clark. All the children are deceased with 
the exception of our subject. 

Ira Clark was born December 26, 1797, in 
Westchester County, N. Y., and there remained 



until about twenty years of age, when he came to 
this town, teaching school in Searsville for a time. 
He then purchased the farm on which our sub- 
ject now resides, and where he spent the remain- 
der of his life. He was one of the first officers on 
the organization of the town. For thirteen years 
he was Superintendent of Schools, and was Town 
Clerk a great many years. For some years he 
also served as Justice of the Peace. Religiously 
he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and 
for years was a Trustee of the same. Politically 
he was a Democrat, and was an active worker in 
local affairs. His death occurred on the old 
homestead, September 8, 1883, and his remains 
were interred in the Hopewell Burying-ground. 
A strictly honest man, in whatever he under- 
took he was successful, and he had many friends. 

Eliza Clark, the mother of our subject, was 
born March 26, 1795, and was the daughter of 
Joseph Barkley, who was also a native of this 
town, but of Scotch descent, his father emigrat- 
ing to this country from Scotland. Mrs. Clark 
died February 22, 1863, and her remains were 
buried in Hopewell Cemetery. An earnest Chris- 
tian woman and a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, she was greatly missed in her com- 
munity. 

On the I St of March, 1865, Joseph H. Clark 
and Mary Hunter were united in marriage. She 
died leaving four children: Anna L., now the 
wife of Jacob Rump, a farmer of the town of 
Crawford; Theodore G., also a prosperous farmer 
here; Jane S., who resides with her brother; and 
George H., still at home. November i, 1876, 
our subject was again married, taking as his wife 
Mary C. Booksteader, and by this union there 
were born three children: Francis E., Edward R. 
and Sarah N. The second-named died when five 
years of age. 

Politically Mr. Clark is a Democrat, and has 
taken an active part in local affairs, having held 
the office of Town Clerk for seven years, and is 
now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace. 
He and all his family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he has served as Trustee 
for fifteen years, and he is also an active worker 
in the temperance cau.se. His landed posses.sions 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



comprise one hundred acres, fifty of which he in- 
herited from his father. The farm is in a good 
state of cultivation, and his home is a pleasant 
and happy one. 



0AVID P. AYRES. There are many fine 
farms in the town of Wallkill, and it is safe 
to saj' that the one owned bj^ Mr. Ayres is 
the peer of any other. It consists of one hundred 
and twenty-three acres of well improved land, 
bearing substantial and valuable improvements. 
He makes a specialty' of the dairy business, hav- 
ing a herd of graded Holsteins, and also engages 
successfully in raising small fruits. He carries 
on truck gardening to some extent, and in his 
general fanning he pays considerable attention to 
the raising of corn, which he finds very- remu- 
nerative. In the raising of poultrj- he has also 
met with success, and has a fine collection of Leg- 
horns, as well as other choice breeds. His farm 
buildings are modern and conveniently arranged, 
and his home inviting and attractive. 

In this countj-, of which he has been a continu- 
ous resident for ten years, Mr. Ayres was born 
October 21, 1839, being a son of David C. and 
Margaret M. (Palmer) Ayres. His father, also 
a native of this count3% spent his earlier 3- ears 
here, but about 1844 he removed to Sullivan 
County, N. Y., with his family, where he en- 
gaged in the lumber business for a number of 
years. Interested in matters of general import- 
ance and questions aifecting the national welfare, 
he was intelligently posted upon topics of the 
times, and was highly regarded as a public-spirited 
citizen. At various times he was elected to posi- 
tions of trust, all of which he filled satisfactorily 
to the people and with credit to himself His 
death occurred in 1884, at the age of seventy-five, 
in the town of Highland, Sullivan County. His 
wife had died some time previous to his demise. 

No event of unusual interest marked the boj^- 
hood years of our subject. Alternating attendance 
at school with work on the farm, he grew to a 



rugged, vigorous manhood. In youth he learned 
the blacksmith's trade, which he followed several 
years in connection with farming. In 1892 he 
came to the valuable farm which he has since 
owned and operated. In his enterprises he has 
had the assistance of his wife, a lady dowered with 
good judgment and amiable disposition. She 
bore the maiden name of Rebecca A. Drake, and 
was born in Sullivan County, as were also her 
parents, Ira R. and Julia A. Drake. The union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Ayres, which was solemnized in 
1865, resulted in the birth of four children, one 
of whom has died. Those living are Jennie P., 
wife of George Rugger, of Matamoras, Pa. , and 
George and M. Lillian, who are attending the 
academy at Middletown. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Ayres has a firm 
faith in the wisdom and soundness of the teach- 
ings of that party. He has sen-ed his fellow-cit- 
izens efficiently in the capacit}- of Excise Com- 
mis.sioner, and has held other local oflBces of trust. 
In the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he 
and his wife are active members, he is ser\'ing as 
Steward. A public -spirited, generous man, his 
influence in the community is great, and his po- 
sition among the leading citizens of the town has 
been gained through patient efforts in the inter- 
est of the great commonwealth to which he gives 
his allegiance. 



Ill > i )i I ii I ) 



QESSE bull, a prominent farmer and citizen 
I of the town of Wallkill, is a native of Orange 
(*/ Countj', born in 1857, and is a son of Oscar 
and May (Drake) Bull, both of whom were also 
natives of this count}-. In early life Oscar Bull 
learned the mason's trade, at which he was en- 
gaged for many years. He subsequently- engaged 
in farming, but a few years prior to his death, 
which occurred in 1880, he moved to Circleville. 
His wife, the mother of our subject, is yet living, 
and although nearly fourscore years of age enjoys 
good health. 

Jesse Bull was reared on the farm, grow-ing to 
manhood under the parental roof, and received his 
education in the district schools of the count}-. 




SAMTKI. II. KlMiKRSd.N 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1005 



He was married, in 1881, to Miss Sarah Connor, 
a daughter of Charles B. and Emma (Bull) Con- 
nor, who were also natives and respected citizens 
of Orange County. One child, Alice, now de- 
ceased, was born of this union. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bull are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Scotchtown, and take an active 
interest in the work of the same. In politics he 
is a Republican, and has an abiding faith in the 
principles and puritj' of that party. He has never 
desired or accepted official position, preferring to 
give his undivided attention to his farm work. 
More than one hundred acres of finely improved 
land are included in his farm, on which he carries 
on general farming, but gives especial attention 
to the dairy business. B}- his upright dealings 
and sterling qualities he has won the respect and 
esteem of all who know him. 

' ^^P ■ 



MAMUEL D. ROBERSON. Prominent among 
/\ the business men and worthy citizens of 
\^ BuUville stands Samuel D. Roberson, who 
is a general merchantof the place. His reputa- 
tion as a business man is well established, and 
the confidence of his associates and the esteem in 
which he is held are well deserved. 

Mr. Roberson was born February 12, 1849, in 
the town of Crawford, and was fourth in order of 
birth in the family of Samuel and Margaret (Mar- 
tin ) Roberson. His father was born in Westches- 
ter County, April 6, 18 15, and is now living 
retired in Bullville, where for many years he was 
proprietor of the Bullville Hotel. For a full his- 
tory of this gentleman we refer the reader to his 
biography, which appears on another page in this 
volume. 

Our subject spent his boyhood days on the 
home farm, and after securing a good education 
spent much time in the hotel in Bullville, assist- 
ing his father. Soon after attaining his majorit}^ 
he was married, and for three years managed the 
hotel. At the expiration of that time he built a 
creamery, and so well was he patronized by the 
farmers of the surrounding country that he soon 
built up an exten.sive trade, and has continued in 



this enterprise ever since. In 1892, however, he 
built his present fine store, and stocked it with a 
line of all those commodities necessary to the 
community in which he lives and to the farmers 
in the surrounding country. In addition to the 
business already mentioned, Mr. Roberson is en- 
gaged as a coal merchant, supplying the people 
of Bullville with this commodity at popular 
prices. 

March 29, 1870, Mr. Robenson and Miss Han- 
nah Powles, of Newburgh, were united in mar- 
riage. To them seven children were born, of 
whom four sons and one daughter are now living. 
Theodore, the eldest, is engaged in the creamery 
enterprise with his father; Mary O., Bertie, Sam- 
uel M. and Robert F. are all at home. 

Our subject is a prominent politician and one 
of the leaders of the Democratic party in his town. 
Under Cleveland's first admini.stration he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, has also been Supervisor for 
a period of seven years, and is at present Chair- 
man of the Democratic County Committee. He 
is very conscientious in all that he does, and never 
fails to give satisfaction in every position he occu- 
pies. Having started from home empty-handed 
to make his own way in the world, he has reached 
his present standing unaided, and owes it to his 
own industrious and enterprising characteristics 
that he is now one of the influential and prosper- 
ous men of this section. 



'^-- 



=+ 



EHARLES W. LOOMIS, who owns the 
Waceda celery fields in the village of Otis- 
ville, town of Mt. Hope, was born April 4, 
1849, on the farm that he now owns and occupies. 
He was the 3'oungest of three sons comprising the 
family of Ephraim S. and Frances E. (Roe) 
Loomis, his brothers being Silas, who is engaged 
in the milk business in Jersey City, N. J. ; and 
Louis L-, who died at the age of twenty-six. 

Ephraim S. Eooniis was born in the town of 
Mt. Hope, and spent his entire life engaged in 
farming pursuits there, dying February 28, 1869, 



ioo6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



at the age of sixty -eight years. His body lies in 
the Tx)omis family cemetery. Politically he was 
a Republican and always took an active interest 
in public affairs, but would not accept official po- 
sition. For many years he was identified with 
the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an 
active worker. His father, Dr. Silas L,oomis, was 
a noted physician at Otisville many years ago, 
and had a large practice, extending for miles 
around. For a long time he lived at the Plains, 
near Otisville, but later purchased a farm from 
Eli Roberts, in what is now the village of Otis- 
ville, with the homestead near the Presbyterian 
Church. Here the Doctor spent his last days. 
He was a member of the Orange County Med- 
ical Society, and became quite prominent in 
the medical fraternity. To the poor he was a 
self-sacrificing friend, and many of them he vis- 
ited in illness without expectation of remunera- 
tion. The histor\- of the family in America dates 
back to a ver>- early day in the settlement of this 
country, the first representative here being Joseph 
Loomis. 

Frances E., our subject's mother, was boni in 
the town of Goshen and was a granddaughter of 
Benjamin \"ail, who was killed in the battle of 
Minisink. She was an earnest Christian woman, 
and about the oldest member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Otisville. Her death occurred in the 
town of Mt. Hope, November 19, 1S91, at the age 
of seventy-seven. The subject of this sketch re- 
mained with his parents until their death, when 
he inherited a part of the old homestead and sub- 
sequently purchased his brothers' interests. His 
education was limited to the common schools, 
and he has always been engaged in farm work. 
In November, 1887, he married Phoebe Dunlap, 
of Cuddebackville, and to them were born four 
children, all at home, namely: Iva Parmelia. 
Antoinette Eveline, Ephraim Smith and Frank 
Kaufmann. 

Politically Mr. Loomis is an active Republican, 
and is now serving his third term as Supervisor 
of the town. For eight years he served as Justice 
of the Peace, after which he resigned. He and his 
family are members of the Presbyterian Church, 
and are actively interested in the welfare of the 



congregation at Otisville. He owns thirty-six 
acres adjoining the village and devotes his en- 
tire time to gardening, his principal product be- 
ing celery, for which the land is especially adapt- 
ed. Personally he has a host of friends, and is 
esteemed for his good qualities of head and heart. 



---;-?"5-4"!- 






yyiOSES B. McMONAGLE. Upon the farm 
y in the town of Wallkill where he still makes 
(9 his home, the subject of this sketch was 
born December 3, 1847. He is a son of Moses 
and Mehitable (Bull) McMonagle, who were born, 
reared and married in this county, and here con- 
tinued to reside until their deaths. The father, 
who was a man of irreproachable integrity and 
great perseverance, followed agriculture for his 
life work, and while he never amassed wealth, he 
became the owner of a well improved farm and 
was prospered in his undertakings. His death 
occurred in 1894, when advanced in years. His 
wife died in 1S83, eleven years prior to his de- 
mise. 

As soon as old enough the subject of this sketch 
entered the district schools of the home neighbor- 
hood, and there he gained the rudiments of his 
education. Subsequently for three years he was 
a student in the academy at Montgomen,-, an old 
institution that has sent forth many of the best 
men of our county. Upon choosing an occupa- 
tion, he selected that of general farming, which 
he has since followed, making a specialty of the 
dairy business. He established domestic ties in 
1873, at which time he was united in marriage 
with Miss Marj- D. Newkirk, who was born in 
this countN-, and is a daughter of Matthew and 
Catherine Maria (Bodine) Newkirk, members of 
old families of the Hudson Valley. Of this union 
five daughters survive, all of whom are at home 
and are being trained under the wise guidance of 
their parents for positions of honor in the world. 
The}- are named as follows: Hettie B., Ellen R., 
Katie M., Mollie G. and Reba H. 

Interested in public affairs, Mr. McMonagle 
has ser\-ed creditably to himself and satisfactorily 
to others in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1007 



He is well informed in politics and is a loyal 
Democrat, always supporting the principles for 
which his party stands. He is an active promo- 
ter of every movement which in his judgment is 
calculated to promote the social and industrial in- 
terests of the community, and may be relied upon 
to assist, by his contributions and influence, pub- 
lic-spirited enterprises. 

(7 AMES BIGLER, who for many years has 
I been extensively connected with the lumber 
Q) interests of Newburgh, was boni near Bing- 
hamton, Broome County, on the 6th of Feb- 
ruar}-, 181S. The ancestors of our subject came 
to this country from Germany, first locating in 
Pennsylvania, and to this family Governor Big- 
ler of Pennsylvania and Governor Bigler of Cal- 
fornia also belong. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, who was bom in the Keystone State, became 
% farmer of Warren County, X. J., in which state 
his son Philip was born in 17S3. The latter, 
who was the father of James, sened as a Captain 
during the War of 1S12. He removed to Broome 
County about 1800, and later engaged in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes in Binghamton, 
but at the time of the building of the Erie Canal 
he was residing at Utica, where, in 1822, he en- 
gaged in the grocery and provision business. 
Ten years later, however, he returned to Bing- 
hamton, where he continued in the same line of 
trade, and there his death occurred in 1876. He 
had formerly been a Whig, but later gave his 
support to the Republican party. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Nancj- Cartwright, was 
born in Broome County, and was a daughter of 
John and Man,- (^Brink) Cartwright, both natives 
of Pennsylvania, and of Holland- Dutch descent. 
Mrs. Bigler, who died at the age of eighty -six 
years, was a consistent member of the Presby- 
terian Church, as was also her husband. In 
their family were three sons and one daughter, 
but all have passed away with the exception of 
our subject, who was the youngest. 

During his boyhood and youth, James Bigler 



remained with his parents, and on leaving school 
he entered into partnership with his father in the 
grocery, provision and luiuber business. He re- 
mained in Binghamton until September, 1842, 
when he located in Newburgh. The previous 
spring he had started John W. Wells in business 
here, and now he joined him in the lumber trade. 
Two years later, when the Newburgh Steam-mills 
were building, Mr. Bigler contracted to furnish 
all the lumber and timber needed in their con- 
struction, and afterward went into business on a 
large scale, having both a wholesale and retail 
trade, and doing the largest business of the kind 
in the state. In i S44 he commenced the erection 
of a sawmill at Norris' Dock, which he at first 
leased, but afterward purchased, aud the business 
increased until it amounted to over $1,000,000 
annually. The timber arrived in rafts from the 
West, and after being sawed was loaded on ves- 
sels and sent everywhere. He had one hundred 
and fifty men engaged in cutting live-oak to be 
shipped to the various navj--yards in the United 
States, and for this purpose thousands of acres 
were cleared. During the war he manufactured 
hundreds of gun-carriages for the Govennnent, 
besides supplying the lumber aud timber for naval 
construction. His works ran night aud day. 
While in business he owned three ships, one 
barque and a number of schooners, barges and 
steamboats. The West Shore Railroad Company 
bought out the site of his .-sawmill and the ship- 
}-ards. 

In 1 885 Mr. Bigler purchased the ship-bnild- 
ing works of Ward, Stanton & Co., after that 
firm failed, and for .some time continued the bus- 
iness. Later he sold the plant to the Chesapeake 
Dr>- Dock and Construction Company, of New- 
port News, and for a short period he was super- 
intendent of that company. He also engaged in 
building floating gates or caissons for various 
United States docks, supplying those at Ports- 
mouth in Virginia, and at New York, Philadel- 
phia, Port Royal in South Carolina, Newport 
News, and Puget vSouud, Wash. Besides his 
other enterprises he built many boats, including 
the "Muscanettecou," "South Brooklyn," "West 
Brooklyn "and "Hopatcon," and some fine yachts. 



ioo8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was the originator and sole owner of the 
Courtney Whistling Buoj-, considered of the ut- 
most importance in navigation, and now used bj' 
the United States Government and in all parts of 
the world. 

In 1879 Mr. Bigler organized the Newburgh 
Telephone Company, now the Hud.son River 
Telephone Compan}', of which he was the first 
President, and is .still a Director. He laid the 
first telephone cable across the Hudson. In every 
enterprise for the good of the citj' he has taken 
an active part, aiding materially in promoting the 
welfare of the people. He was a liberal sub- 
scriber toward the purchase of the Home for the 
Friendless, and actually purchased the property 
himself and deeded it to the society. In 1864 he 
assisted in the incorporation of The First National 
Bank of Newburgh, of which he was a Director for 
fourteen years, and one of the largest stockholders 
for many years. For thirty years he has been a 
Trustee of the Newburgh Savings Bank, and at 
one time he was a stockholder in the Highland 
National Bank. In 1865 he erected the large 
business block at the corner of Smith and Third 
Streets, known as the Bigler Building, which has 
been occupied by the postoffice ever since, with 
the exception of a couple of years during Cleve- 
land's administration. 

On the ist of December, 1840, Mr. Bigler was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriet Smith, a 
daughter of Jo.seph Smith, a farmer bj- occupa- 
tion. The ceremony was performed in Bingham- 
ton. She was called to her final rest in 1866, 
leaving three daughters, who grew to maturity: 
Mrs. Emma Brown, who died in Buffalo, in 1887; 
Mary A., also a resident of the same place; and 
Harriet V., who attended Wheaton Seminary, of 
Norton, Mass., and now assists her father as 
bookkeeper. At Elizabeth, N. J., in 1867, Mr. 
Bigler was again married, this union being with 
Miss Marj- W. Magie, and to them were born five 
children, four sons and a daughter, but one son 
is now deceased. Those living are: James M., 
who is at Seattle, Wash., in charge of the build- 
ing and erection of the caisson gates; Eugene W. , 
manager of the Newburgh branch of the Hudson 
River Telephone Company; Robert N., who is 



assisting his brother in Seattle; and Anna, at 
home. 

During the war Mr. Bigler served as a member 
of the Board of Village Trustees, and after the in- 
corporation of the city of Newburgh, in 1865, be- 
came a member of its first Board. For many 
years he held membership with the Reformed 
Church, but in 1884 united with the Presbyterian 
Church of Newburgh. He was formerly a Whig, 
casting his first vote for William Henry Harrison 
in 1840, but on the organization of the Republi- 
can party he joined its ranks, in 1856, and has 
since fought under its banner. 



|ILLIAM H. WOOD, now engaged in farm- 
ing in the town of Wawayanda, was born 
here July 6, 1822, and is a son of Clark 
Wood, a native of Orange County. The grand- 
father, Richard Wood, was also born in this coun- 
ty, but the great-grandfather, Richard Wood, 
came from Long Island. Clark Wood married 
Sarah Durland, and to them were born seven chil- 
dren, as follows: William H., the subject of this 
sketch; Martha, Samuel J., John D. (deceased), 
Aaron C, Mary J. and Sarah E. 

The early life of our subject was spent in New- 
burgh, and he received his education in the com- 
mon schools of that place. In his youth he was 
apprenticed to a firm engaged in the manufacture 
of sash, doors and blinds. The first year he re- 
ceived $15, for the second $20, and for the third 
year $25. After completing his apprenticeship, 
he continued to work at his trade in Newburgh 
until 1843, when he moved to Middletown, and 
there started the first sash, door and blind factorj- 
in the place. After continuing there for three 
years, he sold out and went to New York City, 
where he worked as a journej'man until 1854. 
From there he removed to Slate Hill, where he 
worked at his trade, and for a time was also en- 
gaged in a butcher-shop. From the latter place 
he went to Port Jervis and .started a sash, door 
and blind factory, but after operating the same a 




ALEXANDER LK1-: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



few 5'ears he returned to Middletown. He only 
remained there one year, however, when he went 
to Newburgh, where he also engaged in the man- 
ufacture of sash, doors and blinds, being at the 
same time interested in a hardware store. He 
continued in these lines until 1868, when he re- 
moved to his present farm, which was originally 
the old homestead of his paternal grandfather. 
The farm comprises one hundred and ten acres, 
and is in a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Wood was married, December 20, 1847, ^o 
Miss Sarah J. Wood, daughter of Harry and 
Cynthia Wood. Six children were born of this 
union: Amanda J., Fannie, Marietta, Willie, 
Richard and Minnie. The first four are deceased. 
Richard is now living in Goshen, engaged in the 
grocery trade; and Minnie, the wife of Henry C. 
Horton, resides in Goshen. 

In 1878 Mr. Wood was elected Supervisor of 
the town of Wawayanda, and served for fourteen 
successive years. He began life as a poor bo}', 
without capital save willing hands, an honest 
heart and a determination to succeed. Success in 
a measure has crowned his efforts, and none 
stands higher in the estimation of the people with 
whom he lives. 



Gl LEXANDER LEE. The good influence of 
LI any family in a community is greatly in- 
/ I creased by its prolonged residence therein. 
Generation after generation of honorable lives 
and noble examples bring a cumulative force to 
bear which emphasizes ever\- good point in the 
character and work of a familj-. New York, hav- 
ing a history that extends back so many years, 
naturally has much of this wealth of influence, 
and in Orange Count}- we often find a homestead 
which has been occupied by several generations, 
and there we see the beneficial effects of such oc- 
cupancy. This is the case at the Lee homestead, 
now owned and occupied by the gentleman above 
named. 

On the farm where he now resides, Mr. Lee 
was born April ig, 1834, being the sixth among 
nine children comprising the family of Charles 



Smith and Millicent (Horton) Lee. His father, 
who was born on this farm, spent his entire life 
here, with the exception of about twelve years in 
Ridgeburj-, this count}-. His death occurred at 
the age of eighty-two. In his political views he 
was a Republican, and religiously he was identi- 
fied with the Presbyterian Church, in which he 
held office and aided largely in its work. His fa- 
ther, who was a native of Westchester County, 
came here some time during the eighteenth cen- 
tury, and purchased a large tract of land, one 
hundred and sixty acres of which are embodied in 
the present homestead. Our subject's mother, 
who was a native of this county, died at the age 
of seventy-nine, and was buried in the Union 
Cemetery by the side of her husband. She was 
a devoted Christian and a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, 

When our subject was a child of two years, his 
parents removed to Westtown, this county, and 
there he remained until sixteen, meantime at- 
tending the common schools. He then returned 
with his parents to the old homestead and worked 
for his father until his marriage, at the age of 
twenty-seven, when he rented the old farm. A 
few years afterward he purchased the place, and 
here he has since resided. In religious belief he 
is a Presbyterian. He is liberal in his political 
views, though in national affairs he adheres to 
the policy of the Republican party. A number 
of years ago he was candidate for Supervisor of 
the town of Greenville, but as this is a strongly 
Democratic district, he suffered defeat with the 
remainder of the party ticket. 

The married life of Mr. Lee began November 
12, 1862, when he was united with Mary E. Lee, 
daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Smith) Lee, old 
residents of Orange County, their ancestors hav- 
ing come to New York prior to the Revolution- 
ary War. Mrs. Lee's maternal grandfather was 
born in Poughkeepsie. Three children wei'e born 
to our subject and wife, namely: Ida K. , wife of 
John Edward Smith, a grocer of Middletown; 
Chauncey, who died at the age of two years; and 
Charles H., a railroad agent stationed at Town- 
ers, N. Y. The latter was married to Ella M. 
McClurg, and they have one child, Mary E. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The independent judgment and sagacity that 
Mr. Lee possesses enable him to conduct his bus- 
iness affairs to the best advantage, and have also 
made him an important factor in promoting the 
agricultural interests of the county. He is con- 
ceded to be one of the most progressive farmers of 
the town of Greenville, and is a valued citizen of 
the county which has been his life-long home. 

QOHN E. ADAMS, a merchant tailor and 
I dealer in clothing and men's furnishing 
G/ goods at Middletown, is one of the enter- 
prising and public-spirited men of the place. 
He traces his ancestry back to 1296, to Lord John 
Ap Adams, who was of Welsh origin. Ap Adams 
means ' 'son of Adam. ' ' The first of the family to 
settle in America was Edward Adams, who 
located at New Haven, Conn., in 1640, and there 
remained six j-ears, at the end of which time he 
moved to Mulford. In 1650 he moved to Fair- 
field, in the same state, and there subsequently 
died, leaving a large estate. His son Nathan had 
a son also called Nathan, who was the great- 
great-grandfather of our subject. He married 
Mary Burr, by whom he had a large family. 
Nathan Adams, Jr., had a son Aaron, the great- 
grandfather of our .subject, who was born in 
Fairfield, now part of Westport, Conn. His 
son Isaac, the grandfather of our subject, married 
Sallie Nash, by whom he had six sons and one 
daughter. One of the latter's sons, Charles Ad- 
ams, became the father of our subject. Presidents 
John Adams and John Quincy Adams sprang 
from the same family as did our subject. 

Charles Adams, the father of our subject, 
learned the shoemaker's trade, and later removed 
to Chicago, becoming one of the first settlers of 
that place. His name was the first one on the 
Calumet Club list of Chicago, and at each annual 
meeting of the club he received an invitation to 
attend. He remained in Chicago a few 3'ears, 
engaged in the shoe business, but on account of 
failing health went to Norwalk, Conn. For some 
3'ears he had very poor health, but on his recov- 
ery purchased a farm, on which he resided for a 



time. Later he was engaged in the real-estate 
and collection business, and was Deputy- Sheriff 
of this county. He was a member of the Episco- 
pal Church, and while residing in Chicago sang 
in a church choir, he being a fine singer. During 
his residence there he was also a member of the 
first fire company organized in the place, and for 
some years was a member of the Odd Fellows. 
His marriage with Sarah Camp, a daughter of 
Lemuel and Polly (Nash) Camp, occurred in 
Norwalk, of which place she was a native. Her 
great-great-great-grandfather was the first white 
male child born in Norwalk. Both of her grand- 
fathers were in the Revolutionary War as officers, 
and Lemuel Camp, her father, ser\'ed in the War 
of 1812. He was a farmer in Connecticut, and 
our subject owns his old homestead, a fine place 
adjoining the city of Norwalk. Mrs. Sarah 
Adams died in 1888, at the age of about sixty- 
eight years, leaving five children: Mary S., now 
the wife of Hon. Levi Warren, a prominent at- 
torney and ex-Member of Congress, who resides 
in Norwalk; Sarah E., also residing in Norwalk; 
Lemuel C. , who was engaged with an extensive 
spice merchant, and now resides in San Fran- 
cisco; Charles F., a jeweler in Greenwich, Conn. ; 
and John E., our subject. The father died in 
1 89 1, at the age of .seventy-five years. 

John E. Adams was born in Norwalk, Conn., 
October 2, 1850, and. was there reared and edu- 
cated in the public and high schools. When 
fifteen j-ears old he was employed as clerk in a 
merchant-tailoring establishment and hat store 
at Norwalk, where he made himself generally 
useful for two years. He then clerked in a hat 
store for seven years, and in 1875 came to Mid- 
dletown, entering the employ of the late R. L. 
Teton as clerk in his clothing store. After re- 
maining in the latter's employ eighteen months, 
he worked for Oscar Winter, a clothing merchant. 
In 1883 he started in business for himself, in 
partnership with the late Charles S. Woodward, 
under the firm name of Adams and Woodward, 
and purchased the stock of James Williams & 
Son at No. 41 North Street. This partnership 
continued until 1889, when Mr. Adams bought 
the interest of his partner, and has since contin- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1013 



ued alone. His main storeroom is 18x100 feet, 
with basement room of the same size for trunks 
and valises. He also occupies the third floor for 
a storeroom, while his work.shop is in an adjoin- 
ing building. This is the most complete estab- 
li.shment of its kind in the city, and here may be 
found clothing, hats, caps, men's furnishing 
goods, trunks and valises. Connected with it is 
a merchant-tailoring department, which is in 
charge of the best cutter in the cit3^ 

Mr. Adams was married, in Stamford, Conn., 
to Miss Jane C. T. Keeler, who is a native of that 
place, and a daughter of Walter Keeler, who was 
for many years a business man of that city. Two 
children have been born unto them, John Edson, 
Jr., and Elizabeth H. Fraternally Mr. Adams 
is a member of Hoffman L,odge No. 412, F. & 
A. M., of which he is Past Worshipful Master; 
Midland Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is Past 
Priest; the Royal Arcanum, of which he is a 
charter member; and is an honorary member of 
Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company No. i , of 
which he was foreman at one time. Socially he 
is a member of Middletown Club, is a charter 
member of the Board of Trade, and a stockholder 
in the Casino Theatre. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, while religiouslj- he is a member of 
Grace Episcopal Church, of which he is Vestry- 
man. 



pQlLBUR HILL, of Middletown, is a con- 
l A / tractor and builder, and is also engaged in 
Y V the real-estate business, having developed 
Grand View Avenue, and later laid out the Wil- 
bur Avenue Addition to the city. This consists 
of nine lots, the principal one, Wilbur, having 
been named in his honor. On both aveiuies he 
has built a number of residences, some for himself 
and others on contract, and besides these he has 
erected three houses on Richmond Place, one on 
Conkling Avenue, and several on other streets. 
During the present season (1895), he had the 
contract for seven residences. 

At Long Pond, in Orange, and adjoining the 



Rockland County line, the subject of this notice 
was born May 24, 1857. His father, Ren.sselaer, 
was born near the village of Turner, the site of 
which was at one time owned by grandfather 
John Hill, who was a cooper by trade, and died 
in early manhood. The father, who was also a 
cooper, followed that occupation for many j-ears, 
and made his home on a farm at Long Pond. 
Late in life he removed to Port Jervis, where he 
died at the age of sixty-seven years. He was 
quite handy with tools, and posses.sed consider- 
able inventive genius. 

The first marriage of Rensselaer Hill united 
him with Charlotte Conkling, a native of Orange 
County, and a daughter of Jacob M. Conkling, a 
spoon manufacturer and worker in wood. Mrs. 
Charlotte Hill died in 1865, when her son, our 
subject, was a lad of eight years. He was the 
fifth among nine children, of whom eight are liv- 
ing, scattered through varioits localities. His 
3'outhful years were spent on the home farm, and 
as he was very deft with tools, he early turned his 
attention to the trade of a carpenter and cabinet- 
maker. At the age of eighteen, he worked for 
Peter P. Parrott as a chore-bo}- for one j-ear, the 
following year was overseer of the yard, and the 
next 3'ear was employed in the Pine Swamp Mine. 
Later he went to Buffalo and engaged in farming 
for a year, and then secured work on a Hudson 
River steamer running between Haverstraw and 
Bridgeport, Conn. After being employed in that 
capacity for one season, he was promoted to be 
second mate. 

On his return to Orange County, Mr. Hill built 
a house for himself and then worked at the car- 
penter's trade from that time until 1883, the date 
of his removal to Middletown. Here he entered 
the rolling-mill of Wheeler, Madden & Clem.son, 
beginning in an humble poisition, and working his 
way up until he was placed in charge of the south 
end of the mill. After some time in that capac- 
ity, he turned his attention to roll-turning, of 
which he made a success. In 1891 he abandoned 
that occupation to begin work as a contractor and 
builder, in which business he has since engaged. 

After coming to this city, Mr. Hill was united 
in marriage with Miss Alice M. Torey, who was 



IOI4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born here, and their home is brightened by the 

presence- of two children, Albert Russell and 
Gladvs. While Mr. Hill has never taken an act- 
ive part in politics, he has firm convictions on the 
subject, and believes in the wisdom of Republican 
principles. In religious connections he belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



-^=m>^-<m^ 



EHARAC J. VAN INWEGEN, a general 
merchant and farmer of Huguenot, who was 
born April 14, 1851, in thetown of Deerpark, 
comes of a famil)^ that was earlj^ founded in Amer- 
ica, and the name was originally spelled Ninwe- 
gen. Harmanus Van Inwegen was from Holland, 
and married a sister of the Swartwout brothers, 
she probably being a granddaughter of Roeloff 
Swartwout, who came to this country about 1643. 
Their son Gerardus was married to Jane, daugh- 
ter of Jacob DeWitt, of Rochester, Ulster Count3-, 
N. Y. He was born in the town of Deerpark 
about 1700, and the church records give an ac- 
count of his marriage. His death occurred at the 
age of ninety. His son Harmanus, born in 1734, 
died at the age of eighty. The marriage record 
of the Reformed Dutch Church at Deerpark says: 
"August 17, 1759, Harmanus Van Inwegen 
married Marrigrita Kool, a daughter of David 
Kool." The next in line of descent, Benjamin 
Van Inwegen, was born in Deerpark, September 
26, 1787, was married, October i, 1810, to Char- 
ity Cole, and died in his native town, April 18, 
1854. Their son, Eli Van Inwegen, was born 
April 23, 1816, in Deerpark, was married, Decem- 
ber 30, 1831, to Elizabeth M. Bull, and resides 
in Port Jervis. Charles F. Van Inwegen, born 
September 13, 1849, was married, June 6, 1876, to 
Miss Emma L., daughter of Amos and Lj'dia C. 
(Throll) Van Etten. They have three children: 
Anna, Cornelius and Willard Bull. Charles F. 
Van Inwegen is the efficient Cashier of the First 
National Bank of Port Jervis. 

The father of our subject, Charac A. Van In- 
wegen, was born January 25, 1808, and died De- 
cember 2, 1890. He wedded Mary Case, who 
w'as born November 12, 1814, and died Januarj- 



II, 1895. Her parents were Henry and Cather- 
ine (Nearpass) Case, the former born July 28, 
1783, the latter September 20, 1785. Their chil- 
dren were: William N., who was born April 14, 
1804, and is now living in Oakland, N. Y., at the 
age of ninety-one; George; Jacob, of Oakland; 
Ann; Ehzabeth; Mary; John, of Matamoras, Pa.; 
Henry, of the town of Deerpark; and Catherine. 

Charac A. Van Inwegen established a store in 
Godfrc}-, N. Y., and also one in Huguenot. He 
carried on merchandising during the greater part 
of his life, but at length retired and removed to 
Port Jervis, where he and his wife spent their last 
days. In the family were nine children, three of 
whom are living. 

The gentleman whose name heads this record 
has also followed merchandising throughout his 
life, succeeding to the business which his father 
established in Huguenot, and which he still car- 
ries on. In 1S80 he aLso opened a store in Port 
Jervis, in connection with his brother John C, 
who has charge of the latter establishment, which 
is stocked with a good line of groceries and pro- 
visions. Other business interests also engross the 
attention of our subject. He takes contracts for 
bridge-building and stone culverts, and has built 
a number of bridge abutments and culverts, con- 
structing one of the latter for the Port Jer^-is wa- 
ter works. Mr. Van Inwegen deals extensively 
in wood, and each season ships from one thousand 
to three thousand cords by canal to Kingston and 
then down the Hudson to New York City. He 
has also sold considerable quantities to the Gov- 
ernment, and gives employment to from fifteen to 
twenty men, who are engaged in getting out the 
wood. For some years he ran a sawmill, manu- 
facturing pine lumber to the extent of two hun- 
dred thousand feet per annum. 

Mr. Van Inwegen is the owner of a fort\-acre 
farm and another cultivated tract of sixty acres, 
together with one thousand acres of timber-land. 
To a considerable extent he has speculated in 
real estate, and he sold the Martin Farm, which 
was laid off into a village, two miles north of Port 
Jer\-is. For a time he owned the Huguenot 
Springs Hotel, and he owns two store buildings in 
Port Jervis. There are few industries or activi- 




JAMES V. CLARK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1017 



ties that have been established in this locality 
with which Mr. Van Inwegen has not been con- 
nected, and as he always carries forward to suc- 
cessful completion whatever he undertakes, it is to 
the advantage of any enterprise to have him inter- 
ested in the same. 

Mr. Van Inweger. has been twice married. He 
first wedded Catherine, daughter of Isaac and 
Catherine (Rose) Cuddeback, and after her 
death he married Ellen S., daughter of Peter P. 
Swartwout. B;'- the first union one son was born, 
Willard, aged twenty-two, who is in his father's 
store. Tne children of the second marriage are 
Lyman Charac and Harold Benjamin, aged, re- 
spectively, f'" ir and one and a-half years. Mrs. 
Van Inwege.i is a member of the Reformed 
Church, and our subject contributes to its sup- 
port. Socially he is a member of the Masonic lodge 
of Port Jervis. In politics he is a Democrat, and 
for seven years has served as Postmaster of Hu- 
guenot. He is one of the most prominent and 
influential citizens of this locality, an important 
factor in its upbuilding, and all who know him es- 
teem 'lim highly. 

• — g#^ p — • 



3 AMES VAN FLEET CLARK, decea.sed, 
came with his father to the town of Waway- 
anda in 1850, and continued to reside here 
until his death. He was born in the town of 
Minisink, May 10, 1817, and was therefore in his 
sevent}'-ninth year at the time of his death, which 
occurred July 14, 1895. The first of the family 
to locate in this section was his grandfather, 
James, who was born near New York City. Our 
subject's father, Abraham Clark, was a native of 
the town of Minisink, and by his marriage to 
Catherine Robinson became the father of nine 
children. Of these, Jane, Clarissa, William, Rob- 
inson, Sarah, James Van Fleet and two other 
members of the family are deceased, David R. be- 
ing the only survivor. 

Throughout his entire life Abraham Clark was 
a farmer, and was successful in cultivating the 
.soil. In 1850 he moved to the town of Waway- 
anda and became the proprietor of the tract later 



owned by our subject. It is one hundred and 
ninety-nine acres in extent, and in point of im- 
provement is one of the best in the town. Here 
he made his home for eleven years, until his death, 
in 186 1. He was a consistent member of the 
Presbyterian Church, with which his wife was 
also connected. She departed this life in 1858. 

James Van Fleet spent his entire life within the 
boundaries of his native count}', where he had 
many warm friends. He attended school in the 
district near his home until he was fifteen years 
old, when he assumed the responsibility of carry- 
ing on the farm work. He raised grain in large 
quantities, but, like most of the farmers of this 
.section, made a specialty of dairying, receiving 
from the creameries a good price for his product. 
From earl}- manhood until his death he was con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church. His first 
vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and 
after the organization of the Republican party he 
cast his ballot for its candidates. He never mar- 
ried. His death occurred at his home, and his 
remains were laid to rest in the family burial- 
ground on a beautiful hill at the old homestead. 

Since the death of our subject his nephew, 
William J. Clark, has resided on the estate. He, 
like his uncle, is a Republican in political views. 
He was united in marriage, February 20, 1895, 
with Miss Anna G. Kewley, of White Lake, Sul- 
livan County. 



G: 



■^^IllJg^' 






~c 



pQlLLIAM R. ULRICH, a citizen of Middle- 
1 A / town, was born in the state of Louisiana 
Y V in 1859, and is a son of Dr. William B. and 
Eliza L. (Miller) Ulrich, natives, respectively, of 
Chester, Pa. , and Louisiana. His father, who is 
a talented physician, has been engaged in the 
practice of his profession for many years at his 
native place, where he is well and favorably 
known as a practitioner. He and his wife, though 
advanced in years, are yet in the enjoyment of 
excellent health, and are passing their declining 
days amid all the comforts of life. 



45 



ioi8 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The groundwork of his education was obtained 
by our subject in the common schools, and subse- 
quently he was a student in the Pennsylvania 
Military Academy at Chester. At the age of 
nineteen he began life for himself and since that 
time he has been self-supporting. He took up 
the study of civil engineering, and when he be- 
came proficient in that science he engaged at it 
in the employ of others, being occupied in that 
way for a number of years. In iSSo he estab- 
lished domestic ties, being united in marriage, 
during that year, with Miss Maud Monroe, of 
Chester, Pa. They have a pleasant home in this 
city, and three children complete their family cir- 
cle, Julia M., William B. and David M., to whom 
the best advantages will be given by their par- 
ents. Politically Mr. Ulrich is an advocate of 
Democratic principles, and casts his ballot for the 
candidates of that party. 

gHARLES TURNER, who is one of the best 
known residents of Orange County, has been 
engaged in milling in the town of Monroe 
since the year 1835. and during that time has 
identified himself prominently with the progress 
of this section . Before entering upon the history 
of our subject, we deem it proper to speak first of 
his ancestors. Grandfather Gilbert Turner was 
born in Putnam County, N. Y., near Peekskill, 
about the year 1772. Of the three sons born to 
his parents, two were drowned at Spuyten Duy- 
vil, while crossing with garden produce. The 
grandfather married Miss Hannah Brewster, who 
was also born in Putnam County, and who be- 
came the mother of two sons and three daughters: 
Peter, the father of our subject: Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Ashel Smith: Jane, Mrs. William Alger: John: 
and Phebe, Mrs. John Goff. Gilbert Turner de- 
parted this life in September. 1724. 

Peter Turner was born in Putnam County, 
March 14, 1794, and was therefore fourteen years 
of age when his parents came to Orange County, 
in the spring of 1808. They at once located on a 
farm at the foot of East Mountain, and as soon as 



old enough he engaged in farming, following this 
occupation until 1824, on a portion of the old 
homestead. At the same time he kept the toll- 
gate on the old New York and Albany post road. 

In 18^4 the father of our subject moved to 
where Central Yalley now stands, and for the fol- 
lowing year kept a tavern. The next six months 
he lived in a tenement house, and then returned 
to the home place, to find that his father had re- 
cently died. Soon thereafter he moved to Ft. 
Montgomery, and for five years was the proprie- 
tor of a general merchandise store. At the end 
of that time he sold his store and again took up 
his abode on his farm, it being his intention to 
live quietly the rest of his life. After one year 
had passed by, however, he was compelled to re- 
turn to Montgomery and take charge of the es- 
tablishment, as the man to whom he had sold it 
failed in making his payments. He continued in 
the mercantile business at Ft. Montgomery for 
three years longer, canning on in connection with 
this business a thriving trade in lumber, wood 
and staves. 

In the fall of i834thefatherof our subject came 
to Turner and purchased a saw and gristmill, 
which had been built in 1825 b\- one Weyant 
Mapes. This he conducted for many years, but 
during the latter part of his life rented it to oth- 
ers. He also opened a hotel at this place, which 
he carried on successfully foi some time. When 
the Erie Railroad was built through the place he 
opened a restaurant near the depot, which was a 
ver>- popular place for parties traveling on that 
branch of the road, and it was no unusual thing for 
him to furnish food to from twelve to fifteen hun- 
dred people per day. He was a remarkabh- enter- 
prising and progressive citizen, possessing fine 
business ability. He was a good manager, and 
as a result was very successful in life, accumu- 
lating a goodly portion of this world's goods. 

Peter Turner was united with Miss Mary Ann 
Galloway, who was the daughter of James and 
.Marian (Archer) Galloway, both natives of Or- 
ange County. The parents of our subject had 
bonito them a family of five children, of whom a 
daughter died in infancy. The others were 
Charles, of this sketch; Theron S. and James G. , 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1019 



deceased: and Gilbert. The husband and father 
died October 16, 1S75, greatly mourned by all 
who knew him. 

The subject of this sketch was born January 
24. 1S17, in the old Gibbs" House, near Central 
\'alley, at which place he attended school for a 
time, and was also a student in the schools of Ft. 
Montgomen,-. Having completed his education 
the year before attaining his majority, he contin- 
ued to reside with his parents, being in partner- 
ship with his father in his various enterprises 
until iSso, when he came to the town of Monroe 
and took charge of the mill within two miles of 
the head of Round Pond. Here he has been en- 
gaged in milling ever shice. He was married, 
September 23, 1845, in Xew York City, to Miss 
Eliza A. \'an Orden, who was born and educated 
in that city, and who was the daughter of John, 
Jr., and Sarah (Van Vailer) \'an Orden, also na- 
tives of the metropolis. She was the elder of 
their two children, her brother bearing the name 
of John. 

The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner 
are: Henry \".. living in Central Valley: Georgia, 
who makes her home with her father: and Peter 
and Mary, both of whom are deceased. The wife 
and mother was a devoted member of the Univer- 
salist Church, in the faith of which she departed 
this life Febniary 18, 1895. In politics Mr. Turn- 
er is a Democrat, and on that ticket has been 
elected Town Clerk, and also served as Postmas- 
ter at Turner for seventeen years. Our subject 
has in his posse.ssion a chair which once belonged 
to his grandmother, and which is now over two 
hundred and fifty years old. He also has a clock 
one hundred years old, and an old-fashioned side- 
board, also a centurv old. 



<^HOMAS LITTLETON, formerly one of 
I C the Almshouse Commissioners, owns a good 
\2/ business location at No. 274 Washington 
Street, Xewburgh, and enjoys a large retail trade 
in staple and fancy groceries and liquors. He has 
taken a very active part in Democratic cam- 
paigns, and for twent\- years represented the 



First Ward as County Commissioner. In 18S3 
he was elected Almshouse Commissioner from the 
same ward, and upon the expiration of his term, 
in 1SS6, was re-elected. During the six years of 
his office he was Chairman of the Supply and 
Auditing Committees, and in the mean time the 
northern wing of the almshouse was erected. 

Mr. Littleton was bom in Manchester, Eng- 
land, March 26, 1839, but his father, George, 
was a native of Ireland. The family, however, 
originated in England, and George Littleton be- 
came a resident of Manchester in order to pursue 
to better advantage his trade as a contractor and 
builder. His wife, Bridget, was a daughter of 
Patrick Whalen, a farmer. She was born in 
Kings County, Ireland, and passed her last days 
in Xewburgh, dying at the age of sixty-three 
years. Of her two sons and three daughters 
who survive. Thomas Littleton is the eldest. He 
was reared in Kings County. Ireland, and was 
deprived of his father's care and protection when 
he was but twelve years of age. In order to as- 
sist his mother, he clerked in a store, and in 1857, 
when eighteen years of age. emigrated with the 
famih' from Liverpool to Xew York Citv-, the 
three-weeks voyage being made in the sailing- 
vessel "Advance." Entering the family of Mrs. 
( Colonel) Ellison, young Littleton was employed 
as a coachman for three years, and afterward was 
with Major Morton. In 1S62 he went to Xew 
York and served as coachman for Mrs. Lawrence 
on Fifth Avenue, remaining there for two years, 
after which he ran as conductor on the old horse- 
car line for some three years Returning to Xew- 
burgh, he started in business for himself and con- 
ducted a store in Xew Windsor for two years. 
In 1870 he opened an establishment in the build- 
ing which he owns at the comer of Mill and 
Washington Streets. 

In Xew York City, in 1S63, Mr. Littleton was 
married to Margaret T. Smith, who was bora in 
the Emerald Isle, and who departed this life in 
October, 1894, leaving seven children. They are 
as follows: Henr>- C. who is the owner of a gen- 
tleman's furnishing-goods store on Broadway. 
Xewburgh: Mary : George A. , who is agent for the 
Anchor Brewing Company: Christopher, who is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



in business with his father; Frank, now clerking 
for his elder brother George; and Maggie and 
Thomas, Jr., who are at home. The family are 
members of St. Patrick's Church. 



EHARLES CLIFFORD VAIL KETCHAM, 
whose death occurred July 22, 1892, was 
born in the town of Mt. Hope, May 18, 
1841, on the old Ketcham homestead. His 
grandfather was among the first to settle in that 
vicinity, and his father, the late Amos Ketcham, 
carried on a milling business for a number of 
years. Until 1870 our subject remained at home, 
and for some years had charge of a gristmill for 
his father. In April of that year he removed to 
Meadville, Pa., where he ran a soda-water and 
birch-beer manufactory, and while there, in Au- 
gust, 1870, joined Meadville City Lodge No. 
256, K. of P. Not liking his bu.siness, he sold 
out, and in December of that year removed to 
Salisbury Mills, Orange County, again embark- 
ing in the milling business. This he continued 
until 1875, when he sold out and moved to Mid- 
dletown, taking up the wholesale grain and com- 
mission business, in which he was engaged at the 
time of his death. 

After leaving Meadville Mr. Ketcham did not 
have an opportunity to visit the Knights of Pyth- 
ias Lodge until the institution oi Lancelot Lodge 
No. 169 at Middletown, January 29, 1881, when 
he joined by card, and was elected Master of Fi- 
nance for the first term. At the next election he 
declined office. The Chancellor Commander-elect 
subsequently vacated his office by leaving the 
county, and after repeated requests Mr. Ketcham 
was elected to fill the vacancy. The lodge at this 
time was nearly stranded, but it immediately be- 
gan to grow under his faithful administration. 
He entered the Grand Lodge of the order at the 
session in New York City in 1883, as alternate 
representative, and in 1884, 188.S and 1886 was a 
regular representative. He was D. D. G. C. un- 
der Grand Chancellor Baker for the Sixteenth 



District, and was appointed Grand Inside Guard 
by Grand Counsellor Isham at the session held at 
Rochester. Mr. Ketcham was also a member of 
Paughcaughmaughsinque Tribe, I. O. R. M., and 
was Past Sachem, attending the grand council of 
the state at Rochester in 1886 for the first time. 
He was Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, 
which had charge of the revision of the constitu- 
tion and by-laws. 

November 12, 1863, Mr. Ketcham married 
Susan Elizabeth Mapes, at what was then known 
as Mapes Village, by Rev. George Means, of 
Howells Depot. She was born in the town of 
Mt. Hope, and is a daughter of Benjamin Mapes, 
and a granddaughter of Erastus Mapes, both of 
whom were born in the same town. Her father 
was by occupation a farmer, and now, at the age of 
sixtj'-eight 3-ears, resides in his native town. Her 
mother, Sarah Stone, was born in the town of 
Deerpark and was a daughter of William Stone, 
an extensive lumberman on the Delaware. Her 
mother died at the old home at the age of sixty- 
six j'ears. Mr. and Mrs. Mapes became the par- 
ents of eight children: W. Henry, who was a 
private in the late war and who died shortly after 
his term of service expired; James E., a carpenter 
and architect in Middletown; Isaac T., a farmer 
on the old homestead; Susan E., Mrs. Ketcham; 
Rachael A., Mrs. B. F. Davis, of New York City; 
Sarah E., who married Sidney Howell, and died 
at Howells Depot; Catherine A., Mrs. Hector 
Tuthill, of Howells Depot; and Benjamin E., now 
deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham were born four 
children, the eldest of whom, Clifford, died in 
1866. Those living are: Sarah, the wife of 
Harry Tuthill, the Erie operator at Middletown; 
William Beattie, an employe of the Middletown 
ArgHs; and Charles Amos, a clerk in the public 
library at Middletown. 

Mr. Ketcham was an attendant at the First 
Congregational Church, and up to a short time 
before his death was a member of the Board of 
Trustees. He was always an ardent Republican, 
and for many years was Inspector of Elections. 
At the time of his death he was one of the Asses- 
sors of the city. For two years prior to his de- 




WILLIAM MTRRAV SAVER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1023 



mise he had been ill, but he kept up most wonder- 
fully. Only the week before he died he was up 
when others would have been in bed. Even after 
confined to the house he attended to his duties as 
Assessor, in company with his associates, who at 
his request would come to his home and counsel 
with him. He was always very active in public 
enterprises, and was a citizen well liked by all. 
A host of friends, not only in this city but through- 
out the state, mourned his loss. He was a mem- 
ber of Middletown Club, holding the office of 
\'ice-President. Up to within a few hours of his 
death, he wrote a message to his family, in which 
he assured them that the .severe darting pains 
that had been shooting through his system had 
all left him, and that he felt much easier. He 
was fully conscious until the last, and passed away 
without a struggle. Mrs. Ketcham is a member 
of the Congregational Church, an active worker 
in the Ladies' Aid Society of that body, and uni- 
versallv esteemed for her good word and works. 



••>K^ 



^^f 



IILLIAM MURRAY SAVER, the leading 
lumberman of Goshen, bears the reputation 
of being the oldest business man in the 
place, or even in Orange County. He was born 
in the town of Minisink, March 14, 1820, and is 
the son of William A. Sayer, also a native of this 
county, his birth occurring in the town of Wall- 
kill. Grandfather Stephen Sayer was a farmer in 
the above town, passing his entire life within its 
bounds. The father of our subject, who served 
on Staten Island in the War of 1S12, lived to the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years, and died on 
his farm in the town of Minisink. The maiden 
name of Mrs. Sayer was Sally Murray. She, too, 
was a native of Orange County, and was the 
daughter of William Murray, a farmer of the 
town of Wallkill, who lived to be eighty years of 
age. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, while 
on his father's side our subject is of English ex- 
traction. Mrs. Saver was a member of the old- 



school Baptist Church, with which denomination 
her husband was also connected. She died when 
in her eight%--sixth year. 

The parental family included eight children, 
all of whom grew to mature years, and seven are 
now living. William M., who was the eldest but 
one, was reared on his father's farm in the town of 
Minisink, and procured his education in the dis- 
trict schools of that day. When seventeen years 
of age, or in the spring of 1837, he came to Go- 
shen, which was then a very small place, and be- 
gan as clerk in a general store. He continued 
thus for three years, when he was taken into the 
firm as a partner of his employer, the style being 
Reeve & Sayer. In 1841 the Erie Railroad was 
completed, and after the depot was located the 
town grew very rapidly near it. Two years later 
our subject and his partner moved their stock of 
goods to what was called the new portion of the 
town, and in 1846 the former purchased the in- 
terest of Thomas T. Reeve in the business, the 
latter of whom had been appointed Cashier of the 
Orange County Bank. 

Our subject continued as sole proprietor of the 
business until 1854, when he sold out and turned 
his attention to the lumber trade. Four years 
previous to this time he had established a busi- 
ness in this line in the lower end of the village, 
and in 1858 he located where the yard now 
stands. He occupies a square block, and owns 
besides this valuable property adjoining, which 
affords room for piling the lumber. In addition 
to dealing in this commodity, Mr. Sayer carries 
a large stock of coal and is one of the largest mer- 
chants in this line in the city. 

In 1853 0"r subject, together with his brother 
Stephen, became largely interested in the lumber 
business in Michigan, their yards being supplied 
with lumber from their extensive pine lands in 
various counties in that state. At Zilwaukee, 
between East Saginaw and Bay City, on the Sag- 
inaw River, they leased mills for the manufacture 
of lumber, which they shipped to Albany, N. Y., 
and Chicago, 111. In 1855 his brother was taken 
ill and died, and as Mr. Sayer could not well 
leave his large business in the East, he sold the 
mills the following vear. 



I024 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1847 Mr. Sayer made an addition to the vil- 
lage, on which he erected many residences and 
several business houses. Saj'er Street in this 
addition now bears his name. He is a Director 
in the Electric-light Company and was also one 
of the promoters of the Pine Island Railroad, of 
which he was Director and Treasurer during its 
construction and for several years thereafter. It 
is nine miles in length, running from Goshen to 
Pine Island. He took the contract for and built 
the reservoir for the Goshen Water Works, 
both the reservoir and buildings covering twenty 
acres of land. He was one of the originators of 
the first fire company in Goshen, of which he was 
appointed Treasurer at the time of its organiza- 
tion, in 1842, and was likewise actively interested 
in the organization of the Orange County Agri- 
cultural Society, of which he was made Treas- 
urer. 

Mr. Saj'er is President of the Rider Engine 
Company of Walden, which was organized by 
Goshenites and was incorporated in 1879, with 
Mr. Sayer as President, which position he has 
since held. The old Rider, Wooster & Co. plant 
at Walden, with which Mr. Sayer was connected, 
was bought, and was rebuilt and enlarged for the 
manufacture of engines. They build the Rider 
& Ericsson hot-air engine, turning out three or 
four a day, and give employment to about one 
hundred men. The capital stock of the companj' 
is $90,000. William Murray Sayer is President; 
William Murray Sayer, Jr., Vice-President; Rich- 
ard S. Sayer, Treasurer; H. Sinsabaugh, Secre- 
tary; and F. A. Merriam, Western Manager. 
They have a store and oSice at No. 37 Dey 
Street, New York, and No. 86 Lake Street, Chi- 
cago. 

Mr. Sayer was married in Goshen, February 6, 
1844, to Miss Jane Sears, a native of New York 
Cit}', and the daughter of Capt. Richard Sears, 
for many j'ears a sea-captain. He later retired 
from that life, however, and engaged in farming 
in Orange County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sayer 
eight children have been born. Edmund is en- 
gaged in the lumber and coal business at Walden; 
Ruth, the wife of Frank A. Merriam, Western 
Manager for the Rider Engine Company, is locat- 



ed at Chicago; Richard S., Treasurer of the above 
compan\-, makes his home in Englewood, N. J.; 
William Murray, Jr., lives in Brooklyn, N. Y.; 
Alice is at hopie; Jane married J. W. Gott, an at- 
torney of Goshen; and Antoinette and Sally are 
at home. 

For many years Mr. Sayer was Trustee of the 
village. He is a straight out-and-out Republican 
and during his younger years took an active in- 
terest in politics. In February, 1894, he cele- 
brated the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage 
with Miss. Sears, on which occasion all their chil- 
dren and grandchildren were present. Mrs. vSay- 
er is a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. 



gENJAMIN F. VAN FLEET, a prominent 
citizen of the town of Wallkill, was born 
here February 1 1, 1840, being a son of James 
S. and Mary (Fredenberg) Van Fleet, natives, re- 
spectively, of Orange County arid New Jersej'. 
His father, whose life occupation was that of an 
agriculturist, was an industrious, persevering 
man, and his death in 1887 was regarded as a 
public loss. His wife also passed from earth in 
1887. Benjamin F. received his elementary edu- 
cation in the common schools, and the knowledge 
there acquired was afterward supplemented by 
thoughtful reading and obsenation. 

For some years after commencing in business 
for himself, Mr. Van Fleet followed the occupa- 
tion of a general farmer, raising the various cer- 
eals to which the soil was adapted. Later, how- 
ever, he turned his attention to the raising of 
small fruits and vegetables, and now has more 
than eighty acres devoted to this branch of agri- 
culture. His home farm consists of thirteen acres, 
upon which he has modern and substantial build- 
ings. In truck gardening he has been very suc- 
cessful, and few men are better informed in this 
line of work than is he. 

In all his enterprises Mr. Van Fleet has had 
the efficient co-operation of his wife, with whom 
he was united January 29, 1862, and who, prior 
to that time, bore the name of Virginia Linder- 
man. She is the daughter of the late Henr\- S. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1025 



Linderman, formerly one of the well known citi- 
zens of this county, and who at different times 
held offices of trust and responsibility. The only 
son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Fleet is Harry L., 
general manager of agencies for the Preston Fer- 
tilizer Company; andtheir only daughter is Mary 
L,., wife of William Cox, who is a merchant of 
Circleville. Mr. Van Fleet and his wife are iden- 
tified with the Reformed Church at Blooming- 
burg, to the maintenance of which they contrib- 
ute liberally. Since attaining his majority, he 
has given his allegiance to the Republican party, 
the principles of which he upholds with fidelity. 
He has served efficiently in the re.sponsible posi- 
tion of Overseer of the Poor, and at present is 
filling the position of Assessor of the town. 



EHARLES WOLFF, of Middletown, located 
here in May, 1867, and for a time followed 
merchant tailoring exclusively. Afterward 
he added to it the clothing business, continuing the 
same until 1883, when he removed to his present 
location and abandoned work at that trade, owing 
to ill-health. He occupied two floors, 22x68 feet 
in dimension, upon the first of which he has a 
full line of men's furnishing goods and clothing, 
while on the second is the boys' and children's 
department, hi 1885 he took into partnership 
his son, Charles, Jr., and in 1887 his son Louis 
was admitted, and the firm has since done busi- 
ness under the title of Charles Wolff & Sons. 

In Po.sen, Germany, where his parents, Cas- 
per and Lydia (Sharp) Wolff, were born, and 
where the former engaged in nierchandi.sing, the 
subject of this sketch was born November 9, 
1837, being one of five children who attained 
years of maturity. Three sons came to America, 
one of whom engaged in manufacturing in New 
York City until his death. Jacob was a merchant 
at Rockford, 111., until his death, so that our sub- 
ject is the sole representative of the family in this 
country, and with one exception he is the only 
survivor of the five children. He was reared in 



Posen, and at the age of thirteen apprenticed him- 
self to the tailor's trade in his native village, In- 
evralstaf. Until twenty years of age he followed 
his trade in that place. 

Taking passage, in 1857, on the sailing-vessel 
"Rhine" at Hamburgh, Mr. Wolff crossed the 
Atlantic, and after seven weeks landed in New 
York City, where he commenced work at his 
trade. Soon afterward he learned cutting, which 
he combined with his trade, being employed for 
five years in that capacity in New York City. In 
May, 1867, he came to Middletown, where he 
was engaged in merchant tailoring exclusively 
for five years, occupying a place adjoining his 
present establishment on James Street. For six- 
teen years afterward he carried on the clothing 
and merchant-tailoring business, and since 1883 
he has devoted his attention to the former occu- 
pation. 

While in New York City Mr. Wolff married 
Miss Matilda Baum, a native of Germany. They 
are the parents of five children. Mrs. Sarah 
Samuels lives in Port Jervis. Charles, Jr. , one of 
liis father's partners, is a member of Hoffman 
Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Excelsior Hose Com- 
pany No. I , and is also interested in the Home- 
stead Building and Loan Association. Louis is 
also a member of the firm, and a member of the 
Monhagen Hose Company. Bertha and Hattie 
are with their parents. 

Mr. Wolff is the owner of a brick building at 
No. 42 North Street, which is three stories high, 
has a frontage of twenty-four feet, and is eighty- 
five feet deep. He also owns his residence at 
No. 52 East Avenue. In 1885 he went to Eu- 
rope and took the baths at Carlsbad, where he 
spent three months, the treatment resulting in the 
entire restoration of his health. In 1888, upon 
the Republican ticket, he was elected to represent 
the Fourth Ward as a member of the first Board 
of City Council of Middletown, and served in that 
position for two years. During the first year he 
was Chairman of the Police, Sewer and Street 
Construction Committees, and in the second year 
was a member of the Committee on Streets and 
Bridges. He is connected with the Board of Trade 
and with other public enterprises. At one time he 



I026 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and is now an active member of Hoffman 
Lodge Xo. 412, F. & A. M., and Midland Chap- 
ter, R. A. M. 

fa "=^ -C T S t^~^ §1 

EH A R L E S JONES, who owns and oper- 
ates a farm situated near Highland Mills, in 
the town of Woodbury, was born in Green- 
wood Lake, N. J., March 29, 1846. At the age 
of one year he was brought by his parents to the 
village of Monroe, and two years later was taken 
by them to Highland Mills. Under the judicious 
training of his father, a successful school teacher, 
he was given excellent educational advantages 
and prepared for an honorable position in the 
business world. Between the ages of six and fif- 
teen he attended school, after which he worked 
on his father's farm until he attained his majority. 
Later he remained with him for a time, receiving 
wages in compensation for his labors. 

The first purchase of land made by Mr. Jones 
consisted of seven acres, and the year after his 
marriage he bought the old homestead of twenty- 
seven acres, which he cultivated during the sum- 
mer months, during the winter seasons working 
for J. T. Cromwell. After the failure of that 
gentleman, he devoted his attention almost en- 
tirely to farm work. In 1886 he purchased one 
hundred and twenty-five acres, the cultivation of 
which, together with his other property, requires 
his entire attention. He is interested in public 
affairs, and politically is a Republican, with Pro- 
hibition tendencies. 

The Jones family is of Welsh descent. Our 
subject's grandfather, Charles Jones, was a mem- 
ber of a worthy Quaker family of Xew Jersey, 
and was himself a successful school teacher in the 
southern part of that state. His sons were of a 
roving disposition and some of his descendants 
now live on the Pacific Coast. Our subject's fa- 
ther, Henrj-, was born September 20, 1805, and 
combined the occupations of a school teacher and 
farmer, being quite successful in both. January 
28, 1830. he married Mary Merriam, whose birth 
occurred January' 17, 1808, and who died at the 



home of our subject, December 20, 1892. For 
thirty years he followed the occupation of a teach- 
er. He was educated bj- an aunt, Mrs. Chap- 
man, who gave him such advantages as her 
means permitted, and being a thoughtful reader 
and possessing .superior mental ability, he gained 
a broad fund of information. His youthful years 
were spent in southern New Jersey, where he 
was born, and after coming to New York he 
taught at Bakertown and Highland Mills for 
manj- years, being at the latter place during the 
war. His death occurred in July, 1889, at White 
City, Kan., where he was making his home with 
two of his sons. He and his wife were the jiar- 
ents of eight children, namely: Theodore, Henrj- 
M., Mary, Eliza, Edward A., William, Emily 
L. and Charles. 

The first marriage of our subject was solem- 
nized in the village of Monroe, March 27, 1873, 
his wife being Augusta, daughter of Josiah W^ebb. 
This lady died in July, 1884, after having become 
the mother of three daughters, Carrie Augusta, 
Marj- Lizzie and Harriet. At Highland Mills, 
October 21, 1888, Mr. Jones married Mrs. Cor- 
nelia I. Thompson, who was born near Rye Hill, 
in the town of Monroe, being a daughter of Joseph 
Sears and Caroline B. (Earl) Earl. She was 
first married, March 15, 1883, to Charles H. 
Thompson, who died July 24, 1884. By her mar- 
riage with our subject she has three children, 
namely: Theodore Merriam and Charles Henry 
(twins), and Sarah Edith. Mrs. Jones is a lady 
of generous and amiable disposition, and is a 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Highland Mills. 



QETER D. SWARTWOUT is a gentleman 
L/^ whose name is inseparably connected with 
fS the historj- of Orange County, and comes of a 
family that has long been prominent in this local- 
ity. His honored grandfather, Peter Swartwout 
was born June 1 1 , 1766, and, having arrived at 
years of maturity, married Jane Westfall, who was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1029 



born October 20, 1770, and who was almost nine- 
ty years of age at the time of her death. He also 
lived to an advanced age, and their home was the 
same that is now occupied by the subject of this 
review. Their children were as follows: Simeon 
born December 14, 1788; Philip, born Octobei 
12, 1790; James D., born October i, 1792; Sam- 
uel, born November 4, 1794; David, born July 
28, 1800: and Deborah, born March 25, 1808. 

David Swartwout, father of our subject, was 
reared on the old home place and married Syntche 
Cuddeback, daughter of Henry and Esther ( Gum- 
aer) Cuddeback, who was born April 9, 1801. 
They began their domestic life on the old home 
place, and died on that farm, which had always 
been their place of residence, the father's death 
occurring October 18, 1874, the mother's Febru- 
ary 26, 1845. Brief record of their family we 
here give. Henry, the eldest, born November 
30, 1821, resides near Carbondale, Pa. ; Jane, born 
December 30, 1823, married John Whitlock, and 
died June 27, 1853; Hester, born December 17, 
1825, died December 30, 1841; Philip J., born 
April 12, 1828, died February 18, 1844; Peter 
D., our subject, was born April 27, 1830; and 
Margaret, born August 22, 1834, is the wife of Ed- 
win White, of Carbondale, Pa. 

Upon the old home farm Mr. Swartwout of this 
record has always lived. It is dear to him as the 
ancestral home and the home of his boyhood, 
and it will probably be his residence throughout 
his remaining days. It comprises two hundred 
acres of land, well located, and in addition to its 
cultivation Mr. Swartwout in early life followed 
the lumber business at Hagen Pond, about five 
miles from the Delaware River, shipping the lum- 
ber by raft to Philadelphia. He carried on this 
business for .several years and then gave the right 
of way to the railroad, afterward resuming farm- 
ing. 

Mr. Swartwout was married in Lyons, N. Y., 
November 10, 1853, to Amanda Westfall, daugh- 
ter of Jacob Westfall, who formerly lived in Penn- 
sylvania, and removed thence to the Empire 
State. Mrs. Swartwout was born September 19, 
1830, and died on the 4th of October, 1883. In 
the family were six children. Mary, born Au- 



gust 26, 1854, is the widow of Alfred Norris, 
and resides with her father; David, born June 
3, 1856, is on the old home place; Helen, born 
January 3, 1858, died March 9, 1865; Albert, born 
October 22, 1864, married Alice Heindel, of 
Springfield, Ohio; Carrie, born May 29, 1868, 
and Samuel De Witt, born December 19, 1870, 
are both at home. 

In his political views Mr. vSwartwout is a Re- 
publican and a stanch supporter of the party 
principles. He successfully carries on agricult- 
ural pursuits, devoting the greater part of his 
time and attention to his farm work. As a citi- 
zen he is public-spirited and progressive and is a 
worthy representative of an honored family. 

(lOHN B. LEEMON. In September, 1862, 
I Mr. Leemon volunteered as a private, was 
G/ mustered in at Newburgh, and assisted in 
raising Company A, One Hundred and Sixty- 
eighth New York Infantry, of which he became 
a member. Among the first battles which he 
took part in were the memorable engagements at 
Williamsburg, Getty.sburg, Punktown and Antie- 
tam, and afterward he was in camp at Yorktown 
for four months. 

At Richmond, while Mr. Leemon took part in 
a battle there, a ball grazed his scalp. The South- 
ern forces being too strong for the Federal troops, 
the latter fell back and escaped capture by board- 
ing the gunboats. Soon after reaching Chatta- 
nooga he was taken sick, and for some time was 
confined in a hospital. Even after recovering 
sufficiently to go home he was obliged to use 
crutches, so great had been his sufferings with 
rheumatism. In October, 1864, on the expira- 
tion of his term of service, he was mustered out 
at Newburgh. While in the army he was pro- 
moted to be Orderlj'-Sergeant, and during his 
sickness in the hospital received the commission 
of Second Lieutenant. 

The Leemon family has been characterized by 
longevity and by its connection with military 
service. The great-grandfather of our subject 



I030 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was in the English army, and died at the age of 
one himdred and fifteen. Grandfather Leemon, 
wlio was an officer in the British army, was wound- 
ed in the service: he died at eight\--eight years. 
The father, William, who was bom in County 
Armagh, Ireland, died at the age of ninetj-uine 
>-ears, eleven months and seventeen days. When 
about thirty-four he came to America, accom- 
panied by his wife, and settled in Paterson, N. J., 
where he followed the trade of a fancy weaver. 
From there he went to Circleville, Orange Coun- 
ty, where he engaged in farm pursuits. Selling 
out. he removed to Xew York City, but six 
months later returned and bought the Denman 
Farm, upon which he remained until his death. 
His wife, Jane Moore, was bom in Ireland and 
died at the age of sixty-six. 

Of the thirteen children comprising the par- 
ental family, all but two attained years of matur- 
ity and eleven are now living. Three sons, be- 
sides our subject, ser\-ed in the Union army, 
William and George being members of the One 
Hundred and Sixty-eighth, and James X. belong- 
ing to the Fifty-sixth, Xew York Infantr\\ All 
served through the entire period of the conflict, 
and George was promoted to the rank of Cor- 
poral. Our subject was born in Circleville. this 
county. October 19, 1S31, and was reared in that 
place, gaining a fair education in the neighbor- 
ing schools. At the age of twenty he was ap- 
prenticed to the carpenter's trade under his 
brother Robert, and contiiuied at that occupation 
until his enlistment in the army. For two years 
after returning home from the war he was un- 
able to engage in manual labor, owing to ill- 
liealth, but as soon as he had recovered he re- 
sumed work as a carpenter, and also engaged in 
contracting and building. Later he did consid- 
erable business in the way of moving buildings. 

In 1S76 Mr. Leemon opened a grocery store in 
Middletowni, starting in business in a part of the 
city where at that time there were no stores 
whatever. He has a well equipf)ed establish- 
ment at No. 14.6 Xorth Street, where he carries 
a full line of general groceries, including vege- 
tables and fruits in tlieir season. In iSSS his 
son. Robert J., was admitted into partnership. 



and the firm has since done business under the 
title of J. B. Leemon & Son. 

The marriage of Mr. Leemon in Montgomer\-, 
in 1S65, united him with Miss Jane A. Frame, 
who was bom in Ireland, and when four years of 
age was brought to America by her parents, set- 
tling in Xewburgh. but afterward removing to 
Montgomery. Five children were born to them, 
of whom two are living. Robert J., a graduate 
of the Ohio University at Ada, Ohio, in the nor- 
mal and commercial courses, is in business with 
his father, and is one of the popular young men 
of Middletowu, being connected fraternally with 
Hufiiuan Lodge, F. & A. M.. the Knights of 
Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. 
John E.. M. D.. is represented elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Politically Mr. Leemon is a Democrat. He 
was formerly identified with the Xinety-first Xa- 
tional Guard of Xew York, of which organiza- 
tion he was Second Lieutenant for a number of 
years. Interested in Grand Army afiairs, he is a 
charter member of General Lyon Post Xo. 266, 
in which he takes a warm interest. He belongs 
to Phoenix Hase Company Xo. 4. and has helped 
to bring the fireman's department to its present 
high standing of merit and efficiencv. 



=-i- 



'^== 



rr ROSS ELLIOTT. M. D., of Montgomery, 
1^ was bora in Pleasant ^'alley, Dutchess Coun- 
L, ty, X. Y., October 31, 1S54, and is of Irish 
descent. His father. Rev. Joseph Elliott, who 
for many years was an honored minister in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, was a native of the 
cit\- of Armagh. Ireland, where the first fourteen 
years of his life were passed. From there he 
came to the United States and settled in Orange 
County. X. Y.. where he grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving his education in Montgomer\- and Char- 
lotteville. His entire life was devoted to minis- 
terial work, and he was well beloved among the 
people whom he served. He was licensed to the 
ministry while in Montgomen.-. and held pastor- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1031 



ates ill this city. Highland Falls, Xewburgh, 
Warwick and other places in the same locality. 
The first and last years of his ministry were both 
passed in Orange County, and he died at Middle- 
town when fifty-seven years old. 

The marriage of Rev. Joseph Elliott united 
him with Miss Harriet M. Andrews, of Delaware 
County, X. V., the wedding being solemnized at 
Delhi, this state. Mrs. Elliott is still living, and 
makes her home in Middletown. There were 
five children in the family, of whom E. Ross is 
the eldest. The family being obliged to move 
frequently, owing to the limit of pastorate in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, it was deemed best 
that he should be sent to the home of an uncle in 
Brooklyn, in order that he might have the ad- 
vantage of the excellent educational opportuni- 
ties the schools of that city afforded. He spent 
thirteen years with his uncle, and meantime at- 
tended Claverack Academy in Columbia Coun- 
t}- and Stamford Seminary in Delaware County, 
N. Y. 

On completing his literary studies, our subject 
began to read medicine under the preceptorship 
of Dr. Chase, of Brooklyn, with whom he re- 
mained for one year. Later he entered the med- 
ical department of the Xew York University, 
from which institution he was graduated in 1874, 
before he was twenty -one years old. In 1876 he' 
opened an oflSce for practice in Dutchess County, 
but spent only one year there, coining thence to 
Montgomery Januar>- i, 1S7S. In the years that 
have passed, he has had charge of an increasing 
practice, and has gained the confidence of the 
people, who have the highest opinion of his skill 
and ability. While he has had a general prac- 
tice, his unusual success in the treatment of 
diseases of women and children has brought him 
a great many of such cases, of which he is making 
a specialty. Interested in everything that tends 
to promote the profession and advance its useful- 
ness, he holds membership in the Orange Coun- 
ty Medical Association, and is actively connected 
with its work. 

The marriage of Dr. Elliott occurred January 
28, 1S76, his wife being Miss Lina Wright, of 
Dutchess County, X. Y. They are the parents 



of one child, a son named Clyde W. In religious 
belief they are identified with the Reformed 
Church, but attend sen-ices at the Presbyterian 
Church, to which they are liberal contributors. 
The Doctor was made a Mason in Waldo Lodge, 
F. & A. M., and has pas.sed all the chairs in 
Freeman Lodge No. 170. Pohtically he is a 
stanch Republican, and is a frequent attendant at 
the conventions of his party, the success of which 
he assists in every way possible. Many of his 
leisure hours are spent on his wheel, and during 
his vacations in the summer he usually makes a 
bicycle tour, in company with a congenial party 
of friends, thus gaining needed recreation after 
the close confinement incident to professional 
duties. 



(7 AMES URAL, a business man of Middle- 
I town, was born in Hackensack, N. J., March 
G/ 7, 1S50, and is a son of Michael and Mar>- 
iGleason) Ural, natives, respectively, of Ireland 
and Xew Jersey. The father, who came to the 
United States in early manhood, married in New 
Jersey and then settled upon a farm, devoting the 
rest of his life to agriculture. He and his wife 
are both deceased. Their family consisted of two 
sons and one daughter, James being the eldest of 
the three. He was reared on a farm in Hacken- 
sack and received common-school advantages. 

Beginning the world for himself in 1S66, Mr. 
Ural went to Pompton, X. J., where he sen-ed a 
three-years apprenticeship to the trade of a file- 
maker. He then went to Williamsburg, near 
Brooklyn, X. Y., where he was employed in 
the file works for a period of three and one-half 
years. In Xovember. 1872, he came to Mid- 
dletown and here for twenty years he was file- 
maker in the Eagle File Works, after which he 
resigned to engage in business for himself. Pur- 
chasing a small outfit, he started in the coal-oil 
and gasoline bu.siness, which he has since con- 
ducted on an increasing scale. He has a team 
and wagon and delivers his products in five and 
ten gallon lots. For the convenience of his cus- 



I032 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tomers he has established a system of ordering by 
means of postal cards containing a printed form 
and furnished by him. His entire attention is 
devoted to his business, and every precaution is 
taken to secure satisfactorj' service. 

In Biooklyn Mr. Ural married Miss Catherine 
McCabe, who was born at Port Richmond, Staten 
Island, and thej- became the parents of four chil- 
dren, namely: Edward J., who is a carriage 
painter by trade: Nellie, who died at sixteen 
years of age; Isabella and William, who are at 
home. Mr. Ural belongs to the order of United 
Friends, and is actively connected with the Cath- 
olic Church. Through his instrumentalitj', in 
1872, the Monhagen Saw and Eagle File Works 
Benefit Association was founded and he was ap- 
pointed its Secretary, which position he held for 
twenty-one years. It had been his intention and 
wish to retire sooner from the oiSce, but members 
of the society induced him to continue. He is still 
identified with the association, which has proved 
a most helpful organization. From the organiza- 
tion of the Homestead Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation he has been identified with it as a Director, 
and has aided in its growth, until it is now one of 
the most successful institutions of the kind in the 
state of New York. A member of St. Joseph's 
Catholic Benevolent Society, he was President for 
a time and held other offices of importance until 
1894, when he resigned. At present he is a stock- 
holder in the Middletown Co-operative Companj', 
of which he was one of the organizers. 

While the demands of his business have been 
such as to preclude active participation in politics, 
Mr. Ural is nevertheless well informed regarding 
public matters, and may always be depended upon 
to give his allegiance to the Republican party. 
It was in May, 1892, that he embarked in the oil 
business, and since that time he has built up a 
large trade. 



^IMOTHY J. COHALAN, one of the oldest 
I C railroad men of the county, and at present a 
\2/ resident of Middletown, was born in Goshen, 
in 1844, being the son of John and Maria ( Wha- 



len) Cohalan, natives, respectively, of the counties 
of Cork and Kings, Ireland. His paternal grand- 
father, Timothy Cohalan, a farmer of the Emer- 
ald Isle, brought his family to British America, 
but after a few years there came to New York 
and settled in Orange County. Here he remained 
until his death, which occurred in Middletown. 

In early boyhood John Cohalan exhibited a de- 
cided preference for the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed in New York and later in South 
Carolina, being employed in the construction of 
a railroad. On his return to Orange County he 
helped to lay the first rod on the Erie Railroad 
at Piermont, and continued as foreman until the 
road was finished through to Port Jervis. He 
then settled in that place, where he remained un- 
til his retirement from the railroad business in 
1863, and then he purchased a large farm in the 
town of Goshen, adjoining the citj- of that name. 
There he remained until his death, which oc- 
curred when he was fifty years of age. The old 
home.stead is still in the possession of the family. 
His wife, who died at the age of sixty-three, has 
spent almost her entire life in this county, having 
been brought hither by her father, who was em- 
ployed in the powder-mills at Newburgh, aiid was 
blown up in an explosion there. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of ten 
children, all of whom attained mature years and 
all but one are .still living. He was reared in 
Port Jervis and Middletown, attending the public 
schools of both places. At the age of thirteen, 
in 1857, he began railroading with the Erie near 
Port Jervis, being under his father until 1863. 
He then spent two years assisting in the cultiva- 
tion ot the farm, after which he was employed on 
the construction of the hor.se-car tracks at Brook- 
lyn. Returning to Port Jervis, he was foreman 
in the building of the Monticello & Port Jervis 
Road, and later held a similar position in the 
laying of the switches of the Ontario & Western 
at Middletown. At Belleville. N. J., he was fore- 
man on the Erie for eight j-ears. 

Again coming back to Orange County, Mr. 
Cohalan settled in the town of New Windsor, 
where he engaged in the general mercantile bus- 
iness at Rock Tavern. In October, 1888, he 




CAPT. ROBERT B. HOCK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1035 



came to Middletown, and accepted the position of 
milk brakeman, which he held for two years. 
He was then placed in charge of a car of milk 
from Middletown to Weehawken, N. J., and at 
present is milk brakeman. In 1887 he bought 
the lot at No. 255 North Street, where he built a 
residence and store, put in a stock of goods and 
engaged in a general mercantile business. 

In Middletown Mr. Cohalan married Miss 
Mary Collins, a native of Ireland. They are the 
parents of four children, the eldest of whom, John 
F., is fireman on the Ontario & We.stern. The 
others, Mamie, Nellie and Annie, are at home. 
The family are connected with St. Joseph's Catho- 
lic Church and regular attendants at the services 
of that congregation. Mr. Cohalan is a member 
of the Prudential Insurance Company of Newark, 
aud socially is identified with the Ontario Hose 
Company No. 5, of which he is Treasurer. In 
politics he is a sturdy Democrat and gives his 
party generous support. 



— •>K®(m)®^»- 



EAPT. ROBERT B. HOCK has been Presi- 
dent of the village of Goshen for the past six 
years, and is one of her most influential citi- 
zens. He is Chief of the Police and Fire Depart- 
ments, is President of the Board of Assessors and 
Water Commissioners, and in short is at the head 
of nearly every local enterprise. A Republican of 
the most enthu.siasticstamp,hehas acted on various 
committees, and for eighteen years has been serv- 
ing in public office, a portion of the time as As- 
sessor, Collector or Supervisor. In 1881 he was 
appointed County Clerk by the Governor, and at 
the end of a year was nominated and regularly 
elected to the same position, receiving a majority 
of twenty-three hundred votes. In 1885 he was 
re-elected, and thus altogether he held the office 
for seven years, making a fine record for himself 
and constituents. He is recognized as one of the 
leaders in the local campaigns of his jiarty. 

Our subject was born near Frankfort on-the- 
Main, in Bavaria, June 6, 1838. His father, Con- 



rad Hock, was a native of the same locality, and 
operated a stone-quarry, being an expert stone- 
cutter. His death occurred in 1841, and in about 
six years his wife's demise occurred. She was 
formerly a Miss Catherine Weitzer, likewise a na- 
tive of Bavaria. Their three children were: Rob- 
ert B.; Eva, wife of Peter Hoffman, of New York 
City; and Johanna, deceased, formerly the wife of 
Charles Gantz. Until ten years of age R. B. 
Hock resided in his native city and then decided 
to seek his fortune in America. By the death 
of his parents he had been left an orphan at this 
tender age, and, acting on his mother's advice, 
he joined his uncle, her brother, who was living 
in New York City. The lad left Rotterdam in 
the .spring of 1848, going to Havre, and at the 
end of a forty- days voyage on the Atlantic in the 
sailing-vessel "John Charles" reached New York 
City. He attended the English schools until fif- 
teen years of age and then became an employe of 
a Mr. Kent, a manufacturer and dealer in gold- 
leaf. 

Being possessed of an adventurous spirit, when 
seventeen years of age our subject answered an 
advertisement for boys with a knowledge of mu- 
sic, the applicants to apply at a stated point on 
Governor's Island. He found that it meant reg- 
ular service as a member of the band in the United 
States army, and, being willing to learn, he be- 
came master of the bugle calls at the end of four 
months. After passing the examinations he was 
placed in the Tenth United States Infantry as a 
bugler. He was sent to Ft. SnelUng, Minn., and 
took part in many expeditions against the Indians 
in the West. In 1857 he went on the campaign 
against the Mormons under Gen. Albert Sidney 
Johnston (afterward the Confederate General who 
lost his life at the battle of Shiloh ) . Our subject 
was sent to the scene of the Mountain Meadow 
Massacre after that dreadful event, and took part 
in the battle of Ash Hollow with General Hardy. 
In i860, after his time of service had expired, he 
went to Ft. Bridger, and the next summer he 
became an employe on the famous Pony Express. 
He rode from Ft. Bridger to Big Muddy, a distance 
of twenty miles, but on account of the great dan- 
gers encompassing him turned eastward, going 



1036 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



to Pike's Peak, Colo., the city of Denver at that 
time being only a tented village. He arrived in 
New York City in the fall of i860. The next 
spring after Ft. Sumter was fired upon, General 
Tracy of his old regiment, the Tenth United States 
Infantry, requested him to drill recruits at Staten 
Island. He complied and afterward drilled troops 
in the city of Washington. 

In the fall of 1861 Mr. Hock was commissioned 
Lieutenant of Company E, Twelfth New York 
Cavalry, but was still engaged in recruiting and 
drilling men. In 1862 he was promoted to be 
First Lieutenant of the same company, and the 
following year was made Captain of Company F, 
Twelfth New York Cavalry. He went on Burn- 
.side's expedition, participating in the battle of 
Ball's Bluff and the second engagement at Bull 
Run. April 17, 1864, he was taken prisoner by 
the rebels at Plymouth, N. C, and for three 
weeks was confined in Andersonville. Then, as 
he was an officer, he was sent with thirteen hun- 
dred other officers to the prison at Macon, Ga. 
Four months were passed there, after which he 
was for a month in the Savannah prison, and 
later in the one at Charleston. Then with six of 
his brother officers he managed to escape from 
the prison at Columbia, S. C, by an arrangement 
with two of the Confederate guards. The blood- 
hounds were set on their track, and in their des- 
perate flight they separated ; two of his comrades 
were overtaken by the hounds, and at length one 
other, on account of sickness and fatigue, was 
obliged to give himself up. Three of the num- 
ber got on track of each other again, and they all 
traveled in compan)' for twenty-one days. At 
last but two were left, and these traveled by night, 
lying in the woods during the daytime, and eat- 
ing nothing but corn for thirty-one days. They 
believed they had gone beyond the southern lines 
and ventured forth on the main road, when a 
rebel cavalry company came along. Mr. Hock's 
friend was captured, but he escaped, and traveled 
onward alone for five days more. His sufferings 
were intense, but he persevered, and at last was 
rewarded by reaching the Union lines. He found 
that the company was the Third Tennessee, who 
received him with a fitting welcome, and took 



care of him until he was able to report to General 
Dix in New York. He was soon sent to his old 
regiment, then in Newbern, N. C. His own com- 
pany had been captured, and only twelve of the 
number ever returned. He was placed in a new 
company and was drill master of the same for 
three months. 

In 1865 Captain Hock, with his forces, was or- 
dered to move to the vicinity of Wilmington, and 
there encountered General Bragg. The gallant 
Captain's horse was shot under him, and thirty- 
two men from the two companies were killed. 
He was captured by Bragg' s army and sent to 
Danville, Va. , arriving there just before WiLson's 
cavalry had torn up the railroad. The journey 
was made on foot and Captain Hock determined 
to escape if possible. While crossing a culvert 
he made a desperate run for liberty, and in the 
brushwood and low undergrowth concealed him- 
self until his captors had given up the search. 
Accidentally he found himself on the line of an 
underground railway, and in two weeks entered 
the Union lines, joining his regiment just before 
Lee's surrender. He was in the fight at Benton- 
ville, and in a cavalry charge his horse was killed 
and in falling threw him into the midst of the 
rebel infantry. A third time he found himself in 
captivity, but that night managed to effect his 
escape. He concealed him.self under a thick cov- 
ering of dead leaves and the next morning, after 
the rebels had left, presented himself at his com- 
pany's headquarters with his usual dignity of 
manner. In Augu.st, 1865, he resigned his po- 
sition and returned to New York City. His com- 
rade in rebel prisons, Lieut. A. Cooper, of the 
same regiment, dedicated a book to Captain Hock 
on their prison life and escape. 

Until the spring of 1867 Captain Hock was pro- 
prietor of a bakerj^ in New York, and then, com- 
ing to Goshen, bought out the proprietor of a 
meat-market. This he successfulh- carried on 
for sixteen years. In 1886 he built the St. Elmo 
Hotel and business block, and has run the hotel 
ever since. It is the finest in the town, and, like 
everything else which the Captain has turned his 
attention to, is a complete success. The old driv- 
ing-park was in a run-down condition when he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1037 



took hold of it, and in iSgohe reorganized it into 
a stock compaii}', of which he has since been 
President. The park and tracks now have more 
than a local reputation, and each year may be 
witnessed here fine races, many celebrated horses 
being entered for the championship. Captain 
Hock is a stockholder in the Merchants' and 
Manufactnrers' Bank in Middletown, in the Go- 
shen Electric-light Company, and in many local 
industries. Fraternally he belongs to the Ma.sonic 
order, the Loyal Legion, and is a member of 
Cummings Post, G. A. R., of Goshen. 

In 1 86 1, in New York City, was celebrated the 
marriage of the Captain and Miss Caroline C. 
Yoerg, a native of the metropolis, and a daugh- 
ter of Frederick J. and Catharine (Treyens) 
Yoerg, both natives of Germany. To our sub- 
ject and wife six children were born, two of whom 
died in infanc)'. Robert is manager of the St. 
Elmo Hotel, and Postmaster at Goshen; Fred as- 
sists his brother in the hotel; Frank, who married 
Edith L., daughter of Gabriel Tuthill, of Middle- 
town, is in the steam-fitting and plumbing busi- 
ness; and Hettie is the wife of Clarence M. Vail, 
of New York City. Mrs. Hock is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Epi-scopal Church. In politics the 
Captain is a stalwart Republican. 

^HOMAS T. DURLAND, of the town of 
f C Wawayanda, was born November 28, 1821, 
vJ/ and is a son of Charles and Lydia (Terry) 
Durland. His father was born in Chester, Orange 
County, and was a son of Charles Durland, a 
native of Scotland, who emigrated to this country 
prior to the Revolutionary War. Charles and 
Lydia Durland were the parents of the following 
children: Thomas T., who died at the age of 
twelve years; John and Joseph, al.so deceased; 
Charles A., Esther J., Stewart T., Ezra T., Sa- 
rah, and Thomas T., our subject. The father 
was a mason by trade, and lived at Chester until 
1 808 or 1809, when he removed to this town, 
where he died in 1851. The mother died in 1866. 
Their remains lie buried in Westtown Cemetery. 
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 



his native county, and March 14, 1855, married 
Miss Sarah E. Jack.son, born August 14, 1830. 
She is a daughter of George and Millicent ( Fer- 
guson) Jackson, the former of whom was a farmer 
of Wawayanda during his entire life. Mrs. Dur- 
land's great-great-grandfather, Richard Gardiner, 
came to America in the "Mayflower," and set- 
tled in Orange County prior to the Revolution- 
ary War. He was sent to America by the British 
Government as a surveyor and conveyor of crown 
lands. He had one daughter, who married Rich- 
ard Ferguson. 

To our subject and his wife were born eight 
children: Charles J., who married Eveline Clark 
and is now residing in Jersey City; John B., de- 
ceased; Alice; Henrietta; George J.; Julia A., 
wife of Benjamin Horton; Elizabeth, wife of 
Lewis Van Orden; and Jennie, who died in in- 
fancy. When fourteen years of age our subject 
took charge of the old homestead, where he lived 
until 1863, when he removed to the homestead 
of his wife's father, remaining there but a short 
time, however. Returning to the old homestead, 
he made it his home until 1868, when he pur- 
chased the one hundred and ninety-six acres, on 
which he has ever since resided. He now owns 
altogether three hundred and seventy acres of 
land, which includes his father's old homestead. 
He is a public-spirited and enterprising man, and 
politically is a Democrat. The family are all 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 



^•Js3|$s 



K^ELSON WELLS WOOD. On an elevation 
ly overlooking the city of Middletown and com- 
I Is manding a splendid view of the surrounding 
country, stands City View Place, the home of 
Mr. Wood. The neat and tastefully furnished 
residence is surrounded by a well improved farm 
of sixty acres, upon which are kept a small dairy 
of Jersej' milch cows and a number of standard- 
bred horses. 

The Wood family was numbered among the 
early residents of Orange County. The great- 



1038 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grandfather of our subject, Vincent Wood, was 
bom in the town of Chester, and there died in 
1 83 1 . He was a successful school-teacher and was 
widel\- known on account of the excellence of his 
penmanship. The grandfather, George W., was 
born in the town of Chester iu 1799. and died in 
Januarx-, 1872, having for many years engaged 
in farming one mile from Sugar Loaf. His wife, 
Polly, was bom in the Sugar Loaf Valley in 1800, 
and died at the old homestead in 1SS5. She was 
a daughter of Joseph Cooper, who came to Orange 
County from Morristown, N. J., and died here at 
eightA-four years of age. 

The nine children of George \V. and. Polh' 
Wood all attained years of maturit\-, and six are 
now living. William, who was a member of an 
Iowa regiment during the Civil War, died after 
the close of the conflict: Edward, who served in 
the Seventy-second Xew York Infantn,- and parti- 
cipated in the battle of Bull Run. died some years 
after the close of the Rebellion. Samuel H., the 
next to the eldest of the family, and our subject's 
father, was bom in Sugar Loaf March 25, 1827. 
At the age of twenty- years, in 1S47, he went to 
New York Cit>-, reaching that place with but $7 
in his f)ossession, and there he secured a jjosition 
as clerk in a butter store, near Washington Mar- 
ket. In 1S53 he resigned from that place and 
became connected with the firm of Xelson, Wells 
& Co., proprietors of a wholesale fish store at 
No. 81 Dey Street, which was said to be the 
largest market of its kind on the west side of the 
city. After some years with that firm, he entered 
the wholesale produce and commission business, 
and was thus engaged until 1SS2, when he retired 
from active labors. He made his home iu Jersey 
City until December, 1S93. when he came to 
Middletown. and now resides at the Madison 
House. 

The mother of our subject. Eliza A., was bom 
in Mystic, Conn., became the wife of Samuel H. 
Wood in 1852 in Xew York City, where she died 
in iSSi. Her father, Capt. Thomas Wells, for 
many years a resident of Mystic, Conn. , followed 
the occupation of a whaler for a time, but later 
embarked iu the wholesale fish business at Wash- 
ington Market, Xew York City, where he had 



three large stores. His son John had a retail 

stand in Washington Market. The first repre- 
sentatives of the Wells family in America were 
two brothers, one of whom settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and the other, Thomas, went to Connecti- 
cut. From the latter this branch of the family 
.sprung. 

The subject of this notice is one of two children, 
his sister being Carrie, Mrs. B. F. Heard, who 
died in Jersey- City. Xelson W. was bom in Xew 
York City, on the 15th of September, 1854, and 
was graduated from the high school there, later 
attending themilitar\- academy at Xorwalk, Conn. 
On completing his studies, he became clerk in the 
wholesale butter store of W. I. & C. M. Young, 
of Xew York, with whom he remained about 
eight years. Then, in partnership with his father, 
under the firm name of S. H. Wood & Son, he 
started in the wholesale butter and produce busi- 
ness at Xo. 8 1 Dey Street, where he remained from 
1S7S until 18S9. In 1S85 his father sold out his 
interest in the business, leaving him sole proprie- 
tor. Mr. Wood still owns the building, but has 
leased it to other parties. In 1S89 he left Xew 
York Cit\- and came to Middletown; subsequently 
he became a member of the firm of Smith & 
Wood, and engaged in the brick business on 
Wickham Avenue for three years. At the expi- 
ration of that j)eriod he disposed of his interest in 
the concem and retired from business. While in 
Xew York he was an active member of the Mer- 
cantile Exchange of that cit\-. In Middletown 
he married Miss F. Amiantha Robertson, who 
was bom in South Centreville. and received an 
excellent education in this city, where her father, 
George W. Robertson, engaged in the manufact- 
ure of brick. They are the parents of two sons, 
Xelsou Wells, Jr.. and Robertson Garfield. 

In politics a Republican. Mr. Wood was elected 
upon his party ticket, in the spring of 1894, to 
represent the Fourth Ward as a member of the 
Board of Supervisors. He is still serving in that 
capacity-, in which he has been an active factor iu 
promoting the interests of the place. His wife is 
a member of the Second Presbyteriau Church, to 
which he is a liberal contributor. He is connected 
with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, 




T. I). TITHILL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1041 



and is a member of the Middletown Club. While 
in Jersey City he united with Hudson Lodge. 
K. of P.. and now holds membership in Lancelot 
Lodge in Middletown. In Jersey City he also 
united with the Royal Arcanum, to which be still 
belongs. He has been unusualh- successful in 
his ventures, and is now in independent circum- 
stances. As a citizen, both in an official capacity 
and in private affairs, it has ever been his aim to 
promote the welfare of Middletown, and this city 
owes not a little to his sagacitv and energ\-. 



^)#G 



<^OWXSEXD D. TUTHILL is one of the 
/ C oldest business men of Goshen, in point of 
vi/ years in which he has carried on commercial 
pursuits here. For fifteen years he was superin- 
tendent of the gas works, continuing in that ca- 
pacity until July, 1S94. when the plant was sold. 
He is a practical plumber, gas and steam fitter, 
and for several decades has had nearly all of the 
work in that line here. For fifteen years he was 
superintendent of the water works and also served 
as Treasurer of the Board. 

Our subject represents the eighth generation 
of the Tuthill family in America. He traces his 
ancestry- to Henry Tuthill, who was born in Eng- 
land about 1600. John, a son of Henry, was 
born in England July 16, 1635. and married De- 
liverance King February 16. 1657, settling at 
Southold, L. I. Hisfour sons were John. Henry. 
Daniel and Nathaniel, and he also had five 
daughters. His death occurred when he was in 
his eighty-third year. 

The next in line of descent was John. Jr., boni 
February 14, 165S. He was married to Mehitable 
Wells, by whom he had five .sons and two daugh- 
ters, namely: John, Elizabeth, James, Joshua, 
Abigail, Daniel and Freeg^fi. He died Novem- 
ber 26, 1754, aged ninety-six years, nine months 
and twelve days. Freegift, his son, was born 
August S. 169S, and married Abigail Goldsmith 
in June, 1 727, their union resulting in the birth 
of four children, namely: Abigail, who was bom 
on Long Island: Nathaniel, born January 17, 
'730: Joshua. October 25, 1732: and Freegifl, 

46 



bom in Orange Colinty in June, 1734, Nathaniel 
married Margaret Herod, who was born on Loui 
Island August S, 1739, and they had three chil 
dren, Benjamin, Mar>- and Nathaniel. Joshua 
the third child of Freeg^ft and Abigail Tuthill 
was boni October 25,. 1732, at Brook Haven 
L. I., where his father bought a place in 1722 
and four months prior to his birth his father re- 
ceived a deed for a tract of land he had bought 
two years before in Orange County. A portion 
of this property is now occupied by his grandson. 
Horace Tuthill. 

Upon this tract, which comprised four hundred 
acres, Freegift Tuthill in 1732 built a log house, 
in which he lived until 1744. He then built a 
stone house, which in 1S14 was taken down and 
replaced by the present residence. Joshua mar- 
ried Mary Conklin. who was bom September 15, 
1733. and they reared four daughters and two 
sons, namely: Mehitable, born August i, 1759: 
Mary, October 29, 1760; Abigail, December 4, 
1762: Rebecca, July 29, 1767: Joshua, November 
2, 1771: and Freegift, April 29, 1776. Mehitable 
married Samuel Boyd, and had seven children: 
Joshua, Mehitable, John, Man,-, Keturah, Mar- 
garet and Freegift. Mar>- died in early woman- 
hood. Abigail married James Horton and they 
had four children : Abigail, Rebecca, Susan and 
James. Abigail married Stephen St. John. 

Joshua, son of Joshua and Mary Tuthill, mar- 
ried Catharine Smith, who was born December 
15, 1774, and they had five children, as follows: 
Freegift, who was born June 17, 179S: Mary, 
November i, 1799; Adaline, December 20, 1801; 
Horace, January 26, 1S04: and James S., August 
27, 1S15. Freegift married Martha, daughter of 
Tabitha Smith, who was the youngest daughter 
of Solomon Tuthill, grandfather of the Tuthills 
of Oxford. Freegift and Martha had six chil- 
dren: Emily, Joshua, Charles. Theodore, James 
and Martha. Mar>- married William Jackson, 
and had one son. Thomas B. Jackson. Adaline 
became the wife of Robert Case, and they had 
three children: John, \\'illiam and Catharine. 
Horace married Martha Maria Dusenberry, Octo- 
ber 8, 1S29. and they had six children: Town- 
send D.. William H.. George. James E., Horace S, 



1042 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Thomas J. James S. married Harriet Smith, 
and they had four children: Henry, Elizabeth, 
Egbert J. and Mary J. Freegift, son of Joshua 
and Mary Tuthill, married Elizabeth Swezy, by 
whom he had five children: John, Frances, 
Charles, George and James. 

Horace, father of our subject, engaged in op- 
perating the old Tuthill homestead in Hampton- 
burgh until he retired. He is now in his ninety- 
second year and is one of the oldest surviving 
citizens of the county. His grandfather, Joshua, 
and two great-uncles, Nathaniel and Freegift, 
served in the Revolutionary War, and the last- 
named died while in the service. 

Of the six sons of Horace Tuthill we note the 
following: Townsend D., the eldest, is the sub- 
ject of this sketch. Henry, who was born No- 
vember 3, 1833, married Eliza Corn well, who 
was born October 12, 1835, and the}' had one 
child, Mazie L. George, whose birth occurred 
August 22, 1836, was married, October 16, 1861, 
to Julia Blair, who was born in January, 1843, 
and they had one child, Lizzie M. James E., 
who was born November 26, 1S42, has never 
been married. Horace S., born December 31, 
1844, was united in marriage, April 6, 1869, with 
Sadie E. Weeks, who was born July 25, 1850, 
and they had four children: Horace S., Thomas 
W., Edwin R. and Edna May. Thomas J. was 
born February 7, 1848, and died unmarried Oc- 
tober 18, i8go. 

The subject of this sketch was born on the old 
home farm in Hamptonburgh, November 21, 
1830, and is the eldest in his father's familj'. He 
obtained a common-school education, and when 
he was in his sixteenth year began serving an 
apprenticeship to the tinsmith's trade in Chester. 
At the end of a year and a-half he went to Mid- 
dletown and completed his knowledge of the busi- 
ness, remaining there until 1851. At that time 
he located in Goshen and embarked in business 
for himself as a tinsmith, on the corner of Main 
and Church Streets. Two years later he erected 
a building and put in a full line of hardware, 
stoves and tinware. For three years the business 
was conducted under the firm name of Tuthill & 
Chevee, after which our subject was alone until 



1859. He then sold out and removed to his pres- 
ent location, turning his attention more particu- 
larly to plumbing and steam-fitting. He em- 
ploys six or more men to carry out his contracts, 
and has a centrally located shop at No. 71 West 
Main Street. He was the originator of the idea 
of heating houses on the one- pipe system for 
steam, instead of using two pipes as formerly, and 
has made many other practical inventions. He 
is Treasurer of the Excise Board, on which he has 
served as a member at various times. A stanch 
Democrat, he has often been sent as a delegate 
to county conventions and has served on the 
county committees. Besides those mentioned he 
has held the office of Village Collector for several 
terms and was a member of the fire department 
of Goshen. 

Mr. Tuthill has a plea.sant home on West 
Street, presided over by the lady whom he married 
in Middletown November 29, 1853. Her maiden 
name was Mary S. Bodine, and she was born in 
Pine Bush, thiscount}', February 22, 1834. They 
have four children: Louisa C, Charles W., Anna 
B. and Mary A., all of whom are at home. 
Charles, who is a practical business man, is now 
with his father. He was born June 2, 1858, and 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Avery, 
whose birth occurred August 17, 1864. They 
have one child, a son, Harry F. 



IS^^S^=-- 



I jZAL T. HAYES has been a re,sident of Mid- 
K'l dletown for twentj'-nine years. He is Treas- 
^J urer and General Manager of the tannery 
owned by the Howell-Hinchman Companj-, the 
other officers being H. C. Howell, President, and 
T. E. Hayes, Secretary. The tannery, which oc- 
cupies two blocks, is located on Fulton Street, ex- 
tending from Wawayanda to Mulberry Street. 

The main building is three stories in height 
and 82x288 feet in dimensions, while the ofl5ce 
and wareroom, also three stories high, is 100x40 
feet in dimensions. A small lake near the tan- 
nery furnishes an abundance of water .supply 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



1043 



for power. There are two engines, one of one 
hundred and the other of fort)- horsepower, and 
boilers with a capacity of two hundred and thirty- 
five horsepower. From ten to twelve tons of 
bark, both oak and hemlock, are u.sed daih-, be- 
ing brought here from Sullivan County. The 
hides are secured principally in this state, the 
works having a capacity of one hundred and fift}- 
a day. The business is a flourishing one and the 
plant is never shut down, but furnishes steady 
employment for one hundred and twenty-five 
hands. In addition to the office in Middletown, 
the company has an office in Newark, N. J. 

The Hayes family is of Scotch descent, and 
Thomas Hayes, grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, took part in the early wars of our coun- 
try. The father and mother, S. R. and Lydia 
(King) Hayes, were born in Bloomfield, Essex 
County, N. J., where the former was a manufact- 
urer for many years, his death occurring there 
when he was eighty-five. The mother, who died 
at the age of seventy-six, was a daughter of John 
I. King, an architect and builder of Bloomfield. 
The family was directly descended from Rufus 
King, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- 
dependence. 

The three children born to the union of S. R. 
and Lydia Hayes are as follows: Thomas, who 
resides in Bloomfield, and is engaged in business 
at Newark, N. J.; Uzal T. ; and Mrs. Sarah 
Johnson, of Bloomfield. The second of these 
was born in Bloomfield, February 5, 1834, and 
was there reared to manhood, completing the 
course of study in Seymour's Institute. Bloom- 
field had the first free school in New Jense)', and 
in it our subject was a student for one quarter. 
In 1856 he embarked in the leather business in 
Newark, being first a .salesman for T. P. Howell 
& Co. In December, 1865, he became a partner 
in the same firm, which took the name of Howell, 
Hinchman & Co., buying out Moore's Tannery 
in Middletown and considerably enlarging the 
plant. 

In i88g the business was incorporated with 
H. C. Howell President, T. E. Hayes Secre- 
tary, and our subject Treasurer and General 
Manager. His second son, H. M., is also a 



stockholder and actively connected with the en- 
terprise. There is a capital stock of $100,000, 
and the business is in a most flourishing condi- 
tion. In addition to this enterprise, Mr. Hayes 
is a Director in the Savings Bank, of which he 
was one of the organizers in 1869. 

The marriage of Mr. Hayes took place in 
Bloomfield, N. J., in i860, his wife being Miss 
Caroline A. Morris, a native of that place, where 
her father, James Morris, was engaged in farming 
and the milling bu.sine.ss. She died July 3, 1888, 
leaving four children: Harry M., a graduate of 
the academy and a .stockholder and superintend- 
ent of the tannery; Thomas E., a graduate of Mt. 
Plea.sant Academy and now Secretary of the firm; 
Caroline, Mrs. McBrair, of Middletown: and 
Mabel, an accomplished young lady, who is with 
her father. 

For many years Mr. Hayes was a member of 
the Board of Education. He has also been a 
Water Commissioner for a long time, and for 
four years served as Pre.sident of the board. So- 
cially he is a Royal Arch Mason, and a demitted 
member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Newark, 
N. J. Besides his residence at No. 52 vSonth 
Street he owns other property in this city. In 
politics he advocates Republican principles. In 
1875 he was appointed Trustee of the Middle- 
town State Homeopathic Asylum, and .soon after 
his appointment he became Treasurer of the 
board, which office he held until March, 1894. 
During his incumbency of the position most of the 
present buildings were erected. Since retiring 
from that office he has served as Trustee. 



Pj AVID R. CLARK. Among the well known 
I9I agriculturists of the town of Wawayanda, 
IC/ who, through indefatigable energy and in- 
domitable perseverance, have achieved consider- 
able success, we mention the name of Mr. Clark. 
He was born in the town of Minisink, September 
4, 1827, and having spent most of his life in the 



I044 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



immediate locality of his birth, he is well known 
among his fellow-citizens, and his course in life 
has been such as to commend him to their es- 
teem and confidence. 

Our subject grew to manhood and was educated 
in the town of his birth and was the son of Abra- 
ham and Catherine ( Robinson ) Clark, natives of 
Orange County. The ancestors of Mrs. Clark 
were Scotch, while the Clarks were Holland- 
Dutch. The parents reared a family of nine chil- 
dren, of whom our .subject is the only survivor. 
His brother James V., a prominent farmer of this 
section, died July 14, 1895. The other members 
were Jane, Clarissa, William, Robinson, Sarah 
and two who died in infancy. The grandfather 
of our subject, who bore the name of James, was 
born near New York City, and was the first of 
the family to locate in this section. His son Ab- 
raham was a farmer all his life, and in 1850 lo- 
cated upon the farm where our subject's brother 
James V. lived until his death. When ready to 
begin in life for himself, David R. was married, 
June 24, 1857, to Miss Julia T. Little, daughter 
of Youngs Little, and to them were born three 
children. George W. is now deceased, as is also 
MarthaJ., whose birth occurred August 6, i860. 
David Robinson was born August 16, 1862, 

When twenty-four years of age, Mr. Clark 
went to New York City and engaged in the milk 
business, having a route in that city and in 
Brooklyn. He followed this for a time, but the 
venture not proving as successful as he wished, 
he abandoned it and began teaming, living in the 
metropolis from 1852 to 1869. In the latter year 
he returned to Orange County and for one year 
rented land in the town of Wawayanda. In the 
spring of 1870 he bought the farm whereon he 
now makes his home, which is one hundred and 
eighty-six and one-half acres in extent, and on 
it he carries on general farming and dairying. 

In early life Mr Clark was a Whig, but since 
the organization of the Republican party has used 
his influence in favor of its candidates. He has 
never aspired to official distinction, finding his 
time fully occupied in attending to his private 
duties. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and in the congregation which he attends 



has held the office of Trustee for some years. M r. 
Clark is an upright, honorable citizen, a kind 
hn.sband, indulgent father, and withal is a first- 
class man. 



■7 G. WILLIAM MUSBACH, proprietor of 
'p the Musbach Hotel at Middletown, was 
^ born in Langensalza, Saxony, German}% 
June 22, 1868. His father, Chri.stian Musbach, 
also a native of that country, served in the German 
army for several years. He learned his trade of 
slate roofing in Germany, and when he came to 
America, in June, 1883, continued to follow his 
trade for a time, but is now living a retired life 
in Middletown. The mother, formerly Clara 
Peterselie, was also a native of Germany, and 
died in her native land many years ago, firm in 
the faith of the Lutheran Church. To Christian 
and Clara Musbach were born three children, two 
of whom came to America. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in liis 
native land, and attended the public school until 
fourteen 3^ ears of age, when he commenced the 
study of law in his native place, under a lawyer, 
remaining in his office until 1883, when he came 
to America. He left Bremen for New York City, 
coming direct to Middletown, and at once com- 
menced learning the tailor's trade under Christian 
Klohs. After remaining with him three years, 
he worked at his trade in Paterson, N. J., and in 
New York City for two years. Returning to 
Middletown, he worked at his trade until 188S, 
and then engaged as clerk and bar-tender at 
Wengenroth's Restaurant in Goshen, and later at 
the St. Elmo. In 1890 he rented the building 
where he is now located, on the corner of Beattie 
and Railroad Avenue, and in September of that 
year opened a bar. In January-, 1893, he pur- 
chased the building and remodeled it into a hotel, 
which he opened under the name of the Musbach 
House the same spring. It is a comfortable, well 
furnished house, and the rate is $1 per day. The 
house has large cold-storage capacity. 

Mr. Musbach was married in Middletown to 
Miss Lily A. Behme, a native of this city, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1047 



they have two cliildren, Lil)' C. and William 
H. Mr. Musbach is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having first 
ioined Orange Lodge No. 506, at Goshen, but 
he is now a member of Luther Lodge No. 380. 
He was reared a Lutheran, and still retains his 
belief in the teachings of that church, but there 
being no organization of that bodj' in Middle ^ 
town, he has never united with any other relig- 
ious body. Politically he is a Democrat, and 
has served his party as a delegate to the conven- 
tions in both county and senatorial districts. He 
has been a member of the City Central Commit- 
tee, and has taken an active part in political 
affairs. 

• — g ^ p — • 

IILLIAM HENRY WOODRUFF, M. D. 
The history of the Woodruff family in 
America dates back to the year 1670, when 
John Woodruff" came to this country from Eng- 
land and settled in Hartford, Conn., removing, 
however, soon afterwards to Bridgehampton, 
L. I. It had its representatives in the War of 
the Revolution, and its members have been noted 
for patriotic devotion to their countrj-. The pa- 
ternal grandparents of Dr. William H. Woodruff 
were born in Bridgehampton, and came to Orange 
County about 1790, a few years after the close of 
the Revolution. 

Richard Woodruff, our subject's father, was 
born in the town of Montgomery, Orange Coun- 
ty, and spent his entire life upon a farm, being a 
thorough and successful agriculturist, though 
when yet at home and unmarried he was urged 
by his father to enter upon a medical education. 
He was coiniected with the history of the village 
of Walden from a very early period, and was one 
of its most sterling, reputable citizens. On the 
division of the old Whig party he became a Dem- 
ocrat, sustaining the party's principles as long as 
he lived. He was dignified and courteous, pos- 
sessed a powerful physique, genial manners and 
a companionable disposition. In all local .social 
and moral undertakings he took a deep interest, 
and to them he gave willing aid. Though of a 
sensitive nature and quick to resent an injury, he 



was equally quick in appreciating a favor or 
an expression of kindness. His death occurred 
at Walden when he was in his .seventy-ninth 
year. 

The mother of the Doctor bore the maiden 
name of Charlotte Jessup. She was born in the 
town of Montgomery, on the old Jessup home- 
stead, which joined the Woodruff farm and was 
situated on the present site of East Walden. She 
was a most exemplary Christian woman, and 
died at the Walden home at the age of about 
seventy-eight. The Jessup family is of English 
extraction and was first represented in this coun- 
try in 1637, its members taking a prominent 
part in the Colonial wars. Her parents were 
born in the town of Southampton, Suffolk Coun- 
ty, L. I., and came to Orange County in 1790, 
at the same time the Woodruffs .settled here. 

In the family of Richard Woodruff there were 
three sons and one daughter, William Henry be- 
ing the youngest of the number. His two 
brothers, as also his two paternal uncles, dying 
childless, he and his two sons are the only living 
lineal male representatives to-day of the ancestral 
name. He was born in Walden, N. Y., May 28, 
1 83 1, and spent his early years upon his father's 
farm. His educational advantages were excep- 
tionally good. After leaving the district school, 
he had a preparatory collegiate course at Walden, 
a number of terms in the Montgomery Academy, 
and was graduated from Union College (now 
Union University) at Schenectady, N. Y., in the 
Class of '51, having entered in an advanced or 
junior class in 1849. He was honored with a 
commencement or.ation and an election to the 
Phi Beta Kappa Society when he took his A. B. 
degree. 

On completing his literary course at Union, at 
the age of twenty-one, he passed one winter as 
clerk in the office of Hon. William C. Hasbrouck 
in the city of Newburgh. He then began study- 
ing medicine with Dr. A. H. Thompson, of Wal- 
den, and in 1852 took a primary course of lect- 
ures at Castleton, Vt. In 1853-54 he attended 
the Albany Medical College, receiving his degree 
of M. D. in 1854. In October, soon after his 
graduation, at the request of Dr. Charles Win- 



1048 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC^.!. RECORD. 



field, who himself just then required surgical at- 
tendance, he came to Pine Bush, Orange Coiuity, 
to remain, supposabh", but for a time. 

Becoming interested and occupied busily, 
though other more promising and less laborious 
places for the practice of his art offered. Dr. 
Woodruff is still, after an uninterrupted period of 
forty years, among the people of these pleasant 
valleys and hills, active and energetic in his 
chosen work. A close student of nature, human 
and morbid, with a keen, cultivated discernment, 
his judgment in the sick room, as well as in mat- 
ters of the outer world, is able and reliable. 
Assiduous and untiring, he acquired an extensive 
business, never refusing or neglecting the needs 
of the poorest or farthest familw He encourages 
and liberally aids all movements of progressive 
reform, public improvements and elevating char- 
itable objects. He has also interested himself in 
the purchase and improvement of real estate, 
and the erection of several new buildings, thus 
being really and largely identified with the growth 
and prosperity of this enterprising village. 

April 5, i860, Dr. Woodruff married Miss An- 
toinette Allen, she having completed her educa- 
tional course at the Packer Institute, Brooklyn. 
Her paternal antecedents were of the early Scotch 
settlers of Orange County, and her mother's of 
the English Hartshorne family, who came to 
Rhode Island. Thej' have four children living. 
Elizabeth Otis, the eldest, is the wife of Edward 
Carroll, Jr., of New York City. Richard Allen, 
a graduate of both Bellevue and Albany Medical 
Colleges, is a successful physician at Philmont, 
Columbia County, N. Y. Mary Hartshorne is 
the younger daughter. William Jessup, the 
younger son, attended both Bellevue and Al- 
bany Medical Colleges, graduating there in April, 
1894. He is house surgeon in the Albany City 
Hospital, and is a young man of recognized abili- 
tj' and promise. 

In his cultivation of general literature, for 
which he has never lost his fondness, as a writer 
and speaker Dr. W. H. Woodruff has great apt- 
ness and facility, and on many occasions has 
presented papers, or upon invitation addressed 
various associations and public audiences with 



much acceptance and credit. With inherited 
acute perceptions, sympathies and sensitiveness, 
his convictions and will force are of the strongest 
type. He is a thorough believer in the righteous- 
ness of right, and unflinchingl)- firm in the main- 
tenance of his opinions and principles. He is an 
active member of the Orange County Medical 
Society, Health Physician of his town, and for a 
number of years served as United States Exam- 
ining Surgeon in the Pension Board of his Con- 
gressional District. He was elected President of 
the Alumni Associations of Albany Medical Col- 
lege and Union University, and attends their an- 
nual commencements and reunions. In politics he 
is an earnest, unswerving Democrat, well grounded 
in the faith and need of a government by and for 
the people, which guarantees the greatest good 
to the greatest number. In the Reformed Church, 
of which he is a member, he has long held an 
honored place and has given liberally of his 
means to promote the cause of Christianity. In 
his character and conduct he combines those 
qualities of mind and heart that render hira de- 
servedly popular and secure to him the warm 
friendship of all who know him. 



SEORGE B. ALEXANDER. This well 
known citizen of Newburgh, who is now 
serving in the capacity of Under-Sheriff of 
Orange County, was born in the village of Corn- 
wall November 5, 1843. Concerning his father, 
Harvey, and the family history, mention is made 
in the biographical sketch of J. K. Alexander, 
Sheriff of Orange County, which appears on 
another page of this volume. 

From the age of three years Mr. Alexander 
was reared in the village of Little Britain, in the 
town of New Windsor, and in the district schools 
of the home locality he laid the foundation of the 
broad fund of information, general and local, he 
now possesses. At the age of fourteen he was 
apprenticed, under his father, to learn the trade 
of a carpenter, w'hich he followed principally in 
Orange County, though also for a time as foreman 
in Ulster Conntv. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1049 



During the year 1886 Mr. Alexander went to 
California, via Chicago and Kansas City, and 
spent the winter months working at his trade in 
Los Angeles and other cities of the state. While 
there he assisted in the erection of the Raymond 
Hotel at Pasadena, one of the finest buildings of 
the kind ever erected in this country. In April, 
1887, he returned to New York, and has since 
made his home in Newburgh, though frequently 
ab.sent from this city, traveling through the states. 
In 1 89 1 he again visited California, going via 
New Orleans and the Southern Pacific, and re- 
turning, three months -later, by way of the city 
of Portland, Oregon, and the Northern Pacific. 

April 26, 1893, Mr. Alexander was appointed 
Under-Sheriff, having charge of Newburgh Jail 
and making his headquarters at the office here. 
The duties of his responsible position he has dis- 
charged with the greatest efficienc}', and has 
proved himself a friend of justice, law and order. 
He has served as Inspector of Elections, and was 
at one time a member of the Grand Jury. Soci- 
ally he affiliates with the Hudson River Lodge, 
F. & A. M., at Newburgh. In political affairs 
he always takes a deep and intelligent interest, 
and has contributed largel)- to the success of the 
Republican party in this locality. For several 
years he has been a member of the County Cen- 
tral Committee from New Windsor, and still 
serves in that capacity. At different times he has 
been selected to represent his party in its county 
and assembly conventions, and was also delegate 
to the State Convention at Saratoga. 



30HN A. CRAWFORD, who passed away 
November 14, 1893, was one of the most 
prominent agriculturists of the town of Craw- 
ford. He was descended from one of the old 
and illustrious families of New York, one which 
was closely identified with the early history of the 
state, and in whose honor this town was named. 
His birth occurred here June 23, 1812, and at the 
time of his decease he was in his eighty-first year. 
His parents, Robert I. and Deborah (Dickerson) 
Crawford, had a large family of eleven children. 



Of these, Emeline died unmarried, at the age of 
eighty years: Leander was seventy-three at the 
time of his decease; Millicent also passed to the 
land beyond ; Albert was about fifty years old when 
he died; George A. is living retired from business 
at Middletown; Sarah E. and Esther are also de- 
ceased; Robert is a well to-do farmer of this town; 
Angeline makes her home in this locality; and 
Theron is a progressive and influential agricult- 
urist, who also resides in the town of Crawford. 
For a full history of the parents, we refer the 
reader to the sketch of Theron Crawford, which 
appears elsewhere in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was well educated, 
and remained at home until his marriage, when 
he purchased and moved upon the farm which 
his son Addison now occupies. There he re- 
mained until his decea.se, which occurred Novem- 
ber 14, 1893. Jaiuiary i, 1840, occurred his mar- 
riage with Miss Runna Decker, who was born in 
this town November 11, 1821 , and was the daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Anna (Mould) Decker, also of 
this locality. She was a devoted member of 
Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and passed away 
August 27, 1890. Her marriage with our sub- 
ject resulted in the birth of four children, of 
whom the eldest, Elizabeth, is the wife of Clar- 
ence Ormsbee, a physician of Coldenham, this 
county; John died when sixteen years of age; 
Addison was born August 6, 1858, and on the 
death of his father assumed the management of 
the home farm, which he now owns. He is well 
educated, and is a graduate of the Montgomery 
Academy. January 25, 1892, he married Miss 
Josephine Hartford, of this town, a daughter of 
John Hartford. Of their marriage three children 
have been born, viz.; Ruanna, Rutherford and 
Ethel May. 

Our subject was a self-made man in the truest 
sense of the term, for he began life a poor bo}', 
and at the time of his decea.se left four large farms, 
besides valuable real estate in Walden and Mont- 
gomery. He also owned a mill at Birmingham, 
and extensive farming lands in Sullivan County. 
He was a Director and heavy stockholder in the 
Walden National Bank, and one of the most in- 
fluential and best known men in this portion of 



1048 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



field, who himseirjust then required surgical at- 
tendance, he came to Pine Bush, Orange County, 
to remain, supposably, but for a time. 

Becoming interested and occupied busily, 
though other more promising and less laborious 
places for the practice of his art offered, Dr. 
Woodruff is still, after an uninterrupted period of 
forty years, among the people of these pleasant 
valleys and hills, active and energetic in his 
chosen work. A close student of nature, human 
and morbid, with a keen, cultivated discernment, 
his judgment in the sick room, as well as in mat- 
ters of the outer world, is able and reliable. 
Assiduous and untiring, he acquired an extensive 
busine.ss, never refusing or neglecting the needs 
of the poorest or farthest family. He encourages 
and liberally aids all movements of progressive 
reform, public improvements and elevating char- 
itable objects. He has also interested himself in 
the purchase and improvement of real estate, 
and the erection of several new buildings, thus 
being really and largely identified with the growth 
and prosperity of this enterprising village. 

April 5, i860. Dr. Woodruff married Miss An- 
toinette Allen, she having completed her educa- 
tional course at the Packer Institute, Brooklyn. 
Her paternal antecedents were of the early Scotch 
settlers of Orange County, and her mother's of 
the English Hartshorne family, who came to 
Rhode Island. They have four children living. 
Elizabeth Otis, the eldest, is the wife of Edward 
Carroll, Jr., of New York City. Richard Allen, 
a graduate of both Bellevue and Albany Medical 
Colleges, is a successful physician at Philmont, 
Columbia County, N. Y. Mary Hartshorne is 
the younger daughter. William Jessup, the 
younger son, attended both Bellevue and Al- 
bany Medical Colleges, graduating there in April, 
1894. He is house surgeon in the Albany City 
Hospital, and is a young man of recognized abili- 
ty and promise. 

In his cultivation of general literature, for 
which he has never lost his fondness, as a writer 
and speaker Dr. W. H. Woodruff has great apt- 
ness and facility, and on many occasions has 
presented papers, or upon invitation addressed 
various a.s,sociations and public audiences with 



much acceptance and credit. With inheriteil 
acute perceptions, sympathies and sensitiveness, 
his convictions and will force are of the .strongest 
type. He is a thorough lieliever in the righteous- 
ness of right, and unflinchingly firm in the main- 
tenance of his opinions and principles. He is an 
active member of the Orange County Medical 
Society, Health Physician of his town, and for a 
number of years served as United States Exam 
ining Surgeon in the Pension Board of his Con 
gressional District. He was elected President ol 
the Alumni Associations of Albany Medical Co! 
lege and Union University, and attends their an- 
nual commencements and reunions. In politics he 
is an earne.st, unswerving Democrat, well grounded 
in the faith and need of a government by and for 
the people, which guarantees the greatest good 
to the greatest number. In the Reformed Church, 
of which he is a member, he has long held an 
honored place and has given liberally of his 
means to promote the cau.se of Christianity. In 
his character and conduct he combines those 
qualities of mind and heart that render him de- 
servedly popular and secure to him the warm 
friendship of all who know him. 



SlvORGE B. ALEXANDER. This well 
known citizen of Newburgh, who is now 
.serving in the capacity of Under-Shenff of 
Orange County, was born in the village of Corn- 
wall November 5, 1843. Concerning his father, 
Harvey, and the family history, mention is made 
in the biographical sketch of J. K. Alexander, 
Sheriff of Orange County, which appears on 
another page of this volume. 

From the age of three years Mr. Alexander 
was reared in the village of Little Britain, in the 
town of New Windsor, and in the district schools 
of the home locality he laid the foundation of the 
broad fund of information, general and local, he 
now possesses. At the age of fourteen he was 
apprenticed, under his father, to learn the trade 
of a carpenter, which he followed principally in 
Orange County, though al.so for a time as foreman 
in Ulster Countv. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1049 



During the year 1886 Mr. Alexander went to 
California, via Chicago and Katisas City, and 
spent the winter months working at his trade in 
Los Angeles and other cities of the state. While 
there he assisted in the erection of the Raymond 
Hotel at Pasadena, one of the finest buildings of 
the kind ever erected in this country. In April, 
1887, he returned to New York, and has .since 
made his home in Newburgh, though frequently 
absent from this city, traveling through the states. 
In 1 89 1 he again visited California, going via 
New Orleans and the Southern Pacific, and re- 
turning, three months -later, by way of the city 
of Portland, Oregon, and the Northern Pacific. 

April 26, 1893, '^Ii'- Alexander was appointed 
Under-Sheriff, having charge of Newburgh Jail 
and making his headquarters at the office here. 
The duties of his responsible position he has dis- 
charged with the greatest efficiency, and has 
proved himself a friend of justice, law and order. 
He has .served as Inspector of Elections, and was 
at one time a member of the Grand Jury. Soci- 
ally he affiliates with the Hudson River Lodge, 
F. & A. M., at Newburgh. In political affairs 
he always takes a deep and intelligent interest, 
and has contributed largely to the success of the 
Republican party in this locality. For several 
years he has been a member of the County Cen- 
tral Committee from New Windsor, and .still 
^serves in that capacity. At different times he has 
been selected to represent his party in its county 
and assemblj- conventions, and was also delegate 
to the State Convention at Saratoga. 



^^ 



30HN A. CRAWFORD, who passed away 
November 14, 1893, was one of the most 
prominent agriculturists of the town of Craw- 
iford. He was descended from one of the old 
,aiid illustrious families of New York, one which 
jwas closely identified with the early history of the 
istate, and in whose honor this town was named. 
iHis birth occurred here June 23, 1812, and at the 
kinie of his decease he was in iiis eighty-first year. 
His parents, Robert I. and Deborah (Dickenson) 
Crawford, had a large family of eleven children. 



Of these, Emeline died unmarried, at the age of 
eightj^ years; Leander was seventy-three at the 
time of his decease; Millicent also passed to the 
land beyond ; Albert was about fifty years old when 
he died; George A. is living retired from business 
at Middletown; Sarah E. and Esther are also de- 
I ceased; Robert is a well to-do farmer of this town; 
Angeline makes her home in this locality ; and 
Theron is a progressive and influential agricult- 
urist, who also resides in the town of Crawford. 
For a full history of the parents, we refer the 
reader to the sketch of Theron Crawford, which 
appears elsewhere in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was well educated, 
and remained at home until his marriage, when 
he purchased and moved upon the farm which 
his son Addison now occupies. There he re- 
mained until his decease, which occurred Novem- 
ber 14, 1893. January i, 1840, occurred his mar- 
riage with Miss Runna Decker, who was born in 
this town November 11, 182 1, and was the daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Anna (Mould) Decker, also of 
this locality. She was a devoted member of 
Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and passed away 
August 27, 1890. Her marriage with our sub- 
ject resulted in the birth of four children, of 
whom the eldest, Elizabeth, is the wife of Clar- 
ence Ormsbee, a physician of Coldenham, this 
county; John died when sixteen years of age; 
Addi.son was born August 6, 1858, and on the 
death of his father assumed the management of 
the home farm, which he now owns. He is well 
educated, and is a graduate of the Montgomery 
Academy. January 25, 1892, he married Miss 
Josephine Hartford, of this town, a daughter of 
John Hartford. Of their marriage three children 
have been born, viz.: Ruanna, Rutherford and 
Ethel May. 

Our subject was a self-made man in the truest 
sense of the term, for he began life a poor boy, 
and at the time of his decea.se left four large farms, 
besides valuable real estate in Walden and Mont- 
gomery-. He al.so owned a mill at Birmingham, 
and extensive farming lands in Sullivan County. 
He was a Director and heavy stockholder in the 
Walden National Bank, and one of the most in- 
fluential and best known men in this portion of 



I050 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the state. Success attended all his efibrts. and 
he lived to a good old age. enjoying to the fullest 
extent the result of his early years of privation 
and toil. His death was a severe blow to the 
communit\", and although he was well advanced 
in years, he was greatly missed. He was a stanch 
Republican in politics, and a devoted member of 
Hopewell Presbxterian Church, in the work of 
which he was actively interested. Mr. Crawford 
never aspired to oflScial honors, although he was 
frequently urged by his friends to accept positions 
of honor and trust. 

(ILIJAM H. WOOD. Poor Master at Mid- 
dletowu. was bom in the town ofWallkill. 
March 20. 1841, and is a member of an 
old Eastern family. His father, Jarvis, was a son 
of Peter Wood, and was boni in Dutchess Coun- 
ty, this state, near the city of Matteawau. On 
coming to Orange County he settled at Walden, 
but afterward engag^ed in agricultural pursuits in 
the town of Wallkill. where he died in 1S94. 
aged eighty-five. Politically he was a Repub- 
lican. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Sarah Downing, was born in Dutchess County, 
and died iu the town of Wallkill in 1S74. Her 
father. Benjamin Downing, a native of Dutchess 
Couutj-. was a fanner there until the outbreak of 
the Rebellion, when he enlisted with the boys in 
blue. He went South, but was taken sick and 
died there. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
of whom seven attained years of maturit>- and are 
now li\-ing. Janis was a soldier in the Fifteenth 
Xew York Cavalr\- fi-om i S64 until the close of 
the Rebellion, and is at present a resident of New- 
burgh. William H.. who was the third in order 
of birtli, passed his childhood years on the home 
farm in Wallkill. He had just reached manhood 
when the Civil War broke out. and at once enlist- 
ed for sen-ice in the Union army. On tlie 6th of 
August, iS6j, his name was enrolled as a mem- 
ber of Company K. One Hundred and Tweut\- 
fourth Xew York Infantr>-. He was mustered 
into tlie ser\-ice at Goshen, proceeded Soutli, and 



soon afterward took part in the battle of Freder- 
icksburg. At Chaucellorsville. May 3, he was 
wounded in the right knee by a miuie-ball. and 
was assisted from the b^tle-ground to the field 
hospital, but the wound was not dressed until 
May S, five days after he had been shot. The in- 
jur>- proved so severe as to incapacitate him for 
further labor, and after spending some time iu 
various hospitals, he was lionorably di.scharged. iu 
April, 1S64. 

After returning home Mr. Wood was unable to 
work for some time, but as soon as he regained 
his strength he entered the employ of Wheeler. 
Madden & Clemson. now the National Saw 
Works. He was first employed in the handle 
department in Middletown, and he then spent five 
months at their works at Fallsburg. Sullivan 
Count\-. where he had charge of the manufacture 
of handles. On his return he began to work in 
the packing-room, where he was employed for 
fourteen years. In 1SS2 he became interested in 
the restaurant business, and for ten years carried 
on business on James Street, but sold out iu the 
spring of 1S92. In 1891 he was appointed Poor 
Master of Middletown by the Supervisors of tlie 
cit\-. and he has been re-appointed each succeeding 
year. During the last three years he has given 
his entire attention to the duties of this position. 

In all his enterprises Mr. Wood has had the 
efficient help and counsel of his wife. In Mid- 
dletown, October 6. 1875, he married Mrs. Jos 
ephine (^A'an Schake^ Chamberlain, who was 
bom iu Ulster Count>-, being a daughter of 
George Van Schake and the widow of an old sol- 
dier. In ever\-thing pertaining to the Grand 
Army she is deeply interested. She was the in- 
stigator of De Witt Camp. Sons of Veterans, at 
Middletown and an active factor in the organiza- 
tion of William A. Jackson Post, W. R. C. of 
which she was the first \"ice- President To her 
instrumentalit>- was due the organization of the 
Ladies" Aid Auxiliary to the Sons of \'eterans, 
of which she was the first President. In 1894 
she was an aide on the national staff of Ladies" 
Aid, under the National President. Miss Bella 
Gray. The following year she was representa- 
tive to the di\-isional convention at Svracuse, and 




JAMKS WISN'ER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl< RECORD. 



1053 



was elected Mustering and Installing Officer for 
the state of New York. She is proud of the fact 
that her father and two of her brothers, as well as 
her husband, were brave soldiers in the Union 
Army. Besides her other positions she is Vice- 
Teuiplar of Excelsior Lodge, I. (). G. T. Her 
onl}- daughter, Grace, is a member of the Class 
of '96, Wallkill Academy. 

Socially Mr. Wood is a member of Middletown 
Lodge No. 112, L O. O. F., of the American 
Legion of Honor, and he is also a charter member 
of General Lyon Post No. 266, G. A. R. He 
and his wife belong to the Baptist Church. Pol- 
itically he is a Republican. For four years he 
was a member of the old Excelsior Company, of 
which he was assistant foreman for one year, and 
has al.so been identified with the Monhagen Hose 
Company, serving as its assistant foreman for one 
vear. 



#^- 



HAMES WISNER, who is numbered among j 
I the old and highly respected citizens of Or- i 
(2/ ange County, was born on a farm adjacent to i 
the one on which he resides in 1822, and is a son 
of Jeffrey A. and Elizabeth { Arm.strong) Wis- j 
ner. The father was quite prominent in his day, 
and for a number of years served as Justice of j 
the Peace and also as Supervisor of his town. | 
By occupation he was a farmer, following that 
calling his entire life. He was born in this coun- 
ty and here spent his entire life, respected by all 
who knew him. He died in 1850, at tlie age of 
eighty-six years. His wife died at the age of 
seventy-six. 

Growing to manhood in his native county and 
spending his childhood and youth under the pa- 
rental roof it may well be understood that our 
.subject intierited the conservative views of the 
pioneer settlers. His primary education was re- 
ceived in a district .school, this being supplemeyt- 
ed by an attendance for a short time at a select 
school in Warwick. He remained at home until 
his marriage in 1845 with Miss Hannah D. Well- 
ing, a daughter of Thomas and Annie (Coleman) 
Welling, who were also inmibered among the pi- 
oneers of Orange County. Their union was 



blessed by the birth of three daughters. The 
eldest, Alice, is now the wife of H. B. Berry, 
who is engaged in business in New York City, 
but makes his home in Warwick. Harriet E. is 
deceased; and Antoinette is the wife of Charles 
T. Rushmore, who is interested in the firm of 
Cluett, Coon & Co., of New York City, Init 
makes his home in Brooklyn. Mrs. Wisner 
passed to her eternal home in 1889. She was a 
member of the Reformed Church, an earnest 
Christian woman, and a kind, loving wife and 
mother. vSince the death of his wife, Mr. Wis- 
ner has made his home with his eldest daughter, 
who resides on the old homestead, recently pur- 
chased by his son-in-law. The farm had been in 
Mr. Wisner's possession for forty-eight years. 

Few men in Orange County are better known 
and none more highly esteemed than James Wis- 
ner. He has been an Elder in the Reformed 
Church for many years and his life attests the 
truth of Christianity. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and has been coiniected with that party 
since its organization. 



REV. O. P. CRANDALL, of the town of 
Wawayanda, is a mini.ster of the Methodist 
Church. He was born in the town of Mil- 
ford, Otsego County, N. Y., October 20, 1816, 
and is a .son of Rev. Elias and Betsy (Peckham) 
Crandall. Until about thirteen years of age he 
remained at home, and then for four years worked 
a farm by the month . He then entered a store as 
a clerk, where he aLso remained .some four years, 
when he went to New York City and commenced 
to learn the trade of a ship carpenter, at which 
trade he continued about .six years. The suc- 
ceeding seven years he spent in a store in that 
city, and then for three years studied medicine at 
Geneva Medical College. 

F'eeling an inten.se desire for the salvation of 
souls, Mr. Crandall determined to enter the min- 
istry, and that he might prepare himself for that 
work he attended a theological .seminary for three 
years. His first ministerial work was as a local 
preacher at Newburgh, in 1851. In 1S56 he 



I054 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



joined the conference and was sent to Hancock, 
Delaware County, where he remained two 3ears. 
From Hancock he was sent to Cannonsville, in 
the same county, and was there two years. The 
following year he was stationed at Grahamsville, 
from which place he went to High Falls, ITlster 
County, where he remained two years, and was 
then stationed at Kerhonkson for three years. 
From that place he was sent to West Hurley, re- 
maining two years, and thence went to Olive 
City, where he spent three years. From the lat- 
ter place he was sent to Bridgeville, remaining 
three years, and was next assigned to a charge in 
Tvringham, Mass., where he remained three 
years, going thence to North Hinsdale, where he 
also remained three years, and then to Rockland, 
serving a short period. From Rockland he went 
to Ridgebury, where he was stationed three 
years, and thence came to his present place of res- 
idence, where, after serving three years, he was 
placed upon the retired list. 

December 30, 1S33, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Roxanna Keeler, of Ridge- 
bun, Conn., and her death occurred in 1890. In 
December, 1892, he married the widow of Steph- 
en Hasbruk, a native of Sullivan County. She 
is a daughter of Samuel and Mary Williams. 
Mr. Crandall has been a minister for a period of 
fifty years, almost his entire life having been 
§pent at that calling. The good that he has done 
and the many souls saved will only be known in 
the last da v. 



!^+^i 



HENRY JANSKN HAIGHT. Among the 
most beautiful homes of Goshen are the resi- 
dence and property of our subject, who is 
one of the wealthy, well known and influential 
men of this village and surrounding country. He 
and his family spend their winters in their beau- 
tiful home in New York City, but in the spring 
return to their home in this place. 

The father of Henry J. was David Henry, a 
merchant of New York City. He was a native 
of that city, his birth occurring February 13, 
1805, and was the son of David L. Haight, also 



a merchant of that city. Grandfather Haight 
started out in life without means or influence, 
but by perseverance and shrewdness he gained 
the success for which he so faithfully strove. His 
first important business venture was wholesale 
dealing in hatters' and furriers' supplies in his 
native city. In this line he was very successful, 
and built up a large and lucrative trade. The 
firm at first consisted of Mr. Haight and his 
brother, but afterward Mr. Halsey and Mr. An- 
thony were taken into the firm, they doing 
business under the name of Haight, Halsey & 
Anthony. Their principal establishment was in 
New York City, but they had branch houses in 
other countries also. They were very successful, 
and the senior partner invested in real estate in 
the heart of New Y'ork City, which subsequently 
made of him a millionaire. Besides he owned the 
Franklin House and built the St. Nicholas Hotel. 
Grandfather Haight's descendants still own the 
old St. Nicholas property, but the old buildings 
have been torn down, and in their place stands a 
substantial business block. He was the organizer, 
principal stockholder and a Director in the St. 
Nicholas Bank, and was a Director in the Man- 
hattan Life Insurance Company. He was united 
in marriage with Miss Mar\' Ellen Jansen, who 
was a descendant of one of the oldest families of 
Goshen. Her father. Dr. Jansen, was a promi- 
nent physician in early days, and located in Old 
Goshen when that place was a mere hamlet. 
Mrs. Haight inherited the old homestead, which 
she named Napknoll, and Mr. Haight set about 
improving it, making of it a summer home. He 
laid out a park, with lovely drives and walks, 
constructed an artificial lake, and made of it the 
most beautiful place in the vicinity. 

Bv adding Napknoll to his own estate, Mr. 
Haight had a tract of about four hundred and 
fifty acres, which he continued to improve, and 
in 1^72 erected a costly mausoleum for the fam- 
ily. This magnificent structure is built of gran- 
ite, has marble floors, and cost the owner $75,- 
000. Mr. Haight was descended from French- 
Huguenots, and was an Episcopalian in religious 
belief. In political faith he was a Republican, 
and was an influential member of that party up 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1055 



to the time of his death, which occurred April 
29. 1876. His wife died Januar\- 17. 1895. wheu 
about seventy-uine years of age. They were the 
parents of five children : HeurvJ.: Fannie, who 
died at the age of two years: Edward C, a resi- 
dent of New York City: Charles, who died on 
the island of Cuba, of that dread disease, yellow- 
fever, at the age of twenty-eight years: and Eg- 
bert, who died when nineteen years of age. 

Henry J. Haight was born in Paris, France, 
while his parents were on a tour through Europe. 
Having ample means, he secured a thorough 
education, and is a graduate of the Institution for 
the Deaf in Harlem, New York City. Having a 
sf)ecial interest in science, he devoted his time to 
the study of electricity and electrical appliances, 
and is a genius along these lines. He has made 
many useful inventions, among which may be 
mentioned the electroterscope, an apparatus for 
the transmission of temperature, by which one is 
able to tell the temperature of a place at a dis- 
tance. He has secured a uumber of patents, 
which may be seen at his laborator}- in New 
York City. 

The maiden name of our subject's wife was 
Mary Lucy Church. She was a native of Ohio, 
and was the daughter of Captain Church, a well 
known steamboat captain. The latter made his 
home in Memphis, and owned a line of steamers 
pl\-ing the waters of the Mississippi. Mrs. Haight 
is the mother of three children, as follows: David 
H., Mar>' Jansen and Elinor Church, all of whom 
reside at home. 

David H. Haight spent the years of his boy- 
hood and youth in New York City and in Go- 
shen. He has a finished education, having grad- 
uated at St. Paul's College, at Concord, complet- 
ing the course there in the year 1892. Imme- 
diately after his graduation he entered the green- 
house business, building new buildings and oth- 
erwise improving the property. His eight large 
greenhouses occupy several acres of ground, and 
here he makes a sp)ecialty of propagating roses, 
palms and violets. His manager is John Logan, 
and to his sagacity is partly due the popularity of 
his products. Besides his extensive nursery in- 
terests, he has charge of the XapknoU Farm, on 



which he raises Dutch cattle, first imported by 
his grandfather. He has a large dairy and does 
a profitable business along that line. Religiously 
the family is identified with the Episcopal Church. 
In politics both father and son are Republicans, 
and are stanch defenders of the principles espoused 
bv that organization. 



r^ 



gEORGE T. OGDEX, an extensive dair>- 
farmer of the town of Wallkill. was bom 
March 29. 184:. upon the farm where he 
still makes his home. His father, Daniel, also a 
native of the same county, learned the cooper's 
trade in early manhood, and successfully followed 
that occupation for many years. Late in life he 
turned his attention to agriculture, and was thus 
engaged until his death, in 1S80. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Arminda Tryon, was 
bom in this county, and died here three months 
prior to his decease. 

In the district schools and in Wallkill Academv 
our subject gained an excellent education. Dur- 
ing vacations he worked upon the farm, and 
upon completing his studies turned his attention 
wholly to farm work. He is the owner of one 
hundred and ten acres, upon which are notice- 
able a neat residence and modem farm buildings. 
Few homes in the county are more iuviting than 
his. He is extensively engaged in the dairy busi- 
ness, and has on his place forty-five or fifty cows. 
For about twenty years he has marketed the 
milk in Middletown, where he has a large num- 
ber of permanent customers. 

September 9. 1863. Mr. Ogden married Eme- 
line, daughter of Chauncey and Emeline < Slaw- 
son) Clark, of New Jersey. Mrs. Ogden was 
bom in the state of New York, and by her mar- 
riage has become the mother of five children, 
namely: Albert C, a successful dairyman of this 
county: Fred D. ; Lotta M., wife of Charles A. 
Whitney, of Middletown: Genevieve B.; and 
Frank T.. a druggist. Mr. Ogden is a DeacoD 
in the Congregational Church, to which his wife 



1056 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and children also belong. Politically the Repub- 
lican party has his stanch allegiance. Interested 
in educational matters, he has served as School 
Trustee for twelve j-ears, and has been instru- 
mental in promoting the interests of the schools 
of this di.strict. 

IILLIAM H. PUFF. Any one who visits 
the town of Wallkill is impressed with the 
beautiful condition of the finely improved 
farms that are to be found there. Among the 
farmers of this town probably no one is more 
prosperous or more worthy ot consideration than 
the gentleman whose name stands at the head of 
this brief life review. Both in his life and in his 
external surroundings he is worthy of the atten- 
tion of the biographer. He is a man of sturdj- 
principle, who would stand by what he believes to 
be right without fear or favor. 

A native of the town where he now resides, our 
subject was born September 29, 1846, to the union 
of Henrj- and Mar\- E. (Owen) Puff, both of 
whom were born in this county, and spent their 
entire lives here. The father learned the black- 
smith's trade when a young man, and this occu- 
pation he followed for a half-century, meantime 
also carrying on agricultural pursuits. He was a 
man of sterling character, a true and loyal friend, 
and an accommodating neighbor. Possessing 
strong convictions of right and wrong, he was 
strictly honest in all his transactions, and was re- 
garded as a man of irreproachable life. He 
passed away in 1888, advanced in years. His 
wife sur\-ived him four years, her death occurring 
suddenly in 1892. 

Laj'ing the foundation of his education in the 
common schools, our subject afterward carried 
on his studies in Wallkill Academy at Middle- 
town. Reared upon a farm, he early gained a 
complete knowledge of that occupation, and upon 
selecting a life calling chose that with which he 
was most familiar, and toward which his tastes 
inclined him. He is now the owner of one hun- 
dred and thirty acres of nicely improved land, 
which give evidence of his care and management. 



His principal industn,' is the dairy business, for 
which he has every convenience. The neat ap- 
pearance of his place indicates his thrift and en- 
terprise, and proves him to be a progressive man, 
fully abreast with the times. 

In 1875 Mr. Puff was united in marriage with 
Miss Helen, daughter of Lanson and Mary E. 
( Barcley t Bookstaver, natives of this count}-, of 
which the Bookstavers were among the earliest 
and most prominent pioneers. Three children 
blessed this union, one of whom died in infanc\-. 
Those living are Jessie and Henr\- A., both at 
home with their parents. In religious belief Mr. 
and Mrs. Puff advocate the doctrines of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and are active members of that 
denomination. In the congregation Mr. Puff 
holds the positions of Treasurer, Elder, Trustee 
and organist, and his incumbency of these sev- 
eral offices proves that he is earnest and active in 
the promotion of religious work. In politics he 
is a Democrat, and is well informed concerning 
the political issues of the day. He has served 
his lellow-citizeus in the capacity of Inspector of 
Elections and also as Collector of the town. He 
and his famih- ha\-e a comfortable home, well sup- 
plied with many of the luxuries of life, which 
have been acquired through his industry, perse- 
verance and enterprise. 



0ILAS H. DICKINSON, the popular and 
/\ agreeable proprietor of the BuUville Hotel 
(3/ at Bullville, has conducted the same since 
1875, and is therefore well known to the numer- 
ous commercial men who visit the place. He is 
a nati\-e of Orange County, having been born 
December 9, 1828, in the town of Crawford, about 
two miles from Bullville. He was the eldest in 
a family of six children composing the family of 
Albert and Eliza (Weller) Dickinson. 

The father of our subject was born on Long 
Island, and came to this county when a young 
man, locating on a good farm in the town of 
Crawford. He was successful in its cultivation. 




REV. MICHAEL SALLEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1059 



and died at the early age of thirtj'-two years. 
His gcxxi wife survived him man^- years, being 
past eighty years old at the time of her death. 
She was bom in this town, and was one of the 
most respected residents of the community-. 

Our subject remained at home until a young 
man of twenty-eight years, when he went to 
Dutchess County, where he rented a tract of land, 
engaging in its cultivation until 1875. That year 
he came to Bullville, and purchased the hotel 
which he has operated ever since. He has been 
successful in this enterprise, and is now classed 
among the well-to-do citizens of this place. 

The lady to whom Silas H. Dickinson was 
married, November 3, 1852, was Miss Julia Arm- 
strong, who was bom in this county in 1827. To 
them have been bom three children, of whom 
Mar\- E.. the eldest, married Charles H. Tuthill, 
a farmer, who lives on Long Island: Alice and 
Katie L- are still at home. Mr. Dickinson is a 
Democrat in politics, and on this ticket ser\"ed as 
Collector for a term of three years. He has 
judiciously invested his surplus capital in real 
estate, and is now the owner of valuable land in 
Middletown. besides his place in Bullville. 

RE\". MICHAEL SALLEY. rector of the 
Church of the Immaculate Conception at 
Port Jer^'is. was born in this village on the 
23d of September, 1852, and is a son of Patrick 
and Bridget Salley. His father was a native of 
Ireland, and on his arrival in America, in 1848, 
he came direct to Port Jer^'is, where he was em- 
plojed in the railroad shops. He is still living, 
but his wife passed away November 21, 1893. In 
their family were the following children: Michael, 
of this sketch : James. Peter and Edward, all of 
whom are engineers on the Erie Railroad, and 
make their home in Port Jer\is: Patrick F., a 
police officer of the same city: and Mary, who is 
unmarried. 

Rev. Michael Salley received e.x.cellent school 
privileges, attending the parochial schools until 
he had reached the age of sixteen, then for two 
years was in the public schools, and later secured 



an academic course. For one year he attended 
St. Francis Xa\-ier, on West Sixteenth Street. 
New York, and in 1869 entered the classical de- 
partment of the Seminary of Our Lady of An- 
gels at Niagara Falls, graduating in June, 1873, 
with the degree of A. B. In September of that 
year he entered the theological department of the 
same institution, and on the completion of his 
theological studies, June 10, 1876, was ordained 
by Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo, N. Y. 

Father Salley entered the work of the ministr\- 
in July, 1876, becoming assistant at St. Joseph's 
Church in Kingston, where he remained for a 
year and a-half, or until January-, 187S. He then 
became assistant to Rev. Father E. J. Flynn, who 
had charge of Father Salley 's present church, 
and entered upon his duties January 5, 1878. On 
the 9th of June, 1883, he was transferred to the 
Church of the Nativity, on Second Avenue and 
Second Street, New York City, where he assisted 
Rev. William Everett. He remained there untU 
Maj- I, 1885, when he was appointed to succeed 
Father Flynn. at Port Jervis. where he has since 
had charge, and where he has been very success- 
fvd in his labors. The congregation now num- 
bers about five hundred families, or over two 
thousand souls. On his arrival here the church 
was in debt 536,000. but he has reduced the same 
at the rate of 52,000 per year, the indebtedness 
no%v amounting to only $14,000. St. Mar\'s Or- 
phanage, adjoining the church, has also been en- 
larged, this work being done in 1891, at a cost of 
$7,000. There is no parochial school in connec- 
tion with the church, but Father Salle>- works in 
harmony- with the public schools, finding no fault 
with their system. 

The church was organized in November, 1852, 
before which time it had been a small mission be- 
longing to the church at Goshen. The first resi- 
dent pastor was Rev. Father Briody, who arrived 
herein May, 1853. The following year he built a 
brick church on the site of the present edifice, 
which was burned in 1868. The present church 
was erected in 1870, being completed in July of 
that year by Rev. Father Nilan, now of Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. Father Briody remained in charge 
until December, 1862, when he was succeeded bv 



io6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Rev. Richard Breiuian, and in August, 1868. 
Rev. Father Xilaii took charge. In 1877 Father 
E. J. Flynn became rector, and here remained 
until May i, 1885. All were transferred, and of 
these Father Briody died in 1885. and Father 
Breunan passed away in New York in December, 
'893. 

Father Salley devotes his entire time to church 
work, and has three missions in connection with 
the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Port 
Jervis, which are located at Sparrow Bush. Pond 
Eddy and Rose Point. Both mentally and ph\- 
sically he is a large man. His genial, kindly na- 
ture has won him many friends, and he is re- 
sf)ected by all who know him. whether members 
of his congregation or not. 



(^ 






-CD 



-xl; 



GILBERT MILLS was born in the town of 
Ll Wallkill. June 15, 1825, and sjient his en^ 
I I tire life upon a fami there, devoting his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. He was a man 
of unpretentious, unassuming character, indus- 
trious, energetic and persevering, one whose aim 
and ambition were to live an upright life and to 
leave the world better for his having lived in it 
So successful was he in his bu.siness transactions 
that, at his demise, his family were left in com- 
fortable circumstances, and they still continue to 
reside upon the farm which was his birthplace. 

The parents of our subject, Samuel and Esther 
(Stitt) Mills, were natives of Orange County, 
and the former was born upon the old Mills 
homestead, which was also the birthplace of Al- 
bert. The family residence was erected in 1791, 
and is therefore one of the oldest houses in the 
county. A frame addition was built later, and 
our subject's father assisted in its construction. 
His life occupation was that of a fanner, but he 
was also engaged very extensively in tanning. 
He died November 13, i860, at the venerable 
age of eighty-four. His wife closed her eyes in 
death two years after his decease. 

In the district schools our subject received a 



practical education that fitted him for the stern 
realities of life. Agriculture was his chosen call- 
ing, and of it he made a success. He was hon- 
ored by all who knew him. and his death, Julv 
23, 1890, was mourned by all who knew him 
He was married, October 13, 1858, to Miss Louisa, 
daughter of Absalom and Sarah ( McLaughlin 
Linderman, natives of Orange County. Rev. S. 
\V. Mills, of Port Jervis, performed the mar- 
riage ceremony. The McLaughlin family is of 
Scotch extraction, and the Lindermans trace their 
lineage to the mother of Martin Luther. Tin.- 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Mills was blessed by the 
birth of six children, of whom Sarah Esther i- 
decea.sed. Samuel is at home; Charles Albert is 
engaged in business in New York; William 
W'ickham is a medical .student; Herbert is al 
home with his mother; and Ina Louisa recentl\ 
completed the course at Wallkill Academy, Mid- 
dletown. 

Mrs. Mills is a lady whose accomplishment'- 
and education fit her to adoni the best circles <■; 
society. She is a graduate of the Albany Nor- 
mal College, and for some years prior to her mar- 
riage was engaged in teaching, a profession in 
which she met with success. In religious belief 
she is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as 
was al.so her husband, and her children have 
been reared in that faith. 



ROBERT N. BOAK. proprietor of High 
View Addition to Middletown. and seiu'or 
member of the firm of Boak & Tiedemann, 
was boni near Circleville. in the town of Wall- 
kill, April II, 1848. He is a de.scendant of 
Scotch-Irish ancestors, the first of whom to come 
to America was his grandfather, James Boak, a 
native of the North of Ireland, and a pioneer of 
the town of Wallkill. Upon coining hither he 
settled near Franklin Square, but later removed 
to the vicinity of Circleville, and in old age re- 
tired and made his home in Scotchtown, where 
he died at the age of eighty-one. In religious 
lielief he was a Presbyterian. After coming to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1061 



the United .States he married a Miss Faulkener, 
who was a descendant of French lineage. 

The father of our subject, Robert Boak, was 
born near Circleville, and passed his entire life 
upon his farm there, dying at that place when 
seventy-four years old. Successful in his under- 
takings, he became the owner of two farms, and 
was one of the most prosperous agriculturists of 
his town. In the Presbyterian Church he offici- 
ated as Deacon. At the organization of the Re- 
publican party he identified himself with it and 
remained loyal to its principles as long as he 
lived. His father was a cousin of James Bu- 
chanan's father, and they came to this countr}' to- 
gether. 

Mary C, our subject's mother, was born at 
Franklin Square, and died in the town of Wall- 
kill, at the age of seventy -two. Her father, Jacob 
Youngblood, was born in this county, of Holland- 
Dutch ancestry, and was a farmer of Wallkill. 
Three children comprised the parental family, of 
whom Jacob died at thirtj'-three years. John J. 
B., who was a member of Companj' H, Tenth 
Legion, served with the Fifty-sixth New York 
State Militia until his death in the Hilton Head 
Hospital, during the war. Our subject, who is 
the only survivor of the family, attended the 
public schools, also a private school at Circleville. 
He took charge of the home farm for his parents 
until their death, when it became his. It con- 
sisted of one hundred and forty acres near Circle- 
ville, upon which he engaged in general farming 
and the dairy busine.ss. 

After his father's death Mr. Boak bought a 
fortj'-acre tract on Monhagen Avenue, Middle- 
town, which he improved and upon which he 
erected a number of buildings, including a store 
and the wagon-shops now occupied by Terwilli- 
ger. He recently platted High View Addition to 
Middletown, which extends from California to 
Mountain Avenue, and from West Main to the 
Hillside Cemetery. His residence stands on 
California Avenue, which he named. The prin- 
cipal feature of High View Place is the excellent 
view which may be had from every residence. 

From 1883 until 18S8 Mr. Boak engaged in 
the cattle business in this city, but in the latter 



year he began a real-e.state business, which he 
has since carried on. In 1892 he built the ice- 
house on Philip Street, and put up three large 
icehouses, one brick and the others frame, at 
Crystal Springs Lake, which is five acres in ex- 
tent, with a capacity of three thousand tons. 
The property includes eight and one-half acres, 
and the Crystal .Springs Ice Company has the 
largest 'ousiness of the kind in the city, keeping 
two wagons in constant use. 

In Middletown Mr. Boak married, March 12, 
1895, Mi.ss Zella Hayden, who was born in Iron 
County, Mo., and is a graduate of Park College. 
Prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching in 
Missouri and California. Mr. Boak is a member 
of the Board of Trade, and in political matters 
affiliates with the Republican party. He is 
identified with the First Presbyterian Church, 
and is a liberal contributor to its various charities. 



-•>t^®|^^®^».- H 



30SEPH K. ALEXANDER, Sheriff of Or- 
ange County, and the late Supervisor of the 
town of New Windsor, was born in the latter 
place, August 25, 1849. His father was Harvey 
Alexander, a native of the same town, while his 
grandfather, James Alexander, was born in Coun- 
ty Antrim, Ireland, in November, 1770. He em- 
igrated to the New World about 1800, locating 
near Little Britain, in the town of New Windsor, 
where he was engaged in farming and gardening, 
and also followed his trade, that of a weaver of 
fancy linens. He served as a soldier in the War 
of 18 1 2, being First Sergeant of the Republican 
Blues. September 18, 1870, he departed this life 
at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years, ten 
months and six days, and his remains lie buried 
in St. George's Cemetery at Newburgh. In re- 
ligious matters he was a Presbyterian. As far 
back as the family have any record, his ancestors 
were Scotch. 

In Little Britain Grandfather Alexander mar- 
ried Catherine, the daughter of Nathan Bullard, 
of Scotch- Irish de.scent, who .served as a soldier in 



io62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Revolutionarj' War. She lived to be eighty- 
five years, ten months and twenty-two days old. 
Their family consisted of thirteen children, of 
whom ten are now living, nameh': Thomas, born 
June lo, 1S02; Joseph, January 10, 1S04; Frank- 
lin, March 9, 1S06; Eliza, in iSio; Jane, Febru- 
ar\' 14, 1812: Catherine, December 27, 1S13: 
Harvey, February 15, 1816: Mary, January 17, 
1821: Daniel, January 7, 1S24; and Rhoda, Oc- 
tober iS, 1827. Those deceased are John, James 
and Rebecca. It is a most remarkable fact that 
the ages of the sons and daughters living average 
over eighty years. 

The father of our subject learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, after which he engaged in contracting 
and building, and now resides at Little Britain. 
He has been a most active man and is now hale 
and hearty, although in his seventy-ninth year. 
His marriage united him with Amanda Kernag- 
han. who was bom in New Windsor, and who 
was the daughter of William Keniaghan, also a 
native of that section and a farmer of good stand- 
ing in the community. Her great-grandfather, 
.\lexander Keniaghan, was a Revolutionar\- sol- 
dier, as were also several of his sons. He was 
boni in Orange County, of Scotch- Presb\terian 
stock, and his forefathers were with the Clintons 
in the early settlement of Little Britain. 

Mrs. Amanda .\lexander died in March, 1SS4, 
after having become the mother of three children, 
of whom Sophia is still with her father on the 
home farm. George, who is Under Sheriff, re- 
sides in Newburgh: his sketch appears elsewhere 
in this book. Joseph K., of this sketch, was 
reared in Little Britain and there attended the 
public schools. He began working at the car- 
penter's trade when quite young, sen-ing an ap- 
prenticeship under his father. For some time he 
and his brother George aided their father in con- 
tracting and building, and became thoroughly ac- 
quainted with all branches of the business. 

In the fall of 189! Mr. .\lexander was elected 
Sheriff on the Republican ticket, taking the oath 
of oflSce January 1 of the following year, and 
discharged the duties thereof until 1895. There 
are two jails in the county : one located in Goshen 
and the other at Newburgh, of both of which Mr. 



Alexander has charge. He was married in 1886, 
in New Windsor, to Miss Clara, daughter of 
William Toleman, a fanner near that place. In 
partnership with his brother, George B., Mr. 
.\lexander has a general store at Campbell Hall, 
which was recently purchased from William H. 
Webb, the present Postmaster. They earn,- a 
full line of general merchandise, also feed, coal, 
lumber, etc. , and are doing a thriving business. 
Both are young, pushing and energetic men, and 
their success in the commercial world is assured. 
Our subject was elected Justice of the Peace, 
and prior to the expiration of his tenn was elected 
Super\isor of his town, being re-elected the fol- 
lowing year. However, he was obliged to resign 
this position in order to take upon himself the re- 
sponsible duties of Sheriff. Socially he is a Ma- 
son of high standing, and is greatly interested in 
the work of that order. He is a true-blue Re- 
publican in politics, and is prominent in the coun- 
cils of his party, which he has represented in both 
county and state conventions. 

<X »^~^H^»^•^^4 •^ M^^^ ^ 4•^^^^^^»^?^^^^^■^•^^•^^^^ ^ 

rtOHX DOLAX is remembered by the residents 
I of the town of Wallkill as a man of the high- 
Q) est integrity of character and greatest en- 
ergy and amiability of disposition. For many 
years prior to his death he cultivated the soil of 
one of the most valuable estates in his locality, 
the improvements upon which were largely the 
result of his exertions and judicious supervision. 
Though not a native of this country-, he was a 
loyal citizen of the Government and always main- 
tained a deep interest in the progress of his com- 
munity. 

Mr. Dolan was boni in Dublin, Ireland, in 
1S28. and his parents, Thomas and Mary Dolan, 
were also natives of the Emerald Isle, where they 
remained until their death. His education was 
received in Ireland, where he spent the years of 
youth. At the age of twenty he came to the 
United States, believing that there was a better 
chance to acquire a competency here than at the 
old home. Settling at once in Orange County, 
he worked bv the month for farmers for several 




ADAM W. BEAKES. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



io6.i 



years. In 1866 he purchased the place in the 
town of Wallkill, and here he was residing at the 
time of his death, which occurred in 1888. 

When about twenty- five years of age. in 1853, 
Mr. Dolan was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah, daughter of David and Sarah ■ Wright) 
Crawford, all natives of Ireland. Her parents 
spent their lives in their native land, but she emi- 
grated to this countrv- in 1849, and has since 
made her home in Orange County. Three sons 
and three daughters were born to the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Dolan, of whom all are living but 
Mary. The sun^ivors are John, who lives in 
New Jersey; Thomas, in California: David, who 
is at home with his mother: Sarah, wife of Well- 
ington Conner, a prominent farmer of this coun- 
ty: and Julia, who is with her mother. The fam- 
ily are highly esteemed and enjoy the good-will 
of their neighbors. 



GlDAM WILKIN BEAKES. At the out. 
/ 1 break of the Rebellion, when an appeal was 
I I made for volunteers to protect the Old Flag, 
no state resf)onded more promptly than New 
York, and of all the regiments this common- 
wealth sent to the front, none was braver than 
the One Hundred and Twenty -fourth. Its mem- 
bers, almost without exception, were made of 
heroic mould, ready to give their life's blood, if 
need be, in the defense of the Union. Some of 
the members were old. others were in the prime 
of manhood, and a few in the dawn of youth, 
and among the latter was the subject of this 
sketch, then a young man of eighteen years. 

The record of Mr. Beakes as a soldier is one of 
which he may be justly proud, and to it his pos- 
terity mas' point with pride. Though so young, 
he had in his vocabulary no such word as "fear," 
and his enthusiasm in the cause was not weakened 
by the hardships of camp life, the tedium of long 
marches, or the perils of conflict with the enemv. 
He ser\-ed gallantly until he was shot and severe- 
ly injured while facing and in the act of aiming 

47 



at the foe, after which he was confined to the 
hospital for several months, and was then honor- 
ably discharged from the service. 

A native of this county. Mr. Beakes was born 
in the town of Wallkill, March 4, 1844, being the 
son of Alanson W. and Susan M. (Wilkin) 
Beakes. who were also born in that town. The 
father, soon after his marriage, purchased and 
settled upon a farm adjoining the old Beakes 
homestead, about one mile from Middletown, and 
there he was engaged, in the dairy business and 
general farming until his death, in 1856, at the 
age of forty -two. In religious views he was con- 
nected with the old-school Baptist Church. His 
wife was a daughter of .\dam Wilkin, a native 
of the town of Montgomer>\ and for many years 
a farmer of the town of Wallkill. After her hus- 
band's death she came to Middletown and pur- 
chased a residence on East Main Street, where 
she reared her children and spent the remainder 
of her life. .She was born in 1819. and died in 
1892. 

The famih- of A. W. and Susan M. Beakes 
consisted of five children, three of whom attained 
years of maturity, and two are now Uving, name- 
ly: William H., a resident of New Hampton, 
this county: and Adam W., of this sketch. The 
last-named was reared on the home farm until 
the death of his father, after which, at the age of 
thirteen, he accompanied his mother to Middle- 
town. For some years afterward he spent the 
winter months in study at Wallkill Academy, and 
the summer seasons in farm work. 

The outbreak of the Civil War fired the patri- 
otic spirit of Mr. Beakes. and he determined to en- 
li.st in the army. Accordingly, on the 9th of 
August, 1862, his name was enrolled with Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New 
York Infantry, which was mustered into senice 
at Go.shen, and thence ordered South. He had 
the distinction of being the youngest member of 
his company. After the battle of Fredericksburg, 
his regiment marched to Chancellorsville. and in 
the battle there. May 3. 1863, he was severely 
wounded. It was Sunday, soon after seven 
o'clock, when, just as he was taking aim, and 
before he could pull the trigger, he was shot 



io66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



through the left arm, above the elbow. He fell 
senseless, and was picked up b)- two comrades, 
who carried him to the rear, but the}' were or- 
dered to the front again. 

After lying on the ground for some time, Mr. 
Beakes recovered sufficiently to be able to make 
his way to a shed not far distant, being assisted 
by a comrade who had been only slightly wound- 
ed. He remained in the shed until the shot came 
through, when he walked back to the woods, and 
there he lay until Tuesday, without water or 
food. On that day he was found by J. A. Beakes, 
who secured assistance and had him carried on a 
stretcher to the temporary hospital. The same 
afternoon his arm was amputated by Dr. J. H. 
Thompson. When the troops fell back, he was 
carried across the Rappahannock on a stretcher, 
by his comrades, and taken to the Potomac Creek 
Hospital. Eventually he was conveyed to Phil- 
adelphia, and remained in the hospital there un- 
til October 12, 1863, when he was honorably dis- 
charged bj- reason of the gunshot wound. 

On his return to Middletown, Mr. Beakes en- 
tered the academ\', where he carried on his stud- 
ies for some time. Later he engaged in the liv- 
erj' business on James Street for two years, and 
in 1868 69 served as Collector for the town of 
Wallkill, including Middletown. He was then 
appointed mail collector in the New York Post- 
office, and in that capacity, also as letter-carrier 
at Station C, he was employed for ten years and 
one month. He was first appointed under P. H. 
Jones, Postmaster, and later under Postmaster 
James, who afterward became Postmaster-Gen- 
eral. On resigning, he located on his father-in- 
law's farm in Wallkill, five miles northwest of 
Middletown, where he engaged in dairying and 
general farming on the tract of eighty -six acres. 
For one term of three years he served as one of 
the Assessors of Wallkill, and afterward was elect- 
ed to represent the town on the Board of Super- 
visors, serving three terms in the latter capacitj', 
1890-91-92, and taking an active part in all the 
proceedings of the board. In the fall of 1894 he 
was nominated on the Republican ticket for the 
office of Sheriff, and was elected bj' a splendid 
majority. January i, 1895, he took the oath of 



office for three years. He is considered one of the 
most capable and successful Sheriffs the county 
has ever had, and his administration of affairs 
has been satisfactory to the general public. 

In Middletown Mr. Beakes and Miss Kate A. 
Carpenter were united in marriage. Mrs. Beakes 
was born in the town of Wallkill, where her fa- 
ther, the late William H. Carpenter, was a farm- 
er. Her grandfather. Squire William Carpenter, 
was also a farmer and Justice of the Peace. Her 
mother bore the maiden name of Mary A. God- 
frey. In girlhood Mrs. Beakes attended the 
Wallkill Academy, where she gained a good 
education. The family consists of .six children, 
namely: Joseph Wilkin, who was educated at 
Wallkill Academy, and since attaining his ma- 
jority has been acting as Deputy-Sheriff under 
his father; Mary Carpenter, Kate Lizzie, Frank 
Horton, Howard Stanley and Olive Irene. While 
in New York, Mr. Beakes was identified with 
Sumner Post, G. A. R., and now holds member- 
ship in Capt. William A. Jackson Post, G. A. R., 
at Middletown. 



:0#G 






NOIK D. CAMPBELL. Near the city of 
Middletown, in the town of Wallkill, lies 
the estate known as the Campbell Stock 
Farm. Stock-raising is the principal industry, 
and the farm is stocked with the finest breeds of 
trotting-horses. On his farm Mr. Campbell has 
built a half-mile course, where every spring and 
fall popular races are held. 

Born in Coxsackie, Greene County, N. Y., in 
1850, the subject of this notice is a son of John, 
Jr., and Frances (Turner) Campbell, natives of 
Greene County, this state. His father, who was 
a man of unusual force of character, identified 
himself with the farming interests of his commu- 
nity, and in addition to agriculture also engaged 
to some extent in speculation. He passed from 
earth in 1873, and his wife died some years later. 
Hoik D. received the rudiments of his education 
in the Coxsackie schools, and subsequent!}- at- 
tended Eastman's Business College, at Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. At the age of sixteen he secured 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1067 



a position as clerk for a dry-goods firm, with 
whom he remained one year. He then started 
out on the road as a salesman, and has been en- 
gaged in that capacity more or less ever since. 
Since about 1880 he has made a specialty of the 
sale of cloaks, and has also dealt in real estate. 
He has consummated the sale of more than twen- 
ty-five hundred lots in the suburbs of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., in the space of two years, having sold 
more real estate than any other man on Long Isl- 
and during the time. In 1891 he settled upon 
the farm where he now resides. 

In 1 88 1 Mr. Campbell was united in marriage 
with Miss Eliza B., daughter of Capt. Edgar and 
Caroline H. (Treadway) Brodhead, well known 
citizens of Port Jervis. One child, Hoik B., 
blesses their union. Mrs. Campbell is a member 
ui'tbe Episcopal Church, to which our subject is 
a liberal contributor, though not a member of the 
organization. Politically he has never cho.sen to 
ally himself with any particular party. 



|5)EORGE W. BEAKEvS, a representative of 
l_ one of the honored pioneer families of Or- 
^J ange County, is a highly respected citizen 
of Middletown, where he is now living retired 
from active business cares, having accumulated, 
during his experience in farming, a goodly 
amount of property, from which he receives an 
ample income. During his life-long residence in 
this state he has gained a large acquaintance, 
among whom he has many warm friends, at- 
tracted to him by his genial disposition and his 
generous and kindly nature. As a business man 
he had the tact, enterprise and ability necessary 
for the accumulation of wealth, and he possesses 
ample means, which he knows how to enjoy, 
having a thorough appreciation of the good things 
of life. 

The Beakes family is of (Quaker ancestry. Our 
subject's father, William O., was born on the old 
homestead near Middletown, F'ebruary 18, 1808, 
and was a son of Jo.seph Beakes, for whose his- 



tory the reader is referred to sketch of Henry L. 
Beakes, on another page. William O. was reared 
in this county, and after his marriage settled 
three miles north of Bloomingburg, in the town 
of Mamakating, Sullivan County, where he en- 
gaged in farming one hundred and thirty acres. 
After spending fifteen years there, he .sold the 
place, in 1849, and bought two hundred and 
twenty-two acres near Howells Depot, this coun- 
ty, where he remained until his death, December 
8, 1893. He was a man of earnest character, and 
held membership in the old-school Baptist Church. 

The mother of our subject, Abigail, was born 
near Van-Burenville, being a daughter of Will- 
iam Howell, a farmer, who came to Howells 
Depot from Long Island. She died in 1890, when 
more than eighty-two years old. Of her six 
children, all but one attained years of maturity. 
They were as follows: Mary E., who lives at the 
old home in Howells Depot; George W.; Will- 
iam H., who died near the family homestead; 
Lucinda, Mrs. Moses Jordan, who lives near 
Middletown; Mrs. Elmira Collard, also living 
near this city; and Horace, who is at the old 
home. 

During the residence of his parents near Bloom- 
ingburg, Sullivan County, the subject of this 
sketch was born, February 26, 1840. He accom- 
panied his parents to the farm near Howells, and 
remained there until twenty-nine years old, when 
he bought the place in Sullivan County where he 
was born. It consists of one hundred and thirty 
acres, to the cultivation of which he gave his at- 
teution for three years. In 1872 he moved to New 
York City, where with his brother, W. H., un- 
der the firm name of Beakes Brothers, he com- 
menced a retail milk bu-siness. After the death 
of his brother, in 1882, he continued the business 
alone until 1888, when he sold out and returned 
to Bloomingburg. In 1892 he came to Middle- 
town and erected his elegant residence at No. 95 
Highland Avenue, where he now makes his 
home. He still owns the dairy farm in Sullivan 
County, which, however, he rents. 

Near Unionville, this county, Mr. Beakes mar- 
ried Miss Augusta Vail, daughter of Horace G. 
Vail, a farmer of this count>-. ,She was born here. 



io68 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and died in New York City, leaving two children. 
Lewis died two weeks after the death of his moth- 
er. The surviving daughter is Alberta, wife of 
Dr. George R. Bull, of Bloomingburg. The 
second marriage of Mr. Beakes took place in 
Bloomingburg, and united him with Alida, 
daughter of Gilleon D. Godfrey, a farmer of Sul- 
livan Count)-. Politically Mr. Beakes in early 
life, after giving due thought to the political situ- 
ation, decided in favor of the Republican party, 
and he has since seen no rea.son to abandon its 
principles. 



r\ETER E. FARNUM. Among the leading 
L^ business men of Port Jervis none has done 
[^ more for the upbuilding and advancement of 
the city than the gentleman whose name intro- 
duces this review. For years the name of Far- 
num has been connected with the principal busi- 
ness interests of this place, and our subject is a 
worthy representative of the family. 

On the loth of May, 1839, Peter E. Farnum 
was born in Gilbertsville, Otsego County, N. Y., 
being the second in a family of six children born 
to George W. and Diana (Zearboss) Farnum. 
His father was an older brother of H. H. Far- 
num, who for many years was one of the most 
prominent citizens of Port Jervis. George \\'. 
Farnum was a public contractor, which business 
he followed for twenty-five years, and his last 
work was on the Delaware Division of the Penn- 
sylvania Canal, after which he retired, going to 
his farm in Otsego County, near Gilbertsville, 
where his death occurred at the age of fifty-six 
years. For man\- years he was a partner of 
George Law, the famous contractor of the Croton 
Aqueduct of New York City. His being con- 
nected with the Delaware & Hudson Canal re- 
sulted in H. H. Farnum locating in Port Jervis. 
He himself never resided here, but his widow 
later made her home at this place, becoming the 
wife of H. H. Farnum, and his two sons, Peter 
E. and Eli P., are numbered among its most in- 
fluential citizens. 



Our subject remained at home until thirteen 
years of age, when he came to Port Jervis, mak- 
ing his home with his uncle, and attended school. 
Later he entered Professor Stoddard's Academy 
at Bethany, Pa , that gentleman being the fa- 
mous author of Stoddard's Arithmetic. Mr. Far- 
num could have received a collegiate education, 
but at the age of eighteen he decided to enter his 
uncle's mercantile establishment. For two years 
he remained as clerk, and was then given a third- 
interest in the companj'. It was a general store, 
with a stock valued at $25,000. The company 
also engaged in the freight business, acting as 
agents for the canal company. The firm was 
known as H. H. Farnum & Peck, but after two 
years A: H. Peck withdrew, and it became Far- 
num, Van Inwegen & Co.. which it remained 
for three years. It was then changed to P. n. 
& E. P. Farnum, which it remained for thirty 
years, or until 1893, when our subject retired 
but his brother still owns an interest in the com- 
pany, which is now under the name of Fariuim 
& Cole. 

In 1872 the Deerpark Ice Company was organ- 
ganized by P. E. Farnum and his brother. The 
company does an extensive business, putting up 
an immense amount of ice annually. In 1879, 
on the death of his uncle, H. H. Farnum, who 
was President, our subject became a Director in 
the National Bank of Port Jervis, remaining as 
such until 1893. -^^ the same time he was made 
a Director of the Port Jervis Gas-light Company, 
of which his uncle had also been President. Later 
he was elected Vice-President, and filled that po- 
sition until the plant was sold, about a year ago. 
He also succeeded his uncle as Director in the 
Water-works Company, of which from 1882 un- 
til 1894 he was President, and in April, 1895, 
was re-elected to the oSice. During his incum- 
bency the storage supply of the reservoir was 
trebled, the entire water mains were enlarged, 
and about nine miles of pipe were laid. The 
capital stock was increased from $45,000 to $100,- 
000, which was invested in the plant. 

As a partner of O. P. Howell, an attorney of 
Port Jervis, our subject erected the Farnum 
Block in 1883, at a cost of $60,000. It is now 





^ Jft^ 


JhP>'^^i^ 


29 



PETER E. FARNUM. 




DR. JOHN COXKIJNG 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



occupied by the postoflSce, the National Bank and 
Tri-State Printing Company, besides the offices 
above, and since the ist of December, 1894, he 
has been sole owner. It was designed and con- 
structed by Isaac Perry, the present Capitol Com- 
missioner of Albany, and is the best block of the 
city, being a handsome brick structure. It has 
a frontage on Pike Street of one hundred and 
seventeen feet, and is eighty feet deep, the third 
floor being u.sed by the Masonic order, where 
they have excellent lodge rooms. Mr. Farnum 
owns considerable business property in this city, 
and in 1886 became interested in real estate in 
Duluth, Minn., still owning some realty there, 
which he believes will greatly increase in value. 

In 1886, in connection with Judges O. P. 
Howell and H. R. Lowe, Mr. Farnum purchased 
the Port Jervis & Monticello Railroad, and in 
1888-89 constructed a branch of seventeen miles 
from Huguenot Junction to Summitville, and con- 
necting with the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railroad, thus giving a trunk line to Port Jervis. 
Two of those interested in the enterprise. Judge 
Lowe and Charles St. John (the latter a late 
Member of Congress) died, and it then saw hard 
times, but in 1893 it was purchased by a new 
syndicate of wealthy men, who carried out the 
plans to build it to Kingston. It is now a val- 
uable property. 

Mr. Farnum was married, on the 27th of Octo- 
ber, 1864, to Miss Mary R. Conkling, a daugh- 
ter of Dr. John Conkling, late of Port Jervis. To 
them the following children have been born: Jo- 
sephine, who was educated in La Salle Semi- 
nary at Auburndale, Mass., a suburb of Boston; 
Nellie, Mary L., John C, Henry H. and Peter 
E., Jr., at home. They now make their home at 
their handsome residence on Pike Street, where 
their well known hospitality is liberally dispensed. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. In social 
circles the family rank high, and are numbered 
among the prominent residents of the cit)-. Mr. 
Farnum is a well read, cultured gentleman, who 
has traveled extensively and is an entertaining 
conversationalist. He makes many friends, and 
receives the respect and confidence of all who 
know him. 



PjR. JOHN CONKLING, who for many years 
I pi was one of the prominent citizens of Port 
\q) Jervis, passed away on the 29th of P'ebru- 
ary, 1892, his death being deeply mourned by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. He 
was one of the pioneers of this village, and his 
birth occurred in the town of Wallkill, September 
12, 1806. His father, Samuel Conkling, was born 
June 15, 1764, and was a son of Nathaniel Conk- 
ling, who died December 6, 1815, at the age of 
seventy-six years. Samuel Conkling wedded 
Martha Jackson, who was born May 8, 1768, and 
who was a descendant of Anneke Jans, who was 
famous in early Colonial history and a relative of 
the Prince of Orange. Her parents were Alex- 
ander and Martha Jackson, the former of whom 
died March 14, 1818, at the age of ninety years, 
and the latter August 10, 1819, at the age of 
eighty-seven years. The paternal grandmother 
of our subject, Martha Conkling, died July 23, 
1 81 8. His father came from Long Island to 
Orange County at an early day, locating at Mid- 
dletown, where two si.sters of our subject resided 
for many years. Julia, wife of Col. Morgan L. 
Sproat, still makes her home there, at the age of 
ninety-four; and Martha passed away in that 
city on the 14th of January, 1895, a^ the age of 
eighty-five years. 

The Doctor was the seventh in a family of 
eight children, and was educated at Farmers' Hall 
Academy, in Goshen, one of the best schools of 
the county, after which he began reading medi- 
cine with Dr. Benjamin Newkirk, of Mt. Hope, 
and later became one of the leading physicians 
of Port Jervis. He was subsequently graduated 
from the medical college at Fairfield, Herkimer 
County, N. Y. 

On the 30th of October, 1828, Dr. Conkling 
was united in marriage with Eleanor J. Dodge, 
who was born December 19, 1808, and was a 
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (^ Wood- 
ward) Dodge, of Mt. Hope. Her death occurred 
November 19, 1870, at the age of sixty-two years. 
The Doctor had located at Milford, Pike County, 
Pa., in 1827, but his father-in-law persuaded him 
to come to Port Jervis, where he and the late 
Stephen St. John were conducting a store. Con- 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sequently, in April, 1830, Dr. Conkling located 
in this village, becoming a member of the firm of 
St. John & Dodge on condition that they would 
sell no liqnor. He had become mnch attached to 
his profession and it was quite a trial to him to 
give it up. but he felt it was his duty to become 
a business man. In 1S53 Mr. Dodge withdrew 
and the firm became St. John & Conkling. Later 
Mr. St. John transferred his interest to his son 
Charles, and this connection continued for two 
years, when Mr. Conkling began the coal and 
lumber business, being located on the canal, op- 
posite Penny "s Hotel. This he conducted alone 
until 1S60. when his son S. A. J. and FeXer A. 
Mulhem were admitted to partnership, and the 
firm became Conkling. Mulhem & Co.. after 
which, in a measure, he retired from active bus- 
iness. 

Becoming interested in the West, the Doctor 
at one time contemplated locating in St. Paul. 
Minn., and several times made trips through that 
section of the country. In public matters he took 
an active part, doing all in his power to aid in 
the advancement and welfare of his town and 
county. In politics he was first a Whig and later 
became an ardent Republican, attending many of 
the conventions of his party, and aided in the 
nomination of Fremont in 1S56. He took an act- 
ive part in raising troops for the Civil War. be- 
ing President of the first public meeting held, and 
headed the subscription list to raise funds fi>r re- 
cruiting the troops. He was also President of 
the relief committee to care for the widows and 
orphans of soldiers. In the cause of temperance 
he was an untiring worker and did everything in 
his power for the advancement of temperance sen- 
timent. In 1S52, through his influence, the so- 
ciet>- of the Sons of Temperance was started at 
Port Jervis. Two years later the SfMftmrl. a 
temperance paper, was started, and this was 
largely assisted by his contributions. 

On the rjth of November. 1S53. the National 
Bank of Port Jervis was organized, of which he 
became a Director, and was the last of the orig- 
inal board to survive. It consisted of Thomas 
King. Stephen St. John. Gilbert F. Monden. 
Gardner Fersnson. Her>r\- H. Famnm. John 



Conkling, Charles St. John. Jacob Hombeck, Jr.. 
Robert T. Woodward. William M. Graham smd 
Lewis Cuddeback. In 1853 ^^ secured a tract of 
thirty -three acres of land, twent>--four of which 
are now in the Laurel Grove Cemeter>-. and in 
1S54. on the death of his son. he had him interred 
there. He gave the name to the cemetery and on 
its dedication, in May. 1856. became its first Pres- 
ident, which position he filled until his death. 
He was an active member of the Minisink Valle\- 
Historical Society. Though not a monber. he 
attended the Reformed Church and donated the 
land and a handsome subscription toward the 
erection of the chapel at the entrance of Laurel 
Grove Cemetery at Carpenter's Point. He was a 
strict obso-ver of the Sabbath, and a straightfor- 
ward, reliable citizen. He died at the age of 
eight>--five years, five months and seventeen days, 
after a month's illness with /u r'TP/V. 



EOGGSWELL K. GORDON who is now 
living a retired life in Middletown, was horn 
near Monticello. SnUivan Cotmty. N. Y.. 
September 17. 1S19. and is a scm of Elias and 
Sallie • Kinne ' Gordon, the former a native of 
Monmouth County, N. J., but of Scotch descent, 
and the latter of Connecticut- The &ther served 
as a scddier in the War of 1S12. and was num- 
bered among the eaiiiest settles of Mmtic^o. 
He was a carpenter and builder by trade, and 
followed that occupati<Hi all his life. Politically 
he was first a Wliig. and later a Republican. He 
died at Narrowsbuig. N. Y.. at the ag^ of seven- 
ty-eight \-eaTS. 

Our subject's mother. Sallie Kinne, was a 
daughter of Coggswell Kinne. who was hora near 
Plainfield. Conn., and who was an early settler 
of Wurtsboro, Sullivan Connt>-. N. Y.. where 
for many years he was engaged in teaching, and 
where he died at the age of eight>- years. The 
paternal great-grandfather of Mrs, Gordon was 
bom in Salem. Mas., and in 1771 settled in 
Plainfield. Conn., on the Quinebaug River. In 
the War for Independence, which shcatly followed 
his settlement there, he served with honor and 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fdelity. Mrs. Sallie Gordcm died at the age of 
seventy -six. She had loufr been a member of the 
Presbyterian Church and served her Master ^th- 
fully. Of the five children bom to Elias and Sal- . 
lie G<Hd<Hi. fbnr are yet living. Lanra. who 
married Daniel Bedford, died in SoUivan County : 
Elizabeth G.. now Mrs. Harry Moot, resides in 
Liberty : CoggsweU K. is our subject: Jerusha is 
Mrs. Chancy Wheeler, of Yonngsville. Sullivan 
Countj": and Sophia is Mrs. Luther Smith, of 
Cedar Falls. Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Sulli- 
van County, and was educated in its public 
~chools. From a boy he was very handy with 
: ols. and learned the carpenter's trade with his . 
father. c(»tinuing with him from the time he i 
was fifteen until twenty -one years of age. 

He thai located in the Strong Settleme::: 
where he engaged in contracting and building. 
In 1847. when the Erie Railroad was bong con- 
iStmcted. he entered the employ of the cranpany * 
as ma^er carpenter on-the Delaware Division, hav- 
ir.g in charge the carpenters engaged in bnild- 
::g bridges and trestles between Port Jervis and 
Susquehanna. Pa. He was also &Heman in the 
-aops where the bridges were constructed at 
_ ' w^p. and had charge of the bridges placed on the 
- -\id fitMU Coming to Jersey Citj-. together with 
"hose on some other branches of the road. He 
>. is with the Erie Railroad from 1S47 to 1S74. a 
period of twaity-seven years, for ten years of 
that time being roadmaster on the Delaware Di- 
x'ision. including the Carbondale Branch. In 
I S 74 he reagned his position with the Erie Road 
iad located in Middletown. where he engaged 
n the lumber and coal business on Henry Street, 
buying out the yard of WiUiam G. Stanton. In 
this buaness he continued until 1SS9. when he 
s.'ld ont. and has since been li\-ing a retired life. 
He owns a beantifnl residence at Xo. 2S High- 
.lad Avenue, and is there living in the enjoyment 
: a life well ^>ait. 

Mr. Gordon was married in the town of 
Thompson. SuUivan County, in Januar>-. 1S43. 
to Phoebe Monroe, who was bom in the town of 
Crawfwd. Orange Coant\-. They became the 
'. arents of four cjuldren: Albert, engaged in car- 



pentering in Middletown: Alice, who married Lew- 
is Stanton, and died at Fishkiil. X. Y.: Adel- 
la, Mrs. C. W. Martin, of Middletown: and Car- 
rie, who married Rev. George W. Downs, of the 
Methodist Episx)pal Churdi. and resides in Mid- 
dletown. 

In poUtics Mr. Gordon is a stanch RepnbUcan. 
and while a resident of Xarrowsbnrg, Sullivan 
County, he was a Trustee of schools. In 1S89 he 
was elected Assessor of Middletown. and by re- 
election served six years. Religiously he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which he is Treasurer and Trustee, and has served 
as Steward. Before the organization of the Re- 
publican party he was a ^"hig. and voted for Will- 
iam Herrry Harrison in 1S.10. 

EHARLES C. FULLERTOX. of the town of 
Wawayanda. was bom here in 1S47. His 
early Ufe was spent on the farm, and his 
education was received in the common schools. 
When ten years of age he left home and began 
working on the farm by the month, continuing in 
that occupation until 1S64. when he enlisted in 
the Seventh Xew York Independent Batter>". be- 
ing mustered into the serince at Goshen. From 
that place he was sent to Xew York City, and 
thence to Virginia, his first engagement being at 
Dutch Gap Canal, where he received a flesh 
wound. The battery saw considerable service 
during the remainder of the war. and was in the 
engagements at Ft. Darling. Drury"s Bluff and 
Manchester, besides many skirmishes. Just be- 
fcffe the final surrender of Lee, the soldiers were 
reduced to two hardtacks and a limited supply 
of cofiee per day. Mr. Fullerton was in front of 
Manchester, on the James River, at the time of 
the surrender, and he received his discharge at 
Albany. August 22, 1865. He then went to Ul- 
ster County, where he remained until 1S76. when 
he removed to his present place of residence. 

On the 2ist of December. 1S69, he was united 
in marriage with Eliza C. Conklin. and by their 
union sevoi children were bom: Augusta L., 



I074 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now the wife of George D. Booth; Ellen J., Sarah 
J., Elsie D. . Annie B., Etta D. and Edna. 

Politically Mr. Fullerton is a Democrat. In 
1880 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has 
since held the oflBce, with the exception of the 
year 1893. He has been a member of the Board 
of Health since 1 88 1. Socially he is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. As a citi- 
zen he stands high in the estimation of his fellow- 
citizens, as is attested by his repeated election to 
local office. 



IILI.IAM F. WHEELER. Five genera- 
tions of the Wheeler family have resided 
on the farm where the subject of this no- 
tice makes his home. The property is situated 
in the town of Warwick, and compri.ses two hun- 
dred and eighty acres, upon which first-class im- 
provements have been made. While some at- 
tention is given to the raising of cereals, the 
principal industrj- is the dairy busine.ss, which is 
one of the most profitable industries in the coun- 
ty. Upon the place will be seen all the buildings 
necessar\- for the propermanagement of the farm, 
including substantial barns and a neat residence. 

The founder of the family in this section of the 
country was Joel Wheeler, who settled here in 
1800. His son. Col. William F., the grandfather 
of our subject, was a native of Orange County, 
and was born in a little hamlet, formerly called 
Wheelen-ille. His father bought the Wheeler 
homestead, which has been in the family for 
ninety-five years. The old house and barn are 
still standing, the former being occupied by ten- 
ants. The present family residence was erected 
in 1850, and is commodious and substantial, as 
are also the barns. Some years after the erection 
of the house, it gained the first prize as the be.st 
model farm house in the county. 

Theparentsof our subject, Isaac V. and Phoebe 
(Bull) Wheeler, were born- in this county, and 
the father followed agricultural pursuits through- 
out his entire life. He died in 1876, and was fol- 
lowed to the grave by hundreds of friends and 
relatives, who held him in the highest esteem. 



Preferring to attend to his private affairs rather 
than mingle with politicians or become promi- 
nent in public life, he never sought office. His 
wife, who is now sixty-five years old, .still enjoys 
good health. 

On the farm where he now resides, William F. 
Wheeler was bom May 22, 1859. He attended 
the district school, and for a number of years was 
a student in the Warwick Institute. When he 
was sixteen years of age, his father died, and he 
was compelled to leave school and take charge of 
the farm. From that time until the present, he 
has labored early and late, and is to-day the pos- 
sessor of a valuable farm, the high standard of 
which he maintains. He takes a special interest 
in dairy matters, and is serving as Secretan,- of 
the Warwick Valley Milk As,sociation. of which 
he is also a Trustee. 

In May, 1882, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Til- 
lie, daughter of William P. and Marj- R. (Roe; 
Wisner, natives of this county. Five children 
came to ble.ss their home: William F., Jr. , Charles 
\'., Jes.se I., Man,- A. and Roe, all of whom are 
with their parents. Mrs. Wheeler is a member 
of the Reformed Church. In politics our subject 
is a Republican, and believes firmly in the prin- 
ciples of that party, but cares nothing for official 
positions. He is a highly respected citizen, and 
enjoys the confidence of friends and neighbors. 



^AMUEL A. COXFORT, a well known busi- 
?\ ness man of Searsville, established himself 
\~f in the confidence and good-will of this local- 
ity years ago by his uniformly fair and upright 
dealings. He was born in this county November 
26, 1828, and since that time has been closely 
identified with its prosperity, taking an active 
interest in whatever affects its welfare. 

Our subject was sixth in order of birth of the 
children born to Samuel and Fannie (Low ) Con- 
fort. Of these, Mary Jane, the eldest, died when 
sixty-five years old; Eve Ann was seventy years 
old at the time of her decease; Lawrence L., who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1077 



was for many years a minister of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church in this and Ulster Counties, died 
at the age of sixty-five years; Emily is now liv- 
ing in Michigan; Elizabeth makes her home in 
this county; Samuel A. was the next-born; Julia 
died after attaining her thirtieth year; Jacob T. 
was accidentally killed when forty years of age; 
James died in his fift>-eighth year; and Alonzo 
is farming on the old home place in this town. 

Samuel Confort, Sr., was also born in Orange 
County, and passed the greater part of his life in 
farming in the town of Crawford. He was well- 
to-do in this world's goods, and died when in his 
fifty-ninth year. In his political views he was 
an adherent of Democratic principles, and in the 
Reformed Church, of which he was a member, 
held the office of Elder. During the War of 
18 1 2 he won distinction as a soldier. Many gen- 
erations back his parents came of good old Ger- 
man stock. The mother of our .subject was also 
a native of the town of Crawford, and survived 
her husband many years, dying when seventy- 
five years of age. 

The .subject of this sketch remained at home 
until about thirty years of age, when he was 
married, and purchased a tract of land, on which 
he located. After operating this for five years he 
sold out and came to Searsville, where for the 
past thirty years he has conducted a general 
store. He is therefore well known, and his up- 
right manner of dealing has secured for him the 
good-will and patronage of the people for miles 
around. 

November i, i860, Mr. Confort and Miss Sarah 
Ellen Youngblood were united in marriage. The 
lady was born in this town, and has become the 
mother of two children: Fannie Jane, who mar- 
ried R. C. Gillespie, of this town; and Julia 
Ellen, at home with her parents. Mr. Confort 
has always taken a very active part in local pol- 
itics, and never fails to vote for Democratic can- 
didates. He has been Clerk of the town for 
.several years and has occupied the position of 
Postmaster of Searsville for a quarter of a cen- 
tury. Our subject and his family are members 
of the Reformed Church, in which he has been 
Deacon and Elder. He is verv active in church 



work, and gives liberally of his means toward 
extending the good cause throughout the county. 
Mr. Confort is just and considerate of the rights 
of all with whom he is brought in contact, and 
conscientious in the ob.servance of all the pro- 
prieties of life. Thus he has made many friend- 
ships, which grow stronger with more intimate 
acquaintance. 






mAMUEL GLASSON, D. V. S., of Middle- 
^\ town, has his office and veterinary hospital 
\Z/ at No. 7 Roberts Street, and also an office 
in Wilkinson's livery stable. In February, 1895, 
he was called as expert witness in the Long and 
McKenzie case, and also filled a similar function 
in a law trial, both cases being decided in accord- 
ance with his testimony. 

The Glasson family is of Scotch and French 
descent. Our subject's grandfather, James Glas- 
.son, was extensively engaged in buying and sell- 
ing horses, having an office on Cliff Street, New 
York. The father of our subject, Samuel, was 
born in New 'Vork City, where he was emploj^ed 
as mechanic, electrician and inventor, having de- 
signed and patented a number of u.seful articles. 
Socially he was a Knight-Templar Ma.son. Dur- 
ing the Civil War he enlisted as a private in the 
Eighth Connecticut Infantry, and later was pro- 
moted to the rank of Captain of Company C of 
that regiment, .serving in that capacity until he 
was obliged to resign on account of rheumatism. 

The mother of our subject, Emeline B., was 
born in Massachusetts, and was a daughter of 
Benjamin Loomis, at one time Postmaster of Pine 
Meadow, Conn., and a participant in the Civil 
War. He served first as Drum Major of the 
Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry, and later was 
similarly engaged with the Second Louisiana In- 
fantry. His death occurred in Connecticut. Of 
the family of three children who attained years of 
maturity, our subject is the youngest child and 
only .son. In New York City, where he was born, 
his education was obtained in the public schools 
and in the College of the Citj' of New York. Four 
years were spent in that institution, but he left 



1078 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



just at the commencement of the junior year, and 
entered the American Veterinary College, where 
he remained until his graduation in 1893, with 
the degree of D. V. S. 

For six months after graduating Dr. Glasson 
practiced his profession in Peekskill. In Janu- 
ary, 1894, he was appointed veterinary surgeon 
of a detachment of cavalry at West Point, and 
held the same position for the whole reservation, 
meantime continuing his practice at Peekskill. 
He became known in other places, and was fre- 
quently called to Highland Falls and Newburgh. 
In August, 1894, through the assistance of the 
Adjutant-General at Washington, he received an 
honorable discharge and retired from the army, 
after which he spent a few months in New York 
City. In March, 1895, he located in Middle- 
town, where he has become well and favorably 
known for the thoroughness of his work. 

The marriage of Dr. Glasson, which took place 
in New York City, united him-with Miss Harriet 
Gray, and they are the parents of a son, Harold 
L. Socially Dr. Glasson is connected with the 
Phi Gamma Delta Society in the College of the 
City of New York, and he is also identified with 
the United States Veterinary Association, and is 
a fellow in the Medical Association of the Amer- 
ican Veterinary College. 



EB. WILKES, of the firm of C. B. Wilkes & 
Bros., dealers in coal and wood, was born at 
Seven Springs Mountain House, in the town 
of Monroe, September 16, 1858, and is a son of 
George F. and Hilenda (Maroney) Wilkes, the 
former a native of the town of Monroe, and the 
latter of the town of Goshen. His grandfather, 
Jonathan Wilkes, was also a native of Orange 
County, and his great-grandfather came from 
England. The father was a second cousin of 
George Wilkes, editor of the New York Sporting 
Tunes, and the breeder of the original Wilkes 
horses. George F. Wilkes was a large farmer in 
the town of Monroe, and continued farming until 
his retirement in 1887, when he removed to Mid- 



dletown. and here died at the age of seventy-three 
years. From the organization of the Republican 
party he was a strong advocate of its principles. 
In religion he was a devout member of the Meth- 
odist Church, of which body his wife is also a 
member. She is yet living and resides in Mid- 
dletown. Of their eight children, .seven are yet 
living. 

C. B. Wilkes, our subject, was reared on his 
father's farm, and had only the advantages of a 
common-school education. He remained at home 
until 1887, and then had charge of the farm and 
dairy business until 1890. At that time he lo- 
cated in Middletown, and started in the wood and 
coal business on Railroad Avenue, near North 
Street, in company with his brother, George M. 
There they remained until removing to their pres- 
ent location, on the corner of Beattie and Rail- 
road Avenue. Here they have a factory and ten- 
ement house of two flats, and here also they man- 
ufacture kindling-wood, having a wood-splitting 
machine run by steam, eighteen horsepower, with 
a capacity of one hundred barrels an hour. The 
coal-yard and office are also located at this point. 
Two teams are constantly engaged, and the firm 
does a large wholesale as well as retail business. 
They are popular men, and enjoy the confidence 
of the entire community. 

Mr. Wilkes was married in Circleville to Miss 
Mamie Gibbs, who was there born, and they have 
one child, Hilda S. In politics Mr. Wilkes is a 
Republican, and in his religious belief is a Con- 
gregationalist. He is a member of and Deacon 
in the North Street Congregational Church, and 
has been verj' active in building up the society. 
He was a member of the Ontario Hose Company, 
and was President of the same for one year. 



gURKE PILLSBURY, M. D. During the 
period of nearly twenty-five years in which 
he has engaged in the practice of medicine. 
Dr. Pillsbury has gained a broad e.xperience, 
which, ripened by careful stud\-, enables him to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1079 



make a successful diagnosis of the most intricate 
and complicated diseases, and to apply the reme- 
dial agencies calculated to bring the speediest relief 
to the patient. He has his office in Middletown, 
where he has charge of an extensive and remun- 
erative practice, covering a large portion of the 
surrounding country. 

It being generally believed that heredity and 
environment have much to do with forming the 
character, and that our lives are stimulated by the 
immediate or indirect influence of our ancestors, 
a short resume of the ancestral history of Mr. 
Pillsbury may serve as an index to the liberal 
impulses that mark his daily life. Through his 
maternal ancestors he traces his lineage to John 
Alden and Priscilla Molines, of Puritan fame. 
His paternal ancestors were equally prominent 
and honorable, the family being of theolde.st Col- 
onial stock 

His great-grandfather, Joshua, as shown by 
the Revolutionary rolls in the Massachusetts 
Capitol, was one of the minutemen who re- 
sponded to the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. 
His great-uncle, Samuel, was of the boat's crew 
that rowed Benedict Arnold to the British ship 
"Vulture," at the time of his escape, and was 
captured by the British and carried to New York. 
Another ancestor, Elijah Pillsbury, fought with 
General Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham, and 
still another went with the expedition to Louis- 
burg. The progenitor of the family in America 
came to this country in the "Mayflower," upon 
the second trip of that historic ship, in 1641. 

The name of Pillsbury is derived from ' 'peel, ' ' 
meaning a tower, and "bury," a hill or mound. 
The name has been identified with the history of 
the ancient parish of Leek, in Staffordshire, Eng- 
land, ever since King Edward I\'. commanded, in 
1333, that each individual should "take upon 
himself a separate surname, either of his trade or 
faculty, or from some quality of his body or mind, 
or the place where he dwelt, so that everyone 
might be distinguished from the other. ' ' Pills- 
bury Grange is a quaint and ancient place, twelve 
miles across the moorland in the parish of Hart- 
ington, belonging to the rich Cistercian Abbey of 
Dieulacres. Leek was in the earldom of Algar, 



son of Godiva, and was the last place in England 
to yield to the encroachments of William the 
Conqueror. 




* 



The above is an engraving of the ancient arms 
of the family, of which the following description 
is given: "Arms: Arg. on achev. inter three cross- 
es crosslet fitchee, sa, five ermine spots or. Crest; 
On a torque, arg. and sa, a felon's head couped 
ppr. with rope around the neck and cross on 
breast. Motto: Mors janua vitcc. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Boston, 
Mass. In youth his educational advantages were 
exceptionally good, and upon completing his lit- 
erar)- education he turned his attention to the 
medical profession. This science he commenced to 
.study in 1868 and four years later he was graduat- 
ed from the Har\-ard Medical School. To his the- 
oretical knowledge he added practical experience 
gained by a year's hospital course in the Massa- 
chusetts General Hospital and at St. Mary's in 
Rochester. Since beginning in active practice 
it has always been his ambition to keep abreast 
with the latest discoveries in the science, and he 
has remained a close, thoughtful student of the 
profession. 

For thirteen years the Doctor has been a mem- 
ber of the United States Pension Board, and he 
is also examiner for numerous insurance com- 
panies. In professional circles, both in this conn- 



loSo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



try and abroad, he is well known, being a mem- 
ber of the State Medical Societv-, the New York 
Academy of Medicine and the Tuberculosis Con- 
gress of Paris. He has met with signal success in 
the treatment of consumption, in which he has 
taken a deep interest. In addition to this he is 
also an expert raicroscopist and pathologist, hold- 
ing himself in readiness to make any examina- 
tion called for. There are few of the major opera- 
tions in surger\- that he has not performed with 
success Among the physicians of this locality" 
he ranks high, and has served with eflBciency as 
President of the Orange Count\- Medical Society-. 
He has secured a substantial recognition of the 
genuineness of his merits in his professional cap- 
acity, and by his conscientious discharge of duty, 
his ability and skill, and his character as a gen- 
tleman of culture, he has won the confidence 
which is the crowni of his manhood. While his 
attention has been given principally to matters 
connected with his profession, he is also interest- 
ed in other organizations and matters of public 
interest, and is an active member of the New 
York Societv, Sons of the Revolution. 



REV. JAMES C. FORSYTHE, pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church of Montgomery, was 
bom in Allegheny County, Pa.. June 24, 
1S26, and is the son of George and Margaret 
( Henr\- ) Forsy the. The family is of Scotch-Irish 
descent. James C. Forsythe, the great-grandfa- 
ther, emigrated from the North of Ireland to 
Chester, Pa., in 1730. Accompanied by his son 
James, he settled in Mifflin, Pa., eight miles 
from Pittsburg when on the site of the latter city- 
were no buildings save the remains of old Ft, 
Pitt, this being during the period between the 
French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. 
The next in line of direct descent was also James 
Forsythe, and three generations of the family 
were buried side by side in Mifflin, Pa. 

George Forsythe inherited a part of the old 
homestead which lielonged to his grandfather. 
With his family he removed to Washington Coun- 
ty, Pa., and there our subject grew to maturity 



and acquired his education in Washington Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated in iS^S. This 
was the year after James G. Blaine graduated 
from that school, and the young men were com- 
panions in college together for two years. Mr. 
Forsythe later entered the Associate Reformed 
Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pa., and was 
graduated therefrom in 1S52. The previous year, 
however, he was licensed to preach, and his first 
pastorate was at Cadiz, the county seat of Harri- 
son County, Ohio, where John C. Brigham was one 
of his parishioners. There he was ordained in 
November. 1S52, by the Associate Reformed Pres- 
bytery of Steuben\-ille, Ohio. He remained at 
Cadiz for five years, and did a good work. Dur- 
ing his stay there the Associate Reformed Church 
and the Associate Presbyterian Church were 
united, under the name of the United Presbyte- 
rian Church, into a strong organization. 

Mr. Forsythes next pastorate was at Salem. 
Washington County, N, Y. , where he continued 
for twelve years. The church was in a disor- 
ganized condition when he took charge and re- 
quired delicate management. It had been es- 
tablished by a band of members who emigrated 
together firom Ireland one hundred and thirty 
years before, and the church celebrated the one 
hundredth anniversary of this emigration during 
tlie pastorate of Mr. Forsythe. His labors there 
were very- successful. They built up a strong 
congregation, and in 1S70 he.left the church in a 
flourishing condition. He then accepted a call 
from the Reformed Church of Farmer Village, 
of Seneca County, where he remained for five 
years, when, on the ist of July, 1S75, l*^ ^^'^s es- 
tablished as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church 
of Montgomery, of which he has now had charge 
for twenty- years. It had been formed about 
sixty years previous, but was then in a broken- 
down condition. Rev. Mr. Forsythe" s work here, 
as in other places, soon proved beneficial; large 
numbers have been added to the church, socie- 
ties have been organized that are now in good 
working order, and the whole church is flourish- 
ing. 

On the loth of November. 1S57. in Braintree, 
Mass.. Rev. Mr. Forsvthe married Miss Persis 




COURTLAND S. HULSE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECX)RD. 



1081 



Maria Thayer, of that place. They had three 
children, but all have been called to the home be- 
yond. Elizabeth Thayer died in infanc}-. Harriet 
Thayer at the age of two and a- half years, and 
Tames 5torrs iu his thirteenth year. Mrs. For- 
s\-the is a most estimable lady, an eflBcient helper 
to her husband, extendiug her sympathy to the 
suffering, and lending a helping hand to the poor 
and needy. 

Rev. Mr. Forsythe is a Republican, but takes 
no active part in piolitics. He is the only surA-iv- 
ing charter member of the Phi Gamma Delta So- 
ciet\-. the mother of all the Delta societies in the 
United States, and his connection with it began 
in the days when it was bitterly opposed by col- 
lege oflBcials: but in the years that have passed it 
has become ver\- popular, and is now strongly 
encouraged by college professors. Rev. Mr. For- 
sythe is a man of large body and mind, powertul 
physically as well as mentally. He is possessed 
of clear, keen perception, is quick of comprehen- 
sion, and soon notes and masters the strong 
points of any subject. He is a logrical reasoner, 
a fluent and forcible speaker, and his earnest and 
effective words in the pulpit have been produc- 
tive of a good that cannot be estimated on this 
side of the grave. He is pleasant and warm- 
hearted, f>ossessing a kindly and charitable dis- 
f)osition. and all recognize in him a friend on 
whom they may depend iu the hour of need. He 
is loved by his own p)eople and those of other de- 
nominations, and throughout the community no 
one is more highly respected than the pastor of 
the Presbyterian Church of Montgomery. 



EOURTLAXD S. HULSE. who is num- 
bered among the oldest citizens of Middle- 
town, was bom in the town of Mt. Hop>e. 
this count), April 14, 1S18. He is the son of 
Anselm H. Hulse, a native of this county and a 
member of the family that came here from Long 
Island. His grandfather and the grajidfather of 
G. O. Hulse were own brothers. Settling upon a 
tract of unimproved land. Anselm H. Hulse suc- 
ceeded in redeeming it from the wilderness and 



converted it into a productive farm, one of the best 
in Mt. Hope. From there he moved to the town of 
Crawford, where he died at the age of more than 
seventy years. His wife. Catherine, was bom 
in Xew Jersey, to which state her father, Thomas 
Cahill. had come from Ireland. 

In the family of Anselm H. Hulse there were 
six sons and six daughters, but Courtland S. and 
Mrs. Ellen Jane Tice. of Cass Count\-. Mich., 
are the only survivors. The former was reared 
in the towns of Wallkill and Crawford, and at- 
tended -school at Campbell Hall. At the age of 
sixteen he was apprenticed to the painter's trade 
at Montgomery, where he remained for three 
j-ears, and then came to Middletown. In 1838 
he finished the trade under George S. Corwin, 
and soon afterward started for himself, following 
his chosen occupation here until 1851. He then 
went to Morristown. X. J., where he was era- 
ployed as a contract painter for eleven years, 
coming back to Middletown in 1S62. He pur- 
chased ten acres on what is now Cottage Street, 
and in 1876 built a residence at No. 47 'East 
Main Street, where he has since made his home. 

At Middletown, Februar>- 27. 1840, Mr. Hulse 
married Miss Susan Wood, who was bom in 
Goshen, being a daughter of Benjamin Wood, 
proprietor of a tannery- at Dolsontown. Mrs. 
Susan Hulse died at their home in Middletown 
March 22. 1891, aged seventy-four years. Of 
her four children, the only sur\"ivors are Martha 
and Antoinette, both at home. The latter is the 
wife of George Hommel. who was bom in Wur- 
temberg. Germany, came to Xew York City in 
1872. and to Middletown in 1887, since which time 
he has carried on a bakery business. He and 
his wife are the parents of a son, Roger Court- 
land. 

In former years Mr. Hulse was connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belong- 
ing to the lodge at Middletown. He was a mem- 
ber of the pioneer fire company of this city. Po- 
litically he is a Democrat, and in his younger 
years took an active part in public affairs. While 
in Xew Jersey he was in partnership with his 
brother-in-law. George S. Corwin. the firm title 
being Corwin & Hulse, but Mr. Corwin died while 



1084 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



there, and Mr. Hulse soon returned to Middle- 
town. He has been identified with the growth of 
this city and a promoter of its public enterprises. 
He laid out Courtland Street, which was named 
in his honor, and erected the first house on that 
street, a structure that still stands. For a time 
he was engaged in the restaurant business on 
North Street, where he built a store. No man 
has taken a greater interest than he in the up- 
building of this place, and its prosperity is due to 
the efforts of such men as he. In politics he is 
independent. 



••X®®®>c-i- 



EAPT. LEWIS S. WISNER is one of the 
oldest residents of Middletown, and traces 
his ancestry back for several generations. 
He was born in Middletown, August 11, 1841, 
and his father, Daniel Carpenter Wisner, was 
also born here, in 1807, his death occurring in 
1871. His grandfather, Henry Barnet Wisner, 
was born in Orange County in 1772, and died in 
1846. For many j-ears he was a Justice of the 
Peace, and started the first store in Middletown, 
on Main Street, being a partner of Stacy Beakes. 
He owned the land which was later purchased by 
the father of our subject, and which is now part 
of our subject's estate. Maj. Henry Wisner, the 
great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Orange Count}', in 1740, and died April 11, 
1800. He served as Captain in the Revolution- 
ary War, and later was commissioned Major of 
Colonel Hathorn's Warwick and Florida Regi- 
ment. He lived on the Wallkill, on the present site 
of Barr's Hotel at Phillipsburg, his farm ad- 
joining the Midway Park. In addition to farm- 
ing he operated a gristmill on the place. During 
the Revolutionary War he was engaged in the 
manufacture of powder, a business started by his 
father at Phillipsburg. He married Sarah Bar- 
net, who was born in 1742, and who died in 
1790. 

The great-great-grandfather of our subject was 
Hon. Henry Wisner, born in the town of Goshen 



in 1720. He was a delegate to the First, Second 
and Third Continental Congresses, and voted 
for the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, 
l)ut did not wait to sign the document, for the 
reason that he was sent home to manufacture 
powder, which was needed to enforce that 
measure. He was one of the four commissioners 
who laid out West Point, and al.so assisted in the 
selection of the site of Ft. Putnam. From 1770 
to 1782 he was in the State Legislature, and was 
very prominent in business transactions. He 
died in 1790, and his remains are interred in 
Hopper Hill Cemetery. Over the grave, on the 
red sandstone slab, is recorded the following: 
"Sacred to the memory of Henry Wisner, who 
departed this life March 4, 1790, a devoted friend 
to the liberties of his countr\'." On account of 
the extensive aid furnished his country he died 
in poverty. His wife was Sarah Norton, who 
came from the eastern end of Long Island. 

The great-great-great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Hendrick Wisner, was born in 1698, and 
died in 1767. He came with his father from 
Switzerland, and in 17 19 married Mary Shaw, a 
native of New England. He became very wealthy, 
and was an extensive land-owner. His father, 
Johannis Wisner, the great-great-great-great- 
grandfather of our subject, also came from Swit- 
zerland. He was a Lieutenant in the Swiss Con- 
tingent of Queen Anne's army, and is said to have 
been the first settler in Orange County on the 
Wawayanda Patent. Our subject has deeds of 
every one of his ancestors, except Johannis, as 
far back as 1703, and signed by Queen Anne. 

Daniel C. Wisner, the father of our subject, 
was by ocupation a farmer, and followed that 
vocation all his life. He was an Elder in the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Middletown, and 
was one of its charter members. In politics he 
was originally a Whig and afterwards a Repub- 
lican. He married Sarah M. Weed, who was 
born in 18 13, at Stamford, Conn., and who was 
a daughter of Smith Weed. The latter was a 
cooper by trade, and died in Connecticut. Mrs. 
Wisner, who died in 1885, was a relative of Uzual 
Knapp, one of Washington's bodyguards. The 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wisner occurred in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAX, RECORD. 



1085 



1S33, and by their union fourchildren were bom: 
Sarah M., who died in infancy: Julia Ann, who 
died at twenty years of age: Henry B., who re- 
sides in Berea. Ohio: and Capt. Lewis Smith, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Capt. Lewis S. Wisner was the youngest of 
the family, a:id grew to manhood in his native 
town, which has always been his home. He was 
educated in the public schools, and finished his 
course in Wallkdll Academy. Until August 6. 
1862. he remained at home, engaged tn farming 
with his father, but at that time enlisted in Com- 
pany K. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, as a private. Soon 
after he was promoted to be Second Sergeant, then 
First Sergeant, and in May, 1S63, was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant. February- 23. 1S64. 
he was promoted to be First Lieutenant, and July 
14, 1864, was commissioned Captain of his com- 
pany. No man in the regiment received more 
promotions. He was in all the general engage- 
ments until his discharge, and was slightly 
wounded at Chancellorsville. On account of 
severe hernia he resigned, August 2, 1864, and 
returned home. 

On recovering his health. Captain Wisner went 
to Titusville, Pa. . where he purchased real es- 
tate, and for a time was engaged in speculation. 
Returning home, he purchased the old home- 
stead, on which he now resides, and which con- 
sists of fifty acres. It has a beautiful location on 
Wisner Avenue, which was laid out and im- 
proved at his expense. He has constructed an 
artificial lake on the place, and has it stocked 
with black bass. His fine residence is provided 
with a porch around the entire house. Captain 
Wisner is an admirer of Jersey cattle, in which he 
has been quite an extensive dealer, and at present 
has a number of fine animals. On his place are 
fine beds of sand of the very best quality for 
building purposes. 

June 21. 1865. Mr. Wisner was married, in 
Middletown, to Miss Adelaide Robertson, who 
was bom in Centreville, and who is a daughter 
of George E. Robertson, a retired farmer of Mid- 
dletown. The latter was bom at South Centre- 
ville, while his father, David Robertson, was bom 



in Scotland, and settled at Centreville at an early 
day. His wife was Catherine Swartwout, of 
French- Hugiienot descent. Of this union were 
bom three children, two of whom are living, Mrs. 
Wisner being the second-bom. She was reared 
in Middletown, and was educated in a private 
seminar\-. To Captain and Mrs. Wisner were 
bom four children: Man- R., a graduate of Wall- 
kill Academy: George R., who is now in Colo- 
ado, an engineer on the Santa Fe Railway: 
Henry Bamet. a clerk in the Merchants' and 
Mechanics" Bank: and Theresa Weed, a student 
in Wallkill Academy. 

Captain Wisner is a charter member of Capt. 
WiUiam A. Jackson Post No. 301, G. A. R., and 
he is also a member of the New York Sons of the 
Revolution. In politics he is a true-blue Repub- 
lican, and religiously is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. During the past year he 
received a medal of honor tendered him b\- the 
United States Congress for gallantry at Spott- 
sylvania. Va., May 12. 1864. This was given in 
response to a petition signed by even.- surviving 
officer of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Regiment. 



^ HO MAS L. GILLSON, M. D., is a success- 
iC fill practicing physician of Middletown. He 
V2/ was bom at Budd's Lake, N. J., December 
31, 1862. and is a son of Hugh B. and Man.- 
(Donohuei Gillson. both of whom are natives of 
Ireland. The grandfather, Hugh Gillson, was 
also a native of Ireland, where for many years 
he was Superintendent of Schools and where he 
died. The father was reared in his native coun- 
try-, and when eighteen years of age came to 
America, and located in Morris Count>-. X. J., 
and later in Sussex County, that state. There 
he was engaged as a mining contractor until he 
removed to a farm known as the old Gillson Farm, 
one- half mile from Franklin Furnace, N. J., 
where he yet lives at the age of sixty-eight years. 
In politics he has always been a Democrat, and is 
a prominent town official. His wife, the mother 
of our subject, is a daughter of Michael Dono- 



io86 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



hue, who was a farmer by occupation, but who is 
now deceased. Hugh B. and Man,- Gillson are 
the parents of nine children: M. W., a practicing 
physician of Paterson, N. J.; James R., a tea 
merchant of Tro}-, N. Y.; John T., a physician 
at Paterson. N. J.; Thomas L., our subject: 
Hugh B., Jr. , a merchant at Albany, X.Y.; Mary 
E., a teacher in Sussex County, N. J.; Theresa, 
a trained nurse at home; and Sarah and Anna, at 
home. 

In his youth our subject attended Baxter's 
School at Franklin Furnace, N. J., and in 1881 
commenced teaching school at McAfee and Stock- 
holm, N. J. The remarkable aptitude and native 
energy of the young teacher led to his being ap- 
pointed Principal of the well known Blooming 
dale Academy, at Passaic, N. J. During the lat- 
ter years of his teaching at this academy, he had 
a .strong inclination towards medicine, and with 
his brother. Dr. M. W. Gillson, a prominent 
physician of Paterson, N. J., he commenced its 
study. After leaving his brother, he went to 
Bellevue Medical College, New York, in 1888, 
taking two complete courses of studj', and spend- 
ing much time in the use of the scalpel, under the 
direction of master surgeons there. In 1891 he 
graduated from the Long Island College and Hos- 
pital. For some time previously he had studied 
under the famous Dr. Skene, of Brooklyn, and 
therefore had received a thorough intellectual 
and medical training. 

In 1891 Dr. Gillson located at Middletown, 
where he has built up a large and well paying 
practice. For two years he was Health OflScer of 
Middletown, and is at present examiner for sever- 
al insurance companies. He is an honorar}- mem- 
ber of McQuaid Engine and Fire Compan\-, and 
of the Orange County Medical Society. In re- 
ligion he is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church, and is examining phj-sician of the Catho- 
lic Benevolent Legion. 

Dr. Gillson was married at Bloomingdale, Pas- 
.saic County, N. J., in 1889, to Miss Elizabeth 
Heffernan, a native of that place, and daughter 
of Thomas and Margaret Heffernan, the former 
of whom was for years manager of the Booneton 
Iron Works. Mrs. Gillson was educated in 



Bloomingdale and at Paterson, and was leader in 
St. Anthony's Church Choir at the former place. 
Three children have been born unto our subject 
and wife: Marguerite Theresa, Mary Elizabeth, 
and Thomas L., Jr. 

Besides being a well trained .student and physi- 
cian. Dr. Gillson has talent as a speaker. During 
the Cleveland campaign of 1884 he was a mem- 
ber of the New Jersey State Democratic Commit- 
tee, and was the youngest stump speaker in that 
state. He canvas.sed the state in company with 
the late ex-Gov. Leon Abbett, and Hon. Thomas 
Noonan, of Jersey Citj-. In his profession. Dr. 
Gillson is highly esteemed by the practitioners 
of ever\' school of medicine. 



Hf-Z 



HORATIO NELSON CASE, one the best 
known citizens of the town of "W'awayanda, 
has made his home on his present farm 
since he was five years of age. He is a man of 
unostentatious and quiet life, and has made it 
his main business to attend to the wants of his 
family and to the proper management of his 
farm. 

Our subject was born in the village of Mon- 
roe, May 31, 1824, and was the son of Gideon 
and Hannah (Terry) Case, the former a native of 
the town of Goshen, this county. The grandfa- 
ther, who bore the name of Zaccheus Case, was 
born on Long Island. He departed this life 
January 9, 1822, aged eighty-one }'ears, and 
was buried in the town of Goshen. He married 
Hannah Salmon, who died September 12, 1823, 
aged seventy-seven years. Gideon Case fought 
as a soldier in the War of 18 12 one year, bear- 
ing himself honorably and bravely in that con- 
flict. He died November 4, 1867, at the age of 
eighty-two years, ten months and four days. Our 
subject has but one sister, Hannah J., who is liv- 
ing in Newburgh and is the wife of William 
Chambers. Another sister, Jane, died in the town 
of Monroe when two years and a-half old. 

The father of our subject, who was a farmer 




Kiev. JOSKI'H RKCHTSTKINKR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1089 



through life, moved from the town of Goshen to 
this section about 1829, and here lived until his 
decease, which occurred November 4, 1867, his 
remains being interred in Ridgebnry Cemeterj*. 
As stated above, Horatio Nelson was in his fifth 
5-ear at the time the family came hither, and is 
therefore one of its oldest residents. Being the 
only son of the household, he took charge of the 
farm on the demise of his father, and has contin- 
ued to manage it ever since. It is thirty-four 
acres in extent, and although not as large as 
many in the town, is cultivated in such a manner 
as to bring forth good results. Mr. Case thor- 
oughly understands his business, and as he enjoys 
it is satisfied to spend the remainder of his life 
amidst rural scenes. He has never been active 
in political matters, but is always anxious during 
elections of every nature to vote for Democratic 
candidates. 



REV. JOSEPH RECHTvSTEINER, pastor of 
St, Peter's German I{\angelical Lutheran 
Church of Port Jervis, received a call from 
his present congregation in March, 1888, where 
he located and has ever since made his home. He 
is a native of Germany, born in Granheim, Wur- 
temberg, on the gth of February, 1853, and was 
educated in the gymnasium at Ehingen, where 
he took a complete course of ten years, after 
which he took the theological course in the Tu- 
bingen University, and also .studied Greek, French 
and Hebrew in a gymna.sium. On account of 
the demands of the Government for military .serv- 
ice, and not wishing to become a soldier, he left 
college at the age of twenty-one years, before 
completing the course, and .started for the United 
States. Taking passage on a steamer at Liver- 
pool, England, he landed in New York on the 
27th of October, 1874, a stranger in a strange 
land, and unable to speak our language. 

Mr. Rechtsteiuer immediately proceeded to New 
Hampshire, where he went to work with a shovel, 
and for one month was thus employed; but not 
being able to collect his wages, he returned to 
New York City, using .some money that he had 

48 



brought with him. For eleven months he was 
then engaged with an American family as a farm 
hand in Rockland County, and there picked up 
the language. At this place he received $6 per 
month and his board, but later began working 
for a German farmer. While thus employed, he 
met a German Presbyterian minister. Rev. Henry 
Lock, who took an intere.st in him and persuaded 
him to attend the prayer-meetings. This gentle- 
man later sent him to the Presbyterian Theologi- 
cal Seminary at Bloomfield, N. J., wh'i^re he re- 
mained for one year. He then entered the Luth- 
eran Theological Seminary at Mt. Ayr, Philadel- 
phia, where he pursued his studies for a year. He 
had paid his own tuition thus far, but as his 
money now gave out, he applied for a position as 
teacher. At a college in Nyack, N. Y., he taught 
Greek, French and Spanish for about six months. 

On the expiration of that time, Mr. Rechtsteiu- 
er received a call from a congregation in Alle- 
gheny County, Pa., and in March, 1878, there 
preached his first sermon. The following August 
he was ordained before the Pittsburg Synod, at 
Greenville, Pa., and remained with his first 
charge for four years, leaving the church in an 
excellent condition. He then went to Mahanoy 
City, Schuylkill County, Pa., where he preached 
for two years, when he was called to Rochester, 
N. Y., where he had charge of a large congrega- 
tion for three years. There he repaired the hou.se 
of worship, and paid off a I'lrge part of the church 
debt. Hs was then called to the directorship of 
Wagner College, a church school, which had 
been in existence about .seven j-ears, and em- 
ployed five a.ssistant teachers. Here he taught 
the higher classes, but at the end of one year he 
resigned . 

Mr. Rechtsteiuer had previousl)- preached in 
Port Jervis on different occasions, and in March, 
1888, permanently located here. On his arrival 
the church was divided, and affairs were not in a 
very prosperous condition, but he has labored 
untiringly for its welfare. The present house 
of worship, which was formerly the Episcopal 
Church, is situated on the corner of Sussex and 
Hammond Streets, and the congregation now 
numbers about one hundred and twenty families. 



logo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



Since his pastorate here he has not only gained 
the love and confidence of the members of his 
church, but by all is held in the highest respect. 
He devotes his entire time to the needs of the 
church, and as he is a great scholar, his sermons 
are logical and convincing. In politics he is a 
Republican. 

In Bloomfield, X. J., on the 26th of December, 
1878, Rev. Mr. Rechtsteiner was united in mar- 
riage with Paulina Rail, of that place, and to them 
were born three children, but Emma died at the 
age of two years. Those still living are Her- 
mann and Josephine. The family holds an hon- 
ored place in this community, where they are 
widely and favorablv known. 



'M 



(10 NATHAN FALCONER. Prominent 
I among the capable and efficient agricultur- 
(2/ ists of Orange Countj- stands Mr. Falconer, 
who follows farming and dairj'ing in the town of 
Crawford. Here he is the proprietor of one hun- 
dred and seventj- acres of excellent land, which 
he cultivates in a most intelligent and highlj- 
profitable manner. 

Our subject was born March 17, 1827, and 
was the eldest in a family of eight children born 
to John and Christina J. (Jansen) Falconer. 
The former was born in Westchester County, 
N. Y., where he .spent the first sixteen years of 
his life, when he came to Orange County, re- 
maining for a short time in the town of New- 
burgh. He next returned to his native county, 
and in company with his father engaged in the 
tanning busine.ss. After continuing in this line 
for a few years he was married, and then re- 
moved to Herkimer County, this .state, where he 
farmed until about the year 1829, when he went 
to Ulster County, at this time he purchased prop- 
erty of his own and lived there until his decease, 
which occurred in his sixty-fourth year. His fa- 
ther bore the name of Jonathan Falconer, and 
during the War of 18 12 served as a soldier, being 
employed in the secret .service of the Govern- 



ment. He was born in this state, while his par- 
ents were natives of France. His father was like- 
wise a soldier in the Revolution, as were also his 
brothers, one of whom, John, was an aide-de-camp 
to General Washington. 

The mother of our subject was a native of 
Ulster County, where her death occurred when 
sixty-nine years of age. Her parents were na- 
tives of Holland, and on coming to the United 
States her father became a Colonel in the War of 
181 2, acquitting him.self honorably and bravely 
in those trying times. 

The iubject of this sketch remained on the 
home farm with his parents until their death, 
when he purchased the interest of the other heirs 
in the property and made it his home until the 
year 1887. That year he disposed of the estate, 
and with the proceeds purchased the farm on 
which he now resides. This he devotes to gen- 
eral agriculture, although he makes a specialty 
of dairy fanning. From the fir.st he hSs been 
successful, and he is regarded as one of the sub- 
stantial residents of the town. 

October 25, 1871, Mr. Falconer was married to 
Miss Mary A. M. McKinney, daughter of Luther 
McKinne}', and to them have been born three 
children, namely: John L. , at home; William B., 
engaged in teaching school in this town; and 
Maria C, also with her parents. Our subject is 
a Republican in his political views and takes an 
active interest in the success of his party. With 
his wife and family he is a devoted member of 
the United Presbyterian Church. They give 
liberallj- to the support of the same and are al- 
ways ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. 

|ILLL\M HAMMOND, who resides at No. 
73 Ball Street, Port Jervis, was born at 
Franklin Furnace, Sussex County, N. J., 
October 3, 1833, and is the son of Hosea and 
Huldah (Truex) Hammond, also natives of that 
state. The great-grandfather, Noah Hammond, 
is supposed to have been born in England. His 
son Elisha located at Franklin Furnace, where 
he reared a familw and died when seventv-five 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1091 



years old. He was born Februar\- 6, 1769, and 
his wife, who bore the maiden name of Phebe 
Wallen, was born May 30, 1775, and died in 
1843. 

Hosea Hammond, the father of our subject, 
was born January 7, 1798, and departed this life 
January 29, 1875. He was a drum-major in the 
state militia during the War of 1812. In 1848 he 
came to Port Jervis, where he followed the car- 
penter's trade until his demise. His wife was 
born February 12, 1798, and lived until Septem- 
ber 19, 1 88 1. 

Our subject was a lad of fifteen years at the 
time the familj' came to this place, and after se- 
curing a good common-school education he 
learned the carpenter's trade under his father. 
Good workmen were in demand after the build- 
ing of the Erie Railroad through this place, as 
the town grew rapidly, and our subject followed 
this trade for five years, when he abandoned it to 
become a fireman on the Erie Railroad. After 
four years he was made brakeman, and was later 
given the position of engineer with the Eastern 
Division, remaining in that capacity for eleven 
years. During that period he only met with 
one accident, when he ran into a washout. Al- 
though the tender and tiain were thrown into a 
ditch, the engine remained on the track. 

After this experience our subject, in company 
with his brother Horace, rented an old planing- 
mill which stood on Pike Street, and was occu- 
pied in running this from 1866 to 1871. That 
year William again became an engineer, but only 
remained on the road for a short time, when he 
again began operating the mill, the partnership 
existing with his brother until April 2, 1894, 
when the mill vvas destroyed by fire. Since that 
time he has followed his trade, and is regarded as 
one of the most efficient carpenters and machinists 
in the city. 

Prior to attaining his majority, Mr. Hammond 
was married, December 29, 1852, to Mary E. 
Smith. She died October 29, 1856, aged twenty- 
two years, leaving a daughter, Ella J. M., who 
was about two years old at the time of her de- 
cease. Our .subject cho.se for his second compan- 
ion a sister of his former wife, Miss Sarah J. 



Smith, a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Dougherty) 
Smith, who was born in Morris County, N. J., 
July 2, 1837, ^"^ was married October 11, 1857. 
To them were granted five children, two of whom 
are living. George A., a dentist, is engaged in 
practice in Brenham, Tex. He was graduated 
from the New York College of Dentistry, after 
which he married Miss Elsie E., daughter of 
Charles I. Peck, of Port Jervis. Lena C. Ham- 
mond is now the wife of Dr. C. W. Banks, of this 
cit}'. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has 
held the official position of Trustee. 



NELSON KNAPP is a native of Middle 
town, born on the 21st of Ma>-, 1863, and 
is a son of Walter H. and Martha J. (Dick- 
son) Knapp, whose sketch appears on another 
page of this work. He grew to manhood in his 
native city, and received an academical education 
in Wallkill Academy. When seventeen 3-ears of 
age, he went into the store with his father, and 
there continued three years. At the age of twen- 
ty, he went to New York City, and attended the 
vSullivan School of Embalming, from which he 
graduated, being the first to graduate from Or- 
ange County. Returning home, he was made a 
partner with his father, and the business contin- 
ued under the name of W. H. Knapp & Son. 
This partnership continued until March, 1891, 
when the father retired from the business, and 
our subject formed a partnership with his broth- 
er-in-law, under the firm name of Knapp & Mer- 
ritt. They are now located on the corner of James 
and West Main Street, which has been the loca- 
tion of the house for more than twenty years. 

In October, 1883, Mr. Knapp was united in 
marriage with Miss Julia A. Crist, a native of 
Middletown, and a daughter of Lawrence J. 
Crist, who was a carriage manufacturer on East 
Main Street and East Aveinie. His establish- 
ment was one of the oldest in the city, Mr. Crist 
being the first to engage in carriage manufactur- 



1092 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



ing in this place. He died in 1886. His wife, 
formerly Mary Ludloni, was also a native of Mid- 
dletown, and died here in June, iSq,^. The 
grandfather, John T. Ludloni, who died here at 
the age of ninety-two years, was one of the first 
settlers here, and at one time owned all the 
ground on which the business part of the city is 
now located. For years he conducted a general 
store here, and was also engaged in the burning 
of lime. To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have been 
born four children: Lawrence Crist, Walter H., 
Harold DeWitt and John Gordon. 

Fraternally Mr. Knapp is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of 
Pythias, and the Legion of Honor. He is a 
member of the Twenty-fourth Separate Company, 
having been connected with it since its organiza- 
tion, and now holds the rank of Sergeant. With 
every other business man, he is interested in the 
fire department, and is a member of Excelsior 
Hook and Ladder Company No. i. He is a 
member of Grace Episcopal Church, and has 
been Vestryman of that body. Politically he is a 
stanch Republican. 



(TOHN WOOD, a contractor and builder re- 
I siding at No. 4 Montgomery Street, Middle- 
C/ town, was born in Haverstraw, N. Y., in 
1831, and is the eldest of the twelve children of 
Jacob Wood , of whom mention is made el.sewhere 
in this volume. He was reared on a farm near 
Haverstraw, and in boyhood attended the neigh- 
boring schools. At the age of sixteen he com- 
menced to work out on a farm and continued as a 
farm laborer for four years. When twenty he 
turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, 
which he learned in Haverstraw, and followed 
later in Blauvelt, Rockland County, being en- 
gaged there as contractor and builder. 

Entering the employ of the Erie Raihva\- Com- 
pany, Mr. Wood became assistant foreman in 
their shops at Piermont, where he remained a 
short time. For four years afterward he was fore- 
man of the Ramapo shops of the Atlantic & Great 
Western, but when the shops were removed to 



Franklin, Pa., he resigned his position, not car- 
ing to goto that place. In 1865 he came to Mid- 
dletown, where, after working at his trade for a 
year, he started independently as a contractor and 
builder. In 1872 he took charge of the machin- 
ery in Draper's hat works on Railroad Avenue, 
and remained in that position until 1885, when 
Mr. Draper retired from the business. 

For two years afterward Mr. Wood, under 
W. M. Mitchell, erected the machinery shafts in 
the Ontario & Western shops in Middletown and 
at New Durham, N. J., and since resigning from 
that position he has given his attention undi- 
videdly to his work as contractor and builder. A 
number of substantial buildings of the city have 
been erected under his super\'ision, and he super- 
intended the erection of the steeple of St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church, which is one hundred and eighty 
feet high. 

The fir.< wife of Mr. Wood was Jane D. Clark, 
who was born and married in Nanuet, N. Y., 
and there died, leaving two children: Edgar, who 
is a locomotiv'e engineer on the Housatonic Rail- 
road; and Mrs. Anna Grier, of Middletown. In 
Great Barrington, Mass., Mr. Wood married his 
second wife, who was Miss Sarah Kilmer, a na- 
tive of that place. Five children blessed their 
union, namely: Stella, wife of W. D. Harding, 
an electrician of New York; Charles, who is in 
business with his father; John, who died at the 
age of fifteen months; Flora and Myrtle. Mrs. 
Wood is connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and interested in its good works. Socially 
Mr. Wood is a demitted Mason, having been con- 
nected with Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M 
In politics he supports Republican principles. 



30SEPH HAINEN, Ma.ster Mechanic on the 
Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad, 
makes his home in Port Jervis. He has had 
eighteen years' experience in railroading, for he 
began when he was a mere lad, and has thor- 
oughly acquainted himself with every detail of 
the work. Our subject was born in Sandusky, 
Ohio. February 24, 1863, and is a son of Samuel 




CHARLES T. FORD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1095 



and Frances (Higgins) Hainen, the former a 
native of Belfast, Ireland, and the latter of Can- 
ada. For twenty-seven years the father was a 
machinist and foreman, being a resident of Mead- 
ville, Pa. In the latter place in 1877 young 
Hainen commenced ser\-ing an apprenticeship in 
the .shops of the New York, Penn.sylvania & 
Ohio Railroad, then called the Atlantic & Great 
Western. He finished his trade on reaching his 
majority, and then worked as a journeyman in 
the same shops until April i, 1889. At that time 
he was made foreman of a gang of men who were 
engaged in erecting and repairing locomotives for 
the Meadville Works. From that time until 
1892 he superintended .some twenty hands, and 
was then offered a position as General Foreman 
of the Erie Railroad Shops at Salamanca, where 
he had over one hundred and twent3--five em- 
ployes under him. 

One year later Mr. Hainen was made Master 
Mechanic of the Delaware Division, coming to 
Port Jervis in March, 1893, and now he has 
about three hundred and forty men in the shops 
luider his .supervision. The repair department is 
utilized for both cars and engines, and the round- 
house has stalls for thirty-seven engines. Alto- 
gether there are seventy-eight engines in his 
division, which are manned by one hundred and 
one engineers and one hundred and twenty-six 
firemen. These, added to his other hands, make 
a total of five hundred and sixty-seven men un- 
der his direct management. He is a member of 
the American Association of Railway Master 
Mechanics, and belongs to the New York Rail- 
road Club. 

■ — Q ^ P — - 

EHARLES T. FORD, a railroad contractor, 
residing at Central \'alley, was born Octo- 
ber 7, 1844, in Southfield, where he re.sided 
until ten years of age. when the family removed 
to Sterling. He attended the district school un- 
til twelve years of age, and subsequently went to 
Farmers' Hall Academy at Goshen for two years. 
He next attended the private school of William 
X. Reid, at Xewburgh, for two years; then went 
to Claverack Institute for two vears. After tak- 



ing a one-year cour.se in the Poughkeepsie Bus- 
iness College, he went to New York City and was 
employed in the wholesale and retail grocery of 
William S. Corwin & Co. for one 3-ear. While 
residing in that city the great Draft Riot, of 
which he has a very vivid remembrance, occurred. 
Tiring of city life, he went to Sterling, where he 
had charge of the iron works store for four 
years. In the spring of 1867 he went to South- 
field as manager of the iron works at that place, 
remaining three years. In 1870, being worn 
out by close attention to business, he bought a 
farm in the town of Woodbury, where he resided 
one year, at the end of which time, his health be- 
ing restored, he went to Bangor, Mich., built a 
charcoal furnace, and put it in operation. 

From Bangor Mr. Ford went to Holland, that 
state, where he organized a furnace company, 
but the panic of 1873 occurring at that time, all 
new furnace enterprises were stopped. He lost 
heavily bj- the panic, and was appointed station 
agent at Turner, N. Y. , to which place he had re- 
moved. He also operated a quarry at Central 
Valley, and leased the Lary Turner property in 
the village of Turner until 1880. Resigning the 
agency at Turner, he removed to Central \'alley, 
where he resided for one year, and then began 
contracting for the West Shore Railroad, excavat- 
ing along the line between South and North 
Streets, Newburgh, and built laige walls, putting 
in thirteen thou.sand yards of masonrj'. From 
Newburgh he went to Albany, and thence to 
Rochester, building five miles of road. After the 
failure of the construction company, he connected 
the Genesee Valley with the West Shore Rail- 
road, giving the latter entrance into Rochester. 
He next worked on the Olmstead Parallel at 
Stamford, Conn.; thence went to New York, 
where for five years he contracted for city work. 
He next took a contract for grading on the Port 
Jervis Railroad from Rhode.sdale to Huguenot, 
and also laid the track and ballasted the entire 
line. His next work was building the north dam 
of Tuxedo Park, after which he graded eleven 
miles of the Baltimore & Eastern Shore Rail- 
road. On the completion of this contract he 
graded ten miles of the Pittsburg, Akron & 



1096 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



\\'esterii Railroad, between Sterling and Clinton, 
Ohio, connecting with the Baltimore & Ohio at 
the Chicago junction. He then graded two miles 
of the Potomac Vallej- Railroad, connecting the 
Western Maryland with the Baltimore & Ohio at 
Cherry Run, and later went to Spring Brook, 
Lackawanna County, Pa., ai;d graded five miles 
of the Wilkesbarre & Eastern Railroad; subse- 
cjuentK' he finished twenty-one miles on the same 
road. 

Mr. Ford is a son of Charles T. and Martha 
(Weyant) Ford, the former born at Woodbury 
Falls, and the latter near Central \'alley. The 
father was born March 14, 1815, and was reared 
on thelarm. In 1838 he was superintendent of 
the furnace of Governor Kimball at Woodburj-, 
and in 1840 he went to Southfield as manager of 
a furnace for Peter and Isaac Townsend, remain- 
ing with the firm, until the spring of 1870, when 
he retired to his farm near Woodbury. In 1861, 
after he had been in their employ as manager for 
twenty-one years, he received a fine silver service. 
He died August 12, 1887. His wife was born 
September 12, 181 7, and died September 15, 
1890. They were married April 13, 1840, and 
to them were born five children: Mary, who died 
in infancy; Charles T., the subject of this sketch; 
Edward, who died in the spring of. 1867, at the 
age of twenty-one years; Elizabeth, now the wife 
of James Seaman, of Woodbury; and John, who 
resided between Woodbur\- and Highland Mills. 

Charles T. Ford and Miss Josephine McKelvej- 
were united in marriage March 26, 1868. She 
was born at Greenwood, now Arden, N. Y., and 
is a daughter of Rensselaer and Rachael (Wey- 
ant) McKelvey, both of whom were natives of 
Orange County, the latter' s birth occurring in 
Central Valley. Rensselaer McKelvey was the 
son of John McKelvey, who at one time owned 
a square mile of land where the village of Turner 
now stands. Rachael Weyant was the daughter of 
John and Mary (Hazzard ) Weyant, natives of 
Lower Cove Valley. 

To our .subject and wife have been born three 
children: J. Barlow, who married Miss Bessie 
Howeth, of Vienna. Md., and who is in business 
with his father; Bertha; and Harriet Louise. Mr. 



and Mrs. Ford are both members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Stand- 
ard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M., at Monroe; 
of Schunnemunk Lodge No. 276, K. of P., of 
Highland Mills; and of Central \'alley Lodge No. 
502, I. O. O. F. He is an active Republican in 
politics, and .served as Justice of the Peace four 
vears and as Town Clerk two or three terms. 



|ILLIAM SHANNON, Superintendent of 
the Eagle File Works, at Middletown, is 
one of her representative American citi- 
zens of Irish birth. He is a good-hearted, gen- 
erous man, and is well liked by those in his em- 
ploy. He was born in 1S49, in County Antrim, 
about thirteen miles from Belfast, and within a 
short distance of the Giant's Causeway. His 
parents, James and Sarah ( Coats) Shannon, were 
also natives of that country. The mother died 
there in 1858, while the father still lives in his 
native country, at a ripe old age. He is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, of which body his 
wife was also a member. They were the par- 
ents of nine children, eight of whom grew to ma- 
turity, and two sons and three daughters are \et 
living. Onh' the two sons, however, reside in 
America. One son, Joseph, served two years in 
the Seventeenth New York Infantry, and was 
wounded at Antietam. He now resides in Mid- 
dletown, and is in the employ of the Ontario & 
Western Railroad. 

Our subject remained under the parental roof 
until seventeen years of age, and received but a 
limited education in the public schools of his 
native country. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic, 
boarding the "Royal Standard" at Liverpool, 
and after a voyage of fourteen days landed in 
New York, from which place he came directly to 
Middletown, Within two weeks he secured em- 
ploj-ment with the Eagle File Works, apprentic- 
ing himself to learn the trade of file-maker under 
J. T. Cockayne, with whom he remained four 
years. He continued to work at his trade as a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1097 



journeyman here until he became foreman. In 
February, 1889, he was made Superintendent of 
the works, which position he has held ever since. 
He has charge of the manufacturing department, 
and has under him from sixty to eight}- men. 
The works have a capacity of from two hundred 
and fifty to three hundred and fifty dozen files a 
day. 

At Middletown Mr. Shannon was united in 
marriage with Miss Maggie Miller, a native of El- 
mira, N. V. Her father lost his life while in the 
service of his country during the late war. Four 
children have been born to our subject and his 
wife: James F., William H., Herbert H. and 
Harvey. The first two are at present in the acad- 
emy, and the third in the high school. Frater- 
nally Mr. Shannon is a member of the Knights 
of Pj-thias, and religiously is a member of 'Grace 
Episcopal Church. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican, and has voted with that party since 
becoming a naturalized citizen. He is a stock- 
holder in the Co-operative Store at Middletown. 
The family resides in a neat residence at No. 37 
Grand Avenue. In the life of Mr. Shannon is 
an example of what maj' be done by anyone who 
has within him a desire to better himself in life. 
Coming to this country a poor bo}' and without 
influence, he has worked his way up to an en\i- 
able position, and is honored and respected b}' all 
who know him. 



3^- 



(TOSHUA HIRST, Alderman of the Third 
I Ward, Middletown, was born in Meltham, 
G/ York.shire, England, May 14, 1843, and is a 
son of James and Sarah Hirst, both of whom 
were natives of that country. James Hirst was 
a carder by trade, and in 1847 came to America 
and located at Glenham, N. Y. In 1848 the 
family, consisting of wife and three children, 
joined him. He was employed at his trade at 
Glenham, and later moved to Newark, N.J., 
where both he and his wife died. Of their seven 
children, four are now living. One son, John, 
was in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth New York Volunteer Infantry. He enlLsted 



in 1862, serving until the close of the war, and 
now resides in Louisville, Ky. 

At the time of the removal of the family to 
America, the subject of this sketch was but five 
years of age. The}' came over on the .sailing- 
vessel "Queen of the West," and were twenty- 
nine days on the trip from Liverpool to New York. 
Our subject remained at Glenham until sixteen 
years of age, mean time attending the common 
schools, and then went to Matteawau and com- 
menced work in a hat factory. When eighteen 
he went to Brooklyn, and was employed as an 
apprentice in the hat factory of Ames & Moore 
to learn the trade of hat-finisher, remaining there 
until 1 86 1. April 22, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Thirteenth New York State Militia, and 
served in Maryland three months, being mustered 
out and honorably discharged in Brooklyn. In 
May, 1862, he re-enlisted in Companj' A for 
another three months, and after serving until the 
expiration of his term, was again honorably dis- 
charged at Brooklyn. He then resumed his trade 
in that city, where he remained until 1864, and 
then moved to Newark, N. J. In 1870 he came 
to Middletown and was employed in the hat works 
of Fuller & Babcock. He commenced with this 
firm shortly after they started in business, and 
remained with them until they closed out, when 
he was employed by Fuller & Bros, in the Wall- 
kill Hat Works. After continuing with them as 
liat-fini.sher until 189 1, he resigned his position 
on account of ill-health, and was appointed guard 
at the State Prison at Sing Sing, where he re- 
mained two }'ears. 

Mr. Hirst was married, July 22, 1867, near 
Suffolk, \'a., to Miss Ella Newman, a native of 
Norfolk, Va., and daughter of John B. Newman, 
a merchant at Portsmouth, in the same state. 
They have one child, Marian Civilla. 

In 1887 Mr. Hirst was elected Alderman of the 
Third Ward on the Democratic ticket. During 
this term he was Chairman of the Building Com- 
mittee and a member of the Fire Committee. In 
1895 he was again elected to the office on the 
same ticket, receiving a majority of twenty-nine 
votes. He is on the Committees of Ways and 
Means, Finance, Railroads, Lights, Lamps and 



logS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lamp Posts, and Law. and is Chairman of the 
Committee on Rules and Order. In 1883 he was 
elected City Collector, serving one \ ear. He he- 
longs to Middletown Lodge No. 112. I. O. O. F.. 
of which he is Past Vice-Grand, and is a member 
of the Knights of Honor, being a charter member 
of the lodge at this place: he is also a member 
of General Lyon Post. G. A. R., of which he is 
Past Senior Vice-Commander, and is an active 
member of Wallkill Engine Company No. 6. 

(lACOB M. JOHNSON The Grand View 
I I'^arm, well known as the home of Mr. John- 
(z) son, is situated in the suburbs of Middle- 
town, a portion within, the remainder adjoining, 
the city limits. Upon it are two houses, the 
family residence being heated by steam and fur- 
nished with every modern convenience. There 
are also two large bams, an icehouse, workshop, 
wagon house and other outbuildings. The well 
is said to be the best in the count)- and the water 
is unexcelled. One of the most prominent feat- 
ures of the place is the garden, which is upon an 
incline, sloping gradually to the south. The farm 
con.sists of one hundred and twenty acres, and is 
utilized mostly for the stock business, cattle be- 
ing brought here from the West, and afterward 
sold. Of the entire tract of one hundred and 
twenty acres, all but forty acres are within the 
corporate limits of the city. 

In the town of Minisink, Mr. Johnson was 
born August 9, 1846. The famil}- of which he 
is a member is of Scotch- Irish descent. His 
paternal grandfather, Capt. William Johnson, was 
born in the town of Shawangunk, Ulster Coun- 
ty, whence he removed to the town of Minisink 
and started a blacksmith-shop at Smith's \'illage, 
then a large and prosperous place. His death 
occurred there when he was about eighty years of 
age. Through his service as Captain of the 
militia, he received the title by which he was 
familiarly known. His wife was a Miss Mills- 
paugh, member of one of the pioneer Dutch fam- 
ilies of Ulster County. 

The father of our subject, Capt. William C. 



Johnson, was born in the town of Minisink, in 
1802, and there died in 1876. aged seventy- four. 
He was a personal friend of Dr. Cash, and for 
some time a neighbor of that illustrious gentle- 
man. As a farmer he was successful, being 
owner of a tract of one hundred and sixtj' acres, 
forty-two acres of which belonged to the old 
Stewart homestead. When the Middletown, Un- 
ionville & Water Gap Railroad, now known as 
the New York, Susquehanna & Western, was 
built, the company located a station on his farm, 
calling the place Johnson. He married Miss 
Sarah Durland, who was born on the Durland 
homestead near Ridgebury, town of Wawayanda, 
and died in September, 1891, aged seventy-two. 
She was a daughter of Charles and Lydia (Ter- 
ry) Durland, natives of Long Island, and the 
former a farmer b\- occupation. 

The subject of this sketch is the survivor of 
two brothers. The other, Charles D., formerh- 
a farmer near Smith's \'illage, went to New York 
City in 1887 on business, but was never heard of 
again. Our subject was reared on the home farm 
and received a common -.school education. At the 
age of sixteen he secured a position as brakemau 
on the Erie Road, between Corning and Buflfalo, 
beginning at a salary of ninety cents per day, 
and receiving a gradual increase in wages. He 
was promoted to be baggage master, then became 
conductor between Corning and Rochester; later 
his run was between Elmira and Buffalo, and in 
1868 he was transferred to the Eastern Division, 
as conductor between Port Jervis and Jersey Cit)-. 
When the New York. Oswego & Midland opened 
in 1872, he took a position with the company as 
conductor on a milk and mail train, and ran the 
first freight train ever run on the road, now 
known as the New York, Susquehainia & West- 
ern. 

Upon his election to the position of Sheriff. 
Mr. Johnson resigned from the railroad service. 
In 188S he was elected to that office on the Re- 
publican ticket, and assumed the duties of the 
position the first of the following year, serving 
in that capacity until Januarj-, 1892. While em- 
ployed as conductor he had resided on forty-two 
acres, a portion of the old homestead at Johnson, 




JOHN H. THOMPSON, JI. I). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but later he sold it, and in 1891 purchased his 
present property, upon which he settled the en- 
suing 5'ear. Politicall\- he is a Republican, and 
has been prominent in local conventions and 
county affairs. He is a member of the Order of 
Railway Conductors, in which he is still inter- 
ested, though no longer in the service. In New- 
burgh he married Miss Clara A. Van Evera, a 
native of Vernon, N. J. They have three chil- 
dren, Nellie C, Clara A. and Jacob M., Jr. 



QOHN HUDSON THOMPSON, M. D., one 
I of the prominent practitioners of Goshen, is 
(2/ a representative of one of the long estab- 
lished families of Orange County, some six gen- 
erations having resided at the old homestead in 
this town. He is one of the very oldest members 
of the Orange County Medical Society, and has 
been President, and is now Treasurer, of the same. 
He has frequently contributed papers of great 
value and research to representative medical jour- 
nals on various subjects. In other departments 
of scientific work he is well versed, having prose- 
cuted studies along these lines with great dili- 
gence and success, and is a felicitous writer and 
a liberal contributor to literature. He is a mem- 
ber of the Goshen Scientific Association, and has 
been very active in promoting general educational 
measures, such as furthering the grading, raising 
the standard of the schools, etc. He was Town 
In.spector of Schools until the office was abolished. 
William Thompson and wife, whose maiden 
name was Ann Jenkins, came to this section from 
Edgeworth, County Longford, Province of Lein- 
.ster, Ireland. They were wealthy and highly 
respected, and among their fellow-pa.ssengers on 
the vessel which bore them to their future home 
was the father of Gens. George and James Clin- 
ton, cousins of William Thompson. The first 
American ancestor of our subject was George 
Thompson, who was an industrious farmer of the 
town of Goshen. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth 
Wells, and their son William (grandfather of 
our subject ) was boru July 29, 1756. He mar- 
ried Submit Hudson, daughter of John and Han- 



nah (Coleman) Hudson, of Blooming Grove. 
John Hudson was a nephew of the celebrated dis- 
coverer and navigator, Henry Hudson. William 
Thomp.son served in the War of the Revolution, 
and took part in the defense of West Point. His 
son Benjamin, the Doctor's father, was no less 
patriotic, and enlisted in the War of 18 12, being 
attached to one of the bands, for he was a musi- 
cian of exceptional abilit}-. By occupation he 
was a farmer, like his ancestors, and owned land 
near Circleville, in this county. For many jears 
he was Commissioner of Highways, Justice of the 
Peace, and was one of the most honored and up- 
right citizens of the vicinity. For a great num- 
ber of years he was an Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church, and lived to reach nearly fourscore years. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Antoin- 
ette Owen, was born in Blooming Grove, and her 
parents were Capt. Jonathan and Martha ( Racket) 
Owen. Mrs. Thompson died when in her eighty- 
third year, leaving five children to mourn her 
loss, namely: J. H.: Albert G., a farmer living at 
Sunny Dale, in the town of Wallkill; Harrison, 
also a farmer, who is residing near Middletown; B. 
Frank, now operating the old parental farm; and 
Samuel R., recentl)- deceased. William Harri- 
son died at the age of eight years; Owen died at 
the age of eleven years; and Martha at tlie age of 
twenty-six years. 

Dr. J. H. Thompson was born near Circleville, 
this county, March 8, 1827, and received a pub- 
lic-school education. Later he entered the Sulli- 
van County Academy, and during 1847-48 at- 
tended the State Normal School at Albany, grad- 
uating therefrom in the spring of the latter year. 
After devoting himself to teaching for a time, he 
came to Gosiien, having been offered a position 
in Farmers' Hall Academy. In 1S49 he com- 
menced the .study of medicine, and graduated 
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
New York in 1852. Among his preceptors was 
Dr. W. B. Thompson, with whom he entered 
into partnership for a \ear, and ultimately suc- 
ceeded him in his practice here. In New York 
City he was a student under the distinguished 
Profes.sor Lewis A. Sayre, the great American 
surgeon. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Immediately after graduation, Dr. Thompson 
was appointed as a physician in the Seaman's 
Retreat Hospital on Staten Island for one year. 
In the spring of 1853 he returned to Goshen, 
where he has since remained. For six or seven 
years he was physician of the Orange Count>' 
Poorhouse, which position aided him greatly at 
the outset of his professional career. When the 
One Hundred and Twenty -fourth Regiment of 
New York \'olunteers was organized at his home 
♦ in 1862, he was commissioned Surgeon by Gov- 
ernor Morgan, and accompanied the regiment to 
the field. Later he served as Surgeon-in- Chief 
of the brigade and division, with the rank of Ma- 
jor, and did most effective service in caring for 
the sick and wounded. He was present at the 
battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bev- 
erly's Ford, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Locust 
Grove, the Wilderness, and in fact was in all the 
engagements in which the Army of the Potomac 
took part from August, 1862, until late in No- 
vember, 1S64. He then resumed his private 
practice at home with increased experience and 
a most excellent reputation as a practitioner of 
medicine and surgery. At length he was obliged 
to retire on account of necrosis of the left arm, it 
becoming necessary to operate upon it in order to 
effect a cure. This misfortune was the result of 
an accident in a surgical operation, which result- 
ed in blood poi.soning, and finally in the more 
serious trouble mentioned. The Doctor was at 
onetime Official Surgeon for the Erie Railroad 
Company. He is enthusiastic in his profession, 
and is faithful in his attendance at meetings of 
the County Society, and Tri-States Medical As- 
sociation. He was sent as a delegate from the 
latter to the American Medical Association, which 
as.sembled in Philadelphia in 1S76. The Doctor 
belongs to the Society of the Veterans of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, and 
helped to organize Cummings Post No. 176, G. 
A. R.. of which he has been Surgeon. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat, and has been very- active 
in campaign work. Religiously he is a Presby- 
terian, and a member of that church in Goshen. 

March 15, 1853, Dr. Thom]>son married Emily, 
daughter of Enoch J. and Caroline (Aspell) Pop- 



pino. She died in May, 1854, leaving one son, 
Wilmot P., who is one of the most extensive 
wholesale grain and feed merchants in the vicin- 
ity. He is eligible on all sides of his kindred to 
membership in the Sons of the Revolution. Oc- 
tober 6, 1858, Dr. Thompson married Adaline L. 
Post, by whom he had one child, Martin Post: 
he was born June 15, i860, but died on the 13th 
of the following September. Mrs. Thompson is 
an only daughter, and received a fine education, 
having pursued her studies in Farmers' Hall 
Academy and in Goshen Institute. She has 
marked executive ability: is a leader in the best 
society of the place, and displays great energy in 
religious and benevolent enterprises. Her father, 
Ellis A. Post, who died December 28, 1882, 
built the beautiful residence on the corner of 
Church and East Main Streets, which is now oc- 
cupied by the Doctor and his wife. Mr. Post 
was in the commission and produce business, and 
also had extensive real-estate investments. He 
was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1810, and 
about 1S43 moved to New Hampton, this county, 
later coming to Goshen, where he was .successful- 
ly engaged in business until his death. He or- 
ganized the .savings bank of this place, of which 
he was thenceforward President, and lield a like 
position in the Orange County Agricultural Society 
for .several years. He was public-spirited, and 
in many ways advanced the prosperity of Goshen. 
For years, while living in New Jersey, he held 
county offices, among others being that of Justice 
of the Peace. His wife. Prudence, was a daugh- 
ter of Deacon Humphrey Martin, and was born 
in Deckertown, N J.; she was a woman of rare 
gentleness and amiabilit\- of character, and her 
death occurred at the age of seventy-one years. 
Her husband, who was known as Captain Post, 
was an active promoter of the interests of the 
Presbyterian Church, and served on the Building 
Committee in charge of the erection of the pres- 
ent imposing edifice, assisting materially by time 
and money in the construction of the same. Mrs. 
Thompson's grandfather, Gabriel Post, was born 
at Postville, now Edenville, this county, April 9. 
1765, and resided there until his death, which oc- 
curred April 9, 1820. His wife, a native of Go- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 103 



shen, born November 14, 1769, was Anna, daugh- 
ter of Capt. John Wisner, of Revohitionary fame. 
For further particulars of the Wisner family, see 
their sketch elsewhere in the work. The parents 
of Gabriel Post were James and Martha (Garri- 
son) Post. 



HUGH McDonald struble, m. d. 
The practical knowledge of medicine which, 
through assiduous study. Dr. Strnble has 
gained, supplemented by years of experience in 
the profession, has enabled him, though still a 
comparatively young man, to gain a commenda- 
ble position in the medical fraternity and in the 
confidence of the people. His elegant and com- 
modious residence and office at No. S William 
Street, Middletown, are fitted up in the most 
modern st}'le, the latter being especially adapted 
to his professional work. 

The Struble family is of German descent, and 
the ancestors in the Fatherland were among those 
who adopted the Protestant faitli during the days 
of its infancy. On crossing the Atlantic the 
first of the name in America made settlement 
in New Jersey, and there our subject's grandfa- 
ther, Anthonj; Struble, gained wealth and prom- 
inence, becoming known as a successful business 
man and farmer of Sussex County. At one time 
he owned over one thousand acres of land, and 
his real-estate speculations proved very profitable. 
During the War of 18 12 he rendered lojal service 
in the American army. He died suddenly of 
heart disease, at the age of sixty-two. 

In Sussex County, N. J., Leonard Struble, our 
subject's father, was born and rearsd, and there 
he has made his life-long home. Hisocccupation 
has been that of farming, and he resides on the 
old homestead, where he is surrounded by every 
comfort. Though eighty-three 3'ears of age, he 
is robust and enjoys excellent health, having a 
physique and mental powers equal to those of 
most men of fifty or sixty. His political prefer- 
ences are with the Democratic party. His wife, 
who is now seventy-two years of age, was in 
maidenhood Jane McDonald and was born in Sus- 



sex County, her father being a merchant in La- 
Fayette until his death, at the age of forty years. 
The McDonald family is of Scotch-Irish origin. 

The eight children born to the union of Leon- 
ard and Jane Struble are all living, and of these 
the Doctor is fourth in order of birth. He was 
born in Newton, Sussex County, N. J., May 9, 
1852, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, 
receiving the rudiments of his education in the 
public schools. Later he attended a private sem- 
inary at Swartswood, N. J., and on completing his 
studies he engaged in teaching in Sus.sex County. 
Two years were devoted to that profession, after 
which he began the study of medicine under Dr. 
James Hedges, of Branchville, N. J., continuing 
it under Dr. James F. McCloughan, of Swarts- 
wood, N. J. His private study covered a period 
of two years, and then, in order to perfect himself 
in his theoretical knowledge of the science, he en- 
tered the University of Peinisylvania and took a 
thorough course of lectures in the medical depart- 
ment, from w^hich he was graduated in 1875 with 
the degree of M. D. In 1885 he took a post-grad- 
uate course in gynecology in New York Citv. 

Immediately after his graduation in 1S75, the 
Doctor opened an office at Andover, within a mile 
of his boyhood home. After practicing there for 
five and one-half years he removed to Unionville, 
Orange County, where the six ensuing years 
were spent. Feeling, however, that a large citj' 
offered greater opportunities and advantages, he 
came to Middletown in March, 1887, and opened 
an office on King Street, where he remained for 
four years. He then purchased property and 
built his present residence and office on William 
Street. 

At Andover, N. J., Dr. Struble married Miss 
Mary E. McConnell, a native of vSus.sex County, 
and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, 
Olive B. For two years the Doctor was City 
Physician and Health Officer of Middletown. He 
is a member of the Alumni Association of the 
University of Pennsylvania, and is connected 
with the Masonic order, belonging to Huffman 
Lodge. Interested in matters pertaining to the 
profession, he is identified with the Orange 
County and Tri-States Medical Societies, and 



II04 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



during his residence in New Jersey belonged to 
the Sussex County Medical Society, of whicli he 
was Secretary for one year. In politics he sup- 
ports Democratic principles. 



£D#Cr^ 



(1 AMES H. GI.ASIER, Chief Dispatcher of tlie 
I Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad, re- 
Q) sides at No. lo Catherine Street, Port Jervis. 
He was born m Ori.skany Falls, Oneida County, 
this state, July 25, 1836, and is a son of Ezekiel 
and Mary (Willard) Glasier. 

Our subject remained at home until .si.Kteen 
years of age, when he entered an office at Oris- 
kany Falls, where he learned the art of telegraphy . 
For three years he operated a private line from 
that place to Utica, and then was transferred to 
Salina, a suburb of Syracuse, where he remained 
as operator until the completion of the Erie Road 
at Dunkirk, in 1856. At Cochecton, then a .small 
station on the line, he was first given a position 
as operator, and afterward he went to Susque- 
hanna, where he was residing at the outbreak of 
the late war. 

Mr. Glasier entered the service in February, 
1862, in the military telegraph department. He 
was first stationed in Washington City, at the 
north end of Long Bridge, but when MacClellan 
was .sent to the Peninsula, he was ordered to go 
with him, and was given a line at Savage Station, 
ten miles in advance of the forces. There he re- 
mained until tran.sferred to Harrison Landing, 
but was soon laid off for three months on account 
of .sickne.ss. When able to resume his duties he 
was .sent to Union Mill, the extreme front of the 
Union lines, on Bull Run Creek and the Orange 
& Alexandria Railroad. He was with the army 
all the time, operating on this line of road at 
Manassas, Bristow, Warrington Junction and 
Rappahainiock. When General Grant assumed 
command of the forces, Mr. Glasier was sent up 
the James River to Jamestown Island with Gen- 
eral Butler, for whom he operated. When wires 
were placed in City Point, he remained there two 
months longer, and was then sent to the front 
with (ienerals Burnside and Parke, of the Ninth 



Army Corps. He was with the Army of the 
Potomac until the surrender of Lee, at which 
time he was with the fifth corps of Grant's main 
army, and had .served in all a period of three 
years. 

On the close of the war our subject was given 
a position on the commercial line of the I'nited 
States Telegraph Company at Utica, N. Y., and 
later operated with the Western Union in Pithole, 
Pa. Sometime thereafter he was transferred to 
Binghamton, N. V., in the employ of the same 
company, and in 1872 came to Port Jervis as dis- 
patch operator. Two years later he was made 
dispatcher for the Delaware Division, which posi- 
tion he has since held. He has in the office three 
assistant dispatchers, besides seven operators. In 
all there are about seventy-six operators and 
agents along the division under his supervision. 

Mr. Glasier was married, May 12, 1 861, to Miss 
Mary White, of Binghamton. They have no 
children of their own, but have an adopted daugh- 
ter, Bessie L., who is now twenty-one years of 
age, and who has been a member of their house- 
hold since she was five years of age. Socially 
Mr. Glasier is a member of the Knights of Honor. 



(^ 



.^g||l®^, 



I^ 



[ILLIAM VOGEL, of Middletown, proprie- 
tor of The Standard, and agent of the Bever- 
vvick Brewing Company, of Albany, N. Y., 
is a native of Germany, born at Neifra, Prussia, 
in r869. His father, Fridolin Vogel, is also a 
native of that place, where he yet resides, and 
where he is engaged in farming. He married 
Annie Rei.ser, who is also a native of that coun- 
try, and they became the parents of six children, 
two sons and four daughters, all of whom are 
living, and three of whom reside in America. 
The family are all members of the Catholic 
Church. 

William Vogel passed his early life in his na- 
tive country and attended the parochial schools 
until fourteen years of age, when he was em- 
ployed on the farm, where he remained until he 




JOSEPH B HULETT, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



1 107 



was seventeen years old. In 1886 he bade fare- 
well to parents and friends and sailed for New 
York, where in due time he landed. From there 
he came to Middletown, and secured employment 
on a farm near Otisville, in the town of Mt. Hope, 
where he remained two years. He then came to 
Middletown and entered the employ of the Na- 
tional Saw Works, where he remained three 
months, and was then for five years and two 
months clerk in Bastian's Hotel. 

On the ist of April, 1894, Mr. Vogel was ap- 
pointed agent by the Beverwick Brewing Com- 
pany. On the 7th of July, 1894, he became pro- 
prietor of The Standard, located on Wickham 
Avenue, near the New York, Ontario & West- 
ern Depot. In the same month he also started 
the bottling business, bottling only the Bever- 
wick Lager. He employs one truck to deliver his 
goods, and, with his brother James as assistant, 
he has built up a large and lucrative trade. 

Mr. Vogel was married, in Paterson, N. J., to 
Miss Annie Widner, who is a native of Switzer- 
land. They have one child, Annie. Mr. Vogel 
is a member of the German Maennerchor, of 
which he was Treasurer one year. He is al-so 
an active member of Eagle Ho.se Company No. 2. 



e^+^i 



(TOSEPH B. HULETT, M. D. The reputa- 
I tion enjoyed by Dr. Hulett as a physician, 
v2/ and his character as a man, are of the high- 
est order, and the professional success with which 
he has met indicates that he possesses large ability 
and keen intuitive powers. After having by care- 
ful study gained a thorough theoretical knowl- 
edge of medicine, he acquired valuable expe- 
rience through his work as house surgeon and 
physician of Manhattan Hospital. Upon retir- 
ing from that po.sition, he came to Middletown, in 
1888, and here he has since engaged in practice, 
having his office at No. 20 Orchard Street. 

The Hulett family originated in England, and 
was founded in America by one of the Pilgrim 
Fathers. For some generations identified with 
the history of Connecticut, the Doctor's great- 
grandfather removed from there to Athens, Pa., 



and thence Grandfather Hulett came to New 
York, where Cyrus, our subject's father, was 
born. His maternal grandfather Quick was a 
Revolutionary soldier, and his uncle, Thomas 
Quick, was the noted Indian slayer of Port Jer- 
vis. Cyrus Hulett followed farming for some 
years, but afterward carried on business in New 
York City. Late in life he went back to Tioga 
County and settled in Waverl)', where he con- 
tinued to make his home until his death, in 1877. 

The mother of our subject, Ruth Emily, was 
born in Orange County, and was a daughter of 
Lockwood Slawson, who engaged in farm work 
in the town of Wallkill, and also carried on the 
mercantile business at New Hampton. The fam- 
ily is an old established one in Orange County, 
and the great-grandfather Slawson lies buried in 
the Pine Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Ruth E. Hulett 
died in Middletown, in 1889, at the age of sixty- 
five. In religious belief she was identified with 
the Presbyterian Church. Her two children were 
Joseph B. and Cora M., the latter being the wife 
of Daniel B. Ryerson, of Goshen, 

The subject of this sketch was born in the 
town of Barton, Tioga County, N. Y. His boy- 
hood years were largely passed in Jersey City, 
and he was educated in the Middletown Academy. 
After completing his studies, he engaged in 
teaching school in the town of Hamptonburgh, 
and also in Wallkill Academy. As soon as possi- 
ble, however, he turned his attention to the study 
of medicine, which he prosecuted under the pre- 
ceptorship of Dr. Everett, and later of Dr. Mills. 
Turning his attention to business, he became 
manager of the Phillipsburg Creamery, which he 
ran for three years. He then went to New York 
City, and studied medicine under Dr. Charles H. 
Wilkin until 1883, when he entered the medical 
department of Columbia College, and after four 
years' .study was graduated, in 1887, with the de- 
gree of M. D. While in New York City he was 
with his great-uncle, J. B. Slawson, well known as 
the inventor of the street-car-fare box, with whom 
he remained until his death. During this time 
he took special courses in histology, pathology, 
chemical analysis and surgery, and in 1886 he 
was assistant in the out surgery department of 



iio8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the New York Hospital. He passed a competi- 
tive examination for house surgeon and phj'sician 
of Manhattan Hospital, and received both ap- 
pointments, which he held for one year. 

In 1888 the Doctor came to Middletown, where 
he has since conducted a profitable general prac- 
tice. He gives especial attention to surgery, and 
has performed a number of difficult operations 
very successfulh'. In addition to his general 
practice, he is examining surgeon for the New 
York, Ontario & Western Railroad, and attend- 
ing surgeon for Thrall Hospital. For five years 
he was examining surgeon for the Twenty -fourth 
Separate Company, and by Governor Hill was 
commissioned First Lieutenant. He is a stock- 
holder in the Casino Theatre, and is interested in 
numerous local enterpri.ses. 

In Middletown Dr. Hulett married Miss Lottie 
B. Hulse, daughter of Hudson E. Hulse, a farm- 
er of the town of Wawayanda. They are the 
parents of one child, a son, Leslie B. Socially 
Dr. Hulett is identified with the Knights of Pyth- 
ias, and is an honorary member of the Excelsior 
Fire Company. In Masonic circles he is con- 
nected with Hoifman Lodge No. 412, F. &A. M.; 
Midland Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., at Middle- 
town; Delaware Commandery No. 44, K. T., at 
Port Jervis; and Mecca Temple, New York City, 
having attained the thirty -second degree in Ma- 
sonry. He is examining physician for the 
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and for va- 
rious insurance companies. In the Orange Coun- 
ty Medical Society he is officiating as Vice-Presi- 
dent, and he is connected with the State Medical 
Association. Every year for the past five years 
he has attended the conventions of the National 
Association of Railway Surgeons, of which he is 
a member. In the New York State Association 
of Railway Surgeons he served as Secretary for 
some time. He is an honorar}' member of the 
Association of Medical Officers of the National 
Guard and Naval Militia of the state of New 
York. 

From this brief review of the life of Dr. Hu- 
lett, it will be seen that he has gained unusual 
prominence in his profession. He is connected 
with many organizations devoted to the science, 



and by his personal labors has advanced the pro- 
fession to which he has devoted his life. Skilled 
in the diagnosis of diseases, and successful in 
their treatment, he stands in the front ranks of 
the medical fraternitj-, not only of Middletown, 
but also of this part of the state. 



I — » •?2+i®^^'i'!+^«- 



V A N T. REISLER, Roadmaster of the 
^ Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad at 
__ Port Jervis, is a native of Maryland, and 
was born in Calvert, Cecil County, March 14, 
1864. His parents were Evan and Susanna 
(Steele) Reisler, also natives of that state, where 
they were well-to-do farmers. 

Our subject passed his boyhood days on his 
father's estate, and in 1884 entered the Lehigh 
University at South Bethlehem, Pa. From that 
institution he was graduated with the Class of 
'87, having taken a four-years course in three 
years, and received the degree of civil engineer. 
One year prior to entering this college he took 
a preparatory course in the West Chester State 
Normal School of Pennsylvania. 

The father died when our subject was very 
young, but the mother continued to reside upon 
the old homestead until her children were reared. 
Mr. Reisler's first work as a civil engineer was on 
the Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad, after 
which he came to Port Jervis as transit-man, un- 
der the assistant engineer, F. W. Dalrymple. 
In February, 1888, that gentleman was promoted, 
and our subject succeeded him as assistant engi- 
neer. In September, 1890, however, he was 
made Roadmaster, under W. H. Starr, Superin- 
tendent, and now has about two hundred and fif- 
ty men inider his superintendence. He has 
charge of all the railroad property, with the ex- 
ception of the rolling stock and shops. He 
performs work on twenty-six different sections, 
and with J. R. Davis as a.ssistant engineer has 
built several of the largest bridges on the road, 
among them being the one spanning the Lacka- 
waxen River and the Callicoon Creek. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 109 



Mr. Reisler was married, February 18, 1890, 
to Miss Anna Paul, of Philadelphia. She was 
born in Cecil County, Md., and is finely educated, 
having attended a private school at Oxford, Pa. 
She is the mother of two sons, Evan Holmes and 
Paul Roebling. Our subject has a very pleasant 
home and a valuable library, filled with standard 
literary and scientific books. Politically he is a 
Republican. 

(TACOB WOOD, a contractor and builder re- 
I siding in Middletown, is a native of Haver- 
(2/ straw, N. Y., born September 21, 1850. His 
father, Jacob, also a native of Rockland County, 
was a son of Joseph Wood, a farmer of Orange 
County, and a soldier in the War of 1S12. After 
reaching manhood he removed from Orange to 
Rockland County, and settled in Haverstraw, 
where he died at the age of about eighty-nine 
years. The family is of English origin. 

Upon a farm near Haverstraw the father of 
our subject engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
1880, when he came to Middletown and retired 
from active labor. He died in this city at the age 
of eighty-five years. During the existence of the 
Whig party he advocated its doctrines, and after 
its disintegration he affiliated with the Republi- 
cans. Religiously he was connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, Nancy, 
was born in this county, and died in Middletown 
when seventy-eight years of age. Her father, 
John Hill, was born in Orange County, and was a 
cooper by trade. 

The parental family consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, all of whom attained mature years and were 
married, and eleven are still living. Jacob, who 
is next to the youngest, was reared near Haver- 
straw until nineteen years of age, meantime at- 
tending the common schools. In the fall of 1870 
he came to Middletown and served a three-years 
apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, under his 
brother, John Wood, in this city. He then spent 
two years in Haverstraw, working at his trade. 
On coming back to Middletown he worked as a 
journeyman until 1893, when he began contract- 



ing for him.self, and has since carried on the busi- 
ness with flattering success. He has erected 
many of the most elegant residences of the cit)', 
among them being those of T. W. Davy, R. N. 
Boak, Charles H. Smith, Jesse Bakewell and 
L. J. Beers. He also built his famil\- residence 
at No. 5. Chestnut Street. 

At Haverstraw, N. Y., occurred the marriage 
of Mr. Wood and Miss Mary Babcock, a native 
of that city. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren: George S., Emmett C, Irving and Cecil. 
Politically Mr. Wood is a Republican and relig- 
iously he is connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 



-h= 



=-f 



(p\ I^FRED H. REED, a veteran of the Civil 
LA War and Superintendent of Streets in Mid- 
/ I dletown, was born in New York City May 
I, 1840. His father, Alfred, and grandfather, 
Rev. Thomas Reed, were born in England, 
where the latter was a clergyman in the Presby- 
terian Church. For a short time he made his 
home in New York City, but returned from there 
to England and died in his native land. 

The father of our subject, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, moved from New York City to Ulster County, 
where he still lives on a farm, being now seventy- 
six years of age. He is identified with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Politically he adheres 
to the principles of the Republican party. In 
186? he volunteered in the Union service, becom- 
ing a member of the Twenty-fifth New York 
Cavalry, in which he served until physical disa- 
bility, resulting from sunstroke, caused his hon- 
orable discharge. He is an active Grand Army 
man and takes considerable interest in the work- 
ings of the order. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Elizabeth White, was born in England, 
and died in Ulster County in 1888. 

There were two sons in the parental i'amily, of 
whom the \ounger, Edward W., served as Cor- 
poral in the Twenty-fifth New York Cavalry 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



from 1862 until the close of the war. He is now 
a farmer ill Kidderville, Hodgeman County, Kan. 
The elder of the sons, our subject, was reared in 
New York City until seventeen years of age, at- 
tending the grammar and high schools there. In 
1857 he came to Middletown and secured a posi- 
tion as foreman in the brickyards of Wallace & 
Wood. In 1863 he enli.sted in the Seventh New 
York Heavy Artillerj', Battery D, and was mus- 
tered in at Alban}-. From there he was sent to 
join the Army of the Potomac, with which he 
took part in the defence of Petersburg. He was 
in garrison at Baltimore, Md., for .some time, and 
at the close of the war he was mu.stered out, in 
June, 1865, being honorably discharged at Al- 
bany . 

On returning to Middletown Mr. Reed resumed 
work as foreman in the brickyards, and after a 
time began to manufacture brick by contract. 
Failing health, however, obliged him to retire 
from the business, and afterward he traveled in 
this state as an insurance agent. He was also 
the representative of the Prudential Company in 
Orange Countj'. In 1886 he was appointed Su- 
perintendent of the Streets by the Board of Trus- 
tees, under President Baile)-, and served for four 
consecutive years. Under the Democratic coun- 
cil he retired, and for two j'ears was engaged in 
the insurance business, but in 1892 he was again 
appointed Superintendent of Streets, and has 
been re-appointed each succeeding j-ear. He has 
had entire charge of the streets, and their excel- 
lent condition is due to his watchful oversight. 
At times he has from forty to sixty men in his 
employ and superintends their work in repairing 
and laying sidewalks, as well as in sewer-building. 

In Bloomingburg Mr. Reed married Miss Sa- 
rah McKenny, wlio was born in Ulster County 
and who is the daughter of Eveuson McKenny, a 
farmer of Walker \'alley. They are the parents 
of seven children, namely: Alfred E. , an insur- 
ance agent with the Metropolitan Company; Dan- 
iel M., who is with the Prudential Insurance 
Company: James H., a grocer and dealer in fruits 
at New Hamburg, Dutchess County; George W., 
who is with the Middletown & Goshen Traction 
Company of Middletown; Frank: Carrie, Mrs. 



Thomas E. Coyne, of this city; and Cora, who is 
with her parents. The family occupy a pleasant 
residence at No. 152 Academy Avenue. 

Socially Mr. Reed is connected with Lancelot 
Lodge, K. of P., of which he is Financial Secre- 
tary, and with the Royal Templars of Temper- 
ance. He is a charter member of W. A. Jackson 
Po!5t, G. A. R., and is serving as its Quarter- 
master-Sergeant. With his family he attends the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes to 
the support of that organization. In politics he 
always gives the Republican party the support of 
his ballot and influence. 

|ILLIAM SEEHOLZER is proprietor of 
the New York, Ontario & Western Res- 
taurant, at the railroad depot at Middle- 
town. He was born in Poughkeepsie, in 1862. 
His father, Berthold Seeholzer, is a native of 
German}-, and came to this country when a young 
man, locating in Poughkeepsie. By trade he is 
a merchant tailor. In the latter place he was 
married, and both he and his wife are members 
of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. Of their 
eight children, all are j-et living, our subject be- 
ing third in order of birth. The family j-et re- 
side in Poughkeepsie with the exception of two 
children. 

William Seeholzer remained with his parents 
in his birthplace, and attended the public school 
until thirteen years of age, when he entered the 
employ of Johnson Brothers, with whom he re- 
mained about four years. In 1883 he was made 
assistant manager of the railroad restaurant at 
Kingston, remaining one year, and for a short 
time was assistant at Syracuse. Subsequently he 
returned to Kingston, and later went to Weehawk- 
en . In 1 886 he came to Middletown as manager for 
W. II. Simmer, to open the New York, Ontario 
& Western Restaurant, which was then located in 
the old depot, and in 1887 he became proprietor. 
The dining-room is 87x32 teet, and in conducting 
the restaurant fourteen employes are required. 

Mr. Seeholzer was married, at Poughkeepsie, 
to Miss Minnie Conklin, a native of that city. 




DAVID L. ACKKRMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and a daughter of George Conklin, a ship-build- 
er by trade. They have one child, Helen. Mr. 
and Mrs. Seeholzer reside in a pleasant residence 
at No. 4 Albert Street. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, firmly believing in the principles of that 
party, and is an active member of Excelsior Hook 
and Ladder Company No. i . 



PjAVID L. ACKERMAN, contractor and 
1^1 builder of Central Valle\-, is a son of David 
ICJ and Elizabeth ( Hemnia) Ackerman. He 
was born February i, 1836, in New York City, 
where he grew to manhood, attending the public 
schools until seventeen years of age. when he was 
apprenticed to Henry Christie, a large builder 
and contractor. He served four years, learning 
the carpenter's trade in all its branches, and after 
finishing his apprenticeship worked at his trade 
as journe\-man in New York City for four 3'ears 
and then removed to Paterson, N. J., where he 
learned drafting under John P. Post. He subse- 
quently took charge of the latter' s business, and 
also that of Van Houten Bros. , the largest build- 
ers in Paterson. Later he was employed in the 
pattern-making department ot the Cook Locomo- 
tive Works at that place, remainfng some four 
years. During that time he made all the patterns 
for the Passaic Rolling-mills, which he started 
in operation. 

Desiring to learn car-building, in i860 Mr. 
Ackerman went to the Atlantic & Great "Vl'est- 
ern Car Shops at Ramapo, Rockland County, 
where he remained three years, or until the fail- 
ure of the company. In these shops he had en- 
tire charge of the interior construction of all the 
fine passenger and sleeping cars, including the 
fine wood-work, furnishings and upholstering. 
In 1863 he returned to the locomotive works at 
Paterson, where he remained two years. At this 
time his brother-in-law, Alfred Cooper, desired 
him to come to Central Valley and enter upon a 
mercantile life. After ten years the partnership 
was dis-solved and Mr. Ackerman again returned 



to Paterson and took charge of the works of Van 
Houten Bros., but after remaining with them 
five years he was earnestly solicited to return to 
Central Valley, as there was a large number of 
fine residences to be built. Since his return, Mr. 
Ackerman has been quite active and has been in- 
strumental in improving the architecture of this 
pretty village. Nearly all the fine ornamental 
residences of Central \"alley and Highland Mills 
have been planned and constructed by him. 

Mr. Ackerman was united in marriage, Janu- 
ary 30, i860, to Miss Su.san Cooper, a daughter 
of Peter and Mary Cooper. Seven children have 
blessed their union: Carrie, a teacher at Estrada 
Institute: Edmond Cooper, with the Union Trans- 
fer and Storage Companj' of Detroit, Mich. ; 
Mary Augusta, wife of E. B. Anderson, of Cen- 
tral Valley; Lewis David, with the Tuxedo Stove 
Company at Tuxedo Park; Fred, who works for 
his father, having charge of a corps of painters; 
and Gertrude and Irene, at home. 

In politics Mr. Ackerman is a Republican, and 
is a Trustee of the Union Free School. He was 
one of the founders of the building and loan as- 
sociation of Central Valley. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M., at 
Monroe, and is Pa.st Prophet of Wawa Lodge No. 
235, I. O. R. M., at Central \'alley. Mrs. Ack- 
erman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and quite active in all religious and be- 
nevolent work. 



HENRY FUNNELL, Alderman from the 
First "Ward, and foreman of the blacksmith 
department of the New York, Ontario & 
Western Railroad, is a native of Thetford, Eng- 
land, born February 16, 1843. His father, Will- 
iam Rus.sell Funnell, was also born in England, 
and was a blacksmith in the employ of the South- 
ea.stern Railroad at Ashford, Kent County. About 
1874 he came to America, and, going direct to 
Syracuse, N. Y., was employed by the Delaware, 
Lackawanna & Western Railroad until he retired 



49 



III4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from business on account of age. He is now 
about sevent\--four years old. Religiously he is 
a member of the Episcopal Church. He married 
Maria Mason, who was born in Ipswich, England, 
and who died in Syracuse in May. 1892. They 
had the following children: Henry, the subject of 
this sketch: Thomas, a coach-builder in London, 
England; Walter, a blacksmith in Syracuse; Al- 
fred, foreman in the blacksmith department of 
the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad at 
Norwich. Chenango Count}-, N. Y. : and Mar- 
garet, who also resides at that place. 

The childhood days of our subject were spent 
in Kent County, and his education was received 
in the public schools of Ashford. When thirteen 
years of age he was apprenticed as blacksmith 
and boiler-maker in the Southeastern Railroad 
shops, where he served seven years. At the ex- 
piration of his term of apprenticeship, he worked 
for the company as a journeyman until 1872, 
when he came to America with his wife and two 
children. He sailed from Liverpool on the old 
"City of Paris," for New York City, from which 
place he went to Syracuse, and was employed as 
blacksmith for the Delaware, Lackawanna & 
Western Railroad for about eighteen months. 
In the fall of 1873 he went to Oswego, and there 
worked as a blacksmith until 1875. and July 3 
of that year came to Middletown, in the employ 
of the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad. 
He was the onh- blacksmith in the company's 
employ at the place for some time, and in 1880, 
when the shops were erected, he was made fore- 
man, which position he has since held. In 1887 
the present shops were built, and he has entire 
supen'ision. There are fifteen fires in the shops, 
and two men are employed for each fire. 

Mr. Funnell was married in Kent County, 
England, to Miss Harriet Hayward, a native of 
• that country, and daughter of \^'illiam Hayward, 
who was by occupation a farmer. Of their five 
children, two were born in England, and three in 
this country. They are as follows: William, a 
practical machinist, and foreman of the New^ 
York, Ontario & Western roundhouse at Middle- 
town; Laura, Mrs. Fryover, of Norwich; Walter, 
a machinist in the shops with his brother; Alfred, 



with the Middletown & Goshen Traction Com- 
pany: and Lillie, at home. 

Mr. Funnell is a member of the Knights of 
Honor and of Ontario Hose Company No. 5, of 
which he is Vice-President. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican, and at present is a member of 
the City Republican Central Committee. In the 
spring of 1894 he was nominated on the Repub- 
lican ticket as Alderman from the First Ward, 
to which position he was elected. He is Chairman 
of the Lighting Committee, and the Committee 
on Rules, and a member of the Street, Fire and 
Auditing Committees. Religiously he is identi- 
fied with Grace Episcopal Church. 

• g ^ P • 



yyi AJ. CHARLES B. WOOD was born in the 
yi village of Warwick, September 3, 1839, 
C9I and is a son of Jeremiah and Frances (Pat- 
ton) Wood, the former a native of Long Island, 
and the latter of Orange County. Solomon 
Wood, the grandfather of our subject, was in the 
War of 18 1 2, and at Perth Amboy was killed by 
the British in a naval attack which occurred at 
night. He had three sons in the same war. 
Dudley and Pierson were powder-boys on one of 
Captain Lawrence's ships, and the eldest son, 
Solomon, was also killed in a night naval at- 
tack by the British oif Brooklyn. The great- 
grandfather of our subject came from England, 
and was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British ser\-- 
ice, stationed at Nova Scotia. He espoused the 
American cause during the Revolution, and, join- 
ing the Continental army in Connecticut, attained 
the rank of General. He lived in Connecticut 
after the close of the war, and there died. Cap- 
tain Lawrence was an uncle of Major Wood, hav- 
ing married the eldest sister of his father, Jere- 
miah Wood. The three uncles of Major Wood 
did not receive their share of the prize-money re- 
sulting from the capture of vessels in the War of 
18 1 2 until about 1864, which shows rather tardy 
justice on the part of the Government. 

Jeremiah Wood, the lather of our subject, grew 
to manhood on Long Island, and after coming to 
Orange Countv was married in the town of New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1115 



Windsor. After his marriage he settled in New 
York City, where he remained for a time, and 
then returned to Orange County, locating in 
Warwick. He was a carpenter and builder by 
trade, which he followed in Warwick, and after- 
ward in Chester, to which place he removed with 
his family. He died in the latter place at the 
age of ninety years. For some years he was Cap- 
tain of the Orange County Militia. In his re- 
ligious views he was a Methodist, and was very 
active in church work. Politically he was an 
old-line Whig, then a Democrat until the break- 
ing out of the war, when he became a Republican. 
His two brothers, Pier.son and Dudley, of whom 
mention has been made, each died at the age of 
ninety-three years. His wife, the mother of our 
subject, was of Scotch and French descent, her 
grandfather Patton coming from Edinburgh, 
Scotland, and locating in the town of New Wind- 
sor. The grandmother was born in France. 
Mrs. Wood died at the age of seventy -seven 
years. In the parental family were ten children, 
five sons and five daughters. Four of the sons 
served in the war for the Union. John F. was a 
member of the Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, 
and now resides on Myrtle Avenue, Middletown. 
William B. was bugler in the company of which 
our subject was a member, but was transferred to 
the signal corps, where he served to the clo.se of 
the war: he now resides in Jersey City. Peter L. 
enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-fourth New York Volunteer Infentry, in 1862, 
and died in service in front of Frederick.sburg. 

The subject of this sketch was next oldest of 
the four sons living at the time of the war. He 
grew to manhood in Chester, and received his 
education in the public schools and at Chester 
Academy. Under his father he learned the car- 
penter's trade, and while yet a boy began study- 
ing law with Charles Winfield, of Chester. He 
was subsequently coaxed to accept a position on 
the Erie Railroad as flagman, and then as tele- 
graph operator. On the 19th of April, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company I, Seventy-first New York 
State Militia, as a private, for a period of three 
months. His regiment was first sent to Annapo- 
lis, then to Washington, and was engaged in 



the first battle of Bull Run. After being honor- 
ably discharged at New York, July 30, he returned 
home and recruited part of Company A, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, under the command of Col. Charles 
H. Weygant, and was mustered into service as 
First Lieutenant. After the battle of Gettysburg- 
he was promoted and conmiissioned Captain, his 
commission dating from July 2, 1863. At the 
close of the war he was breveted Major for gal- 
lant and meritorious conduct. 

The military life of Major Wood was an active 
one, and he took part in many engagements, and 
had many narrow e.scapes. As stated, his first 
engagement was in the first battle of Bull Run. 
He was afterwards at Wapping Heights, Freder- 
icksburg, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Gettys- 
burg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, besides many 
minor engagements. At Gettysburg he received 
a slight wound in the knee, and at Spottsylvania, 
May 12, 1864 he was wounded while leading his 
men. He reached the top of the rebel works, 
when he was shot through the right elbow, and 
fell into the trenches. After the battle he was 
taken to the hospital, and subsequently he re- 
turned home on a furlough. At the expiration 
of forty days he had recovered sufficiently to re- 
turn to the service, and rejoined his regiment in 
October, 1864, in front of Petersburg. He par- 
ticipated in the siege of that city, but was honor- 
ably discharged in October, 1864, on account of 
wounds received in action. 

Major Wood after his discharge returned to 
Chester, but soon afterward went to St. Louis, 
Mo., and joined the United States Telegraph 
Corps, where he remained until mustered out at 
the close of the war. He again returned home 
and took his place on the Erie Railroad as con- 
ductor between Port Jervis and Jersey City, and 
for nineteen and a-half years ran a milk train be- 
tween these points. In 1892 he retired from rail- 
road life, and is now living retired. Since 1870 
he has made his home in Middletown, on Lake 
Avenue, the place comprising sixteen acres inside 
the city limits. 

In 1871 Major Wood was united in marriage 
in Port Jervis with Miss Gussie J(mes, who was 



Iii6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in Bridgeville, Sullivan Countj', N. Y. One 
child was born of this union, George B., now in 
the railroad business on the New York & New 
England Railroad, with headquarters at East 
Hartford. In political and civil affairs Major 
Wood takes an active interest. He has served 
his adopted city as Alderman from the Second 
Ward, and in 1873 was nominated and elected on 
the Democratic ticket as a Member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly from the Second District of Orange 
County. While in the Assembly, he served on 
several important committees, and aided in secur- 
ing appropriations for the asylum at Middletown. 
In 1888 he recruited the Twenty -fourth Separate 
Company, New York State Militia, being its Cap- 
tain for three years. He is a member of Hoffman 
Lodge, F. & A. M., at Middletown; Neversink 
Chapter at Port Jervis, and also of the Comman- 
dery at Port Jervis, of which he has been Captain- 
General. He is Past Commander of Capt. Will- 
iam A. Jackson Post No. 301, G. A. R., and has 
.served as Aide on the Department Commander's 



staff. 



:^#C^ 



(7)AMUEL H. WILCOX, architect, and for- 
vN merh' engaged in contracting and building, 
VlJr has planned and erected some of the finest 
buildings in Middletown. He was born in the 
town of Le Roy, Bradford County, Pa., June 14, 
1828. His father, Samuel Wilcox, was born in 
the town of Minisink, as was in all probability 
his grandfather, Nathan Wilcox, who was en- 
gaged in farming in that town. Samuel Wilcox, 
the father, was a sawyer, and in early life located 
in Bradford County, Pa., where he died in the 
prime of life. He married Marj- Moore, who 
was born near Goshen, and was a daughter of 
James Moore, who was also born at that place. 
She died in Pennsylvania, at the age of fifty 
years. Of their family of four boys and two 
girls, only three are now li\-ing. After the death 
of Samuel Wilcox, the mother married again, 
and by her second marriage had two sons. 

Samuel H. Wilcox, our subject, grew to man- 
hood in his native state, and received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. When fourteen years 



of age, he was apprenticed for a period of four 
3'ears to learn the carpenter's trade. On com- 
pleting his term of service, he worked as a jour- 
neyman in various points in Pennsylvania until 
1849, when he removed to Tioga County, N. Y., 
and two years later to Millport, Chemung Coun- 
ty. September 2, 1851, became to Middletown 
and worked for Richard Van Horn until 1853, 
when he commenced contracting for himself, con- 
tinuing in this, in connection with building, until 
1885, since which time he has given his attention 
exclusively to architecture. Among the build- 
ings which he has either planned or erected may 
be mentioned the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
MoflFett House, Bull's Opera House, Baptist 
Church, Eagle Company's Hose House, William 
Burke's building, and many of the finest resi- 
dences in the city . 

Mr. Wilcox was married, in Middletown, to 
Miss Catherine Overton, who was born near this 
city. She died in 1886, leaving five children: 
John O., of Newark, N. J., employed as a night 
watchman in a jeweln,- factorj-; J. B., a telegraph 
operator in Minneapolis. Minn.; Florence, who 
married Frank Cock, a telegraph operator at 
Pas.saic, N. J.; Frank, employed in a paper-box 
factors- at Newark, N. J.; and Kate M., who 
married John I. Sliter, of Middletown, where he 
is engaged in the stone business. 

In politics Mr. Wilcox is a stanch Republican, 
of which party he has been a member since its 
organization. In religious belief he is a Baptist, 
and takes an active interest in the work of the 
church. At the present writing, in the summer 
of 1895, he is visiting his sister at Saguache. 
Colo. 



r^ETER F. MILLER. Since 1855 this gea- 
^^ tleman has been a resident of Middletown. 
fS where, as contractor and builder, he is well 
known. Under his supervision have been erected 
some of the substantial business blocks and resi- 
dences of the city, among which may be named 
the First National Bank Building, the Masonic 




WILLIAM SEELY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1119 



Block (in which is the postoffice) , the Lipfield and 
George B. Adams Blocks, Cleinsoii Brothers' 
works, the Thrall Hospital, the Robert Houston, 
Wilcox and Madden residences, and many other 
structures. At different times he has built for 
himself eight residences here, and he still owns 
four of these, making his home at No. 40 Hous- 
ton Street, where he has a planing-mill in the 
rear. 

Born in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, N. Y., 
September 15, 1835, the subject of this notice is 
a son of Isaac B. Miller, a native of New Jersey, 
and a carpenter and builder by trade. Grandfa- 
ther Peter Miller, who was a soldier in the War 
of 18 12, became one of the early settlers of Sul- 
livan County, and there died. The mother of 
our subject, Eliza, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and died in Sullivan County in 1885. Her 
father, Joseph Field, was a member of a promi- 
nent Eastern family and was distantly related to 
Cyrus W. Field. 

There were six children in the parental family, 
of whom Peter F. was next to the youngest, and 
of that number three are now living. Our sub- 
ject was very young when his father died, and 
he was therefore obliged at an early age to be- 
come dependent upon his own exertions for a 
livelihood. He remained in Wurtsboro until six- 
teen years old, being a clerk there for two years, 
and later an apprentice to the carpenter's trade 
under his brother Ambrose, now of Barryville, 
N. Y., with whom he remained two years. In 
^1855 he came to Middletown to finish his trade 
under Richard Van Horn, and with him he con- 
tinued for twelve j-ears, since which time he has 
been in business for himself During busy seasons 
he gives employment to twenty-five men in the 
various departments of his works. Doors and 
sashes are planed in his mill, which is adjacent 
to his residence. It is a building 40x60 feet, 
with two wings, each 20x60, power being fur- 
nished by a steam engine of thirty horse-power. 

The finst marriage of Mr. Miller took place in 
Middletown, and united him with Miss Nanc}- 
Tice, who was born near Newburgh. Two chil- 
dren were born of the union: Irene, who is at 
home; and Mrs. Minnie Biggen, of Middletown. 



After the death of his first wife, Mr. Miller was 
united with Mi.ss Mary E. Van Sciver, a native 
of this city, and daughter of Robert Van Sciver. 
Socially Mr. Miller is connected with Huffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M.; Midland Chapter 
No. 240, R. A. M.; and is a demitted member of 
the Knights-Templar fraternity. During the war 
he was a member of the Union League, and his 
views, politically, have always been in sympathy 
with the principles of the Republican party, of 
which he is an old and faithful member. His 
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and with him shares in the esteem and 
friendship of many acquaintances. 



P QlLLIAM SEELY. The success which has 
\ A / rewarded the exertions of Mr. Seely repre- 
Y Y sents much hard work on his part. From 
early boyhood he was self-supporting, for his par- 
ents were poor and unable to assist him in getting 
a start for himself Working out on farms by the 
day or month, he gained habits of perseverance 
and industry, and saving his earnings he finally 
accumulated a sufficient amount to purchase a 
home of his own. The farm of which he is the 
owner and occupant comprises two hundred and 
ten acres of land, and is situated in the town of 
Greenville. 

The son of Ira and Rachel (^Courtright ) Seely, 
our subject was born in Sussex County, N. J., 
April 25, 1819. At the age of thirteen, having 
previously attended the district schools for a short 
time, he began to work in the emploj' ot neigh- 
boring farmers, and continued thus engaged for 
thirteen years. When twenty -six he rented a 
farm in this town, and here he made his home for 
five years, at the expiration of which time he pur- 
chased his present place. In general farming and 
the dairy business he has been quite successful, 
and is numbered among the efficient agriculturists 
of the county. On his farm he built a creamery, 
one of the first in the county, and this he oper- 
ated for several years, the investment proving a 
profitable one. 

September 27, 1844, occurred the marriage of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



William Seeh- and Julia Schultz, daughter of 
James K. and Deborah (^Reeves) Schultz, old and 
highly respected residents of this county, their | 
home being situated near Middletown. Fivechil- : 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Seely, one of j 
whom died in infancy. Emily married Louis I 
Remey, of Port Jervis, and they have seven chil- , 
dren; Lizzie, who died at the age of forty j-ears, 
was the wife of Merritt C. Manning, of New York 
City, and at her death left five daughters; Jessie i 



is the widow of John Slawson; John M., who 
married Mary Smith and has five children, assists 
in the management of the home farm, and has a 
milk route in Port Jervis. 

In his political views Mr. Seely is an old Jack- 
sonian Democrat, but has never cared to occupy 
public positions, and has invariably declined nom- 
ination for office. Though not identified with 
any denomination, he assists in the maintenance 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his 
wife belongs. He is a man of genial personality 
and warm-hearted disposition, a kind and indul- 
gent father, and one greatly loved by his family 
and respected by his friends. The familj* of 
which he is a member is noted for longevity. 
His grandmother lived to be over one hundred 
years old, and his parents both lived to be over 
fourscore and four years. His life has been a 
busy one, and he deserves the prosperitj- and com- 
fort which he enjoys in his declining years. 



&- 



-^~> 



TU 



0E\VITT G. LIPPINCOTT, M. D., a promi- 
nent citizen of Campbell Hall, has since 
1883 been one of its most skillful physi- 
cians, his marked success in the treatment of dis- 
ease in its various forms placing him at the 
head of his profession in Orange Countj*. 

Dr. Lippincott was born April 15, 1861, in Ul- 
ster County, and was the son of Rev. Benjamin 
C. and Marj- C. (^Parker) Lippincott, the former 
of whom was born in New York City. In 1847 
he took up his abode in Ulster County, and made 
that section his home for many years. The par- 



ental family included four children, of whom De- 
Witt G. was the youngest. His two brothers 
and sister were: Leonard K., a farmer of Wall- 
kill, Ulster County; Catherine P., who is living 
at home with her father, at Port Ewen. Ulster 
County; and Harry, now in New York City. 

When our subject was a lad of five years his 
parents removed to Rockland County, and six 
years later to Wallkill. From there they went 
to Bucks County, and after some time spent there 
took up their abode in Port Ewen. DeWitt G. 
first attended Wallkill \'alley Institute, after 
which he spent two years in the grammar school 
connected with New Brunswick College, from 
which institution he was graduated with the 
Class of '79. Having decided at this time to fol- 
low a professional life, for which he was especially 
adapted, he began his medical studies in the Jef- 
ferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa. , re- 
ceiving his diploma therefrom in 1882, but con- 
tinued for a 3-ear in the hospital of that institu- 
tion. In the spring of that year he came to 
Campbell Hall, and has since that time given his 
undivided attention to the practice of his profes- 
sion. He is a man of high personal standing, 
being well known and honored throughout this 
and other counties. In politics he is a Republi- 
can, but has never allowed the use of his name 
for office. 

Dr. Lippincott and Miss Susie R\-erson were 
united in marriage September 23, 1885. To them 
were born two children, the elder of whom died 
in infanc)-. Roy is a charming lad at home. In 
religfious matters the Doctor attends the Presby- 
terian Church at Campell Hall, of which church 
his wife is a member. 






yyiRS. ELIZABETH FIRNHABER, propri- 
y etor of Firnhaber's Greenhouses, was born 
(9 at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in Germany, and 
came to this country in 1S67, landing in New 
York City. There she soon afterwards married 
Herman Firnhaber, who was born near Leipsic, 
Prussia, in 1843, and was reared on the farm, re- 
ceiving a common-school education. In his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native land he learned gardening, and for a time 
worked in that country as a journeyman, coming 
to the United States in 1867. Soon after his 
marriage, Mr. Firnhaber located in Middletown, 
where, for twenty years, he was employed in the 
file department of the saw factory of Wheeler, 
Madden & Clemson. After leaving that firm, he 
turned his attention to his old trade of gardening, 
and, having purchased the place now owned by 
his widow, carried it on until his death, June 9, 
1895. He was a highly respected man, of irre- 
proachable character, and one who enjoyed the 
respect and confidence of the entire community 
in which he lived. As a gardener he had few 
superiors, as he thoroughly understood the busi- 
ness. At his death he was a member of the 
Knights of Honor, and had formerly been con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
being one of the charter members of the lodge at 
Middletown. He was a devoted member of Grace 
Episcopal Church, and his political affiliations 
were with the Republican party. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Firnhaber is a daughter of 
Heinrich Miller, a native of German}', born near 
Frankfort-on-the-Main. By vocation he was a 
book-binder and fancy designer in wood-work let- 
tering. He died near Frankfort, when about fifty- 
six years old. Mrs. Marie ( Linipert)' Miller, the 
mother of our subject, was born in Hesse- Darm- 
stadt, and died in Frankfort. Eight of their ten 
children grew to maturity, two of whom came to 
this country, our subject and a sister, Mrs. Bettie 
Baker, who died in Middletown in 1886. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, Baldazer Miller, was born in 
Stuttgart, and moved to the vicinity of Frankfort 
in his early manhood. By trade he was a baker, 
but for some years ran a large laundry in Frank- 
fort. During the war with Napoleon he served 
his country as a soldier. In religious belief he 
was a Catholic, but he married a Lutheran, and 
the family was reared in the latter faith. 

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Firnhaber 
has continued the business, and has already shown 
that she possesses the ability to make of it a suc- 
cess. The grounds on which the greenhou.sesare 
located have a frontage of one hundred and four- 
teen feet on Grand Avenue, and a depth of three 



hundred and sixty-four feet. She has six green- 
houses, each 17x70 feet, with sufficient room for 
garden and hotbeds, and cultivates all kinds of 
flowers, making a specialty of roses, carnations, 
violets and chrysanthemums. She makes regular 
shipments to New York City, and expects in the 
future to conduct a wholesale as well as a retail 
trade. The business is under the management of 
M. Bartholomew, an experienced florist. Table 
and other decorations are pro\ided on short 
notice. 

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Firn- 
haber, two of whom are yet living: Emil, a 
machinist with the New York, Ontario & West- 
ern Railroad shops; and William, a carpenter in 
New York City. Mrs. Firnhaber is an active 
member of Grace Episcopal Church. For some 
years she was also a member of the Rebecca De- 
gree of Odd Fellows. In manner she is ver}' 
pleasing, and has a host of friends in and around 
Middletown. 



• — ♦>*i®^^®<+<«- — +-•■ 



I UTHER BARBER, contractor and builder 
It at Middletown, is a native of England, born 
LJ in Hailsham, Sussex County, in 1845, and 
is a son of John and Hannah (Frost) Barber, both 
of whom were natives of England, where they 
lived and died. They had eleven children, who 
grew to maturity, seven of whom are now living, 
our subject being the only one now in America. 
One brother, Herbert, came to this country and 
located in Middletown, where he was a success- 
ful contractor in partnership with Richard Miller, 
under the firm name of Barber & Miller. He 
died here in 1878. By occupation John Barber 
was a farmer. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his 
native county, and at the age of seven years be- 
gan to help make a living for the family. He 
first worked at the carpenter's trade, and at the 
age of seventeen was apprenticed to learn the 
trade of a brickmason, at which he served seven 
years. His educational advantages were very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



limited, and all his schooling was received in 
evening schools. In 187 1 he came to America, 
via Liverpool to New York, thence to Middle- 
town, where he remained one year engaged at 
his trade. Later he removed to Franklin Fur- 
nace, Sussex County, N. J., where he worked as 
a journe\-man two years, and then engaged in 
contracting and building for himself. In 1878, 
Herbert Barber ha\-ing died, Mr. Miller went to 
Franklin Furnace to persuade our subject to re- 
turn with him to Middletown and take the place 
of his brother. This he did. and business was con- 
ducted under the firm name of Miller &: Barber 
until about 18S7, when Mr. Miller died, since 
which time Mr. Barber has continued the busi- 
ness alone. Among the buildings he has erected 
in Middletown are the Swalm Block. Charles 
Dill's block, and the family residences of Wig- 
gins, Rogers. \'ail, Jones, Daugherty and George 
Swalm. 

Mr. Barber was married, in England, to Miss 
Jane Longhurst, who was also a native of Sus- 
sex County. Xiue children were bom to them, 
five of whom are deceased, and those living are: 
William Luther, a telegraph operator; and Edith 
M., Bertha E. and Jennie 1. The family resides 
at No. 67 Prospect Street. Mr. Barber is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes 
an active interest in all religious and benevolent 
work. In politics he is a Republican, and while 
taking an active interest in political affairs has 
never aspired to official position. 



Gl R- SARGEAXT, ofthetowuofWawayanda, 
Ll was born in the town of Monroe, September 
I I 2, 1822, and is the son of Abel and Sarah 
( Pilgrim ) Sargeant, who were the parents of four 
children, three sons and one daughter, namely: 
James P., Abel R., Harriet and Man.- A. The 
first and last are now deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
farm, and there remained until sixteen years of 
age, attending the common schools in the winter 
months and assisting in farm work during the 
summer. When sixteen years of age he begau 



working in the mill, serving a five-years appren- 
ticeship, at the expiration of which time he con- 
tiuued to work at the trade for three years. He 
then began working at cabinet-making, but con- 
tinued in that avocation but a short time. Buying 
fifty-tour acres of land in the town of Wawayanda, 
he removed to the place and there resided until 
1863, when he removed to Slate Hill, where he 
now lives. In 1891 he opened a mercantile bus- 
iness in the same place, but only continued it 
about two years. 

On the 22d of January", 1845, Mr. Sargeant was 
united in marriage with Mary A. Taylor, boni in 
the town ofWallkill, and a daughter of Abraham 
and Mary t Xewkirk) Taylor, the parents of two 
children, David and Man,- A. To our subject 
and wife were born four children. David married 
Phcebe Mills, and resides at Woodbury Falls: 
Augustus married Armenia Morse, and resides in 
the town of \\'awa>anda; Mary is now the wife 
of K. Skinner, and resides in Slate Hill: Alonzo 
died in 1893. 

Although Mr. Sargeant commenced life with 
but little means, he is now the possessor of three 
hundred acres of land, all in one body, his prin- 
cipal occupation being dairv farming. Politically 
he is a Democrat, and religiously he and his wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



gEORGE HENRY HADDEN has been a 
resident of Middletown since 1S76, and as a 
contractor and builder has been successful, 
the list of the public and private structures he 
has erected including some of the finest build- 
ings in the city. Among these may be mentioned 
the Everett. Iseman and Trust Company's build- 
ings, the chapel connected with the State Asjlum, 
Clemson Brothers' sawshops. the schoolhouse in 
February, iSSi, and the Eagle Hose Company. 
Law. Central and Stems buildings. 

Bom in County Armagh. Ireland, in 1856. 
the subject of this sketch is a son of John and 
Maggie (^Duncan) Hadden, natives, respectiveh", 
of Ireland and Glasgow, Scotland. His father, 
who was a mason bv trade, died in his native 



m ^■. 




ROSWELI. C. COLEMAN. 




MRS. ROSWKIJ. C. COI.KMAX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



1125 



land, and there the mother still continues to re- 
side. The family consists of ten sons and one 
daughter, all of whom are living. George H., 
who attended school in County Armagh in earlj- 
boyhood, began to learn the bricklayer's trade at 
the age of thirteen, and this occupation he fol- 
lowed as long as he remained on the Emerald 
Isle. At the age of sixteen, in 1872, he came to 
America, via Liverpool to New York City, and, 
going up to Wappinger's Falls, Dutchess County, 
he began to work at his trade. For four or five 
years he was in the employ of the Dutchess 
Print Works, erecting stonework. 

In 1888 Mr. Haddeu formed a partnership 
with R. A. Malone, which was dissolved about 
four years later, and since that time he has 
worked alone. While in Wappinger's Falls, he 
married Miss Effie J. Patterson, who was born in 
Ft. Dodge, Iowa, where her father, David Pat- 
terson, was a large contractor. Four children 
complete the family circle, Lizzie, Nellie, George 
and Frank. The family attend the Second Pres- 
byterian Church, to which Mr. Hadden is a gen- 
erous contributor. He is a member of Hoffnuui 
Lodge, F. & A. M.; Middletown Lodge No. 112, 
I. O. O. F.; and Eagle Hose Company No. 2. 
Favoring the protection of home industries, he 
naturally gives his allegiance to the Republican 
party, and in that organization he is prominent, 
having frequently represented it as delegate to 
county and congressional conventions. 



ROSWELL CARPENTER COLEMAN has 
held the important judicial po.sition of Sur- 
rogate of Orange County .since 1883. He 
has in a large measure succeeded in his endeav- 
ors to elevate the office to what it should be 
by enforcing proper rules, and by careful decis- 
ions in ca.ses coming before him. He is a man of 
recognized ability, wide information, both on 
matters pertaining to his profession and to the 
.sciences and public questions of the day as well. 
For .some years he was Tru.stee of the village of 
Goshen, and has been engaged in practice here 
for about thirty years. In early life he was a Jus- 



tice of the Peace for eight years, and after being 
nominated and elected to his present responsible 
place on the Democratic ticket, assumed the duties 
of the office in January, 1884. That his services 
were appreciated, was shown when he was re- 
elected in 1889, being the onh- one of his politi- 
cal faith so honored, and receiving a majority of 
about one thousand \otes. His term runs luitil 
1896. 

The Colemans are of English descent, and 
after coming to America are suppo.sed to have 
located first about New Haven, thence going to 
Southold, L. I. Our subject's grfeat-grandfather, 
Benjamin, was born April 16, 1755, in Orange 
County, and died August 5, 1832. He married 
Hannah (Carpenter) Finch, who was born No- 
vember 15, 1761, and who died April 8, 1846. 
She and her father's family were refugees from 
the Wyoming Massacre. Our subject's grand- 
father, Benjamin Carpenter Coleman, was born 
in this county, August 2, 1791, and was accident- 
ally killed August 16, 1845. He was a soldier 
of the War of 181 2. His wife, Eleanor, was a 
daughter of Gen. Abram Vail, who was a Mem- 
ber of the State Assembly and a resident of the 
town of Goshen. His parents, John and Mary 
(Alsop) Vail, lived and died in Goshen. The 
former was born September 22, 1744, and died 
February 2, 18 15; and the latter was born March 
21, 1742, and died May 31, 1811. Benjamin, 
the father of John Vail, served in the French 
and Indian War. Abram Vail was born Novem- 
ber 3, 1771, and died October 4, 1851. He mar- 
ried Esther Rockwell, who was born March 19, 
1768, and died October 21, 181 1. Their daugh- 
ter Eleanor, whose birth occurred August 9, 
1793, died October 9, 1853. 

Our subject's father, James Carpenter Cole- 
man, was born in Orange County, March 28, 
1820, and died February i, 1882. For many 
years he was engaged in merchandising in New 
York City, but in i860 removed to the vicinity 
of Goshen. His wife, Phoebe A., was born in 
Warwick, this county, January 15, 1821, being 
a daughter of Hon. Roswell Mead, who was born 
in Wilton, Fairfield County, Conn., July 15, 
1784. His father, Col. Matthew Mead, was a 



I I 26 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RKCORD. 



native of England, his birth occurring August 
20, 1736, and his death February 26, 1816. He 
won his title in the War of the Revolution, in 
which his son Thaddeus also served as powder- 
boy. His wife, who was a Miss Phcebe Whelp- 
ley, was born July i. 1740, and died August i, 
181 1. Hon. Roswell Mead came to this county 
as a school teacher, later engaged in mercantile 
pursuits in Newburgh, Warwick and in Smith 
Village, and died at Slate Hill, June 6, 1850. 
His wife was Hannah, daughter of Reuben Cash, 
a farmer of this county, and a descendant of Dan- 
iel Cash, who came from Connecticut and set- 
tled in the Wyoming Valley w'ith a large family 
of children. He married Mary Tracj-, a daugh- 
ter of Isaac Tracy, of that place. She managed 
to escape the notable massacre, and, joining her 
husband at Rutger's Kill, in Orange County, 
settled there. Hannah Mead was born Novem- 
ber 4, 1796, and died April 15, 1868. Her mother, 
a Miss Millicent Howell, was a daughter of John 
Howell, a pioneer of Neversink, who was born in 
1745, and whose death occurred on Christmas 
Day, 1790. He married Sarah Dougherty, who 
was born in 1752, and died June 24, 1834. 

Our subject is one of five sons. His eldest 
brother, Dr. James C. . was a surgeon during the 
war, and for fifteen years sen-ed on the Board of 
Medical Examiners: he is now a resident of this 
locality. The next j'ounger brothers, John M. 
and Charles W., live in Goshen, the latter being 
an attorney-at-law. Thaddeus \'. is a clerk in 
the National Bank of Commerce of New York. 
Our subject was born in the town of Goshen, 
December 3, 1840, and received his primary edu- 
cation in the Thirteenth Street Ward School, No. 
35, of New York City, after which he attended 
the Free Academy for a year, completing his 
classical course in the private school of David 
M. Towle, of this place. Afterward he took up 
the stud}- of law in the. office of Sharp & Win- 
field, well know^n attorneys of Goshen. In 1863 
he graduated from the law school at Albany with 
the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was ad- 
mitted to the New York Bar. Later he opened 
an office for practice in Goshen, and here he has 
.since been located. 



In 1865 Mr. Coleman married Sara W. Wil- 
kin, who was born in the city of New York, and 
who is the daughter of Samuel J. Wilkin, an at- 
torney, who has served as a Member of the State 
Assembly. He has been a Member of Congress, 
and many years ago his name was placed on the 
ticket for the Lieutenant-Governorship with Mil- 
lard Fillmore. He was a son of James W. Wilkin, 
who had held all of those positions before him, 
and was also a leading law^yer. The pleasant 
home of our subject and family is situated in a 
beautiful thirtj'-acre tract within the village limits. 
His wife was educated here and in Miss Green's 
school in New- York City. She became the 
mother often children, all but two of whom are 
living. Catherine D., a graduate of Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary, is the wife of Harry E. Colwell, of 
New Rochelle, N. Y. Annie M. is a graduate of 
the Sharit\- Hospital, where she took a course of 
training as a nurse, and is now located in New 
York. Sarah W., who attended Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary, afterward took up stenography and 
typewriting, and is at present in Goshen. Wilkin 
attended the Albany Law School, later was ad- 
mitted to the Bar in Kansas, and is now practic- 
ing in Goshen. Mary E. attended the North- 
eastern Conservatory of Music of Boston for a 
year and was a fine violinist, but she was claimed 
by death when only eighteen years of age. El- 
eanor C, who graduated from Miss Graham's 
school in New York City, is at home. Henrietta 
is a student in Wheaton Seminary in Massachu- 
setts. Rosw-ell C, Jr., w'as educated in Worces- 
ter, Mass., and is now clerking in a store in 
Goshen. Alexander W. is attending the local 
schools; and Charles C. died at the age of seven 
years. Mr. Coleman has for many years been 
recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the 
county, and is more especially- noted as an au- 
thority concerning the law and practice in Surro- 
gate courts, and the law in relation to real estate. 
He has occupied judicial positions for about twen- 
ty years, but has alw-ays continued to practice 
his profession even while holding office. 

With his family Mr. Coleman attends the Pres- 
byterian Church, and for several years was a 
Trustee of the same. In 1875 he went with the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1127 



first American rifle team on a visit to Ireland 
under Captain Gildersleeve, and was gone for 
three months. He has always been interested in 
athletic sports, and has usually belonged to some 
amateur baseball club. He owns a permanent 
camp at Indian Lake, in the Adirondacks, where 
he and his children go from time to time in order 
to seek recreation and rest. 



U^ELSON HILL, who recently came to Mid- 
I / dletown and erected a residence on Rich- 
1/9 mond Hill, is a carpenter by trade, and fol- 
lows that occupation successfully in this city and 
vicinity. His home was formerly in the town of 
Tuxedo, where he still owns a fine fruit farm of 
thirty acres, with large numbers of apple, pear 
and peach trees in bearing condition. 

In the town of Tuxedo, near the Rockland 
County line, Nel.son Hill was born in 1848, being 
a son of Ren.sselaer and Charlotte (Conkling) 
Hill, both natives of this county. His paternal 
grandfather, John Hill, was a cooper by trade, 
while his maternal grandfather, Jacob M. Conk- 
ling, was engaged in the manufacture of spoons, 
and as a worker in wood. The parents were mar- 
ried in this county, and for many years after their 
union they made their home at Long Pond, in 
the town of Tuxedo, where the father, though 
giving his attention to a small extent to agricult- 
ural pursuits, was principally engaged at the 
cooper's trade. After the death of our subject's 
mother, in 1865, the father married again. His 
closing years were spent in Port Jervis, where he 
died at the age of sixty-seven. 

On the home farm in the town of Tuxedo, our 
subject passed the day.s of his youth, unmarked 
by any noteworthy event. His education was 
gained in the common schools and was practical, 
fitting him for an active business life. Having a 
liking for the carpenter's trade, he became famil- 
iar with it during leisure hours in youth, and he 
also learned the business of manufacturing wood- 
en-ware. On starting out for himself, howe\er. 



he turned his attention to the fruit business. Pur- 
chasing thirty acres of his father's farm in Tux- 
edo, adjoining Long Lake, he set out a peach 
orchard, and later planted apple and pear trees. 
The fruit is sold to the home market, and the 
business has proved remunerative. 

In the summer of 1895 Mr. Hill came to Mid- 
dletown and erected a resilience on Conkling 
Avenue, Richmond Hill Addition to the city, 
where he has since made his home. 'While in 
the town of Tuxedo, he married Sarah A. Hall, 
a native of that town, and they are the parents 
of eight children, all at home, namely: 'Viola, 
Calvin, Lizzie, Hattie, Israel, Rensselaer, Edith 
and Elmer. Mr. Hill is intelligently informed 
regarding matters of current interest, and is a 
stanch adherent of Republican principles, sup- 
porting the candidates of that party with his vote 
and influence. 



(Joseph SNIFFIN, of Middletown, was born 
I at Thunder Hill, Ulster County, N. Y., in 
Q) 1857, being the youngest child of John and 
Hannah (Coon) Sniffin, natives, respectively, of 
Sandsburg, Sullivan County, and Ellenville, Ul- 
ster County. His father, who was a soldier in 
the Union army during the Civil War, followed 
the shoemaker's trade throughout almost his en- 
tire active life, but when advanced in years he 
retired from that occupation and went to the Black 
Hills. There he engaged in mining until he was 
killed by the Indians, at the age of sixty -five, his 
death occurring about the same time as that of 
General Custer. The paternal grandfather, Jo- 
seph Snifiin, was a descendant of English ances- 
tors, and was a shoemaker by trade. The ma- 
ternal grandfather, Abraham Coon, was born in 
Dutchess County, whence he removed to Ellen- 
ville, and engaged in farming there until his death, 
at the age of one hundred and one years. He 
was a soldier in the War of 18 12. 

The family of John vSniffin consisted of three 



I 128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughters and two sons, of whom two daughters 
are deceased. Joseph, the youngest of the num- 
ber, was reared in Ellenville, Ulster County, 
where he attended the public school. At the age 
of sixteen years he began an apprenticeship to 
the trades of mason, bricklayer and plasterer, all 
of which he learned during his three years' serv- 
ice. Later he engaged in journeyman work for 
eleven years, after which, in 1889, he came to 
Middletown and formed a partnership with Nich- 
olas Coleman, remaining with him for three years. 
Since dissolving that partnership he has been 
alone. 

During the busy season Mr. Sniffin employs 
from six to fifteen men. He has had the con- 
tracts for many of the best residences in the city, 
including the homes of Messrs. Van Keuren, 
Wells, George A. Green, John W. Slaw.son and 
scores of others. His residence at No. 19 Knox 
Avenue was built by himself, and he has had the 
contract for fourteen houses situated on Knox 
Avenue, California Avenue, West Main Street 
and Monhagen Avenue. 

The marriage of Mr. Sniffin took place in Ellen- 
ville, N. Y., his wife being Miss Mary Edwards, 
a native of Putnam County, Pa. Four children 
comprise their family circle. Bertha, Guy, Eva 
and Earl. Mr. Sniffin affiliates with the Knights 
of Labor, and politically is a loyal adherent of 
Democratic principles. He is identified with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and may always be 
found abetting any useful scheme that will en- 
hance the material, social or religious progress of 
his communitv. 



(^ 



'vJT" 



30SEPH NELSON TURNER, a worthy rep- 
resentative of the boys in blue in the late 
Civil War, was born in Fishkill Landing, 
Dutchess County, N. Y., May 8, 1847. His fa- 
ther, Stephen Nelson Turner, died when he was 
a very small child. His mother married again 
and located in Salisbury, Orange County, from 
which place she removed to Washingtonville. 



Our subject was there educated in the public 
schools, and in i86i, although but fourteen years 
of age, ran away from home and enlisted in the 
Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, being the third 
person to enter his name as a soldier in that reg- 
iment. On account of his youth, his mother se- 
cured his release and took him home. In the 
following fall he ran away again, and was mus- 
tered into the service at Newburgh, as a member 
of Company C, Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, 
or the Tenth Legion. His regiment was ordered 
ou board a boat in New York Harbor, for the 
purpose of going South, and while on the voyage 
a riot occurred on board the boat, and an attempt 
was made to set fire to it. In endeavoring to save 
himself and the vessel he was kicked in the mouth 
and stomach, and an attempt was made to throw 
him overboard. The riot was finally subdued, 
and our subject was taken to the hospital at Beau- 
fort Island, where he remained some months, in 
the mean time having typhoid and brain fever. 
When the Fifty-sixth veteranized he enlisted 
again, and was mustered in at Alban\-, joining 
his regiment at South Carolina. While on John's 
Island he received a sunstroke, and was sent from 
there to Beaufort and later to Hilton Head, where 
for a time he was very ill. When he recovered 
he joined his regiment at Beaufort, and was in 
the Harney Hill fight. The regiment was then 
sent to Charleston, thence to Mt. Pleasant, then 
up the South Santee River to Secessionville, back 
to Charleston, Ridgeville, Summerville and fi- 
nally to Greenville, from which place it was or- 
dered home. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Turner was 
mustered out, and honorably discharged at Al- 
bany, N. Y. 

After his discharge Mr. Turner came to Mid- 
dletown, where he has since resided. For four 
years after his return he could not engage in any 
employment. He first tried engineering, but had 
to give it up. He has been twice married, first 
to Miss Olivia Lubert, a native of Charleston, 
S. C. His marriage with this lady was brought 
about in quite a romantic way. While in Charles- 
ton he was set upon by fifteen armed rebels, and to 
escape he jumped over a high board fence and 
.sprang into a cistern, where he was up to his arm- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1131 



pits in water. Miss Lubert began pumping the 
water from the cistern, and persuaded the rebels 
that he was not there. In the mean time her 
brothers returned home, and with a rope drew 
him out of the water. No sooner was he on the 
street than he was again attacked, but this time 
was saved by Union soldiers. At the close of the 
war he returned to South Carolina, where he was 
married. His wife died in Middletown, leaving 
two children: Ida, wife of William Stratton, of 
Matteawan, N. Y. : and Eugene, also of that place. 
Mr. Turner subsequentlj' married Miss Helen 
Platts, and by this union has one child, Ruby, at 
home. Mrs. Helen Turner is a daughter of John 
D. Platts, a native of New Hampshire, who was 
left an orphan when seven years old, and after- 
ward came to New York State. On the breaking 
out of the Civil War he enlisted in a New York 
regiment and .served through the entire conflict. 
He then went West, and after remaining in Iowa 
for a time again returned to New York, locating 
in Sullivan County. He married Sarah Barber, 
a native of Delaware County, and a daughter of 
Eli Barber. Mrs. Turner is the second of their 
three children, and was reared and educated at 
Rockland. In politics Mr. Turner is a Republi- 
can. As a matter of course he takes great inter- 
est in the past, and can never forget the adven- 
ture which came so near costing him his life. 



^"HOMAS P. PITTS. In this volume, while 
f C the reader's thoughts are directed principal- 
V2/ ly to the deeds of men now living, consid- 
erable attention is also given to the life records 
of our honored dead, those who once shared our 
joys and sorrows, and who labored to promote the 
welfare of the community, but who are now gone 
from among us. This tribute to the memory of 
Thomas P. Pitts, given by her who was his de- 
voted wife and efficient helpmate, will be perused 
with interest by tho.se who were associated with 
him in former years. 

A son of George Pitts, the subject of this no- 
tice was born in Warwick, and spent his boyhood 
years upon his father's farm. Arriving at man's 



estate, he selected for his occupation that to which 
he had been reared, and for some years he carried 
on a farm in the town of Wallkill. Later, how- 
ever, he abandoned agriciiltural pursuits and be- 
came interested in the shoe bu.siness, being pro- 
prietor of a store in Warwick until his demise. 
He was energetic, judicious in his investments, 
and accumulated a competency. He died in Sep- 
tember, T890, aged sevent>-six, and was buried 
in the cemetery at Middletown. In religious be- 
lief he was identified with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and his deep religious faith upheld 
him in his last hours. Politically he was a Dem- 
ocrat. 

The first wife of Mr. Pitts was Emily J. Gard- 
ner, of Florida, this count}-, and they became the 
parents of four children, three of whom are liv- 
ing. His son. Dr. John W. Pitts, a young man 
of great ability, was graduated from the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, 
and practiced his profession in that city. On the 
opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company 
E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York 
Infantry, and though but nineteen years of age 
at the time, was as brave and valiant as men 
twice his age. At the close of the war he return- 
ed home, and studied medicine, as above stated. 
During his service in the army he contracted a 
cold that undermined his constitution, and from 
its effects he died at Warwick, aged thirty-five. 

May 13, 1869, Miss Mariam Beakes, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Beakes, and a member of one of the 
most prominent families of this county, became 
the wife of our subject. She was born on the 
old Beakes homestead adjoining Middletown, and 
now owned by her brother, Henry L. Beakes, of 
whom mention is made upon another page. The 
family of which she is a member has an honor- 
able record, and its history, traced back through 
succes.sive generations, is one of which ever>' de- 
scendant may well be proud. Upon the death of 
her husband, she sold out the business in War- 
wick and came to Middletown, where she has 
since resided. Beloved by all who know her, she 
is "Aunt Mariam" to her hosts of friends. Her 
religious connections are with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of this city. .She is a lady of un- 



II32 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



usual ability and intelligence, maintaining herself 
in every position in which she may be placed 
with dignity, and in her social relations her ge- 
nial, gentle and amiable temperament commends 
her most affectionately to all who are thrown in 
her daily pathway. 

Q ENJAMIN HAFNER, depot master of the 
jC\ Erie Railroad at Port Jervis, has been an 
I J engineer for fifty- one years and six months. 
He has had manj- interesting experiences, has 
had many narrow escapes, and has operated all 
kinds of engines, from the "Grasshopper," of the 
old Baltimore & Ohio, to the modern one-hnn- 
dred-ton "Mogul," which is used for hauling 
heavy freights up the mountains, or the lightning 
express making its seventy miles per hour. Be- 
sides having made many fast runs for the rail- 
road officials, he eclipsed the record by covering 
the eighty-eight miles between this point and 
Jersey City, on Express No. 8, in two hours ex- 
actly, besides stopping at Turner, for dinner. He 
owns three good residences in this city. 

Mr. Hafner was born March 24, 182 1, in Ba- 
den, Germany, and came to the United States in 
1832, landing at Baltimore, September 18. His 
father, Valentine Hafner, was one of Napoleon's 
soldiers, serving as First Lieutenant, and went 
on the march to Moscow. He died in 1862, 
at his home in Baltimore, when seventy-seven 
years old. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Mary Ann Murrout, departed this life in 1861. 
Their family numbered eight children. 

Our subject worked as a broom-maker for four 
years, and then clerked in a store in Baltimore. 
For three years he served an apprenticeship to 
the blacksmith's trade, and in 1839 entered the 
railroad shops. He was soon placed on an old- 
style engine as fireman, and his peculiar locomo- 
tive, which had no cab, was exhibited at the 
World's Fair in Chicago. A year later j-oung 
Hafner was placed in charge of an extra engine, 
and in i840commenced running on regulartrips 
between Baltimore and Cumberland, Md. This 
road was constructed with the old slab rails, and 



one night Mr. Hafner's engine and train were 
precipitated into the Patapsco River, below Elli- 
cott's Mills. He and his fireman were immersed 
in the river, but managed to escape and no one 
el.se was injured. At another time during a 
heav\- rain in the mountains, the tracks were 
washed away and the train ran into the Potomac 
River, but no one was hurt. 

In 1845 Mr. Hafner was in charge of the train 
that carried Polk's message from the Reeley 
House to Harper's Ferry. The first telegraph 
was laid the same year, being placed in a trough 
beside the track, but later was placed on poles. 
M. Hafner was acquainted with many of the pub- 
lic men of that period, among whom were An- 
drew Jackson, J. C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, 
Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton. He car- 
ried all of these men as passengers, when he was 
fireman on the Washington road. In 1848 our 
subject went to Piermont and was soon given an 
engine running between that point and Port Jer- 
vis. Piermont was then the eastern end of the 
road, and from there to New York City freight 
had to be shipped by boat. In May, 1854, Mr. 
Hafner resigned and went to Yellow Springs, 
Ohio, to visit a brother whom he had not seen 
for nineteen j'ears. In 1839 Mr. Hafner entered 
the Baltimore & Ohio service, running a distance 
of one hundred and seventy-nine miles between 
Baltimore and Cumberland. After a time he 
began working for the Illinois Central Railroad, 
running to East Dubuque from Aniboy, and in 
1855 had charge of the night express. The win- 
ter of 1854 was a very .severe one and for three 
days Mr. Hafner and his train were stuck in tlie 
snow, before being extricated. 

In 1855 our subject went to Europe, looking up 
business matters in his native city, and also made 
a trip to France. He returned in 1857, and the 
following year took up his permanent residence 
in Port Jervis. I'ntil April, 1859, he ran a freight 
train from here to Piermont, after which he was 
given an express passenger train between Port 
Jervis and Jersey City, running the same for 
twenty-nine successive j'ears. In March, 1892, 
his service as an engineer clo.sed, and since that 
time he has been depot master. In 1849 Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 33 



Hafner was on an engine drawing a gravel train, 
and when coming down hill it collided with a 
freight whose engineer had disregarded his flag 
of warning. In 1852 his engine was capsized at 
Paterson on account of a misplaced switch, and 
ten years later he was buried under his engine, 
but was not seriously injured. For a great many 
j'ears he has been a member of the Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers. 

February 14, 1858, Mr. Hafner married Mary 
Catherine Goetz, of Baltimore and a native of 
Bavaria. They have had eleven children, of 
whom but five are living, namely: Mary, Anna 
(Mrs. Henry H. Monton, of Flushing, L. I.) 
Wilhelmina, Rose and Alice. The parents are 
members of the Catholic Church of Port Jervis. 
Mr. Hafner has always been a Democrat since 
the days of Jackson, and cast his first vote for 
James K. Polk. 



=-^ 



HENRY CLINTON CUNNINGHAM is one 
of the oldest merchants, not only of Port 
Jervis, but of this portion of New York State. 
His business career covers some forty-eight years, 
and for seventeen years of this period he has 
managed a store at his present location, having 
constructed the building in 1878. He is a man 
of practical and methodical ways, and has been 
prospered in his various undertakings. Born 
October 30, 1828, at Butternut, Otsego County, 
N. Y., he is a son of John and Louisa (Farnum) 
Cunningham, the former a farmer by occupation. 

Our subject was the eldest child and was named 
in honor of his uncle, Henry H. Farnum, and 
DeWitt Clinton. He received his early educa- 
tion in a log schoolhouse, and one of his comrades 
was Martin Van Buren, a relative of the ex-Pres- 
ident of that name. 

H. C. Cunningham came to Port Jervis in 
April, 1847, and served a clerk.ship with his 
uncle, H. H. Farnum, who had engaged in bus- 
iness here in 1843. Four months later he re- 
turned on a visit to his mother, who was very ill. 



and went by stage from Port Jervis to Oneonta, 
the trip taking two days and two nights. During 
the .seven years in which he worked for his uncle 
he held various positions, being gradually pro- 
moted. They did a large business with the rail- 
road and canal, furnishing them with supplies, 
and the old store, which was built of foot-boards 
laid flatways, is still standing on the bank of the 
canal, and there the collector's office is located. 
In 1854 our subject took a one-third interest, with 
Farnum & Peck as partners, the company then 
being styled H. H. Farnum & Co. Thus the 
business was carried on for five years, when, April 
I, 1859, Mr. Cunningham retired. 

May I, 1859, our subject opened a .store for 
himself in Lockwood's Building on Pike Street, 
which he rented for nearly nineteen years, carry- 
ing a full line of dry goods, notions, groceries, 
etc. In 1864 he purchased the property at the 
corner of Orange Square and Pike Streets, on 
which he erected the building he now occupies. 
He has advertised extensively, and has neglected 
no well approved and legitimate manner of in- 
creasing his business. 

March 4, 1861, Mr. Cunningham and Stephen 
St. John, Sr., were the only citizens of Port Jervis 
who attended the inauguration of Lincoln. Since 
1856 he has been a Republican, and at one time 
attended a torch- light procession to Milford, Pa., 
it being the first Republican campaign in 1856, 
for Fremont. He has served in local offices and 
has always taken a great interest in party matters. 
Acceding to the request of Rev. Dr. Samuel W. 
Mills, Corresponding Secretary of the Orange 
County Bible Society, Mr. Cunningham became 
agent for the society and started a repository about 
1863,. He has since been the representative for 
the town of Deerpark, and has done much to 
further the interests of the organization. 

March 6, 1855, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Cunningham and Catherine, daughter of Mark 
Decker, the latter of whom died in 1894, aged 
about eighty-four years. Henrietta C, the only 
daughter of our subject, was born in 1873. She 
possesses great talent as a musician, having re- 
ceived superior advantages, and is especially ac- 
conipli.shed as a pianiste. She has appeared be- 



II32 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



usual ability and intelligence, maintaining herself 
in every position in which she may be placed 
with dignity, and in her social relations her ge- 
nial, gentle and amiable temperament commends 
her most affectionately to all who are thrown in 
her daily pathway. 



QKNJAMIX HAFNIvR, depot master of the 
1^ I-'rie Railroad at Port Jervis, has been an 
\ l_) engineer for fifty one years and six months. 
He has had many interesting experiences, has 
had many narrow escapes, and has operated all 
kinds of engines, from the "Grasshopper." of the 
old Baltimore & Ohio, to the modern one-luin- 
dred-ton "Mogul," which is used for hauling 
heavy freights up the mountains, or the lightning 
express making its seventy miles per hour. Be- 
sides having made many fast runs for the rail- 
road officials, he eclipsed the record by covering 
the eighty-eight miles between this point and 
Jersey City, on Express No. 8, in two hours ex- 
actly, besides stopping at Turner, for dinner. He 
owns three good residences in this city. 

Mr. Hafner was born March 24, 1821, in Ba- 
den, Germany, and came to the Ignited States in 
1832, landing at Baltimore, September 18. His 
father. Valentine Hafner, was one of Napoleon's 
soldiers, ser\'ing as First Lieutenant, and went 
on the march to Moscow. He died in 1862, 
at his home in Baltimore, when seventy-seven 
years old. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Mary Ann Murrout, departed this life in 1861. 
Their family numbered eight children. 

Our subject worked as a broom-maker for four 
years, and then clerked in a store in Baltimore. 
For three years he served an apprenticeship to 
the blacksmith's trade, and in 1839 entered the 
railroad shops. He was soon placed on an old- 
.style engine as fireman, and his peculiar locomo- 
tive, which had no cab, was exhibited at the 
World's Fair in Chicago. A year later young 
Hafner was placed in charge of an extra engine, 
and in 1840 commenced running on regular trips 
between Baltimore and Cumberland, Md. This 
road was constructed with the old slab rails, and 



one night Mr. Hafner's engine and train were 
precipitated into the Patapsco River, below Elli- 
cott's Mills. He and his fireman were immersed 
in the river, but managed to escape and no one 
else was injured. At another time during a 
heavy rain in the mountains, the tracks were 
washed away and the train ran into the Potomac 
River, but no one was hurt. 

In 1845 Mr. Hafner was in charge of the train 
that carried Polk's message from the Reeley 
House to Harper's Ferry. The first telegraph 
was laid the same year, being placed in a trough 
beside the track, but later was placed on poles. 
M. Hafner was acquainted with many of the pub- 
lic men of that period, among whom were An- 
drew Jackson, J. C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, 
Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton. He car- 
ried all of these men as passengers, when he was 
fireman on the Wa.shington road. In 1848 our 
subject went to Piermont and was soon given an 
engine running between that point and Port Jer- 
vis. Piermont was then the eastern end of the 
road, and from there to New York City freight 
had to be shipped by boat. In May, 1854, Mr. 
Hafner resigned and went to Yellow Springs, 
Ohio, to visit a brother whom he had not seen 
for nineteen years. In 1839 Mr. Hafner entered 
the Baltimore & Ohio service, running a distance 
of one hundred and seventy-nine miles between 
Baltimore and Cumberland. After a time he 
began working for the Illinois Central Railroad, 
running to East Dubuque from Amboy, and in 
1855 had charge of the night express. The win- 
ter of 1854 was a very severe one and for three 
days Mr. Hafner and his train were stuck in the 
snow, before being extricated. 

In 1855 our subject went to F-urope, looking up 
business matters in his native city, and also made 
a trip to France. He returned in 1857, and the 
following year took up his permanent residence 
in Port Jervis. Until April, 1859, he ran a freight 
train from here to Piermont, after which he was 
given an express passenger train between Port 
Jervis and Jersey City, running the same for 
twenty-nine successive years. In March, 1892, 
his service as an engineer closed, and since that 
time he has been depot master. In 1849 Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 133 



Hafiier was on an engine drawing a gravel train, 
and when coming down hill it collided with a 
freight whose engineer had disregarded his flag 
of warning. In 1852 his engine was capsized at 
Paterson on account of a misplaced switch, and 
ten years later he was buried under his engine, 
but was not seriously injured. For a great many 
years he has been a member of the Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers. 

February 14, 1858. Mr. Hafner married Mary 
Catherine Goetz, of Baltimore and a native of 
Bavaria. They have had eleven children, of 
whom but five are living, namely: Mary, Anna 
(Mrs. Henry H. Monton, of Flushing, L- I-) 
Wilhelmina, Rose and Alice. The parents are 
members of the Catholic Church of Port Jervis. 
Mr. Hafner has always been a Democrat since 
the days of Jackson, and cast his first vote for 
James K. Polk. 



=+ 



HENRY CLINTON CUNNINGHAM is one 
of the oldest merchants, not only of Port 
Jervis, but of this portion of New York State. 
His business career covers some forty-eight years, 
and for seventeen years of this period he has 
managed a store at his pre.sent location, having 
constructed the building in 1878. He is a man 
of practical and methodical ways, and has been 
prospered in his various undertakings. Born 
October 30, 1828, at Butternut, Otsego County, 
N. Y., he is a son of John and Louisa (Farnum) 
Cunningham, the former a farmer by occupation. 

Our subject was the eldest child and was named 
in honor of his uncle, Henry H. Farnum, and 
DeWitt Clinton. He received his early educa- 
tion in a log school house, and one of his comrades 
was Martin Van Buren, a relative of the ex-Pres- 
ident of that name. 

H. C. Cunningham came to Port Jervis in 
April, 1847, and served a clerkship with his 
uncle, H. H. Farnum, who had engaged in bus- 
iness here in 1843. Four months later he re- 
turned on a visit to his mother, who was very ill. 



and went by stage from Port Jervis to Oneonta, 
the trip taking two days and two nights. During 
the seven years in which he worked for his uncle 
he held various positions, being gradually pro- 
moted. They did a large business with the rail- 
road and canal, furnishing them with supplies, 
and the old store, which was built of foot-boards 
laid flatways, is still standing on the bank of the 
canal, and there the collector's office is located. 
In 1854 our subject took a one-third interest, with 
Farnum & Peck as partners, the company then 
being styled H. H. Farnum & Co. Thus the 
business was carried on for five years, when, April 
I, 1859, Mr. Cunningham retired. 

May I, 1859, our subject opened a .store for 
himself in Lockwood's Building on Pike Street, 
which he rented for nearly nineteen years, carry- 
ing a full line of dry goods, notions, groceries, 
etc. In 1864 he purcha.sed the property at the 
corner of Orange Square and Pike Streets, on 
which he erected the building he now occupies. 
He has advertised extensively, and has neglected 
no well approved and legitimate manner of in- 
creasing his business. 

March 4, 1861, Mr. Cunningham and vStephen 
St. John, Sr., were the only citizens of Port Jervis 
who attended the inauguration of Lincoln. Since 
1856 he has been a Republican, and at one time 
attended a torch-light procession to Milford, Pa., 
it being the first Republican campaign in 1856, 
for Fremont. He has served in local offices and 
has always taken a great interest in party matters. 
Acceding to the request of Rev. Dr. Samuel W. 
Mills, Corresponding Secretary of the Orange 
County Bible Society, Mr. Cunningham became 
agent for the society and started a repository about 
1863,. He has since been the representative for 
the town of Deerpark, and has done much to 
further the interests of the organization. 

March 6, 1855, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Cunningham and Catherine, daughter of Mark 
Decker, the latter of whom died in 1894, aged 
about eighty-four years. Henrietta C, the only 
daughter of our subject, was born in 1873. She 
possesses great talent as a musician, having re- 
ceived superior advantages, and is especially ac- 
complished as a pianiste. She has appeared be- 



II34 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



fore the public in concerts a great many times, 
and is the author of a popular composition for the 
piano, "Cheerfulness" ('dedicated to her mother), 
which has been highly spoken of by talented mu- 
sicians. Both parents and daughter are members 
of the First Presbyterian Church. Since the new 
edifice was con.strncted our subject has served as 
a Trustee, as a Ruling Elder, or in one or another 
official capacity, and in various offices has been 
identified with the Sabbath-schcol for a good 
many years. 

(lAMES E. BRAZEE. Not only as one of the 
I oldest employes of the New York, Ontario & 
(*) Western Railway Company, in point of years 
of service, but also as an honorable and genial 
gentleman, Mr. Brazee is well known to the citi- 
zens of Middletown, which cit}- has been his 
headquarters since 1873. He entered the employ 
of the company when the road was building, and, 
receiving promotions at various times, now occu- 
pies the position of conductor. During the win- 
ter season he has charge of the milk train, while 
in summer he is conductor on the mountain ex- 
press. It is worthj' of note, as an unusual oc- 
currence, that for the past fourteen years he has 
had the .same run. 

The Brazee faniilj" is of honorable descent, be- 
ing of the old Puritan stock. The first of the 
name to settle in New York was the great-grand- 
father of our subject, a soldier of the Revolution- 
ary War, who came hither from Massachusetts. 
Grandfather Tennis Brazee was born in Delaware 
County, was a farmer by occupation, and during 
the War of 1812 rendered valiant service. Next 
in line of descent was George, our subject's fa- 
ther, who was born in Delaware County, and in 
addition to farm work also engaged in the lumber 
business there. In 1862 he enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Infantr)^ 
but aftenvard was transferred to the First New 
York Engineer Corps, and served as an officer of 
his company. He remained in the army until 
the close of the Rebellion. He now makes his 
home in Walton, Delaware County, and since 



1873 has led a retired life. Politically he is a 
Republican. In the Methodist Episcopal Church 
he is an active and successful worker, and has 
officiated as one of its local ministers. 

Margaret, our subject's mother, was born in 
Haiiffock, Delaware County, to which place her 
father, Daniel I. Weeks, had removed from Con- 
necticut. Being one of the pioneers of that local- 
ity, he endured many hardships, and took an act- 
ive part in the wars with the Indians. Our sub- 
ject, who was the only child of his parents, was 
born in Colchester, Delaware County, September 
17, 1855. After receiving the rudiments of his 
education in the public schools of his native town, 
he attended the Rochester University for a time, 
then taught school in this county, being engaged 
in that profession for three terms. In 1871, when 
a mere boy, he entered the employ of the New 
York, Ontario & Western Railway Company, when 
the road was building in Delaware and Sullivan 
Counties. His first position was on the engineer 
corps, and in 1873 he became a brakeman on the 
Northern Division of the road, his run being on 
a construction train. August 18 of that year he 
was made brakeman on the through freight tra'n 
between Norwich and Middletown, with his head- 
quarters in the latter city. In 1875 he became 
conductor, and in that capacity ran special trains 
on every branch of the road. The following year 
he began running the local freight between Mid- 
dletown and Walton, and in 1878 he was made 
passenger conductor, which position he has since 
held. He has been very fortunate in his railroad 
experience, never having had any accidents on 
his runs. 

At No. 36 Broad Street, Middletown, stands 
the home of Mr. Brazee, the residence being a 
neat structure erected by himself He married, 
in this city in 1891, Mi.ss Jennie Quinn, who was 
born here. By their union one child has been 
born, a daughter, Edna B. While on one of his 
runs, in 1894, Mr. Brazee was elected Supervisor 
of the First Ward on the Republican ticket, 
and his election attested his popularity, as the 
Ward was .strongly Democratic. His many friends, 
however, irrespective of politics, were glad to vote 
for a man whom they deemed .so well qualified for 




DAVID McCAMLY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



113; 



the place, sohe overcame the usual Democratic ma- 
jority of two hundred, having instead a Republican 
majority of sixty-six. During his service in this 
oiKce he has served on several committees, and 
was also on the special committee for re-district- 
ing the Second Senatorial District of the county. 
Socially he is connected with Walton Lodge No. 
559, F. & A. M. In the local lodge of the Order 
of Railway Conductors he was the first Chief, 
which position he held for many years. He was 
also Representative to the Grand Division, and 
attended the conventions at Boston, Louisville, 
New Orleans, Denver, Toronto, Rochester, To- 
ledo, Atlanta and St. Louis, having, in fact, failed 
to attend but three of the conventions of recent 
vears. 



0AVID McCAMLV. One of the early set- 
tlers of the town of Warwick was David 
McCamly, who was born in the North of 
Ireland, in 1704, and by his marriage to Jane 
Ellison, December 30, 1726, was connected with 
the well known Ellison family of New Windsor. 
He came to America with the Clinton colony, 
landing October i, 1729. The following year he 
settled on a tract of twenty-five hundred acres, 
extending from near Warwick into Sussex Coun- 
ty, N. J. On the farm, which now forms a part 
of the estate of W. M. Sanford, he built a dam 
and established a flourmill. He died December 
15, 1785, and his wife pa.ssed awa}- February 27, 
1786. They and several of their descendants are 
buried in a .secluded spot near the banks of the 
Wawayanda Creek, where their graves may still 
be distinguished. 

The children of David and Jane ( Ellison ) Mc- 
Camly were as follows: John, who was born in 
Ireland, October 9, 1727: William, who was born 
August 28, 1730, and died August 28, 1758; 
Mary, born July 15, 1732; Sarah, August 30, 
1734; Elizabeth, Mrs. Owens, who was born Sep- 
tember 27, 1736, and died April 17, 1801 ; Jane, 
born May 17, 1740; and David, September 9, 
1743. The last-named, whose official service in 

.so 



the Revolution won him the title of Colonel, was 
united in marriage, May 10, 1774, with Phcebe 
Sands, who was born September 11, 1759, and 
was a daughter of Capt. Samuel and Lavinia 
Sands, of Newburgh, N. Y. 

Colonel McCamly settled on a tract of fifteen 
hundred acres at New Milford, N. Y., given him 
by his father, and there he built a spacious stone 
dwelling-house, which he occupied until his death . 
He also established the fartily cemetery, in which 
he and three generations of his descendants are 
buried. During the Revolutionary War he served 
finst as Captain of a company belonging to Colo- 
nel Hathorn's Florida and Warwick regiment. 
In recognition of his courage and loyalty, he was 
later commissioned Colonel. In his household, 
as on the field, he maintained habits of military 
difscipline and exacted unquestioning obedience 
from his children and his large retinue of slaves. 
To each of his daughters he gave a slave as a 
personal attendant; these slaves accompanied 
them to their husbands' homes and remained 
with them until their death. It is a notewortlij- 
historical fact that at the home of Colonel Mc- 
Camly in New Milford, in 1786, was the first ap- 
pointment fur religious services by a Methodist 
minister in Orange County. His death occurred 
January 16, 1817, and his wife died June 10, 
1822. He was a remarkably handsome man, 
of dignified maimers, and was noted for his horse- 
manship. 

Of the children of Col. David and Phcebe 
(Sands) McCamly, we note the following: Sam- 
uel, who was born July 27, 1775, married Eliza- 
beth Wheeler, and died May 22, 1814. Lavinia, 
born November 2, 1777, died January 30, 1779. 
Mary, Mrs. Nathaniel Blaine, born February 26, 
1780, died October 26, 1836. John, born Decem- 
ber 24, 1782, married Sarah Wheeler, and died at 
Battle Creek, Mich., in 1858; one of his sons, 
John Wheeler, settled at Matagorda, Tex., and 
there many of his descendants still reside. El- 
eazer Gedney, born February 12, 1785, married 
Ruth Wheeler, and died in Michigan. Jane, Mrs. 
Francis Price, who was born April 12, 1787, 
died of cholera in New York City, April 12, 
1833, leaving among her children a son, Rod- 



II38 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



man McCamly Price, who became Governor of 
New Jersey. Mercy was born April 27, 1789, and 
died September 16, 1793. David was born June 
14, 1791, and died July 19, 1849. Sands, born 
August 16, 1793, married Eliza Coleman, and 
became the founder and one of the most influen- 
tial citizens of Battle Creek, Mich., represent- 
ing his district in Congress, and being an inti- 
mate personal friend of Gen. Lewis Cass. Rod- 
man, born March 15, 1797, first married Nancy 
Wheeler, and after her death was united with 
Catherine DeKay McCamly, and his death oc- 
curred at Vernon, N. J., December 3, 1870. The 
youngest son of Rodman McCamly was the late 
Maj. James Monroe McCamly. He was twice 
wounded in the War of the Rebellion, and died of 
)'ellow fever at New Orleans. R. McCamly 's 
only surviving child is Sarah Catherine, wife of 
Rev. Lewis R. Dunn, of East Orange, N. J. 
Elizabeth Ann, the youngest of the family, was 
born August 21, 1802, became the wife of Will- 
iam Dolson, and died August 28, 1823. 

David McCamly, whose portrait accompanies 
this sketch, was the eighth child of Col. David 
McCamly, and was born at the homestead at New 
Milford, where he resided on a tract of two hun- 
dred acres, inherited from his father, until his 
death in 1849. Although not a member of any 
denomination, yet he was'deeply interested in the 
growth of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
gave the land on which the edifice at New Milford 
was built; also contributed liberally to the support 
of the church. On the 2d of Januarj', 1812, he 
was united in marriage with Sarah Davis, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Ruth (Rumsey) Davis, of Sug- 
ar Loaf Valley, this county. This lady was born 
December 10, 1792, and died September 4, 1832, 
after having become the mother of ten children. 
The second union of David McCaml}- look place 
June 24, 1835, and united him with Mrs Eleanor 
Higgins, widow of John Higgins, of New York, 
and daughter of Francis and Catherine (Hep- 
burn) Geraghty, of Warwick. Mrs Eleanor Mc- 
Camly was born in New York Citj-, July 28, 
1810, and died December 3, 1888, having become 
the mother of six children by her second mar- 
riage. 



The eldest child of David McCamly was Ed- 
mund, who was born October 22, 1812, and died 
April 5, 1842. Sands, the second son, was born 
July II, 1814, .and died at Newburgh, April 10, 
1848. He married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of 
David Crawford, of Newburgh, and their only 
child is Mary E. C, wife of Charles F. Allen, of 
Newburgh. Jane Davis, the eldest daughter, 
was born June 24, 1816, became the wife of Col. 
Anthony Parcell Kerr, January i, 1840, and 
died at Mt. Eve, August 26, 1880. Francis 
Price, the fourth child, was born May 5, 1818, 
and married Anna Augusta Turner, of New York 
City, May 14, 1840; after her death he was unit- 
ed with Mary Greene, of Illinois, and now resides 
with his sons and grandsons at McCamly, Sully 
County, S. Dak. Susan, whose birth occurred 
June 28, 1820, married Rev. John Goodsell 
Smith, of New York, November 29, 1842, and re- 
sides in Newburgh. Abigail, born April 16, 
1822, was married to John Edsall McCain, Janu- 
ary 8, 1843, and died at Goshen February 5, 
1895. Harrison, who was born March 7, 1824, 
resides at Carson City, Nev. Caroline Adelia 
was born December 31, 1826, and died January i, 
1850. William Heniy, who was ninth in order 
of birth, was born August 5, 1829, and died at 
Shingle Springs, Eldorado County, Cal., Febru- 
ary- 27, 1867. Frederick Louis Vulte, the 
youngest child of the family, was born July 14, 
1832, and died October 12 of the same year. 

Of the second marriage of David McCamly the 
following children were born: Sarah Catherine, 
who was born March 27. 1836, and died Febru- 
ary 10, 1841; Marietta, who was born January- 

29, 1839, married M. C. Belknap, of Newburgh, 
May 13, 1862, and died November 27, 1873; Vic- 
toria, who was born May 2, 1841, and died Janu- 
ary 30, 1842; Josephine, born May 2, 1841 (twin 
of Victoria), married John N. Crane, Februarys. 
1 86 1, and died at Newburgh, April 2, 1886; Eu- 
genia, who was born April i, 1844, became the 
wife of John S. Walker, of New York, December 
24, 1863, and now resides in Newburgh; and 
David, who was born October 29, 1S48, married 
Anna Mary Preston, of Battle Creek. Mich., June 

30, 1885, and is a resident of that city. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1139 



EOL. ANTHONY PARCELL KERR was at 
one time intimately associated with the his- 
tory of Orange County, where his life began 
March 6, 1809, and closed July 18, 188 1. The 
house in which he was born, and which is now 
the home of his daughter, was built in 1804 and 
is still in a good state of preservation. The nails 
and shingles used in its construction were manu- 
factured by hand; the sidings were of red cedar, 
and the floors and doors of hardwood. In the 
kitchen still hang the old crane pothooks used in 
the early days, and the fireplace was so large that 
a horse was trained to draw in the back logs. 

The old homestead, which is known as Mt. 
Eve, takes its name from the adjoining peak, 
which, with a neighboring peak, Mt. Adam, rises 
from the edge of the drowned lands, and has been 
a well known landmark for two hundred years or 
more. Both peaks are of a peculiar formation, 
Mt. Eve being the higher and longer, and on it 
several granite quarries have been opened, from 
which stone is quarried similar to the celebrated 
Quincy granite. This property has been in the 
possession of the Kerr family for four generations, 
and in early days was frequently vi.sited by the 
Indians, with whom the white settlers were on 
the most friendly terms. 

The founder of the Kerr family in America 
was Walter Kerr, a native of Lanarkshire, Scot- 
land, born in 1653, and who died June 10, 1748. 
He was a strict Presbyterian and was arrested as 
a Non-Conformist, his property seized, and him- 
self sentenced to perpetual banishment. For this 
reason he sought, in 1685, a home in the New 
World. Settling at Freehold, N. J., he became 
one of the founders and ruling Elders of the 
famous Tennent Church, of which the brothers, 
Gilbert and William Tennent, were pastors for 
many years. He was one of the most prominent 
men and largest land-owners of his .section, and 
became the progenitor of a large family, his de- 
scendants now numbering fifteen hundred. He 
and his wife, Annie, reared several sons and 
daughters, and they are buried in the old church- 
yard at Freehold, as are many of their descend- 
ants. 

One of the grand.sons of Walter Kerr was Rev. 



Nathan Kerr, D. D., who was for thirty-eight 
years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Goshen. 
Another grandson was the ancestor of the New- 
burgh branch of the family. Another grandson, 
David Kerr, was the grandfather of Col. Anthony 
P. Kerr, and was born in Monmouth Count>-, 
N. J., where he received his education. After 
his marriage he .settled at Ramapo, then in 
Orange, but now in Rockland, County, making 
his home on a tract of land there, where were 
born his six sons and one daughter, viz. : Mark, 
George, Anthony, Richard, James, Robert and 
Esther. 

The .six .sons were men of splendid phy.sique, 
being over six feet in height, and they were sol- 
diers in the Revolution, attaining distinction 
through their valor in that memorable contest. 
Mark was a non-commissioned officer, being a 
member of the lifeguard, and during the War of 
18 1 2 he was Captain of a company of artillery. 
After the war was ended he settled in Louisiana, 
whither he had gone on a trading expedition. 
Four .sons died either during or shortly after the 
Revolution from wounds received, or as a result 
of exposure while in the service. They left no 
children. E.sther married, and died in New York 
City, her union having been childless. 

For many years David Kerr lived at Ramapo, 
and there his children were born. Several years 
before the breaking out of the Revolution he re- 
moved with his family to Mt. Eve, and from that 
homestead his sons marched forth to the war. 
He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian 
Church at Amity, and is buried in that church- 
yard. His son Robert, our subject's father, was 
born at Ramapo, January 19, 1756, and acompan- 
ied the other members of the family to Mt. Eve. 
Enlisting in the Colonial army, he joined the 
troops in New Jersey, and with General Wash- 
ington crossed the Delaware on that memorable 
Chri.stmas Eve and participated in the battle at 
Trenton, and that of Princeton, which followed. 
He continued with the army, and was at Morris- 
town and Valley Forge, and during the winter 
previous to the discharge of the troops he was 
stationed at New Windsor. The camp was broken 
up in October, 1783, and in November following 



1 140 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he witnessed the evacuation and departure of the 
British soldiers from New York City. 

The first wife of Robert Kerr was Mary Benja- 
min, of Amity, by whom he had four children, 
namely: Samuel Benjamin, David, George and 
Sarah. In November, 1802, he married Mary 
Christina (Pitts) Parcell, widow of Anthony Par- 
cell, a non-commissioned oflScer of the Revolu- 
tion, who died in 1796, from the effects of ex- 
posure while in the army. Two children were 
born of that union, our subject and Phoebe Maria. 
The latter, who was born November 27, 1806, 
became the wife of Alvah Foster in 1822, and died 
in New York City in September, 1872. Our sub- 
ject's mother was born at Snufftown, N. J., Au- 
gust 24, 1765, and died at the homestead at Mt. 
Eve, January 31, 1S31. She was the daughter of 
John and Mar>- Magdalene Pitts, French- Hugue- 
nots, whose parents had settled in Holland after 
the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and after 
their marriage, in 1760, they came to America, 
establishing their home in New Jersey, where 
they reared a large family. Robert Kerr died 
November 28, 1846. He was a stanch Jackson- 
ian Democrat, and his granddaughter Harriet 
has the old cane that was sent to him by General 
Jackson in recognition of his fealt\- to the Gen- 
eral's cause. She also has a musket, bayonet and 
powder-horn carried by him during the Revolu- 
tionan.- War, and a sword taken by him from a 
British officer, whom he captured and disanned. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
schools of Amity and Eden\nlle. and followed the 
occupation of a farmer throughout all his life. 
January i, 1840, he married Jane Davis McCamly. 
the third child of David and Sarah (Davis) Mc- 
Camly, of New Milford, N. Y. She was bom 
June 24, 1816, and died August 26. 1880, having 
by her union with Colonel Kerr become the 
mother of three children. Of these, Sarah Ellen 
died in girlhood: Jeanie Dale married Benjamin 
P. DeGroot, of New York City, and diedjanuary 
5, 1874, leaving no children; and Harriet, who is 
the only sun-ivor, occupies the old homestead. 
Colonel Kerr was greatly interested in militarj- 
matters and was Colonel Commandant of the 
Nineteenth Regiment New York State Militia 



for several years, or until its disbandment. In 
politics he was a Democrat, and his first vote was 
cast for General Jackson. A man of great gen- 
erosity, with a companionable disposition and up- 
right character, he won the regard of his asso- 
ciates, to whom his manly qualities endeared him. 
For many years he and his wife were identified 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Eden- 
ville. He died July 18, 1881, a'nd is buried in 
the family graveyard at Mt. Eve, where also lie 
the bodies of his parents, his wife and his chil- 
dren. 



gEORGE BERGEN This prominent resi- 
dent of the town of Montgomer\- is indus- 
triously pursuing his chosen occupation, that 
of a farmer, on the old homestead which was left 
him by his honored father. He is one of the 
most valued citizens of the community, and the 
property of which he is the owner is one of the 
best in the town in point of improvement. 

Our subject was born August 15, 1836, in 
Queens County, L. I., and was the son of Henrv 
and Cornelia (Bourumt Bergen. The father, 
who was also bom on the same farm as his son. 
came with his family to Orange County in the 
year 1856. He was well-to-do in this world's 
goods, and purchased the estate in the town of 
Montgomery on .which his son, our subject, now 
resides. Here he lived, takuig an active inter- 
est in all enterprises in the community, and here 
also his death occurred when he was in his 
seventy-ninth year. His wife, whose birth also 
occurred on Long Island, lived to be eighty-two 
vears of age. She was of Holland extraction, 
and her people were very much respected wher- 
ever their lot was cast. Both parents of our 
subject were members in excellent standing of 
the Reformed Church, and were active in all 
good works in their locality. 

The subject of this sketch made his home with 
his parents until their decease, when he inherited 
the home farm on which he has since resided. 
This property comprises one hundred and fifty 




'A 

O 

Pi >: 

pq w 

td o 

O g 

';:< o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 143 



acres, which Mr. Bergen cultivates in a most 
profitable manner. He has attained a high rank 
among the prosperous farmers of the town, and 
is highly regarded in the community where he 
has passed so many years of his life. In politics 
he is a stanch Republican and never lets an op- 
portunity pass when he can use his influence for 
the good of his party. 



|~RANK W. DENNIS, M. D., of Unionville, 
r^ was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 30, 
I 1857. The family of which he is a member 
is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was represented 
in America at an early period in the settlement 
of this country. His parents, David Wilson and 
Sarah (Read) Dennis, were natives of Sussex 
County, and nnto them were born eight children: 
David R., who was drowned while on a fishing 
trip; Frank W., of this sketch; Annie M., wife of 
Marshall Cook; John, who was drowned at the 
age of two years; William E., a druggist at Far 
Rockaway and a graduate of the College of Phar- 
macy, New York City; Violetta; Flora L., a pro- 
fessional nurse in Stillwater, N. J., and New 
York; and Martin R., who died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
near Stillwater, N. J., and received his primary 
education in the public schools. When fifteen 
years of age he entered a store at Middleville as a 
clerk. The next year he accepted a more re- 
munerative po.sition in Phillipsburg, N. J. His 
leisure evening hours were devoted to study in 
the night schools, and for one year lie attended a 
bu.siness college at Easton, Pa. He then began 
teaching school in Sussex County, continuing 
in that profession for four years and meeting with 
success in it. In 1879, having resolved to enter 
the medical profe.ssion, he became a student in 
the medical department of the State University of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution 
he was graduated in 1881. 

Opening an office in Gilead, Ind., the young 
Doctor began the practice of his profession, con- 
tinuing in that place until 1884, when he went to 
New York City and took a post-graduate course 



in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. On 
leaving there, he engaged with Dr. Berlin at 
Chapman's Quarries, Pa., where he remained 
nine months, coining from there to Unionville, 
in the town of Minisink, He is regarded as a 
skilled, capable physician, one fully informed re- 
garding the profession and successful in practice. 
June 23, 1887, Dr. Deiniis was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Wisner, and they have one 
child, Edna E. , who was born May 6, 1892. 
Since locating in Unionville, Dr. Dennis has 
built up a good practice, which is being continu- 
ally extended. He is a great reader and keeps 
abreast of the times. In the winters of 1892-93 
he attended the Vanderbilt clinics in New York. 
In 1892 he was elected Trustee of Unionville for 
two years, and in 1894 was chcsen President of 
the Village Board, to which responsible position 
he was re-elected the following year. In politics 
he is a Republican. His election to various lo- 
cal offices attests his popularity as a man. 



EHRISTIAN S. HUESHIZER, who is bet- 
ter known as "Charlie" in railroad circles, is 
one of the old and reliable employes of the 
Erie Railroad, his headquarters being at Port Jer- 
vis. Orange County. For the past twenty-seven 
years he has made his home here, and during 
this time has been in the Delaware Divi.sion. He 
now runs the Mountain Express, a local passen- 
ger train from this point to Susquehanna. For 
eight years he has had charge of passenger trains, 
and has never had a serious accident. From 
1875 to 1882 he was interested in the livery busi- 
ness in this city, which enterprise did not inter- 
fere in the lea.st with his regular employment. 
Since 1868 he has been an active member of the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and is 
very popular among the employes as well as the 
officials ol'the railroad. 

September 9, 1842, occurred the birth of our 
subject in Stewartsville, Warren County, N. J., 
his parents being Andrew and Halana (Sharps) 
Hulshizer. Our subject's great-grandfather, 
Martin, with his three brothers, emigrated from 



1 144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Germany, settling in Warren and Hunterdon 
Counties, N. J., prior to the Revolutionary' War. 
This Martin Hulshizer had a son named in his 
honor, and who was nine years old at the time of 
the emigration. The parents of our subject were 
natives of Warren County, N. J., where many 
families of the name and distant relatives are still 
living. 

C. S. Hulshizer continued to dwell with his 
parents until twenty years of age, receiving a 
good education. He then took up railroading as 
a brakeman and baggageman on the Lehigh Val- 
lej' Railroad, and for a short time was employed 
by the Ohio & Mississippi Road, running to St. 
Louis. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in 
Company C, Thirty-first New Jersey Infantry, 
and was assigned to the First Brigade, First 
Division of the First Army Corp, under Maj.- 
Gen. J. G. Reynolds and General Wadsworth, 
Division Commanders, the latter of whom was 
killed at Spottsylvania. Mr. Hulshizer served 
in the Army of the Potomac until June, 1864, 
when he was honorably discharged, after hav- 
ing participated in the battles of Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville. In the last-named 
engagement his regiment was held in reserve 
during the heaviest fighting, but was undei con- 
stant fire for two days preceding. Our subject 
remained with his regiment all of the time, with 
the exception of a few weeks when he was on 
special duty. 

Returning to the regular routine of life, Mr. 
Hulshizer obtained a position on the Orange & 
Alexandria Railway, and later ran on the Har- 
per's Ferry & Winchester Railroad, being in the 
Government employ for two years. When the 
Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad was com- 
pleted he ran for eight months between Wilkes 
Barre and White Haven, and then, until July i, 
1856, he was an emploj'e of the Delaware, Lack- 
awanna & Western Railway. For the next two 
years he operated an engine on the same railroad, 
but since October, 1868, has been in the Dela- 
ware Division of the Erie Railroad. 

In 1880 Mr. Hulshizer erected a handsome and 
comfortable residence on one of the leading streets 
of this citv, and has surrounded himself with 



many of the luxuries of life. He was married, 
October 27, 1880, to Marj- Ettie Moses, of Port 
Jerv'is, and daughter of Burton and Martha 
Moses, well known citizens of this place. Our 
subject and wife have hosts of sincere friends in 
this communit}-, and take great pleasure in en- 
tertaining them. 

J OUIS V. BAUER, proprietor of the Wall- 
I C kill River Park House, was born in Saxon> , 
1_2^ Germany, December 10, 1846. He is the 
son of Charles Louis and Fredericka (Jager) 
Bauer, natives of Germany, where they spent 
their entire lives, the father being engaged in the 
postoffice department of that country for many 
years. He passed away in 1861, and is survived 
bj' his wife, who continues to live in Saxony. 

In the public schools of Germany the subject 
of this notice gained a practical education, and 
at the age of fourteen began a three-years ap- 
prenticeship to the machinist's trade. He served 
until the close of his time, and followed the trade 
in Germany until twenty-one years of age, when 
he crossed the ocean and established his perma- 
nent home in America. Going to Newark, N. J., 
he took charge of the machinery in the morocco 
factory of C. Nugent & Co. . where he remained 
for two years. Later he embarked in business 
for himself. He was the first to manufacture 
genuine Russian leather in the United States, the 
secret of which he learned in Europe, and this 
statement is a matter of historj'. For a time he 
was in the employ of Howell, Hinchman & Co., 
at Middletown, and during his connection with 
that firm he made a trip to Europe for them in 
the interests of his discovery. It was through 
his instrumentality that the great reduction in the 
price of Russian leather was secured in this 
country. 

It was in 18S9 that Mr. Bauer took charge of 
the resort he has since successfully conducted. 
Bauer's Park, which adjoins Midway Park, 
and which contains ten acres, is situated between 
Goshen and Middletown, and bids fair to become 
one of the leading resorts in the count%- . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■■45 



February 15, 1870, Mr. Bauer married Miss 
Sarah, daughter of Dr. Lambrecht, of Elizabeth 
Ford, N. J. Of this union two children survive, 
Herman and Annie, who are with their parents. 
When the body of General Grant lay in state in 
New York City, although there were more than 
one hundred thousand people waiting outside for 
the purpose of viewing the body, Mr. Bauer was 
the first to gain entrance. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the Masonic fraternity and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is 
a Republican, but is bitterly opposed to sumptu- 
ary laws. He has served two terms as Excise 
Commissioner of Middletown, and was the first 
President of the Board of Excise under the new 
city charter. His majority at both elections was 
overwhelming, and his service in that capacity 
was most satisfactory to the people and creditable 
to himself. 

s "— s]"<'t^l=3 '^ 5 

gl L B E R T GOODGION, a contractor and 
builder at Middletown, was born in the 
village of Montgomery in 1854, and is of 
English descent. Two brothers of that name 
came to this country at a very early day, one of 
whom located in Orange County, and the other 
in the South. William Goodgion, who was a 
farmer by occupation, was born in Ulster Count}'. 
His son, Jacob Goodgion, the father of our sub- 
ject, was also born in Ulster County, near Rut- 
sonville. The father learned the carpenter's trade 
in his youth, and for a short time followed it in 
Montgomery, and then returned to the old home 
farm in Ulster County. There he followed farm- 
ing until his death, at the age of sixty-six years. 
Politically he was a Democrat. He married 
Susan Moore, a native of Montgomery and a 
daughter of Joel Moore, who was of Scotch de- 
scent aud who was a farmer residing near that 
village. Mrs. Goodgion was a devout member 
of the Reformed Church, and died at the age of 
.seventy-two years. Of her eight children, seven 
grew to maturity, and five are yet living. 

Gilbert Goodgion was fifth in the parental 
family. Soon after his birth his parents removed 



to Rutsonville, and on the old farm of his father 
and grandfather he grew to manhood. He was 
educated in the public schools, and in 1871 came 
to Middletown. Under Seth Wright he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of mason and brick- 
layer, and after remaining with him two years 
returned to his old home, where for one year he 
was clerk in a general store. He then went to 
Woodbourne, Sullivan County, where he re- 
mained two years as clerk in a general store, and 
again came to Middletown and engaged at his 
trade. After working for different parties until 
1882, he began contracting and building in part- 
nership with Mr. Springstead, under the firm 
name of Goodgion & Springstead. This partner- 
ship was continued until 1894, when it was dis- 
solved, since which time our subject has been in 
business alone. In rustic mason work he is 
quite experienced, and in almost every part of 
Middletown may be found specimens of his work. 
Mr. Goodgion was married in Ellenville to 
Miss Serepta Edwards, a native of Woodbourne. 
She died December 27, 1894, leaving five chil- 
dren: Frank, Fred, Charles, Clarence and Jennie. 
In politics Mr. Goodgion is a Democrat, and has 
served as Committeeman from his ward. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
and for some years he was a member of Eagle 
Hose Company No. 2. 



/HHARLES DAVIS, of Port Jervis, is fore- 
|( man of the engine-house and repair depart- 
^J ment in the Erie Railroad shops. He is a 
native of Bath, Somersetshire, England, but has 
resided in the United States for the past thirty 
years. A son of Joseph and Sarah (Branch) 
Davis, he was born March 15, 1845, and in his 
birthplace spent his boyhood. He received com- 
mon-school advantages, and when he was fifteen 
years of age commenced learning the millwriglit's 
trade. Five years later he set sail for America, 
coming at once to Port Jervis, where he obtained 
a position in the shops and completed his trade. 
Until 1870 he was an employe in the roundhouse, 
and that year he went to New Orleans, L,a., re- 



1 146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



maining in that citj- and in western Mississippi 
for two years and eight months. In November, 
1872, he returned to this city, having been offered 
a position as a machinist in the roundhouse. 
Later he was promoted to be foreman, succeeding 
P. J. Smith, deceased, and in his department he 
has some twenty men. 

January' 30, 1869, the marriage of Charles 
Davis and Sarah Whitehead was celebrated in 
Port Jervis. Mrs. Davis was born in Oldham, 
England, and had crossed the Atlantic to the 
United States less than a j'ear prior to her mar- 
riage. She was called to the home beyond June 
18, 1891, having been an invalid for three or four 
years. She was the mother of three sons and 
three daughters, two of whom, Mabel and Vic- 
toria, died in infancy. Florence C. is a successful 
school teacher; Alfred is a clerk in the car shops; 
Arthur J. occupies a position in a drug store; and 
Stanley, the youngest son, is still in school. The 
children are all members of the Episcopal Church 
and have received good home training. Mr. 
Davis is a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 328, 
F. & A. M.; Neversink Chapter No. 186, R. A. 
M. ; Delaware Commandery No. 44, K. T. ; and 
Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine of New York 
City. Politically he is a Democrat. For thirteen 
years he has been a leader of the Erie Cornet 
Band of Port Jervis, which he helped to organize 
in 1867. Ever since boyhood he has displayed 
ability as a musician, and in former years was 
quite a v'ocalist. The instrument which he now 
plays in the band is a B flat cornet. 



••>*^®®®>C;«- 



pQlLLIAM CONN is engine dispatcher for 
\ A / the Erie Railroad at Port Jervis, and has 
V V filled this position uninterruptedly and 
faithfully since i86g. His duties require his con- 
stant presence and supervision of engines, which 
must leave this point in good order, and he also 
looks after all repair work in the engine-house. 
There are about forty men who take orders direct 
from him, and altogether, counting those who are 



on the road, he superintends some three hundred 
and fifty hands. For twentj^-six years he has 
been a member of Division No. 54, Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers. 

A native of New Jersey, Mr. Conn was born 
in the city of Newark, August 11, 1838, and 
passed the first eleven years of his life in that lo- 
calit}-. He then removed to Piermont, N. Y., 
which was then the termination of the Erie Rail- 
road, and there he attended the common .schools. 
His parents were William and Mary (Campbell 1 
Conn, natives of Scotland. When he was seven- 
teen years of age, 3-oung Conn ran away from 
home, and going to New Bedford, Conn., shipped 
on a whaling-vessel, the "Analda," commanded 
by Capt. Smith Sarvent. The trip which ensued 
consumed three and a-half years, during which 
time the vessel touched at the Sandwich Islands 
and other points in the Pacific, and proceeded 
to the Arctic Ocean, passing the coast of Cali- 
fornia and penetrating the Arctic Ocean. The 
result of the voyage was three thousand barrels 
of oil, and was therefore considered very success- 
ful. Mr. Conn received as his payment one bar- 
rel for every two hundred barrels of oil procured, 
and as it was then worth about $45 a barrel, his 
share was S675, besides a percentage of the 
whalebone taken . 

In 1858 our subject, having returned home, 
started in his railroad career on the Erie Road at 
Piermont, in the humble capacity of oilman, his 
duties being to oil the cars at points of friction. 
In i860 he was made fireman on the Eastern 
Division, and acted as such for two years. In 
August, 1862, he enlisted in the United States 
nav}' as a fireman, and was assigned to the gun- 
boat "Norwich," under Capt. James Duncan, be- 
ing attached to the North Atlantic Squadron. 
The vessel assisted in blockading the city of 
Charleston and other points, helped to take St. 
John, Fla., and guarded Yellow Bluff. Mr. Conn 
was one of nine firemen on the " Norwich," and 
served altogether fifteen months. On his return 
to the ordinary pursuits of life, he was re-em- 
ployed by the Erie Road, and became hostler at 
Port Jervis, February 22, 1864. Soon afterwards 
he was given the place of assistant engineer, his 




WIIJJAM L. CUDDHBACK. M. IK 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



1 149 



duties being to take engines to and from the 

yards. Then he was made assistant engine dis- 
patcher under W. Kimball, and was promoted to 
his present place in 1869. 

February 10, 1864, Mr. Conn married Mary E. 
Travis, of this city. They have but one child, 
Nathaniel, who is a clerk in the road department 
of the railroad service. Mrs. Conn is a lady of 
good education, and is a faithful member of the 
Baptist Church. Fraternally our subject is ident- 
ified with the Masonic order, belonging to Port 
Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M.; Neversink 
Chapter No. 186, R. A. M. ; Delaware Command- 
ery No. 44, K. T.; also Mecca Temple of the 
Mystic Shrine of New York City. In these or- 
ders he has held a number of ofiBces, and stands 
high in the estimation of the brotherhood. His 
right of franchi.se is used in favor of the Repub- 
lican party. 

pQlLLIAM h. CUDDEBACK, M. D. This 
\ A / well known phy.sician of Port Jervis is de- 
VV scended from the French-Huguenots, be- 
longing to one of the oldest families in the United 
States, who arrived in Deerpark, Orange County, 
in 1690. In that year five men, Jacob Cudde- 
back, Thomas, Anthony and Bernardus Swart- 
wout and Peter Gumaer, with their families, 
formed a settlement called Peenpack on the Never- 
sink River, some six miles northeast of the pres- 
ent .site of Port Jervis, which, with the exception 
of one small place, was the earliest settlement made 
in what is now Orange County. Amicable ar- 
rangements were made with the Indians, and 
deeds to their land obtained, as it is known they 
lived in peace until the French and Indian War, 
a period of more than sixty years. 

Two of the settlers, Mr. Cuddeback and Mr. 
Gumaer, were from France. In 1685 the King 
of France, Louis XI V. , revoked the Edict of Nan- 
tes, leaving the Huguenots without protection 
from the intolerance of the Catholics, who so op- 
pres.sed them as to cause a great exodus of such 
families as could manage to leave the country. 
Caudebec was formerly the capital of Caux, situ- 



ated on the Seine, in that part of France ancient- 
ly called Normandy. It was a flourishing city 
before the revocation of that edict, but was almost 
ruined as a result of that measure. It would seem 
that the family of Cuddeback, or Caudebec, was 
an influential one, and when flight was decided 
upon it was done hastily; but circunustances indi- 
cate that Jacob, in company with Mr. Gumaer, 
remained for a time either in England or Holland, 
expecting to be joined by his sisters, who were 
to bring sufficient funds to enable them to become 
established in life elsewhere; but after weary wait- 
ing they decided to seek their fortunes as best 
they might, the whole world, except their own 
native land, being open to them. So they sailed 
for America, the refuge of thousands of others of 
the same faith. On landing in Maryland, their 
means were exhausted, but they soon after came 
to New York, where they were married, Jacob 
espousing Margaret, a daughter of Benjamin Pre- 
vost, a trader of Kingston on the Hudson. Their 
marriage occurred October 21, 1695. At the lat- 
ter place they met the Swartwout families and de- 
cided to go to the wilderness for a home. Mr. 
Cuddeback later went to the Governor of New 
York to secure a patent to the land, which com- 
prised twelve hundred acres, and was granted the 
same October 14, 1697. The original settlers 
were soon joined by John Tyse and David Jami- 
son, but they were not left long in undisputed 
possession of their land, as parties from New Jer- 
sey laid claim to this valuable tract. Needing 
additional strength to repress the invaders, we 
find that Harmonas Van Inwegen, who had mar- 
ried a .sister of the Swartwouts, and who was a 
bold, hardy, fearless, resolute man, and had 
traveled all over the world as a sailor, received 
part of the land and added his ability to retain 
the homes and property from the Jersey men. 

Jacob Cuddeback said that he had been de- 
prived of many enjoyments in having to leave 
France, but he had the satisfaction of leaving his 
posterity in a country where good land was easily 
acquired. Being reproached by one of his sons 
for not having laid claim to a large tract, he re- 
torted, "You have the same chance as I had to 
provide for your family, see if you will do better. ' ' 



II50 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■ He lived to be nearly one hundred j-ears of age, 
and of his family we make the following mention: 
Benjamin, unmarried, died at the age of eighty 
years: William, who married Jemima Elting, died 
at the age of seventy-four; James, who married 
Neltje Decker, a daughter of Christopher Decker, 
had three sons, John, James and Richard, who 
removea to Niagara County, X. V., and he died 
at the age of thirty years: Abraham, who wedded 
Esther Swartwout, a daughter of Maj. James 
Swartwout and Annie Gumaer, of Feenpack, re- 
moved late in life to Skaneateles, N. Y., where 
he died at the age of eighty-eight; Jacob married 
Jeannette Westbrook; Elsie became the wife of 
Harnionas Van Gordon, of Ulster County, N. Y., 
June 1 1 , 1727, and died at the age of eighty years; 
Morice first wedded George Westfall, August 20, 
1 7 16, and later a Mr. Cole, and she lived to be 
nearly one hundred; Dinah became the wife of 
Abraham Lovis (now called Low) Ma}- 31, 1738; 
Eleanor married Evert Hoornbeek, and died at 
the age of seventy years; and Naomi was the wife 
of Lodiwyke Hoornbeek. 

William spelled the name Caudebec, but the 
children changed it to Codebec. He wedded Jem- 
ima Elting on the 8th of April, 1732, and be- 
came the owner of the old homestead, where he 
died at the age of sevent}--four years, he having 
been born in June, 1704. He was tall of stature, 
being over six feet, large-boned, muscular and 
lean, and was very strong in his youth. He was 
talkative and witty, probably the quickest at 
repartee of any in the neighborhood. Argument 
was his hobby, and he liked nothing better than 
to discuss the Scriptures, being familiar with all 
of them. He made much sport of witchcraft, in 
which so many believed in those days, and told 
many amusing stories concerning it. As a busi- 
ness man he was slack, but was widely beloved 
and respected. He had five children. James, who 
became deranged, died at the age of eighty years; 
Capt. Abraham, who married Esther Gumaer, 
daughter of Peter Gumaer, died at the age of 
eighty-two. His son Benjamin wedded Catherine 
\'an Fleet, and died at the age of forty -five years. 
Roulif, who never married, died at the age of 
fifty years. He is spoken of in the Eagers' His- 



tor},- as having had a hand-to-hand encounter with 
an Indian warrior. Both were strong, stalwart 
men, and unarmed, but as neither could get the 
advantage of the other they parted friends. Sarah 
was the wife of Daniel \'an Fleet. 

The second son of this family. Abraham, re- 
mained upon the old homestead, of which he 
ownad half. He became Captain of a companv 
of militia during the Revolution, and filled an im- 
portant place during that exciting time. Six feet 
in height, he weighed over two hundred pounds, 
and was a strong, handsome athlete. He learned 
almost intuitively to do all kinds of complicated 
mechanical work; could weave cloth and make it 
into clothing; could tan skins, from which he 
would manufacture leather clothing or shoes; 
made a fanning-mill after having seen one while 
on a vi.sit to Old Paltz; made wagons and other 
farming implements; and had the ability to use 
his naturally bright mind and dexterous hands 
for fee comfort and pleasure of himself, family 
and friends. He was a brave soldier, always 
alert, and with an eye single to the safety of those 
in his charge. His .soldiers were his old neigh- 
bors, and each thought he knew about as much as 
the Captain, but by using tact and patience he 
brought them into a fair state of military subor- 
dination. His first service was at Ft. Montgom- 
erj-, and he was there with his company the day 
the fort was captured, after which he went home. 
He did good service in keeping in touch with the 
village settlements, especially Cohocton, forty 
miles distant. In 1778, when the enemy invaded 
the neighborhood, he commanded the men sta- 
tioned at Guiuaer Fort, and largely through his 
personal bravery and encouragement to the men 
and women inside the fort, the enemy were re- 
pulsed and the fort retained. His service con- 
tinued until the declaration of peace, and the in- 
dependence of the Colonies was recognized. 

Benjamin Cuddeback, the third son of William 
Codebec, and the next in direct line to our sub- 
ject, wedded Catherine Van Fleet, and they had 
six children. Benjamin died at the age of ninety- 
one years; Levi died of colic when a young man; 
Jemima became the wife of Anthony \'an Etten; 
Henry married Esther Gumaer; Svncthe was the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1151 



wife of Simon Westfall; and William, who mar- 
ried Aniietje Van Inwegen, died at the age of 
ninety years. The eldest son, Benjamin, married 
Blandina VanEtten, a daughter of Levi and Jane 
( Westbrook ) Van Etten, and of their children we 
make the following mention: Levi died when 
young; Catherine, the wife of James Cuddeback, 
died at the age of seventy-eight years; Jane, who 
became the wife of Alex S. Johnson, lives in Port 
Jervis; Asenath married S. B. Farnum, of whom 
.see sketch elsewhere in this volume; Elting first 
wedded Ann Bevier Elting, and after her death 
Margaret Cuddeback ; Hannah became the wife 
of Col. Peter P. Swartwout; Thomas, a doctor, 
married Elizabeth Thompson; Jemima married 
L. S. Chapin; and Lydia became the wife of W. 
W. Titsworth. (For further information regard- 
ing Benjamin Cuddeback see biograph\- of Elting 
Cuddeback. ) 

The Doctor, whose name heads this sketch, 
was born in the town of Deerpark, on the 26th ol 
April, 1854, and is the son of Elting and Ann 
Bevier (Elting) Cuddeback, who were the par- 
ents of six children. Cornelius, an attorney, mar- 
ried Esther Mills (see sketch elsewhere in this 
volume); Benjamin E., who remained upon the 
home farm with his father, wedded Clara Conk- 
ling, and died in 1893, at. the age of forty-two 
years; our subject is next in order of birth; Blan- 
dina is the wife of Rev. J. L. Stilwell, pastor of 
the Reformed Church at Bloomingburg, N. Y.; 
and two children, who both bore the name of 
Philip, died in infancy. 

The father has made agriculture his chief occu- 
pation through life, and is still living on his farm, 
at the age of seventy-eight years. He was mar- 
ried in Deerpark, his wife being a daughter of 
Rev. C. C. Elting, of the Reformed Church, who 
was stationed at Port Jervis, and there he died at 
the age of fifty-one years. Mrs. Cuddeback was 
^called to her final rest in 1861. The father never 
cared for political preferment, though he held 
several minor offices, but desired to give his time 
and attention to his business interests. 

The primary education of Dr. Cuddeback was 
received in the home schools, after which he took 
a special course of two years in Cornell University. 



He then began reading medicine with Dr. Solo- 
mon Van Etten, of Port Jervis, after which he at- 
tended Bellevue College in New York City, tak- 
ing the regular course, and was graduated in the 
Class of '76. He then became an interne in the 
Bellevue Hospital, and after his graduation, in 
1878, began practice in Port Jervis, where he has 
remained ever since. In company with Dr. H. B. 
Swartwout he purcha.sed the hospital here in 1892, 
which had been started three years previously. 
It is a general hospital, with a capacity of twenty- 
four beds, to which the railroad patients for 
about one hundred and fifty miles are brought. 
The Doctor is also engaged in general practice 
and surgery, and has ever met with excellent 
success. 

On the 1 6th of October, 1880, Dr. Cuddeback 
was united in marriage with Miss Alice D. Mal- 
ven, a daughter of George and Philenda (St. 
John) Malven. Her father, who was a hardware 
merchant, departed this life in 1894. To our 
subject and wife have been born five children: 
Frank, Edgar G., Lizzie M., Alice and Philenda. 

Religiously the Doctor and his wife hold mem- 
bership with the Reformed Church. He is a mem- 
ber of the Orange County, New York State and 
National Associations of Railroad Surgeons, the 
New York State Medical Societ\-, and is now serv- 
ing as Pension Examiner. For five j-ears, from 
1887 until 1892, he was President of the Board of 
Education, during which time the Main Street 
Schoolhouse was erected. Since the establish- 
ment of the Free Library he has been President 
of the board. Politically his support is given to 
the Democratic party. 



EW. MARTIN, wholesale and retail dealer 
in blue and flag stone, on the corner of North 
Street and the Erie Railroad, Middletown, 
is one of the enterprising men of the city. He 
was born in the town of Liberty, Sullivan County, 
January 17, 1849, and is a son of Daniel T. and 
Lydia (Shaw) Martin, both of whom were natives 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the same town. The first of the name came j 
from England in the "Mayflower," first locating 
near Bedford, Mass., from which place thej- scat- 
tered to various parts of the country, one of the 
number settling in Connecticut. At a very 
early day, Lemuel Martin, the grandfather, 
removed from Connecticut, his native state, to 
Sullivan Count>-, N. Y., in company with a Mr. ' 
Hall, and after building a log house returned to 
Connecticut. The next season he, his wife and 
a Miss Trowbridge and others went by team to 
Liberty and were among the first settlers in that . 
town. The grandfather there engaged in the 
lumber business and in wood-turning, and also 
built and operated a saw and grist mill on the i 
Beaver Kill. For some years he was a Justice of I 
the Peace in that town. Hisson, Daniel T., the 
father of our subject, was there born and has ' 
followed the occupation of a farmer during his en- 
tire life. He resides in the old place and is about 
eighty years of age. In politics he is a Republi- 
can. His wife, the mother of our subject, died 
at the age of sixty years. The family consisted of 
two sons and three daughters, all of whom grew 
to maturity and are yet living. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest in the 
parental family, and remained upou the home 
farm until after he was eighteen years of age. 
He received his primary education iu the public 
schools of his native town, and finished his 
course at the Normal Institute. When eighteen 
years of age he engaged as a clerk in a general 
store in Wayne County, Pa., opposite Narrows- 
burg, Sullivan County, where he continued four 
and a-half years. He then formed a partnership 
with a Mr. Decker and started a general mer- 
chandise store at Narrowsburg, under the firm 
name of Decker & Martin, which business was 
continued for four years. He then sold out to 
his partner, and bought out Stanton & Green, 
general merchants of Narrowsburg, and continu- 
ed in business alone until 1885, when he disposed 
of the store, and engaged in his present business, 
quarrying and selling blue and flag stone. In 
188S he located in Middletown, carn,-ing on the 
wholesale trade, and in 1893 he opened a retail 
business, and now has an extensive trade in boch. 



In the past ten years he has operated many 
quarries, and now has four that are yielding good 
returns. 

Mr. Martin was married in Narrowsburg. 
September 17, 1S73, to Miss Adella Gordon, 
daughter of C. K. Gordon, whose sketch appears 
on another page of this work. Three children 
have been born unto them: Mabel, Bernice and 
May. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican, 
and while residing in the town of Tusten, Sulli- 
van County, was Super\-isor for two terms and 
School Trustee two \ears. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds 
the office of Trustee. 

■ ^ ^ P • 



3 AMES C. RIDER, proprietor of the cream- 
ery at Central \'alley, was born in the town 
of Cornwall, March 3, 1859, being a son of 
Charles C. and Marj- A. (Cornelli Rider. At 
the age of seven \-ears he accompanied his parents 
to Middletown, where, five years later, he began to 
work in a hat factory, and from that time he was 
practically self-supporting. June 7, 1876, he re- 
moved with other members of the family from 
Middletown to Brooklyn, where he and his broth- 
ers were engaged in the milk business, under the 
firm name of Rider Bros. 

After carrying on business for some years at 
Brooklyn, our subject in 1S84 became interested 
in the creamery at Turner. Two years later he 
came to Central \'alley. where he opened a cream- 
ery, but was unfortunate in losing all by fire. 
Undismayed, however, by this disaster, he re- 
built the plant and is now carrying on a large and 
profitable business. In addition to this, he has 
also erected creameries at Youngs and Sidney, on 
the Ontario & Western, and at Bridgewater on 
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. The 
output has increased to such an extent that he 
now handles about four thousand gallons per 
day. 

The marriage of Mr. Rider was solemnized in 
Brooklyn, March 16, 1881, at which time Miss 
Lucy A. Smith became his wife. Mrs. Rider 
was born in Brooklvn. beins the daughter of 




CAPT. CHARLES R. FULLER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•55 



David and Lucy E. (Cross) Smith, and she made 
her home in the city of her birth until the time of 
her marriage. She is an estimable, well inform- 
ed lady, and a sincere member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Two children complete the 
family circle, a son, Howard E., and a daughter, 
Florence E. 

In his political sentiments Mr. Rider is a Pro- 
hibitionist, believing that the liquor traffic is the 
greatest evil of the present age and that its over- 
throw will conduce more to the prosperity of the 
nation than any other issue of the day. In his 
religious belief he was reared ni the faith of the 
Hicksite Friends, to which doctrine he still ad- 
heres. 



EAPT. CHARLES R. FULLER, of Middle- 
town, is one of the best posted men in the 
lumber trade in the entire country. He-was 
born in Broome County, N. Y., in 1834, and is 
the son of John W. and LTraina C. (Russell) 
Fuller, both of whom were natives of Connecti- 
cut. The father located in Broome County in 
an early day and purchased a farm at Whitney's 
Point, where he engaged in farming and also in 
the manufacture of hard and soft wood lumber. 
He continued in these occupations until his death, 
at the age of sixty-three years. His v^'ife sur- 
vived him many years, dying in 1893, at the age 
of eighty-four years. They were both members 
of the Baptist Church. Of their family of two 
sons and six daughters, three of the latter are de- 
ceased. One son, Francis Fuller, was a member 
of the Eighty-sixth New York A'olunteer Infantry, 
enlisting in 1862 and serving until the close of the 
war. Subsequently he went West. John W. , Jr. , 
now resides in Corning, N. Y. ; Sophronia is the 
wife of Joseph H. Conkling, of Coldwater, Mich.; 
Alma is the widow of S. S. Mott, of Auburn, 
N. Y.; Lemira L. is the widow of James Wessels, 
of Middletown. 

The subject of this sketch remained upon the 
home farm until ten years of age, when his par- 
ents removed to Union, N. Y., locating on a farm 
near that village. Here he remained until nine- 



teen years of age, assisting his father in the saw- 
mill and attending the district school as opportn- 
nity was afforded him. At that age he went to 
Corning, N. Y., where he was engaged as inspect- 
or of lumber for two years, and then started a 
commission-yard in that city; His shipments 
were made principally by the Erie Canal, and he 
continued in business there until 1862. In that 
year he raised a company in Corning, which be- 
came Company D, One Hundred and Forty-first 
New York Volunteer Infantry. He was com- 
missioned and mustered in as Captain at Elmira, 
N. Y. His regiment was assigned to the Armj- 
of the Potomac and took part in the battle of 
Antietara, its next principal engagement being at 
Gettysburg. Shortly afterward it was ordered 
west, joining Sherman's armj- in front of At- 
lanta and assisting in the capture of that city. 
From Atlanta it was with Sherman in his celebrat- 
ed march to the sea, and continued in that com- 
mand until the close of the war. In Jul}-, 1865, 
Captain Fuller was mustered out and honorably 
discharged at Elmira. During his service he re- 
fused promotion, because of a desire to remain 
with his company. 

On receiving his discharge, the Captain return- 
ed to Corning, but only remained there a short 
time, going thence to Oil City, Pa., where he 
became a member of the firm of Fox, Fuller & 
Co., wholesale and retail dealers in lumber. At 
this time Oil Cit}- was enjoying a boom, occasion- 
ed b}' the discover}' of oil. He remained as man- 
ager of the firm's business for about two years, 
and then sold out, and located in Wilkes Barre, 
Pa. In three months he had a large yard start- 
ed, and there ran a successful business for seven 
years. 

On account of ill-health Captain Fuller was 
compelled to sell out his business in the latter 
place, and for the two succeeding years was en- 
gaged in traveling through the W>st and South. 
For his wife he married Mrs. Ella Beecher, of 
Middletown, the daughter of J. H. Weed, from 
Raysville, Pa. Four children were born unto 
them, three of whom, Blanche, Grace and Claire, 
died of diphtheria within two weeks. The sur- 
viving child is Helene. 



II56 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the fall of 1876 Captain Fuller located in 
Middletown, and in Maj', 1877, bought the lum- 
ber-yard of S. S. Conkling, which he yet con- 
ducts. It is situated on the corner of Depot and 
Foundry Streets, and is well supplied with sheds 
and buildings for sash, doors and blinds, and also 
for the storage of lumber and coal, both of which 
he sells at wholesale and retail. His business has 
assumed large proportions, and he .sells carload 
lots to other dealers in lumber on the line of the 
Erie and other railroads centering in Middletown. 
He buys his lumber direct from manufacturers. 
At one time he was largely interested in 
timber-land in Michigan. He was one of the 
original stockholders and is a Director and a mem- 
ber of the executive committee of the glass com- 
pany, and since its organization has been a 
member and Director of the Board of Trade. In 
Corning he was coiniected with the Alliance 
Hook and Ladder Company for ten years, now 
being an honorary member, and is a member of 
General Lyon Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a 
Republican. His wife is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

Captain Fuller and wife spent considerable 
time at the World's Fair at Chicago. He is 
regarded as one of the mo.st enterprising men 
in Middletown, and to every enterprise calculated 
to advance its interest he is ever ready to lend a 
helping hand. In his own private bu.siness he 
shows energy and zeal, and is accommodating to 
all his friends and customers. 

gEORGE E. BEAKES is a successful busi- 
ness man in Middletown, and is the proprie- 
tor of three creameries. He was born in 
the town of Wallkill, two and a-half miles from 
Middletown, December i, 1842, and is a son of 
Mahlon Stacey and Enieline (Carpenter) Beakes, 
the former born near Middletown, on the old 
Beakes homestead, and the latter about four miles 
from this city. His grandfather, Joseph Beakes, 
was also a native of Orange County. (For the 
ancestry of the Beakes family, see sketch of Henry 
L. Beakes.) The father of our subject was a 



farmer, and owned and operated a farm of one 
hundred acres near Middletown. He was an 
active member of the old-school Baptist Church, 
and in politics was a Republican. His death oc- 
curred in 1891. Our .subject's maternal grand- 
father, William Carpenter, who was of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry, was a well-to-do farmer of Or- 
ange County. Mrs. Beakes died in 1870. Of the 
eleven children in the parental family, ten are yet 
living: James A., who was a member of Company 
E. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York 
Volunteer Infantrw and who is now a farmer 
residing in Middletown; George E., our subject; 
C. H. C, at Orr's Mills; ^'anny, of Cornwall; 
William B., now engaged in the milk business at 
Newburgh; J. E., Abbie J. and Albert S., of New 
York City; Annie M. and Enmia, at home in 
Cornwall. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
home farm, commenced his education in the pub- 
lic schools, and completed the course at Wallkill 
Academy. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the 
Fifty-sixth New York Infantry. At Washington 
he was transferred to the First New York Mounted 
Rifles, Troop C, and was stationed at Fortress 
Monroe, becoming a part of General Wool's body- 
guard, while he was in command, and afterward 
that of Benjamin F. Butler. After MacClellan's 
advance he went into more active service, and 
as orderly conveyed dispatches from one post of 
the arm}' to another. Near the close of his three- 
years term of service with the rank of Sergeant, 
he was detailed to the Adjutant-General's head- 
quarters in charge of the orderlies. 

In October, 1864, Mr. Beakes was mustered out 
and honorably discharged at Point of Rocks, Va., 
immediately returning home, where he secured 
employment in the Rockville Creamery. The 
second year he took charge of the Circleville 
Creamery, which he operated one year, and then 
again had charge of the Rockville Creamery for 
the same length of time. In Wallkill, in 1867, 
he married Miss Hannah Jordan, a native of that 
town, and daughter of I. C. and a sister of J. V. 
Jordan, of Newburgh. Mr. Beakes purchased 
the old Horton homestead, consisting of one hun- 
dred and twentv acres, and located three miles 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from Middletown, and there engaged in farming 
for six years. Renting the farm, he accepted a 
position with Brown & Bailey, as manager of the 
Glenwood Creamery, where he remained three 
years. In compan)- with his brother-in-law, J . 
V. Jordan, he then purchased the Pleasant Valley 
Creamery, and business was conducted under the 
firm name of Beakes & Jordan. For one year 
they engaged in the manufacture of butter and 
cheese, and al.so in the shipment of cream and 
milk. The Shawangunk Creamery was then 
purchased of Jeff Post, and in partnership with 
his brother, Mr. Beakes conducted business under 
the name of C. H. C. Beakes & Co. Later they 
purchased the Montgomery Creamery, and the 
following year built the Coldenham Creamery, 
near Orange Lake. The firm now had three 
creameries, but the next year they sold the 
Shawangunk Creamer)^ and continued the other 
two. On account of ill-health, however, Mr. 
Beakes was compelled to abandon the creamery 
business and retire to his farm, where he remained 
two years. He then went to vSidney Centre, 
Delaware County, where he built a large cream- 
er)', and the second year sold the others to J. Y. 
Jordan. He then bought the Merrickville Cream- 
ery and took his brother, C. H. C. Beakes, into 
partnership. After operating the two creameries 
for eight years the firm was dissolved, and our 
subject continued the Sidne\' Centre Creamery. 
At this time he purchased a milk business in New 
York City, which he placed in charge of his son, 
Charles H. Beakes, the milk being supplied from 
the Glen Farm daily, and from Sidney Centre. 
In 1893 he purchased a half-interest in the East 
Masonville Creamer)', which was run under the 
name of Beakes & Gifford. The firm owned the 
property and manufactured the cream for farmers. 
In 1894 Beakes & Gifford purchased the Taconia 
Creamery, in Delaware County, which they ran 
on the same plan. The Sidney Centre Creamery 
is the largest one with which Mr. Beakes has 
been connected, and he operates that alone, as 
well as the New York City milk business, located 
at No. 210 East Fifty-first Street. The East 
Masonville Creamery has a capacity of eleven 
thousand pounds a day, while the capacity of the 



Tacoma Creamery is nearly as large. Mr. 
Beakes gives his personal attention to the dis- 
posal of the products. 

In addition to the property already mentioned, 
Mr. Beakes owns a farm of two hundred and 
forty-two acres near Sidney Centre, which he 
operates himself, and on which he keeps about 
fifty head of cows. He also owns his old home 
of one hundred and twenty acres and runs it as a 
dairy farm, keeping thirty head of cows. From 
1883 to 1893 he resided with his family at Sidney 
Centre, but is now located at No. 16 Highland 
Avenue, Middletown, where he has a very com- 
fortable re.sidence. His family consists of his wife 
and three children: Charles H., a graduate of 
Eastman's Business College, and now in charge 
of the New York bu.siness; Crosby J, a .student 
in Hamilton College, of the Class of '97; and 
Edna. In army matters Mr. Beakes retains a 
deep interest, and is a member of Capt. William 
A. Jackson Post No. 301, G. A. R., at Middle- 
town. He is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church at Middletown, and in politics is a stanch 
Republican, taking an active interest in local 
politics. He is a stockholder in the New York 
Consolidated Milk Exchange. 



SCOTT COOK has been interested in rail- 
roading since 1862, and has been a conduc- 
tor since 1864. He was born in Otisville, 
October 24, 1841, and is a .son of Dr. Avery and 
Pamela (Loomis) Cook, the former a native of 
Beechertown, Mass., and the latter of Otisville, 
N. Y. Dr. Avery Cook comes of an old Congre- 
gational family, who long resided in his native 
state. In 1827 he came to Orange County, where 
he taught school for a time, and while so engaged 
studied medicine. He then entered Fairfield 
Seminary, in Otsego County, N. Y., and in 1834 
graduated with the degree of M. D. 

The Doctor then located at Otisville, where he 
practiced with his father-in-law, Dr. Loomis, who 
was an old physician at that point. After the 
death of Dr. Loomis, he had charge of his entire 
practice, and it is estimated that he rode seventy- 



II58 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



five thousand miles on horseback in the practice 
of his profession. He had patients for many miles 
around, and the old saddlebags which lie carried 
are now in the possession of our subject. For 
many years the Doctor was proprietor of a drug 
store at Otisville, which he continued until his 
death, March 30, 1891, at the age of eighty-three 
years and eleven months. In early life he was a 
Whig, but in later years a Republican. His wife, 
Pamela Loomis, died in 1889, at the age of sev- 
enty-nine years. She was a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and took an active interest in 
all matters of a religious and benevolent nature. 
To Dr. Aver}- and Pamela Cook were born sev- 
en sons and one daughter, our subject being the 
only one now living. One son, Virgil C, was in 
an Illinois regiment during the late war, and died 
in Chicago in 1864. 

W. Scott Cook was reared in his native village, 
where he received his literary education; his bus- 
iness education was obtained in Eastman's Busi- 
ness College at Poughkeep.sie, from which he 
graduated when nineteen years of age. In 1862 
he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad as 
brakeman between Port Jervis and Jersey City. 
Eighteen months later he was made conductor on 
a freight train, where he remained for two years, 
and was then in charge of a passenger train until 
1873. In that year he left the service of the Erie 
Railroad, and came to the Oswego & Midland 
Railroad, now the Ontario & Western, as con- 
ductor between Blooniingburg and Jersey City. 
In 1883, the road having been completed from 
Middletown to Weehawken, he was transferred 
to that line, and has now charge of a milk train. 
In 1894 he built his present residence at No. 9 
Albert Street. For some years he resided at Otis- 
ville, but on the death of his father sold out and 
removed with his family to this city. 

At Port Jervis Mr. Cook was married to Miss 
Catherine J. Wood, who was born in Mongaup 
Valley, Sullivan County, and they have one child, 
Lelah M., who is at home. Socially Mr. Cook 
is a member of Port Jervis Lodge, F. & A. M., and 
is a demitted member of Neversink Chapter No. 
186, R. A. M., and of Delaware Commandery, 
K. T., both of Port Jervis. He is also a member 



of Orange Railroad Conductors' Association, Di- 
vision No. 104, of the Legion of Honor, and is a 
stockholder in the Co-operative Store. In poli- 
tics he is a .stanch Republican. 



e: 






^ 



^ 



<^HOMAS H. DESMOND, superintendent 
I C of the rolling-mill of the National Saw 
vi/ Works at Middletown, was born December 
6, 1855, i*^ Coatesville, Chester County, Pa., 
and is the son of John and Catherine (David ) 
Desmond, the former born near Philadelphia, 
and the latter in London, England. She died in 
Coatesville, some years ago, leaving three chil- 
dren, of whom our subject is the only one living. 
The name Desmond is of Norman origin. John 
Desmond, the father, has always been connected 
with the rolling-mills, and has been boss roller 
and foreman of the rolling-mill at Coatesville 
since 1850. However, he is now living a retired 
life. 

Thomas H. Desmond was reared in his native 
town, and was educated in the high schools of 
that place. From early boyhood he has worked 
at the iron and steel business, which he learned 
under the instruction of his father, in the works 
at Coatesville. From that place he went to Ches- 
ter, Pa., with John Roach, the great ship-builder, 
and for seven years was foreman in his establish- 
ment. He then went to Philadelphia, and enter- 
ed the employ of S. Robbins & Sons, of the Phil- 
adelphia Rolling-mill, as superintendent for two 
years, when, in 1883, he accepted his present po- 
sition as superintendent of the rolling-mill of the 
National Saw Works. They manufacture sheet 
steel for saws only, and for their own use exclu- 
sively. They also manufacture the best grade 
of crucible steel, and give employment to seventy- 
five men. 

Mr. Desmond was married in Philadelphia, Pa., 
to Miss Kate Safried, a native of that cit}'. Five 
children were born unto them, four of whom are 
living, viz.: Ella, Charles, Catherine and Ken- 
neth. Josephine died at the age of .six and one- 




JAMES PORRITr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I i6i 



half years. Fraternally Mr. Desmond is a mem- 
ber of Hoffman Lodge, F. & A. M.; Midland 
Chapter, R. A. M.; the Consistory of Middletown; 
and Lancelot Lodge, K. of P. In politics he is a 
Repnblican and a strong advocate of the princi- 
ples of that party. 

• — g ^ p — 



3 AMES PORRITT, of Port Jervis, is fore- 
man of the machine-shops of the Erie Rail- 
road. He is an efficient manager and enjoys 
the high regard of his snperiors, at the same time 
being in pleasant relations with the men under 
his supervision. He superintends every detail of 
the work done in the shops, and is a practical 
mechanic of long experience. 

Our subject's father, George Porritt, was a 
machinist and was an engineer on the Paterson 
Railway prior to 1842, later having charge of the 
Swinburne locomotive works south of Paterson. 
At another time he had charge of the machine- 
shops of the Rogers works, and subsequently was 
with the Beck with Rolling-mills at Paterson. 
He married Miss Betsey Nichols, by whom he 
had four children, as follows: our subject; Nancy, 
deceased; Sarah Ann, wife of J. D. Campbell, 
Master Mechanic of the Buffalo & Susquehanna 
Railroad; and an infant. 

James Porritt was born in Paterson, N. J., Sep- 
tember 22, 1832, and when he was fourteen years 
of age entered the Swinburne & Smith shops to 
learn the machinist's trade. His father was then 
engaged in the construction of cotton-mills for the 
Mexican trade. The boy served for seven years, 
receiving fifty cents per day, and became profi- 
cient in all lines of mechanical work, giving par- 
ticular attention to overhauling engines and mak- 
ing repairs on the same. After completing the 
business he entered the employ of the Erie Rail- 
road at Susquehanna in 1853, and from that time 
until the present he has remained with this cor- 
poration, with the exception of the time from 
1855 to 1857, when he worked in the Lake Shore 
shops at Cleveland, Ohio. For two years he was 
employed in the Susquehanna Railway shops, 
becoming accustomed to the finest kind of loco- 



motive repairs. When in Cleveland he over- 
hauled the first engine relegated to the shops of 
the then new Lake Shore Road. 

August 5, 1857, Mr. Porritt came to this city, 
entering the old Erie shops, which were burned 
in October, 1862. The present shops were opened 
for business February i, 1863, since which time 
our subject has filled his present position. He 
usually has in his department thirty men, though 
at times he has upwards of eighty men under his 
orders. For the past thirty-one years he has been 
identified with the Ma.sonic order, and is also a 
member of the Legion of Honor. At Presidential 
elections he depo.sits his ballot in favor of the 
principles advocated by the Republican party. 

October 18, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Porritt and Bessie Richardson. They have be- 
come the parents of a son and two daughters, 
namely: George, a locomotive engineer and ma- 
chinist, who is now in California; Aletta, the wife 
of A. Parsons, of New York City; and Hattie, an 
accomplished young lady in her teens. 



' •{••i-**!^ 



gHARLES C. LUTES, agent for the Wells, 
Fargo & Co. Express, and former agent for 
the New York & Lake Erie Railroad, came 
to Middletown in 1869 with the Erie Company, 
and about 1886 became their ticket agent at this 
place. He was also agent of the Erie Express 
until it was sold to Wells, Fargo & Co. In 1893 
he resigned his position as agent for the Erie, and 
now devotes all of his time to his duties as agent 
for the former company. He was born in Sussex 
County, N. J., one mile from Unionville, N. Y,, 
February 14, 1841, while.his father, Samuel Lutes, 
was born in the town of Minisink, Orange Coun- 
ty, as was his grandfather, Levi, and his great- 
grandfather, Godfrey. The latter, who at one 
time was the large.st tax-payer in the town, was 
of German descent, and was a soldier in the Rev- 
olutionary War. Samuel Lutes was a farmer in 
Sussex County, N. J., and later removed to the 
town of Minisink, Orange County, where he fol- 
lowed the same occupation, and where he died in 
1857. His wife, Lucinda Parker, was a daugh- 



n62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ter of Phineas Parker, who was born on Long Isl- 
and, and settled in the town of Minisink at a very 
earl}' day. Mrs. Lucinda Lutes died in 1882, at 
the age of seventy-two years, leaving three sons; 
Charles C, our .subject; Phineas, in the employ 
of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway, 
and now residing in Middletovvn; and Levi, also 
residing in Middletown, and in the employ of the 
Erie Railroad. 

Charles C. Lutes was reared on the farm in 
Minisink, and received his primary education in 
the public schools of that town, graduating at 
Unionville Academy at the age of seventeen. He 
then taught school in the vicinity of his home un- 
til the spring of 1862, when he went toNewburgh 
as a clerk. In the fall of that year he enlisted in 
Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
New York Volunteer Infantry, from the town of 
Newburgh. During his three years of service he 
was in many important engagements, including 
Fredericksburg and Gettysburg; he was in the 
Wilderness campaign, and also stood on the hills 
of Appomattox and witnessed Lee's surrender to 
General Grant. At the close of the war he took 
part in the Grand Review at Washington, and 
was mustered out and honorably discharged at 
Newburgh in June, 1865. 

On receiving his discharge Mr. Lutes went to 
Vermont, and for three years was telegraph oper- 
ator for the Central Vermont Railway Company. 
In the spring of 1869 he returned to Orange 
Count}', and entered the employ of the Erie Rail- 
road at Middletown, with which company he was 
engaged until 1893, when he resigned to devote 
his entire attention to his duties as agent for the 
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express. The ofRce at Mid- 
dletown is considered one of the best on the road. 
In the fall of 1893 he purchased Mr. Boyd's in- 
terest in the Boyd & Combs Real-estate and In- 
surance Agency, and continued as a partner of 
Mr. Combs, under the firm name of Combs & 
Lutes, until December, 1894, when he sold out 
to A. B. Wilbur. He is still a property-holder in 
Middletown, however. 

In 1871, at Middletown, Mr. Lutes was mar- 
ried to Miss Alida Harding, who was born near 
Otisville. They have one son, Wilbur E., ticket 



agent for the Erie Railroad on Main Street, Mid- 
dletown. Fraternally Mr. Lutes is a member of 
General Lj'on Post, G. A. R.; of Hofiinan Lodge, 
F. & A. M.; Midland Chapter, R. A. M.; of the 
Knights of Pythias; of Middletown Lodge, I. O. 
O. F. ; and Ivanhoe Lodge Xo. 2103, K. of H. 
He is also a member of Excelsior Hook and Lad- 
der Companj', of which he has been a member for 
sixteen years, and is now the Vice-President. In 
politics he is a Republican, and has served his 
party as a member of the City Central Committee. 
Before the incorporation of the city he served one 
term as a member of the Board of Village Trus- 
tees, being elected on the Republican ticket. 



(lOHN W. GARDNER, proprietor of Oakland 
I Place, Middletown, was born in 1866. His 
Q) father, John W. Gardner, was born in the 
town of Warwick, while his grandfather, John 
Gardner, was born near Scranton, Pa., from 
which place he came to Warwick, where he died 
at the age of eighty-six years. His great-grand- 
father moved from Long Island to Pennsylvania, 
where his demise occurred. The Gardners trace 
their ancestry back to England, and some mem- 
bers of the family served in the Revolutionary 
War. 

John W. Gardner, the father of our subject, was 
reared upon a farm until he was twentj'-four years 
of age, when he went West, by way of Buffalo, to 
Chicago, and afterwards to Indiana, Iowa, Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin. He remained in the West 
ten years, the greater part of the time carrying 
on a successful grain business. Returning East, 
he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty 
acres adjoining Middletown, which he improved 
and operated until his death, April 20, 1894, in 
his sixty-eighth year. In politics he was a Re- 
publican, and socially was a Master Mason. He 
was also an active member of the Presbyterian 
Church. His marriage with Anna E. Horton 
occurred in Middletown, of which place she is a 
native. She is a daughter of Parmenas H. Hor- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 63 



toil, who was born near Otisville, and who was 
descended from an old Orange County family. 
He was a farmer on the place which he sold to 
our subject's father. To John W. and Anna E. 
H. Gardner were born two children; Charles H., 
a commercial traveler, now residing in Chicago; 
and the subject of our sketch. The mother now 
makes her home with our subject. 

John W. Gardner grew to manhood on his 
father's farm, and received his education in Wall- 
kill Academy, and at Freehold Institute, the lat- 
ter a military school in Freehold, N. J., where 
he spent two years. On leaving school, he re- 
turned to the home farm, but subsequently trav- 
eled extensively through the West, visiting nearly 
every state and territory, and also spent a short 
time in Canada. After having satisfied his appe- 
tite for travel, he returned to develop his present 
place, which he named Oakland Place, in honor 
of Oakland, Cal. He purcha.sed the place in 

1894, and had it surveyed and planted by C. J. 
Everson, C. E. The addition, which comprises 
ninety acres, was placed on the market in April, 

1895, and many lots have already been sold. 
Nearly all his property lies within the city limits 
of Middletown, and the trolley cars pa.ss through 
on p;ast Main Street. He also has lots on the 
latter .street, and on Horton, Gardner and Wood- 
lawn Avenues. 



(TOHN H. LITTLE. Although at the time of 
I the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Little 
(2/ had reached an age when he was e.Kempt 
from military duty, yet his patriotic impulses 
were aroused and his anger excited by the indig- 
nities heaped upon the Old Flag. Accordingly he 
enlisted as a member of the illustrious One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fourth Regiment that won dis- 
tinction on many a bloody battlefield. His serv- 
ice was of such a nature as to reflect credit upon 
his valor and add glory to the regiment. All the 
hardships incident to war he endured — the long 
and forced marches, the tedium of camp life, and 
the peril of an open conflict with the enemy. 
When he enlisted his hair was raven black, but 



it was gray at the time he returned home. His 
eyesight, too, that had been unu.sually good prior 
to that, almost failed him. His patriotic spirit, 
however, knew no diminution, and he served loy- 
all}' and well till the close of the war. 

In the town of Wallkill, near Middletown, 
where he now resides, Mr. Little was born on the 
istof March, 1816. His father, Isaac, a native of 
this county, engaged in the carpenter's trade in 
early life, but later settled upon a farm in the 
town of Wallkill, where he remained until his 
death. Grandfather Eli Little was a farmer at 
Scotchtown, and was a descendant of Scotch- Irish 
ancestors. The mother of our subject, Abigail, 
was born on Long Island, and was a daughter of 
Eli Corwin, formerly a farmer at Scotchtown. 

There were four daughters and six sons in the 
family of Isaac Little, but John H., and James, a 
retired citizen living on Mulberry Street, are the 
only survivors. John H. was reared on the home 
farm in Wallkill, and at the age of sixteen be- 
came an apprentice under .Stephen Preston in 
Montgomer\-, where he remained nearly five 
years. About 1837 he began as a cabinet-maker 
on Main Street, Middletown, and for some years 
had the only furniture manufacturing and under- 
taking establishment in the city. Selling out 
after some years, he settled on a farm on the 
Bloomingbiirg Road, near Fair Oaks, but after a 
number of years on that place he came back to 
Middletown, where he fitted up the Congrega- 
tional Church and superintended the building of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then gave 
his whole attention to carpenter work, which he 
carried on until about 1893, when he retired. 
While at times he took contracts, he was some- 
times employed as foreman on jobs. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Little laid down his 
tools and entered the service of the Union, be- 
coming a member of Company E, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, and was 
mustered in at Goshen. Before leaving that city 
he was made Corporal. Accompanying his regi- 
ment South, he was with it at Fredericksburg 
and Chancellorsville, and at the latter place was 
obliged to remain in the hospital for a time, ow- 
ing to sickness resulting from .sunstroke. At 



1 164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Gett5-sburg he was severely injured b_v the burst- 
ing of a shell near him, which threw him off 
his feet and rendered him insensible for a time. 
A few weeks were spent in the hospital, and on 
recovering he was placed in the invalid corps as 
Corporal, doing duty principally in Washington. 
He was there and helped guard the city at the 
time of Lincoln's assassination. At the close of 
the war he was mustered out of service and hon- 
orably discharged. 

The home of Mr. Little is situated at No. 24 
Grant Street, and is presided over by his wife, 
who was formerly Miss Josephine Jenkins and 
was born in this state. Prior to his marriage to 
her, Mr. Little had been married, in Scotchtown. 
to Miss Mary A. Young, who died in Middle- 
town, leaving two children: Albert, who is en- 
gaged in the undertaking business in this city; 
and Frank Elizabeth, widow of Charles S. Burr, 
and at present residing with her father. Socialh- 
Mr. Little is connected with the Order of Royal 
Templars of Temperance and the Temple of 
Honor. He also belongs to General Lyon Post, 
G. A. R. In early days he was a Whig, and 
since the organization of the Republican party he 
has advocated its policy. For two years he was 
Overseer of the Poor of Middletown, and for one 
year he held the office of Collector of the town of 
■ Wallkill. including Middletown. As one of the 
oldest residents of this city, he takes a deep in 
tere-st in its progress, and has been an eye-witness 
of much of its growth. His record is that of a 
brave, conscientious and honorable man, ready 
to do his duty in times of peace and war. 



(lOHN DONOVAN, an undertaker and liver>-- 
I man at Nos. 122 and 124 North Street, Mid- 
(2/ dletown, was born in BuUville, town of Craw- 
ford, in May, 1855. His father, James Dono- 
van, who was born in County Kerr>', Ireland, 
was a carpenter, and followed that occupation 
while in his native land. He there married 
Mary Dee, who was also born in County Kerry, 
and shortly after the birth of their first child the 
father came to America, reaching New York in 



December, 1848. Not finding anything to do 
there, he walked with a comrade to Newburgh 
and thence to the town of Crawford, looking for 
work. They were offered work by a farmer, 
who would give them nothing but their board. 
His comrade accepted the offer, but Mr. Dono- 
van found work on a farm elsewhere, receiving 
$4 per month during the winter. In the spring 
his wages were advanced, and after working two 
years he sent for his wife and child. As soon as 
possible he rented a farm in the town of Craw- 
ford, where he lived the remainder of his life, 
with the exception of two years spent in Bloom- 
iugburg. Later he bought a farm near Bullville, 
which he improved, and added to it until it com- 
prised one hundred and seventy acres. 

The father of our subject was one of the first 
three of the Irish race to settle in the town of 
Crawford, and was the first of them to locate per- 
manently. During his life he was never sued, 
nor did he ever sue anyone. He was one of the 
founders of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bull- 
ville in 1870, and one of its pillars until his death. 
Before this church was built he frequently walked 
to Goshen or Wurtsboro to attend church. He 
died April 7, 1892, and his remains were buried 
in St. Joseph's Cemetery at Middletown. He 
came of a long-lived race, his father, Timothy 
Donovan, who was a butcher b}- trade, dying in 
Ireland when over one hundred and eight, and 
his grandfather at the age of one hundred and 
twelve. 

James and Mary Donovan were the parents of 
six children who grew to maturity. Michael re- 
sides in Middletown; John is the subject of this 
sketch; James, manufacturer and patentee of close- 
hitching road and speed carts, and also a carriage 
manufacturer and undertaker, resides at Goshen; 
Anna is Mrs. James Fitzgerald, of Goshen; Mary 
resides in Middletown; and Thomas is a success- 
ful coal merchant on Railroad Avenue, Middle- 
town. The mother of these children resides with 
her son Thomas. 

The childhood days of our subject were spent 
on the farm, and his education was received in 
the public schools. He remained at home, en- 
gaged in farm work, until 1880, when he located 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 167 



at Circleville, and there engaged in farming for 
three years. He next moved to a farm near 
Bloomingburg, in the town of Wallkill, and there 
engaged in farming and in the livery business, 
and also operated a creamerj- for three years. 
In April, 1889, he located in Middletown, and 
engaged in the livery and undertaking business. 
He bought his present place, built a barn and 
driveway from North Street, and now has stable 
room for seventeen horses. Mr. Donovan is a 
graduate of Sullivan's School of Embalming of 
New York City, and thorough!)- understands his 
business in every particular. 

In Pittsfield, Mass., Mr. Donovan was united 
in marriage with Miss Annie Conwaj', born near 
New Lebanon, and a daughter of Patrick Con- 
way. They have five children: James, Anna, 
Agnes, John and George. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Middle- 
town, and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. 
He is a member of the Middletown Liverymen 
and Undertakers' Association, and is an honorary 
member of McQuaid Engine Company. In pol- 
itics he is a Democrat. 



•^^1 



my 



IM^ 



(TOHN A. CROSS. Biographies of succes.sful, 
I upright men are great incentives, teaching 
V*/ noble thinking and energetic action. He 
who gives others an example of industry, sobriety 
and honesty of purpose in life has a present as 
well as a future influence upon the well-being of 
his comnumity, for his life and character affect, 
unconsciously though it may be, the lives and 
characters of others, and thus the influence is 
unending. 

The subject of this biographical review is one 
of the prominent residents of Orange County, 
and is the proprietor of the place known as Ma- 
ple Lawn, in the town of Goshen. He was born 
February 9, 1830, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and was 
the eldest but one in the family of John A., Sr. , 
and Isabella (Bates; Cross, al.so natives of this 
state, wherein they passed their entire lives. The 
father of our subject was a distiller during his 
lifetime, operating on an extensive .scale. He was 



prominent in local affairs in the city of Brook- 
lyn, and for many years .served as a member of 
the Board of Aldermen. From 1848 101850 he 
represented his district in the General As.sem- 
bly, and for the next two years was State Sena- 
tor. He was First Vice-President and Chairman 
of the convention held in Utica, N. Y., which 
nominated William Henry Harrison- for Presi- 
dent in Augu.st, 1840. For over thirty years he 
was an influential politician of Brooklyn, and be- 
came one of the organizers of the Republican 
party. His death occurred in the latter city No- 
vember 21, 1867. 

When ten years of age our subject went to sea, 
spending about nine months on board ship, and 
some three j-ears later he again "shipped," work- 
ing his way up until he became master. For 
seven years he was commander on a packet line 
between New York and Liverpool, being in the 
merchant .service, and was on the water in all 
about thirty years. He is a finely educated gen- 
tleman, supplementing the knowledge gained in 
the public schools by a course in Delhi In.stitute, 
where he studied civil engineering. Later he 
entered Rensselaer College at Troy, graduating 
from the scientific course in 1847. 

When the tocsin of war resounded over the 
land, Mr. Cross enli.sted in the Thirteenth Regi- 
ment New York National Guard, serving for 
five months. He then entered the navy, and 
rendered efficient service as a member of the 
water forces until peace was established. Al- 
though escaping capture or bodily injuries, he 
contracted rheumatism as the result of exposures, 
and up to the present time has been a great suf- 
ferer from this disease. 

In 1889 Mr. Cross retired, locating upon the 
beautiful place where he is now living, and which 
is known throughout this locality as Maple Lawn. 
It is a most beautiful and attractive place, and 
derives its name from the number of lovely ma- 
ple trees which surround it. The marriage of 
our subject with Miss Elizabeth Howard, who 
was born in New York City, occurred in 1S52, 
and to them was born a son, John Howard. Our 
subject's first wife departed this life in 1856, and 
his second marriage united him with Elizabeth 



ii68 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Joost, of Brooklyn. They had one daughter, 
Isabel, wife of Albert G. McDonald, present Cor- 
poration Coun.sel of the city of Brookh-n. In 
1883 our subject chose for his third companion 
Jennie Guest. Thej- had two children, James 
T. and John G., but both are deceased. 

Mr. Cross is a devoted member of the Episco- 
pal Church, while his wife belongs to the Baptist 
congregation. In social affairs he is a Mason of 
high standing, having attained to the Thirty- 
third degree, which is the highest degree known 
to Masonry. He is also a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Of Republican candi- 
dates and measures he is an influential sup- 
porter, and never lets an opportunity pass by 
when he can be of use to his partw 



■•♦>»^®i^)®^tr?^«- 



EHARLES E. MANCE, Alderman from the 
Second Ward, Middletown, was born near 
Ellenville, Ulster County, November 28, 
1852. At a very early day the Mances came from 
Holland and settled in the Shawangunk Moun- 
tains, the .settlement long being known as the 
Mance Settlement. The great-grandfather of our 
■.subject, John Mance, was a prominent and active 
follower of Shank's Band. Shank was a half- 
breed Indian, who had formerly been friendly to 
the whites, but after he turned traitor John Mance 
took up arms against him and his band, and 
hunted them to the last, finally exterminating 
the entire band. After this he .settled down to 
farm life at the settlement, where he died. Rhoades 
Mance, the grandfather of our .subject, and John 
S. Mance, the father, were both born at the Mance 
Settlement near Ellenville. Some years after his 
marriage the father located in Orange County, in 
the town of Wallkill, where he learned the trade 
of a mason, which he continued until the war. 
He then bought a sawmill on the Little Paugh- 
caughnaughsinque, near Bullville, and ran a saw- 
mill during the war, getting out .ship-timber. 
Shortly after the close of the conflict he located in 
Middletown, where he engaged in contracting and 



building until his death, in 1877, at the age of 
fifty-six years. He was a prominent and active 
worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His 
wife, Margaret M. Wilkinson, was born in the 
town of Wallkill, and was a daughter of Jonathan 
Wilkinson, al.so a native of that town, and of 
Scotch descent. She died in September, 1893, '" 
her sixty -ninth year. They were the parents of 
the following children: Agnes, Mrs. Osborn, of 
Middletown; Alice, deceased; Charles E., our 
subject; AUie, who died at the age of twenty-nine; 
Jennie, deceased; and Lizzie, now Mrs. Millard, 
of Poughkeepsie. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in a 
common school, and at the old Orchard Street 
School. In 1867 he went to Warwick and 
entered the employ of W. J. & J. J. Knapp, 
house and sign painters, with whom he remained 
two years as an apprentice, and then came to Mid- 
dletown. After completing his trade with Col. M. 
I. McCornell, he formed a partnership with H.J. 
Randall, under the firm name of Randall & Mance, 
this connection continuing until March, 1878, at 
which time he entered the painting department 
of the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad. 
After continuing with the railroad company for 
three years he went to Bradford, Pa., and worked 
at his trade for a short time. Returning to this 
county, he located at Middletown, and again be- 
came identified with the New York, Ontario & 
Western. In 1883 he was appointed ma.ster 
painter by E. Minshull, and has since had charge 
of a painting department of the railroad shops, 
having about forty men under his supervision. 

Mr. Mance was married, May 28, 1874, to Miss 
Augusta Taylor, born in Ulster County, and a 
daughter of Angus Taylor, a farmer in that coun- 
ty, who died in early manhood. Her grandfather, 
Daniel A. Taylor, was a farmer in Orange Coun- 
ty, and died here many years ago. Her mother, 
Maria Bennett, who was born in Ulster County, 
after the death of her husband remov^ed to Mid- 
dletown, where she reared the family. She died 
here at the residence of our subject, October 19, 
1894, at the age of sixty-six years, leaving four 
children: Louisa, Mrs. Timbrell, of Middletown; 
Cornelia, Mrs. A. D. Seamen, of this city; Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 169 



Mance, the wife of our subject: and ,Daniel, of 
Middletown. Mrs. Mance was reared and edu- 
cated in this city, and here married our subject. 
They have two children: Frank A., attending 
Middletown Academy, a member of the Class of 
'96; and Mabel E. 

In politics Mr. Mance is a Republican, and was 
elected on that ticket in 1892, as Alderman from 
the Second Ward. He was re-elected in 1894, 
and is Chairman of the Street and Railroad Com- 
mittees, and is a member of the Lighting, Police, 
Auditing and Rules Committees. He is a mem- 
ber of Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., 
and of Lancelot Lodge, K. of P., and at pre.sent 
is an honorary member of Eagle Hose Company 
No. 2, of which he was foreman for four years. 
For two years he was first assistant chief of the 
Middletown Fire Department under F. M. Pronk. 
He belongs to the Master Car and Locomotive 
Painters of the United States and Canada, and 
for the past eight years has served on various 
committees in that organization. For many years 
he has been connected with the various band or- 
ganizations of this city, and at present is a mem- 
ber of the Twenty-fourth Separate Company Mil- 
itarv Band. 



<^HE MIDDLETOWN STRAW WORKS is 
I Q one of the principal industries in Middle- 
vir town, and, under the able superintendency 
of H. C. Benson, has attained success equal to 
that of any other like institution in the country. 
The works were erected in 1885 by an incorporated 
company, known as the Middletown Straw Hat 
Works, for the manufacture of straw hats of every 
description. It then had a capacity of sixty dozen 
per day. Soon after the works were started, Ed- 
win and H. C. Benson became stockholders of 
it, and in 1887 they leased it from the Middletown 
Straw Hat Works, remodeled it, put in new ma- 
chinerj', and engaged in the manufacture of men's 
hats exclusively. They have enlarged it so that 
it now has a capacity of two hundred and fifty 
dozen per day of ten hours. 

The straw works are located on North Street 



and Low Avenue. The building is in the form 
of an "L," the main part being 45x235 feet, and 
the "L" 45x116. It is a solid brick .structure, 
three stories in height. The first floor of the 
building is used for offices, packing, sizing, 
whittling-room, bandboxes and cases, bleaching, 
shipping and engine and boiler room. The en- 
gine is of thirty-five horse-power, and the boiler 
of sixty horse-power. The second floor is used 
for blocking, pre.ssing and trimming. The third 
is used as a stockroom, sewing -room, machine 
and repairing room. The freight elevator con- 
nects the various stories. 

Many of the machines used in the manufacture 
are the inventions of Mr. Ben.son, and improve- 
ments on others made by them. A few of them 
they have patented. They get the stock from 
which they manufacture from China, Japan, Eng- 
land, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. It comes 
already plaited, or in the piece. The manufact- 
ured product is of men's straw hats of every de- 
scription, shape and size. In 1894 they made 
three thousand different sample hats for their 
commission house alone. In the season of [894-95 
they manufactured over fifty thousand dozen hats. 
They originate their own styles and designs, and 
right here the work of H. C. Ben,son comes in 
play, for he is the principal designer, and all 
made by others have to be approved by him. The 
entire manufacture of the works is shipped to 
New York City, where all are sold through one 
commission house, that of Thom & Bay ley, Nos. 
14 and 16 Washington Place, New York, corner 
of Green Street, where the .senior member of the 
firm, Edwin Benson, has his oflice. 

The works give employment to from one hun- 
dred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five 
hands. The season opens in September, and ends 
about the middle of July, making in all about ten 
and a-half months for the year. For bleaching 
they have an artesian well one hundred and 
thirty feet deep, which gives a sufficient sup- 
ply of water for all purposes. They have two 
large pumps, with a capacity of seventy-five gal- 
lons per minute. The building is heated by 
steam, and in manufacturing they require a tem- 
perature of from eighty degrees to one hundred 



iiyo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and twenty degrees in some of the rooms, while in 
the drying-room the temperature is still higher. 

Edwin Benson, the senior member of the firm, 
is one of the veterans in the straw-hat manufact- 
ure in the United States. He has been in the 
business since about 1850, and is a practical man, 
both in the manufacture and in the business man- 
agement of the business. H. C. Benson, the 
junior member, is a popular citizen of Middletown, 
and is a successful superintendent and manager 
of the works. 



+^ 



z-^ 



(TAMEvS p. MULFORD is a very successful 
I carriage manufacturer in Middletown. He 
(*) was born ni Hamptonburgh, December 25, 
1845. His father, William B. Mulford, was born 
in the old town of Minisink, now Wawajanda. 
His grandfather, William Mulford, was born on 
Long Island, and located in the town of Mini- 
sink at an early day, where he improved a farm, 
and engaged in farming during the remainder of 
his life. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and died at Minisink, and was buried in the 
old family cemetery at South Centreville. William 
B. Mulford, the father, was also a farmer, but later 
Was interested in the running of canal-boats on 
the Delaware & Hudson Canal. He married 
Priscilla \'an Auken, who was born in the town of 
Minisink, and who was of Holland-Dutch descent, 
being the only represeutati\-e of the family then liv- 
ing. Her father was James Van Auken. In 1850 
the family located in Middletown, where the father 
died one year later. The mother survived him 
many years, and died in 1892, when about sixty- 
five years of age. She was a devout member of 
the Presbyterian Church. Three children were 
born unto them, two of whom are yet living: 
Cornelia, now Mrs. Piatt, of Middletown; and our 
subject. It may here be mentioned that on the 
father's side, as well as the mother's, the family 
was of Holland-Dutch descent. 

James P. Mulford, our subject, came to Middle- 
town with his parents when but six years of age. 



He was here reared, and educated in the Orchard 
Street public school, and finished his course in 
the academy. When fifteen years of age, he was 
apprenticed to learn the trade of carriage-making, 
and served three years at Middletown. He then 
went to Paterson, N. J., and was employed in 
Monroe & Van Idestine's Carriage Factory at Xo. 
44 Broadway, the largest manufacturers in that 
city; from there he went to Bridgeport, Conn., in 
theemplo}- of Hall Bros. Manufacturing Company, 
of which the great showman, P. T. Barnum, was 
the head, and where all the vehicles used in the 
great show were built. He was here foreman in 
the blacksmith department for two years. He 
then went to Tarrytown, in the employ of Daniel 
Shanahan, a carriage manufacturer, and had 
charge of his business twenty-one years. After 
having been away for twenty-five years, he re- 
turned to Middletown, and started in carriage 
manufacturing on the corner of North Street and 
Low Avenue. He continued there until the 
spring of 1894, when he removed to his present 
location, No. 243 North Street, a two-story build- 
ing, 40x73 feet. In addition to manufacturing, he 
has a carriage repository, and carries in stock 
harness, blankets and horse supplies of all kinds. 
The second floor of his building is used for paint- 
ing and storage. He does all kinds of job work, 
and sells wholesale and retail, having the largest 
business of the kind in the city. 

While residing in Tarrytown, Mr. Mulford was 
united in marriage, June 5, 1871, to Mary Zell, a 
native of Philadelphia. Three children have been 
born unto them: Nettie, now Mrs. Piatt, of Mid- 
dletown; Freddie and Alice. In politics Mr. 
Mulford is a stanch and straight Republican, 
and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Middletown, of which body his wife is also a 
member. Before leaving Middletown, Mr. Mul- 
ford was a member of Excelsior Hook and Ladder 
Company No. i, and was assi.stant foreman 
at the time of his removal to Paterson. Since 
his return he has again become an active member 
of the company. While in Tarrytown, he was a 
member for fifteen years of Hope Hose Company 
No. I, and was its foreman. He is at present a 
member of the Exempt Firemen's Association at 




lAMHS HAI.SKV HINT. M. 1). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RICCORD. 



Tarrytowii. He attends its meetings, and is act- 
ive in each year's tournament. In the twenty-five 
years in which he was absent from the city, many 
changes occurred, but on his return he has 
adapted himself to the new situation, and is now 
numbered among the leading and progres,sive 
business men of the city. 



(Tames halsey hunt, m. d., one of 

I the most widely known surgeons in the 
Q) southern part of New York State, was born 
in Sandyston, Sussex County, N. J., August 9, 
1849. He was the son of Dr. Isaac S. and Sarah 
A. (Fleming) Hunt. His early education was 
obtained in the Travis In.stitute, at Newton, 
N. J. He began the study of medicine at Belle- 
vue Medical College of New York City in 1869. 
Having mastered the prescribed course of study 
and graduated with honor at the above institute, 
he took a position on the staff of Bellexue Hospi- 
tal, passing through the various grades of junior, 
senior and house surgeon, and acquiring much 
valuable information, especially in surgery, which 
proved of inestimable advantage to him when, in 
1874, he located at Port Jervis in the practice of 
his profession. He was aided at the outset by 
his connection with his father, a physician of 
considerable repute. 

The Doctor had a natural talent for surgerj-, 
and in this branch of the profession he had few- 
superiors outside of the large cities. Po.ssessed 
of an iron nerve, and with confidence in his own 
skill and judgment, gained by close study and 
experience, he did not hesitate to perform the 
most dangerous and difficult operations. That 
he was successful, was evidenced by his services 
being in demand for miles in every direction. In 
1878 he purchased the old Savings Bank Build- 
ing on the corner of Ball and Sussex Streets, and 
here established his offices. In 1888 he received 
the appointment of Surgeon for the Erie Railway 
Company at Port Jervis. 



Recognizing the need of a hospital, Dr. Hunt 
was the first and only physician willing to risk 
his reputation on it proving a succe.ss. At his 
personal expense he enlarged and converted the 
building into a thoroughly equipped hospital, and 
in memory of his father, whom he greatly re- 
vered, he named the institution the "Hunt Me- 
morial Hospital. ' ' He spared neither care nor ex- 
pense to make it a model of its kind, and its 
marked success has been proven by the scores of 
Erie Railroad men who are living to bless the 
da>' when it was erected. 

While pre-eminently a surgeon, Dr. Hunt yet 
felt a deep interest in the prosperity of his adopt- 
ed village. He was a Director in the First Na- 
tional Bank, and one of the founders and a Di- 
rector of the Deerpark Electric- light Company. 
One of his maxims was, "As a heath measure it 
is desirable, indeed almost essential, that those 
who are actively engaged in business should set 
aside a portion of each year for rest and recupera- 
tion." Reducing this theory to practice, he 
twice crossed the Atlantic and made several trips 
to the wilds of the Adirondacks and Canada. 
One of the last acts of his life was the publication 
of a souvenir volume entitled, "Three Runs in 
the Adirondacks." 

In March, 1892, Dr. Hunt disposed of his hos- 
pital and extensive practice in the hope of re- 
storing his health, which had become shattered 
by seventeen years of the most arduous and ex- 
acting labor. He planned an extensive trip 
through the Pacific Slope, Alaska, Southern Cal- 
ifornia and New Mexico, returning by way of the 
Southern States. His hopes were never realized, 
for upon reaching Salt Lake City he w-as stricken 
with acute Bright's Di.sease, which resulted in his 
death, December 20, 1892. 

Dr. Hunt's natural kindness and generosity of 
heart were demonstrated in his treatment of his' 
poor patients. He never distressed one of them 
by enforcing the payment of a bill by legal process. 
In his practice he was governed and controlled 
by the spirit of the old Hippocratean oath, which 
required one receiving a license to practice medi- 
cine to pledge himself never to refuse profession- 
al aid and succor to the poor, to those who could 



"74 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



not pay. His practice in this regard was true to 
the highest and noblest tradition of his profes- 
sion. He enjoyed the respect and confidence of 
his fellow -citizens as a man, and d3'ing at the 
comparatively early age of fortj-three, he left be- 
hind him an example of success which most men 
would consider a rich reward for a lifetime of 
strenuous endeavor. 



0R. ISAAC SHAFER HUNT, deceased, was 
one of the prominent and leading physicians 
of Port Jervis. He was born in Stillwater, 
N. J., November i. 1819, and was a son of 
Thomas and Rebecca (Turner) Hunt. He was 
literally a self-made man, and whatever promi- 
nence he acquired in the profession to which he 
was so ardently devoted may be attributed mainly 
to his studious course in early life. In 1847 he 
was graduated from the medical department of 
Yale College, and was on his way to the Delaware 
Water Gap, where he intended to locate, when, 
passing through Sandyston, Sussex Count)', he 
found the "Finch" fever raging disastrously in 
'that section. Immediately setting to work, he 
was eminently successful in the treatment of that 
dread disease, and was eventuall}' taken down 
with the fever, barely recovering from the scourge. 
Locating permanently at Sandyston, Dr. Hunt 
married Sarah A. Fleming, a well known lady of 
that place. He was the father of two sons and 
three daughters, namely: James Halse}', whose 
sketch precedes this; L. Victor, a resident of Port 
Jervis: Ella, widow of Walter L. Gallup, of 
Evanston, 111. ; Stella, wife of Herbert A. Shat- 
tuck, of Brooklyn, N. Y.: and Rebekah, wife of 
Charles E. Holmes, of Port Jervis. In 1865 the 
Doctor came to Port Jervis, where he gained the 
confidence and esteem of the people, as was shown 
by the extensive practice that he acquired. He 
was a member of the Masonic order, having taken 
the degree of Knight Templar. In politics he 
was a stanch Republican. He was a popular 



man, and took an interest and active part in every- 
thing that would benefit the community. His 
death occurred November 26, 1875, when he was 
fifty-.six years of age. 

, ■ — ^im-^ — 



EHARLES B. BUCKHOUT, of Middletown, 
was born in Highland, Ulster County, N. Y., 
March 28, 1867. The family of which he 
is a member traces its lineage to England. His 
father, J. W. Buckhout, was the son of a cooper 
living at Highland and was born in that village, 
where the early years of his life were passed. 
For some time he engaged in the milling business 
there and later was similarly employed at Matte- 
awan, where he built a mill and remained a num- 
ber of years. From that place he accompanied 
O. D. Wickham to Middletown, where he has 
since resided. 

The marriage of J. W. Buckhout united him 
with Lottie Weed, a native of Highland, and at 
present living in Middletown. She is the mother 
of two children, Charles B. and Nellie, of New 
York City. Her father. Barton Weed, was born 
in Highland, and there engaged in milling for 
some years. His invention for sharpening sickles 
brought him into prominence throughout this 
part of the country, and he manufactured large 
quantities of his patents, which he sold at retail 
in his own and other counties. His death oc- 
curred in Highland. 

Gaining a good education in the public schools 
of his native village, Charles B. Buckhout was 
fitted for the successful prosecution of business 
affairs. Starting out for himself, he worked as 
bookkeeper in his father's employ until 1888, 
when he came to Middletown in the employ of 
O. D. Wickham, the lumber dealer and miller, 
with whom he remained as bookkeeper until 
1892. He then accepted a position as traveling 
salesman in the employ of Stanton Brewster, a 
lumber merchant of Painted Post, Steuben Coun- 
ty, N. Y., his territory lying between New York 
City and Albany. He was remarkably successful 
in his work, and in fact the trade assumed such 
proportions that it became advisable to establish 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 175 



a lumberyard in Middletown, which he did in 
1895. The yards are situated between Waway- 
anda and Benjamin Streets, near Fulton, and the 
sales, which are made principally direct to con- 
tractors, are very large. 

In New York City Mr. Buckhout married Miss 
Phoebe Edwards, who was born in Sullivan 
County, N. Y., her father, Nathaniel Edwards, 
having been a farmer there. Our subject takes 
an intelligent interest in the questions of the age, 
and in both local and general elections gives his 
support to Republican candidates. He is a mem- 
ber of the First Presbyterian Church and a con- 
tributor to its good works. 



^3^- 



[""rank ORCE, who is engineer on the Erie 
r^ Railroad, with his headquarters at Port 
I Jervis, resides on the bank of the Delaware 
River, just across the .state line in the village of 
Matamoras, Pa. He was born in Borgo Taro, 
Italy, June 24, 1832, and in 1848 came to the 
United States in company with an uncle. The 
latter opened a boarding-house in New York 
City, and later conducted, one in Philadelphia. 
F'or some time the lad was an errand boy and 
purcha.sed supplies for his uncle. They did not 
get along well together, however, and one night 
when the boy was sent to Jersey City on an er- 
rand he decided to go forth and seek his own 
fortune. Without a cent in the world, he tramped 
onward hoping to find work, but was disappointed. 
The people to whom he applied when he was 
hungry gave him something to eat, and huckle- 
berries were plentiful at that season. After 
sixteen days he arrived, footsore and weary, at 
Hancock, a station on the Erie Railroad in New 
York. During this time he had slept each night 
in haystacks and barns, and had traveled one 
hundred and sixty-four miles. At the station 
ju.st mentioned three or four men were standing 
by the side of a boarding-house. One spoke to 
him in German, asking him where he was going. 
He could not speak a word of English, but under- 
stood the German. He answered in his native 
tongue, and was surprised when one of the men 



repeated the question in Italian and told him that 
it was thirteen miles to the nearest house in the 
direction he was going. This man, who proved 
to be very kind in his way, asked the boy to stay 
over night, which he did, and the next morning- 
he was given work on the railroad, at eighty 
cents a day, though he had to board himself. 
His hands were soft, and at the end of a week he 
was discharged, as they were so swollen he could 
not handle the .shovel. His employer did not 
pay him, but told him he could collect the money 
at Port Jervis, and so he tramped along for seven- 
ty-six miles in order to reach this city. He ob- 
tained the $2. 40 which was due him, and this was 
his initial capital in business. He obtained board 
with a Mr. Warner, who also was proprietor of 
the boarding-house referred to at Hancock. The 
second day after Mr. Orce's arrival he assisted in 
raising the seminary, and though he worked for 
two days received nothing for his labor. For 
about a year he received seventy-five cents a day, 
but for four months, while working for the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Canal Company, he was paid 
but sixty cents a day. Returning to the Erie 
construction, he received eighty cents a day, and 
remained there until October, 1850. 

After serving on a freight train with John 
Andrews, formerl}- conductor of the gravel train 
where he had previously worked, he was given 
a freight train in the Delaware Division, with 
headquarters at Port Jervis, his wages being $1 
a day. He remained in the capacity of brake- 
man until 1857, a part of which time he obtained 
$1.25 per day. In November, 1857, he was 
made fireman on an engine, and September 10, 
1861, became division engineer. For several 
years he ran a freight train, but gave up the 
place in 1874 in order to take charge of a freight 
train on the Honesdale Branch. This was his 
run for the next fourteen years, when, October 5, 
1887, he was injured in a head and head collision 
at East Millville. The disaster occurred on a 
curve where the other train had no right to the 
track. Mr. Orce was buried beneath the wreck- 
age, and was there probably forty minutes before 
he gained consciousness. When he was extricated 
it was found that his left arm was badly crushed. 



1 1 76 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two ribs were broken, and severe scalds were 
about his head. His arm was useless for nine 
months. His hearing was permanentl}- injured, 
and it was nine months before he could resume 
work. About 1870 he was in another collision 
near Rock Run. He obej-ed his orders to enter a 
switch, and had left his engine when he had carried 
out the command; another freight train started off 
the main track, rumiing into his own engine, with 
disastrous consequences. At another time a col- 
li.sion occurred one-half mile west of Baket 
Switch, in Delaware County, owing to conflicting 
orders. Both engines were totall)' demolished, 
cars were telescoped, and everything got on fire, 
but the company was saved thousands of dollars 
owing to the promptness with which the people 
of the vicinity turned out and with buckets of 
water assisted to put out the flames. Among his 
many other exciting e.Kperiences in railroading 
was when he was in charge of a passenger train. 
It was heavily loaded, and therefore he had two 
engines attached. The forward one broke down 
just as the train reached the three-span bridge 
acro.ss the Delaware at Deposit. The train was 
going at good speed and the momentum carried 
it across, the ties and tracks being broken away 
by the disabled engines. Thus the train went 
quite a distance on the stringers of the bridge, 
■but no one was injured. 

In May, 1852, Mr. Orce married Mary Kelley, 
of Port Jervis, who died in the spring of 1865. 
April 19, 1867, Mr. Orce wedded Catherine 
Madden, of New York City, but who was reared 
in Hancock, N. Y. By the first marriage there 
were born three .sons now living, namely: Frank, 
a conductor on the Delaware Division: Stephen, 
a locomotive engineer; and HenrA-, who has charge 
of a stationary engine. By his second union 
Mr. Orce has one daughter, Mabel, who is a 
graduate of the academy and is a young lady of 
exceptional ability. A niece of our subject is also 
a member of the household. Mr. Orce has 
grown gray in the service of the Erie Railroad, 
and enjoys the good- will and friendship of every 
employe of the same. He is thoroughl}- acquaint- 
ed with every cur\'e of the one hundred and 
four miles of this division. Altogether he has 



been for forty-six years in the railroad employ, 
and for thirty-four years has been an engineer, all 
of this work being on the Delaware Division. For 
over thirty years he did not speak to one of his 
own countrymen, but about 1874 his brother 
Louis, now of New York City, came to America, 
and after making inquiries succeeded in finding 
our subject and came to visit him. 



l^^i|-^i"i^llE^€ 



/lOHN P. SAYER, a musician in Middletown, 
I and proprietor of a livery stable, was born in 
Qj the town of Warwick, December 25, 1867. 
His father, Andrew Sayer, was also a native of 
that town, as was also his father, the grandfather 
of our subject, Decatur Sayer, who was a farmer. 
Andrew Sayer was engaged in farming in the 
town of Warwick for some years, and subsequent- 
ly removed to Middletown and here engaged in 
the trucking business, which occupation he fol- 
lowed until his death. He married Sarah Corter, 
who was born in the town of Deerpark, and who 
now lives in Middletown. Of their nine children 
seven are yet living. 

When the subject of this sketch was seven 
3ears old the family came to Middletown, where 
he grew to manhood and received his education 
in the academy. When but ten years of age, he 
began the study of music, taking lessons on the 
piano and cornet. At first he studied under Pro- 
fessor Doxey, later under Professor Stewart, and 
subsequently studied violin music under Professor 
Rosher. He became an expert musician on every 
instrument undertaken, and since 1886 has been 
a member of either Rosher's or Berg's Orchestra. 
In 1883 he began traveling for Wood &Ogden, 
selling pianos and other musical instruments, his 
territory lying in Orange, Sullivan and Delaware 
Counties. After continuing with that firm until 
its dissolution, he was employed by their success- 
ors, Morgan & Wilber, until 1893. 

In January, 1894, Mr. Sayer purchased the 
livery business of L. B. Scott, which was the old- 
est and largest in Middletown. The building, 
which is two stories in height, and has a frontage 
of one hundred feet, extends back two hundred 




HVLET D. CLARK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 79 



feet, and has thirty stalls. It accommodates a 
large number of carriages and buggies, and the 
stable is well equipped for supphing weddings 
and funerals. 

In 1893 Mr. Saver assisted in organizing the 
Twenty-fourth Separate Company Band, in which 
he plays solo alto. He is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church, and in politics is a Republican. 

f ;, ^< ,J,. >|^ <- ■ ■» 

NULET D. CLARK. In the town of Mini- 
sink, where he has resided for many years, 
Mr. Clark is well known as a successful 
farmer and progressive business man. Since com- 
ing here he has been identified with the best in- 
terests of this locality, and has aided in all plans 
for the material advancement of the town. His 
has been a busy life, and as a result of his un- 
wearied labors he has accumulated a competency, 
which will enable him, when he so desires, to re- 
tire from active business affairs and enjoy in his 
declining days the fruits of a life well spent. 

Referring to the parental history of Mr. Clark, 
we find that his father, Benjamin G. , was born in 
Connecticut, but in early manhood settled in New 
Jersey, and there married, his wife, Angeline 
Springsted, being a native of that state. Hulet 
D. was born in Sussex County, February 15, 
1835, and was reared upon the home farm, gain- 
ing early in life a practical knowledge of agri- 
culture, and receiving a fair education in the 
neighboring schools. He established domestic 
ties December 29, 1857, at which time he was 
united in marriage with Miss Margaret Swart- 
_wout, a daughter of James D. Swartwout, of 
_>■ APort Jervis, and a direct descendant in the sev- 
"^^enth generation of Roelofif Swartwout, one of the 
-<^ pioneers of this country, who came from Holland 
" in 1655, locating at Kingston, N. Y. They be- 
came the parents of five children, as follows: 
; Deborah, who is the wife of Samuel Hornbeck; 
^Naomi, who married John G. Beakes; Clarence 
G., who married Mary Horton; and Carrie M. 
and Niven H., who are .still with their parents. 

After his marriage Mr. Clark purchased a farm 
in the town of Mt. Hope, upon which he made 



his home for six years, engaged in the cultivation 
of the place. In 1867 he bought one hundred 
and fifteen acres, comprising his present place, 
and here he has since resided, meantime bringing 
his place imder a high state of cultivation. He 
followed general farming until 1884. Some two 
years later he started the flour and feed store in 
the village of Johnson, a station on the Susque- 
hanna & Western Railroad, and he has since been 
connected with the firm of C. G. Clark & Co , of 
which his son, Clarence G., is the senior member. 
In politics Mr. Clark is a Democrat, but is not 
radical in his political views, being willing that 
others should have the same independence that lie 
asks for himself in voting for men and measures. 
He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at 
Westtown, and takes an active interest in all 
things that tend to the advancement of the Mas- 
ter's cause. He has been quite successful in the 
accumulation of this world's goods, which fact is 
largely due to his untiring industry and perse\-er- 
ance. All the improvements on his farm are the 
work of his hands and brains. As a citizen he is 
highly esteemed by all who know him, and is 
worthv of the regard in which he is held. 



BEN D. DEWITT, junior member of the firm 
^ of Sliter& Dewitt, of Middletown, was born 
_ in Liberty, Sullivan County, N. Y., Septem- 
ber 22, 1856. He traces his ancestry to ihe old 
Holland-Dutch farnily from which DeWitt Clinton 
was descended, and his forefathers were identi- 
fied with the early history of this state, his grand- 
father serving in the War of 18 12, and his great- 
grandfather taking part in the Revolution. 

Elias Dewitt, father of our subject, was born 
in Orange County, and for many years gave his 
attention to general farming, but at present his 
home is used principally for the accommodation 
of summer boarders. In religious belief he is 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He is still hale and hearty, in spite of his sev- 
enty-six j'ears. His wife, who bore the maiden 



ii8o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



name of Susan Tidd, was born in Downsville, 
Delaware County, N. Y., where her father, Elisha 
Tidd, was engaged in farming and the himber 
business. 

The parental family consisted of three daugh- 
ters and five sons, of whom all the sons and one 
of the daughters survive. Of the brothers, two 
reside in Sullivan and three in Orange County. 
Eben, who was fifth in order of birth, was reared 
on the home farm, and attended the common 
schools and Jeffersonville Academy. For one year 
he was employed at the carpenter's trade in 
Laporte, Sullivan County, Pa., after which he 
worked near Hancock, Delaware County. N. Y., 
for two years. While there he was one of the 
first to open the blue-stone quarry at Hancock, 
which produced three-quarters of a million feet 
of stone. After closing that quarry he spent one 
year with the Inderlid Chemical and Stone Com- 
pany at Rock Riff, being tneir salesman and gen- 
eral manager. 

In 1892 Mr. Dewitt came to Middletown, 
where, in partnership with R. G. Sliter, he en- 
gaged in the blue-stone business at No. 5 Foun- 
dry Street, and they have since carried on a large 
wholesale and retail business. He has also a 
stone dock on the Ontario & Western at Mont- 
gomery Street. He has had important contracts 
■for blue-stone sidewalks, curbings and trimmings 
for buildings, and furni.shes any kind of .stone 
wanted, his specialties being the Ohio sandstone, 
Warsaw blue stone and Connecticut brown stone. 
In addition to the sales made in this localitj-, 
shipments of stone are made to New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania. 

In Delaware County, X. V.. Mr. Dewitt mar- 
ried Miss Leonora Porter, daughter of Levi Por- 
ter. Her father, who was a native of Oswego, 
N. Y., first followed his trade of a sawyer, later 
became a lumberman and jobber, and is now liv- 
ing retired from active labor at Hancock, Dela- 
ware County. Her mother, Mar\- J., was born 
in O.swego, where the maternal grandfather, 
Isaac Kipp, was a farmer and distiller. Her pa- 
ternal grandfather. Selim Porter, was born in 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and engaged in farm- 
ing and lumbering near Owego. Mrs. Dewitt 



was the youngest of four children, all but one of 
whom are living, one of her sisters being a resi- 
dent of Middletown. B>' her marriage she has 
had two children, viz.: Lottie, who is at home; 
and Fay, who died at the age of seven years. 
Politicalh- Mr. Dewitt is a Republican, and is 
well informed regarding the questions of the age. 



GInDREW brown, a dealer in meats and 
LI vegetables in Middletown, was born at Sus- 
/ I pen.sion Bridge, N. Y., and is a son of John 
W. and Margaret Brown, who were natives ot 
Germany. His father was a stone mason by 
trade, which he learned in his native countr\-. 
Shortly after his marriage he emigrated to the 
llnited States and located at Suspension Bridge, 
where he remained until 1865, when he came to 
Middletown, and has continued to work here at 
his trade ever since. While verging on old age. 
he is yet hale and hearty, and can do as much 
work as anj- man in the trade. During the war 
he was drafted, and responded to the call, but 
was rejected by the examining physician. His 
wif^died at Suspension Bridge when our subject 
was a mere lad. They were the parents of two 
children, one of whom has passed to the better 
world. 

Andrew Brown was born November 14, 1856, 
and remained with his father at Suspension Bridge 
until he was nearly nine years old, when they 
came to Middletown. While in Suspension Bridge 
he attended the public schools, and also those at 
Middletown for a short time. When but ten years 
of age he began in the meat-market of Louis 
Kammern, on East Main Street, with whom he 
learned the trade of a butcher. In 1872 he went 
to New York City with that gentleman, who had 
started in business in that city, and worked in his 
meat-market on Eighth Avenue for six months. 
As he did not like the business there, he returned 
to Middletown, and for three years was employed 
on the farm of George Wickham. On leaving 
the farm he commenced in business for himself, 
and November 14, 1876, started his present mar- 
ket at Xo. 82 North Street, where he occupies 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two floors. Here he has ample room for his 
.stock of meat and vegetables, together with fish, 
oysters and clams in season. He has one refrig- 
erator for fish and two for meat, and two delivery 
wagons are required in the delivery of goods. 
During the winter season he packs pork for sum- 
mer use. In the manufacture of .sausage he uses 
a three horse-power water motor. 

Mr. Brown was married in Guilford, Chenango 
County, to Miss Cora E. Whiting, who was a 
native of that place, and daughter of E. M. Whit- 
ing. The latter was quite a politician, and for 
years was employed in the railway mail service. 
He died in 1890. One child was born to our 
subject and wife, Lena, who died at the age of 
eight years. 

Mr. Brown is a member of the Legion of Honor, 
the Knights of Labor and the Eagle Hose Com- 
pany. Of the latter organization he has been a 
member for thirteen years, being assistant fore- 
man for one year and Treasurer three years. He 
is an attendant of the Congregational Church, and 
politically is a Republican. The family resides at 
No. 46 Wickham Aveime, in a neat and comfort- 
able residence, which was built a few years ago. 



|~REDERICK W. LOWE. The business of 
JM which Mr. Lowe is the head was established 
I by himself and sons in 1883, when he built 
a shop in Middletown, put in machinery at a cost 
of $2,700, and began in the manufacture of files 
and rasps. The plant is operated by an engine 
of fifteen horse-power, with a boiler of twenty 
horse-power, and there are two cutting-machines, 
together with a trip-hammer capable of making 
four hundred and fifty-four blows in a minute. 
The rasps are punched by hand, while the files 
are finished bj- machine work. Since 1890 he 
and his son Charles J. have been partners, under 
the firm name of F. W. Lowe & Son. 

Mr. Lowe was born in Prussia, Germany, June 
5, 1828, being a son of Henry and Dorothea 
(Sthan) Lowe, also natives of that place, where 
his father was a manufacturer of nails. The 
family consisted of fourteen children, of whom 



our subject was seventh in respect to age, and he 
is one of the two survivors of the original num- 
ber. He was a lad of fourteen when he began to 
learn the process of manufacturing nails, under 
the instruction of his father, and after gaining a 
thorough knowledge of the business he did jour- 
neyman work. 

Taking passage on the sailing-vessel "Johan" 
at Bremen, Mr. Lowe came to America in 1853, 
reaching this country after a voyage of fifty-four 
days. From New York City he went to Con- 
necticut, where he worked as blacksmith in a 
rolling-mill near Stamford. For a time he was 
employed in making chains. He learned the file 
business in that place, and was employed at it 
there until 1861, when he went to Sing Sing, 
N. Y., and secured a position with the Arcade 
File Works. So efficient did he become in the 
trade, that he was .said to be the best workman in 
the factory. In 1862 he resigned and removed 
to Johnstown, N. Y., whence in the spring of the 
following year he came to Middletown, accepting 
a position in the Eagle File Works. Not feeling 
satisfied with the surroundings there, he went to 
Matteawan, but in a short time the superintendent 
of the works sent urgently requesting him to re- 
turn to Middletown, which he did, taking a posi- 
tion as forger of files. For twenty-one years he 
remained with that concern, accompanying it in 
its three removals, and becoming thoroughly ac- 
quainted with every department of the work. 

In 1883, resigning from the position he had so 
long held, Mr. Lowe started in business with his 
sons, and since then he has conducted a profitable 
and increasing trade. His main building is 200X 
202 feet in dimensions, and is surrounded by a 
lot 106x153. He owns a neat residence, 79x200, 
at No. 180 East Main Street, near his shop. 
This property he purchased when it was in an 
unimproved condition, and planted shade and 
fruit trees, also small fruits and other produce, 
making the garden one of the finest in the citj-. 

In New York City Mr. Lowe married Miss 
Eliza Spieker, who was born in Germany in 
1826. Only three of their eight children attained 
years of maturity, and they were: William, who 
is a file-maker and resides in Philadelphia; 



Il82 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RECORD. 



George, who died in Middletown in 1894: and 
Charles J. The last-named was born and reared 
in this city, receiving a good education in the 
academy here, and then began his trade un- 
der his father. He is a fine file-cutter and is 
said to be the best last rasp-maker in the country. 
Socially he is an active member of Eagle Hose 
Company No. 2. 

For ten years Mr. Lowe was a Director of the 
first building and loan association organized in 
Middletown. Hehasser\-ed as Inspector of Elec- 
tions and in other local positions. Politically 
his allegiance is given to the Republican party. 
In 1869 he joined Middletown Lodge No. 112, 
I. O. O. F.. and belonged to it for seven years, 
when he became one of the principal organizers 
of Luther Lodge. In the latter organization he 
has served as First Noble Grand. He is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church and has held 
the office of Trustee of the consrregation. 



IILLIAM J. NELSON, M. D , was born in 
Roniney, Hampshire County, W. \'a., 
April 30, i860, and is a son of Rev. Jo- 
seph and grandson of Joseph Nelson, of County 
Antrim, Ireland. His father was educated in 
Belfast, Ireland, and graduated from Queen's 
College, with the degrees of A. B. and A. M. He 
then took a course in theology, and was ordained 
a minister in the Presbyterian Church, and 
preached in his native country until his removal 
to America, in 1857. O" coming to the United 
States he located in Romney, W. Va., where he 
served as Principal and President of Romney 
Classical Institute until after the close of the war. 
He then removed to Cumberland, Md., where he 
was Principal of the Cumberland Classical Insti- 
tute. Later he removed to Hartford County, 
Md., and was pastor of the Bethel Presbyterian 
Church. His next change was to Sussex Coun- 
ty, N. J., where for four years he was pastor 
of the Clove Presbyterian Church. He later 
removed to South Centreville, where he was 
also pastor of the Presbyterian Church for four 
}-ears. He then retired from the ministr>-, and 



in the year 1892 his death occurred, at the age 
of seventy-four years. His wife, Janette McKib- 
ben, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and 
was a daughter of Joseph McKibben, who was a 
salt manufacturer, and engaged in the shipping 
business at Belfast. He was the owner of several 
vessels, and did a thriving business there for 
many years. He died in Ireland. Mrs. Janette 
Nelson, who now resides in Middletown, is the 
mother of two daughters and one son. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood 
days in Maryland and New Jersey, and received 
his primary education in private schools, mostly 
in those presided over by his father. Later he 
entered Weston Military Institute, at Weston, 
Conn., where he remained three years. He then 
returned home, and went to school in Maryland 
for a time. From early childhood he had a de- 
sire to study medicine, and in the sessions of 
1S79-80 entered the medical department of the 
University of Maryland, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1883, with the degree of M. D. By com- 
petitive examination he was appointed assistant 
in the University of Maryland Hospital and In- 
firmary, at Baltunore, where he remained two 
years, having the practical benefit of every de- 
partment of that institution. He then located in 
Baltimore, where he engaged in the practice of 
his profession for one 3-ear, and then went to 
Clove, N. J., where he practiced for a time. In 
1888 he removed to South Centreville, Orange 
County, where he remained in the practice of his 
profession luitil 1892, when he located in Middle- 
town. His office is now at No. 66 East Main 
Street, where he is engaged in general practice 
and in surgerj-. He is at present the City Physi- 
cian of Middletown, having received the appoint- 
ment July 28. 1894, from the Mayor and Com- 
mon Council. By virtue of his office he is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Health. In the four years in 
which he has resided in Middletown, he has built 
up an extensive and paying practice, of which 
he may well be proud. 

Dr. Nelson was married, in Middletown, to Miss 
Cora J. Case, born in Turner, this county, and 
daughter of Ira L. Case, a sketch of whom ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. They have one 




WILLIAM H. HALLOCK. 
Town ok Montgomekv. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 185 



child, Olive L. Fraternally Dr. Kelson isa mem- 
ber of Hoffman Lodge, F. & A. M. He is also a 
member of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company 
No. I. Professionally he is connected with the 
Alumni Society of the University of Maryland, 
and of the Orange County Medical Society. Like 
his father, he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and politically is a Republican. 



G= 



:^^lll^^ 



L-T- 



\\t^^ 



^ 



|ILLIAM H. HALLOCK. A pleasant and 
well improved farm in the town of Mont- 
gomery is the home of the gentleman 
above named, and under his able management 
the land produces crops which rank first both in 
quantity and quality. The estate comprises two 
hundred and eighty acres, upon which have been 
placed all the improvements of a model farm. 
The owner is an enterprising farmer, and a citi- 
zen whose worth is recognized by his fellow-men, 
by whom he is esteemed accordingly. 

Mr. Hallock has spent his entire life in this 
town, and here he was born June 21, 1835, being 
the second in order of birth, and the only sur- 
vivor, among three children comprising the family 
of Joshua G. and Mary (Brown ) Hallock. His 
father was born and reared in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and thence came to the town of Hampton- 
burgh, Orange County, where he married Miss 
Brown. Working on a farm by the month and 
operating rented land, he secured a start in life, 
and, carefully saving his earnings, he was enabled, 
in 1852. to purchase ninety-five acres of land in 
this town. P'rom this small beginning he adcied to 
his property from time to time until his pos.ses- 
sions aggregated two hiuidred and eighty acres. 
He contiiuied to make his home upon this place 
until his death, which occurred at the age of 
eighty-five. 

The life of Joshua ti. Hallock was character- 
ized by integrity and honesty, even in the small- 
est details of his busine.ss affairs, and no one 
could speak aught against his character. Pos- 
sessing trait.s of perseverance and economy, he 

52 



worked his way from po\-erty to affluence, and at 
his death left his son a valuable property. A 
Republican in political views, he was elected on 
that ticket to the position of County Supervisor, 
which he filled for several years. In connection 
with general farm work, he engaged in raising 
stock, a branch of agriculture in which he met 
with success. His parents were natives of 
Dutchess County, and the family dates back to 
1640, when Peter Hallock, one of thirteen Pilgrim 
fathers, came from Elnglaiid and settled on Long- 
Island. Our .subject's mother was born in 
Dutchess County, and died in the town of Mont- 
gomery, at the age of eighty years, surviving her 
husband only four months. 

Remaining with his parents until their death, 
our subject then inherited the old homestead, 
where he has since resided. His educational ad- 
vantages were such as the public schools af- 
forded, and being a man of close observation 
and a thoughtful reader of current literatiu'e, he 
is well posted concerning matters of general or 
local value. Like his father, he supports the 
principles of the Republican party, believing 
them best adapted to promote the welfare of our 
Government. March 4, 1874, he married Miss 
Harriet Barrett, of Sullivan County, N. Y., an 
estimable lady, whose efficient co-operation has 
been of the greatest assistance to him in his under- 
takings. Mr. Hallock and his wife are members of 
the Dutch Reformed Church. 



0ANIEL REEVE, deceased, was born in the 
town of Minisnik, January i, 1814, and was 
a son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Decker) 
Reeve, natives, respectively, of Long Island and 
Orange County. On the maternal side he traced 
his ancestry to Anthony and Hannah (Decker) 
Van Etten, members of pioneer families of this 
County. They resided in a .stone house on a 
large farm, in what history calls the "lower" 
neighborhood, near the home of her brother, 
Maj. John Decker. In July, 1779, Captain 
Brandt, with a company of Tories and Indians, 
invaded this neighborhood, and Anthony, who 



ii86 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was Commissar}' for a company of American sol- 
diers, was killed by a gunshot on going to dut\-. 

Mary, a daughter of Anthony, married Isaiah 
Decker in 1783, and at his death she was left with 
three children, namely: Elizabeth, who became 
the wife of Joseph Davis: Isaac, who died at the 
age of eighty-four; and Hannah, who married 
Jeremiah Reeve, son of Daniel and Martha ( Rus- 
sel) Reeve, of Suffolk County, L. I. Jeremiah 
and Hannah Reeve had three children, those be- 
sides our subject being Isaiah, who grew to man- 
hood and was accidentally killed by being thrown 
from a horse in 1832; and Martha G., who re- 
mained at home. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on 
the old farm and was educated in the public 
schools, and in 1839 married Ruth Ann Carpen- 
ter. Thej- became the parents of five children, 
one of whom died in infancy. Daniel C, who 
was graduated with honors from Union College, 
Class of '63, and from Albany Law School, 
practiced law in Middletown for a period of six 
years, until a sudden cold developed into lung 
trouble, resulting in his death, February g, 187 1, 
at the age of thirty years. Valentine H., a suc- 
cessful farmer, resided on the old homestead until 
his death, in 1886. Martha J. makes her home on 
the farm where her grandparents settled in 1804. 
Ruth A. is the wife of Edward Silk, of Middle- 
town, and is the mother of one son, Reeve A. 
Silk, an academic pupil. 

The first representative of the Carpenter family 
in the United States was William Carpenter, born 
in 1576, who came from Wherwell, England, in 
the good ship "Bevis" to New England, in May, 
1638. His ancestry in England is traced back to 
Richard, father of John Carpenter, who was Town 
Clerk of London and a great promoter of educa- 
tion; he died in 1442. The descendants of Will- 
iam are (2d) William, (3d) John, (4th) John, 
(5th) John, (6th) Isaac. The last-named was 
born in Goshen, March 31, 1747. His father, 
who was an early settler of Orange Countj', was 
in Jul}', 1721, one of the men who gave land 
for the village of Goshen to be laid out, with its 
church, parsonage, cemetery, etc. He had eight 
children. 



Isaac was married to Mrs. Susanna (McKin- 
neyj Thompson, of Scotch-Irish descent, a lady 
several years younger than himself Her parents 
were Edward and Mar\- ( Dekay ) McKinney. 
Isaac Carpenter and his wife lived on his large 
estate, a part of which is now known as the Reeve 
homestead, two and one-half miles south of Mid- 
dletown. To them were given two daughters, 
Susan and Ruth Ann, also a son, Isaac, who died 
in childhood. Long before the abolishment of 
slavery, Isaac, feeling it an unjust principle, gave 
entire freedom to those he possessed, though he 
retained them in his service for years afterward. 
His daughter Susan married James Van Duzer 
and reared a son, Isaac, who occupies a hand- 
some residence upon part of the original tract 
of his grandfather: also four daughters, all of 
whom married farmers and settled near their old 
home. The Carpenter family have a coat-of- 
arms, and the present female representatives are 
eligible to membership in the Society of Colonial 
Daughters. 

For many years our subject resided on the old 
Carpenter homestead, where his death occurred 
October 29, 1878; his remains were interred 
in the Hillside Cemetery at Middletown. He 
was a charter member of the Second Presbyterian 
Church of Middletown and was active in religious 
work. He was a patriotic man, interested in his 
country's welfare, and in politics was a Repub- 
lican. His death v^'as mourned, not alone by his 
family, but by a large circle of friends, who knew 
and loved him. A quiet and retiring man. he 
went forward in the discharge of such duties as 
devolved upon him in such a manner as to win and 
retain the friendship of every acquaintance. 

' ^ # P ' 



EHARLES W. HILL, contractor and builder 
of Middletown, was born in Newburgh, in 
September, 1838. John Hill, his grandfather, 
who was of English descent, was a cooper bj' trade, 
and after residing in Newburgh for many years 
removed to Haverstraw, dying there at the age of 
eighty-eight years. He participated in the War 
ofi8i2. Andrew Hill, the lather of our subject, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1187 



was a native of Dutchess County, but in early life 
removed to Newburgh, and later to Haverstraw. 
In 1864 he located at Middletown, where he en- 
gaged in his trade as cooper He married Susan 
Wood, who was born in Haverstraw, and who 
was the daughter of John Wood, a farmer resid- 
ing near that city. By their union eight chil- 
dren were born, six of whom grew to maturity, 
and three of whom are now living. In politics 
he was a Republican, and religiously was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
body his wife was also a member. Slie died in 
1865, and he in 1882. 

Charles W. Hill grew to manhood and was ed- 
ucated in the Haverstraw public schools. When 
a mere youth he commenced to learn the cooper's 
trade under his father, and continued in that 
occupation until twenty-one years of age, when 
he began to learn the carpenter's trade, .spending 
two years in the Ramapo Car Shops. In 1864 
he came to Middletown and commenced work, 
under instructions, at the carpenter's trade for 
Richard Van Horn, but received journeymen's' 
wages from the start. He was with that gentle- 
man three years, and then for one year was with 
Samuel Wilcox. At the end of that time he 
started in business for himself as a contractor and 
builder, and, with the exception of seven years 
spent on the police force, has since continued in 
that occupation. His first appointment on the 
police force was in 1875, when only two men were 
required to di.scharge the duties of that office. 
He served until 1882, during which time he had 
several exciting adventures, having had dirk 
knives drawn on him and revolvers fired at him. 
At the end of .seven years he resigned his posi- 
tion, since which time he has been at work at his 
trade. Among the buildings erected by him 
are the Ropeno, Hornbeck, Stevens, Hinchcliff, 
Dicks and McGready & Finch, also two for Mrs. 
Annie Hill, and one for Mr. Tate, in Warwick, 
be.sides many others. 

Mr. Hill was married at vSloatsburg to Miss 
Caroline Finch. Of their five children, only two 
grew to maturity, and only one is now living. 
Alice died at the age of two years; Charles E., 
who was engaged in the confectionery business. 



and who was a very popular young man, being 
at one time a member of the Board of Aldermen, 
died in 1892, at the age of twenty-seven years; 
Gracie died at the age of four months; Mazie is 
yet at home. 

Mr. Hill is a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and also of Middletown Lodge, I. O. O. F. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in which he is a Class-leader and a 
member of the Official Board. In politics he is a 
Republican. 



ALTER H. KNAPP comes of an old Orange 
County family of German extraction. He 
was born in the town of Canterbury, Jan- 
uary II, 1833, and is a son of James and Harriet 
(Knapp ) Knapp, the former born in the town of 
Canterbury, and the latter born in the town of 
Little Britain. Though bearing the same name, 
she was not a relative of her husband. John 
Knapp, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
farmer by occupation, and died on the old home- 
stead at the age of sixtj'-two years. Usal Knapp, 
a great-uncle of our subject, served for seven 
years in the Revolutionary War, and was the last 
of Washington's bodyguard to pass away, dying 
at the age of ninety -seven years at Little Britain. 
He was buried at Wa.shington's Headquarters, 
where the state has erected a monument, on which 
is inscribed, "The last of the bodyguard." A 
company of Continentals from Albany had charge 
of the funeral services. 

James Knapp, the father of our subject, was for 
many years engaged in farming in the town of 
New Wind.sor, and later in the town of Montgom- 
ery. He subsequently' removed to a small farm 
in Coldenham, and died at the age of seventy- 
three years. In politics he was originalh- a 
Whig, and on the organization of the Republican 
party espou.sed its principles. He was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, in which for many 
years he was chorister. He was buried in Goodwill 
Cemetery. His good wife, the mother of our sub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ject, died at the age of seventy-seven j'ears. Of 
the nine children in the parental familj', all grew 
to maturity, and five are yet living. William, now 
deceased, was a member of the Sixtj'-ninth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded by a 
shell, but served two years, and has since died. 
Helen, now Mrs. Higby, re.sides at Equinunk, 
Pa. Walter H. is our subject. James resides in 
Newburgh. Lavina, now deceased, was the wife 
of Benjamin Dawes, of the town of Montgomerj-, 
a soldier in the late war. Nelson enlisted in Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Twentj--fourth In- 
fantry, under Captain Clark, and was all through 
the war; two years after his discharge he died 
suddenly. Edwin, a blacksmith, lives at Colden- 
ham. Emily, who married William Corvey, of 
the town of Montgomery, is now deceased; and 
Hanford is a furniture dealer and undertaker at 
Equinunk, Pa. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in the 
town of Montgomery, where he resided until 
eighteen years of age, assisting in the farm work 
and attending the public school. He then came 
to Middletown, which had but thirteen hundred 
inhabitants, and was apprenticed to learn the trade 
of the manufacture of .sash, doors and blinds. 
He continued at this place until 1863, having 
been foreman of a factor}- for many years, and 
then removed to Warwick and engaged in the 
furniture and undertaking trade, together with 
carriage and sleigh painting. After following 
the business there for five years, he returned to 
Middletown, and engaged in undertaking on 
James Street. Later he bought property on the 
corner of James and West Main Streets. In 188 1 
he took in partnership his son W. Nelson, and 
the business was continued under the firm name 
of W. H. Knapp& Son. In 1891, after being in 
business thirty-two years, he retired. 

Mr. Knapp was united in marriage in the city 
of Newburgh with Miss Martha J. Dickson, 
a native of Marlboro, N. J., and daughter of Se- 
lah Dickson, who was a carpenter at Newburgh. 
Two children have been born unto them: Mary 
A., now Mrs. Merritt, of Middletown; and W. 
Nelson, whose sketch appears on another page 
of this work. For many years Mr. Knapp has 



been a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, 
of which he is a Steward. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and has ever been active in political af- 
fairs, having many times served as a delegate to 
count}- and state conventions. He served seven 
years in the old Protection Engine Company No. 
2, which was one of the first fire companies started 
here, but which is now extinct. During the war 
he was a member of the Union League. In the 
spring of 1893 he was elected City Treasurer on 
the Republican ticket, was re-elected in 1894, 
serving two years, and was offered the nomination 
for a third term, but refused to accept. He is a 
member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M. ; 
Midland Chapter No. 24, R. A. M.; Middletown 
Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F. ; Knights of Honor 
No. 2103, of which he is Past Dictator and of 
which he was Treasurer for fourteen years; and is 
a member of Lancelot Lodge No. 169, K. of P. In 
each of these organizations he has taken an act- 
ive part. 



€^ 



^a-' .?• #!##)j# •?• • '* '■ ^ i' 



iHXIAM BURKE, proprietor of the Mud 
Mills Distillery, is a native of County Cork, 
Ireland, and was born in 1834. He re- 
mained at home until eighteen years of age, 
when he came to the United States and located 
in the town of Goshen, Orange County, where he 
fir.st engaged in farming. Later he entered the 
employ of the Erie Railroad Company, remaining 
initil 1864, when he came to Middletown and en 
gaged in the liquor business. He has had distil- 
leries at Centerville, vSmith's \'illage and Mud 
Mills, and was connected with the old brewery 
where the Madison House now stands, and which 
was built by H. B. Ogden. Mr. Burke still owns 
the building, but leases it to other parties for 
hotel purposes. He was also connected with the 
old grain distillery on Canal Street, which was 
burned. 

The Mud Mills Distillery is located two and 
a-half miles east of the city, and in connection 
with it is a forty-acre farm. Mr. Burke is now 
the oldest wliolesale liquor dealer in the city, and 
among his specialties is Burke's Cider Brandy 




JAMES VANDEROEF. 



ii 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 191 



or apple jack. In his business he has been very 
successful, and in addition to the fine brick block 
at No. 28 Union Street, which he occupies him- 
self, he owns the adjoining building, besides con- 
siderable other real estate. His family consists 
of two children: Margaret, at home; and William, 
who is now engaged in the study of law with 
George H. Decker. Mrs. Burke is deceased. 

Mr. Burke has been a resident of Middletown 
since 1864, and has witnessed its growth from a 
small village to a thriving city of over thirteen 
thousand inhabitants. He is one of the oldest 
business men in the place, and has been active in 
all the improvements of the city. When he lo- 
cated in Middletown it had but one railroad, the 
Erie. In religious belief he is a Catholic, and is 
at present Trustee of St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church. 



(Tames VANDEROEF. The city of Mont- 
I gomery, which lies on the east side of the 
G/ Wallkill River, is one of the most desirable 
residetice portions of Orange County, its citizens 
being foremost in educational, commercial and 
social projects. For twenty-eight years Mr. Van- 
deroef was one of its most prominent business 
men, as he is still one of its most progressive cit- 
izens. He came here in 1867 and embarked in 
the coal business, which he continued in conjunc- 
tion with a large lumber and feed trade until 
1895. Though still a member of the firm of 
James Vanderoef & Son, he has practically re- 
tired from business, having given to his son the 
management of his interests. 

The first representatives of the Vanderoef fam- 
ily in America were three brothers, who came 
from Holland. The first of the name to .settle in 
Orange County was the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Cornelius Vanderoef, who died before James 
was born. After his death his widow, whose 
maiden name was Dorothy Weisner, married 
William Shepard. She lived to the advanced 
age of ninety-six. One of her nieces. Temper- 
ance Weisner, died when ninety-seven years old. 
John Weisner Vanderoef, our subject's father, 



was born in Orange County, where he followed 
the trade of a carpenter, and later engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits. His death occurred in the 
town of Warwick at the age of eighty-six. He 
first married Mi.ss Dorothy Wheeler, who became 
the mother of two sons and a daughter, and died 
when James was three years of age. Later the 
father married Elizabeth (Rogers) Wheeler, the 
widow of Joel Wheeler, a brother of his first wife. 
Two children were born of that union. Both 
John W. Vanderoef and his brother-in law, Joel 
Wheeler, were active in military circles. 

The marriage of our subject, December 9, 1840, 
united him with Harriet, eldest daughter of 
James T. and Dorothy (Roe) Post, of the town 
of Warwick. She was born February 16, 1822, 
and is one of four children, the others being Jef- 
ferson, Moses and Louisa, of whom the only sur- 
vivor besides Mrs. Vanderoef is Louisa, wife of 
John Ackerman, of Hartford, Conn. The grand- 
parents of Mrs. Vanderoef were David and Nellie 
(WisnerJ Post. Her father was born November 
I, 1795, and died January 4, 1863; her mother 
was born May 16, 1802, and died April 3, 1879. 
Four generations, including the grandmother and 
mother of Mrs. Vanderoef, herself and her son, 
John James, were born on the i6th of the month. 

After his marriage our subject remained for a 
time on his father's farm, then purchased one 
hundred acres, on which he resided until the out- 
break of the Civil War. For a few years after- 
ward he lived in the village of Florida, and later 
was for one year in the coal business at Goshen. 
In 1867 he came to Montgomery, where he has 
since resided. In connection with Chauncey 
Brooks, he has erected .several houses in the town 
and has platted a large addition to the cit\-. In 
addition to other enterprises he has purchased 
cattle by carload lots, disposing of them at a fair 
advance. Politically he is a Republican, but has 
never desired office nor mingled in public affairs, 
preferring to devote his attention to personal mat- 
ters. With his wife he holds membership in the 
Presbyterian Church, in the pro.sperity of which 
he takes a deep interest. 

For fifty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Vanderoef 
have traveled life's journey together, and b)- 



H92 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mutual sympathy have doubled their joys and 
divided their sorrows. Theirs has been a happy 
union, and in their declining years they have the 
affection of their children and grandchildren and 
the warm regard of a host of friends. Their fam- 
ily consisted of five sons and one daughter, viz.: 
John James, who is referred to elsewhere in this 
volume; Thomas Jefferson, who is in the mercan- 
tile business in Brooklyn; Charles Weisner, de- 
ceased, formerly a jeweler of Sing Sing, N. Y.; 
Hattie Louisa; William and Zebulon, who died 
in childhood. The two children of Charles, 
Harry Wilcox and Lizzie Charline, made their 
home with Mr. Vanderoef until their mother's 
marriage to Frederick Bodine, since which time 
they have resided in Montgomery. The only 
daughter of our subject is the wife of William I. 
Wallace, M. D., and she has two children, viz.: 
Bessie Louise, who was born February lo, 1892; 
and James, April 27, 1894. They reside on the 
old homestead with her parents. 



(1 AMES C. SPIEGEL, M. D., comes of a noble 
I German family, and traces his ancestry back 
Q) to the year loio. For hundreds of years his 
ancestors were court physicians to the ruler of 
Hesse-Cassel. His father. Christian Von Spiegel, 
was a baron, and was born in Hesse-Cassel. His 
grandfather, also named Christian Von Spiegel, 
was a court physician, as was also his great-grand- 
father, great-great-grandfather, and great-great- 
great-grandfather. Christian Von Spiegel, the 
father, was a graduate of Zurich University, both 
in the classical and medical departments. He 
took a prominent part in the Revolution of 1848, 
and for that reason was compelled to leave his na- 
tive country. He came to America, and first lo- 
cated in New York City, then drifted South, and 
finally settled in Memphis, Tenn., where he en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession for many 
years. He was in Memphis the greater part of 
the war, but was a strong Union man, and a 
friend of General Grant. In 1870 he left Mem- 



phis and located in Utica, N. Y., where he re- 
mained until 1887, and then removed to Saratoga, 
N. Y., where he now lives a retired life. He was 
in Memphis during the dreadful scourge of yellow 
fever, and also of cholera, and was active in the 
discharge of his duties as a physician. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and in poli- 
tics is a Democrat. His wife, Martha E. Bosley, 
was born in Louisiana, and was a daughter of 
James Bosley, a cotton planter above Shreveport, 
on the Red River, where he had a large planta- 
tion, and was the owner of eight hundred slaves 
when the war broke out. He was a member of 
the As.sembly in Louisiana, and was of English 
descent. Her mother was a Clark. By this mar- 
riage there was but one child, the subject of this 
sketch. Mrs. Von Spiegel died in 1862, and the 
Doctor subsequently married and became the fa- 
ther of two children bj- his second wife. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Mem- 
phis, Tenn., December 23, 1856, and there re- 
mained with his father until 1870. His primary 
education was received in private schools in Mem- 
phis, and his course was completed at Whitestown 
Seminary, near Utica, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1873. He then commenced the study of 
medicine with his father, and in 1875 entered the 
medical department of the University of Buffalo, 
graduating therefrom in 1878, with the degree of 
M. D. During the summer of 1874 he went to 
Europe, and spent eight months in the hospitals 
of Berlin and \'ieiina. He then traveled over 
the continent, including England and Scotland, 
whence he returned and entered the medical col- 
lege. 

Soon after his graduation, in 1878, Dr. Spiegel 
located at Mt. Morris, Livingston County, where 
he engaged in practice for three years. He then 
traveled for a while through the North and West, 
and finallj' located in Schenectady, N. Y., where 
he remained for eleven \'ears. During the fol- 
lowing eighteen months he was traveling, prin- 
cipally in the South. He has traveled extensive- 
ly in every state and territory in the Union. In 
October, 1893, he located in Middletown, princi- 
pally for his health, but at once commenced the 
practice of his profession. He makes a specialty 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•93 



of chronic diseases and throat troubles, and has 
been very successful. In the treatment of chronic 
diseases he seldom uses a knife. 

Dr. Spiegel was married in Utica, N. Y., to 
Miss Sarah E- Lord, a native of West Tro3', N. Y. , 
and daughter of A. N. Lord. They have one 
child, James Bosley. While in Schenectady he 
was County Coroner for six years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows, Red Men, Royal Arcanum 
and Chosen Friends, all of Schenectady, and has 
pas.sed through nearly all the chairs of each of 
the orders. For a lime he was a member of the 
Foresters. Religiously he is a Baptist, and po- 
litically a Republican. He was on the Republi- 
can Central Committee in Schenectady, and in 
1889 was a member of the convention which nom- 
inated Donaldson for Senator. He is a member 
of the Alumni of Buffalo University. 

As already stated. Dr. Spiegel has been an ex- 
tensive traveler, and made his second visit to Eu- 
rope in 1880, at which time he visited many points 
of interest. He is a good physician, well edu- 
cated, and enjoys the respect and confidence of 
all who know him. 

• — Q^ P — • 



jlLLIAM L. DERR, Superintendent of the 
Delaware Division of the Erie Railroad at 
Port Jervis, is conceded to be one of the 
best practical railroad managers in the country, 
and is much esteemed by the employes as well as 
the officials of the company. While lie was still 
a mere boy, his strong ambition and natural abil- 
ity manifested themselves, and all his .study and 
work has been toward practical ends. Mathe- 
matics of the most abstru.se .sort \<'ere easily mas- 
tered by him, and he is thoroughly informed on 
everything relating to railroad construction. He 
frequently contributes articles of scientific merit 
and bearing evidence of research to well known 
engineering journals, and his opinions meet with 
profound respect. 

This noted railroad man was born at Charles- 
town, Cecil County, Md., in 1857. His ances- 
tors were residents of Easton and AUentown, Pa., 
and his father, J. A. Derr, has been for a number 



of years Master Carpenter of the Delaware Divi- 
sion in this city. His mother, who.se maiden 
name was \'irginia Jones, is the daughter of a 
mill engineer and extensive land-owner in Mary- 
land. Our subject received a good education, 
and b}- his own exertions made sufficient money 
to take a special cour.se in engineering in the 
Polytechnic College of Philadelphia, graduating 
therefrom in the Class of '78. 

Mr. Derr's first employment on public works 
was for the Phcenix Iron Bridge Company, and 
afterward he was with the Baltimore Bridge 
Company, thus obtaining practical knowledge of 
bridge-construction work. In March, 1875, he 
became an employe of the Philadelphia, Wil- 
mington & Baltimore Railroad in the Susquehan- 
na Bridge Division, and a year later was at- 
tached to the engineer corps as assistant civil en- 
gineer. In 1877 the bridge, over a mile long, at 
Havre de Grace was completed, Mr. Derr hav- 
ing been assistant engineer on construction for 
some time. 

In April, 1877, our subject received an appoint- 
ment from the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis 
Railroad as assistant engineer in the Mainten- 
ance of War Department, and in August, 1879, 
was made Supervisor of Chartiers Division of 
the road. Then he obtained a better position 
with the New York & New England Railroad, 
with his headquarters at Boston, and in Septem- 
ber, 1883, he was notified of his appointment as 
Roadmaster of the Woonsocket Division. Only 
a short time had elapsed ere he was promoted to 
be Assistant Superintendent of this division. 

It was in February, 1886, that Mr. Derr be- 
came Roadmaster of the Buffalo Division of the 
Erie Railroad, and the following November he 
was made Roadmaster of the Delaware Division, 
with his headquarters at Port Jervis. In June, 
1889, he was promoted to be Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Susquehanna Division, and in 
June, 1890, Superintendent of the Jefferson Di- 
vision. Finally, October I, 1890, he was installed 
Superintendent of the Delaware Division, and is 
still .serving as such. In his long years of serv- 
ice he has come into close contact with and 
served under man)' men who ha\'e been at the 



1 194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



head of the engineering and raih'oad profession. 
While Roadniaster of the Delaware Division, he 
built the second track of the Jefferson Branch, and 
since becoming Superintendent of the Delaware 
Division has put in the block system the entire 
length of the branch, demonstrating that heavy 
traffic can be handled without delay or difficulty 
in this manner. He is a member of the Ameri- 
can Society of Railroad .Superintendents, and al.so 
belongs to the Buffalo Society of Railroad .Super- 
intendents. 

March 24, 1893, Mr. Derr married Lillian A. 
Kies, of Putnam, Conn. They have had a fam- 
ily of four children, who are named in order of 
birth as follows: Orvill \'., Pearl L., Alice F. 
and William T. Mr. Derr has a fine library of 
scientific volumes, the contents of which he has 
largely mastered. He is perfectly familiar with 
the geological formations in this portion of the 
state, and knows what rock is best for ballast, for 
building bridge abutments, etc. He is a man of 
broad mind and wide intelligence, these traits 
showing themselves plainly in his high, broad 
and full forehead. In manner he is very pleasant 
and cordial, and makes friends of all people with 
whom he is thrown in contact, whether in a busi- 
ness or social way. 

C ^ • ; fe^: lH£iH ' ^; 

EHARLES HIGH AM. During the early 
days in the history of this county, the Com- 
mercial Hotel, of Middletown, was a "half- 
way house" for the stage coaches running be- 
tween Newburgh and Port Jervis. When the old 
stage line was superseded by the steam cars, and 
Middletown gained metropolitan activity, the 
hotel became the favorite stopping-place for tour- 
ists and commercial travelers. To-day, though 
one of the oldest hotels in the county, it loses 
nothing in competition with its more modern 
successors. It is situated on the corner of West 
Main and Canal Streets, and contains thirty-five 
or forty rooms, furnished with first-class improve- 
ments and all modern comforts. 



The proprietor of the hotel, Mr. Higham, is 
also well known through his coiuiection with the 
Middletown Wheelmen, of which he was one of 
the founders and has been President since its or- 
ganization. In 1890 he joined the League of 
American Wheelmen, with which he has since 
been connected. For thirteen years he has been 
an active member of Monhagen Ho.se Company 
No. I. In 1892 he served as second assistant 
engineer, and the following year he was promoted 
to be first assistant, which office he has since filled. 
In the Order of American Firemen he is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the Local Branch, 
Hamilton Council No. 14, and takes an active 
part in all its affairs. In 1894-95 he was dele- 
gate to the State Firemen's Convention, and has 
also been representative of the Monhagen Hose 
Company on the Board of Representatives of the 
Middletown Fire Department. In fact, he has 
been one of the most prominent firemen of the city. 

A native of Manchester, England, the subject 
of this sketch was born in April, 1867. His fa- 
ther, a native of the same place, was engaged in 
business as a fancy-silk weaver, but in 1868 he 
came to America, and settled in Middletown in 
January of that year. He became proprietor of 
the Wallkill House, which he conducted until his 
death, in 1870. By his first marriage he had four 
children, of whom three are living. His second 
marriage was to Elizabeth Redfield, a native of 
Manchester, England, now living in Middletown. 
Two children were born of that union, Charles 
being the younger. He was reared in this city, 
receiving his education in Wallkill Academy. 
His mother contiimed to manage the Wallkill 
House until 1882, when she became proprietor of 
the Commercial House, and this later passed into 
the handsof our subject and his sister. In April, 
1888, he purchased his sister's interest, and has 
since been proprietor of the hotel, into which he 
.has put about $8,000 worth of improvements. 

The first of the Higham family to come to 
America was John, an uncle of our subject, who 
settled in Jersey City and there carried on a hotel. 
From that place he came to Middletown, where 
he was prospered, acquiring the ownership of 
three hotels and a fine residence property. He 




WIIJ.IAM H CARPENTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 197 



was a man of great liberality, and everj' enter- 
prise that was calculated to benefit the city found 
in him a warm friend. He continued to reside in 
Middletown until his death, at which time his 
property was distributed among his nephews and 
nieces, he having no children of his own. 

In Middletown, in 1890, Mr. Highani was 
united in marriage with Miss Annie Colwell, a 
native of this city and a daughter of J. M. Col- 
well, a retired tobacconist. Socially our subject 
is connected with Hoffman Lodge, F. & A. M. 
He is a genial, enterprising ^-oung man, and has 
in this city a host of friends, who take a deep in- 
terest in his success. Already he has placed his 
busine.ss affairs upon a substantial footing, and 
financiall)' ranks among the most prosperous men 
of Middletown. 



-+ 



pCJlLLIAM H. CARPENTER. This well 
lAl known resident of Orange County, whose 
YV home is in the town of Hamptonburgh, 
was born on the farm where he now resides De- 
cember 24, 1824. He has been a life-long agri- 
culturist, and is one of the best citizens of the 
section. His father, Nathaniel Carpenter, was a 
native of the town of Goshen, while his father, 
the grandfather of our subject, was of English de- 
scent. 

Nathaniel Carpenter married Miss Charlotte 
Coleman, and to them was born a familj' of five 
children. John C, a well-to-do farmer, departed 
this life in 1882, when .seventy-three years of age; 
Oliver's death occurred in i8qi; Julia A. is resid- 
ing with her brother; Mary C. died in 1893; and 
William H., of this sketch, was the youngest of 
the household. The father of this family was a 
ma.son, which trade he followed for a short time 
after learning it, and then gave his attention to 
farm pursuits. 

The farm on which our subject now lives is a 
very old one and was purchased by his father in 
the year 1807. The house upon the place was 
commenced in 1827 and was completed in 1829. 



Though old, it is very substantial, having been 
built of the very be.st materials. The barn and 
outbuildings are large and commodious, and the 
best arranged of any in the town for dairy pur- 
po.ses. The barn is one hundred and fifteen feet 
long and thirty-two feet wide, and last season 
(1894) it was filled to repletion with fine mead- 
ow hay, for the u.se of his large herd of Holstein 
and graded cattle. Good spring water, cool and 
refreshing, flows through the farm, making a 
never failing stream. The location of this fine 
estate is quite convenient to the Gerard station of 
the Orange County Railroad. On this property 
the father continued to live until his death, in 
1846. He was very successful in all his undertak- 
ings, and although beginning in life a poor man, 
left to his familj^ a valuable estate, which was ac- 
cumulated entirely by himself. 

Our subject was reared on the home place, and 
when a young man of thirty years purchased the 
farm from the other heirs and has made it his 
home ever since. It is one hundred and sixty- 
eight acres in extent and comprises some of the 
best farming laud in the county. The greater 
part of his attention, however, is given to dairy 
farming, he selling his milk to the creamery near 
his home. Besides the home farm he owns a 
tract of one hundred and thirty-five acres, mak- 
ing in all three hundred and three acres. 

In politics Mr. Carpenter always votes the 
Democratic ticket. A man of generous disposi- 
tion, he contributes liberall)- to the relief of others 
and .stands well with every cla.ss in the neighbor- 
hood, and is one of the town's most substantial and 
progressive agriculturists. 



6 ^-si <'"r^s-^*=— — S 

KNATHANIEL TAFT, whose home is at Mat- 
yt amoras. Pa., opposite Port Jervis, is the old- 
I £^ est engineer in continuous service on the Erie 
Railroad. From October, 1856, to 1891, he ran 
two express trains, and since then has been in 
charge of the yard engine. He has calculated 
that up to April i, 1895, he has run one million, 
five hundred and sixty thousand miles on an en- 



1 198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gine, aud this is the more notable in that he has 
never had a serious accident, and the loss of a 
single life cannot be laid to his charge. 

Mr. Taft was born in Mendon, Mass., March 
15, 1825, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah 
(Sterns) Taft. The former was born in 1788, and 
had a family of six sons and one daughter. His 
father, Nathaniel, born in 1747. had a family of 
five sons, and his grandfather, Thomas, had but 
two sons. Thomas, Sr. , born in 1708, had a fam- 
ily of four sons, and he in turn was one of the 
six sons of Robert Taft, who was born in 1693. 

The boyhood of Nathaniel Taft passed in a 
quiet manner in the town of his birth, and when 
he was but twelve years of age he commenced 
working on a farm, where he remained for two 
years. The succeeding year he drove a stage at 
Waterford, after which he became foreman of con- 
struction in a large mill, where sash and blinds 
were manufactured, and here he had about one 
hundred men under him. He put in the engine 
and machinery, and afterward ran the former for 
four years. It was in 1854 that he commenced 
his railroad career, for five months being fireman 
on the Worcester & Nashua Railroad. He was 
then given charge of an engine, which he operated 
until coming to Portjervis, October 12, 1856. 

Mr. Taft's connection with the Erie Road be- 
gan at the time of the great strike of 1856. Col- 
onel Philips, President of the road with which 
he had been employed, had placed on exhibition 
at the Crystal Palace Exposition in New York an 
engine barrel -cutting machine, and had our sub- 
ject run the engine for the same. Homer Rams- 
dell, who was President of what is now the Erie 
Road, came in to .see the exhibition, and asked 
Colonel Philips for one hundred engineers on ac- 
count of the strike. This was agreed to, and Mr. 
Taft was among the first of the new engineers to 
take the place of the striking ones. He assumed 
charge of No. i , the daj- express, running to 
Susquehanna, and brought back No. 8, an east- 
bound day express. The finst time that he ran 
over the road he had charge of this train, which 
had been formerly intrusted onh- to old and ex- 
perienced men on this line. In 1861, near Hales 
Eddv, the engine was overturned, falling down 



an embankment, as it had struck a broken rail, 
but Mr. Taft, who went over with the engine, 
came out unhurt. At another time, near Carrs- 
kock, the engine ran into a large boulder that 
had fallen from the hillside, and had the train 
capsized on the other side it would have gone 
down ninety feet into the Delaware; but as it 
turned out no one was injured. Again, he ran 
over a drawhead on the track at Pond Edd\-; the 
trucks were carried away, and the engine crashed 
into the bluff. The fireman, Virgil Bell, jumped, 
and was killed b}- having his neck broken. 

August 17, 1847, Mr. Taft and Mahala Day- 
mon, of Rutland, Mass., were united in marriage. 
She is the daughter of Galen P. and Ann B. 
(Beeman ) Daymon, who came to live with their 
daughter a year or so ago. The father died in 
October, 1894, aged eighty-eight years, but the 
mother is still living, though she has now reached 
the extreme old age of ninety-four years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Taft have had the following children: 
Sarah, now the wife of John J. Reeder, of Middle- 
town, N. Y. ; Jane Elizabeth, who died at the 
age of ten years; Emma A., wife of John F. To- 
zer, of Waverly, N. Y.; Leonard N., a grocer and 
real-estate man of Ridgewood, N. J.; Frances I., 
widow of George Heidenthal, who was an engi- 
neer in the employ of the Delaware Division ; and 
William A. , Postmaster and station and express 
agent at Passaic Bridge, in New Jersey. In 1890 
Mr. Taft built his present residence at Matanioras, 
and has since continued to re.side therein. He 
has twenty -one living grandchildren. 

In company with his son, Mr. Taft started the 
first skating rink in this city some years ago. 
He has been identified with almost everj' social 
movement here for thirty-five years, and at one 
time was a member of thirteen social and benevo- 
lent organizations. Among those to which he 
now belongs is the Deerpark Historical Societ)' ; 
the Protective Legion, of which he is a charter 
member and Past President; the Royal Templars; 
the Odd Fellows' Society, and the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He is a Master Mason, and belongs to 
the Order of the Eastern Star. For j'ears he has 
been connected with the Brotherhood of Locomo- 
tive Engineers. He is a man of strict temper- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1199 



ance, never having used tobacco or liquor in any 
form. Politically his franchise is used in favor 
of the Republican party. He has hosts of warm 
friends, many of whom have known him for more 
than half his lifetime. His favorite engine, No. 
38, which was made in the Su.squehanna shops, 
he ran for fourteen years. At a meeting of the 
Master Mechanics and Railroad Superintendents 
held in Chicago at the time the railways were 
made standard gauge, this engine was chosen as 
the type of the most economical and durable one. 
A record had been kept of all engines in the 
United States, and this one, with Mr. Taft as its 
master, received the honor. On the Fourth of 
July, 1876, this engine was gorgeou.sly decorated 
with Washington's portrait at the head, and a 
sixteen-inch brass camion, which had been cast 
and completely fini.shed by Mr. Taft, crowned 
the pilot and added to the jubilation by being 
fired occasionally. 



^^..j..^^.- 
•S-***? 



["rank G. KAIN, of Middletown, was born 
r3 near Pine Bush, Ulster County, in 1869. 
I and comes of an old family of that county, 
who were of Scotch descent. His father, Andrew 
Kain, was born on the old homestead, and mar- 
ried Miss Alvina Niver, who was born in the 
same vicinity, and who came of an old family of 
Holland- Dutch descent. They were the parents 
often children, seven of whom are yet living. 

The subject of this sketch, who is the second 
of the family, continued on the home farm until 
sixteen years of age, in the mean time attending 
the district school and assisting in the farm work. 
At that age he was apprenticed to learn the car- 
penter's trade at Fishkill, under B. F. Hall, 
with whom he remained three years. He then 
took up the machinist's trade at Cornwall, under 
Holland Emslie, with whom he continued about 
one year, at the expiration of which time he went 
to Newburgh, where he was .superintendent of 
the sash, door and blind factory of Little & Ham- 
ilton, New York parties, for eighteen months. 
In the spring of 1891 he came to Middletown, 
and engaged as a carpenter and n)achinist with 



Linsey & Co., with whom he is yet connected. 
In the mean time he purcha.sed about five acres of 
land from B. F. Lowe, which, in 1893, he had 
platted into forty building lots, the greater num- 
ber of which he has disposed of On the tract 
he has built six residences, all of which have 
been sold but one. He also purchased seventeen 
lots on the main part of Watkins Avenue, on 
some of which he built, and all of which have 
been sold. He does his own architect work, and 
has built on North Beacon Street, Royce Avenue 
and Watkins Avenue. 

In February, 1893, at Middletown, Mr. Kain 
was united in marriage with Miss Anna Bennett, 
born in Circleville, Orange County, and a daugh- 
ter of Oliver Bennett, a carpenter and builder, 
now residing in this city. Her mother was 
Emily Williams, who is a nati\-e of Sullivan 
County, as is also her father. Mrs. Kain was 
reared and educated in Middletown, and by her 
marriage has one child, Mildred. Mrs. Kain is 
a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, 
and in religious and benevolent work takes a 
special interest. In politics Mr. Kain is a Pro- 
hibitionist. 



^AMES H. CLARK occupies an important 
I place in the farming community of the town 
(2/ of Hamptonburgh, but as a veteran of the late 
war he is perhaps known best. He .served for 
three years during the conflict, and participated 
in eighteen of its most important battles. His 
birth occurred in the town of Warwick, December 
19, 1840, he being a son of David Clark, a native 
of the same place, and a grandson of Timothy, 
likewise a native of Orange County. The last- 
named was in turn the son of Timothy, Sr., 
who.se birth occurred in New Jer.sey. The first 
of this branch of the family to make their home in 
America was one William Clark, an Englishman 
by birth. He chose Orange County for his future 
home, coming here at an early day. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



The father of our subject married Miss Hannah 
Gilson, and to them were granted ten children, 
nameh-: Jehial, Joseph, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, 
George, James, Albert, Annie and one who died 
unnamed. Our subject was a lad of eight years 
when the family removed to the tract on which he 
is now residing. Here he grew to manhood and 
was educated. When ready to establish a home, 
of his own, in 1872, he was married to Miss Cor- 
nelia Vandervort, and two children were born to 
them: Henry, who is attending the normal school 
at NewPaltz; and one who died in infancy. 

The property of which Mr. Clark is the owner 
comprises a quarter-section of valuable land, on 
which he has made very many improvement's 
since it came into his possession. In July, 1862, 
he offered his services in support of his country's 
flag, and was mustered into Company E, New 
York Artillery, whence he was ordered to Vir- 
ginia. The first engagement in which Mr. Clark 
participated w-as the battle of Winchester. Later 
he was with General Hunter on his raid, after 
which he was transferred to the command of 
General Sheridan, fighting under him in nearly 
every battle which took place in West Virginia. 
He was present at Maryland Heights during that 
conflict: then fought at Harper's Ferry September 
14 and 15, 1862; Lexington, Va., June 12, 1864; 
• Buchanan, Va., two days later: was again at 
Harper's Ferry, Jul}- 4: Marj-land Heights the 
following day ; Winchester, July 24; Martinsburg, 
the same month; Cedar Creek, August 12: 
Charlestown, August 21 ; Halltown, August 25; 
Barrysville, September 3: Winchester, Septem- 
ber 19; Fisher's Hill, September 22; Cedar Creek, 
October 13: and again at the same place, October 
19, 1864. He was mu.stered out of service at 
Harper's Ferrj-, October 19, 1865, with the title 
of Sergeant, and soon thereafter was honorably 
discharged. 

After the establishment of peace Mr. Clark re- 
turned home and took up the pursuits of farm life, 
which he has followed with success ever since. He 
is a straightforward Republican in politics and 
holds membership with the Grand Army post at 
Goshen. In religious affairs he is a. devoted 
member of the Presbvterian Church, and takes an 



active part in the work of the same. He posses- 
ses intelligent views on all subjects of general in- 
terest, particularly on political questions, and is 
held in high regard by all who know him. 



0AVID H. SPRAGUE, M. D., engaged in 
the practice of his profession at Middletown, 
was born in Princess Bay, Richmond Coun- 
ty, N. v., December 7, 1863. Both his father, 
Edward, and grandfather, John Sprague, were 
natives of the same place. The latter was a mer- 
chant, and was of an old family residing there. 
Edward Sprague, the father, was engaged in the 
shipping business on Staten I.sland for many 
years of his life. He is still living there, but has 
retired from active business. His wife, Susan 
Journeay, the mother of our subject, was also 
born at Princess Baj', and is a daughter of Hen- 
derson Journeaj', also of that place. Her great- 
grandfather, Dr. Journeay, was born there, and 
for many years was a physician on Staten Island. 
The family were French-Huguenots, and were 
among the earliest settlers of Staten Island. 
They were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. To Edward and Susan Sprague two 
children were born, a son and a daughter. 

Our subject received his primary education in 
the schools on Staten Island, which he attended 
until fifteen j-ears of age, and then entered the 
Normal School at Geneseo, N. Y. Later he be- 
gan the study of medicine with Dr. George C. 
Hubbard, of Tottenville, N. Y., and subsequent- 
ly entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of New York, from which he graduated 
in 1886, with the degree of M. D. He was then 
appointed by competitive examination to Bellevue 
Hospital, but refused the appointment, and was 
examined for the city hospital, where he spent 
two years. In order to prepare himself for the 
cure of nervous diseases, he received an appoint- 
ment at Ward's Island, and also spent some time 
in the Bloomingdale Asylum and the Butler Hos- 
pital. He then went abroad and made a tour of 




JOHN JESSUP, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1203 



the Continent, including England, Scotland, Ger- 
many, Austria, Belgium, France and Switzer- 
land, spending some fi\-e or six months in travel 
and visiting all the noted hospitals in those coun- 
tries. In November, 1889, in partnership with 
Dr. James F. Ferguson, he started the Falkirk 
Sanitarium at Central Valley, N. Y., purchasing 
ground and erecting two buildings. He con- 
tinued in charge, in connection with outside 
practice, until October, 1894, when he located in 
Middletown and opened his present office at No. 
58 North Street, where he is engaged in general 
practice. He is a member of the City Hospital 
Alumni Medical Society of New York City; the 
Orange County Medical Society; and of the Na- 
tional Neurological Societ3\ Fraternally he is a 
member of Standard Lodge, F. & A. M., of Mon- 
roe; Jerusalem Chapter, R. A. M., of New York 
City; of Delaware Commandery, K.T., of Port 
Jervis; of Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine, of New York City, being a Thirty-second 
degree Ma.son ; and of the Schunnemunk Lodge, 
K. of P., at Highland Mills. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. As a physician he has a fine reputa- 
tion, and is a successful practitioner. While he 
has resided at Middletown but a short time, he 
has already succeeded in building up a practice. 



•••>K®®®^<<«— • 



30HN JESSUP, one of the well-to-do and 
prosperous farmers of Orange County, has 
long been a resident of the town of Goshen. 
His homestead comprises one hundred and forty 
acres of valuable land, all of which has been ac- 
quired by his industry and frugality. From time 
to time he has made good improvements, and the 
appearance of the farm reflects credit upon his 
energy and thrift. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Warwick, April 18, 1824, and is the only child 
of Peter Clows and Anna (Gobel) Jessup. The 
father, who was likewise born in Orange County, 
where all of his life was passed, was very suc- 



cessful in his farming ventures, and his last 3-ears 
were spent in retirement, free from the cares 
of managing his estate. He died in 1876, loved 
and respected by all who knew him. His wife, 
who was born in Sussex Count}', N. J., was a 
most estimable and intelligent ladj', and aided 
him greatly in attaining his high position among 
the well-to-do residents of the county. She sur- 
vived him four years, passing away in 1880. On 
his mother's side our subject is related to the Ed- 
sall family of Sussex County, N. J., who were 
among the first and most prominent residents 01 
that portion of the state. 

Mr. Jessup' s advantages for obtaining an edu- 
cation were limited to the district school, where he 
gained a fair knowledge of the common branches 
taught. No pains, however, were spared in train- 
ing him in farm work, and very early in life he 
performed his share of the labors on the home- 
stead. Agriculture has been his life work, and 
he has made of it a success, so that now, in the 
clo.sing years of his life, he can live in ease and 
comfort. The place is nicely improved with a 
neat set of farm buildings, and the residence, which 
is one of the finest in the town, is situated on an 
eminence some distance from the road. Mr. Jes- 
sup devotes the greater part of his time to dairy 
farming, not, however, to the neglect of grain- 
raising, as he has manj' acres from which he gar- 
ners in an abundant harvest. 

Miss Harriet Thorne Sayer, who became the 
wife of our subject October 5, 1848, was the 
daughter of William and Martha ( Jackson) Sayer, 
and was born in the town of Goshen. Her edu- 
cation was gained in the district school, where 
she became well informed, and she trained her 
children to good and useful lives. Her family 
comprised three members, of whom the eldest, 
Henry H., died when three years old. William 
Sayer is at home; and Anna married Joel W. 
Houston, a prominent farmer of the town of War- 
wick. 

The wife of our subject, who died in January, 
1894, was a devoted member of the Presbj-terian 
Church which meets at Goshen, and in the work 
of which she took an active part. Mr. Jessup 
has always affiliated with tlie Republican party. 



I204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



All his life he has been a practical, industrious 
farmer, and a citizen who could be relied upon to 
advance any measure for the improvement and 
upbuilding of the community. 



0ANIEL B. SWEENEY, proprietor of Swee- 
ney's Bottling Works, and manufacturer of 
soft drinks, is a native of Middletown, born 
October 27, 1864, and is a son of Miles and Mar- 
garet (Bradley) Sweeney, both of whom are na- 
tives of County Donegal, Ireland. When a youth 
of sixteen, Miles Sweeney came to the United 
States and located in New York City, where he 
was employed in Worley's Saw Works, and later, 
at the solicitation of the late Senator Madden, 
came to Middletown, where he was engaged in 
the first saw works started in this city. Until 
1885 he had charge of the grinding and glazing 
department, and then, on account of ill-health, he 
was compelled to resign the position. One year 
later he died, at the age of forty years. His 
wife, Margaret Bradley, was a daughter of Daniel 
Bradley, a farmer in Goshen. She died in 1877, 
leaving five children: Margaret and Bridget, of 
Middletown; Miles, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Daniel 
B., our subject; and Jo.seph W., who makes his 
home with our subject. 

Daniel B. Sweeney grew to manhood in his na- 
tive city, and attended the First Ward School, 
completing his education at Wallkill Academy. 
On leaving school he entered the bottling works 
of W. F. C. Bastian, where he remained one 
year. At the age of sixteen he was an appren- 
tice in the employ of the Eagle File Works, to 
learn the trade of file manufacturing. After com- 
pleting his apprenticeship he resigned his posi- 
tion and was employed in the Cohalan Bottling 
Works. In 1887, in partnership with C. R. 
Smith, he purchased the works, and the business 
was continued under the firm name of Smith & 
Sweeney until May, 1895, when the partnership 
was dissolved, Mr. Sweeney retaining the works. 
He is now sole proprietor, and is located at Prince 



and Montgomery Streets, where he occupies a 
two-story and basement building, which has a 
frontage of one hundred feet and a depth of forty 
feet. Steam power is employed, and all kinds of 
sodas and soft drinks are manufactured. Mr. 
Sweeney also manufactures his own flavors. His 
icehouse has a capacity of two hundred tons, and 
two wagons are employed in conveying his man- 
ufactures to the railroad depots and local places 
of business. His trade extends over a radius of 
forty miles, and Mr. Sweeney himself travels over 
Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. The 
Sweeney Bottling Works is the largest of its 
kind in the city and its capacity is unlimited. 

April 26, 1892, Mr. Sweeney was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary McAloon, who is a na- 
tive of Glenwood, Pa., and a daughter of Charles 
McAloon, now of Middletown. They have one 
child. Miles, and the family residence is at No. 
54 Montgomery Street. Mr. Sweeney is a mem- 
ber of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and of Divi- 
sion No. I, A. O. H., of Middletown, of which he 
has been President for the last six years. He is 
also an honorary member of McQuoid Engine 
Company No. 3, of which he was Vice-President 
one term. In politics he is a Democrat. In 
1894 he was Chairman of the Democratic City 
Committee and was re elected in 1895, but re- 
signed. He is a charter member of the Middle- 
town branch of the New York Co operative Bank- 
ing and Building Association, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Columbus Club. 

' ^ P 



0A\'ID P. WAGER, manager of C. W. Mar- 
tin's blue-stone business at Middletown, was 
born near Cripple Bush, in Ulster County, 
December 25, 1849. The family is of German 
descent, his grandfather, Jonathan Wager, hav- 
ing emigrated from Germany to America in early 
manhood, and, after a short sojourn in Dutchess 
County, settled in Ulster County, where he en- 
gaged in farming until his death. He was a pio- 
neer of the count)', and made a farm out of the 
wilderness. His wife was also a native of Ger- 
many. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1205 



The father of our subject, David Wager, was 
born in Ulster County, and in early life learned 
the trades of mason and blacksmith, which he 
followed in addition to farming. He had a stone- 
shop, also a stone residence, which is still stand- 
ing, though now over one hundred and thirty 
years old. . His death occurred in 1862, when he 
was sixty-one years old. In religious belief he 
was identified with the Reformed Church. His 
wife, who was a Miss Pahlon, died in 1850, when 
David P. was eighteen months old. There were 
ten children in the family, of whom eight arrived 
at years of maturity, and four are living, all sons. 
One of them, Henry, was a member of the One 
Hundred and Twentieth New York Infantry, in 
which he ser\'ed first as Sergeant and later for 
two years as Captain. 

David P., who was the youngest of the chil- 
dren, was reared in Ulster County until thirteen 
years of age. His father dying about that time, 
he was forced to begin in life for him.self. He 
started out for himself with a capital of $2.50, but 
with an abundance of determination and perse- 
verance. Securing work with a carpenter, he re- 
mained with him about two years. In 1864 he 
went West, traveling through Canada, Michigan 
and Illinois, and spending two years in the.se va- 
rious places. Returning to New York, he fol- 
lowed his trade for two years, then went to Pike 
Count}-, Pa., where he worked for eighteen 
months. On again coming back to Ulster Coun- 
ty, he began work as a stone-cutter, which trade 
he followed later in Chenango, Sullivan and Pike 
Counties. While in Sullivan County, he not 
only followed that occupation, but also carried on 
a grocery business at what is now Mountaindale. 
Afterward he clerked iu a store at Ellenville. 

In 1887 Mr. Wager came to Middletown and 
started in the retail blue and building stone busi- 
ness. In 1894 he sold out to C. W. Martin, with 
whom he continues as manager. While he was 
in business, he furnished the stone for the Todd, 
Central and Poppino Buildings, the Linden Ave- 
nue Schoolhouse, and did considerable work on 
the State Asylum, having the principal business 
of the kind in the city. Meantime he also car- 
ried on a hardware store on North Street, and 



later had a grocery store on James Street. At 

present he is interested in the Mt. Adams Gran- 
ite Company. During his active business career 
he has opened several quarries iu Sullivan, Ulster 
and Pike Counties. 

In Sullivan County, Mr. Wager married Miss 
Rozella Oliver, a native of Ulster County. They 
have five children, all at home, and named as 
follows: Leslie, Alva, Estella, Myra and Ethel. 
Socially Mr. Wager is connected with Ellenville 
Lodge No. 582, F. & A. M. Politically he sup- 
ports Democratic principles, and is interested in 
everything pertaining to the success of his party. 

00. CARPENTER, a wholesale, retail and 
manufacturing confectioner of Middletown, 
was born in Monticello, Sullivan County, 
August 25, 1864. His grandfather, Nathaniel H. 
Carpenter, who was born near Thompsonville, 
Sullivan County, was a carpenter by trade, but 
has followed farming principally; now, however, 
he is living retired in Monticello. He is of Scotch 
and English descent. His son, Bran.son Carpen- 
ter, was born near Greenfield, Ulster County, 
and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade 
in Monticello, where he is now successfully en- 
gaged in contracting and building. He married 
Lucyette Culver, a native of Niagara County, 
N. Y., and daughter of Sylvester Culver, a farm- 
er, who was also born in Niagara Count}'. Three 
children were born unto them, two of whom are 
yet living: O. O., our subject: and George S., a 
traveling salesman for the latter. 

The subject of this sketch was the second child 
in the parental family. He was reared in his na- 
tive town, and received his primary education in 
the public schools of that place. He then at- 
tended the academy, and later took a business 
course at the Christie Business College at Lock 
Haven, Pa. On completing his course, he learned 
the carpenter's trade with his father, and also 
studied architecture. In 1887 he came to Mid- 
dletown, and entered the employ of Linsey Broth- 
ers, with whom he continued two years, working 
at his trade. He then purchased the confection- 



I206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



en- establishment of J. F. Colby, on James Street, 
and remained in that location for three years, in 
the mean time enlarging the business. The old 
location becoming too small for his trade, he re- 
moved to his present location in the Central 
Building, at No. 109 North Street. The main 
storeroom is 24x85 feet, with a basement the 
same size, in which he manufactures ice cream 
and confectionery, and part of which is u.sed as a 
packing-room The power is furnished bj- a gas 
engine of eight horse-power. The business has 
constantly increased, until at present his trade 
extends throughout Orange and adjoining coun- 
ties and into New Jersey. He has the largest 
ice-cream jobbing business, as well as retail 
business, in the city, and has a capacity of turn- 
ing out five hundred gallons per day. His broth- 
er, George S., is constantly on the road, .sell- 
ing the manufactures of this establishment. 

Mr. Carpenter was married, in Middletown, to 
Mi.ss Carrie L- Kinnie, a native of this place, and 
they have three children: Harry C, Albert Bran- 
son and PercJ^ Religiously Mr. Carpenter is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which he has been Trustee. In politics he is a 
Republican. Asa business man he is very popu- 
lar, and has been very successful in the six years 
in which he has been engaged in business. 



,iMm 



(^ 



■?^lli^g^' 



^ 



[qJEORGE STORCH is the oldest resident 
l__ German citizen of Middletown, and has the 
^_J finest and most complete fruit farm of any 
in this vicinit}-. He is a native of Germanj', born 
at Hesse-Cassel, May 2, 1825. His father, Nicho- 
laus, and his grandfather, Andreas, were also 
natives of the same place, and the latter was a 
cabinet-maker by trade, and served in the arm\' 
with Napoleon. The father, Nicholaus Storch, 
was a mason and plasterer by trade, and died at 
the age of about fifty years. He married Anna 
Catherine Wetel, also a native of the same coun- 
try, and who died at the age of sixty-five years. 



leaving two children: Casper, and the subject of 
our sketch. The former resided in Middletown 
for some years, and here died in 1893. 

George Storch, our subject, was reared in his 
native land, and when fourteen years of age was 
apprenticed as a buckle-maker, and continued 
with his employer there until twenty-six years 
of age. He married Miss Annie Chri,stina 
Schmidt in 1849. She was a native of that 
country. In 1854 he brought his family to the 
United States, leaving Bremen on the sailing- 
vessel "Martha," and after a voyage of seven 
weeks they landed at New York City, from 
which place they came direct to Middletown. 
Upon arriving here he found nothing at his trade, 
and so .sought employment in other lines. He 
secured employment with Wheeler, Madden & 
Clemson, in the tempering department of their 
machine-shop, where for twenty-nine years and 
six months he did all the tempering for the 
firm. He then resigned his position to live a 
more retired life. He first purcha.sed two acres 
in the brush, which was in a wild state, and here 
built a residence and commenced the improve- 
ment of the place. At the present time every 
foot of ground is occupied, and on the place can 
be found almost ev-ery kind of fruit suitable for 
this latitude, including the largest vineyard in 
Middletown, together with more currants, goose- 
berries and pears than are raised by any other 
one person. During the war, Mr. Storch went 
to Rock Island, 111., but remained there only 
seven weeks, and then returned to the sawshops 
at Middletown. 

Mr. and Mrs. Storch became the parents of ten 
children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and 
six of whom are yet living: Mary, deceased: 
Carrie, residing at home; Lena, now Mrs. Klohs, 
of Middletown; Louisa Emma, Mrs. A. H. 
Loebs, of Rochester, N. Y.; and Amelia and 
Eliza, at home. Ann died at twenty-four years of 
age. Fraternally Mr. Storch is a member of 
Luther Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a char- 
ter member, and also of the Knights of Honor. 
In national politics he is a Democrat, but in 
local matters votes as his conscience dictates. 
Religiously the family are Presbyterians. 





^I.^rtrt) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1209 



HON. WILLIAM JAY GROO. In perusing 
the record of the life of Judge Groo, one is 
impressed by the magnitude of his interests 
and the e.xtent of his influence. As a citizen, as 
a professional man, and as an official, he has dis- 
charged every duty faithfully and well. He is 
now engaged, and for many years has been, in 
the active practice of law, having his office at 
No. Ill Broadway, New York, though his home 
is still in the city of Middletown, where he has 
resided since 1866. 

The Groo family was represented among the 
earliest settlers of Sullivan County, N. Y., and 
from there the Judge's grandfather, Samuel, went 
forth to battle in his country's defence during the 
Revolution. His parents, Samuel, Jr., and Mercy 
(Tuttle) Groo, were natives of the town of Nev- 
ersink, Sullivan County, the former born Febru- 
ary 20, 1792, and the latter June i, 1798. Of 
their marriage, which took place in 18 14, the fol- 
lowing-named children were born: David C, 
Sarah, Phebe, Nanc)', John, Katharine, Isaac and 
William J. The only survivors besides the Judge 
are David C. and Katharine. The father, who 
followed agricultural pursuits, died in the town 
of Neversink at the age of forty-one. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Selleck Tuttle, a member of a family that has be- 
come numerous in this country. Some years ago 
there was published a work giving a history of 
the different branches of the family, man)- of 
whom have become prominent in diff'erent profes- 
sions. The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
who, as above stated, served in the Colonial 
army, died at the age af seventy-five. His vi'ife, 
who bore the maiden name of Su.sanna Brooks, 
died at the age of sixty. 

William Jay, who was the youngest of the fam- 
ily, was born in the town of Neversink, Sullivan 
County, September 9, 1831, and was only eight- 
een months old when his father died. At an 
early age he began to work upon the farm, while 
the winter seasons were devoted to study in the 
district schools. At the age of seventeen, with 
the means obtained by hard work, he entered a 
private school in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, 
where he was under the preceptorship of Henry 

53 



R. Low, afterward State Senator. The acquaint- 
ance thus formed ripened into a warm friendship, 
which terminated onlj' with the Senator's death 
in 1888. After a year spent in that school he lie- 
gan to teach, in which way he gained the funds 
for continuing his education, and subsequently 
completed his .studies at Monticello Academy, 
Having decided to enter the legal profession, in 
1852 he entered the office of Gen. A. C. Niven, 
at Monticello, and was admitted to the Bar in 
1^55, receiving at the time from the examining 
committee a complimentary notice for having an- 
swered every question absolutely correctly. Before 
being admitted to the Bar he was appointed Dep- 
uty County Clerk, and continued to fill that office 
until 1854, when, upon the death of Philander 
Waring, the County Clerk, he succeeded to the 
position. At the close of the term he gave half 
of the net proceeds to Mrs. Waring, widow of the 
deceased clerk. 

In the fall of 1856 Mr. Groo was elected to the 
office of District Attorney, and in that capacity 
he served for three years. He was formerly a 
Douglas Democrat, but immediately upon the 
outbreak of the Rebellion he espoused the Union 
cause, and subsequently became a Republican. 
When the statement is made that the county was 
strongly Democratic, it will be at once seen that 
he was influenced by no personal motives in mak- 
ing the change. In 1864 he was the delegate 
from his district to the Republican National Con- 
vention, and cast his ballot for the re-nomination 
of President Lincoln. His choice for Vice-Presi- 
dent was Lyman Tremain, but Andrew Johnson 
finally received the nomination. While still a 
resident of vSuUivan County, Governor Morgan 
appointed him one of the three Commissioners of 
Public Accounts, and he served in that position 
two years, when the pressure of other duties in- 
duced him to resign. 

A few years after coming to Middletown, our 
subject was elected special Judge of Orange Coun- 
ty, in the fall of 1868, running several hundred 
ahead of his ticket. While active in the Repub- 
lican party, he used every effort to induce the 
leaders of that organization to legislate for the 
suppression of the manufacture and sale of intox- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



icating liquors. It was his opinion then, and to 
that principle he has since adhered, that the sa- 
loon is a greater evil than even human sla\er\- 
ever was. and he had hoped that the party which 
had abolished the one would suppress the other: 
but when the local option bill was vetoed by Gov- 
ernor Dix, he saw clearly that all hopes in this 
direction were vain. The same conscientiousness 
which had led him to leave the Democratic party 
now caused him to become a Prohibitionist. In 
1873 he united his influence with that party, and 
has ever since advocated its principles. In 1876 
he was their candidate for Governor, and in 1886 
was nominated for Judge of the Court of Appeals, 
at which time he received the largest number of 
votes ever polled for a Prohibition candidate up 
to that time, being thirty-six thousand four hun- 
dred and thirty-seven. Twice he served as Chair- 
man of the Prohibition State Convention, three 
times was a delegate to the national convention, 
and in 1 888 was Chairman ot the Xew York dele- 
gation. 

From the "Cotemporarv- Biography of Xew 
York," we quote the following: "Judge Groo 
has been an active worker in the temperance 
cause, devoting time and energy to its advance- 
ment, and assisting with other leaders in the 
movement to build up such a party as shall event- 
ually triumph at the polls, and bring about that 
needed reform of which the grave necessity is 
admitted, even by those who do not uphold this 
means of its accomplishment. He is a platform 
orator of marked abilit>". and, gifted as he is with 
unusual rhetorical powers, a pleasing manner, to- 
gether with a clear, argumentative faculty, his 
utterances have carried strong conviction to the 
minds of many of his hearers. 

In one of the editorials of a local paper, we no- 
tice the following: ' "As a trial lawyer Judge Groo 
is eminently successful. In the management of 
a case he is cautious, yet at the same time bold 
and brilliant, always eager and watchful to pro- 
tect his client's interests, and yet fair to his ad- 
versary. Always deeply impressed himself with 
the justice of any cause which he consents to es- 
pwuse, he throws the weight of his personal con- 
victions into the advocacv of his client" s cause. 



and wins his case as well bj- his manifest sincer- 
ity as by his professional skill and ability. Since 
he has been at the Orange County Bar he has 
tried many cases for other attorneys, and in his 
practice has been associated with, or pitted against, 
such men as Charles H. Winfield, Stephen \V. 
FuUerton, David F. Gedney, Charles F. Brown 
and Lewis E. Carr.'" 

In everything pertaining to the welfare of Mid- 
dletowu, Judge Groo is deeply interested, and the 
securing of the Xew York & Oswego Midland 
( now the Xew York, Ontario & Western 1 Rail- 
road for the city was largely aided by his efibrts. 
His connection with that enterprise may be judged 
from the following extracts from a letter written 
in 1891 by Hon. D. C. Littlejohn, former Presi- 
dent ot the Midland Road, in response to a re- 
quest from a correspondent of the Argus as to the 
influences that were instrumental in locating the 
road at Middletown on its way to Xew York: "Of 
course it would be difficult at this late day to re- 
fer to all the circumstances that bore upon the 
question, but I remember distinctly that there 
was much opposition to going to Middletown, be- 
cause of the cost of tunneling Shawangimk Moun- 
tain. * * * * I also remember well that at 
a meeting held by the Directors at Syracuse, 
among other things, the question of location of 
the road at Middletown was considered and xir- 
tually determined. A committee of prominent 
citizens from that village (H. H. Hunt. William 
Evans, M. Lewis Clark, John A. Wallace, Will- 
iam J. Groo and J. H. Xorton") came before us, 
and Judge Groo addressed the board in behalf of 
the committee. The claims of Middletown, with 
its prospective growth and importance, as well as 
the great advantage to accrue to the company by 
locating its road there, were referred to and dwelt 
upon in a manner that had great weight with the 
Board of Directors. It is m^- candid opinion that, 
to that committee, more than to any other in- 
fluence, is due the credit of having secured the 
location of the Midland Railroad at Middletown." 

Fluent and gifted as a public speaker. Judge 
Groo's ser\-ices are often called into requisition in 
that capacity. On the occasion of the centennial 
celebration of the battle of Minisink, July 22, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1879, on the scene of that conflict, he was the or- 
ator of the day, delivering an address that was 
afterward published. Space forbids any exten- 
sive quotations, but we take the following ex- 
tracts from the oration: "One hnndretl years ago 
to-day, on the spot where we are assembled, now 
in the town of Highland. Sullivan County, X. Y., 
forty-five brave men gave up their lives at the 
call of duty and for the protection of their homes. 
If it be true, as some believe, that the spirits of 
the departed are conscious of the conduct of the 
living, we may well suppose that all who were 
present on that ever memorable day are now wit- 
nessing with the deepest interest our proceedings. 
May this thought inspire us to the utterance of 
such words as shall fitly commemorate their deeds. 
We are not here to simply express our admiration 
of the men who were killed in the battle of Min- 
isink, but of all who fought in that engagement. 
Death has now overtaken them all, and we must 
remember and recognize the fact that he who sur- 
vives the perfonuance of a great duty ought to 
be awarded equal praise with him who loses his 
life before the contest is ended. * * * * The 
event we have been considering, although of lo- 
cal importance, was but a ripple on the bloody 
waters of revolution, then struggling on toward 
the broad bay of independence. Three years and 
eighteen days only had passed since from Inde- 
pendence Hall had been proclaimed that sublime 
declaration 'that all men are created equal.' This 
truth is the bed-rock upon which republican 
Government rests, and without its recognition no 
people can enjoy the full measure of human lib- 
erty regulated by law. The immortal fifty -six 
who .signed the Declaration of Independence also 
expressed their 'firm reliance on the protection of 
Divine Providence." Thus it will be seen that 
faith in God and the brotherhood of man are the 
two great principles that gave life to this nation — 
the lungs into which the infant Republic first 
breathed the vitalizing air of freedom." 

On the occasion of the unveiling of the soldiers' 
and sailors' monument at Monticello, September 
5. '895, Judge Groo delivered the presentation 
speech, from which we quote as follows: "It seems 
eminently proper and praiseworthy that monu- 



ments like this should be erected to honor and 
perpetuate the memory of those who were in the 
military and naval service of their country. It 
stimulates and enhances patriotism and local 
pride: more than that, it manifests a just appre- 
ciation of the achievements of subordinate officers 
and private soldiei-s. The names of great com- 
manders appear upon the pages of history, and 
are perpetuated in imposing mausoleums, so 
that their deeds will be remembered by a grate- 
ful people as long as the countr>- they served so 
well shall endure. But it was the valor, the con- 
stancy, the strict obedience to orders of all sub- 
ordinates, and especially the firm step and steady 
aim in battle of the private soldier that overcame 
the enemy and achieved the great victories which 
have added luster to American arms. From this 
platform and in this presence we proclaim honor 
to the private soldiers. They responded to their 
country's call, not moved by the paltry wages 
offered, but, prompted by the spirit of patriotism, 
they went forth to defend the Flag and preserve 
the Government to which, in its inception, their 
ancestors had solemnly pledged their lives, their 
fortune and their sacred honor." 

Judge Groo is a member of St. Paul's Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and served as Chairman 
of the Board of Trustees and Building Committee. 
The elegant edifice, erected at a cost of $50,000, 
was materially aided by his efforts, and in addi- 
tion to $2,800 personally contributetl, he secured 
$2,200 from friends outside of the church. In 
1872 he was one of the two lay delegates from the 
New York Conference to the General Conference 
of the church held in Brooklyn. By that confer- 
ence he was chosen \'ice- President of the Freed- 
man's Aid Society. He has been connected with 
the church since September 9, 1866, and is rec- 
ognized as one of its most valued members. 

December 31, 1855, Judge Groo married Sarah 
G., only child of David and Margaret (Graliaiu 1 
Lines, of Monticello, N. Y. Her father was of 
New England .stock, and her mother of Irish de- 
scent. Mrs. Groo was a lady of great beauty 
of face and character, and her death, May 12, 
1870, was deeply mourned. Six children were 
born of this union, of whom Mary, Lines, Kath- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



arine and William Jay are still living. Mary and 
Lines were taught at home by their mother until 
the former was sent to Dr. Van Norman's school 
in New York City, and the latter to an academy 
in Delaware County, N. Y. Katharine was ed- 
ucated in the public schools and academy at Mid- 
dletown. William J. vvas for some time a stu- 
dent in Hartwell's Seminary, and is now en- 
gaged in railroad work near Pittsburg, Pa. Mary 
married Rev. John T. Hargrave, now rector of 
Trinity Church, New Haven, Pa. Lines married 
Carrie E. Peters, of Lehighton, Pa., and they 
now reside at Bayonne, N. J. Katharine married 
John L. Wiggins, a lawyer of Middletown. 

The present wife of Judge Groo, with whom he 
was united February 25, 1873, was Mary F. , only 
daughter of David J. M. and Eimira ( Lathrop) 
Sloat. Seven children were born unto this union, 
of whom Fannie, a remarkably sweet and bright 
child, died December 24, 1880. The others are 
as follows: Saidee B., Eimira Lathrop, Pearl, 
Lillian Lathrop, Frances Willard and Stanley, all 
at home. Mrs. Groo is a lady of unusual strength 
of character and intelligence, and has taken an 
active part in temperance work, having for many 
years served as President of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union of Middletown, which 
office she still fills. The Judge has been identi- 
■fied with almost all the temperance societies that 
have existed in New York for the la.st thirty 
years, among them the Sons of Temperance, 
Good Templars and Royal Templars of Temper- 
ance. His has been a busy and useful life, and 
he retains, though past life's prime, the energy, 
indomitable will and force of character that have 
ever been among his prominent personal attri- 
butes. 



. W. MATTHEWS, a contractor and builder 
>) of Middletown, was born in Andes, Delaware 
^ Count\-, in 1848. His father, Thomas S. 
Matthews, was also a native of that county, and 
there died at the age of seventy -three years. By 
occupation he was a farmer, and followed that 
calling almost his entire life, but for a time was 
engaged as a buyer and speculator in lumber. 



Politically he was a Democrat. He married Sa- 
rah J. Gregory, who was also born in the town 
of Andes, Delaware County, and was a daughter 
of Richard Gregory, likewi.se a native of Del- 
aware County. Her father died in that county 
man}- years ago.* During the War of 18 12 he 
served his country faithfully as a soldier. To 
Thomas S. and Sarah J. Matthews were born 
eight children: Richard, who served in several 
different regiments during the late war, and is 
now a contractor and builder in Polo, 111. ; Charles, 
who se; ved in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth 
New York Infantry during the Civil War, and 
now resides in Washington: Rensselaer, of Otsego 
County. X. Y.: Sylvester, a farmer and horse- 
trainer in Otsego County; Hannah, also residing 
in Otsego County; Phoebe, residing in Sullivan 
County; and James M., residing in Delaware 
County. 

The subject of this sketch remained on the 
home farm until twenty years of age and received 
but a limited education in the schools of his na- 
tive county. While generally employed at farm 
work, he also for a time worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade. On leaving home he began work at 
that trade as a journeyman, and two months later 
became the junior member of the firm of Shaeffer 
& Matthews, contractors and builders in Dela- 
ware County. He subsequently located at Wal- 
ton, from which place he removed to Delhi, where 
he continued contracting and building for three 
years. He then returned to Walton and engaged 
in the flour and grain business, erecting there a 
small elevator with a capacity of ten thousand 
bushels. He purcha.sed and shipped grain from 
the West all over Pennsylvania, New York and 
New Jersey, doing both a wholesale and retail 
business. For a time he ran a flour and feed mill, 
and in the three years in which he was engaged 
in business was quite successful. Later he sold 
out, and in 1887 removed to Binghamton, where 
he intended starting in the wholesale grain and 
produce business, but the competition was so 
great he abandoned the idea and resumed con- 
tracting and building. W'hile residing in that 
place he built some large blocks, including that 
of Regan & McHale, and many fine residences. 




JAMES H. SARVIS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



'^5 



In 1892 he came to Middletown and entered the 
emplo}' of Lindsey Bros., where he remained five 
or six months, when the firm failed. He then 
engaged in contracting and building for himself 
and has continued in the business with good suc- 
cess. His shop and office are located on the cor- 
ner of Prospect Street and Wickham Avenue, 
and his residence at No. 3 Linden Block. 

While still residing in Delaware County Mr. 
Matthews was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Neish, a native of that countx'. Two chil- 
dren have been born to them, Earl S. and Helen. 
While residing at Walton, Mr. Matthews was 
made a member of the Independent Order of Red 
Men, but does not at present hold membership 
with the order. Mrs. Matthews is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



IS- 



]^+^ 



3 AMES H. SARVIS. This well known citi- 
zen of Newburgh traces his ancestry to illus- 
trious forefathers, who took an active part in 
the early wars of our country. His maternal 
grandfather, who was a valiant soldier in the 
War of 1812, was a son of Gen. Joseph Warren, 
of Revolutionary fame. The latter was born in 
Roxbury, Mass., June 11, 1741, and died at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. The fam- 
ily liistory in America can be traced back to the 
year 1659, when the name of Peter Warren ap- 
pears on the town records of Boston as a mariner. 
General Warren was graduated from Harvard 
College in 1759, and the following year was ap- 
pointed master of the Roxbury School. He stud- 
ied medicine with Dr. James Lloyd, and began 
to practice his profession in 1764. The passage 
of the stamp act the next year led him to publish 
several able articles in the Boston Ciazetlc, and 
brought him into prominence as one of the sup- 
porters of the American cause. He was Chair- 
man of the Committee of Safety, also served as 
President of the Provincial Congress that met at 
Watertown May 31, 1775, and thus became the 
chief executive officer of Massachusetts under the 
Provincial Government. June 14 he was chosen 
Major-General of the Ma.ssachusetts forces, and 



three da3's later he was at Bunker Hill. It is 
said that both General Putnam and General 
Pre.scott .successivelj' .signified their readiness to 
take orders from him, but he refused, and in the 
final struggle, when he was endeavoring to rail}- 
the militia, he was struck in the head by a mu.sket- 
ball and instantly killed. 

On the paternal side our subject traces his lin- 
eage to Holland. His paternal grandfather, John 
Jarvis (as the name was then spelledj came to 
America in early manhood and settled in Orange 
County, purchasing a large tract of land in New- 
burgh Town, where he remained until his death, 
at ninety-six years. He was a member of the 
Dutch Reformed Church. The house which he 
erected is still standing, being now occupied by 
his son Harve}-. 

The father of our subject, William Sarvis, was 
born in the town of Newburgh, and engaged in 
farming until 1842, when he removed to the city 
and embarked in the wholesale and retail fish 
business near the ferry. His trade was large, 
and he owned a number of boats and fishing out- 
fits, having men constantly employed in fishing 
on the Hud.son. His death occurred in 1884, 
when he was eight}' -six years old. Politically he 
was a Democrat. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Mary Warren, was born in Marlborough, 
Ulster County, and died in the spring of 1894, 
aged ninety jears. 

Of the seven sons and two daughters of Will- 
iam Sarvis, we note the following: Lockwood, 
who died in Newburgh, was a member of the 
Fifty-sixth New York Infahtry during the Civil 
War. John is a resident of Newburgh. William, 
deceased, served during the war as a member of 
the Nineteenth New York Infantry. Charles lives 
in Newburgh. James H., our subject, was born 
in the town of Newburgh, May 4, 1840. Daniel, 
who served throughout the entire period of the 
war, belonged to the Thirty-sixth New York In- 
fantry, and now resides in Newburgh. George 
died in this city. Mary J. is the wife of George 
Mapes, of Newburgh. Jo.sephine, deceased, was 
Mrs. George Mould. 

From the age of three years our subject was 
reared in Newburgh, where he attended the Clin- 



12 j6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ton Street and high schools. In 1855 he shipped 
on a sailing \essel that plied between Newbnrgh 
and Albany, and afterward was on various sea- 
going vessels in the coasting trade. Becoming 
an expert navigator, he was promoted to be first 
mate and then captain. While serving as cap- 
tain of the "John R. Brick," a Hudson River 
sailing-vessel, he resigned, in July, 1S62, to enter 
the Union army. He entered as a private in 
Company L. Nineteenth New York Infantry, and 
later was promoted to the Corporal's rank, his 
service being principally in Mar\-land. 

Returning home at the expiration of his period 
of service, Mr. Sarvis entered the employ of Ben- 
jamin B. Odell in the ice business, and when the 
concern was merged into the Muchattoes Lake 
Ice Company, he remained with it as superin- 
tendent, filling that position for twenty -four years. 
When, in the spring of 1S87, Mr. Odell was 
elected Mayor, he appointed Mr. Sarvis Chief of 
Police, and in that capacity he ser\-ed until July, 
1894. During his tenn of office he succeeded in 
breaking up the bridge bandits, and made a num- 
ber of difficult arrests, among which were those 
of the infamous Thomas O'Brien and Red Orson. 
At present he has a forty -two- foot steam lainich, 
a twenty-five-foot naphtha launch, and about forty 
small boats on Orange Lake, from the lease of 
which he derives a good income. He also owns 
a residence, a small summer hotel and boat 
houses at the lake. 

The first wife of Mr. Sarvis was Susan M. 
\'redenburgh, who died in Newbnrgh, after hav- 
ing become the mother of four children, viz.: Jen- 
nie, Mrs. A. C. Smith; Mary, Mrs. Daniel Smith: 
James, who is connected with the West Shore 
Road at Kingston: and Frank, who is superin- 
tendent for a railroad contractor in Brooklyn. 
The second marriage of Mr, Sarvis united him 
with Miss Flora M. Bennett, who was bom in 
Norfolk, \'a., being a daughter of Richard Ben- 
nett, a farmer of the Old Dominion. They have 
three children: Flora M., who is married and re- 
sides in Newbnrgh: and Henry and Grace, who 
are with their parents. 

In 1885-86 Mr. Sarvis was Almshouse Com- 
missioner, but resigned upon being appointed 



Chief of Police. When the Seventeenth Battalion 
of the National Guard was organized, he became 
a member of Company E. and was elected Cor- 
poral. He won the prize for the best marksman 
in the battalion, and was a member of the bat- 
talion team of marksmen that won the champion- 
ship of the brigade. He is considered the best 
rifle-shot in the county, and his skill in that di- 
rection has brought him considerable local prom- 
inence. Socially he is a member of Ellis Post 
No. 52, G. A. R., the Veterans" Association 01 
the Order of American Firemen, and the \'eter- 
ans" Association of the fire department. A stanch 
Republican, he has been a member of city and 
county committees for thirty-five years, and is 
regarded as one of the most efficient workers of 
his party. 



61 NDREW J. BELL has been verj- active in 
LI the building up of the city of Middletown, 
I I and has erected many of the most substan- 
tial dwelling and business houses in the cit\-. He 
was boni near Syracuse, Onondaga County, in 
February, 1824, and is of Irish descent. His 
grandfather, John Bell, was a native of Ireland, 
and came over as a soldier in the English army 
under General Wolf, and was present when Que- 
bec was taken by the Americans and when the 
General was killed. After the war he located in 
Schenectady, N. Y., where he was engaged in 
fanning. . Later he went to Onondaga Count\-, 
and there died at an advanced age. His son, 
Joseph Bell, the father of our subject, was born 
in Schenectady, N. Y., and was by occupation a 
farmer. He there died at about the age of sev- 
enty-five years. Religiously he was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married 
Nancy Marcellus, who was born in Montgomery 
County, and who died at the age of seventy-five 
years. Of their family of two daughters and .seven 
sons, only two are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was the \ oungest in 
his family, and was reared on a farm, receiving 
only the advantages of a common -school educa- 
tion. When seventeen years old he was appren- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RliCORI). 



ticed to leani the trade of a carpenter at Preble, 
Cortland County, N. Y., where he remained two 
years, and then went to Syracuse and worked at 
his trade there for five years. From Syracuse he 
went to Washington, D. C, and during his resi- 
dence there saw all the great men of that day, 
including Daniel Webster, Thomas H. Benton, 
Henry Clay and others. He next went to Bos- 
ton, Mass., and then to Providence, R. I., and in 
1S47 went to Missouri, via the Ohio River, and 
up the Mississippi and the Missouri to Ft. Inde- 
pendence, where he located and worked at his 
trade- After remaining there a short time, he 
went through Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, 
traveling principally by boat and on horseback. 
In all, he spent about five years in the West and 
South, and then returned and located in Monti- 
cello, Sullivan County, where he engaged in the 
wag^n-making trade for ten years. He next re- 
moved to Thompsonville, where he engaged in 
the lumber trade and hotel business, in all about 
three years. While in Thompsonville he was also 
engaged in the manufacture of lumber of all 
kinds. Bloom ingburg was his next place of op- 
eration. There he engaged in wagon-making, 
manufacturing the Bell Wagon, which at one time 
was well known throughout the entire state. He 
remained at Bloomingburg from 1865 until the 
spring of 1888, when he located in Middletown, 
purchased a lot, and built tlie residence at No. 
295 North Street. Later he purchased lots and 
built over thirty residences, among them being 
fourteen on North Street, of which he now owns 
only one; three on Linden Terrace, of wliich all 
are sold; seven on Cottage Street, of whicli he 
yet owns three; two on Wisner Avenue, one yet 
remaining in his possession. He built and owns 
Nicholson's Hall on North Street, the first floor 
being used as a hall and the upper floor as flats. 
Mr. Bell was united in marriage in 1853, at 
Bloomingburg, with Miss Mary Sinsabaugh, who 
was born there. They have one child grown to 
manhood, Marcellus S., who is engaged with his 
father in carpentering. In politics Mr. Bell is a 
Democrat, and is at present on the Democratic 
County Central Committee, and was on the old 
citv and count\- connnittee until i8q^. While 



residing in Sullivan Count\- he was nominated for 
the Assembly, but declined to make the race. In 
the councils of his party he has been very active 
and has served as a delegate of the county, con- 
gressional and state conventions. He is an out- 
and-out free-thinker, of the Bob IngersoU stripe. 
In business lie has been fairly successful, and in 
addition to his property interests is a stockholder 
in the Co-operative Store, also a stockholder in 
the Casino Theatre. 



EUNO MUSBACH, slate, tin and metal roofer, 
and proprietor of the Midway Park Restaur- 
ant, was born in Langensalza, Thuringia, 
vSaxony, April i, 1865, and is the son of Chris- 
tian Musbach, also a native of that country. He 
remained at home until eighteen years of age, at- 
tending school until fourteen, and then learning 
the trade of roofer under his father. In 1SS3 he 
came to Middletown and started in business 
alone. Two years later he entered into partner- 
ship with Alexander Bennett, under the firm 
name of Bennett & Musbach, but since the disso- 
lution of the partnership Mr. Musbach has con- 
tinued alone. Specimens of his work may be 
seen all over Middletown, including the Armory, 
State Hospital, Wickham Avenue Depot, and 
nearly all the business blocks that are covered 
with slate. Not only in Middletown, but through- 
out Orange County, including the schoolhou.se at 
Goshen, may his work be seen. He has also 
done considerable work in Monticello, Sullivan 
County. During the busy seasons of the year he 
employs from twelve to fifteen men. 

In July, 1895, Mr. Musbach became proprietor 
of the Midway Park Restaurant, which is beauti- 
fully located on Wallkill River. It has a front- 
age of over four hundred feet, and is sufficiently 
large to accommodate the immen.se crowds that 
assemble during the heated period of the year to 
enjoy the cooling breezes of the Wallkill. The re- 
sort has every convenience necessary to the com- 
fort and well-being of its patrons, and the res- 



I2l8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



taurant has a seating capacity of sixteen hundred 
people. Tlie buildings are well planned and 
hand.soniely furni.shed, and are lighted by elec- 
tricity. 

Mr. Musbach was married in Middletown to 
Miss Mary L. Goldsmith, who was born in the 
town of Wallkill. Fraternall)' he is a member of 
Luther Lodge No. 380, having twice passed all 
the chairs, and has been a representative to the 
Grand Lodge of the state. He is also a member 
of Hoffman Lodge, F. & A. M. 



n CHARLES SCHWARTZ, dealer in fresh 
I and salt meat at No. 21 West Main Street, 
Q) Middletown, has been more than ordinarily 
successful. He was born in Halle, Wurtemberg, 
Germany, June 18, 1856. His father, Frederick 
Schwartz, was also a native of that place, and 
was engaged in the butcher and meat business 
there for many years. He married Lena Collins, 
born in Wurtemberg, where she died in 1878. 
The father died there in 1876, at the age of sixty- 
seven years. They were both devout members of 
the Lutheran Church. They were the parents 
of seven children, who grew to maturity, and 
four of that number are now living in America. 
One son, Christopher, now residing in Middle- 
town, and engaged with our subject, was a mem- 
ber of a New York regiment during the late war. 
William, another .son, also resides in Middle- 
town, and was formerly in partnership with our 
subject; Sophia, now Mrs. Cochenderfer, resides 
in New York City. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive country, and until the age of fourteen at- 
tended the common schools, and then entered the 
high school and took the Latin and French 
courses, l' nder his father he thoroughly learned 
the meat bu.siness, and continued in his father's 
shop until 1873, when he resolved to come to the 
United States; first, in order that he might better 
him,self in life, and secondly, that he might es- 
cape military duty, which ever\- able-bodied man 
was required to do in that country. He left 
Hamburg on the steamer "Harmony," andaftera 



voyage of fourteen days landed at New York, 
from which place he came directly to Middle- 
town, and entered the employ of his brother 
Christopher, who was here engaged in the meat 
business. In 1882, having applied himself too 
closely to business, he found it necessary to re- 
cuperate, and therefore left the shop and entered 
Eastman's Business College, from which he sub- 
sequently graduated. In 1883, in company with 
his brother William, he engaged in the meat bus- 
iness, the firm being styled Schwartz Bros., and 
the location on East Main Street. For three 
years they continued in that location, and then 
removed to No. 21 West Main Street. The part- 
nership of the brothers was continued until 1893, 
when our subject purchased the interest of his 
brother, and has since conducted the business 
alone. The market has a frontage of twenty 
feet, and a depth of one hundred and two feet. 
The location is an excellent one for business, and 
no market is kept in better order. Everything 
about it is neat and tidy, and with every conven- 
ience for the transaction of business. The refrig- 
erator is a very large one, with a capacity of sev- 
eral tons. He has a large sausage-machine, 
which is capable of turning out an immense 
quantity of sausage, in which he has a very large 
trade. The market is the leading one in this 
city, and is supplied with every kind of fresh and 
.salt meat, including pickled pork, ham and ba- 
con. Two delivery wagons are constantly en- 
gaged in filling the orders of the market. In ad- 
dition to_ what has already been mentioned, 
Mr. Schwartz carries fish of every kind, and 
manufactures a large amount of lard. 

Mr. Schwartz is quite active in all matters per- 
taining to the material interest of his adopted 
city, and is at present the owner of the block in 
which his market is established, which has a 
frontage of thirty -eight feet and a depth of one 
hundred and two feet, three stories in height and 
built of brick. The neat residence iti which the 
family resides, located at No. 127 South Street, he 
also owns. He has built two other houses, one 
of vvhich he still owns. He is a member of the 
Orange County Telephone Compan}-, and was 
one of the organizers of the Orange County Trust 



'^^ 

^^^ 



«^ 




EBKR L. BROWN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



and Safe Deposit Company, of which he was a Di- 
rector for a time. Fraternally he is a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, both of the subordinate 
and uniformed-rank degrees. He is also a mem- 
ber of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company No. 
I. In politics he is a thorough Republican, and 
in religious belief a Congregationalist. He is a 
Trustee of the Congregational Church of this 
place, and is very active in this work. Mr. 
Schwartz was here married to Miss Elizabeth 
Sears, born in the town of Montgomery, and 
daughter of Samuel Sears. They have one child, 
Winifred. 



•»>*^®®®><»— 



~BER LAIN BROWN. Working his way 
^ from poverty to wealth, from an humble 
^ position to a place of influence among his 
fellow-men, Mr. Brown has for j-ears been a 
prosperous and successful business man, whose 
versatile ability and reliability in his dealings 
with others have brought to him the confidence 
of the public. At present he gives his time to 
the supervision of his farm, which con.sists of 
about seven hundred acres in the town of Mini- 
sink. Besides this property he owns seven tene- 
ment houses and a business block in Unionville, 
also several houses in Jersey City, the receipts 
from which form a very important addition to his 
income. 

Our subject and his sister, Pamela, Mrs. Jon- 
athan K. Burr (deceased), were the only children 
of Joseph and Phoebe (Lain) Brown. The fa- 
ther was born in the tOwn of Minisink, on the 
farm now occupied by our subject, and was in 
early life a school-teacher, but later engaged in 
the mercantile business in Newburgh and New 
York. His father, who located in the town of 
Minisink in an early day, came to this local- 
ity from Long Island and was the first of the 
family to locate in this county. Eber L. was 
born in Sussex County, N. J., March 31, 1828, 
and in early boyhood attended the district .schools 
of the home locality. When onlj- eleven years 



old he became a clerk in his uncle's store at 
Edenville, where he was employed a year. He 
then went to another uncle in Beemerville, Sussex 
County, N. J., where he stayed three years. For 
two years afterward he clerked in a .store in New- 
burgh, and then went to New York City, where 
he was similarly occupied for a few years. Next 
we find him a member of the vyholesale grocery 
firm of Stillwell, Brown & Co., of New York 
City, with which he was connected for about five 
years- 

In the spring of 1848, shortly before the great 
gold discovery, Mr. Brown set sail for California, 
in company with the man who first discovered 
gold there. He was delayed for two months on 
the Isthmus of Panama, and the entire trip to 
San Francisco consumed four months. After 
having spent a short time in the last-named city, 
he began pro.specting and mining at St. Mary's, 
which was back of Sacramento, and was fairly 
successful during the year he was at that place. 
His mining was altogether with the pan, in placer 
diggings. He often dug from $100 to $200 worth 
of gold per day, and a few times ran as high as 
$600. Expenses were correspondingly high, and 
he frequently paid $1 apiece for eggs, $1 a pound 
for bacon, and from twenty to forty cents per 
pound for flour. Besides this he did his own 
cooking and washing. He suffered many hard- 
ships, and in consequence contracted disease. 
Often he had to pay a doctor as high as |;ioo per 
visit. The climate, however, did not agree with 
him, and his failing health forced him to return 
East. 

On his arrival at the old home, Mr. Brown at 
once resumed business. For about two years he 
was engaged in the wholesale dry-goods busi- 
ness in New York City, after which for three 
years he was a partner in a large wholesale gro- 
cery business. The pressure of business cares 
again caused the loss of his health, and, hoping 
to regain his strength, he came to Unionville 
and settled on the farm where his father was 
born. There he made his home, engaged in farm- 
ing, for about twent)' years. His next step was 
to open a wholesale and retail feed store in Union- 
ville, which he sold six years later, having made 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a financial success of the enterprise. Turning 
his attention to a somewhat different line of work, 
he organized the Unionville Silk Manufacturing 
Company, of which he became President, and 
which invested about $25,000 in a silk plant, 
employing fifty hands. Unfortunately, the fac- 
tory burned down in 1894, and the business has 
never since been resumed. 

On Christmas Day of 185 1 Mr. Brown married 
Mi.ss Sarah E. Lewis, and one child blessed this 
union. His second marriage, June i, 1863, united 
him with Caroline M. Lain, daughter of Richard 
A. Lain, and they became the parents of twelve 
children, but seven of the number have been 
taken by death. The survivors are Joseph M., 
Allison, Eber L., Phoebe and Millie M. The 
sons are all married. Mrs. Brown is a member 
of the Methodist Church. Mr. Brown has re- 
fused to be bound to any political organization in 
the matter of casting his ballot, but votes for the 
men whom he deems best qualified for office, ir- 
lespective of political ties. While serving as Su- 
pervisor, he rendered careful and satisfactory 
service in the interests of the people of the town. 
He is a man who is ever to be found on the side 
of progress, one who acts well his part in life and 
does all in his power to advance the material 
prosperity of the countrj-. He was the first man 
who put up electric lights in Unionville, was 
also the first to use gas in the place, having his 
own private plant, and was the first to establish 
manufacturing plants there. 



pGJiLLIAM S. CARPENTER has been from 
\A/ ^Joyliood engaged in the railroad business 
V V ill one capacity or another, and was pro- 
moted by degrees until he became engineer on the 
Erie Railroad. His residence is at No. 61 Orange 
Street, Port Jervis, where he has a pleasant home, 
and in addition to this he owns considerable prop- 
erty in other parts of the city. He is proprietor 
of the Deerpark Club House, one of the leading 
club houses (to which we will refer later on) , 
owns one hundred and ten feet of land on Pike 
Street, and is interested in the Gorman & Abers- 



dorf Livery Stable. He has erected two cottages, 
and is the owner of several tenement buildings 
on Franklin and Ball Streets. 

Mr. Carpenter was born November 24, 1846, 
in Deposit, N. Y., his parents being Jesse and 
Sarah (Barlow) Carpenter. The latter is still liv- 
ing, her home being with her son William S. 
The father was an engineer on the Delaware Di- 
vision, and for many years resided in this city. 
His death occurred February 20, 1876, as the re- 
sult of an accident. The main connecting-rod 
broke and passed through the firebox of his en- 
gine, letting out steam and gases, which were in- 
haled by the unfortunate engineer, and his death 
took place ten days later, at the age of fifty-seven 
years. He had commenced railroading about 
1854 as a fireman, and after the strike, two years 
later, returned to a brakeman's position, which he 
held for a year and a-half. About 1859 he was 
placed in charge of an engine, which he ran until 
his death. He was, like his son, a native of 
Broome Countj', his birth having occurred near 
Deposit. 

Our subject was about ten or eleven j-ears of 
age when the family removed to Port Jervis, and 
when in his thirteenth year he was made fireman 
on a switch engine. In September, 1863, though 
but seventeen years of age, he was made engineer 
on the main line, and soon afterward took charge 
of an engine on a freight train. In 1867 he as- 
sumed the responsibility of running a passenger 
engine, and now has the honor of running the No. 
I Westbound Chicago Express, and the No. 14 
Eastbound Wells Fargo Express. Among the 
narrow escapes which befall all railroad men of 
long standing, he has had a few unpleasant expe- 
riences. At one time a freight train breaking left 
a drawhead on the track, which was struck by 
his engine, which capsized on the bank. The 
night express which his engine was drawing com- 
prised twelve cars, which crashed into and com- 
pletely demolished the engine. None of the pass- 
engers were killed, but the shooting steam so 
badly scalded Mr. Carpenter that he was laid up 
five months. Four miles west of this place a storm 
once washed out a space of thirty-five feet, leav- 
ing the rails and ties suspended without founda- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1223 



tions. Mr. Carpenter's engine passed over before 
the rails gave way, but the twelve cars attached 
were phuiged into the creek below. Marvelously, 
none of the pa,ssengers were injured. With the 
exception of three months, when he worked for 
the Morris & Essex Road, Mr. Carpenter has 
served continuously on the Erie lines since boy- 
hood. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Port 
Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A, M. 

The DeerparkClub House was originally built, 
in i860, for a Baptist Church, and when the new 
house of worship was constructed Mr. Carpenter 
purchased the old building. He has made great 
changes, has partitioned it into elegant reception- 
rooms on the first floor, with ballroom and dress- 
ing-rooms on the second floor, and a well equipped 
kitchen in the basement. Here may be found 
china and silverware in sufficient quantities to .set 
a table for one hundred and fiftj' guests, which 
number can be comfortablj' seated in the commo- 
dious dining-room. The club is arranged espe- 
cially for social functions, and the enterprise dis- 
played by the proprietor is fully appreciated by 
the citizens. 



HECTOR OSTERHOUT, a photographer of 
Middlctovvn, was born in Ulster County, 
near King.ston, in 1849, and traces his an- 
cestry back to Tunis Osterhout, %ho came from 
Holland in 1640, and .settled in the wilds of Ulster 
County. Abraham 0.sterhout, the grandfather 
of our subject, was born in Ulster County, and 
was a soldier in the War of 181 2. He was hon- 
orably discharged from the service, and died at 
the age of eighty-six years. Kryneus Osterhout, 
the father of our subject, who was born in the 
town of Rochester, Ulster County, was by occu- 
pation a painter, but later engaged in farming, 
and though now over seventy-six years of age, 
yet follows that occupation near Stone Ridge, 
Ulster County. In politics he is a Republican, 
and is a member of the Reformed Church. He 
married Hannah J. Wood, born near Rosendale, 



Ulster County, and a daughter of Frederick 
Wood, an old settler of that count)-, but of Eng- 
lish descent. She is yet living, at the age of sev- 
enty-one. Of their eleven children, all grew to 
maturity, and ten survive. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home on 
the farm until nineteen years of age, receiving 
his education in the public .school and at Stone 
Ridge Academy. When nineteen he taught his 
first term of school, and then engaged as clerk in 
a .store at Stone Ridge for one year, and later en- 
gaged in teaching for six months. In 1S69 he 
commenced to learn the photograph business in 
Kingston, and for a time followed that occupation 
in Ulster, Greene and Columbia Counties, finally 
locating at Bennington, Vt., where he followed 
his profession for ten years. Desiring to make a 
change, he came to Middletown in December, 
1884, and has since built up an extensive trade 
here. He has twice remodeled his place of busi- 
ness, which now covers an area of 24x130 feet, 
and his operating room is 15x40 feet. There are 
two reception-rooms and two showrooms, each of 
which is nicely furnished, and the gallerj' is well 
located on the first floor at No. 6 Main Street. 

Mr. Osterhout was first married in Ulster 
County to Miss Katy Weeks, who died in Middle- 
town in May, 1890. In Warwick he subsequently 
married Miss Martha Utter, by whom he has two 
children, Katy and Martha. The family reside 
in a pleasant home at No. 13 Wickham Avenue, 
of which he is the owner. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Honor, and in politics he is 
a Republican. Religiously he affiliates with the 
Congregational Church. 

HARVEY LAMB is one of the prominent citi- 
zens of Port Jervis, Orange County, and is a 
conductor on the Erie Railroad. His life 
as a railroad man extends over forty- five years, 
during which time he has witnessed manj- changes 
and different systems. He ran on the road long 
before the telegraph was used, and recollects 
when Charles Minot, vSuperintendent of the Erie, 
wished to put up a telegraph system, but the 



1224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RECORD. 



Board of Directors stood aloof. He also remem- 
bers when the old-style brakes at each end of the 
car, without ratchets and with a crank, were in 
common use. 

Our subject was born in Jackson Township, 
Susquehanna County, Pa., November 7, 1830. 
When his father died he requested our subject to 
purchase the old homestead of his birth, .saying 
that this farm was all that remained of the large 
estates which had formerl)' belonged to his father, 
and he desired that this one, at least, should re- 
main in possession of the family. Accordingly Har- 
vey Lamb carried out his father's wishes as soon 
as it was pos.sible, and now owns the old farm in 
Jackson Township. His parents were Chauncy and 
Gratia (WellsJ Lamb, both natives of Vermont, 
and the former born near Brattleboro. He was 
but nine years of age when he moved to Pennsyl- 
vania with his father, Maj. Joel Lamb, and settled 
in Susquehanna County when it was a wilder- 
ness. They were obliged to cut a road from their 
home to the Susquehanna depot, and for many 
years Chauncy Lamb was engaged in contracting 
for a turnpike. His death occurred at the age of 
seventy-five years, in 1888. His wife removed 
from the Green Mountain State with her sister 
when a young girl, and was married in Pennsyl- 
vania. Their father afterward came to live with 
these, his favorite daughters, and survived both of 
them. Mrs. Gratia Lamb was only thirty-seven 
years of age at the time of her death. 

Until he was nineteen years of age Harvey 
Lamb was employed in farming, and for a few 
terms was engaged in teaching school. He was 
only fifteen when he was granted a certificate, and 
for his services received $11 per month and 
"boarded 'round." His higher education was ob- 
tained in Hartford Academy, in his hometown- 
ship, where for two terms he was under the in- 
struction of "Uncle" Lyman Richardson. When 
in his twentieth year Harvey Lamb began rail- 
roading as a brakeman on the Delaware Division 
and as a flagman at Callicoon. At length he was 
promoted to be conductor of a freight train, and at 
the end of a year and a-half, or in 1852, came to 
Port Jervis. He was then a fireman, and about 
1854 was given an engine. Then in 1856 occur- 



red the great .strike as the result of a rule which 
affected the engineers, but all the hands joined in 
expressing their disapprobation. Mr. Lamb left 
the company and went to the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy, where for three years he ran on the 
division between Galesburg and Aurora, one hun- 
dred and forty miles. In 1859 he went to Kan- 
sas as a pioneer, and settled on a farm near Le- 
Roy, in Coffey County. During his two years' 
residence there he became acquainted with many 
of the early .settlers, among whom were John 
Brown and Jim Lane. In 1861 he was attached 
to Jennison's scouting brigade. 

In 1 86 1 Mr. Lamb again entered the employ of 
the Erie Railroad at Port Jervis and has since 
been one of their mo.st trusted and capable men. 
For six years he ran a construction train, being his 
own engineer and conductor, and was then made 
conductor on a freight train, for a time doing 
extra duty. In 1874 he was given charge of a 
passenger train, and now, as for the past two and 
a-half years, has run the milk train, thus having 
every night for a rest. For seventeen years he 
ran No. 3 and No. 12 pas.senger trains, the former 
being the night express west and the latter the 
eastbound express. The lines traversed were 
from Jersej- City to Port Jervis and from here 
to Susquehanna. The only accident of seri- 
ous consequence which he has ever had was when 
No. 12 ran off the track at Tioga Station, six 
miles west ofOwego, and collided with other cars. 
Six of the twelve cars were burned, two of these 
being express and mail cars, and four mail clerks, 
Murray, Fox, Reddinger and Sebolt, by name, 
lost their lives, and the express messenger, a Mr. 
Brewer, met a like fate. Mr. Lamb has had 
many hairbreadth escapes, but on the whole has 
been fortunate. A cinder which settled in his 
right eye caused him great suflFering for months, 
as it could not be located, and finally he lost 
his sight in that eye. He is an honorary mem- 
ber of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 
belonging to Division No. 54, and is a member 
of Division No. 9, Order of Railway Conductors. 

October 28, 1863, Mr. Lamb and Marcella, 
daughter of Dr. Mauley, were united in marriage 
in Snsquehainia. Mrs. Lamb was born in Rut- 




HEXRV \V. SMITH (S5 Years). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1227 



land, Vt. , of which state her father was also a na- 
tive. For many years he was engaged in practice 
at Windsor, Broome County, N. Y. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lamb have no children of their own, but 
adopted a young girl. Bertha, who is now the 
wife of Don L. Sturgis, of Washington, D. C. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb attend the Baptist Church, of 
which the former is a Trustee. He is a liberal 
contributor to church enterprises and was one of 
the Building Committee. Politically Mr. Lamb 
is a Democrat. 



HENRY W. SMITH. A hi.story of the lives 
of the best residents of Orange County 
would in no wise be complete without an 
outline of the life of Mr. Smith, who has lived in 
the neighborhood of his present estate since 1849. 
He is now in the eighty-sixth 3'ear of his age, 
and is retired from labor on account of failing 
eyesight and old age. His farm is seventy-.six 
acres in extent, and but few are superior in point 
of cultivation in the town of Goshen. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Rock- 
land County, this state, February 22, 18 10, and 
is the youngest member of the family born to 
John and Mary Ann ( Conkling) Smith, al.so na- 
tives of this state. The father, who was a farmer 
during his active years, was quiet and unassum- 
ing in manner, and although never seeking public 
office, was always willing to contribute his por- 
tion, either of money or time, toward the further- 
ing of his community's interests. He died in 
18 13, when our subject was three years old. 

Henry W., of this .sketch, had very limited 
advantages for acquiring an education, as the 
schools of his day were few and far between, and 
as the class of teachers engaged was very inferior 
compared with what the youth of the present age 
enjoy. He was trained to farm work, and when 
ready to engage in busine.ss for himself went to 
New York City in order to learn the carpenter's 
trade under the best instructors. Meeting with 
an accident, however, he was compelled to return 
home, and since that time has given his atten- 
tion to cultivating the .soil. In this vocation he 



has been successful and has built up for himself 
a name for honesty and fair dealing second to 
none in the county. In 1849 Mr. Smith located 
in this town, and has therefore made his home 
here for over forty-six years, and is now one of 
its oldest and most highly honored residents. 

In 1832 occurred the marriage of Henrj' W. 
Smith with Miss Lucinda, daughter of Richard 
and Margaret Quackenbush, natives of this state. 
To them were born eight .sons and daughters, 
five of whom have departed this life. Those now 
living are: Sarah, the wife of Ferdinand House, 
of this count}-; Joseph, engaged in the livery 
business in Warwick; and Caroline, who married 
John R. Van Nostrand, of this county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Van No.strand reside at the old homestead 
and carry on the farm. The wife and mother 
passed from earth about 1885. 

Mr. Smith is a Presbyterian in religious faith 
and during his early years took an active part in 
church work. In politics, he never fails to cast 
a vote in favor of Democratic candidates and 
principles. He is widely and favorably known, 
and his sterling worth and strict integrity have 
won for him the confidence and high regard of 
all with whom he has been brought in contact. 



jILLIAM C. F. BASTIAN, Alderman from 
the P'ourth Ward of Middletown, and one 
of the most enterpri.sing men in the city, 
was born in Speier, Bavaria, January 27, 1839, 
and served his adopted country faithfully in the 
War for the Union. His father, William Bastian, 
was a native of Kreutznach, Prussia, and was a 
tanner and currier by trade. He had a tannery 
at Speier, which he operated for many years, and 
later took his .son Augn.st into partnership, this 
connection continuing until the former's death, 
in 1894. In religious belief he was a Lutheran. 
His wife, Catherine Betsch, was born near Speier, 
and was a daughter of George Bet.sch, who was 
bqrn in 1767, and died in 1851. Her father was 
an official of the Government, and served in the 
German army against Napoleon. He was also 
a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bas- 



1228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tian died in 1864, leaving six sons: William C. 
F., our subject; Max, who died in Newburgh; 
Louis C, who now resides in New York City, 
and was formerly Lieutenant in the Fifteenth New 
York Artillery under Colonel Dickey; George, 
who resides in Speier, and is engaged in the 
leather business; Philip, who also resides in 
Speier, where he owns machine-shops; and Au- 
gust, who died in 1894, in Speier. 

William C. F. Bastian was reared in his native 
city, and until fourteen years of age attended the 
public school. He then commenced to learn the 
tanner's and currier's trade under his father, 
where he remained until seventeen years of age, 
when he came to the United States, being the 
first of the family to locate in this countrj-. He 
sailed from Havre, and was thirt3^-five days on 
the voyage to New York City. After remaining 
there three weeks, he was engaged by Stephen 
McKinstry, who owned a tannery on the Sha- 
wangunk, in Ulster County, and there remained 
for some years, or until the tannery was closed 
up. He then went to Newburgh with Mr. Mc- 
Kinstry, who, under the firm name of Jennings 
& McKinstry, conducted a tannery at that place. 
In i860 he went to Wawarsing, Ulster County, 
where until 1861 he had charge of a department 
in McKinstry & Child's tannery. 
• On the breaking out of the War for the Union, 
our subject enlisted in Company A, Twentieth 
New York Militia, under Colonel Pratt, and was 
mustered into the service at Kingston for three 
nronths. The regiment was sent to Baltimore, 
where it remained until the expiration of its term 
of service, when it was mustered out, and the 
men honorably discharged. In August, 1862, 
he assisted in recruiting Company E, One Hun- 
dred and Twentieth New York Infantry, and was 
appointed First Sergeant of the company. On 
examination, however, he was rejected by the 
surgeon, and thus ended his military career. 
Soon afterward he went to New York City, where 
he engaged in business until 1869, and then went 
to Wurtsboro, where he was married, the same 
year, to Miss Louisa Belger, a native of that 
place. In 1870 he opened a store in Wurtsboro 
for the sale of fruits and confectioner}-, in which 



he continued until 1872, when he located in Mid- 
dletown, and built the Monopole House. He 
continued in the hotel business until 1894, when 
he sold out to Mr. Russell, who changed the 
name of the house to the Oriental. 

Mr. Bastian owns a nice residence at No. 97 
East Main Street, where he resides with his wife. 
One daughter, Millie, died in 1892, at the age of 
nineteen years. In politics Mr. Bastian is a Re- 
publican, and in 1895 was elected on the Repub- 
lican ticket as Alderman of the Fourth Ward. 
He is Chairman of the Public Buildings and Park 
Committees, and is a member of the Committees 
on Light and Rules and Laws. Fraternally he 
is a Master Mason, and first united with Monti- 
cello Lodge in 1871, from which he was demitted 
to Hoffman Lodge. He is also a member of 
Midland Chapter, R. A. M. ; of Delaware Com- 
mandery at Port Jervis; and of Mecca Temple at 
New York City. He is a charter member of 
Luther Lodge No. 380, I. O. O. F., having twice 
passed all its chairs, and has served as District 
Deput)-, and represented the local bodj- in the 
grand lodge. While at Port Jervis, he was a 
member of the Encampment of Odd Fellows, but 
is not active at the present time. He is also a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, and is Vice- 
Commander of W. A. Jackson Post No. 301, G. 
A. R. Like most of his nationality, he is a nat- 
ural musician, and for some years was Musical 
Director of the Maennerchor. He has been con- 
nected with all the singing societies in the coun- 
ty, including the Port Jervis Maennerchor, of 
which he was Musical Director, and also of asim- 
iliar .societ\' at Newburgh. While in New York 
Cit}-, he was an active member of the Turn Verein. 
Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 

^EORGE MAIER, manufacturer and whole- 
l_ sale dealer in cigars and tobacco, Middle- 
\^ town, was born in Con.stance, on Lake Con- 
stance, in Baden, Germany, near the head of the 
Rhine, April 16, 1837. His father, Engelbert 
Maier, was also a native of that place, and served 
in the German army as a Corporal in the war 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I22g 



against Napoleon. He was the originator of the 
first bathing and swimming institution on Lake 
Constance. Since he first commenced in that 
business it has become very popular. He later 
formed a companj% of which he was President 
until he died, the result of an accident, while yet 
in middle life. His wife, Rosa Frey, was born 
in Baden, and was a daughter of Michael Frey, a 
gardener of that city. She died in 1862. Of 
their family of five children, our subject is third 
in order of birth, and is the only representative 
in America. He was reared in his native village, 
and attended the public and high schools until 
the age of fourteen. He was but five years of 
age when his father died. His mother reared 
the family, and did her best by her children. 
At fourteen our .subject commenced learning the 
trade of a .shoemaker, and became a practical 
workman in his native place. He then traveled 
as a journeyman over Germany, Switzerland and 
France, after which he returned home and com- 
menced the manufacture of .shoes, and there re- 
mained until 1863. 

With the desire of bettering himself in life, in 
August, 1863, Mr. Maier left his native land for 
the United States. The vessel on which he sailed 
was wrecked when in sight of the Jersey and 
Long Island shore. The passengers were res- 
cued by a steamer sent from the city, and were 
landed in New York after a voyage of sixty-two 
days. While in New York he secured work at 
his trade, and for eighteen months resided in that 
city. He then went to New Paltz, Ulster Coun- 
ty, and engaged in the manufacture of shoes, and 
there remained until 1868, when he removed to 
Kingston and continued to manufacture. In 1871 
he started a large retail boot and shoe bu.sine.ss 
in that place, which he continued until 1878, and 
then located in Middletown. Here he again en- 
gaged in the retail boot and shoe business, in 
which he remained one year; then sold out and 
engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, 
and in repairs, on West Main vStreet. His next 
location was on East Main Street, and in 1890 he 
removed to his present place of business. He 
built on the corner of Beadle and Railroad Ave- 
nue, now known as the Musbach Hotel, which 



he .subsequently .sold. He also put up a double 
brick storeroom at Nos. 2 and 4 Beattie Avenue, 
and also erected his residence at No. 6 Beattie 
Avenue, where he is still engaged in the retail 
boot and shoe business, and in manufacturing, 
the business being in charge of his son Oscar. 

In 1892 Mr. Maier began the manufacture of 
cigars, in partnership with another person, under 
the firm name of Eibing & Maier. The partner- 
ship lasted but one year, when our subject pur- 
chassed the stock, and has since continued in busi- 
ness alone. His manufactory is located on the 
second floor of his building, and he employs about 
a half-dozen men. Among the brands of cigars 
manufactured by him are the "Rose of Sharon," 
a ten-cent Havana cigar; "Up to Make," a five- 
cent leader; and "G. M. S. Perfectos," another 
five-cent cigar. This is the largest cigar manu- 
factory in the place. George Maier, his son, is 
continually on the road as a traveling salesman. 

In addition to the lines already mentioned, Mr. 
Maier is engaged in the buying and selling of raw 
furs, and is the only buyer between New York 
City and Buffalo. He buys all kinds of furs, and 
expends thousands of dollars annually in the 
business. His sons a.s.sist him in the business. 
He is also interested in the Campbell Driving 
Park Association, and is a stockholder in the 
Co-operative Store. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat, and is a member of the County Central 
Committee from the First Ward. He has served 
his part}' as a delegate to County and Senatorial 
Conventions. 

Mr. Maier was united in marriage in 1866, in 
New York City, with Anna Keck, a native of 
Germany, born near Stuttgart, in Wurtemberg. 
She died in Kingston, leaving five children: Os- 
car, in charge of the boot and shoe bu.siness; 
William, a plumber with Mr. Duryea; George, 
who is a traveling .salesman for his father; Anna, 
now Mrs. Hess, living in Middletown; and Fred, 
who was accidentally killed on the New York Cen- 
tral Railway at Rome, at the age of twenty-one, 
while on his first trip out as a brakeman in the 
employ of that road. Mr. Maier's second mar- 
riage was with Miss Olivia Luckey, who was 
born in Bloomingburg, Sullivan County. Sue- 



I230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



cess has crowned the efforts of Mr. Maier in his 
adopted countrj', and his reputation as a citizen 
and a business man is one of which he may well 
be proud. 



nOHX F. WOOD belongs to a family that 
I has long been noted for its patriotic zeal and 
(2/ devotion to the institutions of our Govern- 
ment. Two of his uncles served in the War of 
1812, and three of his brothers were among the 
bo\'s in blue who defended the Stars and Stripes. 
He himself did valiant service in the Union army, 
and the hardships he endured on the' field and 
in the camp permanently affected his health. 
Since 1888 he has been obliged to use crutches, 
and for many years he has been unable to engage 
in active business, but he still maintains a gen- 
eral supervision of his interests and has at heart 
the welfare of his fellow-citizens. 

The father of our subject, Jeremiah Wood, was 
born on Long Island, and was a carpenter by 
trade, which occupation he followed first in War- 
wick and later in Chester, his death occurring 
in the latter village. His wife, Frances Patton, 
was born in New York State, on the Hudson. 
They were the parents- of five sons and five 
daughters, of whom eight attained years of ma- 
turity, and three sons and two daughters are now 
living. Of these, Charles B., William and Peter 
served in Company A, One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-fourth New York Infantry, while John F. was 
a member of Company E, Fifty-sixth New York 
Infantry. Personal mention of the first-named 
of these sons, Maj. Charles B., is made elsewhere 
in this volume. 

In Warwick, this county, where he was born 
in Jul)', 1824, the subject of this notice resided 
until sixteen years of age, and then accompanied 
his parents to Chester, where he learned the 
wagon-maker's trade. In 18-50 he came to Mid- 
dletown and secured employment in a foundry as 
a pattern-maker. After .spending five years here, 
he went to Walled Lake, Oakland County, Mich., 
in 1855, and for two years worked at the carpen- 



ter's trade, returning thence to Orange County. 
Near Port Jervis he was employed as assistant 
foreman in the building of the Erie Railroad, and 
remained there until 1859, after which he worked 
at the wagon-maker's trade for a year. He then 
turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed until the fall of 1862. 

Coming to Middletown at that time, Mr. Wood 
worked at his trade, principally in the saw fac- 
tory and hat works. In March, 1864, he en- 
listed in Company E, Fifty-sixth New York In- 
fantrj', and was sent to Albany as a recruit. 
From there he went to Hart's Island and then 
to Fortress Monroe. He was taken ill and for a 
time remained in the hospital, recovering from a 
severe attack of varioloid only to fall a victim to 
the typhoid fever. After rejoining his regiment 
in South Carolina in December, 1864, he contin- 
ued to take part in its operations, and was with 
it in its engagements until October, 1865, when 
he was honorably discharged from the service. 

As soon as his health permitted, Mr. Wood re- 
sumed work at the carpenter's trade in the hat 
shop and saw works, but he has continued to 
suffer from the effects of army life from that time 
to the present, and in 1880 he was obliged to re- 
tire altogether from work at his trade. He is an 
active member of General Lyon Post No. 266, 
G. A. R. , and politically is a pronounced Repub- 
lican. In this city, April 4, 1850, he married 
Miss Jane E. Compton, who was born in Decker- 
town, N. J. , being the next to the 3'oungest among 
six children. She was orphaned at the age of 
five years, and in 1845 came to Middletown, 
where she was a student in Denton Academy. 
By her marriage four children were born, namely: 
Frank W., who is flagman on the Erie Road at 
Port Jervis: Heman A., a carpenter at Middle- 
town; Belle C, widow of Gerard Depeyster Sax- 
on: and Fred, who is with his parents. Our 
subject's son-in-law was the son of Depeyster 
Saxon and a grandson of Abraham W. Depeyster, 
at one time Judge of the Supreme Court of New 
York. He was also a lineal descendant of Lord 
Saxon, of England, and a great-great-grand 
nephew of William Turner, the famous artist. 

William C. Compton, father of Mrs. Wood, 




SELDEN H. TALCOTT, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1233 



was born in Ponipton, N. J., and was a mill- 
wright in that state until his death. Her grand- 
father, Jacob Compton, a native of England, 
was sent here as a soldier in the British army dur- 
ing the Revolutionar}' War, but deserted, and 
afterward fought in the American army as a 
commissioned officer. The mother of Mrs. Wood 
was in maidenhood Elizabeth Post. She was 
born in Sussex County, N. J., and died there 
when in middle life. Her parents were Gabriel 
and Anna (Wisner) Post, the former a soldier in 
the War of 181 2. Her paternal great-grandfa- 
ther was a resident of Warwick and a son of An- 
neke Jans, of Holland. The family was repre- 
sented among the earliest settlers of this county, 
and has always been known for the honesty, up- 
rightness and industry of its members. 

(7>ELDEN H. TALCOTT, M. D., Superin- 
/\ tendent of the Middletown State Homeo- 
\~ft pathic Hospital, was born in Rome, N. Y., 
July 7, 1842. He traces his ancestry back to 
John Talcott, who came from England in the 
ship "Lyon," in 1632, in company with the Brad- 
fords and other distinguished persons. He first 
located in Massachusetts and later in Connecti- 
cut. One son, James, born in Connecticut, was 
Governor of that state from 1723 to 1741. The 
great-grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Tal- 
cott, was born in Connecticut and was an ensign 
in the Revolutionary War. He was in the battle 
of Long Island, and at the close of the war set- 
tled in Rome, N. V. 

The grandfather of our subject, vSiah Talcott, 
married Charlotte House, wiio was also a native 
of Connecticut. At an early day they removed 
to New York, where Jonathan Talcott, the father 
of our subject, was born. The grandfather was 
in the War of 1812, being engaged in the trans- 
portation of Government stores, and was a farmer 
near Rome. The father is also a farmer, a por- 
tion of his estate lying within the city limits of 
Rome, but he has retired from active life. In 
politics he is a Republican, and in religious be- 
lief a Presbyterian. He married Lucy Ann Shep- 

54 



hard, born at Brewerton, Onondaga County, at 
the foot of Oneida Lake. The Shephards are a 
New England family. The mother died in 18^4, 
leaving a family of five children, and the father 
married a second time, by which union there are 
also five children. 

Dr. Talcott, of this sketch, was reared in his 
native city, and there graduated from the Rome 
Academy, taking jirizes in English composition 
and declamation. In 1862 he prepared for and 
attended Hamilton College one year. In 1864 he 
enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth New York 
Volunteer Engineers, and was mustered into the 
service at Elmira. The company was at once 
sent to the Army of the Potomac, which was then 
in front of Petersburg, and was among the first to 
enter the city after its capture. After serving 
faithfully until the close of the war, and being in 
the Grand Review at Washington, he was mus- 
tered out, in July, 1865, at Elmira, and received 
an honorable discharge. He then returned to 
Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 
1869, with the degree of A. B. During his course 
he received the appointments of prize speaker and 
Clark prize orator. While in his junior and sen- 
ior years he was one of the editors of T/ie Hamil- 
ton Campus, a college weekly. Three years after 
graduating he received from his Alma Mater the 
degree of A. M., and twelve years later the de- 
gree of Ph. D. from the same college. In 1869 
he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. 
E. A. Munger, of Waterville, and in 1870 en- 
tered the New York Homeopathic Medical Col- 
lege, from which he graduated in 1872. During 
his last course he was chosen Cla.ss President and 
was unanimously chosen valedictorian of the class, 
graduating with the highest standing of any in 
the class of thirty-six. Since his graduation he 
has had the degree of M. D. conferred on hiju by 
the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical vSociety, 
and also by the Regents of the University of the 
State of New York. 

In 1872 Dr. Talcott began the practice of his 
profession at Waterville, N. Y., where he re- 
mained until 1875, when he received the appoint- 
ment of chief-of-staff of the Homeopathic Charity- 
Hospital, located on Ward's Island, N. Y. The 



1234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hospital had just been started, and Dr. Talcott 
was the fir.st chief-of-staff. On taking charge of 
the ho.spital there was not a single patient, but 
when he left the in.stitution there were some seven 
hundred. At the same time he was also in charge 
of the medical division of the Soldiers' Home in 
New York, with which institution he remained 
until it was disbanded and the inmates removed 
to the National Home. He was also in charge of 
the Inebriate As}-lum of New York City, located 
in the southeast corner of Ward's Island, and 
had charge of one hundred and sixty insane pa- 
tients. 

In [877 Dr. Talcott received the appointment 
from the Board of Trustees as Superintendent of 
the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, 
and after resigning his position on Ward's Island 
came at once to Middletown and took charge of 
this institution. At that time there were only 
about one hundred patients in the hospital, and 
only the main building was completed. At the 
present time there are between eleven and twelve 
hundred patients. Since taking the superintend- 
ency of the hospital, Dr. Talcott has managed 
the erection of over twenty buildings, large and 
small, and has had to approve every dollar ex- 
pended during that time. The location of the 
hospital is a favorable one, and it has accommo- 
dations for about eleven hundred patients. The 
main building is one hundred and sixty-six feet 
long, while tnere are two pavilions, each two 
hundred feet in length. There are several cot- 
tages and halls on the grounds, which comprise 
about three hundred acres of land. Over two 
hundred and sixty men and women are employed 
in the hospital, together with six assistant sur- 
geons. 

Few physicians in the entire country have a 
larger practice or are more frequently called into 
consultation than the Doctor He is consulting 
physician at Thrall Hospital: also occupies the 
same po.sition in the new .sanitarium at Easton, 
Pa., and is Professor of Nervous and Mental Dis- 
eases of the New York Homeopathic College. 
For four years he lectured on mental and nerv- 
ous diseases at the Hahnemann Medical College at 
Philadelphia. Among the medical societies with 



which he is now connected, or has been connected, 
may be mentioned the Orange County Homeo- 
pathic Medical Societ}', of which he has served 
as President; the Oneida County Homeopathic 
Medical Society, of which he was President in 
1875; the New York County Homeopathic Med- 
ical Society; the New York State Homeopathic 
Medical Society, of which he has been President; 
the American National Institute of Homeopathy, 
of which he has been President; the Northern 
Homeopathic Medical Society of New York; the 
Inter-state Homeopathic Medical Society of New 
York and Pennsylvania, and an honorary mem- 
ber of the Massachu.setts Homeopathic Med- 
ical Society. He is an associate member of the 
Royal Society of Medicine in Belgium. To the 
International Penal As.sociation, held at Christi- 
ana, Norway, in i8gi, he was sent as a delegate 
by the New York Medical- Legal Society of New 
York City, of which he is a member. In 1879 he 
was appointed a member of the State Board of 
Medical Examiners by the Regents of the Uni- 
versity of New York. 

Dr. Talcott has spent much time in travel in 
the interest of his profession. In 1883, i888 and 
1 89 1 he traveled through the Briti.sh Isles, France, 
Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Prussia, 
Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Norwaj-. On 
each visit he made a studj' of the asylum man- 
agement in Scandinavia, Great Britain and the 
German States. He visited from forty to fifty 
asylums, and in 1891 made a report, giving the 
results of knowledge acquired. In his travels he 
met many distinguished physicians, among whom 
may be mentioned J. Al. Peeters, of Gheel; Jules 
Morel, of Ghent; Dr. Linboe, of Christiana; Jo- 
seph Lalor, of Dublin, and others. 

Since he received his first appointment, Dr. 
Talcott has made twenty annual reports, eighteen 
of them covering his work in the Middletown 
State Homeopathic Hospital, and two for the 
hospitals on Ward's Island. He has written 
much on medical subjects which has been pub- 
lished in pamphlet form and in medical jour- 
nals. Among the topics treated are "Prognosis 
in In.sanity," "General Paresis," "Medical Notes 
on the Treatment of the Insane," "Mania, its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1235 



Causes, Course and Treatment," "Melancholia 
with Stupor," "Phimosis in its Relation to In- 
sanit)'," "Delusions of the Insane," "The Insane 
Diathesis," "Sleep Without Narcotics, and The 
Hospital Idea." He was also editor of the "In- 
ternational Homeopathic Annual," published in 
Paris in 1894, to which he was a liberal contrib- 
utor. 

In 1873, at Waterville, N. Y., Dr. Talcott was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah A., daughter 
of Dr. E. A. Munger, who was an old practitioner 
in that place, and for many years Coroner of Onei- 
da County. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of 
Continental L,odge No. 287, F. & A. M., of New 
York Cit}-, and of Warren Chapter No. 22, 
R. A. M., of Waterville; and Rowell Post No. 23, 
G. A. R., of Waterville. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, and 
is a Trustee and Elder in that church. While his 
medical practice requires almost his entire atten- 
tion, he is yet ready to do his part in all things 
pertaining to the welfare of his adopted cit}'. 
Financially he has been quite successful, and is 
at present a Trustee of the Middletown Savings 
Bank, and a Director in the First National Bank 
of this place. As a phj'sician his reputation is 
second to none in the country, and the .success 
that has attended the Middletown State Home- 
opathic Hospital has been largely due to his per- 
sistent efforts. He perfected several of the plans 
of the buildings comprising the group, and assisted 
in devising the plans of each of them. 

& "^~S) <" T ■> (=~^^^ & 

^OB B. GILES, junior member of the firm of 
I Lindsey & Co., at Middletown, was born 
(2/ near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, March 
21, 1865. The family of which he is a member, 
though for many years residents of England, 
originated in Wales. His father. Job, was born 
in Wiltshire, and was the son of James Giles, for a 
long time proprietor of an inn situated on the 
main road leading from Trowbridge to Frome. 
The father was also an innkeeper, succeeding the 
grandfather as landlord of the Royal Oak Hotel, 
For some time he also engaged in the mercantile 



business. He spent his entire life in his native 
land, and died there in 1879, when forty-one 
years of age. In religious belief he was a Baptist, 
to which faith his progenitors had adhered for 
.several generations. 

The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Doel, 
a native of Wiltshire and a daughter of William 
Doel, a large and successful contractor. She 
still makes her home in her native shire, where 
.she carries on the old Royal Oak Inn and the 
mercantile business established by her husband. 
Her ten children all attained years of maturity 
and are still living, but only two of the family 
ever came to America, these being our subject 
and his younger brother, W. H., .superintendent 
for Lindsey & Co. J. B. , who was sixth in order 
of birth, remained at home until eleven years ol 
age, at which time he went to London and was 
apprenticed to the carpenter's trade under his 
uncle. Unable to carry on his studies in daytime, 
he attended the night .schools of London until 
eighteen years of age. 

In 1883 Mr. Giles came to America, the first ol 
the family to establish his home in this country. 
Landing in New York, he came direct to Mid- 
dletown, where he worked at the carpenter's 
trade with Lindsey Bros. About 1887 he became 
foreman of their factory, which position he held 
until the spring of 1892, and then entered the 
firm of Lindsey & Co. as a partner. The firm 
carries on a large trade as manufacturers of build- 
ers' materials, including sash, doors, blinds, hard- 
wood trimmings and mantels. Their planing- 
mill is situated on Union Street, and the plant 
is operated by an engine of sixty horse-power and 
a boiler of eighty horse-power. For some of the 
finest residences of Middletown they have held the 
contracts, and they have also had contracts in 
Tuxedo Park, Orange (N. J.), Goshen, War- 
wick, Turner, Washingtonville, Liberty, and 
Morristown, N. J., as well as other places on the 
line of the Erie and the Ontario & Western. Mr. 
Giles is still manager of the mill and akso fur- 
nishes the estimates on contracts. 

In this city Mr. Giles married Miss Lillian 
Williamson, who was born here, being the daugh- 
ter of John and Mary A. Williamson. In relig- 



1236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ious belief Mrs. Giles is identified with the Old- 
school Baptist Church. She is popular in social 
circles and unites with her husband in extending 
to their friends the hospitality of their cozy home 
at No. 21 Bonnell Street. As a Democrat, our 
subject has taken an active part in local affairs, 
and has been a member of the city and county 
committees, also has frequently attended county 
and state conventions of his party. 



^VNCREASE CROSBY JORDAN. Noting the 
I splendid success with which Mr. Jordan has 
J^ met in his business enterprises, it may with 
iustice be concluded that he is a man of large 
abilit}' and shrewd discernment. He began as a 
dairy farmer, later became interested in the cream- 
ery and wholesale milk business, all of which he 
still continues. In fifteen or twenty creameries 
he holds a controlling interest, and the most of 
these were built by himself. Shipments are made 
to New York City over the Lackawanna, Lehigh 
Valley, Lehigh & Hud.son River, Erie, Ontario, 
Susquehanna & Harlem, and other railroads. 
. In the town of W'allkill the subject of this no- 
tice was born August 18, 1849. He is a name- 
.sake of his father's maternal grandfather, Dr. In- 
crease Crosby, a fine painting of whom adorns 
the walls of his city residence. Dr. Cro.sby was 
a pioneer of the town of Crawford, and for many 
years one of its most influential citizens. The 
Jordan family was founded in America by three 
brothers who emigrated from Ireland in an early 
day. Grandfather John Jordan, who was a civil 
engineer, was killed when a young man by the 
falling of a tree, and his body was buried with 
Masonic honors in Bloomingburg Cemetery. 

The father of our subject. Increase C. Jordan, 
was a succes.sful farmer and prominent Republi- 
can. His wife, who survives him, and who is 
now seventy-nine years of age, makes her home 
with her children. She bore the maiden name of 
Susan T. Norris, and was born near Hopewell, 
Sullivan County, being a member of an old Con- 



necticut family of Revolutionary connections. In 

religious belief she is identified with the Reformed 
Church. Of her seven children six are living, our 
subject being the fifth. He was reared on thehome 
farm, of which, on arriving at man's estate, he 
became the owner. It consists of one hundred 
and ninety -five acres, and he has made of it a 
dairj- farm, stocking it with about forty cows. 

Forming a partnership with his brother, J. V., 
our subject in 1882 started in the creamery busi- 
ness, building the creamer)- at Hurley ville, Sulli- 
van Count}-. In the fall of the same year he 
built at Liberty a creamery which he still runs. 
His next venture was the erection of a creamery 
at Stevensville, and afterward he was similarly 
engaged in the counties of Madison, Chenango, 
Broome and Otsego, N. Y., Hunterdon and War- 
ren, N. J., Susquehanna and Wayne, Pa., from 
all of which places he makes shipments to New 
York City. The shipments aggregate twelve 
hundred cans daily, and each can holds ten gal- 
lons. Recently he opened a creamery at Mt. 
Rose, Pa., which bids fair to be as successful as 
his previous ventures in a similar line. Each of 
his creameries is managed by an efiicient Superin- 
tendent. His partner, John P. Werk, has charge 
of the Brooklyn office, located at Nos. 488-90 
Broadway, that city, where a large wholesale and 
retail business is carried on. 

In addition to the enterprise with which his 
name is most closely associated, Mr. Jordan is in- 
terested in the gla.ss factory, has served as Treas- 
urer of the Unadilla Valley Milk and Cream Com- 
pany, and is a charter member and Director of 
the Orange County Trust and Safe Deposit Com- 
pany. He is also connected with the City Club. 
In 1894 he bought his present residence in Mid- 
dletown and has here established his permanent 
home. His marriage, in 1881, united him with 
Miss Sarah E., daughter of P. L. Seybolt, and a 
native of the town of Mt. Hope, having been born 
near Otisville. Five children complete the fam- 
ily circle, namely: Lena, Cora, Antoinette, Louise 
and Gertrude. 

In 1892 Mr. Jordan was elected a member of 
the Board of Education, but resigned the position 
after holding it for two years. Socially he is 




THERON CRAWFORD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1239 



connected with Hoffman Lodge, F. & A. M., and 

Midland Chapter, R. A. M. Though not active 
in political affairs, he is a firm defender of Re- 
publican principles, which he upholds by his bal- 
lot in local and national elections. He was a 
member of the committee that organized the 
Milk Exchange of New York Cit}', and in other 
ways he has been associated with many of the im- 
portant enterprises and organizations of Middle- 
town, of which he is an honored citizen. 

• — g ^ p — 



y*^ HERON CRAWFORD, one of the progress- 
I C ive and influential farmers of Orange Coun- 
\2) ty, is living in the town of Crawford, where 
he was born June 26, 1823, on the same farm and 
in the same house where he now resides. His 
parents, Robert I. and Deborah (Dickerson) 
Crawford, had eleven cliildren, of whom Theron 
was the youngest but one. 

We make the following mention of the brothers 
and sisters of our subject: Emeline, who never 
married, lived to be eight3--five years of age; 
Leander was seventy-three at the time of his de- 
cease; Millicent, died July 23, 1864: John A. was 
eighty-one years of age at the time of his death; 
Albert was thirty-nine years old; George is liv- 
ing retired in Middletown; Sarah E. is deceased, 
as is also Esther; Robert is a well-to-do farmer 
of this tovi'u; and Angeline still makes her home 
in this locality. 

The father of the above family was born at 
Bloomingburg, Sullivan Count}-, N. Y., and 
while young he was brought to the town of Craw- 
ford by his parents, John and Sarah ( Barkley ) 
Crawford, the former of whom was a native of 
this state. He was among the first to settle in 
the town of Crawford, which was named in his 
honor. His parents were both born in Ireland. 
The paternal grandmother of our subject was a 
native of this county, while her parents were 
born in Scotland. The father of our subject was 
reared to a useful life and became successful as 
an agriculturist in this town. He was a .stanch 
Republican in politics and took a very active part 
in local affairs, giving of his time and means to- 



ward the furtherance of all worthy measures. He 
pos.se.ssed the entire confidence of the people, and 
was often called upon to settle estates, which he 
was always able to do in a .satisfactory manner. 
In the Hopewell Presbyterian Church he was an 
Elder for a great many years, and was also an 
active worker. His death occurred here on the 
old homestead, September 15, i860, and it was 
with deep regret that his many friends heard of 
the sad event, for in him the comnumity lost one 
of its best citizens. 

Our subject's mother was a native of the town 
of Cravvford, and for many years prior to her de- 
cease, which occurred April 28, 1851, was a de- 
voted member of the Hopewell Presbyterian 
Church. vShe was the daughter of Benjamin and 
Esther (Ogden) Dickerson, both born in Con- 
necticut. 

On the death of his parents, Theron Crawford 
found himself in possession of the old homestead, 
on which he still resides. It compri.ses ninety - 
nine acres of,excellent land, and has been handed 
down in the family from father to son for one 
hundred years. Our subject was married, No- 
vember 24, 1870, to Miss Anna F. Cooper, of 
New Windsor. 

In politics Mr. Crawford is a stanch Republi- 
can, but has never aspired to official honors, as 
he finds his time fully employed in the manage- 
ment of his farm. Following in the footsteps of 
his honored parents, he, too, is a member of the 
Hopewell Church, which he has served as Trus- 
tee for man}- years. He is both enterprising and 
energetic, and has won the good-vi-ill of all with 
whom he has come in contact. 

to -^—^ <" T"^{^'^ ■ §1 

GlUGUST PFAFF, proprietor of the Wallkill 
I I House, and one of the well known citizens of 
/ I Middletown, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, in 1861 . He is the eldest of the four chil- 
dren of George and Louisa (Wilkening) Pfaff, 
natives of Hanover, where they still reside, the 
father being City Morgue-keeper and also propri- 
etor of a transfer line. August, who is the only 
member of the family that emigrated to the Uni- 



1240 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ted States, was educated in the public schools of 
his native place, and at an early age developed a 
fondness for a seafaring life. At the age of 
fourteen he shipped with an uncle, who was cap- 
tain in charge of the tran,s-Atlantic vessels of 
Knoppe & Co., and, beginning in an humble 
position, worked his way upward, continuing be- 
fore the mast for three years. His first trip was 
to Brazil, where he spent six months. Afterward 
he went on a voyage to Siam, Bangcock, Singa- 
pore, the East Indies and Portugal, .spending one 
year in that part of the world. He also made 
several trips between Bremen and New York 
City, and in the latter place his uncle died. 

In 1877 ^^'^- Pfaff came to the United States, 
intending to return to Germany after a short visit 
in New York, but he afterward decided to estab- 
lish his permanent home in this country. For a 
time he was employed in a cousin's grocery store, 
then was employed by others in the same city, and 
later started in business for himself, but retired aft- 
er his wife's death. In 1888 he came to Middle- 
town, where for five years he was in the employ of 
Mr. Gunther in the restaurant business. In 1893 
he leased the Wallkill House, which he remod- 
eled and improved, and of which he has since 
been the proprietor. The hotel is one of the fin- 
est north of New York, and is conducted upon 
tlie European plan. The barroom is the most 
elegant in the city, and everything about the place 
is first-class. In the rear is a summer-garden, 
the only one in the city. 

One of the attractions of the hotel is the splen- 
did collection of curios. The natural-history cab- 
inet, which is displayed with four electric lights, 
surpasses anything of the kind in Orange Coun- 
ty, and contains more than two hundred and fifty 
specimens of the birds, reptiles, rodents and wild 
animals of the county. Mr. Pfafl's collection of 
coins and postage stamps is also very complete 
and interesting. In addition to these he has 
specimens of animals from the West and from the 
Old Country, including among the latter the only 
genuine German wild boar's head in America. 
This was secured from the imperial forest by a 
brother-in-law of Mr. Pfaff. 

The first marriage of Mr. Pfaft" took place in 



New York City, his wife being Miss Emma 
Buehler, who was born there, and died eighteen 
months after their marriage. His second wife, 
whom he married in Middletown, bore the maid- 
en name of Emma Wendt, and was born in Ger- 
many. They are the parents of two children, 
Lucy Irene and Elsie. Socially our subject ranks 
high in the Masonic order, belonging to Hoff- 
man Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M.: Midland Chap- 
ter No. 240, R. A. M.: Delaware Commandery 
No. 44, K. T. : Union Consistory No. 59; and 
Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He 
also belongs to Luther Lodge, I. O. O. F. : 
Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star; Morning 
Star Lodge No. 40, in New York City: and Jef- 
ferson Lodge No. 268, of the German Order of 
Haugai, in that city. In the Maeinierchor of 
Middletown he has held the offices of Treasurer 
and \'ice-President, and has served as fireman in 
Wallkill Engine Company No. 6. In religious 
belief he is a Lutheran, but as there is no church 
of that denomination in Middletown he attends 
Grace Episcopal Church. 



ROBERT LAWRENCE, of Middletown, was 
born in Birmingham, England, in 1849, 
and is the son of Samuel, a native of Glouces- 
ter.shire, and a grandson of John Lawrence, a 
farmer of that countr\\ His father was reared to 
manhood upon a farm, and in youth became a 
gun-barrel grinder, which occupation he followed 
until coming to this country. In his native land 
he married Ann, daughter of Robert Smith, a 
shoemaker of Gloucestershire. Accompanied by 
all the members of his family excepting our sub- 
ject, who joined him three years later, became to 
America in 1863, and for a short time was em- 
ployed in the Colt Pistol Works at Hartford. 
Conn., from which place he came to Middletown, 
and secured a position as a grinder in the Mon- 
hagen saw factory, now the National Saw Works. 
There he remained until his death, in 1886, at the 
age of sixty years. His wife, who was a lady of 
amiable disposition and noble life, and a member 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1241 



of the Episcopal Church, died in this city in 1889. 
Of their four children, two are living, Robert and 
Francis Samuel, both of Middletown. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Bir- 
mingham, where, prior to the age of eleven years, 
he attended the common schools. He then com- 
menced to learn the butcher's trade, and after 
completing his apprenticeship he continued to 
work at that occupation in Birmingham until 
1866, the year of his emigration to America. In 
June of that year he took passage at Liverpool 
on the steamer "City of Dublin," which arrived 
in New York City on the ,^d of July. At once 
coming to Middletown, he has since made his 
home in this city. Here he apprenticed himself 
to the saw-maker's trade under Wheeler, Madden 
& Clemson, with whom he remained, in various 
capacities, for twenty-two jears altogether. In 
i888 he resigned from their employ, and accepted 
a position with the Columbia Dye and Print 
Works, and has since been with that concern, at 
present being in charge of the steaming- room. 

With various social, business and religious en- 
terprises originated for the benefit of this city 
Mr. Lawrence has been iijtimateh' associated. 
He is interested in the Homestead Building and 
Loan Association, now one of the well known 
institutions of the city. A Republican in politics, 
he is a stalwart adherent of the principles of that 
party , and for one term served as a member of the 
Board of Health. Fraternally he is connected 
with Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., in 
which he has passed all the chairs, and has filled 
the position of Past District Deputy Grand Master. 
He is also a member of the American Legion of 
Honor, and Ivanhoe Lodge No. 2103, K. of H., 
in which he has served as Financial Reporter for 
the past eleven years. In the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, of which he is an active member, he 
has served as Steward, and for eight years was 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His resi- 
dence, at No. 24 Myrtle Avenue, is presided over 
by his wife, formerly Miss Amelia Thornton, with 
whom he was iniited in marriage at Homowack 
(now Spring Glen), Ulster County, N. Y. She 
was form^ly a resident of that village, where her 
father, Charles Thornton, was a speculator and 



prominent citizen. They are the parents of three 
children now living, namely: Cora B. , who is 
employed as bookkeeper in Predmore's grocery 
store; Howard R., clerk in a clothing store in 
this city: and Ethel A. 



EHARLES E. MILLER, a representative of 
the young business men of Middletown, was 
born in the town of Wallkill in 1861, being 
a son of Silas J. Miller, a native of the adjoining 
county of Sullivan. His grandfather, Abraham, 
was born in Dutchess Count}', whence he re- 
moved to Sullivan Count}- and engaged in farm- 
ing there. Tracing the ancestral history back 
one generation further, we find that the great- 
grandfather was a native of England, and founded 
the family in America, coming here in early 
years and making settlement in Dutchess County. 

In youth Silas J. Miller learned the carpenter's 
trade in Middletown, and followed that occupation 
here and in other parts of Orange Coimty, being 
quite successful as a contractor and builder. 
When past middle age he removed to a farm sit- 
uated near Walker Valley, on the line between 
Sullivan and Ulster Counties, and there he still 
resides, being now about fift>-two years of age. 
The Brookside Farm, as the place is known, is 
advantageously situated on the Plattekill, and the 
scenery and climate being all that could be de- 
sired, a large summer boarding-house has been 
erected for the acconnnodation of city gue.sts, to 
whose entertaiinnent Mr. Miller gives nuich of his 
time. 

The mother of our subject was Nettie Dailey, 
whose father was a farmer of the town of Wall- 
kill, though she was born in Middletown. She 
had three children, of whom Charles E. is the 
eldest and the only son. He was reared in Or- 
ange and Sullivan Counties and attended the dis- 
trict schools in boyhood. Under his father's in- 
structions he commenced to learn the carpenter's 
trade, which he later carried on with his uncle, 
T. W. Dailey, of Middletown. After gaining; a 



1242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



thorough knowledge of the trade, he became his 
uncle's foreman, working in that capacity until 
the spring of 1895. when he started out independ- 
ently as a contractor and builder. During the 
five months that have since elapsed he has com- 
pleted two houses and has seven partially fin- 
ished. Among them are two fine residences on 
Beattie Avenue for C. B. Warner, the Morris 
home on Ro\ce Avenue, three houses on Cottage 
Avenue, and one on Woodlawn Avenue. 

The residence occupied by Mr. Miller is situ- 
ated at No. 304 North Street, and is presided 
over by his accomplished wife, formerly Miss 
Carrie E. Mulford. Mrs. Miller was bora in Ul- 
ster County, a daughter of Ford Mulford. and by 
her marriage she has one child, a daughter. Hazel 
I'ndine. They attend the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and are well liked in social circles. 
While Mr. Miller has not taken an active part in 
politics, he is unswerving in his allegiance to the 
Democratic party, and always votes that ticket 
at elections. In addition to his work as a contract- 
or, he manifests considerable ability as an archi- 
tect, and his plans commend themselves to the 
critic by reason of their adaptability to the wants 
and needs of the people. If the future may be 
judged by the past, he will certainly attain success 
in his vocation. 



MVIA'AXUS GREER, one of the brave men 
^\ who did service in the illustrious One Hun- 
\~J dred and Twent>- -fourth Regiment, was bora 
in March. 1827, near Mt. Hope, in the town of 
Wallkill. three and one-half miles from the pres- 
ent place of his residence in the city of Middle- 
town. His father, James, was boni in the town 
of Blooming Grove, this county, where the pa 
teriial grandfather had made settlement on com- 
ing hither from New England. During the War 
of 18 1 2 James Greer rendered brave service for 
his country. Afterward he moved to the town 
of Wallkill and followed the blacksmith's trade 
throughout the remaining years of his active life. 
His death occurred at the age of seventy-six. His 
wife, Marv, was born near Bloomingburg, Sulli- 



van County, and died at the age of seventy-five. 
Her f;ither, Jonathan Martine, was a farmer, 
and made his home in Sullivan County. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
all of whom attained years of maturity, and two 
sons and three daughters are now living, Syl- 
vanus and Alpheus (twins) being the youngest. 
Our subject was reared in the town of Wallkill. 
On coming to Middletown he entered the employ 
of Henry Little in the Monhagen Mill, where he 
worked for eight years. In the spring of 1S62 
he settled on a farm in the town of Goshen, but 
did not long remain there, as a call was made for 
soldiers and he responded promptly to the appeal. 

At Goshen Mr. Greer was mustered into serv- 
ice as a member of Company K. One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry. In De- 
cember, 1862, he was at Fredericksburg. May 
3, 1S63, he took part in the engagement at Chan- 
cellorsville, and during that battle a ball entered 
his head below the left temple and came out in 
the right eye, which it turned out on his face. 
The ball was extracted and is still in his pos- 
session. Taken prisoner by the enemy, he was 
held two weeks on the field, deprived of necessary 
medical and surgical attention. At the end of that 
time he was exchanged and taken to the Aqua 
Creek field hospital, where he remained two 
weeks. June 9 he returned to Middletown, but 
after a furlough of thirty days reported at head- 
quarters. This he continued to do until he was 
honorably discharged in October, 1864, on ac- 
count of physical disability. Since the unfortu- 
nate catastrophe in battle he has been almost 
blind, able only to distinguish daylight and the 
outline of large objects, and as a partial compen- 
sation for this affliction and for his valor in war, 
he receives from the Government a pension of S72 
per month. 

I'litil 1868 Mr. Greer remained with his par- 
ents, but he then came to Middletown. where he 
has since resided, his home being on the corner 
of Mill and Fulton Streets. For five years he 
engaged in the grocery business with J. P. Upde- 
grove, but in 1S85 he bought a farm, to which he 
moved, making it his home for four y^rs.. Since 
his return to Middletown he has lived in retire- 




WILLIAM I). STRATTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1245 



ment from business. He was first married, in 
Middletown, to Miss Catherine Carpenter, who 
was born in the town of Wallkill and died in 
this city in April, 1862; she was a daughter of 
Edward, and a sister of William W., Carpenter, 
of whom mention is elsewhere made. 

In New York City, in 1867, Mr. Greer married 
Miss Sarah A., daughter of John and Hannah 
(Moore) Wait, and a native of New York City. 
Her father and grandfather, both of whom were 
named John, were natives of Boston, whence the 
former removed to New York prior to his mar- 
riage. He was engaged as a truckman for many 
years, and died in Brooklyn at an advanced age. 
Grandfather William Moore was born in Scot- 
land. On emigrating to America he settled in 
Boston, but later removed to the town of Wall- 
kill, this county. His wife bore the maiden name 
of Letitia Sutherland, and was of Quaker faith. 
Mrs. Hannah Wait died in New York City, after 
having become the mother of seven daughters and 
one son, of whom six attained mature years and 
four survive. Those living are Sarah A. ; Mrs. 
Mary Corby, of Brooklyn; Mrs. Hannah Hig- 
gins, of Jersey City: and Mrs. Sophia Hunt, of 
Mt. Vernon, N. Y. 

Politically Mr. Greer has been a believer in 
Republican principles since the organization of 
the party. Socially he is connected with General 
Lyon Post No. 266, G. A. R., of which he is a 
charter member. His wife is connected with the 
Woman's Relief Corps, in which she is a leading 
worker. Both are connected with the Second 
Presbyterian Church of this city, and are highly 
respected by the best people of the place. 



+. 



---^ 



|ILLIAM D. STRATTON. There is per- 
haps no railroad contractor in our country 
whose career has been more successful than 
that of W. D. Stratton, of Middletown. In 1891 
he was an active factor in securing the incorpora- 
tion of the Drake-Stratton Company, which be- 
gan in business with a capital stock of $100,000, 



but which has since been increased to $1,000,000. 
He was chosen Treasurer and General Manager, 
but the oversight of affairs entailed so much labor 
on his part that he resigned as Treasurer, and 
has since devoted his entire attention to the man- 
agement of the business. 

The Stratton family was founded in America 
bj' a native of England, who on coming to this 
country settled in Massachusetts. The next in 
line of descent was our subject's great-grandfa- 
ther, who was born in Massachusetts, removed 
thence to Connecticut, and later became a pioneer 
of the town of Thompson, Sullivan Count)', 
N. Y. His son Eliphalet was born in Connect- 
icut and served in the War of 181 2; he passed 
awaj' suddenly, being found dead, at the age of 
eighty-one years. 

William Benjamin, son of Eliphalet, was born 
in Thompsonville, Sullivan County, and there 
learned the trade of a millwright, which he fol- 
lowed for some years, building a large number of 
saw and grist mills. Later he settled on a farm 
between Thompsonville and Fallsburg, in what is 
now the town of Fallsburg, and there engaged in 
general farming until his death, in 1887, at the 
age of seventy-seven. Politically he was a Dem- 
ocrat, and in religious belief an Episcopalian. 
His wife, Sarah Elizabeth, was born in Connect- 
icut, as was also her father. Nelson Canfield, 
who was a mason and builder, and became an 
earlj' settler of Thompsonville. Mrs. Stratton 
resides on the old homestead, and is now .seventy- 
one years of age. 

Of the six children of William B. and Sarah E. 
Stratton, three are now living, namely; Will- 
iam D.; James, who is a general contractor in 
New Jersey; and Benjamin, who resides on the 
home farm. The first-named son was born in 
Thompsonville, Sullivan County, in November, 
1844, and was reared in the place of his birth, 
receiving a district- school education. In boy- 
hood he learned the millwright's trade, at which 
he worked until his enlistment, in 1864, as a 
member of Company K, Fifty-sixth New York 
Infantry. He joined his regiment at Charleston, 
S. C, and did picket duty on the island off that 
city. In the spring his regiment was attached to 



1246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Sherman's army and moved up toward Richmond, 
but later was sent back to Charleston, where he 
was mustered out and honorably discharged in 
July, 1865. 

For two years after his return from the South, 
Mr. Stratton worked at his trade in Sullivan 
County, after which he became a journeyman 
carpenter on the Wallkill Valley Railroad, and 
later was promoted to the position of foreman. 
He spent five years as foreman of the erection 
and construction of bridges, his business taking 
him throughout the entire country. At the ex- 
piration of that period he resolved to embark in 
business for himself, which he did, and after con- 
siderable effort and having overcome the numer- 
ous obstacles in the way, he gained a substantial 
foothold. 

In 1878 Mr. Stratton formed a partnership with 
his brother-in-law, Mr. Drake, and the first con- 
tract taken by the firm of Drake & Stratton was 
that of rebuilding the bridge over the canal at 
Huguenot. Later they had the contract for build- 
ing the New York & New England Road between 
Waterbury and Brewster, after which they re- 
ceived orders from various parts of the countrj-. 
They had one hundred and nine consecutive 
monthly estimates from the Pennsylvania Road, 
for which they worked nine years or more; built 
thirty-eight miles between Monroe and Madison, 
Wis. , and then double-tracked the Mahoning Val- 
le}' Railroad between Youngstown and Cleveland. 
The McKeesport & Belle Vernon Road, of thirty 
miles in Pennsylvania, was built and equipped 
by them, and afterward sold. For a number of 
years they were employed on the Lake Shore & 
Michigan Southern, working from Dunkirk east 
and west. They are now building a railroad of 
fifty miles on the island of San Domingo, upon 
which eighteen hundred men are employed, and 
which will require two years to complete. This 
contract, which was made with the San Domingo 
Improvement Company of New York, calls for 
Government protection. 

The firm also built fifty miles of the Pittsburg, 
McKeesport & Alleghen}- Road, and five miles 
of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad for the Pennsyl- 
vania. The}' are now building one hundred miles 



of railroad between Charleston, Kanawha and 
Sutton, the charter of which they have purchased. 
Twenty-eight miles are now in operation, and 
fifty miles have been graded. The only work 
the}' have done west of the Mississippi was a con- 
tract for masonry for the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy at Rulo, Neb. They bridged the Tom- 
bigbee River at Jackson, Ala., on the Mobile & 
Birmingham Railwa)', and have a contract for 
repairing and straightening out the Delaware & 
Hudson Railroad between Albany and Schenec- 
tady; also for a bridge over the Delaware River at 
Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and 
for the stone arches for the Conestoga Bridge on 
a branch lineof the Pennsylvania. In Maryland, 
West Virginia and other states they have similar 
contracts. One of their contracts is for the erec- 
tion of a bridge over the Monongahela River at 
Pittsburg. They have a five-years contract with 
the Oliver Mining Company and the Ohio Min- 
ing Company of Minnesota, and a contract for 
the A. W. Byers Ore Company of Minneapolis. 
In addition to their other enterprises they are op- 
erating a large quarry at Sandy Hill, Washing- 
ton County, N. Y. They furnished the stone for 
the Poughkeepsie Bridge, and have done consid- 
erable work for the Baltimore & Ohio, also for the 
Erie. While it is difficult to approximate the 
gross amount of their contracts per annum, yet it 
is safe to say that $4,000,000 would be a conserv- 
ative estimate of their operations. They own 
and operate the Akron & Chenango Falls Rail- 
road, which runs from Barberton, Ohio, via 
Akron, to Cuyahoga Falls. 

The history of the firm since 1883 is one of un- 
varying and remarkable success. They have 
never failed on a contract, nor refused to meet an 
obligation, and as a business concern their repu- 
tation is an enviable one. Their remarkable 
prosperity is largely due to the judicious efforts of 
Mr. Stratton. Prior to 1888 he resided in Sulli- 
van County and New York City, but in that year 
became to Middletown, where he owns and oc- 
cupies an elegant residence on Wisner Avenue, 
opposite Grand. Aside from this property, he 
owns a number of acres within the city limits and 
also has four farms in Sullivan Countv. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1247 



Hogan Boiler Company, one of the growing con- 
cerns of this city, owes much to his wise counsel 
and interest, and he is now serving as its Presi- 
dent. He is also a Director of the First National 
Bank, the Orange County Trust and Safety De- 
posit Company, and the New York Construction 
Company of Philadelphia, and is a stockholder in 
the West End Trust and Safe Deposit Company 
of Philadelphia. In politics a Democrat, he was 
elected a member of the Board of Water Com- 
missioners in 1893, being the nominee of both 
political organizations, a fact which attests his 
popularity with the citizens. In Fallsburg, N.Y., 
he married Miss Mary C. , daughter of James 
O'Niell, a farmer of that place. They have three 
children, namely: Frank M., whose .sketch ap- 
pears on another page; Ralph and Grace, who re- 
side with their parents. 



0EORGE W. O'NEAL, traveling engineer 
|_ for the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- 
\J^ road, was born in Laurel, Sussex County, 
Del., November 10, 1851, and is the son of George 
and Margaret (Boyce) O'Neal, also natives of 
Delaware. The former remained on his father's 
farm until nineteen years of age, when he began 
to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, and on com- 
pleting his apprenticeship he followed that occu- 
pation for a time, but later was employed as a 
carpenter and ship-builder on the Chester River. 
Afterward he was proprietor of a large mill on 
that river, then turned his attention to agricult- 
ure, and for some years he has made his home 
upon a valuable farm which he cultivates. His 
father died in early life. His father-in-law, Ho- 
sea Boyce, was born in Delaware, and was a sea- 
captain, owning a vessel and engaging in the 
coasting trade. After retiring from the sea he 
devoted his time to the management of his three 
large plantations until his death, which occurred 
at the age of sixty -two. 

In the family of George and Margaret O'Neal 
there were ten children, all of whom reached ma- 
ture years, and nine are now living. One of the 
sons, Andrew, is an engineer on the Ontario & 



Western, and resides at Norwich. George W., 
who is the fourth among the children in respect 
to age, was reared on the home farm, receiving 
his education in the public school and Laurel 
Academy. In the spring of 1869 he began his 
railroad career, going at that time to Norwich, 
where for nine months he was employed on con- 
struction bj' the New York & Oswego Mid- 
land, now the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railwa)- Company. In October, 1869, he went 
back home, but .in April, 1870, returned to Nor- 
wich, where he was employed in the roundhou.se 
a short time, and then became fireman between 
Norwich, Sidney and Oswego. 

Going West in 1873, Mr. O'Neal was employed 
for three months as fireman on the St. Louis & 
Iron Mountain Road, after which he was promot- 
ed to engineer, his run being between St. Louis 
and Poplar Bluffs. In the spring ol' 1875 he re- 
turned to New York and resumed work for the 
New YorS;, Ontario & Western, having the prom- 
ise of a new engine, but as the road was embar- 
rassed he continued as fireman until 1877, when 
he was made engineer of a milk train between 
Middletown and Liberty. At that time only seven 
cans of milk daily were secured from the district 
north of Summitville, but the dairy industry has 
developed to such an extent that now there are 
over five thousand cans per da\'. 

In 1878 Mr. O'Neal went to New Berlin, and 
for eight )'ears was engineer on the New Berlin 
Branch of the Ontario & Western. On his return 
to the main line he ran the night express between 
Middletown and Norwich, later had the train be- 
tween Liberty and New York for eighteen months, 
and then took the day express west and the night 
express east between Middletown and Norwich. 
In March, 1892, he was promoted to the position 
of road foreman of engines, and in the discharge 
of his duties he spends a large portion of his time 
traveling, inspecting engines at different points. 

The residence of Mr. O'Neal is situated at No. 
33 Linden Avenue, Middletown. He married in 
this city, in 1877, Miss Ruth Etta Seaman, who 
was born in Spring Glen, Sullivan County, N. Y. 
Her father. Rev. Isaac Seaman, was born in New- 
burgh, this state, and was educated for the min- 



1248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



istry of the \Vesle3-an Methodist Church, which 
profession he followed until failing hsalth obliged 
him to retire. He died in Mountain Dale, Sulli- 
van County, in the autumn of i860. In politics 
he was a Republican. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Christina Frantz, was born in 
Mamakating, and died in New Berlin, at our 
subject's home. Her father, Joseph Frantz, was 
for many j'ears a grocer at Spring Glen. She 
was the mother of nine children, of whom seven 
are living, Mrs. O'Neal being the youngest. Two 
of the sons served in the Civil War, namely: Har- 
rison, who was a member of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth Regiment, and is now a resi- 
dent of Maryland; and Alfred, who was in the 
Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, and now lives in 
Mountain Dale. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal are the 
parents of four children: Howard H., Daisy D., 
Clarence G. and Irma. 

Socially Mr. O'Neal is a member of Phoebus 
Lodge No. 82, F. & A. M., at New Berlin, and 
Hillington Chapter No. 224, R. A. M. For three 
terms he was Chief of the United Divi.sion No. 
292, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, at 
Middletown, and was their delegate to the con- 
vention at Denver in 1891. He is identified with 
the Traveling Engineers' Association, and at- 
tends the annual meetings of that organization. 
In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. 



HENRY MOREY, Jr., engineer on the New- 
York, Ontario & Western Railroad, between 
Middletown and Weehawken, was born in 
the town of Mt. Hope, February 25, 1853. His 
grandfather, Eben Morey, was born in Rhode 
Island, whence in the earl}^ days he came to Or- 
ange County and settled in the town of Mt. Hope, 
about tvfc'o and one-half miles from Howells. 
There he established his home in a primitive log 
cabin and set about the task of developing a farm 
from the wilderness. Here he spent the remain- 
der of his life, dying when advanced in years. 
His wife, Prudence, attained the great age of 
ninetv-seven vears and si.x months. His ances- 



tors were of Scotch-Irish lineage and were early 
settlers of Rhode Island. 

Henry Morey, Sr., father of our subject, was 
born in Rhode Island, whence he accompanied the 
other members of the family to Orange County 
and settled in the town of Mt. Hope. His entire 
active life was spent there, but on reaching ad- 
vanced years he retired from business and went 
to East St. Louis, 111., where he makes his home 
with his older son John, a manufacturer of that 
place. His wife, who died at the home of our 
subject in 1888, bore the maiden name of Mary 
Hunter and was born in Ireland. Her father, 
John Hunter, also a native of the Emerald Isle, 
brought the famil}- to America and settled in Pat- 
erson, N. J., where he engaged in the mercantile 
business until he fell a victim to cholera. Mrs. 
Morey by her first marriage had two sons, one of 
whom spent seven years at sea, and died in New- 
York. The other, James A. , w-as Major of the One 
Hundred and Fifty-sixth New York Infantry 
throughout the entire period of the Civil War; 
he also ser^'ed in the Mexican War, and is now- a 
resident of Tioga, Pa. 

Our subject is the j'ounger of two sons born of 
his mother's second marriage. He remained on 
the home farm in the town of Mt. Hope until 
1869, when he began to work in the construction 
department of the New York, Oswego & Mid- 
land, now the New- York, Ontario & Western, 
his work being between Winterton, N. Y., and 
Franklin, N. J. After being engaged in that 
capacity for twenty-two months, he came to 
Middletown and became an employe in Babcock & 
Fuller's hat shop, later working in Fuller Bros. ' 
hat shop. March 9, 1880, he resigned from his 
position there and entered the employ of the On- 
tario & Western as watchman in the round- 
house, remaining in that capacity about one year. 
In June, 1881, he was promoted to be fireman 
between Middletown and Norwich. In Septem- 
ber, 1883, he was made engineer on a freight 
train, and now runs both freight and passenger 
trains, at present having charge of the "Liberty" 
from Liberty to Weehawken. He is known as a 
reliable and efficient engineer, and has been fortu- 
nate, in that he has had very few accidents. At 




WILLIAM VANAMEK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1251 



• one time his train collided with another at Han- 
cock, Delaware County, but no one was injured. 
In Middletown Mr. More}' owns a residence 
at No. 135 Wickham Avenue, where he and his 
wife, with their two children, Harry and Lillian, 
make their home. Mrs. Morey bore the maiden 
name of Mary Murphy, and was born in England, 
but was reared, educated and married in this 
citv. The family attends the Second Presbyte- 
rian Church. Politically our subject is a Repub- 
lican, and socially he is identified with Hoffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M. He is connected 
with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 
his membership being with the I'nited Division 
No. 292, at Middletown. 



i^ 



|ILLIAM \'ANAMEE. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Albany, N. V., 
January 9, 1847, of mingled Dutch and 
Scotch descent, his father. Dr. Simon Vanamee, 
being a descendant of one of the early settlers 
from Holland, and his mother, Anna (Graham) 
Vanamee, being of Scotch extraction. While he 
was yet a child his parents removed to Kingston, 
Ulster County, N. Y., where he received an edu- 
cation at the Kingston Academy. When he was 
nineteen years old he went to Middletown, Or- 
ange County, to study law with Judge Groo. 
Two years afterwards he was admitted to practice 
at the General Term of the Supreme Court held 
at Poughkeepsie in May, 1868. He began the 
practice of law in Middletown, where he has ever 
since continued it, and he has been connected 
with many important cases. He was the sole 
counsel for the Receiver of the Middletown Na- 
tional Bank for eight years after its failure in 
1884. The complicated litigations following that 
failure, some of which required his presence and 
arguments in the United States Circuit Court in 
the state of Nebraska, resulted invariably in 
favor of the Receiver, and saved to the depositors 
a large portion of the assets of the bank. 

After the death of Judge Wilkin in 1889, Mr. 
Vanamee was appointed attorney for the Mid- 
dletown Savings Bank, which position he still re- 



tains. In the same year he was appointed the 
attorney for the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railway Company for the county of Orange, and 
he has conducted man\- important cases for it. 
At the same time he has not allowed himself to 
be exclusively a corporation lawyer, and he has 
frequently brought actions against railroad com- 
panies. The verdict of $18,500 obtained by him 
in favor of Gabriel Tuthill against the Long Is- 
land Railroad Company is a well known case. 
He was the specially retained attorney for the 
city of Middletown in the action brought by 
Jehiel Vaughn against the city for $40,000. He 
secured a favorable ruling, which defeated a large 
portion of the claim, and the remaining portion 
was then compromised. 

Mr. Vanamee has always enjoyed the confi- 
dence of the courts. He was appointed by the 
General Term upon the committee to examine 
applicants for admission to the Bar. In 1894 he 
was appointed one of the Commissioners of Ap- 
praisal to determine and award the damages sus- 
tained by property owners in Putnam County in 
the proceeding taken by the city of New York to 
acquire land for a pure-water supply. 

Mr. Vanamee has always been a Democrat, 
casting his first vote in 1868 for Horatio Seymour 
for President. He does not take an active inter- 
est in politics, though he has occasionally re- 
sponded to the demand for a speech in important 
campaigns. He was never a candidate for public 
office,' except once, when, in 1888, he was the un- 
successful nominee of his party for County Judge. 
This was the year in which Harrison was elected 
President, and when Orange County was over- 
whelmingly Republican. For almost twenty 
years he has been a Tru.stee of the Middletown 
State Homeopathic Hospital. 

For four years Mr. \'anamee was a member ol 
the Middletown Board of Education. In 1880 he 
was chiefly instrumental in .securing the election 
of the very first women who were elected in the 
.state of New York to positions upon .school 
boards. Five women were elected, Mrs. Per.sis 
A. Marvin, Mrs. Sophronia B. Corwin, Mrs. 
Harriet B. Morgan, Mrs. Lydia Sayer Ha.sbrouck 
and Mrs. Mars- A. Moore. Mrs. Corwin declined 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to ser\'e, and Mr. Vanamee was invited b)' the 
board to accept the position thus left vacant. He 
did so, chiefly because he was anxious to observe 
closely the working of the new system. He 
came to the conclusion, which he has always 
cherished, that women are peculiarly fitted for 
the successful discharge of such duties, and that 
the}- are more faithful and conscientious than 
men in the performance of them. Afterwards he 
was elected by the people to a three-years term of 
office on the board. 

Mr. Vanamee did not have the benefit of a col- 
legiate course, but in 1886 Hamilton College con- 
ferred upon him the degree of A. M., which was 
considered to be a well deserved mark of high 
distinction. Mr. Vanamee' s tastes are literary 
When he was twentj- years old he founded a de- 
partment in the Orange County Press,' entitled 
"Society and lyiterature, " to which he con- 
tributed social and literary discussions. He is 
frequently in demand for memorial and public 
occasions. He was one of the speakers at the 
New Windsor Centennial, held at Temple Hill 
in 1883, and at the celebration of the Middletown 
City Charter in 1888. His tributes to the mem- 
ory of Judge Wilkin, Judge Gedney and David A. 
Scott are especiall}' remembered. 

In October, 1889, Mr. Vanamee presented the 
nUme of Hon. J. O. Dykman to the Judicial Con- 
vention held in Brooklyn; and in October, 1893, 
Mr. Vanamee, at the request of the friends of 
Judge Isaac H. Maj'nard, presented his name to 
the Democratic State Convention at Saratoga 
Springs. Without reference to the political is- 
sues involved, his addre.ss upon this occasion was 
complimented by members of both parties. 

Mr. Vanamee has made three trips to Europe, 
in 1878, 1887 and 1892. He has accumulated an 
extensive law and miscellaneous library. He is 
a member of the Bar Association of the City of 
New York and of the Reform Club. He is also 
a member of Winnisook Club, founded by Judge 
Alton B. Parker, Hon. Thomas E. Benedict and 
others, owning a portion of Slide Mountain in 
the Catskills; and of Camp Sabael, an associa- 
tion founded by Hon. Rosvvell C. Coleman upon 
the shores of Indian Lake, in the Adirondacks. 



In the year 1871 Mr. Vanamee was married to. 
Eida Ostrom, daughter of Dr. J. W. Ostrom, of 
Goshen. He has three children, Talcott, Theo- 
dora and Parker. By his untiring industry in 
the preparation of his cases and by his able, elo- 
quent and convincing presentation of them in 
court and before juries, Mr. Vanamee has ob- 
tained a front rank in his profession. 



^^ 



0SCAR MILTON TERWILLIGER, freight 
agent for the New York, Lake Erie & We.st- 
ern Railroad at Middletown, was born in the 
town of Crawford July 2, 1852. His father, Mil- 
ton, and grandfather, Samuel, were of Holland- 
Dutch de.scent, and were farmers in the town of 
Crawford, occupying a farm three miles east of 
Pine Bush. The former, upon reaching advanced 
years, retired from active labor and removed to 
Pine Bush, where he is now living, at the age of 
seventy-four. Politically he is a Republican. He 
is one of the oldest living members of the Pros- 
pect Reformed Church, in which he has been an 
officer, and contributed liberally to the erection of 
the edifice. 

The mother of our subject, Mary ( Moffatt ) 
Terwilliger, was born in the town of Shawan- 
gunk, Ulster County, and was a daughter of 
Thomas Moffatt, a native of New England, and 
for many years a farmer of Ulster County, where 
he died. The family of Milton and Mary Ter- 
williger consisted of four children, but the only 
survivor besides our subject is Charles H., who is 
baggagemaster on the Crawford Branch of the 
Erie at Pine Bush. Oscar M. was reared on his 
father's farm and attended the public school at 
Pine Bush. In the spring of 1873 he began for 
himself, and for three years following he was em- 
ployed in the works of the New York Knife Com- 
pany, becoming thoroughly initiated into the 
process of manufacturing knives. 

In 1878 Mr. Terwilliger came to Middletown 
and here for nearly four years he was employed 
in S. S. Wickham'smill. In 1882 he accepted a 
position in the freight department of the Ontario 
& Western, remaining with that companj- for two 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI^ RECORD. 



1253 



years. In 1884 he became yardmaster for the 
Erie Railroad Company, but after two years he 
was transferred to theireight office, where he held 
the position of way-bill clerk until July i, 1893. 
Since then he has been freight agent at Middle- 
town, which is the largest station between Jersey 
City and Binghamton. In the freight department 
he has nine men under him, and a very large 
business is carried on. 

The marriage of Mr. Terwilliger, at Walden, 
united him with Miss Amelia Samuel, daughter 
of Charles Samuel, and a native of that village. 
Mrs. Terwilliger is a member of the Presbyterian- 
Church and is popular in society, receiving with 
grace and hospitality the many friends who visit 
her in her pleasant home at No. 69 Academy 
Avenue. Socially our subject is actively con- 
nected with Middletown Lodge No. 112, I.O.O.F,, 
in which he has held official position, and he is 
also a member of Lancelot Lodge No. 169, K. of 
P., in this city. In politics he votes the Repub- 
lican ticket. 



jILLIAM H. KIRBY, passenger conductor 
on the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railroad, was born in South Centreville, 
N. Y., January 17, 1866, and is of direct Eng- 
lish descent. His father, Oscar, was born near 
Honesdale, Wayne County, Pa., August 11, 1843, 
being a son of David, a native of Orange County, 
and a grandson of John Kirb)', whose birthplace 
was in England. The latter, who was the son 
of an English merchant, was pressed into the 
English army for the War of 181 2. One day, 
when injuries received prevented him from keep- 
ing up with the other soldiers in the line of 
march, he was struck by an English officer with 
a sword, which so aroused him that he deserted. 
After secreting hini.self for about a year, he man- 
aged to reach American lines, and finally came 
to Orange County, where he settled perma- 
nently. 

From Wayne County, Pa., where he had en- 



gaged in farming, David Kirby came to Orange 
County, and in 1852 settled in the town of Wall- 
kill, where he was .similarly occupied until his 
death, at the age of sixty-three. Politically he 
was a Democrat, and for some time he served as 
Justice of the Peace. In religious belief he iden- 
tified himself with the Old-school Baptists. His 
wife, Esther, was born in the town of Wawayanda 
as was also her father, Abraham Bennett; he was 
a farmer, and was ma.ssacred with the other 
people of that locality in the battle of Minisink. 

The father of our subject was seventh among 
ten children, all of whom attained mature years, 
and seven are still living. In 1852 he came to 
Orange County, where he attended the district 
.schools and Wallkill Academy. In 1862 he went 
to Peinisylvania in the employ of the Pennsylva- 
nia Coal Company as brakeman on their road be- 
tween Holly and Dnmnore. Two years later, in 
1864, he became conductor on the same road, 
continuing there until 187 1, when he resigned 
to enter the employ of the Erie Company. In 
1880 he accepted a position as conductor on the 
Ontario & Western, with which road he has .since 
remained, his home being in Middletown. 

Though born in Orange County, the first six 
years in our subject's life were spent principally 
in Pennsylvania, but since then he has resided in 
Orange County. He began life for hini.self as 
clerk in a grocery store, and later was express 
messenger on the Ontario & Western Railroad 
between Ellenville and Middletown, with the 
American Express Company. In 1883 he be- 
came brakeman on a milk train between Middle- 
town and Sidney-, on the Ontario & \^^estern, 
which position he filled for two years. Then, go- 
ing to the western part of the state, he became 
conductor on a construction train with the Syra- 
cuse & Phoenix Railway Company, but had been 
there only three weeks when he was dragged 
under the wheels of a car, the flange of the right 
wheel entering his left limb. He was brought 
home, and for a year was unable to resume work, 
but fortunately, and as it seemed almost miracu- 
loush-, he saved both limbs. 

For seven months after his recovery Mr. Kirby 
was employed in the Homeopathic Hospital. In 



1254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1888 he was made baggageraaster at the Ontario 
& Western Depot, Middletown, where he re- 
mained for a year. Next he became flagman 
between Middletown and Weehawken. In Au- 
gust, 1890, he was promoted to be conductor, and 
during the winters since that time has made the 
run with engines Nos. 29, 30, 31 and 32, while 
in the summer he has charge of the through 
freight and extra passenger trains. In i8go, 
while coupling the cars in the dark, his thumb 
was smashed, inflicting a painful and serious 
wound: but, with his usual fortitude, he rode 
back eighty-two miles before he had it dressed, 
and was on dut}- again eight weeks afterward. 

In Ellenville Mr. Kirby married Miss Carrie 
A. Kuhfeldt, who was born in that village. They 
are the parents of one son, Ralph. Politicallj- 
our subject is a Republican. He is a Director 
in the Ontario & Western Branch at Middletown 
of the Western Building and Savings Association 
of Rochester. In religious belief he is connected 
with Grace Episcopal Church. Socially he be- 
longs to Owoshng Lodge, K. of P., at Ellen- 
ville, and Millard Division No. 52, Order of Rail- 
way Conductors, at Middletown, in which he has 
been active on various committees and has pa.ssed 
most of the chairs. 



"TLTING Dubois FRAXCE, of the firm of 
^ C. E. Crawford & Co. , Middletown, was born 
__ near Ulster\-ille, in the town of Shawangunk, 
Ulster County, N. Y. , September 17, 1854. The 
family which he represents originated in France, 
and was numbered among the pioneers of Ulster 
County. The grandfather, Elting France, was 
born near New Paltz in 1800, and married Cath- 
erine DuBois. Settling near Ulster\Mlle, he was 
engaged as a tanner and scythe manufacturer 
there until his death in 1872. The France, Elt- 
ing, DuBois and Schoonmaker families of Ulster 
County were all related to one another. 

The father of our subject, Oliver D. France, 
was born in Ulster County, and in early life en- 
gaged with his father in the tanning business 
and manufacture of scythes, gradually giving the 



latter industry- a larger share of his attention, un- 
til he followed it exclusively. The burning of 
his shops caused him subsequently to turn his at- 
tention to agriculture. He purchased a tract of 
one hundred and five acres, and built up a valu- 
able farm, upon which he died in 1890, at the 
age of fift3'-eight. He was well informed regard- 
ing public questions, and advocated the Demo- 
cratic policy. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Mar\- Crist, was born near Pine Bush, Orange 
Count}-, and died in 1875, at the age of forty- 
two. She was a daughter of Milton Crist, who 
in early life carried on a hotel, but later turned 
his attention to farming. 

There were seven children born to the union 
of Oliver D. and Mary France, as follows: Elting 
DuBois; Bernice, of Middletown; Clarence, a 
farmer residing at Syracuse, Otoe County, Neb.; 
Abbie, who lives at Pine Bush; Mona J., wife of 
John Beckwith, of Frankfort, X. Y.; Theresa, 
Mrs. George Andrews, of Syracuse, Neb. ; and 
Oliver, who resides in California. Our subject, 
who is the eldest of the family, remained with 
his parents until he attained his majority, when 
he started out for himself About 1880 he came 
to Middletown, and for six months was employed 
in the delivery department of C. E. Crawford's 
store, after which he was in the packing depart- 
ment two years. He then became a salesman, 
and continued as such until February, 1891, when 
he became a member of the firm of C. E. Craw- 
ford & Co. The following year the firm opened 
a branch store in Port Jervis, and in 1894 com- 
menced business in Goshen, and they now carry 
on a large trade in the three cities. They carry 
in stock the finest grades of furniture and buy in 
large quantities, in order to compete with the 
New York City trade. 

The family residence at No. 15 Grove Street is 
presided over by our subject's wife and bright- 
ened by the presence of their two daughters, 
Ethel M. and Alice. Mrs. France, who bore the 
maiden name of Alida Boyd, was born in Mt. 
Hope, this county, being a daughter of Tooker 
Boyd, who died in Middletown. In Bingham- 
ton, this state, she received an excellent educa- 
tion, which fitted her for life's duties. Though 




SAMIEL C. UURVEA. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1257 



not neglectful of the duties she owes to society, 
she finds her greatest happiness in contributing 
to the pleasure and promoting the welfare of her 
husband and children. The family attends the 
Second Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. and 
Mrs. France hold membership. 



■••}^*l®®?^^«- 



(7| A M U E L CRAWFORD DURYEA. The 
r\ family of which this gentleman is a member 
Cfy originated in France, and was of the Hugue- 
not faith. After the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes, in 1582, the ancestors were compelled to 
flee to other lands, leaving their possessions to be 
confiscated by the enemy. Joost Duryea, the foun- 
der of the family in this country, came to Long 
Island from Holland in 1675; and from Jamaica, 
Queens County, Yost, or George, our subject's 
great-grandfather, came to Orange Count}' and 
settled in the town of Blooming Grove, of which 
he was a pioneer. He died in 1760 and was 
buried at Greycourt. His three children were 
George, Garret and Haiuiah. 

George, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer, 
and a valuable factor in the pioneer development 
of his section. During the Revolution he was in 
active service in the cavalry department of the 
Colonial army. At hisdeath, in 1832, at the age 
of eighty -six, he was buried on the homestead 
where his life was passed. His wife was Hannah 
Hudson, of Goshen, whose father came from New 
London, Conn. , and was the first Sheriff of Orange 
County. Their family consisted of five .sons and 
four daughters, viz.: George, John, Henry, Gar- 
ret and Hudson; Hannah, who married Cornel- 
ius Decker, of the town of Montgomery: Dolly, 
Mrs. John Rosa, of Sullivan County; Betsey, who 
became the wife of Pierson Geming, of Blooming 
Grove; and Mitte, who never married. 

At the old homestead in Blooming Grove, John 
Durjea, father of our subject, was born Decem- 
ber 29, 1778. In early life he learned the black- 
smith's trade. February 18, 1800, he married 
Mary, daughter of Samuel and Jeannette (Mc- 

55 



Curdy) Crawford, of the town of Montgomery. 
This lady was born May 27, 1778, and died No- 
vember 27, 1857. After their marriage they re- 
moved to the town of Wallkill and settled two 
miles east of Bloomingburg, where he engaged in 
farming until his death, January 21, 1859. Of 
his children we note the following: Nancy mar- 
ried Daniel Brush, then of Bloomingburg, subse- 
quently a farmer of the town of Crawford; Jean- 
nette became the wife of Horace Mills, of Bloom- 
ingburg; Hannah married James G. Thompson, 
of Craigsville; Mary A. formerly resided in Mid- 
dletown; John H. was for fifty years pastor of 
the Second Reformed Church of Paterson, N. J. ; 
Samuel C, our subject, is the only surviving 
child of the parental famil}*; Jonathan for many 
years occupied his father's homestead, but after- 
ward lived in Middletown until his death; and 
two other children died in youth. 

The mother of our subject was born in the 
town of Crawford and was the daughter of Samuel 
I. and Jeannette (McCurdy) Crawford. The 
former, who was born in the same town, Decem- 
ber 18, 1750, and died October 17, 1828, was a 
son of James Crawford, a native of Ireland, who 
settled in this country in the early part of the last 
century. Jeannette McCurdy was born February 
14, 1757, in Pennsylvania, and died January 12, 
1839. 

In the town of Wallkill, where he was born 
July 16, 1815, the subject of this notice was 
reared to manhood. April 6, 1838, he removed 
to the town of Crawford and purchased the farm 
where he now resides. His first marriage occur- 
red January 24, 1838, and united him with Miss 
Emily Tuthill, who was born in the town of 
Blooming Grove, December i, 18 14, being a 
daughter of James and Sarah (Wells) Tuthill. 
She died July 2, 1850, leaving one son, John E. 
January 7, 1852, our subject married Mary E. 
Bull, daughter of Henry Bull and a native of the 
town of Crawford. She died April 20, 1892. 
Our subject commenced life with but limited 
capital and now owns one hundred and forty acres 
of valuable land. Politically he is a Republican, 
and since 1870 he has been Railroad Bonding 
Commissioner. Though now eight}' years old, 



1258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he is an active, hale and well preserved man. 
The accompanying portrait was taken after his 
eightieth birthdaj-. 

John E. , our subject's son, was born in the 
town of Crawford, September 6, 1840, and has 
always remained on the home farm, which he now 
superintends. December 2, 1863, he married 
Miss Jane Frances Hunter, who was born in the 
town of Montgomery March 20, 1842, and died 
March 19, 1883, leaving four daughters: Emily 
C, wife of Murray M. Hunter, of Milwaukee, 
Wis.; Mary F., Edna H. and Anna Z., accom- 
plished )-oung ladies who are with their father. 
As a Republican John E. Duryea takes an active 
interest in political affairs. For twelve years he 
has been Justice of the Peace, and for four years 
Justice of the Session of Orange Count}-. He is 
a member of Wallkill Lodge No. 627, F. & A. M. , 
at Walden, and Hiawatha Lodge, K. of P. , at Pine 



Bu.sh. 



3^(^ 



I5JEORGE L. KNOX. Though for about 
li^ thirty years connected with the Caldwell 
Vj Lead Works of New York City, and a resi- 
dent of Jersey City, Mr. Knox has never lost in- 
terest in old Orange, the county of his birth, nor 
his love for Middletown, where his childhood 
days were spent. No one takes a deeper interest 
in its welfare or greater delight in its progress 
than does he, and by his frequent visits here he 
is enabled to keep in touch with the material ad- 
vancement made in every line. 

Mr. Knox is a member of an old and honored 
family of this county, and full mention of his pa- 
rental and ancestral hi.stor}- will be found in the 
sketch of his brother-in-law, Isaac L. Cassell, 
presented on another page. He was born in 
Middletown May 2, 1828, and was reared there 
and in New Vernon, receiving his education in 
the common schools and in Liberty Institute, at 
Liberty, Sullivan County, where he was under 
the preceptorship of Prof. John S. Stoddard. 
After completing his .studies he engaged in teach- 
ing for three years at Matamoras, Pa. , and Wurts- 
boro and White Lake, N. Y. He then took up 
civil-engineering, which he followed for a few 



years, becoming very proficient in that occupa- 
tion. While thus employed he ran the line from 
Suffern to Jersey City, double-tracking the old 
narrow gauge to a six-foot gauge. 

Going West in 1858, Mr. Knox became pay- 
master for a contract on what is now the Lake 
Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and was 
employed in that capacity about three years, hav- 
ing his headquarters near Erie, Pa. On his re- 
turn to New York, he had charge of a contract 
for the building of the Warwick Railroad, now 
the Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad, between 
Greycourt and Warwick, and on closing that 
contract he became timekeeper and payma.ster in 
the yards at Jersey City. 

In January, 1866, when his uncles started the 
Caldwell Lead Works, Mr. Knox became book- 
keeper for the concern, and upon the incorpora- 
tion of the company, in 1869, he became a stock- 
holder. For some time he has been a Trustee 
and the Treasurer of the company. The works 
are situated at No. 63 Center Street, New York 
City, and a specialty is made of the manufacture 
of shot and of plumbers and .steam-fitters' sup- 
plies. There is a shot tower one hundred and 
seventy-four feet high, together with two large 
lead pre.sses and a rolling-mill. The founders of the 
enterprise, his uncles, are dead, and he is the 
only one of the original members left. As a busi- 
ness man he is keen, shrewd and discriminating, 
and the success of the business is due not a lit- 
tle to his zeal and energy. The firm carries a 
capital stock of $250,000, and is conducting busi- 
ness upon a sound financial basis. 

The home of Mr. Knox is at No. 218 Eighth 
Street, Jersey City, and he belongs to the Second 
Presbyterian Church of that place; also to Me- 
chanics Lodge No. 66, I. O. O. F. , of that city, 
in which he has been an officer and its represen- 
tative to the grand lodge. At one time he was 
a membei of the encampment. Since the nomi- 
nation of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, 
he has advocated the principles of the Republican 
party and has cast his ballot for its candidates. 
He was united in marriage, in Monroe, Orange 
County, with Miss Fannie Mapes, who was born 
there, being the daughter of Julius and Saman- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



1259 



tha Mapes, prominent farmers of that locality. 
Mrs. Knox passed from earth February 8, 1894, 
and was laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery, Mid- 
dletown, where a monument has been erected to 
her memory, bearing the simple inscription, 
"She has jjone home." 



Gj MZY A. TURNER, a veteran of the Tenth 
Ll Eegion, residing in Middletown, was born 
l\ in Fishkill, Dutchess County, N Y., May 
15, 1843, and is a son of Stephen M. and Delia A. 
(Moshier) Turner, the former a native of Dutch- 
ess County, and the latter of Newburgh, Orange 
County. The father was a farmer in his native 
county, and also engaged in raising thoroughbred 
fast horses. Late in life he retired from the bus- 
iness and located at Canterbury, where he died. 
His wife, the mother of our subject, comes of an 
old Revolutionary family of German descent, her 
grandfather. Captain Moshier, being an aide-de- 
camp on the staff of General Washington. He 
was wounded in the aim, although he recovered 
and died at Newburgh. The mother died when 
eighty-nine years of age. She had a brother who 
lived in Newburgh and who died in 1894, at the 
age of one hundred and three years. Of the chil- 
dren born to Stephen M. and Delia A. Turner, we 
mention the following: Harvey, who was a sol- 
dier in Company D, Fifty-sixth New York In- 
fantry, now resides in the Black Hills; Isaac, who 
was in Company K, of the same regiment, resides 
in Newburgh: John, who was in Company C, of 
the Fifty-sixth, also makes his home in New- 
burgh; Amzy is the subject of this sketch; Joseph 
N., who also served in the FTty-sixth, resides at 
No. 84 Grand Avenue, Middletown; Phoebe now 
resides in Montana; Mary, who became Mrs. 
Knoff, died in Middletown; and one daughter 
died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive village, and received a limited education in 
its public schools. As his father met with mis- 
fortune when he was but seven years of age, he 
was compelled to start out in life for himself, and 
began work on a farm in the town of Goshen, 



where he remained until he was thirteen years 
old. In 1856 he began work in the brickyard of 
Solomon Wood, of Goshen, with whom he learned 
the trade of brick-making, and then went to 
Ridgebury, and in Cummings' brickyard was 
employed until in July, 1861, when he enlisted in 
Company D, Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, or 
the Tenth Legion, under Colonel Van Wyck. He 
was mustered into the service at New Windsor. 
While the regiment was being enlisted, he spent 
$400 in enlisting and taking men to the regiment, 
and took down about one- third of the regiment. 
Soon after being mustered in, the regiment was 
ordered South, and was in active service until it 
was mustered out. Among the battles and skir- 
mishes in which our subject participated, ma\' 
be mentioned Lee's Mill, Baltimore Cross-roads, 
Chickihoniiny Swamp, Yorktown, Williamsburg, 
Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Newport 
News (N. C), Charleston, Honey Hill, Ladies' 
Island, John's Island and Sece,ssionville. 

In front of Charleston he volunteered to go out 
for the boys and get water which was in the 
magazine. He was the only one that had cour- 
age enough to go, and for the .service he was 
offered $20. He refused it, however, both before 
and after his return with the water. Gathering 
up the canteens, about thirty in number, and 
stringing them over his neck, he passed out to 
the magazine, filled the canteens and returned in 
full range of the rebels. He walked stooping, 
and had just reached the riflepit, into which he 
was ready to jump, when a rebel sharpshooter 
shot at him, the ball striking the edge of one eye 
and lodging in the skull. He jumped up, how- 
ever, and the boys dragged him into the riflepits. 
This was on Sunday morning, and he had to lie 
there until about ten o'clock in the evening, when 
he was taken to the field hospital. For a time 
he was blind in both eyes. The ball was extract- 
ed, however, and in seven weeks he returned to 
the field again. The eye was damaged, and at 
times even now is painful, and his sight is defect- 
ive. Rejoining his regiment, he was with it on 
the Peninsula, where he received a sunstroke, 
and later he was mustered out and honorably dis- 
charged, in 1864, just before the expiration of his 



i26o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



term of service. While in the service, in Mary- 
land, the regiment was ordered to make a raid. 
As a result they obtained about two thousand 
head of swine, fifteen hundred head of sheep, fif- 
teen hundred head of horses, about the same num- 
ber of cows, four hundred and fifty head of steers 
and numerous fowls. 

At Fair Oaks, while on picket duty, a rebel 
crawled up to our subject, with the intention of 
shooting him. Hearing him, Mr. Turner reached 
out his hat, which was fired upon by the rebel. 
Mr. Turner fired back and killed the latter. Mr. 
Turner was one of the color guards of his regi- 
ment, and was often a mark for rebel bullets. 
Several balls were shot through his clothes, and 
his canteen was shot several times. 

On receiving his discharge Mr. Turner came to 
Middletown, and for a long time he was unable to 
do any work, and has never been in good health. 
In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Catherine Knoff, who was born here, and who 
died March 28, 1892. They were the parents of 
six children, five of whom are yet living. Georgi- 
ana is deceased; Arthur W. is in the employ of 
the Tompkins Hat Works; and Mary, Bell, Louis 
S. and Stella are at home. Mr. Turner is a mem- 
ber of General Lyon Post, G. A. R., and in re- 
ligious belief he is a Methodist, being a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Middletown. 
Politically he is a true-blue Republican, and cast 
his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 
i860. While in North Carolina he voted for him 
the second time. 

P — • ,fe@mi:iH ■ — ^ 

(TOHN ALFONSUS GANNON has been in 
I the employ of the New York, Susquehanna 
Q) & Western Railway Company since 1870, 
and in point of years of service is the oldest engi- 
neer on the present railroad sy.stem in Middle- 
town. He is of Irish parentage, but American 
birth, and with the versatility of one race com- 
bines the energy characteristic of the other. 
His father, John Gannon, was born in Ireland, 



being the son of a large land-owner there. After 
his marriage he came to America, and for a time 
sojourned in Spring Valley, Rockland County, 
from which place he removed te Piermont, and 
became an emploje of the Erie Railroad there. 
Thence he went to Port Jervis in 1864. still, 
however, continuing with the Erie, and he has 
remained an emplo3'e of that companj' up to the 
present time, having been with them forty-seven 
years. He is now railroad baggagemaster be- 
tween New York and Dunkirk, and though past 
the prime of life is still active and robust. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ga- 
lancy, was born in Ireland, and died in Port 
Jervis. 

The family of John and Mary Gannon com- 
prised nine children, all of whom attained years 
of maturity. The first death among them was 
that of Edward, the third eldest, who held the 
position of engineer on the New York & North- 
ern Railroad. During a severe blizzard in 1888 he 
was opening the track with a snow plow, and 
through an accident was killed instantly. Frank, 
the eldest son, and a twin of our subject, is a very- 
successful and prominent railroad man. He is 
Superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio be- 
tween Staten Island and Pennsylvania, and Pres- 
ident and Superintendent of the Staten Island 
Railroad, also manager of the boats. Mrs. Kate 
McGovern, the eldest daughter, is a widow and 
lives in Port Jervis. James is an engine-dispatcher 
at High Bridge, on the New York Central Rail- 
road. Thomas is an operator on the Erie at Port 
Jervis. Bernard, the joungest son, is ticket 
agent on the Staten Island Road at Perth Amboy. 
The youngest children, Mary and Lizzie, reside 
with their father in Port Jervis. 

At Spring Valley, Rockland County, N. Y., 
the subject of this sketch was born September 24, 
1852. He was reared in Piermont until twelve 
years of age, when he accompanied the other 
members of the family to Port Jer\-is, and there 
he attended school. Commencing for himself, he 
was for eighteen months employed in the Erie 
shops in Port Jervis, after which he was clerk in 
Turner's Hotel for eighteen months. In 1870 he 
became brakeman on the Jersey & Midland, now 



t 


- -^ 


^, 


'^ «%. 


f 






^j^^|L 


'x'^^^^H^K 


%^" '^I^^I^Hh^ 




^^* 



ABNER S. WELLS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1263 



the New York, Susquehanna & Western, and 

after six months in that capacit)- he took a posi- 
tion as fireman between Middletown and Ellen- 
ville. In June, 1874, he was promoted to engi- 
neer, in which position he has since been em- 
ployed, being with a freight train the first six 
months, and afterward on a passenger train. For 
the past sixteen years his run has been on a milk 
train between Middletown and Jersey City. .Since 
1879 he has made his home in Middletown, where 
he owns residence property at No. 158 Railroad 
Avenue. 

At Port Jer\-is Mr. 'Gannon was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary A. Cuff, who was born 
there, and died in Januarj', 1894, leaving four 
children, Frank, Andrew, Regina and Winnifred. 
In national politics our subject is a Democrat, 
though in local elections he is inclined to be in- 
dependent, giving his ballot to the man whom he 
considers best qualified for oflSce. He is identi- 
fied with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- 
neers, belonging to Silk Division No. 521, at 
Paterson, N. J. 



Gl BNER S. WELLS. There are no names 
Ll more worthy to be perpetuated than those of 
I I our brave soldier boys, some of whom have 
passed away to join the great army of the dead, 
but many remain, boys no longer, though still 
as devoted to our country as in the days of their 
youth. In the list of brave men whom Orange 
County sent to the front in defense of the institu- 
tions of our Government, we find the name of 
Abner S. Wells, of Middletown. During his 
long service in the army he was ever gallant, 
brave and loyal, and as in war, so in peace he 
has displayed the noblest principles and highest 
honor in his life work. 

The birth of Mr. Wells occurred June 3, 1838, 
in the town of Wawayanda, on the Wallkill line, 
four and a-half miles southwest of Middletown. 
His father, Abner S., Sr., was also born in that 
town, being a son of William Wells, who with 
five or six brothers came from Long Island, some 
of them settling in this localitj-. During the 



Revolutionary War Grandfather Wells rendered 
loyal service in the army. He gained consider- 
able prominence in this county, and the farm 
owned by him in the town of Wawayanda became 
the center of a settlement known as Wells' Corner. 
There one of his sons, Abijah, ran a hotel. The 
place is now known as South Centreville, and in 
it the grandfather's death occurred at the age of 
about seventy. 

In the town of Wawayanda, near the Wallkill 
line, Abner S. Wells, Sr., cultivated his finely 
improved farm, following agricultural pursuits 
until he became blind, when he was obliged to re- 
tire from active labor. He died when seventy-one 
years old. He had served valiantly in the War 
of 1812, and politically was first a Whig and later 
a Republican. In religious belief he was con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hunter, 
was born in Slate Hill, and was a daughter of 
Robert Hunter, a descendant of Dutch ancestors. 
She passed from earth in 1893, aged ninety four 
years. Of her thirteen children, ten attained 
years of maturity and five are still living. George, 
one of the sons, was for a short time a member of 
a New York battery. 

From an early age our subject displayed a re- 
markable aptitude for nuisic, his favorite instru- 
ment being the violin, on which he soon acquired 
such proficiency as to attract attention. While 
he learned the trade of a carpenter under a cousin 
in Pennsylvania and later followed that occupa- 
tion, yet he still devoted a large share of his at- 
tention to music, and for ten or twelve years after 
the war his time was largely spent in travel, vis- 
iting different cities, where he gave concerts. 
The Wells Orchestra, of which he was the leader, 
consisted of five pieces, and possessed a high 
order of merit. Finally, however, owing to the 
ill effects of the night work upon his health, he 
retired from the profession. 

In September, 1861 , at the opening of the Civil 
War, Mr. Wells enlisted in the Second Cavalry 
Company of the Tenth Legion, or Fifty-sixth 
Regiment New York State Volunteers, Col. C. H. 
Van Wyck commanding, and was mustered into 
the United States service the following Noveni- 



1264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



ber. The regiment was ordered to Washington, 
and went into camp on Calorauia Heights. 
Thence they removed to Rock Creek, and after- 
wards proceeded to Meridian Hill. From this 
place the two cavalry companies were detached 
for Fortress Monroe, where they formed the First 
New York Mounted Rifles, commanded by C. C. 
Dodge. Mr. Wells was here taken ill with the 
black measles, followed by typhoid fever, and for 
a long time he was so ill that many considered 
his recovery impossible. Howe\-er. his good 
constitution enabled him to conquer the di.sease. 
and in time he regained his strength. At Will- 
iamsburg, \'a., ift 1863, he was assigned to the 
veteran corps, and in July, 1865, the First New 
York and che Third New York Cavalr\- were 
con.solidated and mustered out as the Fourth 
Provisional Cavalry at City Point, \'a. 

Locating in Middletown at the close of the 
war, Mr. Wells became leader of the orchestra 
that bore his name, and with it traveled through- 
out the country". In 1876 he began the occupa- 
tion of contracting and building, in which he 
continued for a number of years, but later re- 
tired from active business. Among the residences 
erected hy him is his elegant home at Xo. 86 
Monhagen Avenue, where the commodious house 
is surrounded by four and a-half acres of ground. 
He has built three residences for himself, and 
still owns two, and he has also erected a num- 
ber of houses owned by the most prominent 
men of the city. 

In Middletown occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Wells and Miss Libbie \'an luwegen. who was 
born in Huguenot, in the town of Deerpark. Her 
father, David, who was born in the same place, 
was a fanner by occupation, and died near Monti- 
cello. Her paternal grandfather, Harmonis Yan 
Inwegen, was of Holland-Dutch descent. Her 
mother. Sallie Yan Inwegen in maidenhood, 
though bearing the same name as her husband, 
was in no way related to him. The maternal 
grandfather, John Yan Inwegen, was a farmer of 
Hnguenot, and served in the War of 181 2. His 
wife, who was a Miss \'an Fleet, was of Dutch 
extraction, and died in Port Jervis. Mrs. Wells 
was the eldest of four children, all of whom are 



living. By her marriage she is the mother of a 
daughter. Lottie Mae. a talented violinist and a 
member of the Class of '96. Wallkill Academy. 
Every old soldier is interested in Grand Ann\- 
affairs, and Mr. Wells is a member of Capt. W. 
A. Jackson Post Xo. 301. He and his wife 
and daughter belong to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church and are regular attendants at the 
ser\-ices. In national affairs he favors protection 
of home interests, and therefore upholds the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, but in local mat- 
ters he works for prohibition, believing that the 
coiintry will be benefited and the people elevated 
when the liquor traffic is exterminated. 



r)EY. FRAXK ARTHUR HEATH, pastor of 
j^ the First Baptist Church at Middletown, is 
n \ one of the most popular ministers in the city. 
He was bom March 20, i860, at Boston. Mass., 
and is a son of Thomas and Caroline 1 Pierce) 
Heath, the former a native of Rhode Island, and 
the latter of Fall River, Mass. On his father's 
side he is of English, and on his mother's side of 
Scotch, ancestrs". His grandfather, Capt. William 
Yose Heath, was a native of Xewport. R. I., and 
for many years was a sea-captain, engaged in the 
coasting trade. On one of his trips he fell from 
his vessel and received injuries which resulted in 
his death. Thomas Heath, the father of our sub- 
ject, is a carriage manufacturer, and has been en- 
gaged in the business in Boston, in one location, 
since 185S. While somewhat advanced in years, 
he is hale and hearty. He is very prominent in 
social and benevolent societies, and has been Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows for years. He is also a 
prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, hav- 
ing filled all the offices in the local lodge, and of the 
uniformed rank. He is a very sociable man, and 
a very successful after-dinner sjieaker. His wife, 
the mother of our subject, is an active worker in 
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and 
in the Pvthian Sisterhood. Thev have three sons 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1265 



and one daughter, all living. William H. is a 
chief engineer in Brooklyn. Frederick, blind from 
infancy, is a natural musician, and a graduate of 
Perkins' Institute for the Blind in South Boston. 
He is an instructor on the organ and piano, and 
is also an eminent soloist. Mary is now Mrs. 
Warren M. Blood, of East Pepperell, Mass.; and 
Frank Arthur is the subject of this sketch. 

Rev. Frank Arthur Heath graduated from the 
Boston Latin School, an institution formerly at- 
tended by Charles Sumner, Wendell Phillips, 
and other prominent men, and then entered Col- 
gate University, at Hamilton, X. Y., from which 
he graduated in 1885 with the degree of A. B. 
Three years later, on the completion of his course 
in theology, he received from that institution the 
degree of A. M. While in college he was a member 
of the Delta Upsilon traternity. On completing 
his regular course, he entered the theological 
seminary at Hamilton, from which he graduated 
in 1888. After he entered the. sophomore year, 
he preached continually, and in that way mainly 
secured the means to pay his way through college. 
While at Hamilton he preached four years stead- 
ily at Unadilla, N. Y., and after his ordination, 
July 7. 1888, at Acton, Mass., an old Revolution- 
ary town, whence Capt. Isaac Davis and his 
minutemen went and met the British on the old 
North Bridge at Concord. He remained at Acton, 
Mass., as pastor of the Baptist Church until 1891, 
when he received an urgent call to Binghamton, 
N. Y. , to take charge of a new mission church at 
that place. 

While at Binghamton, our subject bought new 
ground, on which he moved the chapel, and 
during his two-years pastorate received one hun- 
dred and fifty new members, leaving the church 
in excellent condition. In August, 1S93, he was 
called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church 
at Middletown, as successor to Rev. Christian 
J. Page. The church here is an old society, and 
for .some years had been burdened with debt, but 
Mr. Page aided greatly in clearing it, and the 
balance was paid within four months after Mr. 
Heath took charge of the church. In October, 
1893, on payment of the debt, the church had a 
jubilee, which was participated in by Rev. Mr. 



Page. With a present menibenship of over three 
hundred and fifty, which is constantly growing, 
the church has a bright future before it. Soon 
after coming here, Mr. Heath began the agitation 
for having Sunday services at Midway Park, 
which was opposed by some of the clergy, but 
Mr. Heath was determined, and began the work, 
in which he has been eminently successful, being 
able to reach a class of people there that never go 
to church. In liis work he now has the co-opera- 
tion of the majority of the people of Middletown, 
who bid him God-speed. 

Mr. Heath was married, in Boston, to Miss 
May Walker, born in Kingston, Nova Scotia, 
and daughter of John Walker, who died there, 
after which the family removed to Cambridge, 
where Mrs. Heath was educated. Three children 
have been born unto them: Genevieve, Sherburne 
and Marjorie. 

Mr. Heath is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, holding membership with the lodge 
at Unadilla. He is also a member of Mid- 
dletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., and of 
the Independent Order of Good Templars., In 
politics he is independent, with strong Republican 
and Prohibition leanings. For years he has been 
a valued contributor to various religious journals. 
His pulpit ability is of the highest order, and it 
is a delight to sit under his ministration. In his 
pastoral work he is very successful, and is popular 
with those inside and outside of his church. 



(Tames G. M.\RTIX, a practical moulder in 
I Middletown, was born in Dublin, Ireland^ 
\Z) in 1852, and is a son of John and Ann 
Martin. His father, and also his grandfather, 
Peter Martin, were architects and builders in 
Dublin, of which city they were both natives. 
The}- were the architects and builders of Con- 
ciliation Hall, built at the time of the repeal of 
the Union. His father did quite a large business, 
and died in Australia, about 1880. To John and 
Ann Martin were born two children, our subject 
being the only living one. 

James G. Martin was educated in Dublin, at 



1266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Clongeswood College, and then took up the 
study of law with John D. Rosenthal, remaining 
with him three years. In 1869 he left Dublin 
for Liverpool, and from there took the steamer 
"Queen" for New York City. After remaining 
there a couple ot months, he came to Middle- 
town, and entered the employ of Howell, Hinch- 
man & Co., tanners, with whom he remained 
until October of that year, and then began to 
learn the moulder's trade with E. P. Wheeler, one 
of the pioneers of Middletown. After continuing 
with that gentleman four years, he worked for 
him as a journeyman until his death, with the 
exception of a short time spent at Goshen, New 
York City and Franklin. While in Mr. Wheeler's 
emplo}', he made several trips to the Old Country, 
and in 1886 took his family with him, with 
some idea of remaining there. His presence in 
Dublin was rendered necessary in the settlement 
of his father's estate. Disposing of his interest 
in that city, he returned to Middletown, and en- 
gaged in whittling blocks for straw hats, remain- 
ing in the business, more or less, for sixteen 
years. In 1891 he formed a partnership with 
Thomas H. Butler, a practical moulder, and, under 
the firm name of Butler & Martin, built the pres- 
ent shop, which has a capacity of five tons per 
day. After continuing the business one year, 
dur subject purchased Mr. Butler's interest, and 
has since continued alone. The main building 
is 50x100 feet, fronting on Wisner Avenue, and 
is on the line of the New York, Ontario & West- 
ern Railway. The engine is of twenty-four horse- 
power, and the boiler of forty horse-power. Mr. 
Martin makes a specialty of green sand work, and 
has quite a trade with New York parties, besides 
a local trade. He also does considerable work 
for the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. 
In 187 1 Mr. Martin was married, in Middle- 
town, to Mary A. Cunningham, whose birth oc- 
curred here. She died in October, 1886, on the 
voyage from Greenock to New York, when five 
days out, and was buried in midocean. At her 
death she left five children, four of whom are liv- 
ing: Annie, now Mrs. Andrew Riley, of New York; 
James, who, at this writing, is in China; and 
Michael and Gregorv, at home. Mr. Martin's 



second marriage was with Mrs. Annie (Houston) 
Killbride. who was born in Middletown, but who 
resided in Newark. They have two children, 
Kevin and Kathleen. Mr. Martin is a member 
of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and in politics 
is independent. 



gEORGE HEATER, a contractor and builder 
residing at Middletown, was born in the 
town of Wantage, Sussex County, N. J., 
October 12, 1832. His father, Martin, who was 
born in Warren County, that state, was of Ger- 
man ancestrj-, and was a son of a hero of the 
War of 1812, who engaged in farm pursuits in 
New Jersey. In early life he learned the trade 
of a moulder at Oxford, and later removed to 
Deckertown, where he died at the age of seventy- 
seven. His wife, Eliza Ketcham, was born in 
Warren County, and there died. Of their eight 
children, all of whom arrived at mature years, 
onl}- four are now living, George being the eldest. 

The subject of this notice spent his boyhood 
years principally in the vicinity of Hamburg and 
Newton, Sussex County. In everj- respect he 
is entitled to be called a self-made man, for he 
never attended school, nor did he have any op- 
portunities for advancing himself in the world 
save those which he made for himself. When 
only eight years old he began for himself, and from 
that time forward he was self-supporting. For a 
while he was employed on a farm, later worked 
in a blast furnace in Hamburg, and afterward 
learned the cooper's trade in Sussex County, 
N. J., near Unionville, N. Y., where he followed 
his chosen occupation. 

Going South, Mr. Heater was for six years 
foreman of a shop in Murfreesboro, Tenn. While 
there the war broke out, and owing to his loca- 
tion he was harassed considerably. When Buell's 
army fell back to Tennessee, he joined them and 
returned with them to Loui.sville, Ky., from 
which cit\- he came to his former home. He 
soon afterward engaged in the grocery business 
in Jersey Cit>-, where he remained until May, 
1863, the date of his arrival in Middletown. For 




MIiyrON C. CONNER, M. I). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1269 



a time he worked at the cooper's trade in this 
place, and had a shop on John Street, near Lin- 
den Avenue, which was burned down once, but 
afterward rebuilt. In 1880 he worked at his 
trade with P. F. Miller, and later was with other 
parties until 1894, when he began as a contractor 
and builder. Among the residences erected un- 
der his supervision are those of W. Adams, 
Emery Van Kturen and George Jacobs. 

In Shelbj'ville, Tenn., in 1862, Mr. Heater 
married Miss Annie Ruth, daughter of David 
Ruth, a carriage-painter of that place. Four 
children survive of the eight born unto them, 
Elsie, William, Lizzie and Mamie being deceased. 
Mrs. Mattie Hoyt, the eldest daughter, lives in 
Middletown. George is engaged in the milk 
business in New York City. Annie and Edgar 
are with their parents, the family occupying a 
neat residence on Sprague Avenue. Socially Mr. 
Heater is connected with the Knights of Honor 
and also with Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & 
A. M. In politics he votes for the men and 
principles advocated by the Republican party. 



4^ 



=?•*-• ••• j) i (v-j)i^ ••• c-^ 



yyilLTON C. CONNER, M. D. Since the 
y completion of his medical course and his 
M graduation from college, Dr. Conner has 
practiced his profession in Middletown, and the 
flattering .success with which he has met is in- 
dicated by his constantly increasing practice. 
While he is .skilled in the treatment of all diseases, 
his specialt)' has been diseases of the eye and ear, 
concerning which he is accurately informed, and 
in the treatment of which he has few superiors. 
He has an office in the Everett Building, on the 
corner of Main and North Streets; also at his resi- 
dence. In addition to his general practice, he was 
for four years Health Officer of Middletown, and 
for one year served as City Phj-sician. 

The Conner family originated in Ireland, and 
was first represented in America by the Doctor's 
grandfather, William Conner, who emigrated to 
this country and settled in the town of Wallkill, 
Orange County, where he was variously employed 
as a mason, distiller and farmer. His death oc- 



curred when he was about seventy years of 
age The father of our subject, Hezekiah, was 
born in the town of Wallkill, where he spent his 
entire life, following the occupations of mason and 
farmer. In religious views he was a Presby- 
terian, while politically he supported the Repub- 
lican party. In 1889, at the age of eighty-one, 
while on his waj' to the city one day, he was 
thrown from the wagon and run over by the team, 
sustaining fatal injuries. 

Three times married, Hezekiah Conuer had 
two children by his first marriage and five by his 
second, four of them surviving; his third union 
was childless. His second wife, our subject's 
mother, was Caroline, daughter of Phineas Cor- 
win, a farmer of the town of Wallkill. She died 
at the age 'of forty-six years. Milton C. is the 
youngest of the family, and was born on the 
home farm near vScotchtown, town of Wallkill, 
September 6, 1853. In boyhood he attended the 
Wallkill Academy for a time, but was obliged to 
temporarily discontinue his studies on account of 
his father having broken his leg, which rendered 
it necessary for him to manage the home place. 
He then entered the Ft. Edward Institute, and 
later was a .student in the Cazenovia Seminary, 
spending two years in each institution. Mean- 
time he taught school at Ft. Ann, N, Y., for one 
year. 

Having resolved to become a physician, our 
subject entered the Detroit Medical College, in 
which his brother was a professor. Two years 
were .spent there, after which he became a student 
in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York, from which, after two years, he was gradu- 
ated, in 1883, with the degree of M. D. Upon 
completing his studies he opened an office in Mid- 
dletown, where he has since had charge of a 
general practice. He is examining surgeon for 
numerous insurance companies, and is one of the 
most popular phy.sicians of the city. Interested 
in everything that pertains to the science, he holds 
membership in the New York State Medical As- 
sociation, and is serving on the Executive Com- 
mittee of the Fifth District Branch of that 
organization. He is also identified with the 
American Medical A.ssociation, and was a delegate 



1270 



PORTRAIT AND BICX^RAPHICAL RECORD. 



to the conveutious of that body held at Detroit, 
Milwaukee. San Francisco and Baltimore. 

The marriage of Dr. Conner took place in this 
city and united him with Frances Adelaide Cox, 
who was bora in Bloomingburg, X. Y. . being tlie 
daughter of the late George Cox. formerly an at- 
torney of Middletown. Socially the Doctor is 
connected with HoflFnian Lodge No. 412. F. & 
A. M.. and Midland Chapter No. 340, R. A. M. 
He is intelligently posted upon public questions, 
and believes that the policy of tlie Republican 
party is liest calculated to advance the welfare of 
the i>eople: hence he gives it his unqualified 
support. 



I EWIS STEWART STIVERS. One of Uie 
IC influential Republican papers of Orange 
|j2f County is the Middletown Daily Times, a 
iiiue-column folio, devoted especially to the in- 
terests of Middletown. It has the largest cir- 
culation of any daily between Paterson and Bing- 
haniton. and is surpassed by only one paper in 
this count).-, the Newburgh AVr< J-. Through tlie 
Associated Press reports, it is enabled to fiirnish 
its readers the latest and most authentic news 
fpom ever>- pan of the world. Not a little of its 
success is due to the zeal and ability of the sub- 
ject of this notice, who is one of its editors and 
proprietors. Aside from this pajter. he is also 
oue of the publishers of the Snni-7^^^Jt/^■ Tim/s. a 
nine-column folio, and read by a large number 
of subscribers in tiiis and adjoining counties. In 
addition to the newspaper work, there is a large 
and well equipped job office, firom which work of 
the highest grade is turned out, and which is 
liberally patronized by the people of tlie cit>-. 

In the town of Wawayanda the subject of 
this sketch was born April 20, 1S59. -■^fter at- 
tending the public schools and Wallkill Academy, 
he entered Peekskill Militar>- Academy, from 
which he was graduated in 1S76. On conclud- 
ing his studies, he entered the office of the Mid- 
dletown P)Yss. of which his father was editor 
and part owner. In 1S91, with his brollier. 



Jolrn D. Stivers, he began publishing the Mid- 
dletown Daily Times and the Orangr County 
Tinus. a semi-weekly paper. 

Mr. Stivers was one of the original members and 
organizers of the Twenty-fourth Separate Com- 
pany National Guard of New York, which was or- 
ganized in 1SS7. For three years he was Second 
Lieutenant of the company, and in 1S90 was pro- 
moted to the rauk of First Lieutenant, which he 
still holds. 

Besides his other interests Mr. Stivers is a 
charter member and Director of the Orange Coun- 
t>- Telephone Company. Now an honorar\- mem- 
ber of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, 
he was for several years anofficer of the organiza- 
tion, and for two years he was Secretarv- of the 
Middletown Fire Department. For a number of 
years he was a member and officer of the 
Bachelors" Social Club. He was united in mar- 
riage, in this cit\-, with Miss Cora D. Mackay. 
daughter of John Mackay. who for many years 
was connected with the Orange Connt\- Foundry- 
Company. They are the parents of two children. 
Christina and Gladvs. 



EHARLES TIERNEY. who is an engineer 
on the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- 
road, was bora at Howells Def>ot, this coun- 
ty. March 14. 1S52. His father, James, was born 
in County- T>-rone, Ireland, and when a young 
man emigrated to America, and bought a form at 
Howells Depot, where for a short time he carried 
on agricultural pursuits. Later he was employed 
as section man on the Erie Railroad, and after- 
ward became section foreman, in which capacitj- 
he was employed until his retirement from busi- 
ness. He died at Howells Depot, at the age of 
fitl>--two years. His \\-ife. whose maiden name 
was Ellen Gibbon, was born in County Donegal. 
Ireland, and died in Middletown, at the home of 
our subject, July 4, 1SS9. 

The family of James and Ellen Tieniey con- 
sisted of nine children, of whom five are living, 
Charles being next to the eldest. He was reared 
in the place of his birth, and at the age of ten 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



began to work on a &nn adjoining his home. In 
1S69 he was employed on the conslmction of the 
New York &; Oswego Midland, now known as 
ihe New York, Ontario & Western, working at 
Summii\illc until the fall of 1S70. when he came 
to Middletown, He was brakeraan on the first 
train that was put on at Middletown. being un- 
der Engineer McXiff, In the spring of i?7i he 
began as fireman on a switch engine, afterward 
was fireman between Middletown and Libert>-. 
and in 1S72 was promoted to engineer, running a 
switch engine in the Middletown yards. Next 
he was employed as fireman on the New York 
Division of the Xew York & Oswego Midland, 
between Middletown and Jersey Cit>-. In 1S74 
he was again made engineer, and from that time 
until 1SS3 his run was on the New Jersey Mid- 
land, and the New York, Susquehanna & West- 
em. During the last-named year, he resigned to 
accept a position as engineer on the New York, 
Ontario & Western, between Middletown and 
Norwich. Until iS^o his run was on a freight 
train, but from that time until 1S91 he had charge 
of a passenger train, and since the latter year he 
has been extra passenger and yard engineer. 

Only one serious accident has hapjiened to Mr. 
Tiemey during his long railroad experience. 
This was near Stockholm, N. J., in October, 
1S73. when he was in the employ of the New 
Jersey Midland. A bank had washed away from 
under a bridge, and the train, running on the 
bridge, precipitated the structure into the water. 
The engine turned over, throwing him into the 
water, but he made his way to the shore, where 
he was soon found. Though severely bruised, 
his injuries were not serious, and he was able to 
resume work in six weeks from the time of the 
accident. 

At No. :;7 Broad, comer of Prince, Street, Mr. 
Tiemey has a neat and comfortable home, where 
he and his family reside. He was married in 
this city, his wife being Ellen Murphy, daughter 
of Thomas Murphy, formerly a railroad man re- 
siding in this cit\-. Their family consists of four 
children: George, Charles. Frank and Ellen. 
Active in the ranks of the Democratic jjarty. Mr. 
Tiemev has served as a member of the Citv Com- 



mittee, and in other local positions. In religions 
counecticms he is a member of St. Joseph's Catho- 
lic Church. He is a member of the Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers, and is first engineer of 
United Di\nsion No, 292. 



0ANIEL B-\ILEY HARDENBERGH. M. D. 
The son of a physician and the grandson of 
a physician, the subject of this sketch may 
claim his profession through heritage as well as 
by the unusual zeal and advantages devoted to its 
acquirement. The genealog>- of the Hardenbergh 
family has already been reviewed in the sketches 
of the subject's father. Dr. Henr\- Hardenbergh, 
and grandfather. Dr. Charles Hardenbergh. His 
mother, Delia, was bora in Wallkill, the daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Bailey, and a descendant of Capt, 
Daniel Baile\', an officer in the Revolutionar\- 
War. 

Daniel Bailey Hardenbergh was bom in Port 
Jervis, March 13. 1S66, and graduated from the 
Port Jervis .\cademy as valedictorian of his class 
in 1SS3- After a year spent under private tuition 
to complete preparation, he entered Yale College, 
from which he was graduated in iSSS, with the 
degree of A. B. In his sophomore year he se- 
cured a jKxsition in his class crew, and after two 
winters' training with the university crew, 
through the spring of the junior year he acted as 
stroke-oar of the cla^. crew, and was also a mem- 
ber of the universilj- tug-of-war team. In his ju- 
nior year he was elected a member of the Delta 
Kappa Epsilon Societj-, asocial fratemir\-: and in 
his senior year, through rank in scholarship, was 
made a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fratemit\-. 
At graduation he was a Commencement-day 
speaker, and a member of the I\"3i- Commit- 
tee. In the fall of the same year he entered the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York 
City, which is the medical de{>artnieut of Colum- 
bia College. During tliese three years of study 
he obtained practical experience in minor surgery 
at the Chambers Street Hospital, and in obstet- 
rics at the Sloane Maternity Hospital and Broome 
Street Lying-in Dispensar>-. 



1272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject received the degree of M. D. in 
1891, and through a competitive examination, 
participated in by the graduates of the three reg- 
ular medical schools of New York City, obtained 
an appointment in Bellevue Hospital, securing 
the first place as results of the examination. The 
Doctor remained as iiitertie two j-ears in the hos- 
pital, acting for nine months of the time as house 
physician, In addition to a wide medical service 
the two years were spent in constant operative 
gynecological work under the visiting surgeon, Dr. 
W. Gill Wylie. The experience here gained and 
as.sociations formed in turn opened opportunities 
for greater advantages, and in the summer of 1893, 
following the hospital service. Dr. Hardenbergh 
became connected with the Post-Graduate Medi- 
cal School and Hospital, conducting the clinics 
and delivering the lectures during the stimmer 
months, in place of Prof F. Ferguson, upon the 
subject of "Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Med- 
icine" to the older practitioners, who return to 
become more familiar with the recent views in 
medical science. The material for these clinics was 
drawn from the out-patient department of the 
New York Hospital, with which Dr. Harden- 
bergh was connected for one and a-half years. 
Later he was appointed provisional assistant, as- 
sistant and full attending physician to the out-pa- 
tient department. The following winter he severed 
his connection with the Post-Graduate Medical 
School in order to become associated once more 
with Prof W. Gill Wylie, at the New York Poly- 
clinic Medical School, acting as instructor in 
gyiiecologj- and delivering the lectures during 
the summer months and during the absence of 
Professor Wylie. About the same time he was 
appointed Assistant-Surgeon to the New York 
Cancer Hospital, and delivered frequent lectures 
to the training schools for nurses of the Post- 
Graduate and Cancer Hospitals. 

For private practice Dr. Hardenbergh located 
with Dr. William B. Coley at No. 52 West Thirty- 
fifth Street, New York City. His first contribu- 
tion to medical literature was an article upon 
"Salophen in Acute Rheumatism," to the New 
York Medical Record. He became assistant &^\- 
\.or o'i\.\\Q Epitome of Medicine, having charge of 



the department in gynecology, and later assistant 
editor of the American Medico- Surgical Bulletin, 
with which he is still connected in the same ca- 
pacity. In the fall of 1893 there was held in 
Washington, D. C, a medical- congress from the 
different countries of the Western Hemisphere, 
the first "Pan-American Medical Congress." 
Dr. Hardenbergh was chosen by the editor of the 
New York Medical Record to report for that jour- 
nal the transactions of the section in "Abdominal 
Surgery and Gynecolog}-," which he did in an 
article running through successive numbers of 
that journal. October i, 1894, after having en- 
joyed six years in New York City as student, prac- 
titioner and instructor, Dr. Hardenbergh chose 
Middletown as the field of his endeavor. A most 
favorable introduction had been obtained through 
Dr. Theo D. Mills, whose practice for .several 
years he had conducted during his ab.sence on va- 
cations. 



KOBERT D. MAPES, who is engaged in the 
wholesale and retail milk business, and 
also has a growing trade as a dealer in agri- 
cultural implements in Middletown, was born 
at Howells Depot, in the town of Wallkill, Sep- 
tember 14, 1862. His grandfather, John \'. 
Mapes, was born in this county, and for many 
3'ears was a farmer near Howells Depot. The 
father, Albert, was born in the town of Wall- 
kill, one mile from Howells Depot, and still 
makes his home in the house where he was born. 
As a general farmer he has met with considerable 
success, and he now also runs a large dairy. His 
wife, Frances, was born in Mt. Hope, where her 
father, Seth Mapes, was a farmer. The two 
families, though bearing the same name, were 
not related to each other. The parents are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church at Howells 
Depot, and have reared their nine children in the 
doctrines of that denomination. 

Robert D., who is the eldest of the famih', was 
reared on the home farm and received a district- 
school education. He remained at home until 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1275 



about 1877. In May of that year he and his fa- 
ther started a milk route in Middletown, and con- 
tinued in partnership until 1886, when our sub- 
ject purchased his father's interest in the busi- 
ness, and established a retail trade in Middle- 
town. Since that time he has carried on busi- 
ness at No. 4 Knapp Avenue, where he has in- 
creased the capacity of the building by adding a 
milk and cooling room. He has one delivery 
wagon, with which he supplies the retail trade. 
In 1890 he started in the agricultural-implement 
business, and now keeps on hand, in the ware- 
house on Knapp Avenue, a stock of Deering 
mowing-machines and hay rakes and New York 
Champion horse rakes. 

At Howells Depot, in 1886, Mr. Mapes mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Isabelle Axford, who was 
born in Port Jervis. Her father, the late Calvin 
Axford, was for many years a farmer in the 
town of Wallkill. For eight years Mr, Mapes 
has served as Inspector of Elections, and at dif- 
ferent times he has served in other local positions, 
the duties of which he has always discharged in 
a manner satisfactory to the people and reflect- 
ing credit upon himself Politically he is firm 
in his advocacy of Republican principles, and in- 
variably votes for the candidates of that party. 



IILLIAM E. DOUGLASS, M. D., has been 
in practice in Middletown since 1881. He 
was born in Franklin, Delaware County, 
July 14, 1853, and is of good old Revolutionary- 
stock, his great-grandfather, Asa Douglass, serv- 
ing as Captain during that struggle. For his 
services he was granted a tract of land, supposed 
to have been in Massachusetts, but on surveying it 
was found between the two states, now in Rensse- 
laer County, N. Y. He was born in Franklin, Del- 
aware County. Judge Amos Douglass, the grand- 
father, was born in Stephentown, in Rens.selaer 
County, and in early life moved to Franklin, 
Delaware Countj', where he was one of the first 
attorneys. He was subsequently County Judge 
there, which office he held for many years. The 
father of our subject, who was also named Amos, 



was a native of Franklin, and for twenty-five 
years was engaged in the mercantile business, 
and later in the banking business. He was one 
of the organizers of the First National Bank of 
Franklin, and was President of the same for more 
than twenty-five years. He married Miss Mar- 
riette Hine, who was also a native of Franklin, 
and was a daughter of William Hine, a native 
of Woodbridge, now New Milford, Conn. He 
was, however, an early settler in Franklin, 
and was by occupation a farmer. His grand- 
father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Doug- 
lass, who was named Stephen Hine, served in 
the Revolutionary War, and died in Connecticut. 
Her father was a Deacon in the Congregational 
Church for many years. Amos Douglass, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was a strong Republican, but 
one who never aspired to oflScial position. He 
was Clerk in the Congregational Church for many 
years, or until he gave it up on account of ill- 
health. He died in Franklin in 1888, and his 
wife died in 1886. They were the parents of 
four children, three of whom grew to maturity, 
and two are yet living: Amos Stanley, who re- 
sides in Middletown, and who is a special insur- 
ance adjuster; and Dr. William E., the subject 
of this sketch. Charles A. grew to manhood 
and was Cashier of the First National Bank of 
Middletown, but resigned, and has since died. 

The subject of this notice was reared in Frank- 
lin, and received his education in the literary in- 
stitute at that place, from which he graduated. 
At the age of sixteen he began reading medicine 
in the office of Dr. Ira Wilcox, and subsequently 
entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New 
York City, where he remained four and a-half 
years, taking his degree of M. D. in 1876. On 
graduating, he removed to Lisle, Broome Coun- 
ty, where he opened an office and connnenced 
the practice of his profession. He remained 
there until 1881, when, as already .stated, he lo- 
cated in Middletown, where he has since resided, 
and where he has built up an extensive practice, 
being recognized as one of the leading physicians 
of the county. Since the institution was started 
he has been on the medical .staff of Thrall Hos- 
pital. He is a member of the State Medical So- 



1276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ciety, is ex-President of the Orange County 
Medical Society, and is examiner for several life- 
insurance companies, besides being a Director of 
the First National Bank at Middletown, and a 
member of the Board of Water Commissioners. 

Dr. Douglass was married, in Broome Countj-, 
to Miss Katharine Whitney, a native of that 
county, and they have one child, Amos Stanley, 
Jr. Fraternally the Doctor holds member.ship 
with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, 
and politically is a Republican. He is a member 
of the Congregational Church of Middletown 
and is Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Per- 
sonalh- he is very popular and is held in high es- 
teem bv these who know him. 



=+ 



I EVI VANDERLVX SINSABAUGH. On 
I C the corner of Linden Avenue and John 
l_f/ Street is located one of the prominent in- 
dustries of Middletown. Here, in 1888, Mr. Sin- 
sabaugh embarked in the lumber business, which 
he has since enlarged and is now conducting with 
flattering success. His planing-mill is 130x1.50 
feet in dimensions, two stories in height, with a 
basement containing a thirty-five horsepower 
engine. The first floor is devoted to the planing 
of the lumber and to the manufacture of sash, 
doors and blinds, while the upper floor contains 
the turning and carpenter's department. Ad- 
joining this place is a large ware and store room. 
The principal lumber-yard is situated on Union 
Street. 

Careful management on the part of Mr. Sinsa- 
baugh has secured success for the enterprise. 
Since purchasing the factory he has introduced a 
full equipment of modern machinery for turning 
and planing, and now has all the essential ap- 
purtenances to secure the patronage of the build- 
ers of the city and surrounding country. Being a 
man of great energy, he has not limited himself 
to the management of the factory, but has gained 
other important interests. He has devoted some 
attention to contracting and building, and has 



built a number of cottages at Tuxedo and Ar- 
verne-by-the-sea. In Middletown he has erected 
about twenty houses, which he has sold on easy 
terms to working men, in that way promoting 
the growth of the place. He owns four acres on 
Monhagen Avenue, near the state hospital, which 
he is improving and will plat for residences. His 
own residence he has built there, it being a com- 
modious and elegant structure, an ornament to 
that part of the city. 

A native of this county, Mr. Sinsabaugh was 
born in the town of Montgomery, July 28, 1857. 
His father, R. P. L. Sinsabaugh, was born in the 
town of Crawford, of which the grandfather was 
a pioneer farmer. The former, who is still living 
in the town of Montgomerj-, is a man of upright 
character, the possessor of a host of friends in his 
community, and a prominent leader in local Re- 
publican ranks. Fruit-growing and the dairj- 
business have received his attention throughout 
life. 

Tlie mother of our subject, Elizabeth, was born 
in the town of Montgonier\- and was a daughter 
of Levi Vanderlyn, a native of New Jersey, who 
early settled in Montgomen,- and became a large 
and successful farmer there. The first represent- 
ative of the family in America was Peter Vander- 
lyn, who came hither from Holland. One of his 
descendants was the famous artist Vanderlyn, 
whose painting, "Landing of Columbus," adorns 
the walls of the capitol in Washington. Levi 
A'^anderlyn was a prominent Republican in his lo- 
cality and a well informed, intelligent man. One 
of his sons, Abraham, a soldier in the Civil War. 
fell in the battle of the Wilderness. Another son . 
John N., was for two terms District Attorney of 
Ulster County, and now has a large practice at 
New Paltz. The great-grandfather, Abraham, 
was a farmer of New Jersey, and his father, Ja- 
cobus, was the son of Peter Vanderlyn, the orig- 
inal .settler in this country. Grandfather Van- 
derlyn married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles 
Newkirk, a farmer of the town of Montgomer>- 
One of her brothers was Judge John Newkirk, 
who resided at Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y., 
and died there in 1894. 

In the parental family, which consisted of five 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1277 



children, our subject is the eldest. He was reared 
on the home farm and learned the carpenter's 
trade in Walden. In 1886 he came to Middle- 
town, and two j-ears later bought the Piatt sash 
and blind factory, on Linden Avenue. This, as 
above stated, he improved and enlarged and is 
still conducting with success. He is a Director 
in the Orange County Telephone Company, also 
Vice-President and a Director of the Industrial 
Building and Loan Association. On the 29th of 
September, 1886, at the time of coming to Mid- 
dletown, he married here Mrs. Eldora Simpson 
nee Brown, of Goshen, an accomplished lady and 
a graduate of Seward Seminary at Florida. She 
is a daughter of Martin Washburn and Elizabeth 
(Ward) Brown, both of whom are now deceased. 
Mr. Brown was formerly a wholesale jeweler in 
New York City, but resided in Goshen, that be- 
ing a more healthful location. Mrs. Sinsabaugh 
has one daughter, Bessie, by her former husband. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Sinsabaugh has 
been intimately connected with public affairs in 
this city since becoming a resident of this place. 
In 1893 he was elected Alderman from the Sec- 
ond Ward, and so satisfactory was his service that 
he was re-elected ' two years afterward. Since 
becoming a member of the council he has been 
Chairman of the Fire Department Committee 
and the Committee on Law, and has also served 
on the Committees on Sewers, on Ways and 
Means and on Public Buildings and Grounds. 
He is a member of the Excelsior Fire Company 
and Vice-President of the Royal Arcanum. He 
is a member of the Board of Trade and is con- 
nected with other enterprises and organizations 
that have promoted the progress of this city. 
In Grace Episcopal Church, of which he and his 
wite are members, he officiates as Vestryman. 

March i, 1895, Mr. Sinsabaugh took into 
partnership his former superintendent, John H. 
Burch, who has been employed in the factory 
since the spring of 1890, and who now gives his 
attention to the factory business and lumber-yards 
on Union Street. The business has enjoyed a 
constant growth, and during the pa.st year (1894) 
it was estimated that the sale of lumber was two 
million feet, the value of the sales aggregating 



over $100,000. The firm of L. V. Sinsabaugh 
& Co. is one of the most progressive in the city, 
and is carrying on business in such a manner as 
to prove remunerative. The finances are on a 
substantial basis, and every indication points to 
years of uninterrupted business prosperity and 
growth. 



--=^>-^^-<^ 



IRA DORRANCE, ex-Postmaster, and Presi- 
dent of the Board of Aldermen of Middle- 
town, was born in Mamakating, in Sullivan 
County, N. Y., in 1832. His father, George 
Dorrance, was also a native of Sullivan County, 
while his grandfather, David Dorrance, was a 
native of Rhode Island, and settled in Sullivan 
County at a very early day. By occupation 
David Dorrance was a farmer, and during the 
Revolutionarj' War .served as a Captain under 
General LaFayette. He died in Sullivan Coun- 
ty many years ago. George Dorrance, who for 
many years was a hotel-keeper and forwarding 
merchant on the canal, also died in Sullivan 
Count)- some years ago, at the age of seventy- 
six years. He married Martha Beyea, whose 
family were from Westchester County, N. Y., 
and who came of old Revolutionary stock, of 
French extraction. They were the parents of 
three children, all of whom are yet living, our 
subject being second in order of birth. 

Ira Dorrance grew to manhood in his native 
county and received his education in the common 
school. In early life he was engaged with his 
father in forwarding and merchandising between 
Wurtsboro, Albany and New York City. They 
had a very large business, and our subject con- 
tinued to serve in this line until 1862, when he 
enlisted in the service of his country. He raised 
a company of men, principally from the neigh- 
borhood where he resided, which became Com- 
pany E of the One Hundred and Forty-third 
New York Infantry, and was commissioned Cap- 
tain. Soon after his enlistment, his regiment 
was ordered to the front in the defense of Wash- 
ington 

Unfortunately, the Captain was taken sick and 



1278 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subsequently resigned, and our subject returned 
to his old home, taking up his former business 
again. He continued to follow this until 1866, 
when he received the appointment of postal clerk 
in the Railway Mail Service, being assigned to 
the Erie Railroad, between New York and Buf- 
falo. After holding this position until 1884, he 
was appointed Postmaster at Middletown bj' 
President Arthur, filling the office until 1889, 
when he was removed bj' President Cleveland. 
However, he was only out of the office three 
months, the man appointed by President Cleve- 
land failing of confirmation. In March, 1889, he 
was re-appointed Postmaster by President Har- 
rison, being one of the first appointed by the 
new administration. Captain Dorrance continued 
in the office until August, 1893, when he stepped 
out on account of his politics. During his time 
the postoffice was enlarged, free delivery estab- 
lished, and other improvements made, and it goes 
without saying that he made a most popular and 
efficient official. 

In 1894 Captain Dorrance was elected Alder- 
man-at-large for the city, and was made Presi- 
dent of the Board, which position he still retains. 
His progressive spirit is such that he is ever ready 
to undertake an}- work that tends toward the up- 
building of his adopted city. Socially he is a 
member of General Lyon Post No. 146, G. A. R. 
In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first 
Presidential vote for the first nominee of that 
party. Gen. John C. Fremont. , 



|ILLIAM H. PERLEE, an engineer on the 
New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, 
and also a member of the firm of George 
H. Hill & Co., druggists of Middletown, was 
born in Schenectady, N. Y., in July, 1S48. He 
is the son of Henry Perlee, a native of Canada, 
whose father, Henrj-, Sr., had emigrated to that 
country from France. In early days Henrj', Jr. , 
engaged in merchandising in Graild Trunk, but 
later settled in Schenectady, N. Y., where he 



was employed in the locomotive works until his 
death. Prior to leaving Canada he married Eliza 
Perlee, a native of that country, who died in 
New York State in 1856. Of their three chil- 
dren, William H. is the sole survivor. He was 
orphaned at the age of thirteen years, but con- 
tinued for a time afterward to make his home in 
Schenectad}-, being employed in the office of the 
locomotive works. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Perlee went to Syra- 
cuse, where he was employed in a drug store and 
studied pharmacy for eighteen months. When 
about nineteen years old he began as fireman on 
the New York Central Railroad, being employed 
in the yards at Syracuse and on the Western Di- 
vision of the road, between Syracuse and Buffalo. 
Sickness, however, soon forced him to discontinue 
work for two seasons. In 1873 he went to O.s- 
wego, in the employ of the New York & Oswego 
Midland, now the Ontario & Western Railroad, 
and first had charge of the engines at Sidney, but 
later was made fireman of a passenger train on 
the main line between Norwich and Middletown. 
When the road went into the hands of a receiver, 
he was thrown out of a position, but soon secured 
work as a machinist on the- Delaware & Hud- 
son Railroad. After a short time he resumed 
work on the New York, Ontario & Western 
road, on the main line, later on the Delhi Branch, 
and was fireman on the passenger train between 
Middletown and Norwich. In 1881 he was pro- 
moted to the position of engineer, and ran the 
pusher engine at Sidney for six months; then had 
the Delhi Branch engine for five months, and 
afterwards ran an engine on the construction of 
the West Shore Railroad in New Jersey for eight- 
een months. 

In June, 1S83, Mr. Perlee became an engineer 
on the milk train between Middletown and Wee- 
hawken, a distance of seventy eight miles, mak- 
ing the round trip, one hundred and fifty-six 
miles. He has since served in that capacity, and 
is known as one of the most reliable engineers on 
the road. In addition to this work he is owner 
of the principal drug store in Middletown, situat- 
ed on the corner of North and Courtland Streets, 
and carried on under the firm stvle of George H. 




J. FRANCIS .MATTHEWS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



1283 



Hill & Co. In former years he had extensive 
agricultural interests, but he is not interested in 
agriculture at present. His residence at No. 12 
Albert Street, Middletown, is the finest on the 
street and one of the best in the city. 

The first wife of Mr. Perlee bore the maiden 
name of Emma Alcott, and she died in this city. 
His second marriage, which took place here, unit- 
ed him with Mrs. Edith ( Decker) Younglove, a 
native of Middletown, and daughter of Jesse F. 
and Sarah E. (Crans) Decker, old and promi- 
nent residents of this county. Her father, in 
1894 and 1895, entertained the members of the 
Decker and Crans families on the occasion of 
their reunion. Our subject and his wife are the 
parents of one son, RossH. Socially Mr. Perlee 
is identified with Lancelot Lodge, K. of P., and 
the United Division No. 292, Brotherhood of Lo- 
comotive Engineers, of which he was First As- 
sistant Engineer for four years. Politically he is 
a Republican. 



3#^P 



(Tared FRANCIS MATTHEWS was bom 
I in Southington, Conn., in 1815, and was one 
Q) of a family of twelve children. After com- 
ing of age, he with two brothers. Miles and El- 
bert, joined a colony of men who moved with 
their families to Greene County, and engaged in 
a manufacturing business, which they afterward 
removed to Middletown, N. Y., w^here they con- 
ducted a most successful business in leather goods, 
manufacturing bags, belts, etc., in connection 
with their large carpet .store of that place, widely 
known throughout the county as the Matthews 
Brothers' Carpet Bag Factory. Their good stand- 
ing and sterling integrity in conducting their 
business insured their success. Their salesrooms 
were in Dey Street, New York, but they after- 
ward built and removed to their fine .store at No. 
92 (now known as No. 168) Church Street. 

Among other things, Mr. Matthews became 
interested in farming. He was a good judge of 
and was fond of fine horses; he also owned a choice 
dairy of cows. He was identified with many 
other enterprises and progressive movements in 

56 



Orange County. He retired from active business 
four years before his death. For many years he 
was a devoted member and faithful officer in the 
Episcopal Church. After an exemplary, useful 
life, he passed away, August 29, 1884. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Matth- 
ews February 10, 1859, and who from that time 
until his death was his devoted helpmate, bore 
the maiden name of Sarah Thurman Thorne, 
a relative of the late Judge John Thurman, of 
New York. She was born in the house where 
she still resides, where her father lived for seven- 
ty years. Notwithstanding the fact that the 
house is about one hundred and fifty years old, it 
presents as substantial an appearance as the homes 
of the present decade. The beautiful farm ad- 
joining the house has been in the possession of 
the family over a century, and consists of seventy 
acres of highly- cultivated land, well equipped as 
a grazing farm, with a number of outbuildings, 
etc., all within the corporate limits of the village 
of Goshen. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Matthews was Rich- 
ard Thorne, a native of England, who settled at 
Great Neck, L- L, and was living there at the 
time of the Revolution ar>- War. He was wealthy, 
and when his property was invaded by the Hess- 
ian soldiers his family buried their valuables in 
the garden to save them. He and his son John 
took part in the defense of the Colonists and were 
taken by the British and imprisoned in the old 
Sugar House in New York. Among his eleven 
children was Thomas Thorne, father of Mrs. 
Matthews, and a native of Great Neck, L. I. He 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Waters, 
a wealthy man residing on the Florida Road and 
the owner of extensive tracts of land. He was 
proprietor of a racecourse, and at one time held 
the office of Sheriff of Orange County. In early 
life he owned a number of slaves, but, being op- 
posed to the system of slavery, he gave them all 
their liberty. During the war with England he 
succeeded in taking a fine span of horses from 
the Briti.sh camp near his home. His sister mar- 
ried Gabriel Wisner, who was one of the slain in 
the massacre at the battle of Minisink. 

When only sixteen years of age Thomas Thorne 



1284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came to Goshen in order to enjoy the school priv- 
ileges here. Later he bought the farm where his 
remaining j'ears were spent, becoming the owner 
of one hundred acres of valuable land. In addi- 
tion to farming he conducted a tannery for years, 
and was also prominent in public affairs, serving 
as Commissioner of the county and as Supervisor 
for one term. For years he was Senior Warden 
in the Episcopal Church and died firm in the 
faith in 1859, aged eighty-six. His first wife was 
the widow of Robert Seeley, her maiden name be- 
ing Hatfield. His second wife, Elizabeth Wa- 
ters, was related to the Wisner family of Goshen; 
she died about 1864, at the age of seventy-five. 
Of her three children, Mary died at the age of 
seven years, and John pas.sed away soon after 
reaching his majority. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews was 
blessed by the birth of five children, three of 
whom are living, namely: Thomas A., William 
Thorne and Elizabeth Montague. Mrs. Matth- 
ews is connected with the Epi.scopal Church, and 
is generous in her benefactions to the poor and 
unfortunate. She still superintends the manage- 
ment of her valuable property, which she does 
in such a manner as to prove her executive abil- 
ity and secure the largest possible returns. 



Gl UGUST KROEGER. Though he had been 
LI in the United States only about one year 
/ I when the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Kroeger 
displayed a patriotism equal to that of any native- 
born son of the country. He enlisted in the 
Union army, and did valiant service in the de- 
fense of the Stars and Stripes, taking part in a 
number of memorable engagements, as well as in 
many skirmishes, where the peril to life was equal- 
ly great, though the results to the nation were 
less important. Since 1S72 he has made his 
home in Middletown, and is the proprietor of a 
merchant-tailoring establishment situated at No. 
43 James Street. 

February 21, 1838, the subject of this sketch 
was born in Oldcsloe, Holstein, Germany, where 
also were born his father, Henry Kroeger, and 



hi.s mother, known in maidenhood as Gretchen 
Grapp. The former engaged in the manufacture 
of paper in his native land until his death. Of 
his four children, two are now living, Augu.st be- 
ing the only one who ever came to the United 
States. He was reared in Holstein and attended 
the common schools until fourteen 3-ears of age, 
at which time he was apprenticed to the tailor's 
trade. In i860, hoping to better his fortunes in 
America, and at the same time to escape military 
oppression, he emigrated to this country, leaving 
Hamburg on the sailing-vessel "C. Robert Peal," 
and arriving in New York City after an unevent- 
ful voyage of seven weeks. He remained in New 
York, working at his trade, until April, 1861. 

At the first tap of the drum, in the opening of 
the mighty conflict between the North and the 
South, Mr. Kroeger enlisted in the Union arm}', 
becoming a member of Company E, Twentieth 
New York Infantry. He was mustered into serv- 
ice at New York City, and went at once to the 
front, taking part in the engagement at Ft. Hat- 
teras, the seven-days battle at Richmond, the 
second battle of Bull Run, and the two engage- 
ments at Fredericksburg. In the latter engage- 
ment a bullet grazed his neck, inflicting a slight 
wound, but with that exception he escaped unin- 
jured. In all the battles this regiment was con- 
spicuous for bravery, and at Antietam their loss 
was heavier than that of any regiment. After 
two j'ears of service, he was honorably discharged, 
June 14, 1863, immediately after the battle of 
Fredericksburg. 

Returning to New York City, Mr. Kroeger con- 
tinued at his trade there until 1872, when he came 
to Middletown and started a merchant-tailoring 
business at the corner of Main and North Streets. 
For one year he was a member of the firm of Wolf 
& Kroeger, after which he was alone until 1894, 
and then formed a partnership with G. Gunther, 
the firm name being now Kroeger & Gunther. 
His residence, which was erected by himself, is 
situated at No. 16 Libert}- Street. In religiouj 
belief he is a Lutheran. Politically he is a Re- 
publican in the national issues, but somewhat in- 
dependent in local affairs. He is one of the offi- 
cers of Capt. W. A. Jackson Post, G. A. R., and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1285 



is a member of the Twentieth New York Infan- 
try Veterans' Association, the annual reunions of 
which in New York City he always attends. 

In New York City, in 1864, Mr. Kroeger mar- 
ried Miss Fredricka Badd, who was born in West- 
phalia, Germany, and died in New York in 1871. 
The following year he married Miss Mary Roed, 
a native of Frieburg, Baden, and they are the 
parents of si.x: children, four of whom survive. 
Dora died of diphtheria at the age of four years. 
Andrew, who was a youth of unusual promise, 
and very popular among his associates, was 
drowned while swimming in Dewsnap Pond at 
Mechanicstown, June 10, 1891, at the age of fif- 
teen years. He was a member of the Epi.scopal 
Church choir and belonged to the Young Men's 
Christian Association. The four surviving chil- 
dren are Henry, who is engaged in business in 
this city, and is an active member of DeWitt 
Camp, Sons of Veterans; Augusta; Charles, who 
is associated in business with his elder brother; 
and Hilda, who is at home. 



••3>K®«)'5'^«- 



ROBERT HIGHAM. For twenty-si.x years 
Mr. Higham was proprietor of the oldest 
hotel in Middletown, the Wallkill House, 
situated at the corner of James and Depot Streets, 
but in 1893 he retired from the business and 
leased the hotel to other parties. Since that time 
he has given his attention to the supervision of 
his general real-estate and other interests, and 
though he is not actively engaged in business 
his life is nevertheless a busy one. 

Born in Manchester, England, in 1844, the 
subject of this notice is a son of Robert, Sr., a 
native of the same place and for many years a 
cotton warper there. After the death of the wife 
and mother, the father came to America, in 1866, 
and soon afterward with his .son opened the Wall- 
kill House, contiiniing its management until the 
death of the .senior Mr. Higham a few years later. 
At a very early age our subject began to support 
himself, and when only eight years old he com- 



menced to work in the cotton-mills of Manchester. 
There he remained until 1861, meantime work- 
ing in every department of the mills. 

Believing that America offered him better op- 
portunities for advance than England, our sub- 
ject determined to come hither. Accordingly, in 
1861, he took passage on a ship bound for this 
country, and after landing proceeded at once to 
Middletown, reaching this city May 4 of the 
same year. To this place his uncle, John Higham, 
had preceded him, becoming proprietor of the 
Holden (now the Jefferson) House. He was the 
second male representative of the Higham family 
to seek a home in this country. Three years 
after coming here, in 1864, he enlisted in the 
United States navy as landsman in the South 
Atlantic Squadron. Later he became an ordinary 
seaman. He proceeded on the gunboat "Flor- 
ida" to Port Royal and Ft. Sumter, and at the 
latter place took part in a .severe conflict with 
the Confederates. Later he was on the "New 
Hampshire," the "Tallapoosa" and the "Inoe." 

At the expiration of a year, his term of enlist- 
ment, Mr. Higham was honorably discharged 
from the service at the Brooklyn Navy-yards. 
On his return to Middletown, he remained for a 
time with his uncle, then with his father as- 
sumed the management of the Wallkill House, 
which has the best location of any hotel in the 
city. He still owns it, though since 1893 he has 
not been engaged in the hotel business. He ex- 
pects soon to build a residence in Oakland Place, 
on East Main Street, where he will establish his 
permanent home. His wife, with whom he was 
united ir Middletown, bore the maiden name of 
Lydia E. Walker, and was born in London, Eng- 
land. They are the parents of two daughters, 
Edith E. and Alice M. 

Prior to the war Mr. Higham served in the old 
Middletown Militia Company until its disband- 
ment. He .served for a time in the Eagle Hose 
Company, of which he is now an honorary mem- 
ber. In his fraternal relations he is connected 
with Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., 
and with General Lyon Post No. 266, G. A. R. 
While not a member of any religious bodj', he 
is a regular attendant at the services of the 



1286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



Grace Episcopal Church and a contributor to its 
maintenance. Politically he has always advo- 
cated Republican principles, which he believes 
best adapted to promote our country' 's welfare. 

• g ^ P 



NARVEY MOORE, engineer on the New 
York, Ontario & Western Railroad, between 
Middletown and Norwich, was born in Mon- 
ticello, N. Y., August 21, 1846. His father, Will- 
iam J., was born in Canada, of Irish descent, 
and when a young man came to Montgomery, 
Orange County, where he learned the black- 
smith's trade. Later settling in Monticello, he 
resided there for a short time, then removed to a 
farm in Thompsonville, Sullivan County, where 
he carried on agricultural pursuits for ten years. 
When advanced in j'ears he retired from active 
labor and returned to Monticello, where he is 
now living with a daughter, being hale and ro- 
bust, notwithstanding his ninety years. Political- 
ly he is a Republican. 

Twice married, William J. Moore has two 
daughters and one son surviving of his first un- 
ion. Of his second marriage, six children were 
born, of whoiu two are deceased. The mother 
of our subject, Eleanor L-, w'as born in Connecti- 
cut, and died in Ulster County at the age of 
seventy-three years. Her father, John Crumley, 
came from Connecticut to New York, and settled 
in Bethel, Sullivan County, where the closing 
years of his life were spent. Harvey Moore was 
reared principally in Monticello, and attended 
the public schools of that village. In April, 1861, 
when less than fifteen years of age, he began 
driving a stage and carrying mail betweeu Mon- 
ticello and Grahamsville. After fifteen months 
spent in that way, he drove a mail-coach between 
Monticello and Libert)- for three years. He next 
drove the four-horse stage betweeu Monticello 
and Middletown, via Wurtsboro, a distance of 
twenty-five miles, the round trip consuming three 
days. This coach was sufficiently large to ac- 
commodate seventeen passengers and their bag- 
gage, as well as the express and mail. 

lu 1870 Mr. Moore discontinued work as a 



stage-driver, and began the manufacture of nitro- 
glycerine for the tunnel at Bloomingburg. After 
six months in that capacit\-, he went to Monticel- 
lo, where he resumed his former occupation, and 
drove the stage between Monticello and Never- 
sink, connecting with the terminus of the Oswe- 
go Midland Road. August 7, 187 1, he became 
an employe on the Jersey Midland, now the On- 
tario & Western Railroad, and for thirteen months 
he was fireman between Unionville and Franklin. 
In September, 1872, he was made engineer, and 
has since been retained in that capacity. His first 
position was on the work train at Ellenville, but 
in 1875 he was transferred to the freight running 
between Middletown and Walton, and two years 
later he began to run the milk train between 
Middletown and Livingston Manor and Sidney. 
In 1882 he was transferred to the night passen- 
ger train from Middletown to Norwich, after- 
ward was placed on the day run, and since then 
he has held one of these positions, at present be- 
ing engineer on Nos. i and 2 day trains, betweeu 
Middletown and Norwich. During his long ex- 
perience in railroading he has had only one seri- 
ous accident, and that was caused by the opposite 
crew mistaking a train. His car collided with 
the other, his fireman being killed, and he escaped 
only by jumping from the train. 

In addition to his other interests, Mr. Moore is 
a Director in the Granite State Providence Build- 
ing and Loan Association. Politically he is a Re- 
publican, and socially holds membership in Uni- 
ty Division No. 292, Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers, and the Royal Templars of Temper- 
ance. His religious connections are with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was united in 
marriage, in Liberty, N. Y. , with Miss Anna A. 
Crispell, a native of that city, and daughter of 
David P. and Grace E. (Adgate) Crispell, na- 
tives, respectively, of Orange and Sullivan Coun- 
ties. Her grandfather, Richard D. Crispell, was 
a carpenter, which trade her father also followed, 
being a contractor in Liberty. Hoping to regain 
his health, which was poor, he went to Leadville, 
Colo. , but the change did not prove beneficial, 
and in a short time he died, leaving an only child, 
Mrs. Moore. 




DAVIU R. MILLER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



0AVID R. MILLER, of Middletown, one of 
the largest real-estate dealers in Orange 
County, is also one of the most liberal and 
enterprising men in the business, and to the 
growth of this city he has probably contributed 
more than any other man. His addition to Mid- 
dletown, known as Central Park Addition, con- 
tains about two hundred and fifty acres, and is 
beautifully located, running north from Wisner 
Avenue. Already nearly two hundred acres have 
been platted, from which more lots have been 
sold than from any other addition in the cit)-. 

Mr. Miller was born in South Centreville, Or- 
ange County, March 13, 1848, and is a son of 
Charles S. and Jane ( Robertson) Miller, the 
former born near Dover, N. J., but of Scotch de- 
scent, and the latter born in South Centreville. 
When a youth the father was bound out to learn 
the trade of a carpenter, his apprenticeship contin- 
uing until he was twenty-one years of age, when 
he received $100 in cash. On completing his ap- 
prenticeship, he located at South Centreville, 
where he followed his trade for over thirty years, 
and among the buildings which he assisted in 
erecting was the Orange County Almshouse. He 
was quite successful as a contractor, and became 
the owner of two good farms near Centreville. 
His death occurred when he was seventy-two 
years of age. Religiouslj' he was a devout mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
politics was first a Whig and then a Republican. 
He married Jane Robertson, who, as already 
.stated, was born in South Centreville. Her fa- 
ther, David Robertson, was born in Scotland, 
and, in compau}' with two brothers, William 
and Robert, came from that country and settled 
on adjoining farms in Orange County, and reared 
large families. To Charles S. and Jane Miller 
were born three children, two of whom grew to 
maturity, David R. and George R., the latter re- 
siding in Middletown. 

When our subject was but fourteen years of 
age, his mother died. He grew to manhood in 
his native town and received his early education 
in the public schools, later attending Unionville 
Academy one term. From boyhood he was handy 
with tools, and at an early age connnenced work 



as a carpenter and mason. He remained at home 
and worked with his father until pa.st eighteen, 
when he rented one of his father's farms, which 
he operated for three years. He then became the 
possessor of the George W. Robertson Farm, con- 
sisting of one hundred acres, to which he re- 
moved in i860. In 1870 he located in Middle- 
town, bought the old Webb Farm of seventy-five 
acres, and later purchased the old Everett Farm 
of eighty-one acres, on which he yet resides. 
Another farm which he purchased later is known 
as the Dan Wood Farm. Besides engaging in 
farming, he also deals in real estate, making .sev- 
eral additions to the city, and has given away 
several acres for manufacturing and other pur- 
poses. He laid out Washington Square of sev- 
eral acres, and gave the right of way to the Street 
Railway Company. In addition to what has al- 
ready been mentioned, Mr. Miller owns one hun- 
dred and seventy-four acres at Midway Park, on 
the Wallkill, which he improved, and which he 
operates. He also owns one hundred and sixty 
acres at Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, 
which is principally timber-land. 

March 19, 1867, Mr. Miller was married, in 
Centreville, to Miss Eliza J. Mulford, who was a 
native of that place and the daughter of Linden 
Mulford, who is there engaged in farming. Five 
children were born to them, as follows: Annie B., 
who died at the age of five years; Emily B., now 
Mrs. Josiah Miller, of Wallkill; Nellie K., the 
wife of Rev. Gilbert A. Shaw, of Clayton, N. Y.; 
Hermon C, of the firm of Ritter & Miller, gro- 
cers of Middletown; and Viola S., at home. 

Mr. Miller has been quite successful in life and 
is actively engaged in his bu.siness, sparing no 
pains to make Middletown one of the best cities 
in Orange County. He is a stockholder and Di- 
rector in the Middletown & Goshen Traction Com- 
pany, of which he was one of the organizers, and 
was also the largest stockholder in the old Horse 
Street Railway Company. He is a strong temper- 
ance man, and is a member and Lodge Deputy of 
the Independent Order of Good Templars. Religi- 
ously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he has been Class-leader and 
Trustee for many years. He assisted in starting 



1290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the North Street Methodist Episcopal Mission, 
and gave the lot for the church site. The Sun- 
day-school finds in him a warm supporter, and 
he has served as Superintendent for many \ears. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

Among other enterprises which Mr. Miller has 
assisted in starting are the Middletown City Iron 
Works and the North End Machine-shops, in 
both of which a large number of men are em- 
ployed. He has ever been ready to a.ssist, with his 
counsel and his means, any enterprise calculated 
to advance the interests of Middletown. 

NENRV L. ADAMS, agent for the Adams 
E.xpress Company at Middletown, was born 
in Minisink, this county, in 1843. He is a 
representative of a familj' that has long been con- 
nected with the history of America, being the 
fifth in line of descent from the first of the name to 
come hither. Little is known of this ancestor save 
that he purchased from King George a tract of 
land lying near Deckertown, N. J., and there es- 
tablished his permanent home. 

The grandfather of our subject, Crowell Adams, 
was born in New Jersey, and followed agricultural 
pursuits until his death, in the citj- of Newark. 
Next in line of descent was Samuel C, a na- 
tive of Deckertown, N. J., who selected agricult- 
ure for his occupation, and was thus engaged in 
the town of Wallkill, Orange County, two miles 
from Middletown. When advanced in years he 
retired from active work, and his closing days 
were spent in this city, where he died at the age of 
sixty-nine. In religious belief he was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he 
affiliated with the Republicans. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Sarah Van Cleft, was born in 
Minisink, and died in Middletown when more 
than sixty -six years of age. She-was a sister of 
Lewis, father of Joseph Van Cleft, of Newburgh, 
whose sketch is presented on another page. 

The family of Samuel C. and JSarah Adams 
consisted of five children, three of whom attained 
years of maturity. Henry L. was reared in the 
town of Wallkill and attended the public schools 



and Wallkill Acadeni}', completing his education 
in the latter institution. He was engaged in farm- 
ing until 1868, when he came to Middletown, 
and here for six years he carried on a boot and 
shoe business. In 1874 he entered the eriiploy of 
the American Express Company, as messenger 
on the Susquehanna & Western Railroad from 
New York to Middletown. In 1883 he was made 
agent for the company, remaining with them for 
the succeeding ten years, and was also agent for 
the National Express. In 1S93 ^^^ resigned in 
order to accept a similar position with the Adams 
Express Company. He commenced his duties 
in 1893, and started the business for the company, 
being their first agent at this point. His office 
is located at No. 5 North Street. 

The pleasant home of Mr. Adams at No. 45 
South Street is presided over by his wife, a na- 
tive of this city and known in maidenhood as 
Charity Weed. They are members of the Finst 
Presbyterian Church and sing in the choir, besides 
which he is chorister of the Sunday-school. Since 
1869 he has been connected with the Excelsior 
Hook and Ladder Company No. i , of which he 
was as.sistant foreman and is a member of the 
Board of Trustees. Aside from other interests, he 
is a member of the Board of Trade. In politics 
he favors Republican principles. His experience 
in the express business, covering a period of twen- 
ty-one years, has made him familiar with every 
detail connected with it, and his good manage- 
ment has brought the well deserved commenda- 
tion of superior officials of the company. 






[qJEORGE W. REED, the present Alderman 
l_l of the Fourth Ward, Middletown, was born 
\^ in July, 1844, at South Centreville, in what 
was then the town of Minisink, but is now the 
town of Wawayanda. His father, Alonzo, and 
grandfather, James Reed, were born in the same 
place, and were of Scotch descent. The latter, 
who was a farmer by occupation, served in the 
War of 1812. The former, also an agriculturist, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



1291 



spent his active life at South Centreville, but now, 
at the age of eighty- one, he is living retired at 
Denton. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Mary Carr, was born in the town of Wawayanda, 
where her father, Peter Carr, followed the shoe- 
maker's trade. Her ancestors were of Scotch- 
Irish origin. She is still living and is now in 
her eighty-second year. In religious belief she is 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to which her luisband also belongs. 

The family of Alonzo and Mary Reed consisted 
of ten children, nine of whom attained years of 
maturity, and seven are now living, George W.- 
being the eldest. Three of the sons.served in the 
Union army during the Civil War. Benjamin 
F. was a member of the Thirteenth New York 
Battery, and died soon after the close of the Re- 
bellion; and Charles H., a member of the Eight- 
eenth New York Infantry, died during the Pen- 
insula campaign. Our subject was reared on 
the home farm and received a common-school ed- 
ucation. At the opening of the war, though he 
was then only in his teens, he enli.sted in the 
Union army, and in October, 1861, his name was 
enrolled as a member of Company C, First New 
York Mounted Rifles. He was mustered into 
service at Newburgh, sent South from there, and 
engaged in duty in Virginia, participating in the 
battle of Petersburg and other eiigagements of 
the war. He veteranized in 1863 and continued 
with his regiment until the close of the Rebellion, 
when he was mustered out as Corporal at Albany, 
in December, 1865, having .served for more than 
four years. 

After retiring from the army Mr. Reed spent a 
year in South Centerville, and in 1866 came to 
Middletown, where he was for five years an ap- 
prentice to the carpenter's trade under Theodore 
W. Dailey. At the expiration of that time he 
became foreman for Edwin McWilliams, and has 
since followed his trade in this city and the sur- 
rounding country. He erected a number of build- 
ings, which he afterward sold at a profit, and has 
done some contract work. Aside from his other 
interests he is a Director in the Middletown Co- 
operation Company. He is a charter member of 
Capt. William A. Jackson Po.st No. 301, G. A. R., 



and is its Commander. With his family he be- 
longs to the First Congregational Church of Mid- 
dletown. Politically he is active in the ranks of 
the Republican party, and is a member of the Re- 
publican City Committee. In the .spring of 1894 
he was nominated and elected Alderman from the 
Fourth Ward, and is now serving his .second year 
in that ofiice, having acted as President of the 
Board during the summer of 1895. He has served 
as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and 
Means, akso as a member of the Street, Sewer and 
Fire Committees. 

The first marriage of Mr. Reed took place at 
Middletown in 1867, uniting him with Phcebe 
Decker, daughter of Densmore Decker, of this 
city. She died in 1S79, leaving three children: 
Ida U., wife of John Moshier, of Middletown; 
Jennie A., Mrs: W. H. Mapes, also of this city; 
and Henry W., who is connected with a New 
York store, and is Quartermaster of DeWitt Camp 
No. 37, Sons of Veterans. At New Vernon, in 
1 88 1, Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Miss 
Susan F. Corwin, a native of that place, her fa- 
ther, J. P. Corwin, having been a farmer there. 

HORACE W. COREY, real-e.state dealer and 
manager of the Casino Theatre, Middle- 
town, was born at Port Jervis, August 16, 
1859, and is a son of Alexander and Cordelia 
(House) Corey, the former a native of Goshen, 
N. Y., and the latter of Newton, N. J. He trac- 
es his ancestry back to David Corey, who came 
from Wales during Cromwell's time, and located 
first in Connecticut, and later settled on Long 
Island. Alexander Core}', the great-grandfather 
of our subject, was born on Long Island, and 
commanded a company from that island and 
Connecticut during the Revolution. M'hile on 
the heights of Quebec he was .shot through one of 
his lungs. Afterwards he settled in the town of 
Goshen, where the grandfather of our subject, 
Benjamin Corey, was born. The latter was a 
soldier in a New York regiment, and served in 
the War of 1812. For many years he was a 
farmer in the old town of Minisink, but late in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



life retired, and resided in Middletown until his 
death, at the age of eightj'-six. He was a mem- 
ber of the Old-school Baptist Church. 

Alexander Corey, the father of our subject, 
learned the carpenter's trade in Port Jervis, and 
followed the occupation of a contractor and build- 
er for many years in Newburgh, as the senior 
member of the firm of Corej- & Crumbley. He 
continued to work at his trade until age rendered 
it necessary for him to retire from active business, 
when he removed to Middletown, and here died 
at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, Cor- 
delia House, was a daughter of Thomas House, 
who was born at Ft. Orange, now Albany, N. Y. 
Her great-grandfather, Ephraim House, was born 
in Alsace-Lorraine, France, coming to New York 
at the age of eighteen, and during the Revolu- 
tionary War served in the defense of his adopted 
country. He settled at Ft. Orange, and later re- 
moved to New Jersey, where he died. Her 
grandfather settled in Sussex County, N. J., 
where he engaged in farming, and later in hotel- 
keeping. He died in 1876, at the age of eight}-- 
eight. The mother of Cordelia House was of 
French extraction and bore the maiden name of 
Annie Rousselle, which has been Anglicized as 
Russell. She was born in Lorraine, and her fa- 
ther, Col. Derrick Rousselle, was also in the Re v- 
olutionarj' War, as a Colonel with La Fayette. 
Many of his letters written during this period are 
still in the possession of our subject. Mrs. Cor- 
delia Corey is yet living and resides at Middle- 
town. She became the mother of four children, 
all of whom are yet living. 

Horace W. was reared in Newburgh and 
Port Jervis, and in both places received his edu- 
cation in the public and high schools. After 
leaving school he entered the office of W. E. 
McCormick, real-estate dealer and civil engineer 
of Port Jervis, and on the Etie Railroad took his 
first lessons in surveying. He was afterward 
with the Marvin Safe Company for four years, 
traveling as their salesman through the Middle 
and Southern States. He continued traveling 
until 1884, when he located in Middletown and 
engaged in the real-estate business for several 
vears, having charge of Senator Low's real-es- 



tate interests in Middletown. He acted as agent 
for Mr. Low until the latter's death, since which 
time he has been in the real-estate business for 
himself In 1S87, in company with I. F. Van 
Duzer and R. O. Lewis, he purchased the old 
Casino Rink, which was altered and converted 
into the Casino Theatre. One year later it was 
burned down, when a stock company was organ- 
ized, known as the Casino Theatre Company, 
which built the present fine theatre building. 
The company was organized with a capital stock 
of $40,000, but the building and the land cost 
about $67,000. Mr. Corey has been manager of 
the business from the start. The plans of the 
building were drawn by Leon H. Lempert, of 
Rochester. It has a frontage of sixty -two feet 
and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet. The 
first floor is devoted to stores and the electric plant, 
and the remainder to the theatre and offices. In- 
cluding the balcony and gallerj', it has a seating 
capacity- of twelve hundred. The stage is 40x57 
feet and is provided with a fine drop curtain and 
scenery sufficient for the production of almost any 
ordinary play. The house is seated with uphol- 
stered red plush chairs. During the regular sea- 
sons it is engaged about four nights during each 
week. 

Richmond Hill, the largest and most popular 
addition ever laid out in Middletown, and prob- 
ably the most successful financially, compri.sed 
the Rockafellow Farm of about seventj^-five acres. 
It is in the southern portion of the city, and 
through it run Conkling Avenue, Mountain Av- 
enue and a number of the citj-'s best streets. It 
was laid out in February, 1895, and one hun- 
dred and twentj'-five lots were sold in four 
months. In less than six months $10,000 worth 
of building lots were .sold, and $75,000 worth of 
buildings were erected. This addition is the prop- 
erty of Stratton & Corey, and is handled exclus- 
ively by Mr. Corej-. While engaged with the firm 
of Ferguson & Corey, they platted the North End 
Addition, and Highland Avenue, the property of 
the late Judge Low. 

In 1885 Mr. Corey was married, in Middle- 
town, to Miss Sadie Mapes, who was born in Go- 
shen, N. Y., a daughter of John W. Mapes. In 




DANIEL T. WEED. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1295 



politics Mr. Corey is a Democrat. He isa mem- 
ber of the Managerial National Association of 
Theatres, and takes a great interest in all theat- 
rical matters. Mr. Core>''s residence is at 
"Locksley Hall," in the sonthern end ofthecity, 
and comprises about fifteen acres, on which he 
has made an artificial lake, well stocked with 
bass, pickerel, etc. It is one of the neatest sub- 
urban residences about the citj-, and here maj' 
probably be found the finest apple orchard in Or- 
ange County, comprising about eight acres of land. 
He has taken from this orchard seven hundred 
barrels of apples in a season, the famous Conk- 
ling Seedling being the onh- apple of the kind on 
the market. 



0ANIEL T. WEED is Superintendent of 
Downing Park, which is located in the sub- 
urbs of Newburgh, and which was named in 
honor of his personal friend, Charles Downing, 
now deceased. Horticulture has always been an 
interesting .subject to Mr. Weed, and it would in- 
deed be difficult to find a man better qualified to 
hold the position which he so ably fills. He is a 
member of the Agricultural Society of Orange 
County, and is a member of its Advisory Com- 
mittee. For manj' j'ears he and Mr. Downing 
were judges of fruits and vegetables at the state 
and county fairs, they being considered authori- 
ties on these subjects. 

The grandfather of our subject came to the 
United States from Ireland at an early day, set- 
tling in Newburgh, where his son David, the fa- 
ther of Daniel T. , was born. The father was a 
farmer b}' occupation, and died in early life as the 
result of an accident. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Deborah Noj-es, and who was also born 
in Newburgh, was thus left a widow with seven 
children, only three of whom are now living. 
She died at the ripe old age of seventy-three 
years. Her brother, Aaron Noyes, who was well 
known in the early history of Newburgh, owned 
a brickyard where the West Shore freight depot 
now stands. 



Daniel T. Weed was born in Bethlehem, this 
county, March 13, 1820, and until he was in his 
fourteenth year lived on a farm, his educational 
privileges being very limited. His first employ- 
ment in the business world was in the Roseville 
brickyards, of which in time he became the pro- 
prietor, and for twenty years was engaged suc- 
cessfully in the manufacture of brick, at the same 
time taking contracts. About 1S52 he .settled 
upon a farm of one hundred acres at Middle Hope, 
where he made a specialty of raising fruits and 
vegetables and also conducted a large dairy. He 
still engaged in general contracting, building or 
superintending many of the roads in the town. 
For twelve years he was one of the Commissioners 
of the town of Newburgh, and in 1877 located 
here permanently, engaging in the hardware bus- 
iness with Joseph Van Cleft, and having charge 
of one of the stores for five years. Then he be- 
came agent for the Newburgh & Albany Trans- 
portation Company in the Albany freight office, 
acting in that capacitj- for seven years. The fol- 
lowing four years he was Assistant Superintendent 
of the Newburgh Street Committee, and in 1894, 
when extensive improvements were inaugurated 
in the beautiful thirty-acre Downing Park, he 
was placed in charge of the work, as Superinten- 
dent b}' the Park Commissioners. He brings to 
bear upon this wide experience and a great love 
of the business. 

January 16, 1840, Mr. Weed was married, in 
the town of Newburgh, to Elizabeth A. West- 
lake, who was born in Middle Hope, N. Y., and 
who.se father, Daniel Westlake, was a farmer in 
that vicinity. Six children, of whom four are 
now living, were born to our subject and wife, 
and are as follows: Juliet, wife of Leander Clark, 
Jr., of this city; J. Irving, a gold miner in Den- 
ver, Colo. ; Adolphus, baggagemaster for the 
West Shore Railroad in Newburgh: and Emma, 
wife of Joseph Simpson, of Passaic, N. J. 

In company with his brother, Jonathan N. 
Weed, our subject has been greatly interested in 
the upbuilding of Trinity Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He has been one of the most liber- 
al donors to its various departments of activity, 
and also aided in the erection of the beautiful 



1296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



house of worship. For twenty years he was a 
member of the Official Board, serving as Steward, 
Trustee, etc. For two years he was one of New- 
burgh's Assessors, and politically he is a stanch 
Republican. Formerly he was a member of the 
Union League, and for years he has been one of 
the most active promoters of general works of 
benevolence and progress. 



nOHN CUMMINGS is .senior member of the 
I firm of J. & P. Cummings, w'holesale gro- 
C2/ cers and liquor dealers, and also of the firm 
of Cummings Brothers, wholesale liquor dealers. 
He was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1839, 
and landed in New York December 25, 1854, 
making the voyage in twenty-three days. (For 
an account of the ancestry of our subject, see 
sketch of Peter Cummings, on another page of 
this work.) On arriving in New York, he pro- 
ceeded at once to Otisville, where he entered the 
employ of the Erie Railroad, but later removed 
to Nagle.sville, near Scranton, Pa. Soon after- 
wards, however, he left the railroad and pur- 
chased a boat, which he ran on the Delaware & 
Hudson Canal, in which business he was later 
joined by his brother Peter. After selling his in- 
terest in the canal-boat, he purchased the boat 
"National," and ran on the Erie Canal from 
Buffalo to New York City and to Baltimore for 
three years. Subsequently he sold out his boat- 
ing interests and with his brother devoted his at- 
tention to mercantile pursuits. Under the firm 
name of J. & P. Cummings our subject erected a 
building on the corner of what is now Fulton 
Street and East Avenue, then Water Street and 
East Avenue, where they engaged in the whole- 
sale and retail grocery and liquor business. Soon 
afterwards they rented the place to Frank 
Murphy, and started a canal store in Honesdale, 
Pa., which was in charge of our subject for three 
years. Peter went to Acadia, but subsequently 
returned and continued the grocery and liquor 
business. In 1880 the brothers bought the dis- 



tillery of Jefferson Roberts, at South Centreville, 
which they enlarged, putting in new machiners'. 
This distillery they yet operate, manufacturing 
apple brandy, and they carry a full line of liquors 
from Kentucky, having a large trade in Orange, 
Sullivan and Ulster Counties, and New York 
City. vSome shipments are made as far west as 
Ohio. In 1893 they started a wholesale and 
liquor business at No. 100 North Street, the fine 
building in which it is located being owned by 
Peter Cummings. Their manager at this place 
is Peter T. Kirk. 

In addition to his mercantile interests, in com- 
pany with his brother Peter, our subject is inter- 
ested in fine horses, and owns a number of thor- 
ough-breds. He is individually interested in the 
real-estate business, and is the owner of lots in 
various parts of the city. The large brick block 
on the corner of East Main Street and Railroad 
Avenue was erected by him some 5'ears ago. 

Mr. Cummings was married, in Middletown, 
to Miss Margaret F. Sheridan, a native of Howells 
Depot, and daughter of Dennis Sheridan, a farmer 
of that place. She died in December, 1881, leav- 
ing three children; Myrtie J., attending .school 
at the Ursuline Academy; John, at Middletown 
Academy; and Christopher. 

Mr. Cummings is a member of St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. 
He is now an honorary member of McQuaid 
Hose Company, and for some time was an active 
member, being one of the original number form- 
ing the company. 



~D\VARD FITZGERALD. The scenery of 
^ the Hudson has been immortalized in song 
^ and storj' by some of the greatest writers 
America has produced. The serene flow of the 
river, the beauty of the adjacent valley, with its 
low-drooping trees, and the grand old forests 
through which the sunlight steals, all these and 
many other attractions of the vicinity have been 
made famihar to the people of the LTnited States. 
Of late years a portion of the valley, more beau- 
tiful even than that which enjoys a wider fame. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1297 



has been gaining an increased amount of attention 
from the lovers of the beautiful in nature. 

Orange Lake is situated in the town of New- 
burgh, about three miles from the cit}' of that 
name. It is a mile and a-half long and one mile 
in width, and furnishes excellent facilities for 
boating, bathing and fishing. It is not strange, 
therefore, that it is popular among the people by 
whom its beauties and attractions are known. 
The subject of this sketch had the shrewdness to 
see that in coming years visitors would be drawn 
hither in ever-increa.sing numbers, and he invest- 
ed largely in property on the lake. He was born 
in Cornwall, N. Y., Decembers, 1865, and has 
spent his entire life in this county, so that he is 
well known among the citizens. 

In 1890 Mr. Fitzgerald purchased the Orange 
Lake Hotel, with the surrounding grounds, cover- 
ing about thirty-three acres. Two j-ears later he 
took charge of the hotel, of which he has since 
been proprietor. The hou.se is roomy, conveni- 
ently arranged and admirably adapted for the 
purpose for which it is used. The farm has for 
years been a noted one, and has a good half-mile 
race-track. It is known as the place where 
"George Wilkes" was born and bred, and other 
horses have been trained here that have made 
excellent records on the turf. Two steamers ply 
the waters of the lake, enabling the guests of the 
hotel to enjoy a pleasant outing on the water. 
No pains are spared to secure the comfort of vis- 
itors, who welcome with delight every opportun- 
ity to enjoy a few days' recreation at Orange 
Lake. 



EHARLE.S ZACHARY TAYLOR, contractor 
and builder of Middletown, was born in New 
York City in 1846, and is a son of Abraham 
L. and Eliza G. (Reed) Taylor, the former a na- 
tive of Yonkers, and the latter of New York 
City. Grandfather Taylor, an uncle of the ex- 
President of that name, was a soldier in the 
War of 1 8 12, and carried on a farm near Yonkers. 
Abraham L. Taylor, the father of our subject, 



was a builder, having learned the carpenter's 
trade when a boy, and for many years was en- 
gaged in contracting and building in New York 
City. From 1849 to 1854 he was at Dunkirk, 
N. Y., engaged at his trade and in farming. He 
was a Captain in the New York City Militia, and 
had charge of the fort at Central Park. In poli- 
tics he was a Democrat. He died in 1871, at the 
age of about fifty-four years. His wife, Eliza G. 
Reed, was a daughter of James Reed, a gardener, 
who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and who 
died of cholera in New York. Mrs. Taylor 
died in 1890. Three of the five children in the 
parental famih- are now living. Jacob, who was 
a Captain of a pioneer corps in a New York regi- 
ment during the Civil War, now resides in Har- 
lem, N. Y., where he is engaged in the real- 
estate business; and George is an electrician in 
Mt. Vernon. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in New 
York City and at Dunkirk, and was educated in 
the high schools, graduating from a New York 
academy when seventeen years old. While in 
Dunkirk he saw the Erie Railroad opened, and 
regards it as one of the grandest sights that he 
ever saw. He learned the carjienter trade under 
his father, and completed it under an architect 
and builder in New York City. He then en- 
gaged in business with his father and brother, 
luider the firm name of Taylor & Sons, until 
1 87 1, when his father died. The firm did quite 
an extensive business in the erection of residences 
and school buildings. After the death of -the fa- 
ther the business was continued by our subject 
and brother until 1875, when the partnership 
was dissolved. Mr. Taylor then removed to Mid- 
dletown, where he continued contracting and 
building until 1882, when the Anglo-Swiss Con- 
densing Company was organized, and he was 
made superintendent of the building department, 
having charge of the erection of all the buildings 
of the company. He continued as superintend- 
ent until 1892, when he resigned and again en- 
gaged in contracting and building. In the spring 
of 1895 he built the shop and moved to his pres- 
ent location, No. i Railroad Avenue. 

Mr. Taylor was married in Middletown to Miss 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Adelia Parson, who was born in the town of 
Wallkill, and is a daughter of Gilbert L. Parson, 
who was a farmer, and who died in Januarj-, 
1894, 2t the age of ninety years. Mrs. Taylor 
is a graduate of Wallkill Academy, and is a 
highly educated and acomplished woman. Five 
children were born unto them, four of whom are 
living, viz.: Mar}-, Emma, Grace and Cora, all 
of whom are at home, and the two oldest are at- 
tending Middletown Academy. Bertha, the fourth 
child, died at the age of eight. 

Fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of the 
Knights of Honor and of the Knights of Pythias. 
He is an active member of Eagle Hose Company 
Xo. 2. Religiou.sly he is a Baptist, and is a Trus- 
tee of the church in Middletown. Politically he 
is an active and straightforward Republican. He 
was Chairman of the Ward Republican Commit- 
tee for many years, and has been a member of 
the City Central Committee and also of the Coun- 
tv Central Committee. 






EHARLES PIATT, a retired business man of 
Middletown, was born in the town of Mt. 
Hope, near Otisville, November i, 1825. 
His grandfather Piatt was born in New Jerse}-, 
where he lived and died. He was of French 
descent. His father, Daniel Piatt, was also a na- 
tive of New Jersey, but located in the town of 
Mt. Hope at an early day, and later removed to 
Mamakating, Sullivan County, where he was en- 
gaged in farming until his death, at the age of 
eighty-three ^ears. He married Rhoda Camp- 
bell, who was born in Mt. Hope, and who died 
in early womanhood. Her father, David Camp- 
bell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native 
of Virginia, who came to Orange County during 
the last century, and located adjoining the vill- 
age of Otisville, where he farmed and worked 
at his trades of gunsmith and blacksmith. The 
family was driven from Virginia by the Indians, 
and he escaped to Orange County, crossing the 
Delaware River with his little sister on his back. 
None of the family were injuried. His death 
occurred when past eighty years. He was of 



Scotch descent, and a member of the old-school 
Baptist Church. To Daniel and Rhoda Piatt 
were born three children, our subject being the 
only one now living. After the death of his first 
wife, Daniel Piatt again married, and by his sec- 
ond wife had five children, three of whom are 
now living. One son, John, enlisted in the late 
war from Sullivan County, under Colonel De- 
Witt, was wounded, taken pri.soner and sent to 
Andersonville, where he died. Another son, Will- 
iam Lewis, was also in the service, and now re- 
sides in Sullivan County, engaged in farming. 

After the death of his mother our subject re- 
sided with his grandfather Campbell until ten 
j'ears of age, and then went to work on a farm 
in Mt. Hope with an uncle, John M. Piatt. All 
the educational advantages enjoyed were in the 
di.strict subscription schools. In 1S41, when but 
sixteen years of age, he came to Middletown, 
and was apprenticed under Robert Cavanaugh 
as a cabinet-maker, with whom he remained four 
years. He continued to work at his trade both 
in Middletown and Goshen as a journeyman for 
a few years, and about 1850 purchased an interest 
in a door, sash and blind factorj-, in partnership 
with Mr. Clawson, H. Williams, William Wil- 
kinson and T. P. Ogden, and continued that 
business for several years. About 1861 he pur- 
chased the interest of all his partners, and con- 
tinued the business alone, at the old location on 
James Street, and then, about 1876, located on 
the corner of John Street and Linden Avenue, 
erected a building, put in machinery and engaged 
in the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds and 
mouldings, and also did a planing-mill business. 
During that time he erected his present residence 
at No. 18 Highland Avenue, and rebuilt the old 
factory on James Street, converting it into brick 
stores, which he still owns. He continued the 
planing-mill business until 1887, when he sold out 
and retired from active business. 

Mr. Piatt was married, in Middletown, to Miss 
Juliet Swayze, a native of New Jersey, and a 
daughter of Gabriel Swayze, also a native of 
that state, but who was then engaged in farming 
in the town of Wallkill. She died here, leaving 
three children: Emmett, in the United States 




PROF. JOHN H. BURROWS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1301 



Custom House in New York City; Eva, who 
died at the age of five years; and Bnrt S., of Mid- 
dletown. 

Mr. Piatt's second marriage occurred in March, 
1887, when he married Mrs. Cornelia A. Hill, 
nee Mulford, a native of the town of Minisink, 
and daughter of William Mulford, also of Mini- 
sink, and a sister of J. P. Mulford, of Middle- 
town, who.se sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. She grew to womanhood at Centre ville 
and Hamptonburgh, and at Middletown first mar- 
ried William F. Hill, who was a carpenter by 
trade, and who died here. By her first husband 
she had one child, James M., residing in Mid- 
dletown. 

Mr. Piatt is a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church, and since its organization has 
been a member of the Republican party. For 
some years he was a member of the Odd Fellows, 
but does not at the present time hold member- 
ship in the order. In early days he was an 
active member of the fire department. 



^-- 



--■k- 



QROF. JOHN H. BURROWS. There is no 
L/' resident of Orange County whose life affords 
^3 a better illustration of what may be accom- 
plished b}- determination and indefatigable in- 
dustry than Professor Burrows, the efficient Prin- 
cipal of the schools of Washingtonville. Dur- 
ing his experience of seventeen years as an in- 
structor of youth, he has gained the confidence 
of the people and considerable prominence as a 
successful educator. In the fall of 1891 he came 
to this village, and has since filled the position of 
Principal of the .schools, which under his ener- 
getic management have been raised in standard 
until they now rank with the be.st of any village 
in the county. 

The Burrows family is of English origin, and 
its members have been honest, industrious and 
persevering people. The Professor's parents, 
Richard and Mary Ann (Holman) Burrows, spent 
their entire lives in England, and there the father. 



who was a miner by occupation, died at sixty 
years of age. The mother also died in that coun- 
try, in i860. By their union they had twelve 
children, three of whom are now living, namely: 
Eliza, whose home is in Penn.sylvania; John H.; 
and Elizabeth, a resident of Iron Mountain, Mich. 
By another wife Richard Burrows had two daugh- 
ters: Thirza, who makes her home in Crystal 
Falls, Mich.; and Agnes N., the only member of 
the family remaining in England. 

In St. Pinnock, England, Professor Burrows 
was born October 21, 1849, and he spent the first 
twenty-one years of his life in the vicinity of Lis- 
keard. At the age often he commenced to work 
in the mines, being obliged to earn his own hve- 
lihood. His educational advantages were ex- 
ceedingly meager, and the prospects for the future 
seemed almost hopeless. But he was not easily 
discouraged, and in the face of apparently insur- 
mountable obstacles he persevered until he had 
achieved the goal of his ambition and obtained 
an education. At the age of twenty-one he emi- 
grated to America, and for the four years follow- 
ing he worked in the mines of Essex County, 
N. Y. Saving his money, he was at last enabled 
to carry out his plan of attending school. He 
entered the Ft. Edward In.stitute, where he re- 
mained for two terms. Subsequently he taught 
school, and in the intervals between terms he at- 
tended that well known educational in.stitution 
as his funds enabled him, finally graduating in 
1879. In the spring of 1881 he became a tutor 
in the Ft. Edward Institute, where he remained 
as instructor for four years, also teaching the 
union school of that place. Later he attended 
the State Normal School for one and one-half 
years, perfecting himself in his chosen profession, 
and is now recognized as one of the best teachers 
in the state. Since coming to Washingtonville 
he has built up the school at this place, and now 
has four teachers under him and one hundred and 
fifty pupils. Not only is he an excellent instruc- 
tor, but he is a good disciplinarian as well, being 
kind, 5'et firm and efficient, and by his effective 
methods of imparting knowledge he has material- 
ly promoted the welfare of his pupils. 

In 1880 Professor Burrows was united in mar- 



I302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



riage with Camilla Kessler, of Altoona, Pa., who 
died the following year, leaving an infant son, 
who died six months later. In 1891 he married 
Miss Nellie McDonald, of Ft. Edward, N. Y., and 
they have one child, Helen May. Believing 
that the greatest question before the people to-day 
is not the protection of home industries or the 
adoption of free-trade principles, but the prohi- 
bition of the liquor traffic, and the destruction of 
the saloons which have brought dishonor and 
death to so many of our countrymen. Professor 
Burrows gives his support to the party whose 
platform is pledged against the saloon element 
and the licensing of the sale of intoxicating liq- 
uors. Socially he is identified with the Masonic 
fraternity. In his religious views he is liberal, 
and while a believer in the Christian religion, 
he does not uphold the creeds and doctrines of 
denominationalism. He attends the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, because it most nearly carries 
out his idea of what a church should be, though, 
were it in his power to do so, some of the features 
of that denomination would be eliminated. 

(lOHN DUNNING STIVERS, one of the edi- 
I tors of the Middletown Times, was born in 
C) Middletown, August 30, 1861. In boyhood 
he attended the public schools of this city and 
Wallkill Academy, where the rudiments of his 
education were obtained. Later he became a stu- 
dent in Peekskill Military Academy, from which 
institution he was graduated in 1878, at the age 
of seventeen. He then began his journalistic ca- 
reer, entering the office of the Press as book- 
keeper, and later filling the position of city editor. 
Resigning from the Press, Mr. Stivers became 
private secretary to his father, Hon. M. D. 
Stivers, during his term as Member of Congress 
from this district. Upon the latter' s retirement 
from office, he returned to Middletown, and with 
his brother, Lewis S., established the Middle- 
town Times, which has now gained a place 
among the most influential organs of the Repub- 
lican party in this section. He was elected to 



take his father's place as Trustee of the Orange 
County Trust and Safety Deposit Company. 

Mr. Stivers is one of the oldest members of the 
Bachelors' Social Club, and for five years offici- 
ated as its President. He is also identified with 
Lancelot Lodge No. 169. K. of P., and Hoffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., at Middletown. 
He is an honorary member of Excelsior Hook 
and Ladder Company No. i , and was Secretary of 
the organization for several years. Upon the or- 
ganization of the Twenty-fourth Separate Com- 
pany, New York National Guard, in 1887, in 
which he aided, he was elected Sergeant, and 
served in that capacity imtil 189 1, since which 
time he has been Second Lieutenant. 



DWARD AYERS, senior member of the 
^ firm of Ayers & Rodgers and a rising young 
__ business man of Middletown, was born in 
Wantage, Sussex County, N. J., January 5, 1866, 
being the son of David B. and Hulda (Beemer) 
Ayers, natives of the same county as himself. 
His paternal grandfather, who was of English 
descent, was a farmer there; his maternal grand- 
father, who became a member of a New Jersey 
regiment during the Civil War, served with valor 
until he fell in an engagement with the Confed- 
erates. 

In 1880 David B. Ayers came to Middletown, 
where he remained until his death. Here he was 
for .some time extensively engaged in the .stock 
business, buying cattle and horses and shipping 
them by carload lots. His yards and stables 
were situated on the Dolsontown Road, where his 
son Edward now has a farm. At the age of fifty- 
six years he passed away, in 1889, in the faith of 
the Presbyterian Church, to which he belonged. 
In politics he affiliated with the Republican 
party. His widow still makes her home in this 
cit)', and their three children also reside here, 
namely: Edward, of this sketch; Gabriel B., who 
is engaged in the livery business on Canal Street; 
and David B., who is with his eldest brother. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1303 



Until fourteen years of age our subject resided 
in Sussex County, where he attended the com- 
mon schools. After coming to Orange County he 
was a student in Wallkill Academy. At an early 
age he helped to drive stock from Western New 
York to New Jersey, his first work in that line 
being when onl)' about nine years old. After his 
father's death in 1889, he took charge of the busi- 
ness, which he ran for his mother one year and 
then became sole proprietor. In 1895 he bought 
the place on Academy Avenue, including resi- 
dence, barns and substantial outbuildings adapted 
for the successful prosecution of a stock business. 
In April, 1894, he formed a partnership with Will 
iam H. Rodgers, under the firm title of Ayers & 
Rodgers, and started in the livery business on 
Sprague Avenue. They have large and well 
equipped stables, with vehicles of every kind, and 
all the conveniences for carrying on the enterprise 
successfully. 

Aside from his interest in the livery, Mr. 
Ayers has been prospered in his work as a stock- 
dealer. Many of his purcha.ses are made in west- 
ern Pennsylvania and the cattle are shipped here 
and -sold from his stock-yards. He has for sale both 
milch and beef cattle, carrying on a large trade in 
that line, and also deals extensively in horses. 
Politically he is a Republican, and socially holds 
membership in the Excelsior Hook and Ladder 
Company No. i, at Middletown. In Middletown 
he married Miss Carrie May, daughter of Will- 
iam H. Rodgers, his partner and the manager of 
the livery business. Mrs. Ayers was born in 
Port Jervis, and by her marriage is the motlier of 
one child, named Rema. 



nOSEPH B. PENNY, of Middletown, was 
I born in EUenville, Ulster County, May 11, 
(2/ 1859, and is a son of Jonathan and Angeline 
(Williams) Pennj', both of whom were born near 
EUenville. The grandfather, Daniel Penny, was 
a native of Holland, and came to this country in 
early life, locating in Ulster County, where he 
followed the occupation of a farmer until his 
death. Jonathan Penny remained upon the old 



homestead until seventeen years of age, assisting 
his father in the cultivation of the farm, and then 
went to Sullivan County, where tor one year he 
worked for his board, at the same time attending 
school. At the expiration of this time he se- 
cured a school in Sullivan County and began 
teaching. The following year he went to Penn- 
.sylvania, and there taught one or more terms, 
when he removed to Ulster County and engaged 
in the same occupation. Later Mr. Penny en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at EUenville 
for a few years, and then again engaged in teach- 
ing, which profession he continued until 1885, 
when he located in vSparrow Bush. He is now 
living a retired life, at the age of seventy-five 
years. In politics he is a strong Republican. 
In Ulster County he was married to Angeline 
Williams, a daughter of Joseph Banks Williams. 
The latter was a native of Coiuiecticut, but re- 
moved at an early day to Ulster County, where 
he engaged in farming and school teaching. All 
of their six children are yet living. Charles A. 
resides in Port Jervis; Joseph B. is the" subject of 
this sketch; David L is a tanner in Newark, 
N. J.; Carrie is Mrs. Vannoy, of Sparrow Bush; 
Ira B. is a tanner in Chicago; and William is a 
taimer of Sparrow Bush. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in EUen- 
ville, and until ten years of age attended the pub- 
lic schools of that place. For three years he fol- 
lowed the baker's trade, and later was employed 
as a clerk in a general store at EUenville, where 
he remained as general .salesman until 1887. 
After severing his connection with the store, he 
started in the grocery business, under the firm 
name of J. B. Penny & Co., but in 1890 sold out 
and removed to Middletown, engaging as a 
traveling salesman for the Prior Medicine Com- 
pany, his route being from Philadelphia to Bing- 
hamton. After traveling for this firm two years 
he entered the employ of the New York, Ontario 
& Western Railway, where he remained until 
January, 1895, when he was elected Truant 
Officer by the Board of Education. During the 
ten months of the .school year his entire time is 
taken up in the di.scharge of his duties. His of- 
fice is in the rooms of the Board of Education. 



1304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Peuny was married, in EUenville, to Miss 
Elizabeth Sherwood, who was born in Ulster 
County, and who is a daughter of John E. and 
Sarah J. (Terwilliger) Sherwood, the former a 
native of Ulster County, and the latter of Sulli- 
van County. Both parents are yet living, Mr. 
Sherwood being a general carpenter for the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Canal. Three children have 
been born unto them. Cora E., Addie M. and 
Joseph S. In politics Mr. Penny is a Republi- 
can, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of 
Pvthias. 

• '^) m(^=^ 

EHARLES H. BABCOCK, who resides on 
Beattie Avenue, Middletown, and is em- 
ployed as a conductor on the New York, 
Ontario & Western Railroad, was born in the 
town of Warwick, December 5, i860. His fa- 
ther, J. M. Babcock, a native of the same place 
as himself, was a son of Erastus Babcock, who 
was born in this countj-, was of English descent, 
and followed the occupation of a farmer in the 
town of Warwick. J. M. Babcock, whose life 
occupation has been that of an agriculturist, still 
resides on the old homestead five miles from War- 
wick, and there his wife, formerlj- Keziah Rainer, 
resided until her death. 

Of nine children, all still living, the subject of 
this notice is fifth in order of birth. He re- 
mained on the home farm until nineteen j-ears of 
age, meantime attending the district schools. In 
1879 he went to Illinois and embarked in farm- 
ing near Rochelle, Ogle County, where he re- 
mained until 1886. The attractions of old Or- 
ange, however, were greater than those of the 
West, and in 1886 we find him back at his boy- 
hood's home. Soon afterward he entered the 
employ of the Erie Railway Company as a brake- 
man between Port Jervis and Jersey City, his run 
being on a through freight. In the fall of 18S9 he 
became brakeman for the Ontario & Western on 
a local freight train between Cornwall and Liv- 
ingston Manor. Ohc year later, in November, 
1890, he was promoted to the position of conduc- 
tor, remaining on the same train for two years. 
Since then he has had the freight train between 



Middletown and Mayfield, Pa., a run of one hun- 
dred and twenty-two miles, which is made in 
eleven hours. In his railroad experiences he has 
been exceedingly fortunate, having never had a 
serious accident on his train. 

Since coming to Middletown, Mr. Babcock has 
built his residence on Beattie Avenue, near Al- 
bert Street. While not active in politics, he is 
known as a stanch and pronounced Republican, 
always upholding party principles. Socially he 
is connected with Middletown Lodge No. 112, 
I. O. O. F. , and United Division No. 104, Or- 
der of Railway Conductors. In this city, in 1886, 
he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, a native of 
this place and daughter of William Brown, one 
of the well known business men and old residents 
of Middletown. 



.•>2^. 



.^<.- 



<g)ABRIEL B. AVERS, one of the ri.sing 
I— young business men of Middletown, is pro- 
y^ prietor and owner of the liverj-, boarding 
and sale stables at No. 28 Canal Street. In his 
barns are twenty stalls, and the sheds in the 
rear have an equal capacity. He carries a full 
line of buggies, carriages, hacks and phaetons — 
in fact, ever\-thing necessary for the proper man- 
agement of the business. Though he has been in 
the business for a short time only, he has al- 
ready gained a large trade and the confidence of 
the people as a man of honorable dealings with 
all. 

By referring to the sketch of Edward Avers, 
which is presented upon another page of this vol- 
ume, mention will be found of David B. Ayers, 
our subject's father. Gabriel B. is the- second 
among three children, and was born in Beemer- 
ville, town of Wantage, Sussex County, N. J., 
in 1869. From the age of eleven years he was 
reared in Middletown, and his education was 
principally received in the schools of this place. 
He remained at home, assisting his father in the 
stock business, until the death of that parent, 
when he began in the world for himself For a 




GEORGE W. PETERS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1307 



time he was employed in New York City, after 
which he spent ten months in Scranton as a con- 
ductor in the employ of the Street-railway Com- 
pany. Returning from there to New York Cit\-, 
he secured a position on the Eighth Avenue line 
of the city street railroad. 

April 15, 1894, Mr. Ayers embarked in the 
business which he has since conducted. From 
the start he has met with encouraging success, 
and without doubt will in time build up a very 
large and profitable business. He gives his at- 
tention principally to its management, though 
he is also prominent in social circles and popu- 
lar among the best people of the place. In his 
fraternal relations he is identified with Paugh- 
caughnaughsinque Tribe of Red Men. He is an 
enterprising and capable young man, and will 
without doubt gain an influential position among 
the business men of Middletown. 



gEORGE W. PETERS, one of the well-to-do 
and retired business men of Newburgh, re- 
sides at No. 148 Montgomery Street. Under 
Mayor Dojde he was Superintendent of Streets for 
two terms, and has alwajs been very active in 
Democratic campaign work, .serving on executive 
and ordinary committees. He is a .stockholder 
in the Palatine Hotel, is a stockholder and mem- 
ber of the City Club, and belongs to the Board of 
Trade. For years he has been President of the 
Societ}- for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 
helped to obtain a separate charter, and was the 
first President of the new organization. For the 
past twenty-five j-ears he has been a member of 
the Newburgh and New Windsor Horse-thief 
Protective Society, of which he is al.so President. 
Mr. Peters was born in Poughkeep.sie, N. Y., 
September 27, 1826, his parents being Charles 
and Phoebe (Dean) Peters. The father was a 
native of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, and 
the grandfather came from a Long Island fam- 
ily. Charles Peters was proprietor of a butcher- 
-shop in Poughkeepsie, and afterward in Wash- 
ington Market, in New York City. He was 
a soldier in the War of 18 12, and at the time 

57 



of his death, which occurred in New York, he 
was in his sixty-third year. His wife was also a 
native of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, in 
which locality her father, Gilbert Dean, a native 
of Long Island, had settled at an early day. He 
was a boot and shoe maker by trade and followed 
that occupation until shortly before his death. 
Mrs. Peters died in New York City, at the age of 
fifty-two }'ears. Both parents were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Our subject is one of sixteen children, all but 
two of whom grew to maturity, though only 
seven survive. He was reared in Poughkeepsie, 
attending the public schools of that place, "and in 
his sixteenth year he moved to New York City 
and learned his father's business. At that time 
his stand was located in the old Washington 
Market, formerly known as Bear Market, but 
afterward the father and son opened a shop on 
Eighth Avenue, near the corner of Twenty-third 
Street, under the old Knickerbocker Hall, where 
the present Grand Opera House stands. On 
reaching his majority, young Peters became a 
member of the firm, which for ten years was 
known as Charles Peters & Son, and from that 
time up to 1865 he was sole proprietor. In the 
year last mentioned he sold out his interest and 
moved to Newbui-gh, buying a farm on the north- 
ern plank road, four and a-half miles from the 
city, and for two years and a-half was engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. Then for a like period of 
time he operated a farm near Monticello, N. Y. 
In 1869 he opened a meat-market at No. 1 13 Wa- 
ter Street, and continued at that location for four 
or five years, when he took his two sons, Charles 
and William T., into partnership. Five years 
later the former died, and at the end of three 
years more the senior Mr. Peters retired from the 
firm. The other son, William T., continued to 
engage in trade until his death, which occurred 
in January, 1892. Besides his home our subject 
owns three other residences, one at No. 146 
Montgomery Street, another at No. 3 Catlin 
.Street, and the third at No. 263 Grand Street. 

In 1852 Mr. Peters was initiated into the Ma- 
sonic order, becoming a member of Hope Lodge, 
of New York City, and in later years was Master 



I3b8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Hiram Lodge, of the same city. He is now a 
member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607; of 
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M. ; and of Hud- 
son River Commandery No. 35, K. T. He is a 
member of the Veteran Association and is with 
one exception the oldest Mason in Newburgh. 
While in New York he was a member of Hose 
Company No. 30 for several years, and belonged 
to the Eighth Regiment of the National Guard, 
known as the Wa.shington Grays. His son, 
William T., was Quartermaster of the Tenth 
Separate Regiment of the New York National 
Guard, was identified with Lawson Hose Com- 
pany, and was also a Mason. 

The first marriage of our subject occurred in 
New York Cit\- in 1845, when his union with 
Miss Marinda Wallace was celebrated. Of the 
five children born to them Charles and William T. 
were the onl}- ones that grew to maturity. The 
former died at the age of twent\-six j-ears, and 
the latter, who died in his fort3-sixth year, left 
two daughters, who reside with their grandfather. 
The second marriage of Mr. Peters was with Miss 
Mary Whitney, who was a native of Germany, 
and who died in Newburgh. His present wife 
was formerly Miss Georgiana Wier, whose birth 
occurred in Newburgh. Mr Peters is a member 
.of the Unitarian Church, being a member of the 
Board of Trustees, while his wife is a member of 
Calvary Presbyterian Church. 

- —^^>- ^<^— ^- 

«jrSAAC L. CAvSSELL, one of the oldest en- 
I gineers on the New York, Lake Erie & 
X Western Railroad, was born in New York 
City in 1833. His parents, William and Hannah 
(Lilly) Cassell, were natives, respectiveh-, of 
France and Wales, and the former, who emigrated 
to America in early manhood, was employed in 
New York City as a teacher of languages. After 
his death, which occurred in middle life, his 
widow took charge of the children, whom she 
reared to fill positions of trust and usefulness in 
the world. She attained an advanced age, dying 
at the age of seventy-six. 

Of the eight children comprising the family, 



two grew to years of maturity, the other be- 
sides our subject being Mrs. Mary Hill, who 
died when visiting in Chicago. Isaac L- was 
reared in New York Citj' until ten years old, 
when he went to West Point as messenger boy 
for the civilian treasurer at the post. Three 
years were spent there, after which he returned 
to New York City and served an eighteen- 
months apprenticeship to the gold-beating trade. 
In 1850 he secured a position on the Harlem Rail- 
road, working first in an humble capacity, but 
was soon promoted to be fireman. In 1853 he 
went into the emploj' of the Erie, with headquar- 
ters at Port Jervis, being fireman between that 
cit}' and Piermont. In 1835 he became engineer, 
his run being into Jersey City. 

Going west to St. Louis in 1856, Mr. Cassell 
secured a position as engineer on the Missouri 
Pacific Road between St. Louis and Jefferson City. 
Three years were spent there, after which he 
made a short visit to Orange County. On again 
going West, he stopped in Indiana, where he was 
engineer on a passenger train between Richmond 
and Logansport for five years. On his second 
return to Orange County he secured employment 
as engineer on the Erie between Port Jervis and 
Jersey City. In 1867 he went to Ohio, where for 
two years he ran a passenger train on the Cincin- 
nati, Hamilton & Dayton between Cincinnati and 
Dayton. On his return to Orange County in 1869, 
he became freight engineer, and continued in that 
capacity until 1884, since which time he has run 
the passenger train, and since 1888 he has had 
the Middletown way-train local between this place 
and Jer.sey City. 

At Middletown, in 1858, Mr. Ca.ssell married 
Mi.ss Frances Knox, who was born in this count}'. 
Her father, James, was born in the town of Craw- 
ford, to which place her grandfather, John Knox, 
had emigrated from the North of Ireland. Though 
of direct Irish descent, the family is of remote 
Scotch lineage, their ancestors having been 
prominent Protestants during the days of religious 
agitations. In the town of Crawford, where he 
was reared, James Knox learned the carpenter's 
trade, and afterward he settled near New Vernon, 
where he was engaged as a contractor and builder. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1309 



In 1855 he purchased a farm of eightj'-seven 
acres within the limits of the citj- of Middletown, 
and lying between the Asylum and Hillside Ceme- 
tery, on the Erie Railroad. Here he died in 1863, 
at the age of sixty-three. In politics he was a 
Jacksonian Democrat, and in religious belief an 
Old-school Baptist. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Vashti Caldwell, was born in 
Dutchess County, and died in 1869. Her father, 
Joseph Caldwell, was a native of that county, and 
a farmer there, and her grandfather, who also re- 
sided there, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. 

Mrs. Cassell is the youngest of six children, the 
others being as follows: Nelson, who died in 
Brooklyn; George L , Treasurer of the Caldwell 
Lead Company of New York City, and of whom 
mention is elsewhere made; Henry, who is living 
near Topeka, Kan. ; Harrison, who was a member 
of the First California Infantry in the Civil War, 
and served principally in the West, running the 
Apache blockade; and Eliza, wife of Charles 
Robbins, of New York City. The old Knox 
homestead is now either built up or laid off in 
lots, its principal streets being Monhagen, Knox 
and California Avenues, and West Main and Erie 
Streets. Mrs. Robbins was the first to build 
here, after which Mr. Cassell erected his elegant 
residence at No. 173 West Main Street. 

Socially Mr. Cassell is identified with Hoffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., and Midland Chap- 
ter, R. A. M. He and his wife also belong to 
the Order of United Friends, in Jersey City. 
They are members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church, and politically he is a Republican. 



gEORGE W. HESS, senior member of the 
firm of Hess & \'an Ness, proprietors of 
the North End Machine-shops, at No. 325 
North Street, is a fine machinist and electrical 
engineer. He was born in Scranton, Pa.', Julj' 
4, 1862, and is a son of Hieronymus and Mar- 
garet ( Wolfinger) Hess, the former a native of 
Germany, and the latter of Oxford, N. J., but 
of German descent. The father came to the 



United States when but eighteen years of age, 
and was emploj'cd as a stationary engineer at 
Scranton, and later was with the Lackawanna 
Iron and Coal Company as engineer, remaining 
there until his death, at the age of sixty-four 
years. His wife, who was a member of the Ger- 
man Methodist Church, died in Scranton, leav- 
ing five children, four of whom are yet living. 

George W. Hess was second in the parental 
family of five children. He grew to manhood in 
his native city, and there had the advantage of 
the public and high schools. When sixteen he 
was apprenticed as a machinist in the shops of 
the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, and after 
.serving five years became an engineer under his 
father. Subsequently he was with A. B. Stur- 
gis, as electrical engineer, and later was chief 
engineer of the suburban electric station. Then 
for a time he was with Mr. Whiting, of Scranton, 
as superintendent of the electric plant at that 
place. In April, 1894, he came to Middletown 
as chief engineer of the Middletown & Goshen 
Traction Company, and has had charge of the 
construction of the power-house and electric-plant 
in this city. After the completion of the build- 
ing, he was chief engineer until April i, 1895, 
when he resigned to go into business, forming 
the present partnership with Richard Van Ness, 
and under the firm name of Hess & Van Ness 
they leased the building, put in new machinery, 
including planers, drills and lathes, and in fact 
everything needed in modern machine works. 
The engine is six horse-power and the boiler ten 
horse-power. They do machine work of all kinds, 
but make a specialty of electrical work, and man- 
ufacture the safety brake and the feeder combined 
for electric-street cars. In the short time they 
have been engaged in business, they have had 
remarkable success, and are .securing orders from 
many points. They do general job work, and 
have a blacksmith-shop in connection. 

Mr. He.ss was married, in Scranton, to Miss 
Sarah Parsons, a native of that city, and they 
have three children: Arlington, Margaret and 
Ella Ma5-. The family resides at No. 19 Prince 
Street. While in Scranton Mr. Hess was a mem- 
ber of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and 



I3IO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the Scranton Branch of the United Order of 
Machinists of America. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an active 
worker in that body. In politics he has always 
been a Republican. 



•♦•3Hi^®(^P'-)S+t{|- 



I EWIS G. WILSON, general manager of the 
I C Middletown Ice Company, was born at Plai- 
l_y stow, Rockingham County, N. H,, Feb- 
ruary 15, 1853, being a member of an old Scotch 
family that was early represented in Vermont. 
His father, George M., who was born in Top- 
sham, Vt., was a carpenter by trade, and early in 
life settled in Plaistow, N. H., on the Massachu- 
setts line, where he was engaged as a contractor 
and builder. After many years in that place, he 
removed to Haverhill, Mass., and there he died 
at eighty-three years of age. 

Though beyond the limit of age for military 
service, George M. Wilson enlisted in the Union 
army during the Civil W^ar, and was Corporal of 
Company K, Fifth New Hamp.shire Infantr\-, in 
which he served until he was discharged on ac- 
count of physical disabilit)'. In religious belief 
he was a Baptist, devoted to the doctrines of that 
denomination. F'or his wife he chose Harriet M. 
George, who was born in Plai.stow, N. H., and 
died at the age of sixty-six. Her father, Jesse 
George, was an extensive farmer and successful 
hotelman, and at one time held the office of High 
Sheriff of Rockingham County. 

The subject of this sketch is next to the young- 
est of eight children, and is the only son among 
the five children who attained years of maturity, 
and of whom three are now living. At the age 
of thirteen he accompanied his father from Plai- 
stow to Haverhill, five miles distant. About the 
.same time he was graduated from Phillips Acad- 
emy, at Andover, Mass. He then secured a po- 
.sition as clerk in a dry-goods store at Haverhill, 
where he remained until January, 1873, and 
thence moved to Port Jervis, N. Y., where he be- 
came fireman on the Erie Road between Jersey 



City and Port Jervis. For seven years he was 
emploj-ed in that capacitJ^ and for the two fol- 
lowing years was engineer between the same 
points, after which he retired from railroading and 
bought a meat-market in Chester. For eighteen 
months he was a member of the firm of Rundell 
& Wilson, after which he bought out his part- 
ner's interest, and soon took in a Mr. Osborn, 
under the firm title of Wilson & Osborn, contin- 
uing as .such until December, 1888, when he sold 
out to his partner. Shortly afterward he came to 
Middletown, where he has since resided. 

Forming a partnership with John D. Wood, 
under the firm name of Wilson & Wood, our 
subject bought the Consumers' Ice Company's 
plant, and carried on the business until 1892, 
when the concern was merged into the Middle- 
town Ice Company, with himself as general man- 
ager. Later he bought out Josiah Miller's ice 
business, which he consolidated with the Middle- 
town Ice Company, and the firm now has an ice- 
house at the Summit, and also at Miller's Lake. 
During the .summer months eight wagons are 
used for delivery, and the business is a verj- large 
one. The icehouses have a capacity of twelve 
thousand tons. 

Meantime our subject commenced in the coal 
business as a member of the firm of Bodine & 
Co., and alter the death of Mr. Bodine in 1895, 
the concern was carried on by the firm of Wilson 
& Wood. As a business man Mr. Wilson is 
sagacious and progressive, and his large trade 
has been .secured through his earnest efforts and 
untiring energ}-. While residing in Chester, he 
married Miss Mary E. Fredricks, who was born 
in that \-illage. Her father, Henry P. Fred- 
ricks, was a business man of that place for many 
j-ears, and also engaged in business at Washing- 
ton Market in New York City. 

Politically a Republican. Mr. Wilson repre- 
.sents the Second Ward on the Republican Coun- 
ty- Committee, and is al.so a member of the Cit>- 
Committee. In 1892 he was elected, without 
opposition, a member of the Board of Excise 
Commissioners, of which he was Treasurer for 
two terms, and is now President. While a resi- 
dent of Chester, he was elected Collector by the 



^. ^„ 














^B 




n 


^■^ "f 


1 - 



JOSEPH GAVIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1313 



largest majority ever given any candidate. So- 
cially he is connected with HoiTnian Lodge No. 
412, F. & A. M.; Mt. William Lodge, K. of P., 
at Port Jervis; and the Esther Anthony Lodge, 
I. O. O. F., at Port Jervis. Since September, 
1889, he has been a member of the Excelsior 
Hose and Ladder Company No. i. 



30SEPH GA\'IN, a prominent citizen of 
Orange County, was born in County Galwa)', 
Ireland, June 18, iS_'53, a son of John and 
Bridget (Moore) Gavin, both natives of Ireland, 
where they spent the greater part of their lives. 
In 1853 the}' emigrated to this country, and in 
October, 1854, they came to Chester, N. Y., 
where they passed their last days. John Gavin 
met with an accident April 24, 1856, which re- 
sulted in his death a few days subsequently. 
Strange to relate, Mrs. Gavin, the mother of our 
subject, also met an accidental death. With her 
daughter, she was sitting near an Erie Railroad 
track when a train came along imexpectedlj- and 
caught a cow on the cow-catcher. The animal 
was thrown with great force against Mrs. Gavin, 
and her death occurred a few days later. This 
was also in 1856. 

Joseph Gavin, our subject, received a limited 
education in Ireland during his 3'outh. His fa- 
ther being a blacksmith, Jo.seph learned that trade 
with him, and was engaged in that work in his 
native land until the age of twent\', when he came 
to America and .soon after located at Chester, this 
state. He established a blacksmith business at 
this place, and successfully conducted the same 
from April i, 1858, until 1865, when he disposed 
of his property and basine.ss. He then moved to 
Middletown, where for six months he was en- 
gaged in blacksmithing, when, in 1866, he pur- 
chased a farm of one hundred and forty-one acres 
near Goshen, for which he paid $11,000. Six 
years later, or in 1S72, he sold that farm for $20,- 
000, and bought one hundred and ten acres near 
Stony Ford, Orange County. In 1878 he pur- 
chased a lovely home where he now lives, which 
comprises fifty-five acres of finel}' improved land 



near, the village of Chester, and which is part of 
the farm formerly owned by the famous Ristick, 
owner of "Hambletonian." 

Mr. Gavin is comparatively a .self-made man, 
and has made some very profitable deals in horses. 
He was married, in 1S59, to Mi.ss Ann Burke, a 
daughter of Martin Burke, of Ireland. Five chil- 
dren were born of this union, three of whom are 
yet living: Mary B., of New York City; Anna, 
wife of F. W. Downe\-, of Dobb's Ferrj'; and 
Katie E., also of New York City. Mrs. Gavin 
died in February, 1870, and in 1872 Mr. Gavin 
married Ann Sullivan, daughter of David Sulli- 
van, of Ireland. By this marriage there are six 
cliildren: Elizabeth May, Joseph, Emily G., 
David, Mary Luc}' and Helen, all of whom are 
yet at home with their parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gavin and their children are 
members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Gavin 
was largely instrumental in erecting the church 
at Chester. He is a Democrat at all times and 
under all circumstances; however, in local politics 
he is con.servative. He has never aspired to offi- 
cial po.sition, preferring to attend to his own af- 
fairs, and is a kind husband, an indulgent parent 
and an acconunodating neighbor. 



+== 



IILLIAM M. O'NEAL, a veteran of the 
late war, and at present a contractor and 
builder at Middletown, was born in vScotts- 
town, town of Wallkill, January 16, 1842. The 
family of which he is a member originated in Ire- 
land on the paternal side, and in Holland on the 
maternal side. Our subject's great-grandfather 
was born in the North of Ireland, and, emigrating 
to America, settled in Orange County. Edward, 
who was next in line of descent, was born in the 
town of Monroe, but spent his life principally at 
Scotchtown, where he engaged in farm pursuits. 
His wife was a native of Scotland. During the 
War of 18 1 2 he enlisted in the defense of our 
country and served until the close of the conflict. 
The father of our subject, Samuel O'Neal, was 



I3I4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in the town of Wallkill, and in youth learned 
the stone-mason's trade, but made farming his 
principal occupation. In 1852 he settled near 
Ellenville, where he improved his land and made 
of it a fine dairy farm. He died May 5, 1895, 
when over seventy-four j-earsold. His wife, who 
was known in maidenhood as Margaret Bennett, 
was born in the town of Mamakating, Sullivan 
Count}', and was of Holland-Dutch descent. She 
died in 1888. They were the parents often chil- 
dren, eight of whom arrived at years of maturitj-, 
and seven are now living, William M. being the 
eldest. The others are Sarah, Samuel, Helen, 
Martha, Lottie and James. 

The first ten years of our subject's life were 
passed in Scotchtown, whence in 1853 he accom- 
panied his parents to Ellenville, Ulster County, 
where he was reared to manhood on a farm. At 
Lackawack, the same county, he was emplojed 
on a farm and in the lumber business. In June, 

1862, he enlisted in Companj' D, One Hundred 
and Fifty-sixth New York Infantrj-, being mus- 
tered into the .state service at Kingston, Ulster 
Count}', and into the United States service at 
New York City. He was assigned to the Army 
of the Gulf, under General Banks, and started 
South, but the transports were wrecked off the 
coast of Florida. The soldiers were taken on the 
"Blackstone," a mail steamer, and "Gemsbock," 
a blockading steamer, which landed them at Ft. 
Taylor December 12, 1862, and shortly afterward 
they reached New Orleans. From there they 
were sent up to Camp Carlton, where they 
drilled; next went to Baton Rouge, then to Port 
Hudson, falling back to New Orleans, and then 
going to Burwick's Bay, and up the bayous until 
they reached Alexandria. In the battle of Ft. 
Bisslin the First Lieutenant of the company was 
killed. The troops also took part in the battles 
of Alexandria and Port Hudson, and in a large 
number of skirmishes. 

After the surrender at Port Hudson, July 8, 

1863, the company was sent back to New Orleans 
on a steamer, and in the spring of 1864 they went 
to the bayous and Opelousas. After the battle of 
Mansoria they went to Alexandria, and from 
there accompanied Banks to Shreveport and Sa- 



bine Cross Roads, fighting during the entire jour- 
ney. After that expedition was concluded our 
subject was sent farther east and a.ssigned to duty 
in the Shenandoah \'alley, under Gen. Phil Sheri- 
dan, taking part in the battles of Winchester 
(September 19, 1864), Fisher's Hill, Mt. Craw- 
ford and Cedar Creek. In the last-named en- 
gagement he was wounded three times within 
ten minutes, but refused to leave the field, and 
in spite of three troublesome flesh wounds he 
stayed on picket duty all night. In the morn- 
ing, however, he had become so weak that it was 
necessary to convey him to the hospital, and an 
ambulance was sent for him by Harry Lockwood, 
the Lieutenant in charge of Company D, who also 
dressed his wounds. The regiment went to 
Winchester, thence to Baltimore, from there to 
Ft. Pulaski, Savannah, Goldsboro, Morehead 
City and Newbern, N. C. After the surrender at 
Raleigh, they were sent to Athens, Ga., thence to 
Savannah, and in September, 1865, were mus- 
tered out of the service. 

Upon being honorably discharged from the 
army, Mr. O'Neal returned to New York State, 
and for a year was unable to engage in active 
business. As soon as he partially regained his 
strength, he became employed in a lumber manu- 
facturing business, and later was variously occu- 
pied at different places. Having learned the ma- 
son's trade with his father, in 1869 he began work 
at that occupation. The following year he went 
to Bradford County, Pa., where he spent a year. 
For two years he was a clerk in a grocer}- busi- 
ness, after which, in 1877, he came to Middle- 
town and started to work at his trade, and with 
the exception of three years spent in Sullivan 
County he has ever since remained in Middle- 
town. Since January, 1893, he has done contract 
work, and has erected residences in various parts 
ot the city. 

In Phillipsport, Sullivan County, Mr. O'Neal 
married Miss Suestia Richerson, who was born 
there. They have five children living, namely: 
Charlotte A., Mrs. O. Simpson, of Hurleyville: 
Mary M., Mrs. S. Chambers, of Middletown; 
Franklin N., a mason, living in Middletown; 
Cora E. and Edna D., who are at home. Ida M. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



died at the age of fifteen j'ears. The family at- 
tends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politi- 
calh' Mr. O'Neal is a Republican, and socially 
he is connected with Lancelot Lodge, K. of P.; 
Monticello Lodge No. 532, F. & A. M.; and 
Capt. W. A. Jackson Post, G. A. R., of which he 
is a charter member 



gYRON S. DAYTON, senior member of the 
firm of B. S. Dayton & Co., merchants 
at Middletown and Liberty, was born near 
Napanoch, Ulster County, N. Y., July 12, 1847. 
The family of w-hich he is a representative origi- 
nated in England, and w'as founded in America 
by three brothers, who came from that country 
and made settlement in Connecticut. Thence 
Joseph Daj'ton, the great-grandfather of BN-ron 
S., emigrated to Ulster County, and became the 
founder of the family in this locality. He was 
one of the brave soldiers of the Revolution, in 
which memorable contest he fought for liberty 
and independence. His son, William I., was 
born in Ulster County, at a place known as Day- 
ton's Corner, and he spent his entire life in that 
vicinity, engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Marinus Dayton, father of our subject, was 
born near Modena, in Ulster County, and while 
yet a boy began boating on the Hudson. In 
partnership with his cousin, Morgan A. Dayton, 
he owned and ran the sloop "Othello" for years 
between Albany and New York City, but his 
wife's failing health induced him to abandon that 
occupation, and he purchased a farm north of 
Napanoch, Ulster County. Later he spent a few 
years in Sullivan County, whence he went back 
to Ulster County. After the death of his wife, 
he came to make his home with his son Byron 
S. in Middletown, and here he now resides. 
being in the eighty-sixth year of his age. 

The mother of our .subject, Jane Barnes, was 
born on a sailing-vessel on the Atlantic Ocean 
when her parents were en route from Ireland to 
America. They settled in Philadelphia, and then 



went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where she was 
reared, educated and married. Her death oc- 
curred in Ulster County in 1878, when she was 
about sixty-three years of age. She became the 
mother of five children, all of whom are still liv- 
ing, Byron S. being the eldest of the number. 
His boyhood years were spent in Napanoch, 
Ulster County, and Grahamville, Sullivan Coun- 
ty, where he gained a common-school education. 
In the latter place he assisted his father, who was 
proprietor of a hotel there. 

At the age of seventeen years, in the summer 
of 1864, Mr. Dayton volunteered in the Union 
army, and became a member of the First New 
York Mounted Rifles. He was mustered into 
the service at Kingston, and joined his regiment 
before Richmond, where within six days he was 
under fire in the skirmish line. In the various 
cavalry charges and dashes made by the regi- 
ment he took a valiant part. In a cavalry charge 
into Murfreesboro in 1865 his horse fell, throw- 
ing him on the ground, where his own and an- 
other horse fell over him, injuring him severely 
in the back. In June, 1865, he was mustered 
out of the service and honorably di,scharged at 
Richmond, Ya. 

On returning to New York, Mr. Dayton joined 
his parents in their home at Phillipsport, Sulli- 
van County. Soon afterward he purchased a 
boating outfit for the Delaware & Hudson Canal, 
and this he ran between Honesdale and New 
York for two seasons, later trading it for a gro- 
cery store at Napanoch, on the canal. In 1870 
he removed from that village westward, and set- 
tled in Madison County, Neb., becoming a pio- 
neer of that now thickly populated state. He 
pre-empted one hundred and sixt}- acres, a por- 
tion of which occupied the present site of the 
county seat. After six months he proved pos- 
session to the property, and then took advantage 
of his homestead right, locating at Traceyville, 
Platte County, near the present site of Humphrey. 
While proving that claim, he al.so took up a tree 
claim, but disposed of it before it had been proved 
up. He remained on his homestead claim for the 
required period of five years, less the time of his 
arrav service, and then located at Columbus, 



I3i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he was proprietor of a boarding-house, the 
hotels in the West at that time being boarding- 
houses and quite distinct from a bar. At one 
time he owned a portion of the .site of Humphrey, 
but this he sold. 

In 1876 Mr. Dayton disposed of all his Nebras- 
ka propert\' excepting his homestead, which he 
sold many j'ears later. Immediately after dis- 
posing of his interest there, he returned to New 
York and engaged in merchandising at Hunk 
Hill, north of Napanoch. Later he went to EUen- 
ville and opened a general store there. In 1886 
he came to Middletovvn and started a noveltj- 
store on North Street. Some time afterward he 
opened branch stores in Goshen and Otisville, 
and for two years made his home in the former 
village. On returning to Middletown he started 
a .store on James Street, but after a short time 
sold the concern and took a position as traveling 
salesman. Later he carried on a grocerj- busi- 
ness on East Main Street, and was thus engaged 
until he opened his present store on North and 
King Streets. In addition to this, he has a 
branch store at Liberty. His son Warren F. 
has been in partnership with him since he was 
eighteen 3'ears of age, and is now in charge of 
the Liberty store. Besides his mercantile inter- 
ests, Mr. Dayton does some real-estate business, 
and erected his residence at No. 36 Broad Street. 

At Omaha, Neb., in 1870, Mr. Dayton mar- 
ried Miss Lydia Potter, who was born in Potter- 
ville, Ulster County, being a daughter of Francis 
Potter, formerly a lumberman of that county. 
They have two children, namely: Thornton 
Byron, proprietor of a novelty store at Walden, 
N. Y.; and Warren Francis, junior member of 
the firm of B. S. Dayton & Son. While in 
Nebraska Mr. Dayton was a Supervisor in Platte 
County. He is now a member of the Board of 
Education of Middletown, and is an active factor 
in the promotion of the educational interests of 
the city. Politically he is a Republican. So- 
cially he is identified with Paughcaughnaugh- 
sinque Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, and 
is keeper of the Wampum. For a time he held 
official position in General Lyon Post No. 266, 
G. A. R., from which he was demitted; he is now 



connected with Capt. W. A. Jackson Post, and 
on Decoration Day of 1894 and 1895 .served as 
Marshal of the day for that post. As a business 
man he is unusually keen, vigorous and efficient, 
and his financial success has been achieved 
through his indomitable perseverance and per- 
sistence. 

-:=^i)^ P • 

n MILTON BARNES, a merchant of Central 
I Vallej-, Orange County, New York, was born 
(2/ in Cornwall, Orange Count}-, October 9, 
1844, and is the youngest of a family of twelve 
children born to Matthew and Mary (Van DuserJ 
Barnes, the former a native of. Otsego County, 
N. Y., and the latter of the town of Cornwall, 
Orange County, N. Y. Our subject was reared 
in his native town, and attended what is now 
known as a "mountain school" until the death of 
his father, which occurred when he was about 
seventeen years of age. Being thrown on his 
own resources, he first engaged as a clerk in a 
store in the village of Canterburv-, now Cornwall. 
He continued as clerk for a few months, and then 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
until the spring of 1876, working in all parts 
of Orange County. During the year 1875 he 
worked at his trade in Central Vallej', and, liking 
the place, he formed a partnership in a mercan- 
tile business with Alfred Cooper, succeeding the 
firm of Cooper & Ackerman. This partnership 
continued eight years, when Henry C. Thorn 
purchased the interest of Mr. Cooper, and the firm 
name became Barnes & Thorn. At the end of 
two years, Ambrose Duran succeeded Mr. Thorn, 
and the business was continued under the name 
of Barnes & Duran for one year, and then 
changed to J. M. Barnes & Co. Mr. Duran con- 
tiiuied with the firm three years, since which time 
Mr. Barnes has been alone, but until January i, 
1894, the firm name was not changed. At that time 
the "Co." was dropped. Mr. Barnes was ap- 
pointed Postmaster in 1885, and again in 1892, 
and is the present incumbent. 

On the 6th of November, 1884, Mr. Barnes 
was united in marriage with Miss Hannah 
.Shuit, a native of Highland Mills, and a daughter 




CHARLES L. MEAD. 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



1319 



r. 



of Morgan and Mary Ann (Titus) Shuit. (See 
sketch of Morgan Shuit in another part of this 
work.) In politics Mr. Barnes is a Democrat, 
and has supported that part}- during his entire 
life. He never sought or desired public office, 
and onl}' served a short time as Highwaj- Com- 
missioner by earnest request. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace, but refused to qualify. 

The mercantile bu.siness of Mr. Barnes has 
been developed, until it is more than double what 
it was when he first became a member of the firm 
of Cooper & Barnes. After being in business 
three years, he purchased the building in which 
the store is located, which is a two-story building, 
with basement and attic. He carries a full line 
of general merchandise, having added hardware, 
wall-paper and other lines to the stock. As a 
citizen, he enjoj's the confidence and respect of 
the community, and is ever ready to do his part 
in building up his adopted village. 

EHARLES L. MEAD, LL. B. This promi- 
nent attorney of Middletown comes of an old 
and honored family of New York State. 
He is a popular gentleman, and is at present serv- 
ing as Treasurer of Orange County. His birth 
occurred in the town of Wawayanda, August 27, 
1851, and he is a son of William H. Mead, also a 
native of that town. His grandfather, Roswell 
Mead, was a native of Connecticut, but became 
one of the pioneers of the town of Minisink, 
where his death occurred. He was one of the 
prominent residents of this section, and for many 
years .served as Justice of the Peace, also filled 
the office of Supervisor. On one occasion he was 
elected a Member of the Assembly on the Demo- 
cratic ticket. During the War of 18 12 he served 
as a soldier in the ranks and rendered his country 
efficient service at that time. He married Han- 
nah Cash, whose parents were also well known 
residents of this portion of the state. 

The great-gratidfather of our subject was Lieut. - 
Col. Matthew Mead, who was born in 1736, and 
died in 1816. He served as Captain of the Fifth 
Regiment Connecticut Line, under Col. David 



Waterbury, and was wounded at St. John's, 
Canada, September 6, 1775. The following year 
he became Captain of the Ninth Regiment Con- 
necticut Militia, and shortly afterward was made 
Major of the First Battalion Connecticut State 
Troops, under Col. G. S. Sulliman. December 
25, 1776, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Fifth Regiment Connecticut Line, Col. P. B. 
Bradley, serving in that capacity from January i, 
1777, until May 25, 1778. Col. Matthew Mead 
served as Lieutenant-Colonel during the Revo- 
lutionary War on the staff of General Washing- 
ton. His brother John was a soldier in the 
Revolution and died during the service. (For 
further information relative to the Mead and 
Cash families, see sketch of Judge Roswell Cole- 
man on another page. ) 

The father of our subject was an extensive 
land-owner of Orange County, where he died in 
1876, at the age of fifty years. He had held 
many of the town offices and enjoyed the high re- 
gard of all who knew him. His wife, Cornelia, 
was a daughter of Hon. Joseph Davis, a Member 
of the Assembly and Supervisor of the town of 
Minisink for many years. From the time of 
its organization until his death, at the age of 
threescore years and ten, he was President of the 
Middletown National Bank. He was born in 
the town of Minisink and was there buried. The 
great-grandfather of Mrs. Mead was John Davis, 
a Scotchman. Her father married Elizabeth 
Decker. 

The parental family included four children, 
namely: Hannah Davis Mead, deceased; Roswell, 
•now a resident of St. Joseph, Mo.; Lizzie Decker 
Mead, who resides in Middletown ; and our sub- 
ject. The last-named, who was the eldest of the 
family, remained on the home farm until four- 
teen years of age, when he became a student in 
the Wallkill Academy. He then took a course 
in Claverack College, Columbia Count)-, N. Y., 
from which he was graduated in 1873. He next 
entered Princeton with the Class of '77, where 
he was a student for two 5'ears. 

Being desirous of following the profession of 
law, Mr. Mead, in 1875, entered Columbia Law 
School at New York City, from which he was 



I320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



graduated in 1877, with the degree of LL- B. 
He at once settled at Goshen for practice. In 
the fall of 1892 he was elected Treasurer of 
Orange County, bj- a majority of over nine hun- 
dred, carrying the town of Wawayauda, which 
was strongly Democratic. l!i January, 1893, he 
assumed the duties of his office, which he is still 
filling. 

In Middletown, June 5, 1878, Mr. Mead mar- 
ried Miss Fannie, daughter of William Tuthill, a 
large farmer, owning extensive tracts near Mid- 
dletown, in which place he resides. From 1891 
to 1893 Mr. Mead was a member of the City 
Council, representing the Third Ward, and dur- 
ing that time aided greatly in securing the build- 
ing of the electric street railway of the city. He 
is a member of the Sons of the Revolution. 
Politically a stanch Republican, he has repre- 
sented his party in various conventions for many 
years, and at this writing is a member of the 
County Committee. 



HILAND H. BLANCHARD, general superin- 
tendent of the National Saw Company, Mid- 
dletown, was born in Acra, Greene Count}', 
near Catskill, N. Y., February 18, 1850. He is 
a descendant of French ancestors, the first of 
whom to cross the Atlantic was his paternal great- 
grandfather, one of the pioneers of the Hudson 
Valley and a jeweler by occupation. From their 
French- Huguenot ancestors the family has in- 
herited that rectitude of character and upright- 
ness of action which were dominant traits of their 
forefathers. 

Our subject's father, Justus, and grandfather, 
Dr. Joseph Blanchard, were natives of Greene 
County, where the latter practiced medicine for 
many years. The former, who for a time engaged 
in the hotel business, afterward settled on a farm, 
and there he died at the age of thirty-five years. 
His wife, Emeline, was born in Greene Count}-, 
where her father, Miles Darby, was a blacksmith. 
She survived her husband's death many }ears. 



passing away at the age of seventy. She reared 
her two children in Greene County, and her 
younger child, Elizabeth, married Myron F. Gage, 
and went to New York City, where she died, leav- 
ing one son. 

The only surviving member of the family is the 
subject of this sketch. He was reared at Acra, 
Greene County, where he attended the public 
school. In 1865 he entered Wallkill Academy at 
Middletown, where he remained until completing 
the course. In the fall of 1868 he became an em- 
ploye of Wheeler, Madden & Clemson, saw man- 
ufacturers, being in their packing department for 
several years, though from 1870 he was in charge 
as shipping clerk. In 1888 he was made .super- 
intendent of the works, which position he con- 
tinued to occupy after the concern was merged 
into the National Saw Company. He is one of 
the oldest of the three hundred or more employes 
of the compau}'. That he has been energetic, 
capable and efficient, is proved by his long service 
with this concern, and also by the fact that he 
has worked his way upward to a position of great 
trust and responsibility. 

Until 1883 Mr. Blanchard resided in Middle - 
town, but he then removed to his eighty-acre farm 
adjoining Fair Oaks. This place is situated on 
a branch of the Erie and on the main line of the 
New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, about 
three and one-half miles from the cit}' of Middle- 
town. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Blanchard 
has been active in political clubs, and has served 
as a member of city and county committees. So- 
cially he is connected with Hoffman Lodge No. 
412, F. & A. M., of vi'hich he was Treasurer for 
a number of years. He is also associated with 
the Knights of Pythias at Middletown, and with 
the Legion of Honor. For one year he was Sec- 
retary of Excelsior Hose and Ladder Company 
No. I, Fire Department. In religious matters he 
is connected with Grace Episcopal Church. 

In Middletown Mr. Blanchard married Miss 
Sarah Biggin, who was born in Sheffield, Eng- 
land. Her father, Samuel Biggin, was a large 
saw manufacturer in that place until 1857, when 
he came to America and settled in Middletown. 
Here he had charge of the saw-manufacturing 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1321 



department of Wheeler, Madden & Clemson for a 
number of years. Wishing to revisit the scenes 
of his youth and renew old associations, he start- 
ed across the Atlantic, but died on the voyage. 
Four children comprise the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Blanchard, namely: Hiland H., who is em- 
plo3ed as a mechanic in the .saw works; George 
R., Maude and E^dith. Mr. Blanchard possesses 
to an unusual extent that happy combination of 
traits which marks him at once as a man who is 
prompt in action, yet prudent and cautious in 
carrying out his undertakings, and he looks zeal- 
ously after the interests of the company. 



0AVID E. LAIN, who is a member of the 
Orange County Roofing Company at Mid- 
dletown, was born July 31, 1861, on a farm 
adjoining the old Lain homestead near Westtown, 
in the town of Minisink. His father, L. L., and 
grandfather, David Lain, were born on the home- 
stead. The great-grandfather, William, was born 
on Long Island in 1743, and was orphaned by his 
mother's death when an infant. He was then 
taken by his father to Moorestown, N. J., where 
his boyhood years were passed in the home of 
maternal relatives. On attaining manhood he 
settled in the town of Minisink, in 1765, and pur- 
chased a tract of unimproved land, upon which 
he built a log hou.se. In 1785 the log cabin was 
replaced by a substantial stone dwelling, which 
still stands, being occupied by our subject's broth- 
er, Milton A., whose children represent the fifth 
generation of Lains residing there. William Lain 
married Keziah Mather, a lineal descendant of a 
brother of Cotton Mather, and they had ten chil- 
dren. Of these the youngest, David, became the 
owner of the farm. 

David Lain was born January 28, 1 791 , and was 
twice married, his first wife being Millicent Aber, 
and his second Rhoda Lee. Lebeus L., who was 
born of the first marriage, grew to manhood on 
the old homestead, and combined farming pur- 
suits with the mercantile business, having a store 
in Westtown. On retiring from business he pur- 
cha.sed the old home farm from the widow of his 



youngest brother, Mortimer, and there he still 
makes his home. He isinterested with our sub- 
ject in the Orange County Roofing Company. In 
politics he is a Republican, and religiously holds 
membership with the Baptist Church at Union- 
viUe. 

The mother of our subject, Arminda Terrv, 
was born near Liberty Corners, Orange County, 
and spent her girlhood there, being a member of 
an old and honored family of this localitj-. Her 
father, Uriah Terry, who was born in this county, 
owned a farm at Libert}- Corners, comprising the 
present site of the Drake & Stratton stock farm. 
On retiring from agricultural pursuits, he retired 
to Westtown, where he died at the age of about 
sixty-five years. In religious belief he was a 
Presbyterian, and his daughter is a Baptist. 

The parental family consisted of three children, 
namely: Milton A., who occupies the home farm; 
David E. ; and Millicent J., Principal of the Mid- 
dletown School of Stenography and Typewriting. 
Our subject was reared in Westtown and on the 
homestead. He attended the public schools un- 
til 1870, after which he prepared for college under 
private instruction, and also attended Wallkill 
Academy. In 1881 he entered Cornell Univer- 
sity and four years later was graduated, receiving 
the degree of B. S. in electrical engineering. He 
was a member of the first class that graduated in 
electrical engineering from that institution. While 
there he served for one year as editor of the Cor- 
nell Daily Sun. 

In 1885 Mr. Lain became associated with the 
electrician, Stephen D. Field, as his assistant, and 
while engaged in that capacity they built a large 
electric motor for use on elevated roads. This 
was successfully completed and was run in 1887 
for Cyrus Field. In 1888, when Mr. Field asso- 
ciated himself with Rudolph Eickemeyer, of 
Yonkers, in electrical-railway work, Mr. Lain 
entered their employ and assisted in developing 
an electrical-railway system, which they sold in 
1893. He also invented several valuable patents, 
including a trolley and magnetic ore separator. 
In 1893 he located in Middletown, where he and 
his father have since been proprietors of the Or- 
ange County Roofing Company, with an office on 



1322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Franklin Square. Thej' manufacture a roof paint 
from our subject's own formula, and have had a 
number of important contracts. Through their 
agents the company do business in this and ad- 
joining counties. 

Recently Mr. Lain has introduced and com- 
menced to use Sackett's Wall-board, a new inven- 
tion, for which he has the agency in this section. 
The board is built of composite layers of plaster 
of paris and paper, and is proving a splendid suc- 
cess. The outside can be finished in any style, 
which adds greatly to its desirability. A resi- 
dence has been built of it in the North End, and 
it will undoubtedly soon become popular, as its 
desirable features become more generally known. 
While living in Yonkers Mr. Lain married Miss 
Maude Bonham, who was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and who is the daughter of the late N. A. 
Bonham, of that city. Her mother, Lydia J., 
was a sister of George W. Barnum, of Monticello, 
X. v., in whose home, after her mother's death, 
she was reared to womanhood. Two children bless 
the union, Marion A. and David L. Mr. Lain 
is a member of the American Institute of Elec- 
trical Engineers, and while engaged in electrical 
work contributed largely to the electrical litera- 
ture of that time. Politically he is a Republican, 
and has been elected to offices of trust in his own 
church and allied societies. 



r\ETER CUMMIXGS, of the firm of J. & P. 
L/^ Cummings, distillers, and wholesale and retail 
fS grocery and liquor dealers in Middletown,vvas 
born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1846, and is 
the son of Christopher andFrances(0' Keefe) Cum- 
mings, the former a native of County Meath, and 
the latter of County Kildare, Ireland. For several 
generations the Cummingses were interested in 
fine horses, the grandfather of our subject being 
a thorough sportsman, and a breedei" of some of 
the finest horses in his native country. In his 
native land Christopher Cummings, the father of 
our subject, was an inn-keeper. 

James, an elder brother of our subject, came to 
America in 1851, and in 1854 John also crossed 



the Atlantic. Two years later the father and 
mother, together with our subject, came to this 
country. They settled at Otisville, in the town 
of Mt. Hope, where they remained until 1872, 
when they removed to Middletown, where the 
father died at the age of seventy-four years. The 
mother, who was a daughter of James O' Keefe, 
a gardener in his native land, lived until 1888, 
and died in Middletown at the age of eighty-four. 
Both parents were devout members of the Catho- 
lic Church. Their three children are yet living. 
James, now residing at Kingston, was Alderman 
of the Ninth Ward for many years; John's sketch 
appears on another page of this work; and Peter 
is the subject of. this sketch. 

Soon after arriving here, Peter Cummings was 
employed on the farm of William Wilkins, in the 
town of Wallkill, and remained with him for 
three years, working steadily in the summer 
and attending school in the winter. At the ex- 
piration of three years he secured a position as 
driver on the Delaware & Hudson Canal, with 
his brother John. As soon as his age would 
permit he was made captain of the boat, which 
ran between Honesdale and Rondout, carrying 
coal and merchandise. In connection with this 
duty, our subject was the agent for the brewen,- 
in Kingston now owned by his brother James. 
Feeling the necessity of a better education, our 
subject attended Wallkill Academy one year, and 
then studied in Otisville for two years. He left 
before graduating in order to enter into business 
with his brother John at Middletown. 

Since coming here in 1868, Mr. Cummings' 
mercantile interests have increased year b\- year, 
and his surplus earnings have been judiciously 
invested in real e.state, both in Middletown and 
New York City, he having built many private 
residences and business houses. His love for 
fine horses, which he doubtless inherited, is such 
that he has made many investments in this direc- 
tion, and has bred some of the best horses in this 
region. Henowowns "Lady C," by "Clay," 
a Hambletonian, dam by "Messenger Durrock." 
She has raised three fine colts, two by "Alber- 
ton," sired by "Kentucky Prince," and one by 
"Old Sweepstakes," all promising horses. 




WILLIAM C. TRIMBLE. 



i 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1325 



Mr. Cummings was married, in Port Jervis, to 
Mary F. Sheridan, born in New York City, and 
daughter of John and Mary Sheridan, both of 
whom are now deceased. Her father was a mer- 
chant of that city. Three children have been 
born unto them: John H., a graduate of Man- 
hattan College; Mary, now attending Mt. St. 
Vincent Academj', on the Hudson; and Annie, 
attending the Ursuline Academy of Middletown. 

Mr. Cummings is a member of St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church, and was a member of the Build- 
ing Committee at the time of the construction of 
the church edifice. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He resides in a beautiful residence on Monhagen 
Avenue, adjoining the city limits, his grounds 
comprising four acres of land. 

IlLLIAM C. TRIMBLE is the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of W. C. Trimble & Son, 
proprietors of a livery, boarding, training 
and sales stable at Newburgh. With one excep- 
tion, he is the oldest driver on the turf to-day. 
By those who are competent to judge, he is con- 
sidered the best trainer of honses in the Hudson 
Valley, and the animals that have been trained 
by him have made the best record of any in Or- 
ange County. The junior member of the firm is 
his son, George E., who attends to the business 
part of the concern and has personal supervision 
of the stable. 

The Trimbles are of Irish extraction. The fa- 
ther and grandfather of our subject, both of whom 
were named John, were natives of Crown Point, 
N. Y., but the latter, who engaged in teaching 
school there, finally removed to Pike County, 
Pa., where he died. John, Jr., when a bo)', came 
to Orange County, and made his home with an 
aunt, Mrs. Hill, in the town of Montgomery. 
On arriving at man's estate he began to farm, 
afterward acquiring the owner.ship of one hundred 
acres. In 1850 he removed to Fox Lake, Dodge 
County, Wis., where he engaged in farming for 
a number of years. His death occurred in 1856, 
when he was fifty-six years of age. 
The mother of our subject, Margaret, was a 



daughter of Cadwallader Colden, a farmer of 
Orange County. By her marriage she had .seven 
children, of whom only three are living. Our 
subject was born in the town of Montgomery, 
this count}-, December 29, 1826, and was reared 
upon a farm there, receiving a common-.school 
education. In 1849 he went, via the Lakes and 
rail, to Chicago, thence by canal to vSt. Louis, 
from there down the Mississippi to New Orleans, 
and on the coast in Louisiana he engaged in the 
race-horse business with D. F. Kenner, remain- 
ing there for seven 3-ears. In 1857 he located 
near Newburgh, and engaged in general farming, 
also devoting considerable attention to raising 
horses. In 1862 he came to Newburgh, where 
he commenced to deal in horses. Five years later 
he opened a livery stable on Third Street, where 
he carried on business until 1872. 

In 1876 Mr. Trimble built a livery stable on 
the corner of Chambers and First Streets, and 
here he has engaged in the livery business since 
1878. The building which he occupies is 50X 
135 feet in dimen.sions and three stories in height. 
It contains fifty stalls, an elevator, and everything 
necessary for the successful prosecution of the 
business. Among the noted honses which Mr. 
Trimble has trained, we mention the following: 
"Mountain Boy," a fine racing horse, that was 
sold to Commodore Vanderbilt, in 1865, for $12,- 
000; "Judge Fullerton," which was bought for 
$3,000 and sold three months later for $20,000; 
"Commodore," purchased for $700, and sold for 
$8,000 four years later; "Music," a sorrel filly, 
that was bought at the age of three years for $325 
and sold five years afterwards to Robert Bonner 
for $8,500; "Cornelia," a black mare, bought for 
$2,000 and sold for $13,000; "Inez," a black mare 
that was bonght for $2,000 and .sold for $8,000, 
after having been on the turf as a trotting-horse 
for two years; "Garnet," a well known trotter, 
purchased for $1,000, by J. G. Coster, who two 
years later refused ten times that sum for him; 
" Zenobia Moore," purchased for $1,000, eight 
times that sum being refu.sed for her three months 
later, but .she afterward died; "Patience," pur- 
cha.se price $1,000, trotted for one year, then sold 
as a brood mare; "Instant," bought in 1890 



1326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Trimble owning a half-interest in her, trotted 
for two years, and sold fot $4,200, after having 
made a record of 2:14 }4; " S. J.," a chestnut 
horse belonging to Gen. Austin Lathrop, trained 
here, trotted for one year, gained a mark of 
2:16 }{, and is now on the road in New York ; 
and "Cobweb," a young horse condemned in 
California when five years old, but bought in 
New York for $550 by John Turl's sons, and 
given to our subject May 9, 1894, for the purpose 
of training for the turf. This horse is the finest 
perhaps of any trained by Mr. Trimble, as he has 
made a record of 2 : 1 2 and won $6, 600. At present 
our subject has in training the filly "Morwent," 
five 3-ears old, foaled by " Instant," and sired by 
" Kentucky Prince." This filly had been con- 
demned by three or four trainers, but Mr. Trim- 
ble is proving that she has good qualities, and is 
getting work out of her for her owners, Colonel 
Page and Dean Sage. 

In 1857 Mr. Trimble married Miss Abbie 
Woodruff, who was born in this county. Their 
only child, George E;, was born in Newburgh, 
June 6, 1862, and received a good education, 
graduating from Siglar's Academy, at the age of 
eighteen. He then entered into business with 
his father, and has since had charge of the stable 
. and livery trade. November 10, 1S92, he married 
Miss Lizzie Town Stocker, a native of Boston, 
and a graduate of the Conservatory of Music in 
that city, also at one time a teacher in the New- 
burgh Academy. George E. is a member of the 
Orange Lake Ice Yacht Club and the Newburgh 
Gun and Rifle Club. 



(^ 



■'?^lllJg^' 



=e) 



gEORGE CRAWFORD, for many years one 
of the influential and enterprising business 
men of Middletown, is now living retired at 
his beautiful home in this city. He has shown 
marked ability as a business man, and has been 
verj' successful in all that he has undertaken: 

Our subject was born September 10, 18 16, in 
the town of Crawford, which was named in honor 



of his grandfather, who located here many years 
ago. The parental family included eleven chil- 
dren, of whom we make the following mention: 
Emeline, who never married, died when eighty 
years of age; Leander at the time of his death was 
in his seventy-third year; Millicent was sixty-five 
years at the time of her death; John A. lived to 
be eighty-one; Albert was sixt3^-three years old 
when he died; George, of this sketch, was the 
next- born; Sarah E. is deceased, as is also Esther; 
Theron is one of the most prominent agriculturists 
of this section, and occupies the old home farm; 
Robert is a substantial farmer of the town of Craw- 
ford; and Angeline is also living in the town of 
Crawford. 

The father of our subject, Robert I. Crawford, 
was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., to which 
locality he was brought by his parents when 
young. He was here reared to mature years, 
and led an honorable and useful life. He was a 
very prominent man in the affairs of his locality, 
and in settling up estates there was none better. 
Honorable and upright in all his dealings, he 
won many friends, who held him in high esteem. 

The mother of our subject, Deborah (Dickerson) 
Crawford, was a native of the town of Crawford, 
and was the daughter of Benjamin and Esther 
(Ogden) Dickerson, who were born in Dutchess 
County. She belonged to the Hopewell Presbj'- 
terian Church, with which denomination her 
husband was also connected, and of which he was 
an Elder for many years. 

Our subject pa.ssed the first thirty years of his 
life on the old homestead, in the meantime ac- 
quiring a good education. On starting out for 
himself, he purchased a farm in the town of 
Montgomerj-, which he operated with success for 
ten years. At the end of that time he rented his 
estate, and, moving into Middletown, engaged in 
the crockery- and woodenware business. Se\'eral 
years later he opened up a grocery store, and for 
four years conducted a thriving trade among the 
best people of the locality. He is now living re- 
tired, giving his attention to looking after his 
real-estate interests. 

November 5, 1846, Mr. Crawford married Miss 
Mary E. Crawford, a native of Orange County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1327 



and to them have been born two children: Emma, 
at home: and Frank, a merchant of Middletown. 
Mr. Crawford owns three residences in this place, 
which he rents, and in this way derives a good 
income. He is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and is actively interested in the success of his 
party. Like the other members of his farailj-, he 
belongs to the Presbvterian Church. 



=^^hJh^^=- 



GlBRAM VAX NEST POWELSON is en- 
1 I gaged in general law practice at Middletown, 
I I and in addition to protecting the interests of 
a large clientage, he is filling the positions of As- 
sistant District Attorney and Justice of the Peace. 
The latter office he has held since 1869, being 
elected to succeed himself ever}' four years. His 
political views are in accordance with the declara- 
tions of the Republican party, and in its progress 
he takes a great interest, for he believes its teach- 
ing and polic)- are best fitted to insure the wel- 
fare of the country and the prosperity of the 
citizens. 

The Powelson family is of Dutch descent. The 
subject of this notice was born in Somerville, 
N. J., April 15, 1842, and both his father, Abra- 
ham, and his grandfather, John, were born near 
the same place, and were farmers b}- occupation. 
The former, who is still living, is now seventy- 
nine j-ears of age. He still takes an interest in 
public affairs, and in politics is a Republican. 
His religious connections are with the Presbyte- 
rian Church. The lady whom he married was, like 
himself, of Dutch descent. She bore the maiden 
name of Sarah A. Van Nest, and was born near 
Somerville, N. J., where her father, John, was 
engaged in farming pursuits. 

The parental family consisted of three children, 
those besides our subject being John A., Presi- 
dent of the Somerville Woolen Manufacturing 
Company; and Mrs. Adeline Hagaman, who lives 
near Somerville. Our subject was prepared un- 
der a special tutor for Union College, which he 
attended for some terms, graduating in 1864 with 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years 
later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred 



upon him. In 1864 he came to Middletown as 
instructor in the classics and higher mathematics 
at Wallkill Academy, remaining in that po.sition 
for two years. Believing, however, that the law 
offered greater opportunities for advancement 
than the teacher's profession, he began its study 
under Judge John G. Wilkin, and carried it on 
for two years during his leisure hours, while en- 
gaged as Superintendent of the public schools. 
Since his admission to the Bar in 1869, he has 
carried on an extensive practice, giving his at- 
tention, to .some extent, to his official duties, but 
finding sufficient time outside of them to manage 
the interests of his clients. Interested in edu- 
cational matters, he is a member of the Board of 
Education and is Chairman of the Academy Com- 
mittee, the duties of which are very important 
and responsible. 

At Neversink, Sullivan County, Mr. Powelson 
married Miss Adeline Palen, a native of that 
place, and a daughter of Arthur Palen, who is 
head of the firm of Palen, Fleager & Co., the 
largest tanners there. Six children blessed the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Powelson. The older 
ones have attained years of maturity and have 
proved themselves not onl^' the joy and comfort 
of their parents, but of value in the world. Un- 
usually brilliant in intellect, they have gained 
distinction by their culture and mental acumen. 
Arthur P., the eldest son, is a graduate of the 
Middletown High School and the New York 
Homeopathic Medical College, Class of '94, in 
which he was Class Prophet. He took a post- 
graduate course in Europe at the University of 
Gottingen, and on returning to the United States 
opened an office in Middletown, N. Y., where he 
has since practiced his profession, 

Wilfred Van Ne.st, the second son, entered the 
L^nited States Naval Academ)- at the age of six- 
teen, where, in the first year's examination, he 
was placed seventh among seventy-two. In the 
second year he rose to the second place, and in 
the third year stood at the head of the class. In 
his last year he fell back to .second place, but his 
average for the four years was so much better 
than that of anyone else that he was the undis- 
puted "honor man" of the class. Before the 



1328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



age of twenty-one, he joined the "Bennington," 
as a midshipman, and later went on the "Chica- 
go' " to Europe. He was .sent by the Govern- 
ment to the University of Glasgow, where he 
took a special course, receiving the first prize. 
On his return to the United States, he was as- 
signed to duty on the "New York," and is now 
an ensign on the personal staff of Admiral Bunce, 
of the North Atlantic Squadron. The third son, 
Howard J., is a graduate of the acadeni}' and the 
Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, 
completing the studies of the latter institution in 
1895, at the age of twenty-one, and standing third 
in his class, with a percentage of ninety-eight and 
one-fifth. The three youngest children, NeHie, 
Louise and John, are students in the academy. 



Gl V. BOAK, President of the Board of Trade 
I I of Middletown, was born in the town of 
/ I Wallkill, Orange County, and is of Irish 
and English descent. James Boak, his grandfa- 
ther, was born in the North of Ireland, and came 
to this countrj^ in early life, locating in the town 
of Wallkill, where he died many years since, hav- 
ing passed his fourscore j-ears. James F. Boak, 
the father, was born in the town of Wallkill, and 
was reared to the hfe of a farmer, which occupa- 
tion he ever afterward followed. In that town he 
married Martha Vail, a native of the same town, 
and a daughter of Abraham Vail, who was also 
born there, and who was of English descent. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and served as Su- 
pervisor for some years. The Vail family was a 
prominent one. General Vail being one of its 
members. The father was a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and for years held the ofiSce of 
Trustee. He died on the farm near Scotchtown 
in 1890, at the age of seventy-one. The mother 
also died there some years ago. P'our children 
were born to James F. Boak and his wife, two of 
whom are now living: James E., living on the old 
homestead; and A. V., the subject of thissketch. 
The latter was reared in his native town, and 



receivjsd his primary education in the common 
schools. Later he entered Wallkill Academy, 
from which he graduated with honors, and then 
entered Eastman's Business College at Pough- 
keepsie, from which he graduated in 1869. Three 
years later he came to Middletown, and, in part- 
nership with M. Lewis Clark, he engaged in the 
real-estate and insurance business, the partner- 
ship continuing two years, when Mr. Clark with- 
drew from the firm , since v.'hich time Mr. Boak 
has been alone. On the retirement of Mr. Clark, 
he abandoned the insurance business, and con- 
fined him,self exclusively to dealing in real-estate. 
His office is now the oldest established real-estate 
office in Middletown. 

In 1878 Mr. Boak was united in marriage, in 
Baltimore, Md., with Miss Frances M. Brewster, 
a native of that. city, and a daughter of James 
Brewster, now deceased. At that time he was en- 
gaged in the machinery business in Baltimore, 
having retired from the practice of homeopathy, 
which was unpopular there. In Maryland he 
was a prominent Mason, and had taken the high- 
est degrees in the order. Mrs. Boak was educated 
in Baltimore, and is a lady of great refinement 
and intelligence. By her union with our subject, 
three children were born: Frankie, Eleanora and 
Ada Lynda. 

Since coming to Middletown Mr. Boak has 
been an active business man. He owns seven- 
teen acres inside the city limits, has laid out sev- 
eral additions to the city, and handles the prop- 
erty of others who have made additions to the 
city plat. Experience in the real estate business 
for over twenty-three years has made Mr. Boak 
an authority on Orange County real estate, and 
his appreciation of present and prospective values 
of property is reliability itself He makes a spe- 
cialty of handling Middletown residences, city 
lots, business and investment properties, hotels, 
and Orange County farms, and has sold more of 
the latter than any other firm in the county, 

Mr. Boak was one of the originators of the 
Board of Trade, and was one of its first Trustees. 
In the re-organization of the Board about five 
years ago, he was elected President, and has since 
held the office. Twice he was elected Alderman 




REV. PHILIP E. AHERN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1331 



from the Second Ward, and is a member and 
Presiding Officer of the Board of Water Commis- 
sioners of the city, being made a Commissioner 
at the time of the completion of the last reservoir. 
Socially Mr. Boak is a charter member of the 
Knights of Honor of Middletown, and religiously 
is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, 
taking an active interest in the affairs of that body. 
For seven years he was a member of the Excelsior 
Hook and Ladder Company, and is now an hon- 
orary member. In politics he is a Democrat, and 
has been Chairman of the City Central Commit- 
tee. Few men in Orange County are better known 
and none more highly esteemed, and the success 
which has attended him he richlv deserves. 



REV. PHILIP E. AHERN, pastor of St. 
Thomas' Roman Catholic Church at Corn- 
wall on the Hudson, has had charge of this 
congregation for the past two years. In it there 
are about eighty families represented, over whom 
he is a faithful shepherd, and, being a close and 
earnest student, he is a general favorite in the 
community. Rev. Mr. Ahem is the successor of 
Rev. Henr>' G. Gordon, who was pastor here for 
five years. The "church was incorporated No- 
vember 17. 1870, and the Trustees who executed 
the certificate were Mo.st Rev. John McCloskey, 
Archbishop; Rev. William Starr, Vicar-General; 
and Rev. John Keogh, pastor; the laymen being 
James Sheridan and Patrick Piggott. This was 
the legal organization of a society founded by the 
indefatigable labors of Father Keogh, who was 
appointed to the Cornwall mission by the Arch- 
bishop of New York. 

For some years prior to this time Catholic ser\-- 
ices had been held in a small brick church which 
had been erected in i860, under the direction of 
Rev. Edward J. O'Reilly, subsequently pastor of 
St. Mary's of New York City. Father Keogh 
resolved on having a better edifice in which to 
meet, and after the ground was .secured excava- 
tion was made by voluntary labor in the winter 
of 1870-71. The corner-stone was laid in the 
spring following by the Bishop of Rochester, Rt.- 

58 



Rev. D. McQuade (assisted by several promi- 
nent priests from New York and elsewhere), in 
the presence of a large concourse of citizens. 
The work was pushed with great energj-, so that 
both the church and pa.storal residence were 
enclosed before the fall. In the spring of 1872 
the old church propert}- was di.sposed of, and in 
the month of June the altar was moved to the 
basement of the new edifice, which had been 
fitted up as a chapel. 

Father Keogh retired from this charge April 
I, 1876, and was succeeded by Father Stephen 
Mackin. The latter was followed by Father 
William Ward, who found here a debt of about 
$25,000. Through his indefatigable efforts, how- 
ever, $20,000 of the amount was paid olf during 
his stay. His work was carried on later by Rev. 
Henry G. Gordon. Although a comparatively 
new priest here, our subject has shown himself 
to be a con.scientious worker and a valued acquisi- 
tion to the moral force of the communitj-. 

The .subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City, June 9, 1854, and was the son of 
Philip and Margaret (Smith) Ahern, natives of 
Ireland. Father Ahern was given the best ad- 
vantages for gaining an education, attending 
first the public schools of the metropolis, and in 
1867 became a student of .St. John's College, 
Brooklyn. After pursuing the higher studies, 
he was regularly graduated in 1872, and Ihen 
attended St. Joseph's Seminary, completing the 
course in that institution in 1877. May 26 of 
that year he was ordained and stationed in New 
York City, but remained there only three months, 
however, when he was sent to take charge of the 
congregation of St. Peter's at Poughkeepsie, 
holding the same for three years. At the end of 
that time he returned to New York, and for the 
same length of time was pastor of a congregation. 
We next find him in Ulster County, where he 
remained for nine years, having charge of two 
missions besides the regular charge. It may 
thus be seen that his preparation has been thor- 
ough, and his popularity here attests the high 
standing in which he is regarded by the people. 
The church is finelj' located, and is a large struct- 
ure, built of brick. It is not entirely completed, 



1332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but will be ere long. It has a large seating ca- 
pacity, and was planned to accommodate the 
members of the surrounding villages and towns 
of the count V. 



QJiRGILCOX, Vice-President ofthe New York 
W & New Jersey Roller Coaster Compan.y, of 
V Middletown, was born near Deckertown, 
Sussex County, N. J., in January, 1863. The 
first of the family to come to America was his 
grandfather, George Cox, a native of England, 
who emigrated to this country and, settling in 
Orange County, became proprietor of the Salis- 
bur\- Mills. There our subject's father, George 
W., was born and^ reared. In youth he learned 
the carpenter's trade, and became a contractor 
and builder in the vicinity of Deckertown and 
Port Jervis. He finally came to Middletown, 
where his closing years were spent and where 
his death occurred. His wife, Mary A., was 
born in Sussex County, as was also her father, 
Amos Mead, but the latter removed from there 
to Montrose, Pa., where he died. 
■ The subject of this sketch is the second among 
four children, his brothers and sister being Will- 
iam H., General Manager and Secretary of the 
Roller Coaster Company; Frank, who is in the 
employ of the Times aX Middletown; and Carrie, 
Mrs. John Dreher, of Hornellsville, X. Y. \'ir- 
gil was reared in the vicinity of Deckertown, 
N. J., where he received a public-school educa- 
tion. In 1880 he came to Middletown as an 
apprentice to the carpenter's trade under Lemon 
& Madden, with whom he remained about two 
years. Afterward for a \ear he was with Mead 
& Taft at Cornwall. Next he went to Orange, 
N. J., where he worked at his trade, graduallv 
turning his attention to contracting and building. 
He was employed in that way both in Orange 
and East Orange, N. J. In the fall of 1893 he 
came back to Middletown, where he has since 
engaged in building. He has erected two resi- 
dences on Prince Street and sold to other parties, 



and also erected the residence he now occupies 

on Spring Street, being also the owner of the 
three adjoining lots. 

In the summer of 1894 Mr. Cox and his 
brother secured the necessary lease from the trac- 
tion company and erected the Roller Coaster 
building at Midway Park. When the enterprise 
was almost completed, they formed a company, 
which was incorporated as the New York & 
New Jersey Roller Coaster Company, our sub- 
ject being Vice-President, and his brother Sec- 
retary and General Manager. The scheme has 
proved a .successful one, and will undoubtedly 
be remunerative to the proprietors. The build- 
ing is arranged so that there is an elevation of 
one hundred and twenty-five feet and an incline 
of four hundred feet, the coaster being three- 
fourths of a mile in length. It has proved one of 
the greatest attractions of the park, and as a busi- 
ness venture is a success. In his political belief 
Mr. Cox is a Republican, but has never taken an 
active part in public affairs, preferring to give 
his business matters his entire attention. 



(31 B. WHEELER, a veteran of the late war, 
Ll was born in Craigsville, town of Blooming 
/ I Grove, Orange County, August 31, 1846. 
His grandfather, Seth Wheeler, was the youngest 
of ten brothers, born in Danbury, Conn., all of 
whom went to sea excepting him, and he re- 
mained on the home farm, giving his attention 
principally to the carpenter's trade. From Con- 
necticut, after a time, he went to New York City, 
where he was employed as a contractor. Later he 
went to Bloomingburg, Sullivan County; thence, 
a few years later, to Fishkill, N. Y., where he 
worked as a contractor. In 1830 he settled in 
Craigsville, and there he died in 1863, at the age 
of eighty-four. During the War of 181 2 he 
served in defense of this country. In religious 
belief he was connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

The marriage of Seth Wheeler united him with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1333 



Mar\- Hulse. who was born in the town of Bloom- 
ing Grove, her father, Benjamin Hulse. having 
been an earl\- settler there. They became the 
parents of two sons and one daughter. Their 
son Henr\-, who was a carpenter and wheel- 
wright, sj)ent his early life principally in Bloom- 
ing Grove, thence removed to Xewburgh. and 
fifteen years later settled in Jersey City, where 
he now resides. The other son. William, our 
subject's father, was bom in New York City, 
and in youth ser\-ed a seven-years apprenticeship 
to the trades of carpenter and wheelwright at 
Fishkill: later worked for a similar period at 
Brooklyn, becoming a thorough master of these 
trades. He was a Drum Major in the Twent>-- 
second New York State Militia, the brigade that 
was commanded by Gen. William C. Little, of 
Goshen. Settling at Craigsville. he was engaged 
there as a contractor and builder until his death, 
which occurred July i. 1859. at the age of forty- 
three. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Sarah E. Braffett, and was born in Mon- 
roe, this count)-, as was also her father, Hezekiah. 
while her mother, Elizabeth ^ Newbun- 1 Braffett, 
was from Kingston. At the time of her husband's 
death, she was left with six children, the eldest of 
whom was thirteen years, and the youngest six 
months old. She afterward married again, and 
now makes her home in Philadelphia. Of the 
children of her first marriage, only three are liv- 
ing, our subject being the eldest of the number. 
He was reared at Craig.sville. and from the age of 
nine years was self-supporting, as he then began 
to work at the cotton-spinner's trade in Craigs- 
ville. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War. Mr. Wheel- 
er's sympathies were aroused in behalf of the 
Union, and five times he endeavored to enlist in 
the army, but was refused on account of youth. 
The sixth attempt, however, proved successful, 
and August 22, 1S64, he was accepted as a .soldier, 
though at the time he weighed only ninety- 
pounds. At Goshen he was assigned to Company 
C, Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, and joined his 
regiment at Charleston Harbor, September 16, 
1864, entering active service immediately. He was 



in the engagements at Graham's Station. Honey 
Hill, Boyd's Landing. Devore's Neck and Greg- 
or\-'s Farm, and participated in three different 
engagements, on the 6th. 7th and 9th of De- 
cember. At the battle of Coosacatcha, December 

29, he was wounded with a musket-ball, when 
firing from the skirmish line, the ball entering 
the bridge of the nose from the left flank, and 
passing across the right eye. After being 
wounded, he walked three miles to the field 
hospital, being obliged to ford the river with the 
water rising as high as his neck. On reaching 
the hospital, the wound was dressed, and he was 
removed from the active list. January 31, 1865, 
he was sent to the general hospital at Port 
Royal, from there went to David's Island, New 
York Harbor, and was honorably discharged May 

30. 1865. on account of disability resulting from 
injuries received in action. 

As soon as the condition of his health pennitted. 
Mr. Wheeler resumed work at .spinning in Craigs- 
ville. Soon, however, he abandoned that occupa- 
tion and engaged in farming in the town of 
Blooming Grove. In 1868 he removed to Hanip- 
tonburgh, where he spent one year, and after- 
ward for ten years cultivated a farm in the town 
of Goshen. In 1878 he came to Middletown, but 
continued farm work for a couple of years, after 
which for five years he was superintendent of what 
is now the Middletown Ice Company, and then 
for one year was with C. L. Webster & Co. In 
August, 1877, he was appointed a letter-carrier 
for the city, and continued in Government employ 
until September 10, 1894, when political reasons 
led to his removal, after he had served for .seven 
years and one month. Since then he has been 
traveling salesman for the Household Supph- 
Company at Danbury. Conn., with branch office 
in the Central Building at Middletown. 

In the town of Blooming Grove, May 30, 1867, 
Mr. Wheeler married Miss Hannah W. Oldfield, 
who was born in the town of Warwick, as was 
also her father, Joel Oldfield. Her grandfather. 
Nathaniel Oldfield, was an old settler and pioneer 
farmer of Warwick. Her father, who was born 
in 18 1 2, resided in Tompkins County from 1843 
until 1865, returning thence to Blooming Grove, 



1334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he died in May, i8gi . He married Melissa 
Moon, who was bom in Monroe. thiscouut\-. and 
was orphaned in infancy. Five children were 
bom to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, 
namely: Melissa A., who is married, and lives in 
Middletown: Harrison W., who is in the engineer 
corps. United States regxilar army, stationed at 
West Point, and was formerly Lieutenant of 
General Custer Camp No. 96: Joel B.. who is in 
the employ of the National Saw Company, and is 
Captain of General Custer Camp No. 96: Emma 
E- and Sarah L. 

Politically Mr. Wheeler is a stanch Republican. 
Socially he belongs to Hofiman Lodge No. 412, 

F. & A. M.: Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe No. 
77, I. O. R. M.. in which he has held ofl&cial 
position: Knights of Labor, in which he was for 
five years Master Workman of his lodge, the 
strongest of the district: the Tenth Legion Veter- 
ans" Association , in which he was Vice- President 
for four years: and General Lyon Post No. 266. 

G. A. R.. in which he was Commander for seven 
years in succession. Since becoming a member 
of the latter organization, he has personally re- 
cruited one hundred and sixtj'-five members. In 
1S94 he was Aide-de-camp, under Gen. J. G. B. 
Adams, of General Lauder Post No. 5, G. A. R., 
at Lynn, Mass. In religious belief he is aMethod- 
ist. He is prominent among the veterans of the 
war. with whom he loves to meet and recount 
the thrilling events connected with those stirring 
times. 

^^z^M C-^ • . 

30HN I. BRADLEY. Since the age of four- 
teen years the subject of this sketch has 
made his home upon his present farm in the 
town of Wawayanda. The land which he owns 
and o{>erates is finely improved, and here may be 
found all the accessories of a model estate, in- 
cluding a large and commodious residence. 
Through his perse\-ering efforts he has become 
one of the most prosperous formers of his locality, 
and is known as a man of upright character and 
accommodating disposition. 

The subject of tliis notice and his brother. Ben- 
jamin W.. were the only children bora to the 



union of Simeon and Eleanor (^Williams) Brad- 
ley. The father was a native of Fairfield. Conn., 
as was also the grandfather, John Bradley. The 
great-grandfather, also John Bradley, emigrated 
with his family from England and settled in 
Fairfield Connt\-, Conn., about the year 1730. 
He was still Hving at the time the British sol- 
diers burned Danbun.-, Conn., during the Revo- 
lution, and he hauled j)owder for the Continental 
troops. 

Simeon Bradley was bora in Fairfield Countj-, 
Conn., in 1795, and when eighteen years old 
came to Orange County, and taught school for 
six or seven years north of New burgh. At Middle- 
Hope he was married to the daughter of Benjamin 
Williams, the latter one of the descendants of the 
Williams family who came from England at an 
early day and settled Williams Bridge, in West- 
chester Count>-, N. Y. The father purchased 
a tract of land near Middle Hope, but in 1S47 ^^ 
dispHjsed of that place and removed to Brock- 
jK)rt, Monroe County. Seven years later, in 1S54. 
he came to the town of Wawayanda and pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres known as the 
old Dalton Homestead, and which is now the 
place owned by his son John I. Here he died in 
1SS9. at the age of ninel\--four years, and his 
remains were interred in Cedar Hill Cemeter\-. 
A devout Christian man, he held membership in 
the Presbyterian Chnrch, of which he was a loyal 
supporter. His wife, who died in 1SS5, was like- 
wise a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
possessed many noble qualities. 

In the town of Newbnrgh our subject was 
bora August 20, 1S40. When the family re- 
moved to his present home, he was a lad of four- 
teen years, and here he has since remained, en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. His primaiy ed- 
ucation was obtained in a private school, and aft- 
erward he was a student in the Middletown 
Academy. In 1S6S he was united in marriage 
with Sarah Little, the daughter of William and 
Emma 1 Andrews' Little", both of whom were 
from well known tamilies of the town of Waway- 
anda. Mr. Little died in 1S70. His widow still 
lives on the old homestead, which adjoins Mr. 
Bradley's form. Our subject and his wire became 




II. H. ROHIXSON, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1337 



the parents of four children. Eleanor was the eld- 
est. William L. graduated from Princeton Col- 
lege in 1892, and from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of Xew York City in June, 1895; 
he is now on the staff of the Xew York Hospital. 
Mars- B. and John I. are pupils in the district 
schools. It is a fact worth}- of note that there 
has been a John I. Bradley for four generations. 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Bradley took 
charge of the home place, where he has since been 
extensively engaged in general farming. The 
farm is under a high state of cultivation and 
produces bounteous harvests. In politics he is a 
Democrat. For three terms he has served as 
Supervisor of the town of Wawayanda, has also 
been Commissioner of Highways, and is a Di- 
rector in the First National Bank of Middletown, 
and President of the Pine Hill Cemetery Associa- 
tion. He is a member of the Presbj-terian 
Church, with which his wife, who died Ma}- 19, 
1889, was also identified. She was buried in 
Pine Hill Cemeterj-. A good man and an honest 
citizen, Mr. Bradley is worthy of the respect and 
confidence of his neighbors and friends. 

NEMAN HUMPHREY ROBINSON, M. D., 
stands at the head of the medical profession 
in Goshen, where he is located for practice. 
He was born in Bellport, L. I.. August 20, 1838, 
and is a son of Rev. Phineas Robin,son, whose 
birth also occurred at the above place. The lat- 
ter was graduated at Hamilton College, and pre- 
pared for the ministry at Princeton. He first 
preached on Long Island, and in 1841 and 1842 
taught in Middletown Academy. He aftem-ard 
was pastor of a congregation at Washingtonville 
for five years, and for four years held a charge 
in Jefferson, Schoharie County. For a period of 
nine jears he taught the languages and mathe- 
matics in Chester Academy. After being retired 
from the ministry for some years, he again be- 
gan preaching the Gospel on Long Island, be- 
ing at that time seventy-five years of age. He 
was recognized as one of the able Presbyterian 
clergvmen of the state, and was al.so a noted edu- 



cator. As a poet he had gained considerable 
fame, and one edition of his writings has been 
published. 

Our subject's mother was known in maiden- 
hood as Eliza Day, and was born in Connecti- 
cut. She departed this life at Middletown, when 
sixty-five years of age. In the parental family 
were twelve children, ten of whom grew to ma- 
ture years. Of these seven were sons, two of 
whom became physicians and one an attorney- . 
Heman H. attended the Middletown Academy 
for five years, and was a student in Chester Acad- 
emy, where his father taught for nine years. 
When in his seventeenth year he went to Sea- 
men's Retreat Hospital, on Staten Island, in or- 
der to study medicine, remaining there two years. 
In 1859 he entered the medical department of the 
University of New York, from which he was 
graduated with the Class of "60. He was there- 
fore ready to commence the practice of medicine 
when just past the age of twenty -one. Finding 
a good opening in Jeffersonville, Sullivan Coun- 
ty, he opened an office there, and soon became 
noted as a skillful and successful practitioner. He 
remained there until 1870, when he came to 
Goshen, where he has for years had a very- ex- 
tensive practice. He now occupies with his fam- 
ily a fine residence on Murray Avenue, which is 
a model in its arrangement and furnished in a 
manner indicating the occupants to be people of 
taste and means. 

In 1861 Dr. Robinson was married, in Sullivan 
County, to Miss Maria Pendell, a native of Scho- 
harie County, and the daughter of Lemuel Pen- 
dell, a manufacturer in Gilboa. Schoharie Couii- 
tj-. Her paternal grandfather was a Methodist 
minister, and met with great success in preaching 
the Gospel. The Doctor and his wife have seven 
living children: Josephine, Kittie, Mary, Robert 
Thomas, Harry H., Lee and Florence, who are 
at home. Dr. Robinson has been physician on 
the Board of Health for many years, for two 
years was President of the Orange County Medi- 
cal Society, and for three years served as its 
Treasurer. He is now filling the position of lo- 
cal surgeon of the New York, Lake Erie & West- 
ern Railroad, and is al.so Medical Examiner for 



I.vvS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company, 
the New York Life Insurance Compan\-, Equi- 
table Insurance Company, besides others. He is 
an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and one of 
its valued and most active workers. In politics 
he is a strong supporter of Republican principles, 
and rejoices greatly in the success of that party. 



L-T- 






c- 



^ 



y/llCHAEL F. FRITZ, of Port Jervis, has 
y been an engineer on the Delaware Division 
(9 of the Erie Railroad for seventeen years 
and is one of their most efficient emploj'es. Per- 
haps his most notable experience during this 
time was in the well remembered accident of 
August 13, 1888. He was in charge of engine 
No. 672, which was drawing a stock-train. It 
struck the rocks that had fallen on the track near 
Schohola and the engine upset at a point eighty- 
five feet perpendicularly above the Delaware River 
and onl}- one hundred and fifteen feet from the edge 
of thebank. The engine, or at least the boiler there- 
of, remained on the bank, but the cars carried 
away the cab, in which were Mr. Fritz and a fire- 
man. The former's clothes caught fire and he was 
pinned down by a timber, but the river water put 
out the fire and he, lying in such a position, was 
wonderfully saved from drowning. Though suf- 
fering terribly and with death staring him in the 
face, the thought crossed his mind that the night 
express No. 3 westbound was due. He shouted 
to the conductor, who was .standing on the bank, 
to flag the train. The whistles of the fated train 
were already heard in the distance. The fireman 
had fainted, and the lights of the approaching en- 
gine had no witness but our subject. He was 
well acquainted with John Kinsella, the engineer, 
and Alexander Newman, the fireman. They 
were running on fast time, as they were a little 
late, and as it was on a curve they could see but 
a little way in advance. The express engine 
struck the fore part of Mr. Fritz's engine, which 
was still lying on the track, bounded into the riv- 
er, and some of the forward cars followed, though 



the Pullman stopped on the brink. Language is 
inadequate to describe the sight which our subject 
witnes.sed as the immense engine, its wheels re- 
volving like lightning, .struck fire from the stones 
which it hit in its descent, and, with fire and .steam 
bursting from every side, finally plunged, hissing 
and snorting, a few feet beyond him into the river. 
The fireman was killed and engineer Kin,sella was 
badly injured, but though the ladies' car was full 
of passengers when it went over the bank only 
one was killed, though nearly thirty were more or 
less wounded. At length some order was evolved 
from the chaos, and when all the passengers were 
extricated, Mr. Fritz was released from his un- 
happy position, and was taken to the opposite 
shore in a boat. His hip was seriously hurt and 
he was completely covered with bruises, so that 
his life was despaired of, but after careful nursing 
his strong constitution brought him through. 
Mr. Abbey, Mrs. Langtr3''s manager, was on the 
train, en route to California. 

M. F. Fritz was born in Corning, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 14, 1853, his parents being John and 
Mary Grace (Webber) Fritz. The former was 
an old railroad man, being in the service for many 
years. At one time he was a conductor on the 
Rochester Division, and for a time ran on the 
Coshocton Railroad from Corning to Rochester. 
He was a native of Germany, and died in 1875, 
when si.xty-two years old. He was accidentally 
drowned during a .spring freshet at Corning while 
standing on the bank of the river, the earth cav- 
ing in and precipitating him into the water, and 
as he was unable to swim he was drowned before 
as.sistance could reach him. He was one of the 
best known men on the Susquehanna Division 
of the Erie. 

The boyhood of Michael Fritz, until reaching 
his fifteenth year, was passed quietly in his 
native city. Soon afterwards he took a position 
as brakeman on the Delaware Division, this being 
in September, 1869. For two years he was a 
brakeman, after which he was made baggage- 
master on the Jefferson Division, and thus acted 
until 187 1. The following year he was promoted 
to a conductorsliip on the Delaware Division, and 
a few months later commenced running on an en- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1339 



gine as fireman. Dxtring the succeeding four 
years he was much of the time in the roundhouse 
as a ho.stler, and finally, in February, 1878, was 
given an engine. While serving as an extra 
conductor, February 13, 1872, the engine exploded 
and a man who was sitting next him in the ca- 
boose was killed instantl}-. For nearly twenty 
years Mr. Fritz has been a member of Mt. 
William Lodge No. 105, K. of P. He is also 
connected with the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers, and is Secretary of the General Griev- 
ance Committee of the Erie System, all com- 
plaints along the lines from New York to Chicago 
coming under his notice. He is a Republican in 
his political views. At the time of the serious 
accident in which he was .so badly injured and to 
which we have referred at length in the beginning 
of this sketch, he received the kindest possjible 
attention from Superintendent W. A. Starr of 
the Erie Road, and all expenses, such as doctor's 
bills, etc., were met by the company-. It was a 
matter of wonder to his physicians that he ever 
recovered and that blood poisoning did not set in, 
as, with the exception of the palm of his right 
hand and the sole of his right foot, he was liter- 
ally black and blue. 

September 7, 1875, Mr. Fritz and Alice Spen- 
cer, of Port Jervis, were united in marriage. The 
father of Mrs. Fritz is William Spencer, wlio is 
now a blacksmith in the railroad shops. Our 
.subject and wife have three children, Albert, 
Grace and Walter, who are all at home. 



NENRY L. BEAKES is a representative of 
one of the oldest families in Orange Count}', 
and no family is more highly honored or re- 
spected. Wherever found, the Beakes are honest, 
industrious and upright, and are very successful 
in their various avocations. November 7, 1824, 
our subject was born on the present homestead, 
which adjoins Middletown, and where the father, 
Joseph, was also born. Stacej' Beakes, the 
grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, where 
he married Miss Yard. The joung couple came 
from Trenton and located on the farm now owned 



by our subject, who has the original deed, signed 
January 3, 1781. Orange County at that time 
was a part of Ulster County. On locating here, 
Stacey Beakes built a house and improved the 
farm, and there three .sons and four daughters 
were born. Stacej-, who was a merchant and a 
Member of the Assemblj^, served in the War of 
181 2, and died in Middletown; Joseph was the fa- 
ther of our subject; Mahlon died near Ann Ar- 
bor, Mich.; Mary A., Mrs. William Murray, now 
deceased, had one son, Ambrose Spencer Murray, 
who became a Member of Congress; Ruth died in 
this county; Martha passed awaj' in Michigan; 
and Agnes died in Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Beakes, the father of our subject, bought 
the one-third interest of his brother Mahlon in the 
home farm, and inherited one-third, which gave 
him a farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. 
He continued to cultivate the farm until his 
death, in 1857, at the age of seventy-seven years. 
He was an attendant at the Old-school Baptist 
Church, and in politics was originally a Whig, 
and afterwards a Republican. He married Anna 
Witter, who was born in Wallkill, half a mile 
from the Beakes place. Her grandfather, Isaac 
Witter, was born in the town of Wallkill, where 
he engaged in farming. Later, however, he sold 
out and located at Canadaigua, Ontario Count}^ 
N. Y., where he continued farming until his 
death. Mrs. Anna Beakes died in 1879, after 
having become the mother of eleven children, 
ten of whom grew to maturity. Maria, who 
married Isaac Decker, died at Monticello; Will- 
iam O. died in Wallkill in 1893; Lucinda, who 
married Daniel Harding, died in Mt. Hope in 
1844; Sally Jane, who married S. C. Howell, re- 
sides at Howells Depot; Alanson died in Wall- 
kill; Mahlon Stacey died in Wallkill in 1891 ; Mar- 
iam is the widow of Thomas P. Pitts and resides 
in Middletown; Fannie married Cyrus Tuttle, 
and died in Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich. ; Hen- 
ry L. is our subject; Hiram, an attorney and a 
great friend of Judge Cooley, died in Ann Arbor, 
Mich.; and George M., a prominent physician at 
Bloomingburg, was educated at the University of 
New York, and graduated from the medical de- 
partment. He was Surgeon in the Fifty-sixth 



I340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



New York Volunteer Infentrj-, and is an ex-Rep- 
resentative iu the General Assembly. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
old homestead, and was educated in the district 
schools. He remained on the home farm and 
gradually took charge of its management, and 
when the father died, in 1S57. he willed it to 
our subject. The latter paid off the legacies re- 
quired in the will to the brothers and sisters. 
Our subject has shown himself an enterprising 
farmer, and has made many improvements on the 
place. The farm is well watered by springs and 
is well improved in everj- respect. In connection 
with general farming, Mr. Beakes is engaged in 
the dair>- business, and has from thirt\--five to 
forty head of cows. 

Mr. Beakes" first marriage occurred in Florida, 
Orange Count}-, and united him with Miss Ame- 
lia Gardner, who was bom near Florida, and who 
died on the home farm, leaving one child, John 
G. The latter is a graduate of Eastman's Busi- 
ness College, and is now engaged in the flour, 
feed and coal business at Uniouville. The sec- 
ond marriage of Mr. Beakes occurred at Middle- 
town in 1865, with Miss Jennie Xorris. She was 
bom near Bloomiugburg. Sullivan Couutx", and 
was a daughter of Alfred Xorris, also a native of 
Sullivan County, but whose family were origin- 
ally from Connecticut, and whose father ser\ed 
in the Revolutionar\- War. Alfred Xorris. who 
was a farmer of Sullivan Count}-, was also a mer- 
chant for many years, but now resides on the old 
homestead, at the age of eighty-five years. His 
wife, Catherine Bull, was bom in Bullville. and 
was a daughter of Thomas BuU. who was there 
engaged in farming. She died in Sullivan Coun- 
t\-, at the age of about eighty years. They were 
the parents of six children, three of whom are 
now living, Mrs. Beakes being fourth in order of 
birth. 

To Henry L. and Jeunie Beakes were bom 
three children: Jennie, who married E. Sanford 
Crowell. of Xew York City, manager of the 
Marlboro Hotel: S. Murray and Ada May, at 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Beakes are members of 
the First Presbyterian Church at Middletown, of 
which he was formerlv Trustee, and when the 



present handsome church edifice was erected was 
a member of the Building Committee. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, and was a member of the 
Union League during the war. As already stat- 
ed, he is an enterprising man. His farm is fenced 
into convenient fields, and is well improved in 
ever}- resjject. It has a splendid location, and 
part of the farm lies within the city limits of 
Middletown. 



|ILMOT DURYEA, a plumber, steam and 
gas fitter at Middletown, is a native of the 
town of Wallkill, bom May 26, 1856, and 
is a descendant of a French-Huguenot family, who 
were early settlers of Orauge County. His 
grandfather. John, and his father, Jonathan C 
were both bom up>on the same farm as was the 
subject of this sketch. The father was engaged 
in general farming and dair}-ing until his retire- 
ment in 1S70, when he removed to Middletown, 
and there died in 1891, at the age of seveut}--six 
years. While not a politician in the ordinaty- 
sense ot the term, he was a strong believer in the 
principles of the Republican party, and an earnest 
advocate of the same. He married Ruth L. 
Seeley, a native of Blooming Grove, who died 
in 1 86 1, leaving five children, who grew to ma- 
turit}-. Three are now living: Arietta T., now 
Mrs. Hutting, of Jamaica, L- L: Wilmot, our 
subject: and Jennie S.. Mrs. Bradner. of Mid- 
dletown. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home 
with his parents until 1S70, when he came to 
Middletown, where he received his education in 
the academy. In 1873 he was apprenticed to 
leam the plumbing trade with I. F. \'an Duzer 
& Co. . and after ser\-ing his time continued with 
the firm until iSSS. when he started in business 
for himself, first locating on the comer of Depot 
and Xorth Streets. In 1SS9 he removed to his 
present location. Xo. 50 Xorth Street, occupying 
the basement of the Gothic building. The room 
he occupies is 50x70 feet in size, and here he 
carries a ftiU line of ever}thing required iu his 
business. He usually employs from six to eight 




n 



SAMUEL C. VAX YUET, JR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1343 



hands. Among the residences and places of 

business that he has fumislied may be named 
those of Mrs. Merritt. Frank Madden. P. F. 
Miller. George E. Adams and W. E. McWill- 
iams. and he has also done work in Goshen, 
Tuxedo, and many towns in Sullivan County. 
and across the line in New Jersey. He is the 
oldest practical plumber in the city, and his work 
is always satisfactory. 

Mr. Duryea was married, in Middletown, to 
Jennette E. Mills, who was Iwrn iu Blooming- 
burg, and who is a daughter of William H. Mills, 
a farmer of that town. Two children have been 
bora unto them.. Ethel R. and Alafair. Mr. 
Duryea is interested in the Middletown Driving 
Park Association, and is an honorary member of 
Phoinix Hose Company No. 4. having servetl for 
live years as an active member. In politics he 
is a Republican, but has never aspired to local 
office. Fraternally he is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, Middletown 
Lodge No. u:!, and of Lancelot Lodge. 



(cjAMUEL C. VAN VLIET. Jr. The princi- 
7N pal resident of Oxford, the one to whom the 
C*y management of its ititerests is largel>- due, 
.lud whose devotion to its welfare has been the 
source of its advancement, is the subject of this 
notice, who is engaged in a general mercantile 
business at this place, and is also Postmaster, 
express agent and railroad agent for the Erie. 
He is a man who, from an humble beginning, 
has risen to a position of prominence in the 
community, and who, while gaining a compe- 
tency , has not done so at the expense of others, 
but throughout life has maintained a reputation 
for probity and honor. 

The Van \'liet family, as the name indicates, is 
of Holland extraction, and the ancestors were 
among the original settlers of New Amsterdam. 
The father of our subject, Samuel, and gprand- 
father, Alva, were bom in Dutchess County, 
N. v., and were farmers by occupation, the 



former dying at the age of eighty-fonr years. 

The mother of our subject, Keturah Owen, dieil 
in 1858, at the age of fifty-nine years. Her 
eleven children were as follows: Lavinia, de- 
ceasetl: Ann Eliza. Mrs. Franklin Bull: Martha 
R., who marrieil J. R. Hoffinan. of West Vir- 
ginia, and is now deceased: James H.: Samuel 
C: Lavinia B., Mrs. Henry Shaw, deceased: 
William D.. of Goshen: Esther and Charles E.. 
who died iu infancy: Chauncey 0.:and Sarah 
Frances, who is deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was bom in the 
town of Blooming Grove, December 29, 1S33, 
and was reared on a fann until seventeen years 
of age. His education has been gained rather by 
practical observation and reading than by atten- 
dance at schools. At an earh- age he was ap- 
prenticed to the blacksmith's trade, at which he 
worked five years, but discontinued it on account 
of illness. Subsequenth- for two years he was 
clerk in a railroad office, for three years was em- 
ployed in a dry -goods store at Monroe, and for 
three years was in a general merchandise busi- 
ness for himself there. In March. i86i, became 
to Oxford, where he has since engaged in general 
merchandising, being the principal business man 
of the vicinity. 

In 1S5S Mr. Van Vliet married Miss Euphemia 
L. Jenkins, a native of Monroe and a daughter 
of Ira and Millie i^Smitht Jenkins, both deceased. 
Two daughters bless their union. The elder, 
Elsie J., is the wife of S. G. Lent, and has one 
child, Helen Grace. The younger, Effie L., 
lives at Chester, and is the wife of Fred L. 
Conklin. 

Politically Mr. Van Miet is a Republican, and 
for thirty-four years has been Postmaster through 
different political administrations. For four years, 
from 1868 to 1872, he was a member of the Board 
of Super\"isors, and one of its valued and active 
workers. He does not advocate a gold stand- 
ard exclusively, but insists that it is neither wise 
nor just to insist on gold as the only luiit of 
value. His membership is in the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he has long been an active 
worker. Since 1875 he has been an Elder, and 
has taken part in most of the councils of the 



1344 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



church for many jears. His religion, however, 
does not make him narrow-minded nor bigoted, 
but he is liberal in his views and charitable in his 
judgment of others. His character is a noble 
one, thoughtful, considerate, just and energetic, 
and the large measure of success which he has 
gained belongs to him deservedlv. 



ROBERT A. SAVER, proprietor and mana- 
ger of the Crescent Steam Laundry at Mid- 
dletown, was born July i, 1867, in War- 
wick, where also his father, Andrew Sa3-er, was 
born. The latter was the youngest son of James 
H. Sayer, who was also a native of that town, and 
who married Sarah E. Courter, likewise a native 
of Warwick. They resided there until 1868, 
when they located in Middletown, where the fa- 
ther engaged in trucking, and had the contract 
for lighting the street lamps. He died in Maj-, 
1885. For many years he was an earnest and 
devoted member cf the Baptist Church. Of their 
family of nine children, seven are, yet living, all 
sons. 

The subject of this sketcli grew to manhood in 
Middletown, being only six months old when his 
parents removed to this city. He was here edu- 
cated in the public schools and the academj-, and 
when thirteen years of age was thrown on his 
own resources. He then accepted a position in 
the store of Stephen Wolfe, merchant tailor and 
dealer in men's furnishing goods, as a clerk, re- 
niaining there five years. He then entered the 
office of the Middletown Pnss. and learned the 
printer's trade, being in the job department. 
During the last six months he was foreman of the 
office, succeeding L. S. Stivers, when they started 
the Times. He remained there until September 
2, 1890, when his right hand was accidentally 
caught in the bed of the big press, resulting in 
the loss of his thumb and three fingers. He was 
laid up for three months, and on his recovery, 
after having passed the civil-service examination, 
he was appointed clerk in the postoffice, but on 
account of the loss of his fingers he resigned six 
weeks later. 



On leaving the postoffice, he purchased the cigar 
business of J. J. Kirkpatrick at No. 12 North 
Street, which had been established forty-nine 
years, but the trade of which had been allowed to 
run down. He improved the business until he 
had the best cigar trade in the city, and contin- 
ued in the business until June 1 1, 1895, when he 
sold out. The following day he purchased the 
laundry whicli he now operates. He does the 
finest work in the country and has offices in all 
the adjoining villages. The laundry, which is 
located at No. 10 1 Fulton Street, has a frontage 
of thirty feet and a depth of one hundred and 
twenty-seven feet. About twenty hands are con- 
stantly employed, and two wagons are run for 
city trade. A part of the shirts manufactured by 
Millen & Co., of New York City, are laundried at 
this establishment. 

Mr. Sayer was married, July 24, 1S89, in Mid- 
dletown, to Miss Effie Colville, who is a native 
of this place and a daughter of Robert Colville. 
Thej- have one child, Harold. In politics Mr. 
Sayer is an active Republican, and fraternally is 
a member of the Knights of Pvthias. 



'-■^ 



Q ENJAMIN BROWN WILLIAMS, of Mid- 
YS dietown, is a wholesale liquor dealer, and a 
\^ jobber of foreign and domestic cigars. His 
grandparents were Leonard and Eleanora ( Bullard) 
Williams, the former a farmer in the town of New- 
burgh. They were of Welsh descent, and reared 
a family of sixteen children, one of whom was 
James, the father of our subject. When a mere 
lad he left home and engaged as clerk for an uncle 
in Auburn, N. Y., where he remained some two 
or three years. Afterward he went to Monticello, 
where for a time he clerked for James H. Foster, 
and then purchased a .store in partnership with 
J. C. Holly, the partnership continuing for fifteen 
years. During a portion of this time Mr. Will- 
iams served as Postmaster of the city. His mer- 
cantile career in that place covered a period of 
thirty years. As Treasurer of Sullivan County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1345 



he served for a term of three years, and was re- 
elected four times in succession, serving in all 
fifteen years. 

Disposing of his interest in Sullivan County, 
Mr. Williams came to Middletown in 1S75, and 
with the exception of a short time when he was 
in partnership with the subject of this sketch in 
the clothing and men's furnishing-goods trade, 
lived a retired life. For two terms, or six years, 
he served as Treasurer of Orange County. His 
term of office expired Januar\- i, 1891, and on 
the 27 th of that month he passed to the better 
world. He was a life-long Democrat, and in Sul- 
livan County was a Master Mason. " He married 
Abigail Brown, who was born near Monticello, 
and who was a daughter of Benjamin Brown, 
whose birth occurred near Elmira, N. V. Mrs. 
Williams died in Middletown in 1886, at the age 
of fiftj^-three years. In the parents' family were 
four children: Nellie, Mrs. T. S. Tenny, of Jersey 
City; Adelaide S., Mrs. Kernochan, of Middle- 
town; Benjamin B., our subject; and James H., 
also of Middletown. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Monti- 
cello in 1857, grew to manhood in his native city, 
and was educated in the Monticello Academy, 
from which he graduated. Soon after coming to 
this city with the family, he started in busine.ss 
with his father, the partnership continuing until 
the election of the latter as County Treasurer. 
They then sold the establishment, and for two 
years and a-half our subject assisted his father in 
the Treasurer's office. In 1886 he engaged in 
the liquor business with his brother-in-law, T. S. 
Tennj-, under the firm name of Tenny & Will- 
iams, but in 1 891 he purchased the interest of 
Mr. Tenny, and has since continued the business 
alone. His present location is on James and 
King Streets, where he has a fine brick building 
22x100 feet in dimensions, the first floor and base- 
ment being occupied by himself. He conducts a 
wholesale business exclusively. In April, 1895, 
he was burned out, but he refitted his storeroom 
in an elegant manner, and has the largest and 
finest establishment in the city. 

Mr. Williams was married, in Newbnrgh, to 
Miss Minnie P. Goodale, born in Coldenham, 



Orange County, and daughter of J. H. Goodale, 
ex-Deputy Sheriff, and ex -Superintendent of the 
Poor Farm of Orange County. They have one 
child. Highland Goodale. In politics Mr. Will- 
iams is a Democrat. He served for a time in 
Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company No. i, and 
is interested in the Casino Theatre, and the Mid- 
dletown Ice Company. Mr. Williams is a lover 
of fine horses, owning several fine specimens of 
.standard-bred trotters, and from its inception he 
has been interested in the Middletown Driving 
Park Association. The family resides on West 
Main Street. 

gENJAMIN F. LOW, of Middletown, one of 
the leading attorneys of Orange County, 
was born in the town of Fallsburg, Sulli- 
van County, April i, 1S2S. His grandfather, 
John Low, was one of the French-Huguenots who 
came from Holland and settled in Ulster County, 
becoming one of its pioneers, and there lived and 
died. His son, John A. Low, the father of our 
.subject, located at Fallsburg, Sullivan County, 
where he was extensively engaged in farming until 
his death, in 1862, when sixty-two years old. 
His farm comprised four hundred acres of land, 
which he had under a high state of cultivation. 
In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Char- 
lotte Drake, was born in the town of Neversink, 
Sullivan County, and was a daughter of Jeremiah 
Drake, a native of Connecticut. He married 
Miss Phoebe Reynolds, a daughter of Henry 
Reynolds, who was a prominent factor in the 
Revolutionary War. On one occasion the Tories 
made an attack on Mr. Reynolds, and with swords 
inflicted twenty-three wounds on his person, and 
then hung him up in a chimney, leaving him for 
dead. On leaving they stated they would shoot 
the first one who came outside, but his daughter 
Phrebe ran out, cut him down and resuscitated 
him, and together they started for Washington's 
camp, which they reached before morning. 
Soldiers from the camp at once started in pursuit 
of the Tories, whom they captured and shot. 
Mr. Reynolds was in charge of all the munition 



1346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of war of the American army, and served until 
the close of the conflict, then settling in Never- 
sink, Sullivan County, where he died, his re- 
mains being interred in Pound Hill Cemetery. 
Jeremiah Drake was in the cavalry ser\-ice in 
the Revolutionar}- War, and at its close settled 
in Sullivan County, where he engaged in farming 
until his death. Mrs. Charlotte Low died in 
1850, leaving two children, Henry R. and Ben- 
jamin F. The former was Count>- Judge of Sul- 
livan Count\- for several years, and was a mem- 
ber of the Assembly and Senate of New York for 
twelve years. At the time of his death, Decem- 
ber I, 1888, he was President of the Senate. 
Politically he was a thorough Republican. 

Benjamin F. Low grew to manhood in his 
native county, received his primary education in 
the public schools, and at the age of eighteen 
commenced teaching, in which occupation he 
continued for some years. Until twenty-one he 
taught school during the winter months, and as- 
sisted on the farm the remainder of the >ear. 
With his brother, he opened a select school at 
Monticello, which was the foundation of the 
Monticello Academy. This school was continued 
until 1850, when he engaged in farming and lum- 
bering in the town of Liberty, on the home farm, 
which comprised about four hundred acres. On 
the farm was a sawmill, which he operated in 
the manufacture of lumber, drawing it to Ellen- 
ville, and thence shipping it by canal to various 
markets. He carried on this industr\- quite ex- 
tensively until 1859, when he began the study of 
law under O. Porter, at Homer, N. Y. Three 
3-ears later he was admitted to the Bar at Bing- 
hamton, Broome County, and at once located at 
Monticello, as a partner of his brother, under the 
firm name of Low & Low. This partnership 
continued during the war and up to 1870, when 
his brother's private business had become so ex- 
tensive that his removal was rendered necessary, 
and he therefore opened an ofiice in New York 
City. Our subject continued alone until 1873, 
when he located in Middletown and continued 
the practice of his profession. Shortly aftemards 
he was admitted to practice before the courts of 
New Jersey at Trenton. He then located in 



New York City, and again formed a partnership 
with his brother, at No. 120 Broadway, which 
continued until the removal of his brother to 
Pittsburg. While in New York his practice was 
very extensive, but failing health necessitated his 
removal, and in 1877 he returned to Middletown, 
opened an ofEce there, and in 1886 erected the 
Low Building, where he has been located since 
1887. The building has a frontage of fiftj- feet 
and a depth of ninety feet, and comprises three 
stories and basement, the first floor of which is 
used for stores, the second for law oflBces, and the 
third for lodge rooms. His residence is at No. 
100 Highland Avenue, where he has the finest 
well of water in Orange County. 

Mr. Low has tried a great many important 
cases to a successful issue, and has been one of the 
leading attorneys, not alone of Orange County, 
but of the entire state. He has had as many as 
fifty cases on the calendar at one time. He 
makes a specialty of no particular line of practice, 
but transacts a general law business in both 
civil and criminal courts. His practice extends 
throughout . Orange, Sullivan, Delaware and 
Westchester Counties, New York Cit}- and into 
New Jersey. He has quite an extensive prac- 
tice in the L'nited States Courts. At the present 
time, however, he tries to confine himself as 
much as possible to office work as a counselor. 

In 1850 Mr. Low was united in marriage, in 
the town of Liberty, Sullivan Count\-, to Miss 
Harriet A. Porter, a native of that town, and 
daughter of Granville Porter, a native of Con- 
necticut, and a large farmer and lumberman of 
the town of Liberty. Five children were born 
unto them, four of whom grew to maturity, and 
two are now living. Henry R. , an attorney-at-law, 
practiced his profession for some time at Atchi- 
son, Kan., and at the comer of Reed Street and 
Broadway, New York City. He died in 1890. in 
the latter city, at the age of thirty-nine years. 
Walter, who was a literary man and good com- 
poser, died in 1883, at the age of thirty years. 
Mary C. is at home. Carrie is deceased. John A., 
who was educated at Wallkill Academy, is now 
assisting in his father's oflBce. 

Mr. Low has been quite prominent in the af- 




HARRY M. WARING. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1349 



fairs of Middletowii. and has contributed exten- 
sively in its upbuilding, especially in the north- 
em part of Highland Avenue and along Wat- 
kins, Roj-ce and Wisner Avenues and Beacon 
Street. He has always been a liberal contrib- 
utor towards everything calculated to improve 
his adopted city, and helps every- good cause 
financially. In politics he is a Republican, hav- 
ing advocated the principles of that party since 
i860, prior to which date he was a Democrat. 



NARRV M. WARING has the reputation of 
being a strictly first-class business man, re- 
liable and energetic, and is now proprietor 
of the Newburgh Ice Company. He was bom in 
the town of New burgh, October 13, 1865, and is 
a son of Daniel S. and Phebe A. ( MofiFat) War- 
ing, the former bom in th,e town of Newburgh, 
and the latter in the town of Blooming Grove. 
The mother departed this life in 1889, leaving a 
son and daughter. 

Daniel S. Waring remained upon the home farm 
until 1853, when he embarked in the coffee and 
spice business in Brooklyn, and in the year that 
Newburgh became a city he located here, erect- 
ing a coffee and spice mill, which he operated for 
one year. He then entered the firm of D. S. & 
C. S. Lockwood, in the coal business, and in 
1873 succeeded those gentlemen in the proprietor- 
ship of the yard on Mailler's Dock. In 1885 he 
opened a coal-yard on the corner of Lake Street 
and Broadway, and in 1890 George S. Weller 
was admitted to partnership. The following year 
Mr. Waring sold out his interest in the other j-ard 
to W. O. Mailler, and became a large stockhold- 
er and Trustee in the Kilmer Manufacturing Com- 
pany. In 1885, in connection with our subject, 
he organized the Newburgh Ice Company, and 
five years later purchased the Walsh Paper Mill 
property, where he commenced the manufacture 
of ice by the Pictet process. 

Daniel S. Waring was a stockholder and Sec- 
retary- of the Newburgh Highland Hotel Com- 
pany, which erected the large building afterward 
known as the Baldwin House, and The Leslie, 



and is a Trustee of the Newburgh Savings Bank, 
and a Director of the Highland National Bank. 
He has given his aid and influence to many pub- 
lic movements, and does all he can to encourage the 
growth and prosperity of the city. From the or- 
ganization of the Board of Trade he was its Pres- 
ident until a few years ago, when he declined the 
position in favor of Robert Whitehill. He has 
been foremost in all the good work the Board has 
accomplished, and rendered invaluable ser\-ice in 
securing the removal of the Kilmer Manufacturing 
Company to Newburgh. He is a member of the 
Newburgh Real-estate Company, which purchased 
the Roe property, between Grand and Montgom- 
ery Streets, now occupied by a number of hand- 
some dwellings and the Misses Mackie's large 
boarding-school. He built a number of fine dwell- 
ings on Grand Street, and has otherwise dealt 
considerably in real estate. In 1872 Mr. Waring 
represented the Third Ward on the Board of Su- 
pervisors, and afterwards served for twelve terms 
on the Board. 

On the death of Dr. Forsyth he was chosen 
President of the Woodlawn Cemeter\- Association, 
which office he still holds, and he is also Elder in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh. In 
1891 he was appointed by Mayor Doyle as Alder- 
man from the Third Ward to fill a vacancy. 

Almost the entire life of Harry M. Waring has 
been passed in the city of Newburgh, from whose 
academy he graduated in 1882, and is now a 
member of the Alumni Association. On leaving 
school he engaged in the coal bu.siness at the cor- 
ner of Third and Front Streets in connection with 
his father, being quite successful, but in 1SS9 dis- 
posed of the same in order to give more attention 
to the manufacture of ice. As before stated, the 
Newburgh Ice Compan3- was formed in 1885, and 
it has since grown to extensi\-e proportions. The 
plant is located at No. 442 Broadway, occupies 
five acres from Broadway to First Street, and is 
supplied with a ninety-horse-power engine and 
boiler. The ice is made by the Pictet process, 
and they can turn out fifteen tons per day. Dur- 
ing the busy season twenty hands are employed, 
and the ice is delivered all through the city and 
suburbs. In 1892 our subject became sole pro- 



I350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prietor, now having complete charge of the ex- 
tensive business, with a main office at the place of 
manufacture and another on Front Street. 

Mr. Waring was married, in Xewburgh, to 
Miss Jessie Chambers, of which place she is a 
native, and they now reside at Xo. 6 Dubois 
Street. He is a prominent member of the Mason- 
ic order, belonging to Hudson River Lodge No. 
607. F. & A. M.: Highland Chapter No. 52. R. 
A. M.: Hudson River Commandery Xo. 35, K. 
T. : and Mecca Temple. M. O. M. S., of Xew 
York Cit\-. For seven years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Ringgold Hose Company, and is a 
charter member of the Cit\- Club, of which he has 
served as Secretarx- since January, 1S94, being 
one of its leading and most popular members. 
Mr Waring is President of the Xewburgh branch 
of the Xew York Mutual Savings and Loan Asso- 
ciation, which oflSce he held at the time of its or- 
ganization here, and is also connected with the 
Xewburgh Building and Loan Association. From 
1SS5 to 1SS8 he was Assistant Secretary- and 
Treasurer of the Orange County Agricultural 
Societv-. In 1S94 he held the same position, and 
in the fall of that year was elected Treasurer. Po- 
Utically he is a loyal adherent of the principles of 
the Republican party, while in religious faith he 
i? a Presb>-terian, belonging to the First Presby- 
terian Church of Xewbtirsrh. 



5?^ 



3 AMES SHAFER. a farmer in the town of 
Crawford, was bom December 2. 1S26. on 
:;:e faxai that he now owns. He was second 
in a family of three children bom to John and 
Hannah 'Con fort • Shafer. both of whom were 
natives of the town of Crawford, and who spent 
their entire lives here. The parents of John 
Shafer were natives of Orange Count>- and were 
among the early settlers of this region. To John 
Shafer and his first wife. Hannah Confort, were 
bom three children. Frederick, a farmer in the 
town of Crawford, married Harriet Liuderman. a 
daughter of Absalom Linderman. After a few 
months of married life she died, and Mr. Shafer 
chose for his second wife Mar\- Smith, of Che- 



nango County, N. Y., by whom he has three 
children living. James, our snbgect. was next in 
order of birth. Rnth Elizabeth is now the wife 
of William WeUer. a iarmer in the town of Craw- 
ford. They have two sons and two daughters. 
John Shafer had no children by his second wife, 
Phcebe Maria Confort, a sister 01 his former wife. 
The father was qoite successful in life, and a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of 
our subject belonged to the Reformed Churdi. 
The parents were earnest Christian people, whose 
memory is cherished by all who knew them. The 
father died at the age of eighti-, and the mother 
when sixt>--one years old. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his 
parents until their death, when he inherited the 
old homestead. On the 4th of March. 1880, he 
married Miss Elizabeth Weller, daughter of Peter 
and Margaret 'Elder ■ WeUer. The former was 
bom in the town of Montgomer>-. and came to 
Crawford with his parents when he was two years 
old. He remained on the farm until his death, 
when seventy years of age. He was greatly re- 
spected by all acquaintances and beloved by his 
friends, and at his death he was deeply mourned, 
all feeling that a kind &iend had left them. He 
was known as "Unde Peter"" the county rotind. 
His parents were bom in the town of Montgom- 
er\-. but were of Holland- Dutch extraction. The 
mother of Mrs. Shafer was bom in the town of 
Crawford, and her death occurred at the age of 
seventy-six. Her parents, the gfrandparents of 
Mrs. Shafer. were also bom in the town of Craw- 
ford, but were jf Irish and German extraction. 
Mrs. Shafer's mother was a descendant of Rev. 
JtKeph Houston, first minister of the Goodwill 
Church of Montgomery . Orange Count>-. To Peter 
and Margaret Weller were bom ten children, as 
follows: George, deceased, formerly a farmer of 
this town: William, a resident of Crawford; Eliz- 
beth, Mrs. Shafer. Catherine Sinclair, who died 
in infancy: Charles, a resident of Bullville; Peter, 
a resident of Colorado: Susan Jenneatte.who mar- 
ried H. H. Brown, and is living in Brooklyn: John 
Seibert. of Xorfolk. Ya. : Joseph Wilkin and Sid- 
ney, both deceased. 

To James Shafer and wife has been bom one 



PORTRAIT AlTD BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



»35i 



soo. John Wdlkr Sbafer. who iras bom April 
12. iSSi, and who ret reades at home. Fcdit- 
kally onr snbject is a Donocrat, and at present 
occnpies the position of Excise Commissioaer of 
the town. Both he and his wife are monbers of 
the Presbyterian Chnicji. The home &nn. which 
consists of one hundred and seven acres, has been 
in the &milj a great many years. Among the 
<rid families of Orange Coonty none are held in 
higher esteem than that of the snbject of this 
sketch. 



€#f^^-^-^a^#*#^ 



REV. ROBERT BRUCE CL.^RK is one of 
the most popular clergymen of Orange Coun- 
ty, and is highly esteemed in the ccMumu- 
nity where it has been his good fortune to be lo- 
cated since the b^;iiuiing trf" iSS6. He has varied 
abilities and many accomidi^unents. which have 
been devoted to the benefit of his (iinrch. the 
village in which he reades, and to the oitire 
western section of the county, where his influence 
is felt. As preachs' and pastor he is warmly 
commended by those who know him and his work 
most intimatdy. Executive ability of a rare na- 
ture is manifested and marked by the smooth and 
snccessfiil work of his large chnrdi and in the 
tqieratiaa <d many entoprises in which Mr. Clark 
has been interested. Many o[ the substantial 
interests of the village of Goshen have been 
planned and piomoted by his untiring industry, 
among whicji might be menticmed the Music 
HaU. the Goshen Library, the Electric-light 
Company and the Goshen Vocal Society, whose 
reputation has gone out into the mnacal drdes 
of the country. Mr. Clark has exhibited skill 
and prudence, and has shown himself soch a 
man of a&irs that he commands the reelect and 
confidence of the business interests, with whose 
co-<^ieration he has m<>de himself seemingly in- 
di^iensable to the beautiful and aristocratic coun- 
ty seat. 

Mr. Clark comes of a patriotic and distinguished 
family. His great-grandare was a hesm of the 
ReT<duti<»ar>- War. and his grandfather. Israel 
Clark, for minv vears a well known and re- 



elected resident of New York City, inhoited a 
strong and upright character. Mr. Clark was 
the second son and last child of William H. Clark 
and Elizabeth S. Munn. and was bom in New- 
ark. X. J.. Sept^nber 22. 1S52. The <Mily other 
ofi^ring of this union was a brother, now a weU 
known and successful phyacian. Dr. W. B. Clark, 
of Xew York City. On his motho-'s side the 
ancestry was also distinguished. She was the 
eldest child of Albert Munn. fw many years 
identified with the pnbhc a&irs of Newark and 
a man of am{de means. Her grandfather was 
Judge Munn. a jurist of wide reputation both in 
his own state and throughout the Middle States. 
Mr. Clark, therefore, was fortunate in his ances- 
try. His mother was a wt>man ot great acccxn- 
plishment as a fady, a scjiolar and a mnacian. 
His father, who was an officer in the Civil War 
for three years, was serioudy wounded, bang 
confined to the hospital for sevaal weeks, and 
was mustered out of the service with distinction. 
Afterward he became a leading factor in the 
Grand Army of the RepuUic. It was thus that 
the subject of this sketch was early impressed with 
the influences that have asserted their rffects in 
his own puldic life. Those who have heard Mr. 
Clark's vtHce npon a patriotic occasion tfor he 
is fineqnently in demand for addresses npcn Lin- 
coln's anniversary. Washington's Inrthdav and 
Memorial Day • will understand the vigor of his 
patriotism and sturdy Americanism. 

Mr. Clark felt the bent o[ oMnmercial pursuits, 
and at the age of fourteen entoed a large whole- 
safe commission honse in the hosiery and woolen 
trade in New York. At seventeen he occupied a 
re^mnsible poisition. taking charge of the receiv- 
ing and shipping d^tartment of the firm, the 
volume erf* whose bnsine^ was $2,000,000 annu- 
ally. Not long after uniting with the Presbyte- 
rian Chnrdi the desire to enter college and pre- 
pare for the ministr>- asserted itself. For this 
purpose Mr. Clark left business, sacrificing thus 
unmistakable prospects of commercial success and 
wealth, and fitted himsdf in the preparatory 
studies nnder private tutors, covering all the re- 
quirements in twelve months' time, and entered 
the Class of "76 at Amho^t College. VTbile 



1352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



there he was a member of the Alexandria Society 
and of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He was 
college organist during his course; leader of the 
choir and of the glee club the last two years, and 
graduated in the honorary division of his class. 
Then he entered Union Theological Seminary, 
and completed his studies in divinity in the spring 
of 1879. The Presbytery of Newark licensed 
him to preach, and he at once went West and was 
ordained by the Presbytery of Waterloo and in- 
■stalled pastoi of the Presbyterian Church at State 
Centre, Iowa, in October, 1879. After a pastor- 
ate of four years, which was singularly successful, 
he became pastor of the Forty-first Street Pres- 
byterian Church of Chicago. From this field of 
labor Mr. Clark was invited to become the suc- 
cessor of Dr. Snodgrass, a man of great eminence, 
in the pastorate of the large and influential Pres- 
byterian Church of Goshen. His ministry in 
this charming village began in January, 1886. 
Mr. Clark is the tenth pastor in succession (now 
in his tenth year of incumbency) of this church, 
which has just celebrated its one hundred and 
seventy-fifth anniver,sary with a fitting jubilee. 

After graduating from the seminary, Mr. Clark 
married Miss Adelaide Roome, the eldest daugh- 
ter of Lewis E. Clark, of Plainfield, N. J. Four 
children, three sons and one daughter, have 
blessed their union. In addition to his accumu- 
lated duties as a busy pastor of a large congrega- 
tion, and the many demands upon him from his 
own community and from repeated calls to min- 
isterial service outside his own town, Mr. Clark 
has been able to devote considerable of his time 
to music. This is noticeable in the services of 
his own church, where upon .special occasions it 
has been of a very high order. The name of 
Goshen has become famous as the center of the 
best musical influence. This is due to the pres- 
tige and concerts of the Goshen Vocal Society, 
which was organized in 1887 by Mr. Clark, and 
has been directed by him with signal social and 
artistic success ever since. The standard and 
classical works of the great composers are ren- 
dered by this .society under the able conductor- 
ship of Mr. Clark ever>- season, with the use of 
the most afQuent accessories. In the line of this 



recreation Mr. Clark has extended his acquaint- 
ance, and usefulness over a large territory, yet 
without detriment to his reputation as a warm- 
hearted friend and pastor and an eloquent and 
forcible preacher. His apparently inexhaustible 
energy and fertility of resource are richly es- 
teemed by the people of his village, who delight 
to do him honor. 



EHARLES H. BRINK. A representative of 
the young business men of Middletown, to 
whose energy the city is largely indebted 
for its recent progre.ss, and through whose wise 
policy it will undoubtedly broaden its commercial 
activity in the coming years, Charles H. Brink is 
justly entitled to rank among the successful and 
prominent citizens of the place. The plumbing, 
steam and gas fitting establishment of which he 
is the owner and proprietor is situated at No. 14 
King Street, where the building, 20x85 f^^t, is 
stocked with a full line of everj-thing pertaining 
to the business. Employment is furnishd to eight 
or ten plumbers, who.se work is guaranteed to be 
first-class. In this way the most satisfactory re- 
sults are secured for every customer. 

The history of the Brink family is given in the 
sketch of Leander Brink, father of Charles H., 
presented on another page. Our subject, who is 
the only child of his parents, was born in the 
town of Wallkill, September 14, i860, and was 
reared in Middletown, receiving his education in 
Wallkill Academj-, from which he was graduated 
at the age of eighteen. He then took a position 
in his father's hardware store, where he learned 
the tinsmitli's trade and became a practical work- 
man. In December, 1889, he left the employ of 
Brink & Clark and embarked in his present en- 
terprise, buying out Vanduzer Brothers. He 
has since carried on an increasing business, and 
has become known as a judicious and energetic 
business man. He has had the contract for 
plumbing in many of the most substantial and 
elegant residences of Middletown, among them 




JOHN J. POPl'INO. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1355 



those of I. C. Jordan, B. F. Low, Albert Bull, 
Frank Harding, Nathan Hallock, R. M. Smiley, 
Alton J. Vail, C. E. Gardner, James A. Clark, 
W. N. Knapp, W. H. Knapp, H. H. Crane, 
E. T. Hanford, Clarence Sweezy, Mrs. E. K. Reed 
and F. McWilliams. In addition to his work in 
this city, he has also had contracts for work in 
the cities of Goshen, Montgomery and Monroe. 

In Rochester, this state, Mr. Brink married 
Miss Sarah Douglass, who was born in Mt. Hope, 
this county, and is a daughter of James Dougla.ss. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brink, with their children, Will- 
iam D., Harry and Bessie, occup)- a pleasant 
residence at No. 24 Wickham Avenue. The 
various enterprises inaugurated for the promotion 
of the welfare of the people receive the cordial 
and substantial support of our subject, and he 
may at all times be relied upon to aid in worthy 
projects. He is a member of the Orange County 
Telephone Company, and of the Middletown & 
Bloomingburg Traction Company. He is intel- 
ligently informed regarding the great public 
questions of the age, and in politics favors the 
platform adopted by the Republican party. 



(TOHN J. POPPING. The gentleman whose 
I honored name appears at the head of this 
Q/ sketch is a representative of the men of ener- 
gy, ability and enterprise who have made Orange 
County so prominent in the state. His name is 
associated with agriculture as one who has made 
a success of tilling the soil, and as one who has 
helped to improve the stock of the county by 
careful breeding. He is greatl\- interested in 
dairy farming, which branch of husbandry he finds 
to be very profitable. 

A native of this county, our subject was born 
December 12, 1853, and is the eldest son of James 
G. and Frances ( Hnlse ) Poppino, also natives of 
this count)'. The father's birth occurred on the 
estate where his son, our subject, now makes his 
home. He was also an agriculturi.st of promi- 
nence and high standing in the community, and 
although quiet and unassuming in manner, his 
death, which occurred in August, 1894, was 

59 



greatly felt in the community where his entire 
life had been passed. He attended strictly to his 
own affairs, and was contented with the results 
of his labors. The family is of French-Huguenot 
descent, and an old one in the county, and its 
various members, who have taken a prominent 
part in local afifairs, are deserving of the respect 
which has been accorded them. The first of the 
name who is known to have located in the coun- 
ty was one Major Poppino, a Revolutionary offi- 
cer, who took up his abode in this portion of the 
state prior to the outbreak of that war. 

The motherof oursubject is still living, at theage 
of sixty -six years. John J. received his primary 
education in the district schools, and subsequently 
took a course of study in the academy at Goshen. 
He was reared on the home farm, and when ready 
to begin in life for himself very naturally chose 
this as his vocation. When twenty-three years 
of age he left the parental roof and located on the 
tract of one hundred and sixteen acres where he 
is at present residing. This farm has been in the 
family for nearly one hundred years, tlie grand- 
father having purchased the place in 1823. It is 
very productive, being cultivated after the most 
approved methods, and is adorned with a neat .set 
of buildings, including a substantial residence, 
pleasantly located and conveniently arranged. In 
addition to the dairy business Mr. Poppino is in- 
terested in the growing of onions. 

October 4, 1876, our subject and Miss Cather- 
ine B. Elston were united in marriage. The lady 
was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Space) 
Elston, natives of this county. Of their union 
four children were born: Carrie A., James G., 
Elizabeth E. and Agnes, all at home. The wife 
and mother departed this life September 10, 1885, 
and December 19, 18S9, our subject married 
Mary C, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Pop- 
pino) Roe, of Florida, N. Y. To them has been 
born a daughter, Sarah Helen. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Poppino are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Florida, in which the former is Elder. 
In politics he casts his vote with the Democratic 
party. He takes a great interest in political mat- 
ters, and for several years past has been Election 
In.spector. Witli intelligent conception of his du- 



1356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ties as a citizen, with a feeling of good-will toward 
mankind, and a deep regard for his family, he en- 
deavors to honorably fulfill all the duties which 
devolve upon him, and in so doing has gained 
the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. 



HON. JOSEPH D. FRIEND, M. D. Not 
only has Middletown gained prominence as 
a commercial centre, but in the professions, 
in literature, science and art, it has given man)' 
noble thinkers and workers to the world. In 
these latter departments its reputation has been 
heightened by the labors of Dr. Friend, for manj- 
years one of its most honored residents. It may 
be said, and with justice, of Dr. Friend, that as 
a legislator he was incorruptible and liberal- 
spirited; as a physician, skilled: as a medical 
lecturer, profound; as an editor, discriminating 
and full of resources; and as a writer, terse, clear, 
fluent and entertaining. His death, which oc- 
curred February 19, 1889, was a loss to the pro- 
fession he had honored and to the city whose 
welfare he had promoted. 

. The Friend family originated in England and 
is in the direct line of descent from Sir John 
Friend, whose life in the service of the British 
Government is a matter of history and dates back 
to 1687. In the fierce struggles of opposing fac- 
tions, contests between Catholics and Protestants, 
rendered the lives of legislators exceedingly diffi- 
cult and dangerous. From him descended the 
coat-of-arms in the Friend family in Gloucester, 
Mass., now in a good .state of preservation, al- 
though yellow with age. The next in descent 
was Dr. John Friend, a few of whose many writ- 
ings are as follows: "Nine Commentaries upon 
Fevers and Two Epistles Concerning the Small- 
pox;" "Eninenologea, ' written in Latin, and 
translated into English by Thomas Dale, M. D., 
who said: "I am not ignorant of how difficult a 
task I assumed in attempting to translate so 
masterly a writer, who by his polite discourses 
has done honor to our country and profession." 



Some of these writings are in the possession of the 
Friend family in Middletown. He was appointed 
Physician to the Queen in 1828, and the papers 
giving this appointment were in the Friend fam- 
ily at a late date. 

The Doctor's father, Solomon, was a son of 
Richard Friend, and was born in Massachusetts, 
-where his entire life was passed and where, at an 
advanced age, he died in Gloucester. He mar- 
ried Belinda Richmond Dunham, whose father at 
one time owned Martha's Vineyard, and they be- 
came the parents of seven children. Joseph D., 
who was the youngest of the family, was born in 
Salem, Mass., Nbvember 12, 1819, and passed 
his youthful years in his native place, receiving 
his primary education in the common schools. 
Afterward he went to Hartford, Conn., where he 
prepared for college, and when quite young he 
matriculated as a student in Madison I'niversity 
His devotion to his studies, while it brought him 
a high grade in .scholarship, injured his health to 
such an extent as to force him to leave college. 

Restored to health through the skill of Dr. 
Isaac Sperry, then a prominent physician of New 
_ England, our subject afterward began the study 
of medicine under that gentleman, and a few 
years later he was graduated with honors from 
the Metropolitan Medical College of New York. 
In 1842 he came to Middletown, and here he 
spent the most of the intervening years until his 
death. Soon after settling in this city he became 
the editor of the Middletown Mercury, with which 
he was connected about five years, and afterward 
he published and edited the Middletown Mail for 
nianj- years. His editorials attracted widespread 
attention, and his views upon political questions, 
while decidedly Democratic in their tenor, won 
not only the enthusiastic endorsement of his 
party, but the admiration of the opposing politi- 
cal organization. 

From 1852 until 1854 Dr. Friend was editor- 
in-chief of the Medical Journal of Reform, pub- 
lished in New York. During this period he was 
also Professor of Obstetrics in the college from 
which he was graduated. While the positions of 
editor and professor would seem to demand rad- 
ically differing characteristics, yet in both he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1357 



achieved remarkable success. His lectures, al- 
though prepared for undergraduates, attracted 
even physicians in practice, and young men from 
other institutions often came there to hear him. 
It is said of him that he won the friendship, as 
well as the admiration, of every student. Multi- 
plicity of duties never caused him to lose that 
geniality of manner which was one of his dis- 
tinguishing characteristics. When he retired from 
the professorship it was with sincere regret on 
the part of the students and other members of the 
faculty. 

In fields of public activity, too, the name of 
Dr. Friend was well known. In 1877 he served 
as a Member of the New York State Assembly, 
and in that responsible position was able to ren- 
der lasting service in behalf of his constituents. 
He was a pioneer in the cause of popular free 
education, and a prime mover in the founding 
and maintenance of public libraries. Socially he 
identified himself with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. He was a man of sincere Chris- 
tian faith, upright and consistent character, and 
though gifted far above most men, he delighted 
in the societj- of others, and his companionable 
nature won the regard of his associates. 

November 12, 1843, at Middletown, Dr. Friend 
was united in marriage with Miss Susan A. Cole- 
man, who was born in this city, as was also her 
father, Charles Coleman. The Coleman family 
was founded in this country by five brothers who 
came hither from Wales at the time of the Revo- 
lutionary War, and made settlement in Orange 
County. Her grandfather, Samuel Coleman, was 
liorn in the town of Warwick, but made his home 
in the town of Wallkill, where he became a 
wealthj- farmer. He was a man of the greatest 
integrity of character, an enemy to vice and in- 
temperance even in those early days. "He loved 
his fellow -men. ' ' Many incidents are remembered 
of his kindliness of heart and great benevolence. 
He had only two faults, great pride and a hasty 
temper. He married Elizabeth Burt, who was of 
French descent and belonged to one of the prom- 
inent families of the county. They had three 
children, Annie, Harry and Charles. Annie mar- 
ried Thomas Welling, who came of a wealthy and 



leading familj- of Warwick. Harr^' and Charles, 
both very young men at their father's death, 
opened a store in Mt. Hope, but Harry later set- 
tled in Newburgh and Charles in Middletown. 
Harry had two beautiful daughters, Anna M. and 
Harriet E., and two sons. Mrs. Dr. Barclay- and 
W. W. H. Armstrong, of Newburgh, are his 
great-grandchildren. 

The wife of Charles Coleman, Catherine, was 
born in Sullivan County, N. Y., and was a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Susanna (DeCamp) Norris, 
natives, respectively, of Morristown and Newark, 
N. J. The latter's father. Dr. John DeCamp, 
accompanied General La Fayette from France dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War, in which he served 
as Surgeon. At the batltle of Trenton he was 
.shot from his horse and killed, and a few hours 
afterward a riderless horse returned to his old 
home. His wife died three j-ears after his death. 
She was a granddaughter of Samuel Sanford, of 
Newark, N. J., where many ;)f both the DeCamp 
and Sanford families now reside. 

The Norris family is of Scotch origin, but was 
early established in New Jersey. Subsequently 
grandfather Thomas Norris settled in Sullivan 
County, N. Y., but the large tracts of land he 
owned there were so wholly destitute of improve- 
ment that he removed to the town of Mt. Hope, 
in Orange County. There Mrs. Coleman was 
reared and educated. After her husband's death 
.she continued to reside in Middletown, where she 
reared her children, fitting them for honorable 
positions in the world. Hers was a beautiful 
character, and her memory is sacred to her de- 
.scendants. She passed away at the age of eighty- 
three. 

Mrs. Friend is one of seven children, of whom 
si-x attained years of maturity, namely: Mrs. Julia 
Stubbs, who died in Wellsboro, Pa.; Adeline, 
who married George W. Bailey, and resides in 
Great Bend. N. Y. : Augustus Ludlow, formerly a 
farmer near Milwaukee, Wis,, where he died; 
Oliver Perry, for many years Postmaster of Mid- 
dletown, where his death occurred; Thomas 
N., who served in a Wisconsin regiment for three 
years during the Civil War, and afterward re- 
turned to Orange Countv where he died; and 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Susan, Mrs. Friend. The last-named was reared 
in Middletown, receiving her education in Wall- 
kill Academy. She has been a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church of this place since 
childhood, and is warmly interested in ever\- en- 
terprise that will elevate mankind. Her tastes 
are refined, and in literary ability she was the 
peer of her gifted husband. Their children, too. 
are unusually gifted intellectually and have at- 
tained positions of prominence in the literary- 
world. The two daughters, Catherine Dunham 
and Anna, are connected editorially with L' Art 
dc la Mode office at No. 3 East Nineteenth 
Street, New York City, and the former is also 
editor of the fashion columns of the New York 
Evening Post, while the latter has attai:ied signal 
.success as a writer of original stories. The eldest 
son. Dr. Frederick N. Friend, who was a soldier in 
the Union army during the Civil War, is now a 
practicing dentist of Middletown. The second 
son, Herbert S., was lost at sea, and the young- 
est sons, William and James W.. are reporters in 
New York Citv. 



(lAMES H. CONKLING, who is proprietor 
I of a tin and hardware store at No. 9 Depot 
C2/ Street. Middletown, is a member of the fani- 
ih- to which the illustrious statesman, Roscoe 
Conkling, belonged. He was born in Newburgh, 
in March, 1844, being a son of James R. and 
Frances W. iParshalh Conkling, natives of this 
county, who died and were buried in Goshen. 
His father was born near Couklingtown, named 
in honor of the family, and grew to manhood 
there, afterward going to Newburgh and engag- 
ing in the hotel business. Later he came to Mid- 
dletowni. where the closing years of his life were 
spent. 

The family of James R. and Frances W. Conk- 
ling consisted of four sons and three daughters, 
and three of the number are living. John Au- 
gustus and William H. served in the Union army 
during the Civil War, the former belongins: to a 



Wisconsin regiment, and the latter being a mem- 
ber of a Pennsylvania regiment: both are de- 
ceased. James H., who was next to the young- 
est of the family, came to Middletown with his 
parents when he was seven years of age, and here 
he attended the old Orchard Street School for 
some time. At the age of thirteen he was ap- 
prenticed to the tinsmith's trade under Joseph 
Crawford, with whom he remained for one year, 
after which he was with A. C. King for five years. 
He then was hired by Scott Brothers, and later 
was foreman in a shop at Westtown for two years. 
On his return to Middletown, he took a position 
with Armstrong & Lyon, being their foreman for 
five years. In 187S he embarked in business for 
himself occupying for the first eight months a 
shop adjacent to bis present store at No. 9 Depot 
Street. He carries a full line of tinware and 
hardware, stoves, pumps and hou.se- furnishing 
goods. He has made a specialty of tin and sheet- 
iron roofing, and does more than one-half of the 
work in that line in the city, as well as some in 
neighboring villages. His manufacturing depart- 
ment is situated on the second floor of his store. 
Among the buildings for which Mr. Conkling 
has held the contracts for roofing, may be men- 
tioned the Howell & Hinchman tannery, Ontario 
& Western shops. Eagle Hose Company's build- 
ing, the Armory, Casino Theatre, Russell House, 
Academy Building, Wallkill Hou.se and Ontario 
Hose building. As a business man he is sturdy, 
progressive, honest and capable, and bears a rep- 
utation for probity which has never been assailed. 
At one time a Republican, he now affiliates with 
the Democratic party, and is a member of the City 
Democratic Committee, and has ser\-ed as a dele- 
gate to county and congressional conventions. In 
18S7 he was Collector of the town of Wallkill and 
village of Middletown. In 1892 he was elected, 
on the Democratic ticket, to represent the Fourth 
Ward on the Board of Aldermen, and served for 
one term of two years, retiring in 1S94. Since 
the organization of the Home.stead Building and 
Loan Association he has been one of its Trustees. 
Socially he is connected with the Knights of 
Honor, and in religious matters, while not iden- 
tified with anv denomination, attends the First 



'N 



•^rr 






^*^ 



/ 




% 




THOMAS II. UKAiM. 



J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



1361 



Baptist Church. He is a member of the Board 
of Trade, and formerh- belonged to F'xcelsior 
Hook and Ladder Company No. i . 

In Gardnerville, this county, Mr. Conkling 
married Miss Phoebe C. Tuthill, a native of the 
town of Minisink, and six children bless their 
union, namely: George M.; John W., who mar- 
ried a daughter of Dr. James D. Johnston, and 
is employed as a mail-carrier in the Middletown 
Postoffice; Arthur, who is a tinsmith by trade, 
and is assisting his father in the store; Eugene; 
Alice A., who is married and lives in this city; 
and Addie. Mrs. Conkling is a daughter of 
Abraham P. Tuthill, a farmer of this county. 
She had three brothers, George M., Eugene and 
William, who served in the Union army as mem- 
bers of a we.stern regiment, and all died soon 
after the close of that memorable conflict. 



^"HOMAS H. ORAM. Since the clo.se of the 
f C war Mr. Oram has been a resident of Ft. 
Vy Montgomery, town of Highland, where he 
is now officiating as Postmaster, and is also car- 
rying on a general mercantile business. For 
twenty-three years he was clo.sely associated with 
the Forest of Dean Iron Ore Company's works, 
of which he was general superintendent. Dur- 
ing the long period of his residence here he has 
been distinguished for the uprightness and hon- 
esty of his business transactions, as well as for his 
firmness of convictions and unflinching integrity. 
The ancestors of Mr. Oram were of English 
birth and were natives of Cornwall. His father, 
Thomas, was born in that county, and there 
learned the trade of a mining engineer, which 
he made his life work. After his marriage he 
came to America and resided in Penn.sylvania for 
one year, then returned to England for his fam- 
ilj-, bringing them back with him to Pennsyl- 
vania. He continued to reside there until 1849, 
when he removed to New Jersey and began work 
in the Boonton Iron W'orks of Fuller, Lord & 
Co., remaining with them for si.x years. Going 
from there to St. Lawrence Count>-, he was con- 
nected with the Rossie Lead Works. Later he 



went to Tennessee and a.s.sisted in opening the 
copper mines in Ducktown, Polk County, but 
subsequently returned to New Jersey and con- 
tinued to make his home on his farm until he 
died, at the age of eighty-two. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Ann Gundry, is now 
eighty years old, and makes her home on a large 
farm in New Jersey, which was bequeathed her 
by her husband. 

Thirteen children comprised the family of 
Thomas and Ann Oram, and it is a notable fact 
that all of them attained mature years, none d}'- 
ing under twenty-three years of age. Thomas 
H., our subject, is the eldest; Elizabeth lives in 
New Jersey; Eenjamin is deceased; Lovdie and 
Alice make their home in New Jersey; Joseph is 
dead; Frank is a farmer of Central Valley ; Rob- 
ert, who was an agriculturist by occupation, went 
West and died in Colorado; Serena is the wife of 
George Council, an insurance agent of Central 
Valley; and Louisa married Dr. Dalrymple, a 
well known physician of New York City. 

The subject of this .sketch was born in Corn- 
wall, England, February 22, 1837, and was 
brought to this country when a child. Passing 
his early years in Pennsylvania, New Jensey and 
New York, he received excellent educational ad- 
vantages in the schools of those states. His 
tastes led him to adopt his father's occupation, 
and he soon became an expert mining engineer, 
having gained a thorough knowledge -of every 
detail of the business when only seventeen years 
old. Before he was twenty he had charge of 
public works, filling with efficiency a position of 
great responsibility. For some time he was em- 
ployed in the copper mines of Tennessee, forty 
miles east of Cleveland, Tenn. 

Upon attaining his majorit)-, Mr. Oram started 
out for himself, going to Chattanooga, Tenn., 
where he opened the coal mines on the Nash- 
ville & Chattanooga Railroad. Thence he went 
to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and for one year 
was engaged in the iron mines near Massillon, 
after which for three years he was in the coal 
business in Pennsylvania. In 1864 he connected 
himself with Colonel Almy of the Union armj-, 
and served until the close of the war, his services 



1^62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



being of great practical help by reason of his 

knowledge and experience as a mining engineer. 
Soon after peace was declared he came to Ft. 
Montgomer\- and took charge of the Forest of 
Dean Iron Ore Works, near this place, being con- 
nected with that enterprise for the ensuing twen- 
ty-three years. Meantime he took a trip to Mex- 
ico and investigated the gold and silver mines 
there. 

On retiring from his connection with the iron 
ore company. Mr. Oram embarked in the mer- 
cantile business, which he has since conducted. 
He also has cliarge of the postoffice. whidi he has 
in his store. Aside from his other interests, he is 
connected with the Ramajxi Water Works, and 
his advice in matters of a public nature is of 
much value. Just before he went to Ohio he was 
united in marriage with Miss Mar\- E. Green, of 
Maine, and they are the parents of a sou and 
daughter, Thomas and Alice, both at home. So- 
cially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, 
while in political matters he is inclined to be in- 
dejjendent and liberal, supporting the men best 
qualified for office, irrespiective of political ties. 



••>5+C* 



•.^hC;» •— ^ 



gV. WOLF. Vice-President of the Home- 
stead Building and Loan Association, is one 
of the oldest business men of Middletown, 
having commenced business here in 1S53. He 
was bom near Fraukfort-on-the-Main, Germany, 
in July, 1S17. and is a son of Victor and Esther 
^Rothschild"* Wolf, both of whom were natives of 
that country. The former was reared in liis na- 
tive couutr\-, and was engaged in business near 
Frankfort. His primary education was received 
in the common schools, and he finished his course 
at Fulda College, where he mastered tliree ancient 
languages. Hebrew. Greek and Latin, and two 
modem languages. German and French. On 
lea\nng college, he went to Frankfort as book- 
keejjer in a large mercantile establishment, re- 
maining there until 1847, when he came to the 



United States via Havre, and arrived in New 
York Cit\- after a voyage of thirt\--five days. 

After mastering the English language. Mr. 
Wolf filled a position as bookkeeper in a mer- 
cantile establishment in Xew York Cit\- until 
1S53. when he came to Middletown and engaged 
in business, being among the first Germans to 
locate here. In i860 he put up the first four- 
stor\- building on North Street, and there began 
the manufacture of clothing. During the war he 
manufactured extensively, having in his employ 
over one hundred men and women, and he con- 
tinued in this business until 1S75, when he closed 
out. His son Morris B. afterward engaged in 
the same hue, and is still in business opposite 
the old place. 

In 1S75 Mr. Wolf engaged in a real-estate and 
general office business, including conveyancing, 
collection and the settlement of estates. He is also 
a Notary- Public, and represents the North German 
Lloyd Steamship Company. During his long resi- 
dence here he has .satisfactorily discharged all busi- 
ness entrusted to his care, and he has the entire con- 
fidence of the people. His office is also the head- 
quarters of the Homestead Building and Loan 
Association, an institution which has been emi- 
nently successful. 

Mr. Wolf was married, in New York Cit>-, to 
Miss Caroline Ehrenreich, a native of that citj-, 
and daughter of Jacob Ehrenreich, who was there 
engaged in merchandising. She die*.! in Middle- 
town, in September. 1S90, leaxdng seven chil- 
dren: Victor B. , of Brooklyn, a large wall-paper 
dealer at No. S29 Broadway, who married a Miss 
Hart, a sister of Maj. G. E. B. Hart, of Xew 
York: Bertrand B., who is interested in business 
witli his brother Victor B. : Morris B.. a manu- 
facturer and retail clothier of Middletowii: Moses, 
engaged with his brother Morris in Middletown: 
Joseph B.. an employe of his brothers at Brook- 
lyn; and Esther and Celia. at home. 

Mr. Wolf is a member of the Legion of Honor, 
and was one of the charter members of Empire 
Council. Subsequentl\- he became a charter 
member of Harmonia Council, and is a past officer 
and an ex-representative to the grand lodge. 
Formerly he was a member of Hofihian Lodge, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1365 



F. & A. M.. but is now demitted. He is the old- 
est fireman in Middletown, having been a mem- 
ber since 1S59. and helped to organize Eagle 
Hose Company Xo. 2. of which he was Trustee 
for years, and of which he was \"ice-President 
for several years. In politics he was formerly a 
Democrat, but at present takes little interest in 
political matters. He was City and Town Col- 
lector in 1878, and in 1S79 was Town Clerk. 
Mr. Wolf has always been active in fbrwardiug 
the business and material interests of Middle- 
town. 

■ e #^ ^^^ 



0R. ANDREW J. THOMPSON, one of the 
oldest veteriuarj- surgeons in the state, was 
bom in the town of Goshen. Januar\- 26. 
:S34. and is a son of Robert and Su.^^n v Johnson' 
Thompson. His father was born iu the town of 
Goshen, as was also his grandfather. William 
Thompson. Dr. J. H. Thompson, of Goshen, is 
an own cousin of our subject. Robert Thompson, 
the father, was a carpenter by trade, but the 
greater part of his life was spent in farming. He 
owned one hundred and thirty acres near Go- 
shen, which he operated until his death in 1S75, 
at the age of eight>-five years. In the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he was a member, he 
was quite an active worker. Susan Johnson, his 
wife, was also a native of Goshen, and was a 
daughter of John Johnson, a tanner iu the town 
ot Wallkill. She died in Middletown, at the age 
of ninety-four years, ha\"ing beeu the mother of 
sis children: Olivia, Mrs. Berthol. of Middle 
town: Mary, wife of William Thompson: Ann, 
who resides in Middletown: Mittie, Mrs. Weller, 
who formerly resided near Bullville, but who died 
in September, 1895, aged eighty-three: Dr. Ben- 
jamin and Dr. Andrew J. Benjamin was a gradu- 
ate of the New York Medical College, and prac- 
ticed at Goshen. There he married Miss St. John. 
of Port Jer\is. and later removed to Muscatine. 
Iowa, where he has since died. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
farm, and attended Blooming Grove and Chester 
Academies. For three years he then studied 
medicine with liis brother Benjamin, part of the 



time being engaged in practice. Subsequently 
he studied veterinary surger\- under English 
George, of New York City, for seven years. On 
the death of Dr. George, our subject took charge 
of his practice, which he continued until the 
deatli of his father, when he returned to Goshen 
and operated the old farm for a few years, at the 
same time practicing his profession. In 1870 
he located at Middletown, where he has since 
continued to reside. For over fifty years he 
has been in the general practice of veterinar\- 
surger\-. and has had calls iu everx^ adjoining 
county. Long Island, Philadelphia, Albany, and 
along the line of the Erie Road for many miles. 
At present he has about all the practice from the 
various livery bams in Middletown. 

Dr. Thompson has been twice married, his 
first marriage being with Miss Harriet Merritt, 
of Blooming Grove, where she was boni. She 
died in Goshen, leaving three children: Robert, 
who was foreman iu the machine-shops of Mid- 
dletown. but is now deceased: Anna, Mrs. Darby, 
of' Middletown: and Susie, who married David 
MuUoch. but is now deceased. For his second 
wife the Doctor married Mrs. Hattie L. 1 Par- 
soni Joyce, a native of the town of WallkiU, and 
daughter of Hudson L. Parson, a blacksmith by 
trade, who ser\-ed thirty three years as PoUce 
Constable in Middletown. Her mother was Julia 
Jamp. In politics Dr. Thompson is a Democrat, 
but has never accepted political oflBce. For .'«me 
years he was a member of the Old Thirty -fourth 
Fire Engine Company of New York City. His 
wife is a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church 
in Middletown. 



< X - i - i 'ii H 



i.,;,; ;,.>,|.,|.|..»3>C> 



EHARLES GARDNER, a contractor and 
builder residing in Middletown. was bom 
in Monticello, N. Y.. November 19. 1S45. 
His father. George H., and grandfather, Henry 
Gardner, were natives of Orange Count\-. where 
their English ancestors had settled in an early 
day. The former, who is^a carpenter by trade, 
removed to the \-icinity of Monticello, where he 
I occupied and operated a farm, though also giving 



1364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a large share of his attention to his trade. In 

those days it was the custom for the carpenter to 
go to the woods with his men and there hew out 
the timber for a house. From Sullivan County 
he removed to Broome County, where he became 
superintendent of a stock farm. He is still liv- 
ing, and is hale and hearty, notwithstanding his 
eighty-six years. His wife, who was known in 
maidenhood as Sarah Tharp, was born in Wash- 
ingtonville, in the town of Blooming Grove, and 
died in Sullivan County in 1865. She was a sis- 
ter of James Tharp, the old and well known 
merchant of Washingtonville. 

Of four children comprising the parental fam- 
ily, three are now living. Charles being the next 
to the youngest. He was reared on a farm near 
Monticello and in boyhood attended the district 
schools. At the age of eighteen he was appren- 
ticed to the carpenter! s trade in Monticello, and 
worked at that occupation for the twelve years 
ensuing, after which he learned the trade of a 
mason, which he carried on for a time in that 
vicinity. In 1870, in New York City, he mar- 
ried Miss Harriet X. Taylor, who was born in 
Washingtonville, as was also her father, Robert 
Taylor. The latter, who was a life-long farmer, 
married Fannie Jacques, a member of an old fam- 
ily of the town of Blooming Grove. They were 
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church until death. Of their ten children, five 
are now living, Mrs. Gardner being the youngest 
of the famih". 

For three years after his marriage Mr. Gard- 
ner resided in Monticello, whence, in 1S73, he 
went to Washingtonville and for some 3-ears was 
superintendent of Mr. Howell's farm. Later, 
for four years, he superintended a farm owned by 
Mrs. Hulse. He next leased the Barber Farm in 
that locality, which he operated for four years as 
a dairy farm, having thirty cows. At the expira- 
tion of that time he transferred his attention to 
the mason's trade, and began contract work. 
In November, 1889, he came to Middletown, 
and here for two years he followed his trade, aft- 
er which, in 1891, he began as a contractor and 
builder. In this line of work he has been very 
successful, and this season (1895) he has fifteen 



contracts for residences, of which he has com- 
pleted six. He gives constant employment to 
eight or ten men, and is regarded as one of the 
reliable, progressive business men of the city. 
.\mong the houses he has erected are those for 
Messrs. Osterhout, Waterbury, Cheney, Davis, 
D. R. Miller, William Logan, Isaac Miller and 
Wilbur Hill. Politically he is a Republican. 



ja 



ILLIAM G. TAGG.\RT. This very 
prominent and energetic gentleman is the 
popular Clerk of Orange County. He 
was born in Xewburgh in 1856, and is the son of 
Archibald Taggart, a native of Ireland, in which 
country his father, George Taggart, was also 
born. The father emigrated to America when 
nineteen years of age, at once making his home 
in Newburgh. Later he engaged in the meat 
business, in which he has built up a large trade. 
Mr. Taggart and his family are devoted mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which body 
he is an active and valued worker. 

William G., of this sketch, is the eldest in the 
parental family of four children. He was grad- 
uated from Xewburgh Academy in 1873, after 
which he was associated in business with his fa- 
ther, aiding him greatly in establishing the busi- 
ness on a sound basis, .^pril 2, 1S91, however, 
he was obliged to abandon his operations in this 
line, as he was then appointed by President Har- 
rison Postmaster of Xewburgh, succeeding Will- 
iam R. Brown. This ofiice he held acceptably 
and eSiciently until February, 1892, when he re- 
signed to assume new duties. 

In the fall of 1892 Mr. Taggart was elected on 
the Republican ticket to the ofiice of Counts- 
Clerk, and January following took the oath of 
ofiice. He has under his supervision seven em- 
ployes and they occupy large rooms in Goshen. 
Mr. Taggart is interested in the Muchattoes Lake 
Ice Company, of which he is one of the Directors. 
They do a large wholesale and retail business 
and supply their customers with the purest of 
ice. 




WILLIAM H SOARE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1367 



In social matters our subject is a Mason, hav- 
ing attained the degree of Knight Templar, and 
is a member of the Order of Foresters. He is 
one of the Directors of the Masonic Hall Associa- 
tion, and has been a member of the County Repub- 
lican Committee for years, representing his party 
in both county and state conventions. He en- 
joys the esteem and confidence of the entire com- 
munity, and as an official his record is above 
reproach . 



^^•i"i*'i*li 



IILUAM HUNT SOARE was a native of 
Warwickshire, England, born near Coven- 
try, November 30, 1805, and was a son of 
Thomas Soare, whose birth occurred in the same 
countr}-. He grew to manhood in England, learn- 
ing the trade of a silk weaver, and when twenty- 
one years of age he emigrated to the United 
States, sailing on the "Little Briton." He came 
at once to Orange County, N. Y., where he be- 
came acquainted with Sarah Ann Fulton, their 
marriage being solemnized February 14, 1839. 
She was a native of New York State, born Octo- 
ber 13, 1816, and a daughter of Robert and 
Margaret ( Cooper ) Fulton, both of whom were 
born in New York State. 

After his marriage Mr. Soare with his young 
bride removed to West Newburgh, where they 
lived for a time, and where he was engaged in 
teaching. Later he settled on a farm near his 
wife's father, in the town of New Windsor, and 
followed farming for twenty-two years. Selling 
his place, he purchased another near Canterbury, 
in the town of Cornwall, where he lived a few 
years, after which he removed to Blooming Grove, 
where he re.sided for a .short time. He then pur- 
cha.sed a farm near Bethlehem Church, one and 
a-half miles from his old home, and resided there 
until 1866, his wife dying July 17 of that year. 
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Soare, 
Robert P^ulton, William Hunt and Mary Eliza- 
beth. 

On the death of his wife, Mr. Soare, accom- 
panied by his daughter, returned to his old home 
near Coventry, England, and visited among old 



friends and relatives for some months. Return- 
ing to America, he came to Cornwall, Orange 
County, where he again taught school for a time, 
and then removed with his daughter to Virginia, 
locating on a farm thirty-five miles west of Rich- 
mond. In the management of this place he was 
assisted by his son, William Hunt. On leaving 
Virginia he returned to New York, locating in 
Ulster County, where he purchased what is now 
known as the Borden Mill, which he operated 
until his death, which occurred in 1886. 

Mr. Soare was a whole-souled man, a gentle- 
man by birth, education and practice, thoroughly 
hone.st and successful in all his business ventures. 
He was not a politician, nor did he ever aspire to 
hold public office. He was a true Christian in his 
life, a member of the Church of England, and 
was a warm friend and neighbor. All who knew 
him greatly admired his sterling worth and placed 
the greatest reliance in him as an honorable man. 

Since the death of her father, Mary Elizabeth 
Soare has purchased the mansion known as the 
Embler House, standing on a commanding emi- 
nence near the Wallkill River, with a view un- 
surpassed. The house is a large, roomy structure, 
and the grounds on which it is located compri.se 
sixteen acres. Its mistress, a lady of refinement, 
was always a companion to her father and was 
most ardently loved by him. In her elegant home 
she delights to entertain her many friends, and 
is loved and respected by all who know her. 



r^ATRICK LARKIN, engineer on the through 
U' fast passenger train of the New York, On- 
fS tario & Western Railroad, has been connect- 
ed with the road since 1870. He was born in 
Rome, N. Y., in 1848, and is eleventh in a fam- 
ily of twelve children born to Paul and Mary 
(Kennedy) Larkin, both of whom were natives 
of Ireland, where they remained some years after 
their marriage. Desiring to give their growing 
family the advantages of a free countrv, they 
came to the United States, and located in Rome, 
N. Y., where the father died some years ago. 
The mother still resides in Rome. One .son, Mi- 



1368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



chad, who was a soldier in the War for the Union, 
was wounded in battle, and died from the effects 
of his wound and exposure after the war. 

Patrick Larkin was educated in the public and 
high schools of Rome, and there grew to man- 
hood. When sixteen years of age he accepted a 
position on the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg 
Railroad as a wiper, then as watchman, arid later 
fireman between Rome and Watertown. In May, 
1870, he entered the employ of the Xew York, 
Oswego & Midland Railroad, now the New York, 
Ontario & Western, in the Northern Division, as 
fireman for Edward McNiff. He remained with 
that gentleman for eighteen months, and in Sep- 
tember, 1872, was made engineer on the road, 
with a run between Middletown and Jersey City, 
on what was called the New Jersey Midland. 
When the Midland Division was opened in 1873, 
he was given a run between Middletown and Nor- 
wich. For about twenty years he ran the local 
passenger, and is now running a fast passenger 
express between Middletown and Norwich, a dis- 
tance of one hundred and fifty miles. 

In Middletown. Mr. Larkin was married to Miss 
Mary Murphy, who was born in this city. Three 
children have been born unto them: James, who 
resides at home; and Thomas and Mary, residing 
in. Rome. Mr. Larkin is a member of Middle- 
town Divi.sion No. 292 of the Board of Locomo- 
tive Engineers. He has been a life-long member 
of St. Joseph's CathoHc Church, and in politics 
is a Democrat. 



EHARLES J. BOYD, the junior editor and 
proprietor of the Middletown P/css, was born 
a newspaper man. so to speak. Early he 
took a deep intere.st in the "art preservative,'" 
and had, at the age of ten years, an outfit with 
which he published a miniature paper. While at- 
tending school he spent his Saturda>s in the U'/n'g 
/Vtss office. 

Mr. Boyd was born of Orange County parents, 
in New York City, February 19, 1847, on Green- 
wich Street, near Warren, then a residence sec- 
tion, now a busy mercantile thoroughfare. His 



ancestors on his father's side were Scotch, de- 
scending from a younger son of the illustrious 
lord, the first High Steward of Scotland, who was 
murdered by Macbeth, the usurper, in 1043. The 
name came from Simon, the third son of Alan, 
the second Lord High Steward, whose eldest son, 
Robert, being of fair complexion, was named 
"Boyt" or "Boyd," from the Gaelic, meaning 
"fair." His great-grandfather Boyd went to 
Philadelphia before the Revolutionary- War. His 
maternal ancestry was the numerous French 
family of Fosters, who settled in Newark. The 
father of Charles J. was David Robertson Boyd, 
who became a druggist and chemist in New York, 
which business he gave up to join a colony seek- 
ing gold in California, and spent seven years, 
from 1852 to 1859, in the mines within sight of 
Mt. Shasta. He died in Middletown in 1881. 
His mother was. Miss Frances Amelia Jackson, 
with whom his father became acquainted at Mont- 
gomery, to which place Mr. Boyd's family re- 
moved when he was a lad. 

Charles J. was an only child. ' He received his 
education in the Middletown schools, and in 1862, 
at the age of fifteen, entered the U7i/^ Pnss office 
as apprentice under the administration of John W. 
Hasbrouck. Abraham Lincoln's call for troops 
almost depleted the P/rss office of its force the 
first year of his apprenticeship, and he gained 
rapid promotion. The last two years that he 
.served Mr. Hasbrouck he was foreman and as- 
sistant editor. In 1866 Mr. Boyd entered Wall- 
kill Academy.' and graduated December 6, 1866, 
delivering the valedictory of his class before an 
audience that packed "Gothic Hall" to the very 
doors. It is some^'hat remarkable that in his 
later years as a journalist he should labor in the 
same building — for the former Gothic Hall is the 
home of the Press, which has grown from a small 
weekly until now it holds an influential place in 
the newspapers of the county, having daily and 
semi-weeklj' issues. 

The next day after grathiating from Wallkill 
Academy (December 7, 1866). Mr. Boyd entered 
Eastman's Bu.siness College at Poughkeepsie. 
Before graduating at Eastman's, a fine opening 
presented itself in the city of Newburgh as confi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1369 



dential clerk to John R. Wiltsie, Assistant Assessor 
of Internal Revenue for that district, who also 
controlled a large and increasing insurance and 
real-estate agency. In 1868 a business oppor- 
tunity brought him back to Middletown, where 
his school days were passed, and he entered the 
insurance agency of Selah R. Corwin, who was 
also Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. 

In a short time he became a partner with Mr. 
Corwin, and as a member of the firm of Selah R. 
Corwin & Co. he was actively engaged in that 
line of work until 1880, when Mr. Corwin retired 
by reason of age. Soon thereafter he accepted a 
proposition to return to his favored profession, and 
became a partner with Mr. Slauson in publishing 
the P>rss, and sold his insurance interests to 
Douglas & Dolson. 

Mr. Boyd early manifested an interest in the 
Republican party. His first nomination for official 
position was as Inspector of Elections in the village 
of Middletown, and while the Democratic ticket 
was successful at that election, he was chosen by 
three majorit\-. He always looks back to that 
with pride as the greatest triumph of his life. In 
1875 he was appointed Village Clerk, which in- 
cluded at that time the clerical work of the Water 
Board, and held that position for seven years. His 
next office was that of Supervisor of the Second 
Ward, for which he was nominated by acclama- 
tion when Middletown became a city. He has 
had six successive nominations by acclamation, 
and is still holding this ofiice. He was the only 
Republican elected in the city in 1890, his ward 
showing a Democratic Alderman and other Demo- 
cratic ward ofiicers. His largest majority was 
the last time he ran, in 1894, when he received 
one hundred and ninety-seven votes more than his 
opponent, who had both the Democratic and 
Prohibition nominations. 

In 1892 Mr. Boyd was honored with the posi- 
tion of Chairman of the Orange County Board of 
Supervisors, and again, without soliciting the 
office, he was unanimously chosen to the position 
of Chairman in 1894. In the month of June last, 
while absent from home, he was selected by 
Governor Morton as the Representative of this, 
the Second Judicial, district on the new Commis- 



sion of Prisons for the state, which commission 
was provided for by the new Constitution, and had 
the first intimation of his selection by reading the 
announcement in the telegraphic di.spatches from 
Albany, 

Mr. Boyd has twice represented his district in 
the Republican State Convention, of 1891 and 1S95. 
In 1892 he was selected to make the canvass for 
Member of Assembly in what had for thirty years 
been a strong Democratic district, and, while de- 
feated, he polled a vote fully equal to that given 
General Harrison for President. 

For many years Mr. Boyd was a Director in the 
First National Bank of Middletown, and has, 
since its organization, been the Treasurer of the 
Homestead Building and Loan Association, the 
as.sets of which now reach $300,000. He is 
identified with the Masonic, Odd Fellows and 
Knights of Pythias orders, with Excelsior Hook 
and Ladder Company, and the First Presbyterian 
Church, in all of which he has held office. 

Mr. Bo3-d is clear, positive and convincing in 
his editorial writing, and of late years has con- 
tributed his .share of the political articles which 
have made the Press an influential partj- journal. 
He is firm in his party convictions, and, while 
dealing hard blows, has the respect and confidence 
of his political opponents. His family consists of 
a wife, Mary E. , daughter of Stephen S. Conkling 
(who was a lumber dealer in Middletown during 
his business life), and two daughters: Ada Stewart 
Boj-d, sixteen years of age: and Helen Ames 
Bovd, in her fourth vear. 



^VRA L. case, real-estate dealer and insurance 
I agent at Middletown, was born in Sullivan 
X County, near Monticello, in 1844. His father, 
E. Inman, was born near Unionville, Orange 
County, and his grandfather. John Case, also re- 
sided near that place, dying there many j-ears 
ago. E. Inman Case, the father of our subject, 
was a well educated man, and in earlj- life read 
medicine. He took a course of lectures, but, be- 



I370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



coming dissatisfied with the profession, never en- 
gaged in practice. Later he engaged in teaching 
near Monticello. where he also purchased a farm, 
and divided his time between teaching and farm- 
ing. In 1856 he returned to Orange County, 
locating near Unionville on a farm, and there 
continued until the death of his wife, when he 
removed to Middletown. and died at the home of 
our subject, when past seventy-six 3-ears of age. 
In the Baptist Church he ser\-ed in the capacity 
of Deacon. He married Lydia A. Mather, who 
was born near Westtown. and who was a daugh- 
ter of Jonathan Mather, also a native of Orange 
County, and who was by occupation a farmer and 
wagon-maker. Six children were bom of this 
union, five of whom grew to maturity, but only 
one of them is living, the subject of this sketch. 
One son, Joseph M. . enlisted in an independent 
regiment and sen-ed through the late war. and at 
its close entered the regular army. He died in 
Virginia, of yellow fever, some years ago. 

Ira L. Case, our subject, received his primars- 
education in the public schools, and finished his 
school life in the academy at Unionville, where 
he graduated at the age of eighteen. He then 
commenced teaching school in the vicinity of his 
home, and also in New Jersey for two years. He 
later taught in his home district for two years, 
when he went to Washington, N. J., where he 
spent two years as.sociated with his eldest brother 
in the mercantile business, under the firm name 
of John M. Case & Bro. He then went to Pine 
Bush, where he remained one year as Principal 
of the public school, and then was at Turner in 
the same capacity four years. In the fall of 1S74 
he was made Vice-Principal of Wallkill Academy, 
and had charge of the school until his election, in 
1884, as School Commissioner on the Democratic 
ticket from the Second Assembly District of 
Orange County. He was re-elected, and sen-ed 
until January 1 . 1891. During his term the uni- 
form examination was adopted in his district, 
under State Superintendant Draper, and also the 
revision of the school code. He made many im- 
portant changes in school work which have been 
satisfactory to the people. 

In Januar}.-, 1S85, Mr. Case became a partner 



of J. M. H. Little in the real-estate and insurance 
business, buying out Wood T. Ogden. During 
his terms as School Commissioner he gave only so 
much of his time to the real-estate business as he 
could spare from official duties. Since his retire- 
ment from office, however, he has devoted his 
entire attention to it. Some years ago the busi- 
ness was consolidated with that of T. K. Walker, 
and the firm became Little, Walker & Case. Six 
months later Archibald Taylor bought out Mr. 
Walker, and the firm became Little, Case & Tay- 
lor for one year, at which time the agency was 
divided. Mr. Little taking the former agency of 
Little & Case, and Mr. Case and Mr. Taylor tak- 
ing that of T. K. Walker, and continuing the 
business under the firm name of Case & Taylor. 
This change was made in 1889. 

In connection with the real-estate business, the 
firm of Case & Taylor has the agency for many 
of the best insurance companies in the country, 
including the Liverpool, London & Globe. Home. 
Hanover, Phoenix of Hartford, Orient of Hart- 
ford, Glens Falls, Fire Association of Philadelphia, 
Manchester of England. London & Lancashire, 
North British & Mercantile, Caledonian, Travelers" 
Life and Accident, New York Life, Metropolitan 
Plate-glass and Hartford Steam Boiler. Their 
business covers a large extent of territory, and is 
constantly increasing. The company now own 
\aluable property in Middletown, which the\- 
handle exclusively, beside having charge of a 
number of properties belonging to other parties. 

November 24, 1869, Mr. Ca.se was married, in 
Pine Bush, to Miss Bella G. Taylor, a native of 
that place, and daughter of James and Ann M. 
Taylor. Four children have been born unto them ; 
Cora J., now Mrs. Dr. W. J. Nelson, of Middle- 
town: Florence and Wilhemetta, at home: and 
Anabelle, who died in infancy. In politics Mr. 
Case is a Democrat, and has been quite active in 
the councils of his party. In addition to the office 
of County Commissioner, he held the office of 
member of the Board of Education of the city 
of Middletown for three \-ears, commencing in 
1 89 1, during which time he was Chairman of the 
Committee on the Academy. He is a Master 
Mason of Hoffman Lodge, in which he is at pres- 




N MOSES PINNING STIVERS. 



I 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ent Jnniar Warden, and is also a monbo- of Mid- 
land Chapta*. R. A. M.. having passed all the 
chairs. For nine years he was High Priest of 
the chapter, and for three years vras -Assistant 
Grand l,ecturer of the chapter for this district. 
He is an hcMtoraiA- member of the Excelsior Hook 
and Laddo- Company, and has been Vice-Presi- 
dent of the organization. He is a snccessfnl in- 
surance and real-estate man. and is popnlar in the 
communitv where he resides. 



5^^ 



HON MOSES DUXNING STIVERS, for 
":any yean? one of the most iniJi;entJal cili- 
-er.> of M-dd'.etown. was bom December 50, 
: >r<, .ir.d died Febrnar\- ::, 1S95- He was the 
>i>r. of Jehu Stivers, and grandson of Randal Stiv- 
ers, "ix^fh natives of Middlesex Connt\-, X, J., re- 
sidir.g near New Bmnswick. From there, in the 
e.irly pan of the present century, the latter 
mo\-ed to Sussex County and settled in the town 
of Frankford, where his remainiiis: years were 
spent. 

■R.^n: 0.-:.v->er 3, 1S02. John Sti\-ers was reared 
:-. Sussex County, having bnt meager 
■v.-.-.-ices. March .22, 1S2S. he 
:-.■., jrried Mar^ ng, who was bom near 

>:,:>:';-.: wv. . , .-.aty, July I, 1S03, and 

. . years was taken by her 
. - . > . ."hd Crans Dunning, to 

the town of Wantage, Snssex Countx", X. J. Her 
father was a private soldier in the American army 
dnring the War of 1S12. After their marriage. 
John and Margaret Stivers settled on a farm near 
Beemerville. X. J., where their three diildrm. 
Mo6)es D.. Randal and Jesse L.. w«e bom. In 
1S45 they removed to Ridgebnry, Orange Coun- 
ty, where Mr. Stivers purcha^vd the old Deacon 
Hallock Farm. There he died Fel-marv- 21, 
1S65. and upon that place his son Randal still 
resides. The wife and mother died in Middle- 
town March 19. 1SS5, 

The youngest son, Jesse L-. enlisted in Com- 
tunv B, Fifrv-sixth Xew Ycai: Intantrx-. known 



as the T^ith Legion, and commanded by Col. 
Ch.arles H. Van Wyck, With his regiment he 
partidpiated in the campaign in front of Rich- 
m<Hid and tlie battle of Fair Oaks, where he was 
wonnded. .\fterwatxi he was stationed at York- 
town. Va., and subsequently on Morris Island, 
S. C. .\fter having served for three x-ears, he 
re-enlisted for a similar period, and for some 
rime served as Second Lieutenant. The hard- 
ships incident to camp liie and eutbnced mardies. 
however, undermined his health, which had never 
been robust, and he was obliged to resign his 
commission in 1S65. when he recei\-ed an honor- 
able discharge. Afterward he was associated 
with his brother as part-owner of the Oraiig^f 
Ci>Mit}- Prrss. He died of heart disease in Xew 
York City. April 30, 1S71, aged thirty years. 

The subject of this memorial attended the com- 
mon schools in \xmth, and at the age of fourteen 
was sent to the private school kept by Edward A, 
Stiles, in the town of Wantage. Sussex Countj-. 
X, J., afterward known as Mt. Retirement Semi- 
nan,-. In that school he remained tor two and 
one-half years, after which he studied for a term 
in a select school at Beemerville, and also for a 
time attiMidedthe academy at Ridgebnrv-. Orange 
County. His studies concluded, he worked upon 
his lather's farm in the summer seasons, while 
during the winters, for ten years, he engaged in 
teaching in Snssex and Orange Counties, 

Septembo- 26. 1S55, Mr. Sti\-ers married Mar\- 
Elizabeth, secoaid daughter of tlje late Lewis and 
Christina Stewart, of the town of Wawayanda. 
Five children were bom unto them, namely: 
Mar\- Ellen, wife ci Edwin T. Hanford, of the 
firm of Hanford & Horton: Lewis Stewart and 
Jcdm Dunning, concerning whom mention is 
made upon another page of this volume: Chris- 
tina S., wife of Dr. Theodore D. Mills, of Middle- 
town: and Dr. Moses Ashby, Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Xew York Cancer Hospital in Xew 
York Cit\-. There are four hxing grandchildren, 
as follows: Christina Mills and Gladys Mackay, 
daughters of Lewis S. Su\-ers: and Samuel Wick- 
ham and Elizabeth Sti\-ers, children of Dr. Mills. 

For two years after his marriage Mr. Stivers 
was proprietor of ,i coT-.n:r\- s:ore ai Ridceburv. 



1374 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the spring of 1859 he came to Middletowu, 
where his widow still resides, and where he re- 
mained, with the exception of three \-ears in Go- 
shen, until his death. Forming a partnership 
with William Evans, the firm of Evans & Stivers 
for five years carried on a mercantile establish- 
ment on West Main Street, when Mr. Evans 
sold his interest to Harvey Wallace, of Goshen, 
and John A. Wallace, of Middletown. The busi- 
ness was continued under the title of Stivers & 
Wallace until the election of Mr. Stivers to the 
office of County Clerk in the fall of 1864. 

At the expiration of his term of oiEce, in March, 
1868, Mr. Stivers purchased from John W. Has- 
brouck the printing-press and weekly paper, the 
Orange County Press. Though he had no prac- 
tical experience in the field of journalism, he at 
once met with flattering success. The paper was 
improved and enlarged, and from a circulation of 
between six and seven hundred, it ran up in a 
few months to three times that amount, and sub- 
sequently equalled or surpassed the circulation of 
any paper in the county. For a time his brother, 
Jesse L. , was associated with him, and in Decem- 
ber, 1869, Albert Kessinger, of Rome, N. Y., 
was taken into partnership, the latter remaining 
until his death, August 5, 1S72. 

Meantime the firm al.so established the Middle- 
town Tri-Tceckly Press. After the death of Mr. 
Kessinger, in order to make a settlement with his 
heirs, Mr. Stivers sold the plant to F. Stanhope 
Hill, of Chester, Pa., who associated with him- 
.self John W. Slauson, and continued the business 
under the firm name of Hill & Slauson. In the 
summer of 1873 Mr. Stivers made a tour of Eu- 
rope, visiting Great Britain and the Continent, 
and attending the International Exposition at 
\'ienna. Just prior to his departure he again 
became part-owner of the Press, by repurchase 
from Mr. Hill of his two-third interest therein, 
and he admitted Mr. Slauson to an equal partner- 
ship in the business. On his return from abroad 
in September, 1873. he resumed the editorship of 
the paper (the Daily Press having meantime been 
established), and remained connected with it un- 
til December, 1880, when he sold his interest to 
C. J. Boyd. In August, 1882, he again became 



connected with the Press by purchasing a third- 
interest in the plant, the firm becoming Stivers, 
Slauson & Boyd, and he was a member of the 
firm until his return from Congress in 1891, when 
he sold to Slauson & Boyd. 

In 1873 Mr. Stivers erected the building now 
occupied by the Middletown Savings Bank. The 
following year, with Linus B. Babcock, he built 
the Masonic Block, on North Street. He al.so 
made the first Casino into a public hall. For 
some time he was connected with the Orange 
Countj- Agricultural Society, and ser\ed for some 
years as its President. In 1859 he aided in the 
organization of the Eagle Engine Company, of 
which he was foreman, and later President until 
his death. For a number of years before his 
death he was a member of the Middletown Club. 
He was a regular attendant at the services of the 
First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of 
its Board of Trustees for several years. Socially 
he was identified with Hoflfhian Lodge No. 412, 
F. & A. M., and in 1871-72 served as Master ot 
the lodge. He was also connected with Midland 
Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., and was associated 
with Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., 
and Ivanhoe Lodge No. 2103, K. of H. In 1890 
he was elected President of the Mt. Retirement 
Alumni Association, was later re-elected, and was 
the incumbent of the office at the time of his 
death. There were few who took a deeper inter- 
est in the establishment of the State Homeopathic 
Hospital in this city than did he, and to that en- 
terprise he contributed liberally of his time and 
means, and after it was located in Middletown he 
was chosen a member of its Board of Trustees, 
being Secretary of that body until his death. 

At its annual gathering at Washington, D. C, 
Mr. Stivers was elected President of the New 
York Press Association. During his incumbencv 
of the office, the association made a trip to Boston 
and points in the New England States, where it 
was entertained by like organizations and city 
officials. For a time he was a Director of the 
Middletown, Unionville & Water Gap Railroad, 
and also of the Port Jervis, Monticello & New 
York Railroad. Until he resigned, he was a 
Trustee of the Hillside Cemeterv Association; for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1375 



many years was a Trustee of the Middletown Sav- 
ings Bank: one of the organizers, and until his 
resignation in July, 1892, a Director, of the Mer- 
chants' and Manufacturers" National Bank of 
Middletown, and one of the originators, and dur- 
ing its period of organization Treasurer, of the 
Orange County Trust and Safe Deposit Company, 
of which successful financial institution he took 
the presidency July i, 1892, holding the position 
at the time of his death. 

A sketch of the life of Mr. Stivers would be in- 
complete were no mention made of his political 
and public career. From the time of coming to 
Middletown, he was a leader in the ranks of the 
Republican party, and his fellow-citizens, appre- 
ciating his large talents and keen judgment, fre- 
quently cho.se him to represent them in positions 
of honor and trust. As has been already men- 
tioned, he seri'ed as County Clerk of Orange 
County for three years. In October, 1869, he 
was appointed by President Grant Collector of 
United States Internal Revenue for the Eleventh 
District of New York, which then comprised the 
counties of Orange and Sullivan. In 1S73 Ulster 
and Greene Counties were consolidated with the 
Eleventh, and Mr. Stivers was retained as Col- 
lector for the new district. He continued to serve 
in that capacity until the district was consolida- 
ted with the Albany district in 1882, a period of 
about fourteen years. During that time millions 
of dollars of the public money passed through 
his hands, and every cent was properly accounted 
for. At the close of his administration he re- 
ceived from the Internal Revenue Department 
at Washington a very complimentary letter, re- 
ferring to the fidelity with which he had exe- 
cuted his trust. 

In February, 1880, Mr. Stivers was selected to 
represent his party at the Republican National 
Convention in Chicago the following June. From 
the outset he insisted that he would obey the 
wishes of his constituents rather than the instruc- 
tions of the state convention, and joined with a 
number of other delegates in opposition to the 
unit rule, which position was sustained by the 
subsequent action of the National Convention. 
He voted in the convention for James G. Blaine 



! until the name of General Garfield was presented, 
when he assisted in securing his nomination. 

The death of Hon. Lewis Beach, M. C. , in 
1886, left his po.sition vacant, and at a conven- 
tion of the Fifteenth Congressional District, held 
in Middletown, Mr. Stivers was nominated for 
the office. He accepted only on condition that 
he should not be expected to use anj' money in 
the purchasing of votes, which practice he con- 
demned in pointed terms. The sentiment which 
he expressed regarding this matter proved popu- 
lar, and he was sustained by his party in his ac- 
tion. He succeeded in cutting the usual Demo- 
cratic majority down from fifteen hundred to four 
hundred, and received the largest vote ever given 
a Republican in this district for Member of Con- 
gress. 

In 1888 Mr. Stivers was again nominated for 
Member of Congress, his competitor being Hon. 
Henry Bacon, his former successful opponent. 
He was elected by a pluralitj- of seventy- four 
votes, and had the honor of being the second Re- 
publican elected from this district since Rockland 
County, with its large Democratic majority, had 
become a part of it. The responsibilities of the 
position were many, but all of them he discharged 
in a manner reflecting the greatest credit upon 
his own ability and the judgment of his con.stitu- 
ents. Aside from his duties in the House, he 
gave personal attention to the wants of his con- 
stituents, and rendered valuable service, especial- 
ly in the matter of pensions. He took great in- 
tere.st in securing a Government building for 
Newburgh, and it was largely through his efforts 
that a bill was passed appropriating $100,000 for 
that purpose. He was a member of the Commit- 
tee on Militia, of which Gen. D. B. Henderson, 
of Iowa, was Chairman. He also served on the 
Committee on Printing, of which Hon. Charles 
A.Russell, of Connecticut, was Chairman, and 
Hon. J. D. Richardson, of Tennessee, the other 
member. This is one of the few joint commit- 
tees of the House and Senate, and is a Privilege 
Committee, having permission to report at any 
time. Many large and important contracts, in- 
volving the expenditure of immense sums of 

I money, came before it for consideration, and 



'376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were awarded bj- it. Just before the nominating 
convention met in 1890, Mr. Stivers published a 
letter positively declining renomination for Con- 
gress. 

From this resume of the life of Mr. Stivers it 
will be seen that he was for man\- years intimate- 
ly associated with the progress of this city and 
the development of its material, commercial and 
financial interests. In the varied duties of his 
active and bu.sy life he made many warm friends, 
and won the highest regard even of those whose 
political opinions differed from his own. His 
death was mourned bj' a host of acquaintances, 
and it was felt that one of the best friends the 
city had ever had was called from the scene of 
his former activities. The good that he accom- 
plished, the enterprises that he fostered, the proj- 
ects that he planned for the welfare of the people, 
remain to testify as to the value of his life and 
the stabilitv of his character. 



••>n^ 



^*c-»- 



EEORGE BARTLE, Superintendent of Bridge- 
Imilding on the New York, Susquehanna & 
W'e.'^tern Railroad, and the Wilkes Barre 
& Western Railroad, is one of the oldest bridge- 
builders in the country. When he began build- 
ing bridges, they were constructed of wood, but 
these have since been removed, and he has con- 
structed iron bridges in their places. He was 
born in Cuba, X. Y., June i, 1831, while his fa- 
ther, Stephen, and his grandfather, Andrew, were 
born in Chenango County. By trade the father 
was a millwright and mason, and located in Cuba 
as superintendent of the locks on the Genesee 
Canal. He died there at the age of sixty-four. 
In early life he was a Jackson Democrat, then an 
Abolitionist, and later a Republican. For many 
vears he was a Deacon in the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he was a faithful and active 
worker. His wife, Sarah Keller, who was born 
in Mechlenberg, Pa., was a daughter of Andrew 
Keller, a farmer in Allegheny County, who was of 
German descent. She died at the age of eighty - 



four years. In the parental family were nine 
children, seven of whom are yet living. One son, 
Stephen, was a private in the Twenty-third New 
York Infantn,-, in which he served two years, 
and was then Sergeant in the Second Xew York 
Mounted Rifles. While leading a charge in the 
absence of all the commissioned officers of his 
company at the battle of Cold Harbor, he was 
killed and his body was brought home by his 
brother Biruey G. , who was in the commissary 
department of the regiment. The Grand Army 
regiment post at Cuba, N. Y., is named in his 
honor. 

The subject of this sketch is second in order ot 
birth in the family of Stephen and Sarah Bartle, 
and grew to manhood ni his native town, where 
he was educated in a public school. Under his 
father he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 
1857, when the BuflFalo, Bradford & Pittsburg 
Railroad was being built, he was erecting a mill 
near Bradford, Pa. He later entered the employ 
of R. Cummings, a contractor and bridge-builder, 
and continued with him seven years. Among 
others he has built bridges for the Erie, the 
Dutchess & Columbia, the Xew York, Ontario & 
Western, the Grand Trunk and the Evansville 
& Crawfordville Railroads. At Meredosia he 
built a draw-bridge acro.ss the Illinois River. It 
was all built of wood and was the largest ever 
constructed up to that time. 

During the war Mr. Bartle was engaged in 
farming in Allegheny County, where he still owns 
one hundred and twenty acres of fine land. In 
1870 he first came to Middletown on the construc- 
tion of the New York & Oswego Midland and 
the Xew Jersey Railroads. The same year he 
was also engaged with the Wallkill \'alley Rail- 
road, and March i, 1872, was made Superin- 
tendent of Buildings and Bridges on what was 
then the New Jersey Midland, afterward known 
as the Oswego Midland, then as the New Jersey 
Midland, but which is now the New York, Sus- 
quehanna & Western Railroad. His position 
has been the same during all this time, with the 
exception of one year, when he also performed the 
duties of Roadmaster of the whole of the New Jer- 
sey Midland. In his position as Superintendent 



!| 




JAMES A. CLARK- 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•379 



of Bridges he has charge of over two hundred 

miles of road, with headquarters at Middletown. 
He has also taken some outside contracts, and 
lias built all the bridges on the Stroudsburg 
Branch, and on the Lake Erie & Hudson Rail- 
road. He built a bridge across the Wallkill for 
the Middletown & Goshen Traction Company at 
Midway Park. 

Mr. Bartle was first married at Friendship. 
X. Y., to Miss Flora Utter, who was bom there. 
and who was a daughter of Judge Josiah Utter. 
The latter was Judge of the Allegheny Count\- 
Conrt for twent>- years, and ser\-ed in the War of 
i8i3. Mrs. Bartle died in Middletown. leaving 
one child. Vina, now Mrs. Amsden. of Cuba. 
Mr. Bartle subsequently married Miss Ella Stout, 
a native of Sussex Count\-. X. J., and-they have 
two children. Charles and Evelyn. In politics 
Mr. Bartle is a Republican, on which ticket he 
was elected Trustee from the First Ward in Mid- 
dletown. serving two years. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Legion of Honor. Mrs. Bartle is 
a member of the Congregational Church. 

' — =:#^ p — 



3.\MES ALOXZU CLARK. In point of 
>ears of exf>erience in the bu.siness. the jun- 
ior member of the firm of Brink & Clark 
is one of the oldest hardware men in Middletown. 
Beginning in 1862 as a clerk in the hardware 
store of Scott Brothers, he continued with them 
and with their successors, gaining a thorough 
knowledge of ever>- department of the business, 
and finally he was taken into f)artnership. The 
success of the enterprise is due to his energy- in 
no small degree. Aside from business interests, 
he is prominent socially, and is identified with 
various fraternal organizations, prominent among 
these being the Xew York Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, of which he has been a member for some 
years. 

Like many of the influential famiUes of this 
county, the Clarks came here from Long Island. 
James, our subject's grandfather, was a son of 
John Clark, and engaged in farm pursuits in this 
county, his death occurring in the town of Wall- 

60 



kill. The father of our subject, Mortimer S.. was 
bom in this county in 1803, and followed the 
trade of wagon-maker until his death, which took 
place in Middletown in 1S60. His marriage 
united him with Mar\- Jane Bailey, who was bom 
in 1S13, in the old Millspa ugh homestead, on the 
banks of the Wallkill River, below Hopkins' 
Bridge. 

The mntemal grandfather of our subject. Oliver 
Bailey, was bom in the town of Wallkill. near 
Philhpsburg, December 18. 17SS. and he and his 
wife, whose maiden name was Su.san MiUsjjaugh, 
resided on a fann near Scotchtown. but afterward 
settled in the town of Goshen. He died in 1867, 
when about sevent>--nine years of age. OUver 
was a son of Capt. Daniel Bailey, who was bom 
in Jamaica, L. I., in 1757, and at the age of 
nineteen enlisted in Captain Wright's companv. 
Col. John Lasher's battalion, a regiment made 
up of men from Long Island and Xew York. 
After his first enlistment he came to Orange 
Countj-, where he again enlisted, becoming a 
member of Colonel Allison's regiment. His 
entire service was for three years. 

On coming to this county. Captain Bailey set- 
tled west of the city limits of Middletown. where 
he built a log cabin and began the improvement 
of a farm. In 1 783 he bought the farm at Phillips- 
burg now owned by Edwin Mills. His death 
occurred in Middletown May 16. 1841. He was 
a man of splendid physique, tall and robust, and 
retained his mental and physical vigor to the last. 
In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and 
served as an Elder in the church at Goshen. His 
wife. Mary Tuthill, was a daughter of Xathaniel 
TuthiU. and traced her ancestr\- back to John 
Tuthill. who came this countr\- in the good ship 
"Swallow," sometime between 1633 and 1638, 
and settled in Xew Haven, but later removed to 
Southold, L. I. Xathaniel TuthiU was one of 
the minutemen of Orange County and partici- 
pated in the battle of Ft. Montgomen.-. 

The Baileys originally spelled their name 
Baylis. from which form it was changed to 
Bayley. and finally became Bailey. Daniel, father 
of Captain Bailey, was bom in England, and 
emigrated to Long Island, where he made his 



1380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home in Jamaica. During the Revolutionary 
War he ser\-ed in the Colonial army, and was a I 
stanch patriot. Taken prisoner by the British, j 
he was confined in the old Presb\'terian Church I 
in Jamaica, of which he was an Elder, but which 1 
had been seized by the British and converted by 
them into a prison. He was a member of Capt. ' 
John Skidmore's company of minutemen of I 
Jamaica. On one occasion, it is said that a British 
officer remarked to him, "You'll see England 
yet." He promptly replied, " Twill be a sight, 
won't it ? " 

The mother of our subject was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and was a wouian of sin- 
cere Christian faith, which found expression in 
many kindly deeds and encouraging words to 
those in need. She died October 3, 1893. i" licr 
eightieth year. Of her three sons and two daugh- 
ters, we note the following: Oliver B. died in 
1866 on the old homestead: Therou B., who was 
a member of the Tenth Legion band during the 
late war, is now a coal merchant of Elizabeth, 
X. J.: Margaret died in infancy; !Mar>- E. died in 
1877; James A., our subject, who was the young- 
est of the family, was born on William Street. 
Middletown, March 26, 1S45. He was reared in 
this city, and in boyhood attended the old school 
on Orchard Street. In i860, when a lad of fifteen, 
he began to clerk in Alexander Wilson's book 
store on North Street, remaining in that place for 
two years. In June, 1862. he .secured a clerkship 
in Scott Brothers' hardware store, and. as above 
stated, remained with the concern through vari- 
ous changes until he became a member of the 
firm in 1879. The title was then Vail, Brink & 
Clark, but in 1884 the senior member sold out, 
and the firm became Brink & Clark, which name 
it has since retained. 

In his pleasant home at Xo. 89 Highland 
Avenue, Mr. Clark enjoys, in the society of his 
wife and child and of tho.se friends whom his 
genial nature draws to himself, a needed relaxa- 
tion from business cares. His marriage, which 
took place in this city in 1887, united him with | 
Mrs. Emma (Cole) Duiniing. daughter of David 
B. Cole, formerly a confectioner of this city. Mrs. 
Clark was boni in X'ew York Citv. One daugh- 



ter, Mildred Murray, was bom to them October 
23, 1888. Mr. Clark is a Trustee in the Middle- 
town Savings Bank, and has other responsible 
interests in this place. Since 1865 he has been 
connected with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder 
Company, one of the oldest and finest organiza- 
tions of the kind in the county, and in it he has 
filled all the offices. His interest in the Xew 
York Society of Sons of the Revolution is deep, 
and he is justly proud of the fact that he is the 
descendant of one of the heroes of that desperate 
struggle which ended in securing liberty for the 
colonies. Socially he is connected with Hoffman 
Lodge, F. & A. M., Midland Chapter, R. A. M., 
and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. 



(TOHX A WALLACE, coal dealer, Xo. 14 
I Railroad Avenue, Middletown, was born in 
C) Bullville, this county, April 23, 1838. He 
is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, William, 
and his great-grandfather being natives of Scot- 
land. With his wife and five children the latter 
came to the United States, settling first in Virginia, 
and subsequently in Xew York. At an early date 
the grandfather located near Scotchtown, where 
he engaged in farming, and here died when past 
eighty years of age. William W. Wallace, the 
father of our subject, who was born in Orange 
County, was a wagon-maker by trade. After 
locating in Bullville, he engaged in the mercantile 
business, but later sold out and removed to 
Middletown, where he died at the age of fifty-six 
years. He was a Presbyterian in religious be- 
lief. For many years he was Ju.stice of the Peace, 
and was also Postmaster at Bullville for more 
than twenty years. He married Mar\- Thomp- 
son, whose birth occurred at Thompson Ridge, 
and who was a daughter of Robert A. Thompson, 
a farmer. ' She died in Middletown in 1892, at 
the age of seventy-seven years. In the parental 
family were four children, three of whom grew to 
maturity: John A., our subject; Mary, who mar- 
ried John Rotherham, but who is now deceased; 
and Frances, Mrs. James W. Philips, of Middle- 
town. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



13S1 



John A. Wallace remained with his parents 
until fifteen years of age. during which time he 
attended the district schools whenever possible. 
He then went to Goshen and engaged as a clerk 
for H. & F. B. Wallace, general merchants of that 
place. After remaining in their employ for about 
fifteen months, he came to Middletown, in the fall 
of 1854, and clerked lor Little & Evans, who 
were engaged in a general merchandise business 
on East Main Street. After continuing with that 
firm for several years, he went to Xewburgh, 
where he remained one year, later spent one year 
at Goshen, and then was in New York City for 
two years. In 1864 he returned to Middletown, 
and bought out his old employers, and. forming 
a partnership with M. D. Stivers, under the firm 
name of Stivers & Wallace, they continued a dni- 
goods business for one year. As Mr, Stivers 
was elected County Clerk, he sold his interest to 
J. D. Horton, and the business was continued by 
Wallace & Horton for about five years, when the 
former retired from the firm, disposing of his in- 
terest to G. A. Owen. Mr. Wallace then pur- 
chased the building on North Street now occupied 
by the Merchants' Bank, and opened a dry-goods 
store, under the name of J. A. Wallace & Co.. his 
partner being his uncle. Harvey Wallace. Three 
years later his uncle died, and his widow con- 
tinued as the partner for two years, when Eli 
Rightmeyer purchased her interest, and Wallace 
& Rightmeyer continued in partnership for two 
years more. Our subject then purchased the in- 
terest of his partner, but immediately admitted 
into the firm R. H. Dolson, and for one year 
business was continued under the name of Wallace 
& Dolson, when the firm moved into Bull's Opera 
House. .Later Chancy Horton was admitted to 
the firm. The business was now enlarged and 
continued by Wallace, Dolson & Horton for three 
years, when Mr. Horton disposed of his interest 
to the company and retired from the firm. 

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Wallace was elected 
County Clerk on the Democratic ticket, and 
January i, 1S77. took the oath of office. This 
position he held for three years, his deputy dur- 
ing this time being C. G. Elliott. In 1878 Mr. 
Wallace sold his interest in the drv-goods store. 



in order to give his undivided attention to his 
oflBcial duties. After the close of his term he re- 
turned to Middletown, and in January, 1880, 
bought out Mr. Dolson, who was engaged in the 
dr\-goods business, and for two years continued 
alone. He then took into partnership C. H. Win- 
field, and business was continued by Wallace & 
Winfield. Later Mr. Winfield retired, and Mr. 
Wallace continued alone until 1S89, having in 
the mean time removed the stock to a new loca- 
tion on West Main Street. In iSSghe sold out to 
Benjamin Smith, and retired from the dry-goods 
business. Soon afterward he was appointed the 
Main Street station agent for the New York, 
Ontario & Western Railway, which position he 
held for four years, when he resigned, and formed 
a partnership with S. H. Bodine in the coal busi- 
ness. The firm of Bodine & Wallace was located 
on Depot Street, and continued in partnership 
three and a-half years, when Mr. Wallace with- 
drew and commenced business alone at Xo. 1 4 
Railroad Avenue, the old McKee stand. He 
handles all kinds of coal, and has a storage ca- 
pacity of three hundred tons. 

Mr. Wallace was married in Goshen, in 1861, 
to Miss Abbie M. Wood, who was a native of 
that place. Four children were bom unto them: 
Lena, hqw Mrs. B. A. Bordwell, of Chicago; 
Har\-ey Clifford, in the dn,--goods business at 
Scranton, Pa.: William W.. a graduate of Wall- 
kill Academy and Hamilton College, now in his 
.senior year at Yale College: and George E. , book- 
keef)er for the Merchants and Manufacturers' 
Bank of Middletown. Mrs. Wallace died here in 
1873. and in February. 1875. Mr. Wallace mar- 
ried Miss Adeline Hill, bom at Liberty, and 
daughter of George Hill, a farmer. Two children 
have been born to this union. Blake L. and 
Mary. 

Mr. Wallace has filled other oflScial positions 
besides County Clerk. Before his election to that 
oflBce he was Trustee of the village of Middle- 
town three years, and after his return home, hav- 
ing filled out his term as Couuty Clerk, he was 
elected President of the Village Board of Trustees 
for two years. Since the incorporation of the 
village as a citv. ^le has served two terms as 



1.^,82 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Treasurer, and was School Trustee of the town of 

Wallkill when there was but one school in the pres- 
ent city of Middletown, known as the Orchard 
Street School. In politics he is a Democrat, and 
each time has been elected on the Democratic tick- 
et. Socially he is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, and is Pa.st Master of the Blue Lodge, Past 
High Priest of Midland Chapter, R. A. M., and 
has been Secretary" of the latter for ten \ears. He 
is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, 
and has held the position of Trustee of that body. 
He was interested in the building of the Middle- 
town, Unionville & Water Gap Railroad, now the 
Susquehanna. In the councils of the Democratic 
party his advice is often sought, and he has been 
sent as a delegate to state conventions. A suc- 
cessful man and energetic citizen, he enjoys the 
re.spect and esteem of all who know him. 



EORNELIUlS E. CUDDEBACK, one of the 
leading attorneys of Orange County, located 
at Port Jervis, is an able counselor and a 
man of wide information. In many of the lead- 
ing enterprises of this vicinity he ha& been in- 
terested. Recently he has taken an active part 
in the re-adjustment of the affairs of the Port 
Jervis, Monticello & Xew York Railroad Com- 
pany, and was Chairman of the Re-organization 
Committee, through whose efforts an indebtedness 
of $650,000 was reduced to 5225,000, and the 
corporation restored to solvency. 

C. E. Cuddeback is the eldest in a family of 
four children, who reached mature years and 
whose parents were Elting and Ann B. (Elting) 
Cuddeback. He was born March 10, 1849, and 
after obtaining a good common-school education 
entered Prof A. B. Wilbur's Academy. In 1867 
he was enrolled as a student at Yale College, and 
graduated from the classical course in the Class of 
'71 , with the degree of Bachelor of Art.s. 

On considering the question of his life vocation, 
Mr. Cuddeback determined to read law, and took 
the regular course in the Columbia Law School 



of New York Cit3% from which he graduated in 

1873. In order to pay his wa)- through the 
school, he taught private classes of students who 
were preparing for college. In August, 1873, he 
opened an office in Port Jervis, where he has since 
been engaged in general practice. He is particu- 
larly versed in corporation law, and has been in- 
terested in many important legal contests. For 
ten consecutive years he served as Yillage At- 
torney, and for a long time held a like position for 
the town of Deerpark. He has often acted for the 
village -and town as their legal advisor, and was 
attorney for the receiver of the Port Jervis & 
Monticello Railroad. His attention is chiefly 
given to counsel and corporation law, and as a 
rule he prefers to defend cases. 

October 6, 1875, Mr. Cuddeback married 
Esther, daughter of Rev. S. W. Mill, D. D. She 
was born in Bloomingburg, and was educated in 
what was then known as the Xeversink Female 
Seminary of Port Jervis. Our subject and wife 
have had born to them five children, but two of the 
number are deceased, Harry having died when 
four and a-lialf years of age, and Nellie in infancy. 
Those living are: Samuel M., Anna M. and Cor- 
nelius E, Jr. The parents are members of the 
Reformed Church. Mr. Cuddeback is ver\- do- 
mestic in his tastes and has a very pleasant home. 
He is classed among the prominent and repre- 
sentative citizens of the county. Politically he is 
a Democrat. 



|ILLIAM H. McGOWAX, who is a prom- 
inent citizen of the town of Wallkill, was 
born in Circleville, N. Y., in 1827, and is 
a son of John and Melissa (Fowler) McGowan. 
both of whom were natives of Orange County. 
and .spent their entire lives within its limit.s. His 
father, when a young man, learned the trade of 
a blacksmith, and this occupation he followed for 
several years. Later he became interested in farm- 
ing pursuits, and he was successfully employed 
at that vocation until advancing years caused his 




FRED HERMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAf HICAL, RECORD. 



13S5 



retirement from active work. He passed from 
earth in 187S, having long survived his wife, 
whose death occurred in 1864. 

The rudiments of his education Mr. McGowan 
gained in the district schools, and the knowledge 
there acquired was supplemented by systematic 
reading and .self-culture in later years. His en- 
tire life has been spent upon a farm, with the ex- 
ception of some six years, during which time he 
was collecting agent and Treasurer of the Farm- 
ers' Milk Association of Circleville, N. Y. His 
property consists of thirt3-two acres in the home 
farm, which is embellished with a neat residence, 
and contains all the equipments necessary for the 
successful prosecution of the work. The princi- 
pal industry in which Mr. McGowan engages is 
the milk business, and of this he has made a de- 
cided success. 

In 1858 our subject and Miss Sophia Horton 
were united in marriage, and their union has been 
one of mutual helpfulness and happine.ss. Mrs. 
McGowan was born in this county, of which her 
father, Hiram Horton, was a worthy citizen. In 
religious belief she affiliates with the Baptist 
Church, and her Christian character has won the 
esteem of the people of this locality. Being op- 
posed to monopolies, Mr. McGowan naturally 
finds a home in the Democratic party, of which 
he is a stanch adherent. However, while he uni- 
formly votes that ticket in national affairs, he is 
conservative in local matters, voting" for the man 
whom he deems best qualified for official position, 
no matter what his politics may be. 



^-^+^^ 



r~ RED HERMAN, a pro.sperous business man 
r^ in the western part of Newburgh, is an act- 
I ive Republican, and at one time .served as 
Alderman from the First Ward. Besides serving 
on local and county committees, he has also been 
Chairman of the Fire Department Committee. 
In 1 89 1 he was elected to serve as one of the Alms- 
house Commissioners, and at the end of three 
years was re-elected, being made Chairman of the 
Outdoor Relief Committee and a member of the 
Children's Home Connnittee. He is engaged in 



the hide and leather business, and is Secretarj- 
and Treasurer of the Newburgh Rendering Com- 
pany. 

Mr. Herman was born in Canterbury, town of 
Cornwall, Orange County, February 9, 1848. 
His father, Jacob Herman, was a native of Zwei- 
brucken, Germany, on the River Rhine, and 
there learned the tanner's trade. In his early 
manhood he emigrated to the United States, and, 
settling in the vicinity of Newburgh, conducted a 
tannery on his own account. Later he moved to 
West Newburgh and built the tannery now oper- 
ated by his .son. He was actively engaged in 
busine.ss up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in February-, 1862, when he was nearly 
sixty-one years of age. Religiously he was a 
Lutheran, and in his political faith was a Repub- 
lican. His wife, who was a Miss Riedinger be- 
fore their marriage, was born in Germany, and 
died when her son Fred was only a year old. The 
father afterward married Catherine Van Aiken. 
who was born in Newburgh, and who is still liv- 
ing here. Her two sons are Jacob, who is in the 
grocery business; and Robert, who is in the post- 
office, both being residents of Newburgh. The 
only sister of our subject is Mary, who is now 
living in New York City. 

Until he was thirteen years of age, Mr. Her- 
man attended the Newburgh schools, and was 
then apprenticed to tlie tanner's trade under his 
father, continuing with him until the latter' s 
death. For the following five years he and his 
brother Jacob managed the business, but at the 
end of that time the partnership was dissolved. 
Since then our subject has carried on a hide, leatli- 
er and findings trade, his business location be- 
ing at No. 531 Broadway. In May, 1894, ^^^ 
helped to incorporate the Newburgh Renderin.g 
Company, he being made Secretary- and Treasur- 
er. The compan\- has a capital .stock of $3,000, 
and the plant is located adjacent to the city. 

In Port Jervis, in 1873, Mr. Herman was mar- 
ried to Florence E. Sawyer, who was born in 
Pike County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Herman became 
the parents of five children, the eldest of whom, 
Celim. was drowned when the steamer "Elbe" 
sank; Homer is attending the academv; and Ful- 



.386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ton is engaged in the tinsmith and plumbing bus- 
iness. The two daughters, Katie and Belle, are 
still living at the parents' home, which is situated 
on Broadway. Mr. Herman is a member of the 
Knights of Honor, and belongs to Xewburgh 
Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M. He is a charter 
member of Highland Steamer Company No. 3, of 
the fire department, with which he has served 
for thirty years. Among his business associates 
he bears a well deserved name as a man of strict 
integrity and honor. 



G 



& 



'^11^' 



=0 



IILLETT J. MARSHALL is one of the 
largest wholesale provision merchants in 
Xewburgh. His well equipped establish- 
ment is also devoted to the sale of all kinds of 
cured and smoked meats, and in the prosecution 
of this business he is meeting with success. 

Mr. Marshall is a native of this state, having 
been born in Hyde Park. Dutchess County, Au- 
gust 6, 1837. This was also the birthplace of 
his father, Hiram, and grandfather, Willett. The 
latter was a farmer by occupation, and during 
the War of 181 2 ser\-ed as a soldier in its ranks. 
His son Hiram was likewise a tiller of the soil, 
and owned a splendid property four miles east of 
Hvde Park, where he died when fifty-five jears 
of age. The mother of our subject, Hannah 
( Haight) Marshall, was born in Clinton. Dutche.ss 
County, and was a daughter of Isaac Haight, a 
Quaker and farmer of Clinton. 

The parental family included six children, all 
of whom are living, and of whom Willett J. was 
the eldest. He was reared to farm life and edu- 
cated in the Quaker schools of Washington, re- 
maining at home until his father died, in 1855. 
That year he went west to Illinois, locating on a 
farm in Knox County, within one mile of Gales- 
burg, where he'engaged in farming for two years, 
when he returned to his native state and began 
working on the old homestead. In May. 1867. 
he located on Gidney Avenue, Xewburgh, and 
engaged in his present business, which was the 



first of the kind carried on in t'he city, and for 

the first three years he operated alone. Mr. Coles 
then became his partner, and the firm known as 
Coles, Marshall & Co. has existed up to the pres- 
ent time. After six years spent at the old stand, 
they moved to Xos. 21 and 23 South Water 
Street, where they have a large and well equipped 
eestablishment, conducted on strictly business 
principles. The senior member of the firm and 
Mr. Gidney reside in Xew York City, looking 
after their interests there. They al.'^o do a whole- 
sale provision business in that city, their house 
being located at Xo. 100 Forsyth Street. They 
purchase their own stock and cure their meats, 
the establishment for that purpose being located 
in Jersey City. Their house in Xewburgh. which 
our subject conducts, occupies five floors. The 
firm of Coles, Marshall & Co. is well known 
throughout the East, the business extending to 
almost every cit\' on the Atlantic Coast. Two 
traveling salesmen are kept on the road during 
the entire year, looking after the firm's interests 
in Xewburgh and Xew York City. 

Mr. Marshall was married in Hyde Park, in 
1859, to Miss Enieline Avery, who was born at 
Lima, Livingston County, this state, in 184 1. 
To them has been boni a son, Hiram, who is at 
present residing in Middle Hope. Mr. Marshall 
occupies one of the pleasantest homes in the 
city, and surrounds his family with all of the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In 
politics he is a supporter of Republican princi- 
ples, and religiously belongs to the Society of 
Friends. 

^^=£D# (>^ . 

nOHX J. HOGAX. The name of this gentle- 
I man deserves to be perpetuated as a public 
Qj benefactor, for through the exercise of his 
mechanical genius he has been enabled to wholly 
revolutionize the science of boiler-making. He is 
mechanical engineer of the Hogan Boiler Com- 
pany, of Middletown, the other officers being W. 
D. Stratton, President. G. X. Clemson, Vice- 
President: C. Macardell, Treasurer: and C. L. 
Merritt, Secretary and Manager. Mr. Hogan 
himself is the founder of the works, the success 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1387 



and rapid growth of which are due almost en- 
tirely to his skill and inventive ability. The 
Hogan Water Tube Boiler, which he has per- 
fected, and through which his name has become 
widely known, possesses a three-fold advantage 
over the ordinary boiler, in that it saves fir.stcost. 
space and fuel. 

Among the advantages of this boiler we note 
the following: instant and continuous precipita- 
tion of all sediment in the water and its certain 
deposit in the mud drum: steady water line at all 
pressures, irrespective of capacity or forcing; in- 
troduction of the feed-water in a way to promote 
and assist circulation instead of retarding it; the 
impossibility of water of low temperature coming 
in contact with the surfaces which are expo.sed to 
the heated gases; positive vertical circulation and 
continuous circulation, insuring clean surfaces 
and freedom from accumulation of sediment in 
tubes and cylinders, irrespective of the kind of 
water used; vertical water tubes, insuring nat- 
ural circulation: free expansion of all parts with- 
out any strain on the joints: dry steam at all 
times, no matter what the conditions of firing and 
use may be; and the heating surfaces located di- 
recth- above the fire surfaces in one chamber of 
large volume. 

That the boiler is economical. ma\- be inferred 
from the fact that a plant of one thousand horse- 
power will save $5,000 in fuel above what any 
other boiler has been able to accomplish. Its oper- 
ative economy is also ven,- large, as it generates 
more steam per pound of coal used than any other 
boiler ever made. It is admirably adapted for 
marine purposes, and is now being introduced into 
shipping. The boilers have been tried at sea and 
it has been found that four of the Hogan Boilers 
can replace twelve of the largest size of others, 
and twenty -eight of the smaller size. There is, 
therefore, in view of their great economy of fuel 
and space, a probability that these boilers will en- 
tirely replace the others in use at the present time, 
for the co.st of operation is materially smaller and 
the space occupied is two-thirds less than that 
taken by other boilers. 

Of this line of work Mr. Hogan has made a 
specialty since bovhood. He studied mechanical 



engineering in England, and was a pupil in the 
Reading Iron Works, near London, paying a tui- 
tion fee of $1,500 and receiving in wages for the 
five years from sixty cents to 51.25 per week. 
Believing that America offered a wider field for 
work in his occupation, he came hither, and for 
some time was with Alexander L. Holley, design- 
ing and erecting the Bessemer Process. Not in- 
frequently, in the erection of plants, it was nec- 
es.sary to put in from ninety to a hundred of the 
largest boilers of that day. He spent some time 
in this business both at Scranton, Pa., and St. 
Louis, Mo. In 1893 he came to Middletown and 
erected the necessary buildings for the manufact- 
ure of boilers, completing them so as to begin 
in business early in 1894. Since that time he has 
conducted a large contract business, manufactur- 
ing boilers of from .seventy-five to eight hundred 
horse-power. The Hogan Boiler Company has 
a capital stock of $300,000 and owns five acres of 
land within the city limits, on which they intend 
in the near future to build large shops, sufficient 
to furni.sh employ ineni to four or five hundred me- 
chanics. 

Since 187 1 Mr. Hogan has been perfecting the 
boiler which now bears his name, and he now has 
about one hundred different patents upon it. The 
Xovelty Hot Water Circulator and Xovelty Steam 
Boiler are manufactured by the Model Heating 
Company of Philadelphia, under their patents. 
The Hogan Metallic Joint, used on the boiler, is 
a valuable patent. The whole structure is sup- 
ported on a wrought-iron frame, neatly enclosed 
and covered with brick. The front is of wrought 
and steel plates, secured with long bolts in a way 
to prevent all movement of the brickwork. In 
addition to these steel plates and bolts, the brick- 
work of the furnace has air .spaces between it and 
the external walls. The man-holes are provided 
with copper seats in their joints, which are under 
compression at all times. The man-holes are es- 
pecially designed for high pressure, and the cov- 
ers ma>' be replaced without renewal of copper 
seat. The opening of two or three man-holes, 
the number varying according to the t\-pe of 
boiler, gives access to the inside of the boiler. 

One of the most important contracts taken by 



i^SS 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORIX 



the Hogan Boil^- Company was far the esectKm 
of a boOi^ in the State Ho^^ for the Insane 
at Middletown. The grate area of this boiler is 
a little moie than eighty sqnaie feet, being 1 1 ^c 
X7. The heating sar&ce is eqoal to four thoa- 
sand and one hnndied sqnaie feet, and die Soor 
space occniaed by the boQer is 20x11-,-. The 
height of the chimney from groond to t(^ is fitty 
feel- These figures will serve to gi\-e an idea <rf 
the magnitude of this enterprise, which was one 
of the most important ever undertaken by the 
company. 

In ererything pertaining to the business. Mr. 
Hogan is deeply interested, and probeMy few 
men are better informed cfmoeming every detail 
of boila--niaking than is he. A consadoabie por- 
tion of his time is devoted to the poUication of 
toe "BiMler Review."" a magazine Sot the trade, in 
which are technically reviewed thetwy and prac- 
tice rdating to the design. constTDCtioa and of»- 
aatirai of stationary, marine and locomotive 
boilers. 



I >.>l IS IXH'GLAS FOVyVKT. .\ssisiaiit 
I C Engineer on the New York. Ontario & 
C2r Weaem Railway, with headquarters at Mid- 
dletown. was bom in the village of Fisfakill. 
X. Y.. October 12. 1S67. The femiiy of which 
he is a member has been represented in this 
countT\- snce the Revxjlution, when his paternal 
gieai-grandfetha- accompanied Geaiaal LaFay- 
eite from France to America. The grandfiither, 
D. L. Fooqnet. was proprietor of the Fooqoet 
Hoose at Plattsbnrg. Clinton County. X. Y.. 
and owned a nnmber of stage lines running to 
the .\dirondack Mountains. 

Our subject's Either, John D., was bom in 
Plattsboig, and took a ocmrse in dvil-engineer- 
ing at the Troy Polytechnic Institute, from whkh 
he was graduated. He was a civil engineer on 
the Atlantic & Great Western, the Erie and in 
the United States nav\- under Admiral Bailey, on 
the frigate ■St. LawroKe."" Lat«- he settled at 
Fishkin, where he was a dixision <Migineer ou 
the Dutchess & CcJumhia Railroad, then became 



architect §or the large print works of Gamer & 
Co.. and atterwaid was architect for the West 
Sthore Railroad, with headquarters at Weehawken. 
X. J. ; he also served as snp^ntendent of build- 
ings and construction fe«- the same road. His 
next pi^tion was that of architect jbr the New 
York Central at Grand Central Station. Xew 
York. About i$94 he resigned this positioai aad 
established an c^ce at Xo. 35 Bitxadway. New 
York, where he has ance been engs^ed as a civil 
engineei and architect, making a specially of 
lailraad work. In r^gious belief he is an £pcs- 
cc^ialian. 

The mother of odt sobject. whose maiden 
name was Emma J. Le&ugwell. was bom at 
Athens. Greese County. X. Y., and is ot Eng- 
lish desoeat- Her &ther. Capt. John L^ng- 
well. was fora long timea captain oa the Hodson. 
and owned a nnrab^- <Mf sJoc^ and barges that 
plied the waters of that river. Our snbject is 
the eider of the twt> childresi, and has a brother, 
M. L-, who is Assistant Engineer on the Xew 
York Central Railroad. Louis D. was reared in 
FishkiU. where he attended the public schools.. 
Ai the age of sevenieen be went to IHttsfidd. 
Mass. . wher\f he was dlerk in a phanaacy Rm- one 
year, but not liking the business, he took up 
civil-engineering. His first pos9ti<Mi was as derk 
and draughtsman in the West Shore Railway 
<^ce, after which he was chainman for the Xew 
Ja-sey Railrvtad between Weehawken and Jersey 
Cit>~. and later was draughtsman for the same 
comjxany. For caie year he was draughtsman on 
the Xew York Cennal RaOroad at Grand Cen- 
tral Depot. Xew York, and then was transferred 
to One Hundred and Thirt>--eighdi Street, the 
same dtx;. as rodman oc the Harlem Depres- 
sion. He was also emp^o>-ed on the coaastmctioo 
of the Mott Ha\-eM yards. 

Resigning that ptwaaon in 1SS9. Mr. Fooqnet 
became leveler on the ccsistructicHi of the zig-iag 
tunnel in IMaware County, on the Xew York, 
Ontario & Western. From that position he was 
promoted to transitman. and in iSo»- while wv>rk- 
ing on the tunnel, he became asss^aut engiEeer. 
The construction of the tunnel required tw>L> \-ears 
aud ideven months, and he was the first to pass 




HARVKV ALEXANDER 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



591 



through it upon its completion. The work of 
building it was done ver\- rapidly, the world's 
record on that score being broken by their speed. 
Xot only was the work rapidly done, but it was 
done well, and when the two lines met there was 
not the least variation in them. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Fouquet came to Middletown as 
Assistant Engineer of the entire system, but in 
1S93. when the railroad was divided, he became 
Assistant Engineer of the Southern Division. 
His entire time is given to the duties of his posi- 
tion, which he fills most efficiently and satisfac- 
torily. He has superintended the building of a 
number of bridges and viaducts of steel, and 
aided in the construction of the EUeuville Bridge. 
He is a Junior in the American Society of Ci\nl 
Engineers, and takes a warm interest in even.-- 
thing pertaining to the science. Like his par- 
ents, he is an Episcopalian, his membership be- 
ing in Grace Church. Fraternally he is identified 
with Hoffman Lodge Xo. 412. F. & A. M.: Mid- 
land Chapter No. 240, at Middletown: Delaware 
Commander}- Xo. 44. at Port Jervis: and Mecca 
Temple Shrine in Xew York Cit\-. 



•>3+*^ 



=.^*^«- 



HARVEY ALEXAXDER. This worthy old 
settler of the town of Xew Windsor has 
dwelt on his present farm uninterruptedly 
since 1S46, with the exception of one year, which 
was passed in Cornwall. Though now in his sev- 
enty-ninth year, he still enjoys good health and 
carries on the work of his farm in a manner be- 
fitting a man of half his years. He is mainly self- 
educated, for in his boyhood he had little chance 
for attending school, and was obliged to rely uf)on 
private .study and general observation. His first 
Presidential ballot was cast for William Henn.- 
Harrison, and he also had the privilege of voting 
for his grandson in 18S8. He has always been a 
stalwart Republican, and has held a number of 
li">cal offices of trust and honor, having served as 
Town Trustee for fourteen years. 

The parents of our subject were James and 



Catherine F. (BuUard"* Alexander, the former 01 
whom was born in Belfast, Ireland, Xovember 2. 
1770. and the latter in Connecticut. Decemb^er 29. 
1780. Their family numbered thirteen children, 
of whom John died in 1S5S. aged fifty -eight years: 
Thomas died Januan- i, 1S95, «'ben in his ninety - 
fourth year: Joseph, born in 1804, is still living; 
James died in 1888, when in his eighty -third 
year: Franklin, born March 9. 1808, is a resident 
of Cleveland, Ohio: Annie E., boni January- 16, 
iSio, and now living in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., is the 
widow of Thomas McClellan: Jane, born Feb- 
ruar\- 14, 1812, married Daniel Sayer, and died 
March 12, 1895: Catherine, bom December 27, 
1S13. is the widow of A. T. Rumsey, and resides 
in Xewburgh: Rebecca, who was bom April 13. 
iSiS, and was the wife of Samuel McCoon, died 
May 28. 1S57: Mary, bom Januar\- 17, 1821, 
the widow of Mathew Crist, lives in Xewburgh: 
Daniel M., bom January 9, 1S24, is a resident of 
Morristown, N. J.: Rhoda, bom October 24. 
1827, is the wife of George W. Shaw: and our 
subject completes the family. The father of this 
large family was a weaver by trade. In 1798 he 
came to America on a sailing-vessel, and from 
that time onward lived in Xewburgh. 

Har\-ey Alexander is a native of this town, hav- 
ing been bom within its limits Februar\- 15, 1816. 
and was reared on the farm now owned by James 
Corwin. When he was about sixteeii years of 
age he commenced working at the carpenter's 
trade, ser\-ing for three years as an apprentice, 
and receiving therefor his board and about ^40 
per year. Later he worked at his trade for a 
short time, but since 1S46, when he moved to 
the farni which he still owns, he has given his 
principal attention to agriculture. 

April 7. 1S41, Mr. Alexander married Amanda 
Kernaghan, who was bom in this town, April 27. 
1S17. being a daughter of William and Sarah 
Kernaghan. Three children came to bless the 
home of our subject and wife. Sophia C. lives at 
home and is keeping house for her father; George 
B. is ex-Under Sheriff of Orange County: and 
Joseph K. is ex-Sheriff. The mother died March 
6, 1S84. and was buried in Bethlehem Cemetery. 
She was a faithful member of the Presbvterian 



1392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD. 



Church, to which Mr. Alexander and daughter 
also belong. The former has .served as Trustee 
in the Methodist Church at Little Britain, and 
has always taken great intere.st in religious affairs. 



EHARLES G. BALDWIN is the junior 
member of the firm of Wood & Baldwin, 
proprietors of a liver\-, boarding and sales 
stable at Middletown. and who are also operating 
a sandbank with great success. In public affairs 
he is a man of influence. In 1890 he was elected 
to represent the Third Ward on the Board of Al- 
dermen, and two years later he was re-elected, 
serving for four years, but refusing further nomin- 
ation for the position. While a member of the 
Council he served as a member of almost all of the 
committees and was Chairman of the Street and 
Police Committees 

Mr. Baldwin was born in East Fishkill, Dutch- 
ess County, February 27, 1861, and his father, 
Peter A., and grandfather, Elisha, were born at 
the same place. His great-grandfather, Daniel, 
removed from Coiuiecticut to New York and set- 
tled on a farm near Fishkill, remaining there un- 
til his death. Peter A. Baldwin has for years 
been successfully engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, and still makes his home in Dutchess 
County, near Hopewell, being quite robust though 
sixty-four years of age. He has been active in 
local matters and has served as Supervisor, his 
popularity being shown by the fact that he ran 
considerably ahead of his ticket at election. So- 
cially he is a Ma.son. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Mary Green, was born in the town of 
Hyde Park, Dutchess County, and was a daugh- 
ter of Charles preen, a shoe merchant of New 
York City. She is identified with the Dutch 
Reformed Church in religious belief 

There are three children in the family of Peter 
A. and Mary Baldwin, of whom our subject is 
the eldest. The others are Frank, a farmer liv- 
ing near Poughkeepsie; and Aletta. who is with 
her parents. Charles G. remained on the home 
farm until twenty-one years of age, meantime at- 
tending Monticello Academv, from which he was 



graduated in 1879. In boyhood he frequently 
rode on horseback to and from Ohio, driving from 
two to three hundred head of cattle, and from 
twenty-five to fifty head of horses, from the Buck- 
eye State to New York City. 

Going to New York City in 1882, Mr. Bald- 
win became bookkeeper for the Syndicate Mining 
Company, at No. 2 Wall Street. After three 
months there, he secured a position as claim 
clerk of the live- stock department of the Erie 
Railroad in New York, being with his uncle, 
.\. S. Baldwin. In 1885 he went to Camden. 
N. J., and formed a partnership with liis father- 
in-law in the lumber bu.siness. under the firm 
name of L. M. Stanton & Co., but one month 
after starting in business Mr. Stanton died. The 
business was then sold out and Mr. Baldwin went 
to Fishkill, where he engaged in dealing in horses. 
In December, 1888, he came to Middletown, 
where he began as a horse dealer, and later 
bought and opened a sandbank of thirty acres, 
one mile from the city, on South Street, lying on 
the line of the Susquehanna «& Western Railroad, 
with which it is connected by a switch. There 
is also a large supply of clay here, and it is the 
intention of the firm to start a brickyard at some 
future time. From two to six men are emploved 
at the bank, and a very extensive business is 
done, large sales being made of moulding, build- 
ing, gravel and paving sand. 

In 1893 Mr. Baldwin started in the livery bus- 
iness on James Street, and here he has since car- 
ried on a large trade. He sells large numbers of 
horses, both for himself and other parties, and 
raises a few standard horses for sale. He is a 
stockholder and Director of the Driving Park 
Association and has twelve or more horses at the 
park, where they are being trained. Politically 
he is a Republican, but does not care for promi- 
nence in public affairs, preferring to give his at- 
tention to business matters. 

In Monticello Mr. Baldwin married Miss May 
Stanton, daughter of Lewis Stanton, at one 
time County Clerk of Sullivan County, but now 
deceased. Mrs. May Baldwin died in Middle- 
town, after having become the mother of two 
children, Elizabeth and Adriance. The present 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1393 



wife of Mr. Baldwin was Miss Anna B. Harman, 
who was born in Middletown, being a daugliter 
of Frank Harman, a resident of this city and con- 
nected with the Erie grain elevator at Jersey 
City. One child blesses this union. Mrs. Bald- 
win is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, and 
moves in the best society in this city. As a rep- 
resentati\'e and successful business man, Mr. 
Baldwin has won a place among the prominent 
men of the city, and is rapidly gaining a solid 
and substantial prosperity, of which he is well de- 
servino;. 



IILIJAM M. CORNELL, one of the well- 
to-do farmers of the town of Cornwall, was 
born in the town of Monroe, August 19, 
1826. He attended school for some time in his 
native place, but since 1842 has made his home 
in this locality, where his father, Josiah Cornell, 
was the proprietor of a large tract of land, com- 
prising over seven hundred acres. This property 
was inherited by his two sons, James' and Will- 
iam, the latter receiving two hundred and fifty 
acres. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Josiah and Catherine (Maillor) Cornell, natives, 
respectively, of Westchester and Orange Coun- 
ties, this state. Jo.siah was but a small boy when 
his father, Daniel, came to this county, soon aft- 
er the close of the Revolutionary War. The lat- 
ter lo.st much property in the way of cattle, etc., 
during that period, and on one occasion two sol- 
diers were compelled to run the gauntlet for steal- 
ing some carpet which belonged to him. 

Daniel Cornell married Miss Mary Quimby, to 
whom were born three daughters and three sons, 
and of these Josiah was the third, He married 
Catherine Maillor, and lived on the farm adjoin- 
ing that occupied by our subject. Their family 
included eight children. Of these. Charity is liv- 
ing in this section; James and Esther are de- 
cea.sed; William, our .subject, was the next-born; 
Mary Ann is the wife of Charles Ryder, of Brook- 
lyn; Rebecca makes her home at Mineola, L. L; 



Elizabeth married Reuben Birdsell, a native of 
Chappaqua, but now living in Mineola; and the 
youngest member of the household died in in- 
fanc\-. 

Our subject was married in Highland Mills, 
November 24, 1859, to Miss Sarah Cornell, the 
daughter of Harrison and Charity (^Earl ) Cor- 
nell. Her father was the .son of Samuel Cornell, 
a native of Westchester County, and by his union 
with Miss Earl there were born the following 
eleven children: Samuel, Hannah, John, Mary, 
David, Elizabeth, James, Charles, Charlotte ( the 
wife of Charles S. Ostrander, now living in Port- 
land, Ore. ), Sarah, and one who died unnamed. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
have been born six .sons and daughters. Char- 
lotte married John S. Drake, of Green Point, 
L. L ; Harrison is a farmer living on a farm ad- 
joining his father's; Josiah is a farmer in the town 
of Woodbury; Charity is at home; Sidney is al- 
so a farmer of Woodbury; and Charles is also 
at home. The parents are members of the Soci- 
ety of Friends. Li politics Mr. Cornell is a Dem- 
ocrat of the old-fashioned type. He has been 
active in public affairs and for some time served 
as Road Overseer. He is an influential worker in 
his church and has been overseer of his congrega- 
tion. The land which he cultivates is a very 
productive tract and yields him a good income. 



^HE MIDDLETOWN PRESS, which is one 
iQ of the oldest and most widely circulated 
Vjy newspapers in southern New York, was 
established in Middletown as a weekly in 1851. 
by John W. Hasbrouck, who is .still living, an 
honored resident of this city. It was from the 
first strongly Republican in politics, and then, as 
now, made the local news a leading feature. 
Mr. Hasbrouck conducted the paper, with 
unvarying success, for seventeen years, and then 
sold out to Moses D. vStivers, who had then just 
completed a term as Clerk of Orange County. 
He was an ardent Republican, and proved to be a 
" born newspaper man." 

The first paper under the editorship of Mr. 



1394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Stivers was issued April 3, 1868. December 3, 
1869, he formed a partnership with Albert 
Kessiuger, and the paper was issued by the firm 
of Stivers & Kessinger until the sad death of the 
junior of the firm in 1872. During this interval. 
May 24, 1870, a tri-weekly edition of the paper, 
known as the Middletown Ez-ening Press, was 
started and was a great success. The paper was 
.sold in 1S72 in order to settle Mr. Kessinger's 
estate, and was bought by F. Stanhope Hill, an 
experienced newspap>er man of Chester, Pa., who 
at once sold an interest to John \V. Slauson. one 
of the present proprietors. 

Feeling that the time for a daily paper in Mid- 
dletown I which then had a population of over six 
thousand! had arrived, the new firm of Hill & 
Slauson changed the tri- weekly to a daily, and 
sent out the first issue of the Middletown Daily 
Press October 26, 1872. Mr. Hill remained in 
the firm only nine months, when he resold to Mr. 
Stivers, and the paper had a ver\- prosp)erous 
p)eriod. under the firm of Stivers & Slauson, from 
July 2, 1873, to December 14, iSSo. At the lat- 
ter date Mr. Stivers sold his interest to his part- 
ner, who at once sold the same to Charles J. 
Boyd, one of the present proprietors, and the firm 
of Slauson & Boyd was formed. This firm ex- 
isted three years, during which the weekly edi- 
tion of the paper — the Orange County Press — 
was changed to a semi-weekly, the first issue 
bearing date July 24, 1SS3. This was the first 
semi-weekly paper in this part of the state, and 
its success was remarkable from the start. 

In August, 1S83. Mr. Stivers repurchased an 
interest in the paper, and the firm became 
Stivers. Slauson & Boyd. He remained in 
active connection with the firm until elected to 
the Fifty-first Congress, in the fall of 1SS8. 
During his tenn of oflBce he was necessarily ab- 
sent from his newspaper work. At the close of 
his official term he decided to disp)ose of his in- 
terest in the paper, a decision to which his part- 
ners gave reluctant consent. They finally pur- 
chased Mr. Stivers' share in the establishment, 
and for the second time the firm became Slauson 
& Boyd, and has so continued ever since. 
While there have been several changes of firm 



titles, as mentioned above, the real changes in 
proprietorship were few, one of the present own- 
ers having been connected with the pap>er for 
twenty-three years and the other for about fif- 
teen. 

The paper owns its own real estate, is equipj)ed 
with modem and rapid-printing machinery, has 
a large job-printing department, and has always 
been in a flourishing and healthful condition 
The building in which the paper has large and 
commodious quarters was once the only public 
hall of the town, and its walls have echoed the 
voices of the leading orators and statesmen of the 
country-. The following mention of the charac- 
ter and influence of the paper was prepared for 
this volume by \\'. T. Doty, editor of the Orange 
County Farmer: 

' ' The career of the Middletown Press has been 
onward and upward. With no faltering step, it 
has worked its way from a mere " diminutive 
chronicler ' of events to an eminence of abilitj- 
and far-reaching influence, — a credit to the great 
■ art presen-ative ' and an example of thorough, 
high-toned, even-tempered management. 

'■ The Press has made a record of great useful- 
ness. It has nearly reached its half-century 
mark, being now in its forty-fourth year. Dur- 
ing that time it has seen its birthplace grow 
from a hamlet to a prosperous, beautiftil. busy 
citj-; its own state from greatness to grandeur: 
and its own Republic from a border-land of 
."Struggling civilization to an empire of enlight- 
enment. 

" Its own columns have grown from few to 
many. In size atid usefulness it has kept pace 
with the march of events, never slighting a duty 
or evading an issue. Steadfastness to principle 
has ever found it in the columns of the Repub- 
lican party's army of occupation. Boys have 
become men and men have grown gray in its 
service. 

' ' The Press has always been one ot the clean- 
est of journals, — the steadfast aim of its suc- 
cessive proprietors having been a continuity of 
noble purpose and a mar\-el of attainment. The 
writer of these lines has been more or less familiar 
with the work, —he niav sav the domestic work. — 










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PROF 


LOUIS J. DIEJIER. 


' 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1397 



of the office for more than thirt\- years, and 

during that time he has found so much to com- 
mend and so little to condemn in the conduct of 
the Prrss. that he takes pride in pointing to it as 
a model newspaper establishment in ever\- re- 
spect. This term, "model newspaper," is so 
often misused that it generally fails to convey its 
true meaning: but in this case the highest ap- 
plication of encomium exp>esses only the truth." 



I oris J. DIEMER. Xewburgh is known 
I C among the other cities of the Hudson \"alley 
[_2f as having among her citizens a nmnber of 
gentlemen whose superior musical ability and 
skill have won for them an enviable reputation, 
and whose public-spirited service has raised their 
city to a high position in artistic circles. Such 
is Professor Diemer, who is recognized as one of 
the most skilled pianists and organists, not only 
of Xewfiurgh, but also of this part of the state. 
As an instructor in music he has earned a wide- 
spread reputation for thoroughness and accuracy. 
In addition to instruction in the art, he is oflSci- 
ating as organist of St. Paul's Protectant Episco- 
pal Church and of the Jewish Temple, Congrega- 
tion Beth Jacob. 

Though of German parentage and aucestr\-. 
Professor Diemer is a native of New York, and 
was bom in Xewburgh, October 18, 1S58. His 
educational advantages, both literar\- and musical, 
were of the ver\- best, and being naturally of a 
bright and assimilative nature, he acquired a 
broad knowledge of the sciences, literature and 
art while still quite young. From early child- 
hood he displayed a predilection for music, and 
the talent which it was seen that he possessed 
he was given the best opportunities to cultivate. 
When only eight years of age he began the study 
of music under the instruction of Prof Louis 
Hammerstein, with whom he continued for six 
years. 

The first public work done by Professor Diemer 
was in May, 187S, when he secured the position 



of organist at St, George's Episcopal Church of 

Xewburgh. The following year he studied organ 
and harmony with Prof C. B. Rutenber, of New 
York, remaining under his instruction for one 
tenn. In iSSo he studied piano, organ and har- 
mony with Dr, E, Eberhard, President of the 
Grand Conser^-aton.- of Music of New York City. 
Later he studied the piano with Otto Hackh, A, M. 

The abilit\- of Professor Diemer was recognized 
by his appointment as a member of the faculty of 
the Grand Conservatorv- in 1SS3, and during the 
following year he accepted the position of organ- 
ist of St, Mar\-"s Catholic Church, Later he was 
organist for the American Reformed and the 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Churches, and at 
present, as before stated, he is organist for Con- 
gregation Beth Jacob and St. Paul's Protestant 
Episcopal Church. At the early age of twelve 
years he began to comp>ose music, and this he has 
since continued, but has modestly declined to 
publish any of his compositions, not deeming them 
of suiEcieut merit. If the opinions of others may 
be relied upon, however, in preference to his oWn 
estimate of his ability-, he is without doubt one of 
the most efficient musicians and skilled composers 
of the state. In the profession he stands -veni- 
high, while his genial manners and unvarying 
courtesy of demeanor have brought him equal 
prominence in social circles. ■ 

The marriage of the Professor occurred October 
15, 1SS4, luiiting him with Miss Josephine ^L 
Waring, of Xewburgh, and daughter of James K, 
and Sarah K. 1 YanWyck^ Waring. To our sub- 
ject and wife have' been bom four children. 



EARL KEEHXER. or Charles Keener, as he 
is-best known (the change in name being 
rendered necessary on account of the persis- 
tency of the people in calling him so », is a manu- 
facturer of fine hand-cut files, and is a successor 
to-the Homebreaker-Keener Company. He was 
born in Germany, at Rheinpfalz, about thirty 
miles from the Rhine, November 5, 1852. His 
parents, Mathias and Susanna ( Flockerzie • Keeh- 
ner, were also natives of the same countrv. His 



1398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



paternal grandfather was an officer in the French 
army in the Napoleonic Wars. During the Rev- 
olutionary War he came to America to assist 
the Colonists, after which he returned to Ger- 
many, where he held the position of Forester to 
the king. ^He was a prominent man, a valiant 
fighter, and had man}- medals bestowed upon him 
for his bravery in action. He passed away at 
the age of eighty-five years. 

Mathias Keehner, the father of our subject, 
was by trade a stone-cutter and general contractor 
in street paving. He died in his native land at 
the age of fifty-two years, firm in the faith of the 
Evangelical Church. The mother of our sub- 
ject, as already stated, was a native of German}-. 
Her father was also a Government officer, and 
held high rank in the German army. When he 
retired from the army he was employed as Head 
Forester to the king. Of their family of four 
sons and one daughter, all are yet living, two of 
the number residing in America: David, who re- 
sides in Middletow-n, and who is a contracting 
mason; and the subject of this sketch. 

Charles Keener attended the public schools of 
his native country until fourteen years of age, 
when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
dyer in a large woolen-manufacturing establish- 
ment. For nearly two years he worked at this 
trade, when, his health failing him, he decided to 
come to America. In the spring of 1869 he left 
home, sailing from Hamburg in the steamer 
"Zumbria," and after spending eleven days on 
the w-ater landed in New York, from which place 
he went to Saugerties and engaged in cutting 
bluestone for two years. He then removed to 
Grahamsville, Sullivan County, and for two years 
and eight months was employed in a tanning es- 
tablishment. The firm with which he w-as em- 
ployed having failed, our subject then came to 
Middletown and entered Howell & Hinchman's 
tannery, where he worked for eighteen months. 
In 1878 he entered the sawshops of Wheeler, 
Madden & Clemson, now the National Saw 
Works, where he Remained three years. He then 
formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, 
Herman Homebreaker, a practical file-maker, to 
manufacture files and rasps, and erected a build- 



ing for their works. Business was conducted 
under the name of the Homebreaker- Keener Com- 
pany until July, 1894, when the partnership was 
dissolved. Mr. Keener then purchased the in- 
terest of his partner, and has since continued alone 
in business. The location of the house is at 
No. ^^7 Broad Street, where, in addition to the 
manufacture of files and rasps, he cuts, tempers, 
hardens and finishes up .steel for various manu- 
facturing purposes. He manufactures rasps from 
bar steel, and files from the rough. The house 
has a capacity for turning out from one hundred 
and seventy-five to two hundred files every twen- 
ty-four hours. The business amounts to several 
thousand dollars each year, and the products are 
shipped from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and North 
and South. Mr. Keener him.self does much of 
the traveling for the house. 

In 1878 Mr. Keener was united in marriage in 
Middletown with Miss Matilda Homebreaker, a 
native of Germany, and daughter of Peter and 
Wilhelmina (Schilling) Homebreaker. Her fa- 
ther was a file manufacturer by trade, and fol- 
lowed that work both in his native land and after 
he came to America. On coming to this coun- 
try, he located in Pompton, N. J., where he was 
employed at his trade for a short time. After 
living in various places, he came to Middletown. 
about 1858, and entered the employ of Wheeler, 
Madden & Clemson, file manufacturers. He yet 
resides in this city, and w-orks at his trade. Mrs. 
Keener was reared in this country, and she has 
become the mother of six children: Mabel, Emma 
M., Clara J., P^lorence, Grover Cleveland and Al- 
fred Robert, all of whom reside at home. 

Since coming to Middletown Mr. Keener has 
been quite successful, and in addition to his busi- 
ness interests owns property at Nos. 37 and 47 
Broad Street. Fraternally he is a member of 
Luther Lodge No. 380, I. O. O. F., in which he 
has passed all the chairs, and has twict repre- 
sented the lodge in the grand lodge of the 
state. He is Trustee of the Odd Fellows' Home 
in Westchester County, this state. He is also a 
member of the Maennerchor, and was Second 
President of the association. As a business man 
he is conservative, and is a member of the Mid- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1399 



dletown Co-operative Store Company. The files 
which he manufactures are considered the best in 
the country. Both parents are members of the 
Congregational Church. 

EHARLKS H. SMITH, of Middletown, is a 
successful architect and civil engineer, and 
at present is serving in the latter capacity, 
the duties of which office he has discharged in a 
manner eminently satisfactory to the people. His 
office is located in the Trust Building, at No. 75 
North Street, and his time is busily occupied in 
the management of his extensive business and 
professional interests. 

The first representative of this branch of the 
Smith family in Orange County was our subject's 
grandfather, Melancton, a native of New York, 
and a farmer in Chenango County, whence he 
removed to the town of Wallkill. When ad- 
vanced in years he came to Middletown and set- 
tled at No. 12 William Street, where he lived re- 
tired until his death, at the age of seventy-five. 
Our subject's father, George, was born in Ox- 
ford, Chenango County, but was reared in Or- 
ange County. Early in life he entered the em- 
ploy of the Erie Road, and after a time became 
Roadmaster of the Eastern Division of the Erie. 
In 1887 he accepted a position as Roadmaster for 
tlie New York, Su,squehanna & Western Rail- 
road, which position he still holds, with head- 
quarters at Middletown. His wife, Abbie J. 
Horton, was born in the town of Wallkill, and 
was the daughter of A. J. Horton, who for many 
years served as station agent and Postmaster at 
Howells. 

The family of George and Abbie J . Smith 
consisted of seven children, of whom all but one 
are living. Charles H., who is next to the eldest, 
was born in Howells, this county, in 1861, and 
was reared principally in Paterson, N. J., where 
lie resided from the age of six to sixteen. From 
that place he came to Middletown, where he has 
since resided. After graduating from Wallkill 
Academy, at the age of nineteen, he took up civil- 
engineering, and spent two years in practical 



work under Chief Engineer O. Chanute, of the 
Erie Road. He then entered Lehigh University, 
and for two years was a student in the depart- 
ment of civil-engineering. Later he was Assist- 
ant Engineer between Ridgewood and Ruther- 
ford, N. J., after which he was promoted to the 
position of Division Engineer on the Erie, his 
headquarters being at Elmira for two years. He 
was then transferred to a similar position on the 
Western Division, with headquarters at Hornells- 
ville, his territory being between that city and 
Dunkirk, also the Bradford ( Pa. ) Branch. In 
that capacity he was employed for two and one- 
half years. 

At Hornellsville, N. Y., in 1890, Mr. Smith 
married Mi.ss Minnie A. Hollands, whose father, 
George Hollands, was a prominent business man 
of that place and at one time Sheriff of Steuben 
County. In 1890 Mr. Smith was appointed As- 
sistant Chief Engineer of the New York, Ontario 
& Western Railway, with headquarters at Mid- 
dletown. For three years he held that position, 
being under E. Canfield, Chief Engineer, and hav- 
ing charge of the division extending from Oswe- 
go to New York City, with all the branches. In 
1893 he resigned in order to give his attention 
wholly to civil-engineering, and in the .spring of 
the following year he opened an office in Middle- 
town. About the same time he was appointed 
City Engineer by the Council, in which capacity 
he has since served. 

A number of new streets in this citv have been 
opened by Mr. Smith. He is Chief Engineer of 
the Middletown & Goshen Traction Company, of 
which he was one of the organizers, and in which 
he is a stockholder and Director. He laid out the 
Central Park Addition to the city, comprising six 
hundred acres, also the R. N. Boak tract of forty 
acres, Columbia Park, Richmond Hill and other 
portions of the city that are fast growing in pop- 
ularity. He had the contract for the engineering 
of water works at various towns in the count>-, 
and is now making surve\s, and is Chief Engi- 
neer, for the Middletown & Bloomingburg Electric 
Street Railroad, being one of the organizers and 
Directors of that company. Recently he com- 
pleted an elegant residence for his family at No. 



1400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 29 South Street, and in addition to this property 
he owns nine acres of land in the southern part 
of the city. 

It has been Mr. Smith's custom to attend the 
annual meetings of the American Society of Civil 
Engineers, of which he is a member. He is con- 
nected with the Middletown Club, the Board of 
Trade, and is an honorary member of the Excel- 
sior Hook and Ladder Company. In religious be- 
lief he is associated with the Second Presbyterian 
Church of Middletown. He is an enterprising 
business man, and employs four assistants in 
his office. 



EOL. CHARLES WILLIAM LARNED, Pro- 
fessor of Drawing in the United States Mili- 
tar\- Academy at \\'est Point, was born in 
the city of New York, March 9, 1850, and is the 
.son of William Larned, Additional Paymaster in 
the United States army, who died of disease 
contracted in the field in the performance of his 
duties during the War of the Rebellion. His 
great-grandfather, William Larned, was an officer 
of the Revolutionar\- War. and his progenitor, 
William Larned, came over to Charlestown. Mass., 
among the early Puritans, in 1632, and was one 
of the Selectmen of that town. 

Colonel Larned entered the United States mili- 
tary as cadet July i, 1866, and was graduated 
from that institution June 15, 1870. His graduat- 
ing leave was spent in Europe during the Franco- 
Prussian War. His fir.st assignment was to the 
Third United States Cavalry, but before reporting 
for duty he was transferred to the Seventh Cav- 
aln,-, which regiment he joined at Ft. Hays, Kan., 
in October, 1870. He was temporarily assigned 
to "D" Troop, and commanded it during the 
march to Ft. Leavenworth, where he wintered. In 
March of the following year the regiment was se- 
lected for .ser\-ice in the South during the recon- 
struction period, and Lieutenant Larned moved 
with the headquarters to Louisville. Ky., where 
he remained with his troop until sent in com- 
mand of a detachment of men to Livingston, Ky . , 
for the purpose of assisting the United States 



Marshal in his raids upon illicit distilleries dur- 
ing the winter and spring of 1873. In April of 
that year the regiment was ordered to Dakota to 
protect the sur\-ey of the Northern Pacific Road, 
and rendezvoused at Yankton, where, after being 
buried under the snow in a blizzard, it marched 
to Ft. Lincoln, and thence, under command of 
Gens. D. S. Stanley and G. A. Custer, it pene- 
trated the then unknown region of the Yellow- 
stone and Musselshell Rivers. 

As topographical officer. Lieutenant Larned 
mapped the route of the expedition, and was pres- 
ent at the fight with Sitting Bull, at the mouth of 
the Big Horn River. During the winter of 1873- 
74, he was ordered to Washington on special duty 
in the office of the Secretary- of War, and the fol- 
lowing August was ordered to report to the Mili- 
tary Acadenn- for duty as instructor in the de- 
partment of drawing, under Prof. Robert Weir. 
In July, 1876, after receiving his promotion to a 
First Lieutenancy in the cavalry, he was, upon 
the letirement of Professor Weir, appointed to 
succeed him, and has continuously held the chair 
of Drawing up to the present, with the as.simil- 
ated rank of Colonel since 1886. 

Colonel Lamed is a member of the Century, 
the L'nion League and Church Clubs, of Xew 
York; he is also a member of the Federation of 
Fine Arts and the Architectural League of that 
cit}', and a member of the American Philological 
Association. He has been a frequent contributor 
to art and other periodicals. 



0AXIEL H. MERRITT, one of the promi- 
nent general fanners of this county, was born 
January i, 1835, on the farm which he now 
occupies. Here he has passed his entire life, anu 
has aided, by his perseverance and honest}-, in 
making the community one of the best of the 
county. His father, Daniel, was also born on 
this farm, the year of his birth being 1799. The 
grandfather. LTnderhill Merritt, was a descendant 
of French ancestry, and was bom in Westchester 
County, this state. Prior to the Revolutionary 
War, Humphrey, the grandfather of L'nderhill 




JOSEPH BOARD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1403 



Merritt, settled on the land now owned by our 
subject. He became the owner of a verj- large 
tract of land, and a portion of the property has 
been handed down from generation to generation, 
being retained in the famil\' all these years. 

On this place the father of Daniel H. died May 
7, 1867. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Eliza Hait, was born in Ulster County in 1805, 
being a daughter of John and Jennie Hait, who 
were old residents of that county. Mrs. Merritt 
died on the old homestead in August, iSgi, and 
her body was buried beside that of her husband 
in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Her children, four in 
number, were as follows: Daniel H., of this 
sketch; Hiram, who is engaged in the real-estate 
business in New York City; Mar}- J., who is the 
wife of Daniel T. McFarlan, of Yonkers, N. Y.; 
and Theodore, a druggist of Newburgh. 

The educational advantages which the schools 
of the district afforded were given to our subject, 
and he also earl}- acquired a thorough knowledge 
of farm work. As a result of the manner in 
which he was trained to agricultural pursuits, he 
is now enabled to superintend the operations of 
his farm in a mo.st efficient manner. In addition 
to raising the usual amount of grain, he devotes 
some attention to breeding live stock, and has on 
his place a number of fine horses, cattle and swine. 
He has never desired office, but is content to use 
his influence in a quiet waj', upholding the prin- 
ciples of the Republican part)' in a loyal manner. 
If the citizens of New York were all of this type, 
our state, which we love .so dearly, would increase 
in prosperity tenfold. 



30SEPH BOARD, a prominent business man 
of Chester, was born in the town of Chester, 
November 9, 1842. He is the eldest child of 
Peter S. and Madeline 1 Conklin ) Board, the for- 
mer a native of Boardville, N. J., where he re- 
mained until twenty years of age, when he came 
to Che.ster and took up his abode with his uncle. 
Peter Board, who was a quiet, unassuming man. 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his 
death, in September, 1853, and was respected by 

61 



all who knew him. He was a son of Gen. Charles 
Board, also born in Boardville, N. J., where he 
spent his entire life. The latter was prominent 
in New Jersey politics and represented his county 
several times in the Legislature. He was a son 
of Joseph Board, who was born at Bloomfield, 
N. J., and who spent his entire life there and at 
Boardville. With his brother he pre-empted the 
land on which our subject's father and grand- 
father were born. Joseph Board was a Captain 
in the Revolutionary War, and was a son of Cor- 
nelius Board, who emigrated from England to 
America in 1730. It is the impression that he 
was sent here by Lord Sterling to establish an 
iron manufactory. We quote the following tes- 
timony of James, son of Cornelius Board, in a con- 
troversy as to the boundary line between the 
Wawayanda and Cheesecock Patents: 

"James Board, born in England. Came with 
my parents to America in 1730. My father was 
sent by Lord Sterling to di.scover copper mines, 
and purchased one hundred acres at what is now 
known as Sterling Pond, under the New Jersey 
grant of 1736. He afterwards made further loca- 
tion of one hundred and fifty acres. Later, in 
1738, he built a forge. In 1740 he removed to 
Ringwood, and soon after the forge was started 
sold it to Colden & Ward." 

Our subject, who has spent considerable time 
ni tracing the genealogy of the Board family, 
thinks that Cornelius Board came from Bristol, 
England. Mrs. Board, the mother of our sub- 
ject, was a native of the town of Warwick, and 
died in 1S84. 

Joseph Board, the subject of this sketch, re- 
ceived his primary education in Chester, under 
Prof. Edward Orton. At the age of twentv he 
entered Amherst College in Massachu-setts, finish- 
ing the course in 1867. He then returned to 
Chester, and January i , 1868, engaged in the feed 
and Ivnnber business. In 1883 he added coal, and 
has since been successfully engaged in this trade. 
He is among the oldest established business men 
in the village. 

Joseph Board was united in marriage, January 
3, 1868, with Miss Josephine Bradburj- Curr\-, 
a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Tebbetts) 



1404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Curry, natives of Sanboniton, X. H., where Mrs. 
Board was born. She died April 6, 1869. She 
was a prominent teacher in the Chester schools 
prior to her marriage, and her health was seri- 
ously impaired while engaged in this profession. 
November 2, 1870, Mr. Board was married to 
Hannah A. Curr\', a sister of his former wife, who 
was also born in New Hampshire. This union 
was blessed by the birth of five children, one of 
whom, Helen, died at the age of two and a-half 
years. Those living are: Joseph Orton, who 
was so named by his father to perpetuate the 
name in the family; Anna Tebbetts, Ben Curry 
and Josephine Clougli, all of whom yet reside at 
home. Mr. Board is a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church and Mrs. Board of the Episcopal 
Church. Socially he is a member of the D. K. E., 
a college society, and of the Phi Beta Kappa 
Society. 

The Board family was of Democratic extrac- 
tion, but our subject associated himself with the 
Republican party when a young man, and cast 
his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 
1864. He has ever since affiliated with that par- 
ty and has been active in its councils. In 1877 
he was elected Excise Commissioner, and in 1878 
he was elected Supervisor of this town, creditably 
filling the position for three years. In 1883 he 
was again chosen for this position and served 
for two years. He has served on the Board of 
Education for the past twenty years, and is at 
present the President of that bod}-. In 1892 he 
served as managing superintendent of the laying 
of the pipes for the Chester Water Works. At 
present he is the efficient clerk of the Village 
Board of Chester. 

Joseph Board is well and favorably known 
throughout the county and has several times been 
chosen as admini.strator of estates. In 1869 he 
was commissioned to deliver two new passenger 
cars on the Union Pacific Road, and he extended 
his tour to California, spending some two months 
in the Golden State.. In 1883 he made an ex- 
tensive trip through the Southwest, visiting Tex- 
as, Arizona and several of the Southern and West- 
ern States. In 1887 he made a trip to England, 
Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, France, Italy, Ger- 



many, Austria and Switzerland, spending some 
four months in his foreign travels, and in the 
near future he contemplates another trip to the 
Old Country. In 1884 he was nominated by his 
party for the Assembly, and although the county is 
largely Democratic, he came within sixty-seven 
votes of election. 



^>-^<^ 



EHARLES W. DOELL, of Middletown, en- 
tered the employ of the New York, Ontario 
& Western Railway Company April 30, 1886, 
as a brakeraan, later became a flagman, and Oc- 
tober 12, 1889, was promoted to the position of 
conductor, which he has since held. He was 
born in the Tenth Ward, New- York City, April 
7, i860. The family of which he was a mem- 
ber originated in Germany, and his paternal 
grandfather, Charles A. Doell, was born in Miii- 
den, from which place he emigrated to America 
and settled in New York City. He was a brewer 
of Weiss beer, and was the first to introduce it 
into New York. His death occurred when he was 
eighty-two. 

The father of our subject, whose name was 
also Charles, was born in New York City, and 
was a civil engineer by occupation, being em- 
ployed principally by the Government, and mak- 
ing surveys throughout almost the entire coun- 
try. His last work was in Duluth, Minn., w-here 
he surveyed a township for three hundred fami- 
lies. Later he took passage on the steamship 
"Henry Ames," bound for New Orleans for a 
coast survey, but while on board ship he died at 
Cairo, 111. This was in 1873, and he was forty - 
three years of age. During the War of the 
Rebellion he had served for three years and six 
months as Corporal in Company A, Seventx- 
third New York Infantry, Excelsior Brigade, 
under Gen. D. E. Sickles. His w4fe, Mary, was 
born in Germany, and died in Port Jervis in 1876. 
She was a daughter of Jacob Hauber, who for a 
time was employed as horseman in the king's 
stables in his native land, and who died on board 
ship as the family were en route to America. 

There were five children in the familv of Charles 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1405 



and Man^ (Hauber) Doell, of whom three are 
living, viz.: Charles; George, a railroad man, re- 
siding in Paterson, N. J.; and James, who is em- 
ployed in the saw works at Middletown. At the 
age of nine years our subject accompanied the 
family from New York City to Providence, R. I., 
and one year later he removed with them to Port 
Jervis. There he learned the trade of glove-cut- 
ting and kid-leather dressing. In 1886 became 
to Middletown and entered the employ of the On- 
tario & Western as brakeman between Norwich 
and Weehawken, later worked as flagman be- 
tween Middletown and Weehawken. and in 1889 
was made conductor, his run being between 
Middletown and Weehawken on the express 
freight. 

In Port Jervis Mr. Doell married Miss Mary 
Green, who was born in Mongaup, Sullivan Coun- 
ty, N. v., her father, Gabriel Green, having 
been a farmer there. One child, Mary, blesses 
their union. Since January, 1885, Mr. Doell has 
been a member of Middletown Lodge No. 40, 
Order of Railway Trainmen, and has been a dele- 
gate to the biennial conventions i)f the order at 
St. Paul. Minn., in 1889: Galesburg, 111., in 
1891: Boston, in 1893; and Galesburg, 111., in 
1895. F°'' fi^'^ years he was Secretarj' of his 
lodge, served as Master one year, and is now 
serving his second year as Financier. The lodge 
has increased in numbers since he united with it, 
and now has ninety-three members. In national 
politics he is a Democrat. 



j—RANK M. STRATTON. To those who, 
j^ appreciating the vast po.ssibilities offered by 
I the real-estate business, embark therein, 
guiding their transactions with caution, discrim- 
ination and sagacity, success almost invariably 
comes. vSuch has been the fortunate experience 
of Mr. Stratton. who is not only one of the 
>oungest real-estate men of Middletown, but one 
of the shrewdest and most enterprising as well. 
For the history of the Stratton family, the 
reader is referred to the sketch of our subject's 
father, William D. Stratton, which appears else- 



where in this volume. Frank M. was born in 
ThompsonviUe, Sullivan County, March i, 1872, 
and was reared in his native place, receiving his 
rudimentary education there. He prepared for 
college at Wallkill Academy, and in 1891 en- 
tered Columbia College, where he remained one 
year, leaving to engage in business for himself 
His first venture was the West Mew tract of land, 
situated in New Jersey, eight miles from New 
York City, and which his father had purchased 
and commenced to improve. In 1892 he took 
charge of the property, of which he took pos- 
session the following year. It consists of eighty- 
two acres, subdivided into one thousand lots, 
and situated on the Hackensack River, and on the 
West Shore and the Susquehanna & Western 
Railroads. The entire property is platted into 
residence lots, with the exception of twelve acres 
of river frontage, to be utilized for manufactur- 
ing purposes. The tract adjoins Ridgefield Park, 
and is within the limits of the same. 

In 1893 Mr. Stratton purcha.sed the River Edge 
tract of forty acres, of which one-half has been 
platted and is rapidly building up. This prop- 
erty is situated sixteen miles out of New York 
City, on the NewJerse\- & New York Railroad, a 
branch of the Erie, and also on the Hackensack 
River. In 1894 Mr. Stratton bought the Cherry 
Hill propertj- of forty acres, which he intends to 
develop soon. He has an office in New York 
City, at No. i Park Row, and at Middletown in 
the Casino Theatre Building. He is interested 
in the foundry property on Kings Street, Middle- 
town, which has been platted into lots, and also 
in the Eagle Hose Company's building, a brick 
business block in the center of the city. 

The firm of Stratton & Corey, in December, 
1894, bought fifty-eight acres, comprising the old 
Rockafellow Farm, which they have laid out into 
a beautiful addition at an expense of $3,000. 
This is proving one of the most successful of their 
ventures. Aside from his other interests, Mr. 
Stratton is a stockholder in the Casino Theatre 
Building and Secretary of the company that owns 
it. He is also interested in the Orange County 
Telephone Company, of which he is a Director. 
Since Augu.st, 1888, he has made his home in 



1406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



Middletown, where he owns a beautiful residence 
on the corner of Wisner and Grand Avenues. 
He was married in this city, his wife heing Miss 
Delle Wilkes, daughter of Mrs. Theodore Wilkes, 
of Middletown. Politically he affiliates with the 
Democratic party. He is a member of the Board 
of Trade, and .sixrially is connected with the Mid- 
dletown Club. 



0ANIEI., FINN, a leading and successful at- 
torney of Middletown, traces his ancestry- 
back to his great-great-grandfather. Dr. Finn, 
who came from Finland, leaving home when a 
mere lad. After landing in New York City, he 
went to Goshen, where he was educated, and 
where he began the study of medicine. He com- 
menced to practice his profession near Little 
Britain, at a time when this section of the coun- 
try was known as Ulster County. In 17500116 
of his descendants was Surrogate of Orange 
County, and Assemblyman of this district. The 
great-grandfather was a Baptist minister, and 
preached in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For 
some time before the ma.ssacre he was an inmate 
of the old fort of Wyoming, and while there his 
vigilance kept the Indians out and none of their 
stratagems succeeded, but after he left the fort 
the fearful ma.ssacre occurred. 

Daniel Fiiui, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Beaver County, Pa., and served 
in the War of 1812. Shortly after the war he 
settled in Warwick, where he worked at his trade 
of blacksmith, and subsequently engage<l in farm- 
ing until old age compelled him to retire, when 
he moved to Middletown, and died at the resi- 
dence of his sonin-law. Rev. Dr. Seward. His 
wife, Alice Armstrong, was born near Florida, 
Orange County, and her ancestors came from 
F^ngland in the same ve.s.sel with the Clintons. 

William Finn, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Orange County, and was born near 
Warwick. By occupation he was a farmer, and 
followed that vocation almost his entire life, but 



shortly before his death removed to Vineland, 
N. J., where he died at the age of sixty-six years. 
He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at 
Florida, as was also his father before him. His 
wife, Frances Halsey, was born in Morris County, 
N. J., and was a daughter of Alexander Hal.sey, 
who was al.so a native of that state. The Hal- 
seys were originally from Long Island. Her 
mother, formerly a Miss Hedge, was a lineal 
descendant of Henry Hudson. She died in 
1867. In the parental family were four children, 
three of whom are now living. 

Daniel I'iun, the subject of this sketch, was the 
eldest in the family, his birth occurring in West- 
field, Ciiautauqua County, N. V., November 9. 
1843, and he is the only one of the family in 
Orange County bearing the name of Finn. He 
was reared on a farm near F'lorida, and attended 
Seward Institute, where he preparetl for college. 
After teaching school for a time, he entered I'nion 
College, where he spent part of one year, and 
then entered Hamilton College, in the third term 
of the freshman class. In 1868 he graduated 
with the degree of A. B., and during his last 
year, in addition to the regular course, took a 
course in the Hamilton Law School. On gradu- 
ating, he studied in the law office of McQuoid, at 
Middletown, and in the office of Osborn & Swayne, 
of Toledo, Ohio. He was admitted to the New 
York Bar in the fall of 1S70, and in the spring of 
1871 opened an office in Middletown, where the 
Merchants' Bank is now located, and there re- 
mained until 1873, at which time the firm of 
Hulse, Little & Finn was formed. This lasted 
two years, and was then succeeded by the firm 
of Hnlse& Finn, which one year later was dis- 
solved, since which time Mr. F'inn has conducted 
his practice alone. Since 1873 he has been in 
his pre.sent location, in what is now known as the 
Lipfeld Building, but which was forincrly known 
as the Postoffice Building. 

Since connnencing practice, Mr. Finn has been 
a very active man. While he conducts a genera! 
practice, his business is mo.stly of a chancery na- 
ture. In the .settlement of estates, and in liti- 
gation that frequently follows, he has had wide 
experience. Since its organization he lias been at- 




leani)i;r brink. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1409 



torney for the Merchants' Bank, and is also attor- 
ney for the Cosmopolitan Theatre Company, in 
both of which he is a stockholder. Socially he 
is a member of Clinton Lodge, F. & A. M.; Mid- 
land Chapter, R. A. M.; and Delaware Com- 
mandery at Port Jervis. While in college he 
became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon 
Society. He is a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church of Middletown, in which he is 
Trustee. In politics he is a Republican, but has 
never held a civic office. 

Mr. Finn married Miss Clara S. Slauson, of 
Wawayanda, and a sister of N. W. vSlauson. 
They have one child, Frank Hal.sey, a graduate 
of the Class of '94, of Middletown Academy, and 
who is now attending Hamilton College, a mem- 
ber of the Class of '98. 

In the quarter of a centurj- Mr. Finn has 
practiced his profession in Middletown, success 
has crowned his efforts in almost every direction. 
As an attorney he ranks high, and as a counselor 
he is reliable. By consanguinity he is related to 
the Sewards, and is well posted in their family 
history. 

j BANDER BRINK. The history of the hard- 
\r\ ^^'^^^ business of which Mr. Brink is pro- 
LJ prietor extends back to the year 1842, when 
I. O. Beattie opened a store in Middletown. He 
was succeeded by the firm of King & DeWitt, 
after which the establishment was owned succes- 
sively by King, DeWitt & King, A. C. King & 
Scott, and vSayer & Scott. When Mr. Sayer en- 
tered the Union army during the Civil War, the 
title was changed to Scott Brothers, but soon one 
of the latter became a .soldier and went to the 
front, where lie was killed during the engage- 
ment in the Wilderness. 

Afterward the business was carried on b}- Scott 
& Vail and Vail & Brink until 1879, when the 
firm name was changed to Vail, Brink & Clark, 
and in 1885 the present title of Brink & Clark 
was adopted. In .spite of these frequent changes 
of name, the business has been conducted on 
practically the same site since it was founded, 



April I, 1845. The present building was erected 
in 1865, and the extension to King .Street added 
in 1877. The structure has a frontage on North 
Street, with dimensions of 24x120, and on King 
Street 18x60. Each of the four floors is occu- 
pied, the first floor containing the heavy goods, 
the second or main floor being utilized for the re- 
tail trade, while on the third floor tinware and 
stoves are manufactured. On the fourth floor 
are stored goods not in present demand. The 
stock is unusually large, and comprises every 
variety of heavy and shelf hardware, furnaces 
and heating apparatus of all kinds. Employ- 
ment is furnished to five clerks and four work- 
men in the factory. 

The subject of this notice, to whom tlie success 
of the enterprise is largely due, is one of Middle- 
town's most public-.spirited citizens. He was 
born in the town of Shawangunk, Ulster County, 
January 30, 1833, and is a son of James Brink, 
whose birth occurred in the town of Wallkill, 
Orange County, in 1804. The grandfather, 
Cornelius, was born on Long Island, and settled 
in Wallkill, becoming a prominent farmer there. 
He served in the American army during the War 
of 1812. Until his death, which occurred at 
eighty-four years, he had been for some years an 
Elder in the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloom - 
ingburg. The great-grandfather, Cornelius, Sr., 
was a lifelong resident of Long Island. The 
family is of Dutch lineage and of sturdy old 
Knickerbocker stock. 

After his marriage to Jane Horton, in 1827, 
the father of our subject .settled in Shawangunk, 
Ulster County, where for a time he engaged in 
farming. In 1835 ^^ removed to Schuyler Coun- 
ty, and settled near the head of Seneca Lake, at 
the present city of Watkins. The journey thither 
was made with teams and wagons, his family ac- 
companying him. That part of the state was 
then considered the far West, and he was en- 
titled to the title of pioneer. In 1852 he moved 
to Genoa, Cayuga County, where he successfully 
conducted farm pursuits. There his death occur- 
red June I, 1895, at the age of ninety years, seven 
months and one day. He was a .stockliolder in 
the Tompkins National Bank, and in politics ad- 



PQRT&AIT AMD BlOGSAFBECAl, RBCOKH 



hoed to Ja c i LsoHM n psinc^les. A man o£ re- 
mtaAaiie ciiaiacser. me3ess eaesrgr. laimaJTO^^aiag 
int^iitr and Uaoaicless li&i. be -wss 3'0«ti^ s>cc 
alone br his feaily, bat bv aS vidii vbcam be bad 
bosan^ or social lefaAkns. 

The XBOi^KT ofi OUST smfojedt iras K'vm is the 
x^wT> of'WallkiS. whesre herfesber. SSLas D. Hor- 
lon. engaged ia ^riiung ouiil Ms death at itib>e 
age of Eocae thaa §mscase years: £^ csed im 
i&ic, :£gied rarearr-sisaie. ASerwaro liiie alSies- 
aaarrje^ Mass EteOab Martau, a saatJve off T^oraip- 
kims CoBoatv, aiad nnto idaeaa 'wene bora sax cbSl- 
diesa. all ssiil Bring. Of ibe fersfi manriage. ioasr 
c3ai3d3cn -vreie bom. all liTis^. as KilQcnrs: Mai^ 
Mssv WiHiaiBS, ofBnuSett, X. Y.: LeassiSer: 3Iis. 
Hliaa HoElisES'. of Cayiaga Cocuii£y: asd HaszaeS. 
wbo is at hoQie. At die iiaiaaal oa" tlse &siter. 
thiee soeK and thsee SKSK-isa-Jaw ■Brene the pall- 
bearers. 

When tvo years old oar snl^ect 'vras takes by 
his parents to Scbnyler Coiaiaty. and hs> boyhood 
days Toete passed oa a &Tm near WatkiiBS. When 
five years of i^ he «as fanst^ht to Orange ConiD- 
rr oo a TEit. In 1S54 be came to Middleicv: 
and began as derk ixr bis oatcie. Hiiam Btmk. .^ 
fainiUue dealer, with whom he lezaained as c^k 
nntil October. 1S57- He was then admitted X5 
paftner. die firm i»nie beoaaiiii^ H. & L. Brii&. 
In 1S64 be went to Saginaw. \[>c3a.. aisd engaged 
in the manu&ctHDne of salt, tmakfag it by the Sy- 
racnse process. Tlie capacity of tiae wxwks was 
doe bandied and fifty thonsand barsids a year. 
A jcKnt-sSock company was ^isnined. kmcwn as 
the Onnge COnnty Salt Cosninany. aiad of it he 
was made Saperintendrnt. He comtinned the 
opsatioD of the wcsks until 1S67. when be le- 
tnmed to Middksown. Howerer. he letained 
his inteses in the salt works Kw seven years, s^- 
ing oot in 1876. 

WTsea biDsiness afeirs aie in a cosaditsanto per- 
xait a vacitkiei. Mr. Brink is accnsSneEied to take 
a reila3»tion firosn work. He has visated the 
Rocky MoDntains^ and enjoyed the :^i>03t of bostt- 
ing the amimats of that r^ion. In 1$^ be toxok 
a trip to EniK!^. accompanied by his wiie. Leav- 
ij^ June II of that year, they sf*HJt thiee months 
vissdng Ej^JaiKl Ime^and. Scodand. France. 



SmiUicalaBd and Hi inaiinj and tfaoroDgUy en- 

-jcyed this glimpse of Emroiiiean ciEtaaas and 
t<>?>wi3& IntesicfSed in man^v be onms a nasabesr 
of tb^e in ColoBada. asd is ixilei^aed in ammx!- 
fectmis^ enceipriss^ is X^sa^;;a. While a Re- 

pnbiican in politics, he isidiin^ toward ProhifaR- 
tioa psincqiles and ea shdb of stixH^ tesiperaaioe 
isentimait. He has ntaSe a jmHriiiik aMe s^acce^ 
boidi of the whoiesale and reSail depaitzoei^iis iaf 
bis Ih^ijss?. a2>d at tbe ^es bis exhibDtiGQss in- 
varaaMy leeesre Stss psreminna- 

At Middletown. in 1^57. Mr. Brink ma raied 
Mes Mary Hortoeo. dan^btes" of Hiram Hartm. a 
&rmer of die tic«wn of WaUkil Ther r^de at 
Xoi. 39 SoBJth Sareet. aiod tbor ywsniaig^ cMM, 
Jennie, a gradstate of Uissaiiaae Cora-vient. is ioow 
wida daem. Their sfim. Cirarte^ H.. is cMg a g od 
in diephambsE^bosiQessistbiscEty. Mrs.Baink 
is a member of the Secciad Pinef^yter^n Clnirc& 
and intssesSed in aM its goctG w^crks. T9^ &iBi3y 
rank high svciallly ashl £ie bigbly esseerated who'- 
erer knoMm. 



5^ 



M E. McWnXIAMS. Assessor 

;:;Ti— , 5s a nswessniaiive of tr.r 
anterrsniaag isasiiiess iman cc 
tber^.- - XTinn aa ^ae fiwara of WaMkain. 

nearS-:." - 3<f>i. His gTest-graaidtolber. 

Jobis M; "■-i> --. zKEliTie of SoatlaBii- ai»d 

was oBie of : . rs who came noaa dat 

CMintry to A -.r ssetdoii in the town of 

WaMkill. ac. .; 'Cif Scot<ditown was iv> 

itaaned on ac: . S:v:<c<d3 sestkimeat at t^at 

place. Hese Stewan McWilEaxas. tSae graaada- 
ther. and J. Sr^socer McWSiSfiaas. the latber. cf 
ODT ssa^igect- were born. The laltor is OBie of the 
3JK165 extejnsave droTxesrs and stock-deaHers in the 
vicinity, and now rieade? «q Wicklifiaa Awsarae. 
3kIidd3etown. He married Sssssa: Ksiky Coilemaai. 
wlsoi was bcwn near Scoscbtown. aastS W3!cise fitbs-T-. 
\l113iaia X. Coiessan. was bijra at Asaiiy. Orasge 
Cosmty. Her gieat-gneat-gras^ifstiieT-, XatSsaaaid; 
Fssjdi. was an Adjutamt ia the Mansaiok Masss- 
csne sasder Cc3i«ae3 Tttstesi. and peri^iied with the 
ress of bis cvxaaraiies. His name is inscribed on 



AND BIOC^APHICAL REO(»IX 1451 



zie 3E:ais3iiieiE; --■ _'- - ; -- '-'■■-:■:- ;v? >Ks? CirrSeT, Siejuner. w4k-»25i aaEre«oa doa 

3« SEiteT.. m-£> . _ . rEIisfe. i3>d £ iitsgiter oc i2ae bite WiDsua T- 

m-i< i <cc 4^:" Cj-- ■: - — -- -_ -- .•-».._- Sibefije-. ^sso' w£> ;2ss:e eatr-Ss?e«3 !■ fiB«d*g- Sfce 

j:rT 3fi3Be. T^IUisar w^bccai ni JaBMaica.L.1.. is s g7e£:-j:Te^:-5::r^s£t-|:Ts=)Qce^liier of XTSIinK ' 
is i75X'~ S3A £r tSae age cf' « a i» aaisa i caS^aed ia ' Eteffi ;£2><i 5£rx3£ WeHi?^ :<u> ItBi^ehr <iim»Hi »1 ni 

Cifftaw Wn^e~s eoBspaarr aead Col. J<Aa Lasi^ C^xs^ Co.'qss^. XIt. McWiDiaaBS wad Ins wife 

er's bittaficaL, ai i^j^bbcmi sude vp efi sea Srana ksve rKv> «:M(<iTe=. £i%-ja- OdIsbu aad Ijesfeer 

Ias^ I-twrfl aoad New Toik. After Ibs lisst es- S^je^nsr. Is i^r^tk^ Mr. McXTilliuBS is a Re- 

fiacneiit Ik caae eoOnfoge CEM(■l^^. «tese be rtsibiScEs. ^s-i nii u<<5'«3>eSecftedCiiT Assessor ob 

agaa edfeted. beesan^ a aKaaiasr «>e Ce>uCQel i2u: ptrrv tk^^c. He is a Menherof Ae Secoad 

AWfea ww'-g in^iiiii|[n Ks esKii<e sesrice vss jirc Frescnr^snBa ClRXcii. isid k>s snred Aat bodv 

i^zree }n££:s. Oa eoMa^ %> tikis coaatr. CafCx^ ss a aHaber «<« ks Boaid oe TmEtees. la iMia- 

Baak;- seEEiled west ofl tihe caer Siadts <c« Mid£ie- aess xSbiis Ik is wAhre, vitih aa ^re siag^ to tdhe 

toam. vheie ke bo^ a k^ ca&ia awi begaa eiae best oAaFets of bis adofted dtr. aad is a ■Raa- 

■■iwiiw II Ml iiili OB a &z^ la ijSj be li«B«bs ibe Sir .^c't'^S' F>?ie>5 -x"" T?*-3e -x" M>-^:r«'-«T: 
fail as PUSi^elm^ aov owvedlwr £dvsjs MsHilfv 

ffisdeaA«ocaiicdaa3fiddfeh}WT ^r-- ^. 

He vae a kbb of ^aoafid pirrs 

bs^L aad re&uaed b^ aRafeal as.1 -■__..-^.^ . ;..; Gl----- " v - --; ■-.^-- c2eri 

natcbeliBlL la ae%iaBS bdief be mas a Pre^- Li ^ c Xev 

texiaa. aad serred as aa EUka- ia ibe chcBcb aa I I ^'~ ' ..^.■^. . vas 

Goi^Ba. His «iie. Sianr TMbiB. was a dai^- Wr :>. X Y.. Man^ 

tBT of X^tikanri TstfkaL, aid txaoed bo- aKssftnr 2e. .,-.:- ^_ _ .> ^ .-,. ^ . , .- 11 ^-5 Mirr CSsiife""' 

back to J«ba TasyiL wbo ca)He %> ibfe csoca- Reya.%K3& bi?c& ssthnes oc Xensr^c-k. Sdzvia 

Vrr a tbe good di^ "Svdkw" sa^ 53»e be- Coesiv >' "' -" — — ^ - --•,^— - --^ ,:> 

l.a*j>j a 1633 *"^ ■^>3ii&' **d seeded sb X^ Hxvea. bSs gett :^ 

b^ taaer iGHOved eDSaafibold. L. I. X^kl^lsM 3?^' 

TMbdl was aae of tbe iiiaaaeau eE «£ Orsa^e cr : 

CtoaBtr. aad paatk%aeed ia fibe los;^ cc F%. Sc; 

31 «i ^ gg»MH rr- ar: 

Wbaa oaar saibgect was bat asae j^eass^ 00 a^ :^.- 

his pmate. leaaoved fio liiddefeoara. aad be bae sz: ^ 

ii—lJifflidbi I I'Hiwf If Tmi "iir*|- >ri1i^iriii^ n \i iT a? . . - 

eanr. Ia iS;^ at tite iBge oc scTaaiceeEu be- e^- :±t . : ^ ■? 

gjged ■■ dK MacErr" r - - ^rs^ £i Xoi. 7 Wess aiic; .„ -^ 

TJM Saxeet. aoaS cc-: : sane icr aboort wbae be tear -. 

deceaveais. Hetic_ i_^^^._3« ebeaaswaaace Hopbai. tbe g- -^ -._c_. 

aad leaH-csaie laEsai^s. ia cv i — gaa? wisb Joba Tbe fadGter w^- a- Inr occa- 

licW3&a»s. aaderdKizs: i&KBieceJ. & W. £. |wiao«, aari h" . :- — -- 

licWiSSaKS. TbCT- were ix-iiei K Xol ^5 Xcrtb S. HL Reyn 

Sfeieet. wtere tbe basia^ was saccesralhr ooa- a asilwi^bt ^ 

1 iBtf3 iSgi^ wbea o«x sajfagect said bfe ■»- yeais be wa^ ... 

; wbicb tsae be bas beea e a g a g ed ia- aeri^ ia SaT 

drridaailr ia ba>iLig aad seOiag; leal estate He aad aa Ihi aa : 

is S B Lieftan r off tbe Cfea»aal Bagdi^ AsFwri a tin m. sided at TanV. 

of wbacb be was oae rftibe iaLwpu nfcas. ^rared u» 3£ 

Mt. McU TliSiw a ^ wasi aaujMail ia TIHiMi^iia^Tlaiii^ aad wbese bt - _ . 



141-^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



power for the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railway. His wife, Mary Childs. is a daughter 
of John G. Chillis, an atti)rne\- and ex Sheriff of 
.Sullivan County. 

The subject of this sketch is the only surviving 
child of the parental family. He attended the 
common and high schools at Tunkhannock, Pa., 
until 1883. when he went to Walton, N. V., and 
spent one year in the academy at that place. In 
July, 1884, he came to Middletown, and at once 
secured a clerkship in the office of the purchasing 
agent and paymaster of the New York, Ontario 
& Western Railway, where he remained until 
May, 1887, when he was transferred to New 
York, and later became secretary to the General 
Manager. He remained in that office until De- 
cember I, 1893, when he was again transferred 
and made chief clerk in the transportation de- 
partment of the same road. 

Fraternally Mr. Reynolds is a member of Hoff- 
man Lodge, F. Sc A. M. ; Midland Chapter, 
R. A. M.; Union Consistory at Middletown; and 
Mecca Temple, N. M. S., at New York. In pol- 
itics he is a Democrat. While yet a young man, 
he has had nearly twelve years' experience in th^ 
railroad business, and in every position occupied he 
has .served with fidelity, and has received the ap- 
proval of his superior officers. No man on the 
line of the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- 
way is more popular than the subject of this 
sketch . 

• ^ ^P > 

r^ O. LEWIS, mason and contractor at Mid- 
j^ dletown, was one of the youngest soldiers 
n\ in the late Civil War. He was born in 
Westchester County, N. Y., in December, 1848, 
and is eighth in the family of thirteen children 
born to William I. and Eliza (Mangum) Lewis. 
His father was also a native of Westchester 
County, and there resided until 1866, when he 
located at Port Jervis, where he followed his 
trade of contractor and builder until his death, 
at the age of sixty-eight. His wife, Eliza Man- 
gum, was also a native of Westchester County, 
and was a daughter of William Mangum, who for 
many years was engaged in the real -estate and 



hotel business in that conntw Of their thirteen 
children, eight are yet living. One son, Gilbert 
M., was a member of the Seventieth New York 
Infantry, which was a part of Gen. Dan Sickle's 
brigade. He was transferred to the First New 
York Mounted Rifles, and served until the close 
of the war, a period of four and a-half years. 
In one of the engagements in the Wilderness cam- 
paign he was .shot in the arm. He was mustered 
out as Quartermaster-Sergeant, and now lives in 
Scranton, Pa., where he is engaged in farming. 

The subject of this sketch remained in West- 
chester County until twelve years of age, and 
then attended school at Monticello. In June, 
1864, he enlisted as a private in Company G, 
First New York Light Artillery, and was mus- 
tered in at New York Cit)-. He was at once 
.sent to his battery at City Point, opposite Peters- 
burg, Va., and participated in the siege of Peters- 
burg, and also took part in all the movements 
around Richmond, resulting in its capture. He 
served until October, 1865, and was then mus- 
tered out at Elmira, N. Y. 

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Lewis went 
to Sullivan Countj-, where he remained until 
1866, and then came to Port Jervis, but remained 
there only a short time, going thence to New 
York City, where he worked under instruction 
as a mason for three years. He then engaged 
in contracting atid building in New York City, 
where he remained until 1875, and then returned 
to Port Jervis, where he contracted as a mason 
and builder until 1885. Since that time he has 
made his home in Middletown, where he has 
erected scores of buildings, among which is the 
Opera House. In addition to contracting and 
building, he has engaged to some extent in buy- 
ing and selling real estate. He is one of the 
originators of the Cosmopolitan Theatre Com- 
pany, of which he was a Director, but has since 
sold out. 

While a resident of Port Jervis, Mr. Lewis 
married Miss Kate Stearns, a native of that 
place, and a daughter of Josiah Stearns, a farmer, 
who has resided at Port Jervis fifty -two years. 
Four children have been born unto them: Lena, 
Eva, Stella and Roberta. 




DWIGHT W. BERRY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1.+I5 



FratemaDr Mr. Lewis is a membo- of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights 
of Pj-thias. and is a charter member of Capt. 
William A. Jackson Post. G. A. R. He also 
served five years in the Excelsior Hook and 
Ladder Company of Middletown. All work en- 
trusted to him is completed with the utmost care. 
As a citizen he is enterjHiaug and progressive. 
and is willing to do all in his power in building 
ap and maintaining the lepntaticMi of his ado{>ted 
cit>-. 



er- 



mm^ 



WIGHT W. BERRY. The first creamer> 
established in Middletown was started in 
April. 1S92. by Mr. Berry, whose thorough 
faniliaxity with ever\- detail of the business en- 
JLcled him to manage this enterprise successfully. 
The boildiag is situated on Cottage Street, near 
Wickham Avenue, and the plant has a capacity 
oi four thousand quarts per day. transportation 
being rendered easy through a switch of the New 
York. Ontario. &. Western Railroad. In addition 
to this concern, he owns a creamerj- at Cirdeville. 
with the same capacity- as this. He makes large 
shi{Niients of milk and cream, the latter, however. 
being his ^>ecialty. In the creamer>- tl^re are 
fine coolers, and an icehouse with a capacity of 
six hundred tons, every effort being made to se- 
cure parity and sweetness on the part of the 
products. For more than twent>--five years he 
has shipped cream to the well known J. M. 
Horton Ice-cream Ccwnpany. of New York Cit>-. 
and still continues to fbmish their regular supplj". 
In Pharsalia. Chenango County. X. Y.. Mr. 
Berry was bom. June 5. 1S39. His father, Rich- 
ard Wayne, was bom Ln Stonington, Conn., and 
was a son of Richard W. Berry. Sr., a native of 
Connecticut, but a pioneer of Chenango County. 
X. Y. The father, who was a farmer of Chenan- 
go Connty. was a man of remarkable industry- and 
perseverance, and possessed considerable influ- 
ence in his commnnit>-. For two terms he was 
Superintendent of the Poor, and was the s<^e 
Building Committee for the Chenango Conntv 



Poor Hoase. He also served as Supervisor. In 

politics he was a Democrat until the candidacy 
of General Fremont for President, after which he 
voted with the Republicans. In religion he was 
a Universalist. While hauling timber one day. 
he was accidentally killed. His wife, Lucy, was a 
daughter of Luther Osgood, a fanner of Chen- 
ango, where she was bom. and where she re- 
mained until death. 

Of four children now living, our subject is the 
eldest. His sisters are: Mar>- D.. of Noiwich. 
and Lucy O.. wife of George D. Brown, of Scran- 
ton. Pa. His brother. Hon. Silas W. Berr>-. now 
of Norwich, N. Y.. has held many important 
public positions, having been Supervisor. Super- 
intendent of the Poor of Chenango Count>- two 
tains. Member of the Legislature two terms, and 
Deputy Internal Revenue Collector of his district. 
He is a man of considerable influence, and a local 
leader in the Republican part>-. Our subject was 
reared on the home farm, and in youth received 
a good education in Oxford Academy, where he 
completed the course of instruction. He taught 
scfaotd for five successive winters, the first three 
terms being in Chenango Connt\-. After coming 
to Orange County, he taught one term in Wall- 
kill and another in Minisink. 

The year 1S62 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
Berrj- in this county, where for a short time he 
was employed in Alanson Slaughter's co-operative 
creamery-. Later, for three years, he was in 
charge of Brown & Bailey's creamery at Glen- 
wood, N- J., after which he purchased a cream- 
er>- three miles north of Middletown. known as 
the Rocfcville Creamery, carrying it on for twentj-- 
five years. His next purchase was the Circle\-ille 
Creamery", which he still operates. He was also 
a p»artner with Pound & Tayntor at New Berhn. 
Chenango Connty. establishing a creamerv- there. 
and craidncting it for three years, after which the 
connection was dissolved. For three years he 
owned and operated the Holmesville Creamer>-, 
and for about the same length of time he carried 
on a creamery at Morrisville. Madison County. 
N. Y. lu April, 1S92, he established the cream- 
ery at Middletown, which he has since conducted 
in a most efficient manner. 



I4I6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In this citj- Mr. Berrj' married Miss Marj' S. 
Boyd, who was born in Rockland County, being 
a daughter of Rev. John X. Boyd, a Presbyterian 
clergyman of this part of the state. Mr. Berry 
has taken a commendable interest in questions af- 
fecting the public welfare. For one term he 
represented the First Ward on the Board of Alder- 
men. He was the first member of the first Board 
of Water Commissioners elected under the new 
city charter, and served the full term of five years, 
during which time the Highland Lake reservoir 
was built. His popularity was attested by his 
election, on the Republican ticket, by a majority 
of fifty-seven in a ward that usually gave one hun- 
dred Democratic majority, to represent the First 
Ward on the Board of Super\-isors. In the Milk 
Exchange Limited he held the ofiice of Director 
for ten years. No one takes a deeper interest iu 
the progress of the city than does he, and certainly 
no one labors more to secure its advancement. 
His prominence has led to his election as a mem- 
ber of the County Republican Committee, and he 
has also sensed as delegate to county, senatorial 
and congressional conventions. 

EORNELIUS CASKEV was born in the town 
of Deerpark, on the banks of the Delaware 
River, August 11. 18 19. His father. Mar- 
tin Caskey, was born in the old Buckley House 
of Port Jer\is, Februar}- 11, 1783, and was a son 
of Samuel and Sarah (Decker) Caskey, who lo- 
cated there before the Revolution. Martin Cas- 
key was married, December 30, 1808, to Jane 
Meaddagh. daughter of Henr>- C. Meaddagh. 
who cleared the flats on the Pennsylvania side 
below where Matamoras now stands, and ran 
the ferrv. He lived there before the War for In- 
dependence. Martin Caskey died February 2, 
1839. He owned all the property along the Del- 
aware River now included in Germantown. and 
was a lumberman and raftsman, piloting the rafts 
down the river to the Philadelphia market. 

Cornelius Caskey began this work as a boy, 
and at the age of fourteen became a steersman, 
steering a raft the third time he went down the 



river. During his first years' work at that busi- 
ness he made five trips and has made as high as 
thirteen trips in a season, receiving from S40 to 
S55 per trip, and each trip took from two and a- 
half to seven days. During all the time he was 
on the river he never had but one mishap; his 
third raft, however, ran into the rocks at Trenton 
Falls, where he did not know the stream very 
well, and was broken into pieces. The Delaware 
contains a number of dangerous rapids, but he 
was careful and painstaking, and therefore had 
but one accident. On one occasion he took a 
companj- of tourists from Port Jervis to Phila- 
delphia on a flatboat. When the Erie Railroad 
bridge, two miles above Port Jer\-is, was carried 
off by the ice, he was called upon to take a rope 
across the river, and just a few days before this 
he and his son were engaged in ferrving pas- 
sengers across the river at Matamoras. When 
the bridge was destroyed the Super\-isor. E. J. 
Thomas, sent for Mr. Caskey, told him to get 
what supplies he needed and begin the work of 
repairing the bridge, which he did on the 19th 
of March, and on the 27th the cars were able to 
cross. The railroad company had ordered out 
two thousand men, and they spent two days in 
doing nothing, but Mr. Caskey dispatched the 
work quickly and faithfully. He and his son 
moved *he stone of the old abutments of the old 
bridge on flatboats to the position for the new 
bridge. He has been connected with nearly 
every piece of work on the river and knows ever\- 
turn and bend in the stream. 

In 1868, when an engine exploded at bridge 
Xo. I, and the engineer was thrown into the 
canal, the company had several men out searching 
for the body for hours, but they were not suc- 
cessful, and called upon Mr. Caskey. who found 
the body in a few minutes. On another occasion 
when a car loaded with cheese ran off of bridge 
Xo. 2 into the river, he succeeded in recovering 
within a short time seven ot the cheeses, and the 
next day a number of additional ones. Xo one is 
more familiar with the Delaware, and several 
times he has crossed the stream when no one else 
would attempt it. He has almost made the fast- 
est time with rafts that has ever been made on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



141; 



the river, and in his work was usually assisted 
by his son, who was also an expert in such work. 
He had many narrow escapes, but his thorough 
knowledge of every rock and bend in the river 
enabled him to always reach home in safety. 

Mr. Caskey was married, June 5, 1S41, to 
Catherine J. Stearns, who died Decembers, t8S6. 
Their children were as follows: Margaret, wife 
of Sanford Clawson, of Port Jervis; Joel, who 
died in infancy; Elizabeth, wife of John Oster- 
hout: Naomi, who was the wife of John McAllis- 
ter, and died May i, 1882: Aseuath. wife of 
Joseph Westbrook, of New Jersey: Martha Alice, 
wife of Ford Ackerson. of New Jersey: Ada 
Hortense, widow of Hon. Charles St. John:Uril- 
la E.. wife of Benjamin Carpenter, of Jersey 
City: and Samuel F.. who married Annie West- 
brook, of Port Jervis. Mr. Caskey is a Demo- 
crat in politics. Some fifteen years ago he re- 
tired from the river and has since lived upon his 
farm in the neighborhood where his entire life 
has been passed, and where he is an honored and 
respected citizen. 



(TOHN WIGGINS, Justice of the Peace at 
I Middletown, was born in Mt. Hope, N. J., 
(*/ September 22, 1826. His father. William 
H. Wiggins, was born in the town of Mt. Hope, 
Orange County, and for some years was engaged 
as a clerk in Newbnrgh, and subsequently as a 
clerk for Mr. Phillips, at Phillipsburg. He then 
had charge of the Mount Hope Iron Mines, and 
later removed to Ramapo, N. Y., and was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the large manufactur- 
ing establishment of William Parsons, where he 
remained until his death in 1833, at the age of 
thirty-eight years. His father, William Wiggins, 
the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer in 
the town of Mt. Hope. 

William H. Wiggins married Catherine E. 
Lewis, a native of Wales, and a daughter of 
Richard Lewis, who first located in Goshen on a 
farm, whence he removed to Sullivan County, 
and later to Chenango County, where he was 
(juite successful in his bu.sine.ss affairs. Two 



years after the death of her first husband, Mrs. 
Catherine E. Wiggins married George F. Sey- 
bolt, who was a soldier in the War of 1S12. 
Three children were boni of her first marriage, 
our subject being the only one that grew to 
maturity . 

After the death of his father, our subject 
moved with his mother to the town of Mt. Hope, 
where he grew to manhood, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools in the winter months, 
and assisting in the farm work the remainder of 
the year. On attaining his majority he became 
possessor of the home farm, to which he added 
from time to time, luitil he was the owner of three 
hundred and forty acres. While carrying on the 
farm, he was also for ii time engaged in lead min- 
ing in the Shawangunk Mountains, on a portion 
of his own farm, one mine being known as the 
" Empire " and the other as the " Washington. "" 
In his mining operations he was quite successful, 
and continued farming and mining until 1887, 
when he removed to Middletown. The farm 
was between Otisville and Port Jervis, and while 
residing there he was Justice of the Peace of his 
town for a period of sixteen years. Shortly after 
locating in Middletown he was elected Justice of 
the Peace, was re-elected in 1892, and is still 
serving in that capacity, his office being at No. 
1 1 North Street. 

On the 7th of February, 1850, Mr. Wiggins 
was united in marriage with Miss Antoinette 
Mullock, a daughter of Joshua Mullock, who 
was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and 
Supervisor of the town of Mt. Hope, where he 
was engaged in fanning. He also served in the 
War of 18 1 2. Mrs. Wiggins died February 7, 
1875, leaving seven children: Willis H., a rail- 
road attorney and ex-Representative in the Ohio 
Legislature, now residing at Chillicothe, Ohio: 
Erwin A., Assistant Traveling Auditor of the 
Erie Railroad: John L., an attorney, and now 
Corporation Counsel for the city of Middletown: 
Catherine, Mrs. F. W. Pyatt, of Charles City, 
Iowa: George M., in the cigar business at Bing- 
hamton, N. Y.: Lillian A., a teacher in the 
Highland Avenue School, residing at home: and 
Ella A., also at home. 



I4I8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fraternally Mr. Wiggins is a member of Hoff- 
man Lodge. F. & A. M., and religiously is a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church in 
Middletown. In politics he was originally a 
Whig, and since the organization of the Repub- 
lican part\- has been an earnest and enthusiastic 
advocate of its principles. As a Justice of the 
Peace, he brings to bear a strong judicial mind 
and the exercise of good common-.sense. His 
decisions are seldom, if ever, set aside by the 
higher courts. As a citizen he is enterprising, 
and has ever at heart the best interests of his 
adopted cit\-. His popularit>- is attested by his 
repeated election to office. 



(Stephen ST. JOHN, an old and honored 
7\ resident of this village, departed this life at 
QJ his home August 30, 1870, at the age of 
eighty-two years. He was bom at Xorwalk, 
Conn., November 16. 1788. and when a lad of 
fourteen years left home and made his way to 
New York Cit\-, where he apprenticed himself to 
learn the shoemaker's trade. He afterward came 
to the town of Deerpark, before Port Jervis was 
ever dreamed of and here he opened a small 
store. 

Mr. St. John remained at the ab<")ve location 
until iSoS, when he formed a partnership with 
a Mr. Holly and built a tannery at a point be- 
tween Middletown and Mt. Hojye. where they 
were soon in command of a good business. He 
was drafted into the War of 1812 about this time, 
and in order to enter the service postponed his 
marriage, which was to have taken place very 
soon, until October 16, 18 16. The lady on tliis 
occasion was Miss Abigail Horton. of Mt. Hope, 
who departed this life just four months pri.ir to 
his death. 

At the close of the war the countr>- lying about 
Port Jer\-is contained but few Dutch settlers, 
but a.s it was a good business point, it soon grew 
to large numbers. Our subject came hither 
about that time with Benjamin Dodge and. pur- 



chasing land, erected thereon a store, which he 

oj)erated. He also bought what was known as 
the Stone House Farm, the residence standing on 
which was originally built as a fort during the 
War of the Revolution. 

Meantitne our subject removetl his store to Mt. 
Hoi>e. a distance of twelve miles, although his 
family still continued to reside on the Stone 
House Farm, he walking home every Saturday 
evening in order to sf)eud Sunday there. In 
1S2S the building of the Delaware & Hudson 
Canal was begun, a project which had long been 
talked of. It was destined to pass through Mr. 
St. John's farm, and it was not long before the 
engineers, Mauruce Wurts, Philip Hone and 
John B. Jervis. had obtained his consent. This 
now flourishing village was named in honor of 
the latter, who was the engineer, and as soon as 
the canal was completed the settlers began to 
flock in. as it was an important f>oint on the route 
and was destined to become an enterprising city. 

In the year 1S28 Mr. St. John was appointed 
Collector of Port Jervis, holding the responsible 
office for a period of forty-two years, or until his 
decease. In 1825 the firm of St. John & Dodge, 
in addition to their general merchandise busi- 
ness, began dealing extensively in pine lands. 
They erected large mills, and until 1840 tumeti 
out annually large quantities of pine and hemlock 
timber, which was rafted to points down the 
Delaware River. Soon after the canal was com- 
pleted they erected a storehouse on its western 
bank, and "Dodge. St. John & Co." may still 
lie read upon its sides. 

Our subject continued in active business until 
1S39. when he was succeeded by his son Charles, 
an enterprising ajid energetic young man. In 
1S46 the Erie Railroad sur\ey showed it to pass 
through a portion of his farm, and later he sold 
sixt\- acres to the company at $ioo per acre, 
which at that time was considered a remarkable 
price. After retiring from the store Mr. St. 
John devoted himself to looking after the finan- 
cial part of the business until his death, in 1870. 
October 16, 1S66, occurred his golden wedding, 
which was the first ever held in Port Jervis. His 
ancestors were Quakers, and although he did not 




A. W. CrDDEBACK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1421 



belong to that sect, his religious views strongly in- 
clined that way. He was a member of the Re- 
formed Church. He was a Mason of fifty years' 
standing and took an active part in the workings 
of that order. His home was always open to the 
deserving, and more than one young man owes 
his success in life to the assistance received from 
Mr. St. John. He was plain, temperate, frugal 
and faithful in his friendships, kind as a parent 
and kind and social to all. He had been in feeble 
health for many years before his demise, so that 
his death was not unlooked for. 



B§^= 



G1brah.\m westbrook cuddeback 

LA is a representative of one of the old and hon- 
I I ored families of the Empire State. Jacob 
Caudebec came from France in 1685, and died 
when about one hundred years of age. He mar- 
ried Margaret Provost, and their children were: 
Benjamin, who died at the age of eighty : Will- 
iam, who married Jemima Elting. and died at the 
age of seventy-four; James, who married Antje 
Decker, and died at the age of thirty; Abraham, 
who married Eleanor Swartwout, and died at the 
age of eighty-eight; Jacob, who married Jeannette 
Westbrook; Elsie, who became the wife of Har- 
monas Van Gordon, and died at the age of eigh- 
ty; Morice or Maria, who married George West- 
fall, and afterward a Mr. Cole, and died at the age 
of one hundred; Dinah, who married .\braham 
Low. and died at the age of seventy-four; El- 
eanor, who married Evert Hoornbeek, and died 
at the age of .seventy ; and Naomi, who married 
Lodiowyke Hoornbeek. 

In the line of direct descent is William Cudde- 
back, who married Jemima Elting. Their chil- 
dren were James, who died at the age of eighty; 
Capt. Abraham, who married Esther Gumaer, 
and died at the age of eighty-two: Benjamin, who 
married Catherine \"an Fleet, and died at the 
age of forty -five; Roulif who died at the age of 
fifty; and Sarah, who liecame the wife of Daniel 
Van Fleet. 

The great-grandparents of our subject. Abra- 
ham and Esther Cuddeback, had six children: 



Col. William A.; Peter G.; Jacob; Cornelius; Es- 
ther, wife of Ernest Hornbeck; and Jemima, wife 
of David Westfall. The grandparents, Col. 
William A. and Charlotte (Van Inwegen) Cud- 
deback. had nine children, namely: Samuel, Ab- 
raham. Margaret. Ezekiel, Harmonas, William, 
Col. Peter, James and Lewis. 

The father of our subject. William Cuddeback. 
wedded Mary, daughter of Abraham T. and 
Mary (\'an Keuren) Westbrook. Mr. Cudde- 
back died in October. 1866, at the age ofsevent\-- 
four, and his wife passed away Januan- i, 1864, 
at the age of sixty -three. The record of their 
children is as follows: Abraham W. is the subject 
of this review; Margaret is the wife of Elting 
Cuddeback; Mary- is the wife of John Van Etten; 
Sarah is the widow of Martin Wheeler; Elsie is 
the widow of William Mapes, of Otisville, N. Y.; 
Charlotte resides in Grand Rapids, Mich. ; Min- 
er\-a is the wife of Rev. Egbert Winter, of Grand 
Rapids: Harriet is also living in that place: and 
Catherine died in childhood. 

William Cuddeback spent his entire life on the 
farm which is now the home of our subject, the 
place comprising two hundred acres of land, on 
which he erected in 1822 a good residence. He 
carried on lumbering for a time, but devoted the 
greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. 
At the time when the canal was built, he and his 
father and brother Abraham built one mile of the 
same. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and 
ser\-ed for some \ears as Justice of the Peace and 
Supervisor. He was a man of fine physique and 
was said to have been one of the strongest men in 
the county. His remains were interred in the 
cemetery at Cuddeback ville, and in his death the 
community lost one of its best citizens. 

Abraham Westbrook Cuddeback was born in 
an old log house on his present farm, April 27, 
18 16, and was reared in the usual manner of 
farmer lads, spending a part of the time with his 
maternal grandfather at Westbrookville. Hav- 
ing arrived at years of maturity, he was married, 
March 25, 1843, to Miss Emeline, daughter of 
William and Mary (Van Inwegen 1 Penny. She 
was born March 10, 1825, and is also a represen- 
tative of an honored old familv. The children 



1422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bom of this union are Horace and George, at 
home; Edgar, Herbert and John, who are engaged 
in tlie milk business in New York Cit)-; Yance}' 
and Mary, at home; and Maggie, who died in her 
twenty-sixth year. 

Mr. Cuddeback is a supporter of the Democ- 
racy, and his wife belongs to the Reformed 
Church. He is one of the oldest living descend- 
ants of an illustrious family, and is a well pre- 
.served man, on whom the long years rest lightl}-, 
although his hair has been whitened by the snows 
of many winters. He is a genial, whole-souled 
gentleman, who has hosts of warm friends and 
no enemies, and his well spent life is worthy of 
emulation. 



r^ETER G. LEWLS, a progressive agricultnr- 
U' ist, whose farm is situated near Mt. Basha 
J>3 Lake, in the town of Monroe, was born at 
Turner August 16, 1833. In boyhood he at- 
tended school at Turner and Forshee Hill, and 
upon discontinuing his studies he gave his atten- 
tion to farm work. He remained with his par- 
ents until his marriage, after which he rented a 
farm adjoining the old homestead for three years. 
In 1859 he purchased a portion of his present 
farm, and to this he has added until he now owns 
two hundred and forty acres, extending down to 
the shores of the pond. A portion of the farm 
has been in cultivation for many years, while the 
remainder is utilized for the pasturage of stock, 
and one meadow has not been turned with a plow 
for over one hundred years. When he took the 
place twelve acres would produce only seven loads 
of hay, but he has, bj- his practical methods of 
work, increased the amount to thirty-five. Pos- 
sessing an unusual knowledge of agriculture as a 
science, he has been enabled to .secure the very 
best results from his property, and justly ranks 
among the most capable farmers of his locality. 
He makes a specialty of the dairy business, which 
he conducts on a large scale, shipping as high as 
one hundred and eighty gallons of milk per day. 



The father of our subject, Thomas Lewis, was 
a son of Isaac and Hannah (Galloway) Lewis, 
who died when ninety years and six months and 
seventy-five years, respectively. He was born in 
1803, and spent his entire life on the farm where 
he was born, and which his father had bought 
one hundred years ago. His death, which was 
the result of an accident, occurred in June, 1876. 
His maternal grandfather. Jacobus Galloway, 
lived to the age of almost one hundred years, and 
died on a farm adjoining that now owned by our 
subject. The mother of our .subject, Mary Ann 
Bush, was born May 2, 1809, and died May 20, 
1894. She was a daughter of Peter and Mary 
(Smith) Bush, both of whom were born near 
Turner, the latter being a daughter of James 
Smith. 

In New York City, March 10, 1853, Mr. Lewis 
was united in marriage with Miss Adelia Ann 
Davis, a native of that city and a daughter of 
John, Sr. , and Catherine Jane (Seward) -Davis. 
Her father was at one time a farmer, but later 
dealt in real estate. Eleven children were born 
to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, of whom the 
fourth died in infancy unnamed. Of the otheis 
we note the following: George and Marj- Cather- 
ine died at the ages of eleven and three months, 
respectivel}'. Sarah Frances passed away when 
two and one-half years old. Emma married Syl- 
vanus Roberts, a farmer of the town of Chester, 
and they have two children. Tillie, Mrs. Har- 
ley Smith, resides in the town of Monroe and 
has two children. Lemuel, a carpenter of the 
village of Monroe, married Maria Webb, and they 
have two children. Isaac, who married Ella 
Smith and has two children, is a farmer of the 
town of Monroe. Henry assists our subject on 
the farm. Abbie is the wife of Fred Smith, of 
the town of Monroe, and they have one child. 
Adelia, the youngest, resides with her parents. 

The political belief of Mr. Lewis brings him into 
active co-operation with the Republican party, 
and he may always be relied upon to support its 
county, state and national tickets. For six years 
he filled the office of Road Commissioner, and he 
also served as School Collector and in other po- 
sitions of trust and responsibility. His ancestors 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1423 



were men of patriotic spirit, and his grandfather 
was a soldier in the War of 18 12. Their love of 
country and devotion to its welfare has descended 
to him, and he is always ready to champion any 
cause that will benefit the people and promote 
the general welfare. 



30HN L. WIGGINS, City Attorney of Mid- 
dletown, was born in the town of Mt. Hope, 
March 21, 1855, and is a son of John and 
Antoinette (Mullock) Wiggins, a sketch of whom 
appears on another page of this work. Our sub- 
ject traces his ancestry back many generations 
to the barony of Wigen in England. Jacob Wig- 
gins, who was the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, first located on Long Island, from which 
place he came to Orange County and settled in 
the town of Mt. Hope. During the French and 
Indian War, which followed shortly after his ar- 
rival in this countrj-, he was a member of the 
Home Guards, and providentially escaped death 
at the battle of Minisink. 

John L. Wiggins spent his boyhood days in the 
town of Mt. Hope, and until fifteen years of age 
attended the common .schools of that town^ and 
also assisted in the farm work. He then took 
the course of study under private tutors at home, 
and later at New Haven, Conn., where he re- 
ceived instructions in both the sciences and class- 
ics. While pursuing his studies in New Haven 
he taught several terms of school, and also en- 
gaged in the study of law. From the latter city 
he came to Middletown, continuing the studj- of 
law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1878. He 
then went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and entered the 
office of McClintock & Smith, who were then the 
General Counsel for the Marietta & Cincinnati 
Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern, where he remained two years. In 1881 he 
came to Middletown and entered into partnership 
with Judge Groo, which partnership continued 
until 1886. He has a large clientage, and is a 
very successful practitioner of his chosen profe.s- 
sion. In 1894 he was appointed City Attorney, 
and was re-appointed in 1895. He has been ex- 



ceedingly successful in taking care of the city's 
interests, and has won several important cases 
since he has been such Corporation Counsel. 

In 1886 Mr. Wiggins was united in marriage 
with Miss Katharine Groo, a daughter of Judge 
W. J. Groo. They have one child, Ada, who is 
the pet of the household. Fraternally Mr. Wig- 
gins is a member of Middletown Lodge, I. O. O. F. 
His wife is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, 
and is verj- popular in church and social circles. 
In politics Mr. Wiggins is a Republican. A num- 
ber of years ago he purchased the old King place 
on Highland Avenue, which he has occupied 
since coming to Middletown. His offices at No. 
1 1 North Street^are the same ones he has occu- 
pied since 1881. 

As an attorney Mr. Wiggins takes high rank 
in the profession, and enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of those associated with him in practice, 
and also of the general public. He is counsel for 
several corporations, and is regarded as a sound 
and safe legal adviser. In the trial of cases he 
is quick to see and take advantage of any points 
of law or practice that might result to his client's 
"interests, but is always fair and courteous to his 
opponents. As a speaker Mr. Wiggins is forcible 
and possesses marked ability, and seems always 
read}- with an address for almost any occasion. 
He is a hard worker, and believes that in order 
to accomplish any great achievement one must 
work hard, early and all the time. 



PI AVID DILL HOUSTON, a native of Orange 
1^1 County, born in Middletown in 1833, '^ o' 
IqI Irish descent, and traces his ancestry back 
to his great-great-grandfather. Rev. Joseph Hous- 
ton, who, with his two brothers, John and James, 
emigrated from the North of Ireland in the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century and landed in 
Jamestown, Va. James remained near there, and 
John settled in Pennsylvania. After preaching a 
few years at Jamestown Rev. Joseph came North, 
and was the first .settled pastor of the Goodwill 
Presbterian Church in the town of Montgomery, 
Orange County. There he purchased some six 



1424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hundred acres of land, upon which he resided un- 
til his death, and upon which his sons, Joseph 
and James, resided. 

James, the great-grandfather of our subject, mar- 
ried Anna, daughter of Rev. George Carr, a Pres- 
byterian minister of Goshen, who bore him the 
following children: Joseph, George, Thomas, 
James, John, Samuel, Andrew, Polh- (wife of Rob- 
ert Wilkin ) and Jane (wife of Adam Dickerson). 
Of these children George was the grandfather of 
our subject. For a few months during the Revolu- 
tionary War he was on guard in the Mamakating 
Vallev, to protect the whites from the incursion of 
the Indians. He was born m 1763, and died in 
December, 1825. His wife, Jane, the daughter 
of Robert Hunter, of the town of Montgomery, 
died in 1801, aged about thirty-two, leaving the 
following children: Ann, Mrs. Samuel W. Brown, 
of Scotchtown; John G., James G., Robert H. and 
George. The latter cultivated land on which part 
of Middletown is now located, and afterward was 
a merchant and Justice of the Peace. For his 
.second wife he married Julia, widow of Chester 
Gale, and daughter of William Thompson, of 
Goshen, who bore hnn the following children: 
Anthony and Jane, twins, the latter becoming the 
wife of Charles Heard, of Hamptonbnrgh; Henry: 
Sally, wife of Hector VanCleft: Samuel and Theo- 
dore, who died young; Almira, wife of Orange 
Horton, of White Plains; Elizabeth, the wife 
of William Church, of Orange; and Thomas. 
George Houston, the grandfather, settled on a 
farm at Scotchtown in 1787, where he remained 
tnitil 1805, when he located in the town of Wall- 
kill, there residing the remainder of his life. He 
was one ofthe founders of the Presbyterian Church 
at Scotchtown : for many years was one of its Eld- 
ers, and gave the site for the church edifice at that 
place. 

Robert H. Houston, the father of our subject, 
was born in the town of Wallkill, August 20, 1798. 
At sixteen he began learning the tanner's and 
currier's trade, completing it when twent\- years 
old, and then for six years had charge of his fa- 
ther's farm. In 1826 he came to Middletown, 
and, in company with Charles Dill, rented, and 
afterwards purchased, the Anderson Tanner\-, 



which is located across the street from the Com- 
mercial Hotel. For a time business was con- 
ducted under the firm name of Dill & Houston, 
but later thej- .sold out and built another tannery 
on the site of the present Anglo-Swiss Condensing 
Building, continuing there until 1846. In 1831 
they purchased a farm of sixty acres adjoining 
the village, which they also operated. In 1846 the 
partnership was dissolved, Samuel S. Wickham 
purchasing an intere.st in the factory, and busi- 
ness was continued under the firm name of Hous- 
ton & Wickham until 1851, when the former 
sold out to Mr. \\'ickham. Mr. Houston retained 
the original farm, however, laying it out as an ad- 
dition to Middletown, and it has since been well 
built up. He laid out East Avenue, east of the 
railroad ; Prospect Avenue, and .Sprague. Spring, 
Houston, Washington, Fulton and Grant Streets, 
all of which were formerly comprised in his old 
farm. He bought part of the Bennet Farm, to 
which he added later, and bought land adjoining 
the Reeve Farm, subdividing all these tracts. 
For many j-ears he was also engaged in the lumber 
business in Sullivan Count}'. He assi.sted in the 
extension ofthe Erie Railroad after its completion 
to Goshen, and also in the erection of two 
churches, besides other institutions. He was an 
active Presbyterian, and died in that faith in 1889, 
at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, the 
mother ot our subject, was Marj' Dill, daughter of 
David and Elizabeth (Houston) Dill. She died 
in 1883, at the age of about eighty. 

The subject of this sketch is the only living 
child of Robert and Mary Houston. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and in the academ}-, 
and spent his earh- life on the home farm. In 
1875 'is bought the old Monhagen Mill of Mr. 
Little and started in the feed business. Later he 
sold the same to his father, since which time he 
has devoted all his time to farming and the dairy 
business, having about thirty head of cows. He 
still has the old farm of eighty acres in the south- 
ern part ofthe city, and from time to time he has 
platted a portion of the same. For over forty 
years he has resided in the neighborhood of his 
present residence. 

Mr. Houston was married, in Middletown, to 




HON GiLKERV ^^i. iJl LS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1427 



Catherine Moore, who was bom iu Slate Hill, and 
who is a daughter of John K. Moore, a carpenter 
by trade, now residing in San Francisco. Four 
children have been bom unto them: Frances. Mrs. 
Oscar J. Worley. of Middletown : Robert H.. en- 
gaged in the feed business, and at the head of the 
firm of Houston, Webster & Co.; Mary. Mrs. 
Madden, of Middletowni : and John, of the firm of 
Houston. Webster & Co. In politics Mr. Hous- 
ton is a Republican, and during the war was a 
member of the Union League. For a great many 
years he has been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. For one term he was Trustee of Middle- 
town, and throughout this section of the country- 
he is well and favorablv known. 



H«.> X. GILBERT O. HULSE. Without 
doubt no attorney- in the Hudson Valley is 
more favorably known for ability and keen- 
ness of intellect than the influential and able law- 
yer whose name introduces this sketch. Having 
ofiices in both New York City and Middletown. 
he sf>ends three days of the week in each. In 
the former city he occupied an office at No, 167 
Broadway until 1SS6. when his sou Levi S. was 
admitted into partnership. They then removed 
to No. 120 Broadway, and now have their office 
at Xo. 52 Exchange Place, where, under the 
firm title of G. O. & L. S. Hulse. they have 
charge of an extensive legal business. 

The Middletown firm, which bears the name of 
Hulse & Melick, has a suite of rooms in the Du- 
zenberry Building at Xo. 16 Xorth Street. The 
junior member. J. Elmer Melick. was admitted 
into partnership June i. 1S95. prior to which 
time Mr. Hulse had for some years been alone. 
While he has met with flattering success in even,- 
branch of the profession, p>erhaps his greatest 
triumphs have been gained in cases of civil law. 
Some of the suits in which he has been attorney 
have become famous, and the decisions rendered 
have established important precedents. 

Amon? these we mention the Everett case, the 



main facts of which were as follows: Walter 
Everett, who lived on Xorth Street in Middle- 
tov\-n, had a son. Collins, the owner of large tracts 
of land. The latter died unmarried in 1S42, and 
left a will, which his father secured posse.ssiou ot 
aud destroyed. In 1S4S Walter Everett died and 
willed his son's propert>- to other parties. A 
sister, fn 1S62. after having consulted a number 
of lawers. all of whom told her there was no hope, 
asked the advice of Mr. Hulse regarding the 
matter. He said the lost will could be proved, 
and at once commenced action in the Supreme 
Court for that purpose. Though the oppKjsing 
counsel was able, he succeeded in establishing the 
will as lost, under Judge John W. Brown, at a 
special term of court. This decision was after- 
ward sustained by the general term of the same 
court. After the prop>erty, valued at $30,000, 
was sold, he was the attorney to recover it. 
which after seven years he succeeded in doing. 
This was the first record of proof of a lost will in 
any of the courts of the state, aud was a very- 
intricate and complicated case, the last settlement 
not being made until twent>--seveu years after the 
death of Collins Everett. 

Another noted case was that of Howell r.f Hur- 
tin. General Hurtin had a farm at Scotchtown 
that had been given him by his father for life, 
after which it was to go to his sous. He bor- 
rowed §2. 000 from Howell, an attorney at Go- 
shen. Xot long afterward he failed, and Howell 
brought a partitiou suit. The place was sold to 
the eldest son for S3. 000 in that action and the 
latter re-mortgaged it to Howell for S9.000. One 
of the sons was a minor at the time of the sale, 
aud through his father, in an action in the Su - 
preme Court, consulted Mr. Hulse when the fam- 
ily was about to be dispossessed under the fore- 
closure of the $9,000 mortgage. Mr. Hulse be- 
gan proceedings iu the pavilion action by motiou 
to set aside the partitiou sale, which was denied 
at a sf>ecial term, and on appeal from the order to 
the general term the same was affirmed. He then 
took it to the Court of Appeals, which reversed 
the decision, set aside the sale, an'd gave the son 
his half of the property. 

In the \vell known case of Brown :5 Knapp. 



1428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



Brown sued an executor of his graudfather's es- 
tate in an action in the Supreme Court. The 
grandfather in his will bequeathed him a legacy 
of S3. 000, to be paid to him at the age of twent>-- 
one. If he died before that age the legacy was 
to be given to a son of the testator, who was ex- 
ecutor of the will, but the executor refused to 
pay the interest on the same to the grandson. 
Seven or eight years after the grandfather's 
death the mother of the grandson began suit to 
recover interest on tlie legacy. The case was 
tried before Judge Pratt and was defended by 
Close & Robertson, a well known legal firm of 
Westchester County. Mr. Hulse won the case 
for his client, whereupvon the defendant appealed, 
first in the general term of said court, and later 
in the Court of Appeals, but in both instances the 
first decision was sustained. 

Mr. Hulse is a native of the town ot Wallkill, 
and was born three miles from Middletown, on 
the 22d of September. 1S24. His grandfather, 
Thomas Hulse, engaged in farming up>on the old 
family homestead three miles from the city, and 
there Oliver, our subject's father, was born Jan- 
uary- I, 1794, being the third among a large num- 
ber of children. He was a soldier in the War of 
1812. .ser\-ing first as Corporal and later as Ser- 
geant. The family was founded in this countr\- 
by three brothers who came from England and 
settled on Long Island. Later one of the broth- 
ers removed to Orange County and settled in the 
town of Wallkill, becoming the founder of the 
family of which our subject is - a descendant. 
About 1725 our subject's great-grandfather set- 
tled on the ground now adjoining the State Hos- 
pital, in the suburbs of the city, and there he 
reared a large family and continued to reside un- 
til his death. Upon the old homestead, which 
con.sisted of two hundred and thirty acres, our 
subject's father engaged in general farming, and 
there his death occurred Julv 27, 187 1. Polit- 
ically he was a Democrat. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden 
name was Eleanor Oakley, was born in Fairfield, 
Conn., and died in Orange County, in April. • 
1875. She was a daughter of Gilbert and Elean- 
or (,Wakeman> Oakley, natives of Connecticut. 



where the former was engaged in tilling the soil. 
During the Revolutionary War. in which he was 
a brave soldier, he was wounded in the leg. and 
from the efifects of that wound he died in 1805. 
Our subject was one of ten children, of whom 
eight attained years 'of maturity, and three 
daughters and one son are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
old homestead, and after spending a short time in 
a district school in Middletown, he entered the 
Jessup private school, and later was a student in 
Wallkill Academy for eighteen months. On 
leaving school he went back to the farm, where 
he remained until 1845. -^^ that time his father 
purchased the Franklin House, now known as the 
Holden House. In December, 1847. he began 
the study of law under Asa D. Jansen, of Goshen, 
and was admitted to the Bar in Brooklyn No- 
vember 9. 1849. 

Locating in Middletown. Mr. Hulse at once 
began the practice of his profession. In 1850 he 
moved his office to the building that stood on the 
site of his present ofiBce. In August. 1S51, he 
located at Elmira, and there, in December of the 
same year, he married Miss Sarah E. Schoon- 
maker. who was bom in Searsville. Orange 
County, and was the daughter of Levi Schoon- 
maker, a native of Ulster County. Mr. Hulse re- 
mained in Elmira until the fall of 1854, when he 
went to New York City and of)ened an office with 
ex-Gov. Lucius Robinson, and in the spring of 
1855 opened an ofiBce at No. 61 Wall Street. In 
1865 he returned to Middletown and opened an 
office. Two years later he was elected Surrogate 
on the Democratic ticket, which carried the coun- 
t\- for the first time since 1S56. Entering upon 
his duties in January, 1868. he filled the office 
with conspicuous abilitv- until his retirement in 
January, 1S72. During that time he never had 
but one case apj>ealed, and that was sustained 
up)on api>eal. In 1872 he became a member of 
the firm of Hulse, Little & Finn, which firm three 
years later was changed to Hulse & Finn, con- 
tinuing in that way for one year. In 1S78 he 
established an office in New York Cit\-, where, 
as before stated, he spends three days of each 
week. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAX, RECORD. 



1429 



By his marriage Mr. Hnlse had four children. 
M. Louisa is the wife of Johu Wilkin, of Middle- 
town. Oliver Gilbert, a graduate of Wallkill 
Academy, is one of the leading stenographers of 
New York City, where he has an office at Xo. 10 
Wall Street. Levi Schoonmaker. the younger 
son. is also a graduate of WaUkiU Academy, and 
studied law under his father: he is now the junior 
member of the New York firm Sarah Frances 
died at the age of four yt-ars and three months. 
Politically Mr. Hulse is firm in his allegiance to 
the Democratic part%-. the principles of which he 
supports by his ballot. In 1S50 he served as 
Town Clerk, and he has held other local positions, 
but it has been his preference to give his atten- 
tion wholly to his practice, to the exclusion of 
public offices. He assisted in the organization 
of the Savings Bank and served as one of its 
Trustees until other duties induced him to resign. 
As a lawyer he has great energy and tenacity of 
purpose. He is a strong and tireless combat- 
ant, devoted to his clients" interests: an able ad- 
vocate, logical and convincing in argument, at- 
tractive in address and finent in speech. He is a 
man of ardent temperament and strong convic- 
tions, an interesting companion and popular with 
all who know him. 



-•^. 



s.+c.. 



NH. FARXUM. deceased, was one of the most 
prominent citizens of Port Jervis. He was 
a wealthy man. and was ver>- generous and 
liberal in his charities. It will never be known 
how many he has assisted, for he was modest and 
retiring and made no ostentatious display, bnt 
certain it is that numerous local industries owe 
to him their prosj»erity. and his memory is cher- 
ished and honored in thousands of homes. Just 
before his death, which occurred suddenly. Octo- 
ber II, 1S79. *^^ result of heart disease, he had 
contributed $15,000 to the new chapel of the Re- 
formed Church. 

Mr. Farnum was bom May 10, 1808. in Litch- 
field. Conn., being a son of Peter Famum. who 



removed to Butternut. Otsego Countj-, X. Y., in 
1S15 with his family. Our subject received a 
fair education, and in 1S27 attended the Albany 
Academy for six months. It was in the fall of 
that year that he came to Port Jervis. joining the 
corps of engineers then surveying the Delaware 
& Hudson Canal, and at the same time the late 
R. F. Lord became a member of the corps. John 
B. Jervis was the chief engineer, and Mr. Famum 
was made resident engineer of this section. He 
continued to do efficient service on the canal con- 
struction until it was completed, in 1828. and was 
then made superintendent of the section which 
had been built under his jurisdiction. He held 
this office until 1832. being succeeded by his 
brother. S. B. Famum, and was promoted to be 
assistant engineer under R. F. Lord. During 
the last years of his service, which terminated in 
1838. he had entire charge of the canal from 
Rondout to Lackawaxen. In 1S38 he became 
resident engineer of the Black River Canal, having 
his headquarters at Boon\-ille. X. Y.. until 1S42. 
his former co-laborer. Mr. Root, being his imme- 
diate superior. Many important works which 
added greatly to his reputation were instituted in 
i this period. When the state put a stop to work 
on the canal Mr. Famum returned to Port Jer\-is 
j and soon afterward entered into partnership with 
i Charles St. John, son of Stephen St. John, in a 
i general dr\- -goods trade. Mr. St. John retired 
' from the firm about a year later. Mr. Famum 
continuing the business until 1854. when he took 
in as partners his nephews. H. C. Cunningham 
] and A. H. Peck, the st>le being H. H. Farnum 
& Co. Five years later Mr. Cunningham retired 
and Messrs. Famum & Peck continued their con- 
nection until 1 86 1. From that time onward our 
subject was not actively engaged in commercial 
pursuits. He was a Director iu the Bank of Port 
Jer\-is, which he organized in 1S63. with Thomas 
King President, and after the latter" s death, in 
1S67. Mr. Famum was elected President, holding 
thai position until his death. He was the first 
President of the local gas-light company, which 
was organized in i860 In 1871 he became in- 
terested in the organization of the Barrett Bridge 
Company, and a year later was made Vice-Presi- 



I430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dent of the concern. He was a clear-headed, 
far-seeiug business man. and owned a large share 
of the town, his investments rarely turning out 
to be anything but remunerative. 

The first marriage of Mr. Famum was cele- 
brated Januar\- ii. 1837. with Abigail Ann. 
daughter of the late Stephen St. John. Her death 
occurred May 4. 1S74, in Washington, D. C. at 
the age of fift\-six years, nine months and fifteen 
days. She had gone South the previous October, 
hoping to regain her health, but was not mate- 
rially benefited. She was a warm-hearted, lov- 
ing Christian woman, ever ready to lend her aid 
to the poor and needy, and was ver\" active in 
church work. October 8, 1879. Mr. Famum 
married Diana Zearfoss. widow of George \V. 
Famum, his eldest brother. She died March 24. 
1885. Of the eleven brothers and one sister of 
our subject, but four survive, namely: Harriet, 
wife of Rev. Levi Peck, of this city: Caroline, 
Mrs. Henr> Ter\ell: Samuel B., of Port Jer\-is: 
and the widow of Rodman M. Fuller, of Pond 
Eddy. 

In May. 1S6S, Mr. Famum became a member 
of the Reformed Church, and coutributed about 
$13,000 to the present house of worship, which 
was erected at a cost of $40,000, and contains a 
fine .organ, valued at $3,000. Mr. Famum was 
very much interested in the construction of this 
edifice, and was an active member of the Build- 
ing Committee. On several occasions he was 
elected to church offices, but peremptorily de 
clined to ser\e. He coutributed $2,500 for en- 
larging the theological library of the seminarv- at 
New Bmuswick, X. J. His portrait and name 
are to be found in an alcove of the librarv, thus 
perpetuating his memon.-. A local coal dealer 
states that on various occasions during severe 
winters Mr. Famum instructed him to supply 
poor families, saying nothing as to the donor, and 
present the bill to him. We will mention but 
one other incident of his undoubted liberalit>- of 
heart: In 1S59 Rev. Samuel R. Brown, then on 
the point of sailing as a missionan.- to Japan, was 
much troubled about the education of his son. It 
seemed best to leave the youth in .America, and 
he was without means for his support. Mr. Far- 



num Itamed of the case and at once contributed 

$650, the amount necessar\- for the education of 
the youth. He was a believer in the great value 
of learning, and contributed $500 to the college 
at New Brunswick for founding a f)erpetual schol- 
arship. 



GlXDREW JACKSON DOWNING. More 
I \ than forty years have passed since the tragic 
/ I death of this gentleman terminated the ex- 
istence of one of Newburgh's most illustrious citi- 
zens. As an author he won for himself a national 
reputation, and his works are still considered 
authorities upon the subjects of which they treat. 
Hisliteran.- career began in 1S41 . with the publica- 
tion of the ■ "Treatise and Practice of Landscaf)e- 
gardening. Adapted to North America, with a 
\'iew to the Improvement of Countr\- Residences: 
with Remarks on Rural Architecture. " ' The book 
leaped into instant popularity, and the orders to 
his publishers for copies of the work were followed 
by orders for the construction of houses and decor- 
ation of grounds 

In 1842 ■ "Cottage Residences"" was published, 
and was received with equal favor. '"The Fruits 
and Fruit Trees of America"" was printed simul- 
taneously in London and New "^'ork in 1S45. ^nd 
five years later a second edition, with colored 
plates, appeared. In 1846 he became connected 
^vith the "Horticulturist,'" for which he wrote 
an article ever\" month until his death. In 1849 
he wrote " "Additional Notes and Hints about 
Building in the Country,"" for an American re- 
print of Wightwick"s ""Hints to Young Archi- 
tects."" The summer of 1850 he spent in Eng- 
land, visiting the great country- -seats, of which 
he wrote descriptions, and in that year he pub- 
lished his ■ "Architecture of Country- Houses.' 
His remaining work is an edition of Mrs. Lon- 
don's ■■Landscape-gardening for Ladies."" 

The entire life of Mr. Downiiug was spent at 
the homestead in Newburgh, where he was bom 
October 30. 1S15. From boyhood his tastes were 
directed to the natural sciences, his inclination be- 




DR. G. J. Al'l'LKTON. 



I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



>4.W 



ing fostered by his father, a practical mirsery- 
maii. His education was gained principal!)- in 
the academy of the village of Montgomery. At the 
age of sixteen, with his brother Charles, he be- 
gan the management of the nursery, and by vis- 
iting the estates of gentlemen in his neighbor- 
hood, he studied the forms of plant life and cul- 
tivated a taste for landscape-gardening. In June, 
1838, he married the daughter of John Peter De 
Wint, of Fishkill, and during that year he built on 
his estate a beautiful mansion in the Elizabethan 
style, which was the first practical illu.stration of 
what an American home might be. In 1.S51 he 
was commi.ssioned to lay out and j>lant the pub- 
lic grounds of the Capitol, the White House and 
the Smithsonian Building at \\'ashington. These 
and other professional labors occupied his re- 
maining \ears. 

On the 28th of July, 1852, Mr. Downing left 
Newburgh on the .steamer "Henr\- Clay," but 
he never reached his destination, the city of New- 
port. On the Hud.son the boat entered a contest 
with the "Armenia," and when near Yonkers 
was discovered to be on fire. In his heroic ef- 
forts to save other pa.ssengers, he perished in the 
flames. His "Rural Es.says" were collected and 
published in 1853, with a memoir by Frederika 
Bremer, who was Mr. Downing's guest during a 
portion of her visit to the United States, and was 
an enthusiastic admirer of him and his works. 



6 '■~-^}<^r^{- 

/^JETHKX J. APl'LETON, 1). V. S., one of 
l__ the best known men of Orange County, 
^_J makes his home at New W'ind.sor. Besides 
devoting his attention to the practice of veterinary 
surgery, he takes an active interest in the work 
of the Humane Societx- for the prevention of 
cruelty to animals, and has accomplished great 
results by insisting on the rules of the society be- 
ing observed. Like many of the best residents of 
this portion of the state, Dr. Appleton was born 
in England, his birth occurring near the city of 
London, October 28. 1831. 

John Appleton, the father of our subject, was 
a real-estate man in his native land, and in 1S49 



came with his family to America, locating in the 
town of Hamptonburg, near Goshen. There he 
purcha.sed a small farm, and for .seven years was 
employed in its cultivation. He then moved to 
the town of Newburgh, and gave his attention 
to stock-farming, importing many fine honses. 
Among them was "Tom Cribb," a thoroughbred 
race-hor.se, who was well known to the stockmen 
of the county. When advanced in \ears he re- 
tired from active Inusiness, and lived in New 
Wind.sor until his decease, which occurred when 
he was in his eighty-sixth year. In religious 
matters he was an Episcopalian. The grandfa- 
ther of our .subject, Jo.seph, was also born in P'ng- 
land, and lived a retired life. 

The mother of our .subject, who bore the maiden 
name of Eliza Bailey, was likewise a native of 
England, and died in this county when in her 
seventy-fourth year. She was the mother of three 
children, all of whom are living, Gethen being 
the eldest. His sisters are Eliza Julia and Eliza- 
beth, both single, and resident.s of New Windsor. 
Our subject is finely educated, and upon complet- 
ing the course of study at the Blue Coat School, 
or what is now called Christ Ho.spital, took a 
cour.se in the Royal Veterinary College of London. 

In 1849 our subject accompanied the rest ot 
the family on their journey to America, coming 
hither on the sailing-vessel "Henr\- Hud.son," 
which was fi\e weeks in making the trip. He 
continued to make his home with his parents for 
a number of years, then became assistant to Dr. 
Grice, of New York City. After remaining with 
him for three years, he returned to Orange Coun- 
t>- and began practicing at Newburgh. In 1870, 
however, he located in New Windsor, which is 
the .seat of his operations. His practice is very 
large, extending throughout Orange County, and 
he is often called upon to make visits in adjoin- 
ing counties. He is thoroughly qualified for the 
work in which he is engaged, and his services are 
in great demand by the horsemen of this locality. 

December 22, 1865. the Doctor married Mrs. 
Mary Amelia Havemeyer, widow of Charles H. 
Havemeyer, of New Windsor. She died July 30, 
1868, since which time he has made his home 
with his sisters. The Doctor is a Democrat in 



1434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



politics, although not radical in his views. So- 
cially he is a Mason, belonging to Xewbnrgh 
Lodge No. 309. In him the .Episcofwl Church 
has a valued member, he being actively interest- 
ed in the work of that denomination, and to its 
support is a regular contributor. 






DWARD McXIFFis the oldest engineer in 
^ point of service on the New York. Ontario 
__ & Western Railway, having run the first 
construction trsiin on the road and set up the 
first engine. He was bom in the province of 
Quebec. Canada, in iS+2. and his father. John 
McXiflF. was bom in County Sligo. Ireland, where 
he grew to manhood on a farm. He married 
Nancy McLaughlin, a native of Scotland, whose 
parents emigrated from the Highlands of Scotland 
to Ireland. Siooi: after their marriage they moved 
to Canada, where they remained a few years, and 
finally located in St. Lawrence Couutj-, N. Y.. 
where the father followed contracting and build- 
ing, and where he died some years ago. They 
had a family of eight children, five of whom grew 
to maturit\-, two sons and three daughters. Of 
their two sons. Patrick is an engineer on the 
Rolne. Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad, 

Edward McNiff removed with his parents from 
Canada to Norwood. St. Lawrence County, in 
early childhood, and in the common schools of 
that place he received a very limited education. 
At the tender age of nine years he commenced 
work on a farm in that count\-. and from that 
time he has made his own way in the world. At 
the age of fifteen he secured emplo>-ment as 
brakeman on the old Potsdam & Watertown Rail- 
road, now a part of the Rome, Watertown & 
Ogdensburg System. He soon began firing, and 
January i, 1S62, before he was twenty years of 
age. became an engineer on that road, having 
charge of a freight train. Later he ran the f>ass- 
enger train between Watertown and Ogdens- 
burg. In 1S69 he went to Oneida, N. Y.. as en- 
gineer for the New York, Oswego & Midland 
Railroad, now the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railway. He set up engine No. 5 on the side 



track of the New York Central Railroad at that 
place, ran a construction train, and built one 
hundred miles of the road from Oswego to Nor- 
wich. He opened up the first section of the road 
from Oneida to Central Square, and then pulled 
the first'regular passenger train from Osw^o to 
Norwich. He thus opened the first one hundred 
miles of the road, and continued that run until the 
-spring of 1S71, when the section below was 
opened up. 

Taking engine No. 5 to Syracuse and over 
the Central to Binghamton, and then to Middle- 
town, Mr. McNiff unloaded it and set it upon 
temporary tracks. He then took a construction 
train and ballasted ten miles of road between 
Middletown and Bloomingburg. and the same 
summer had charge of the motive power in con- 
structing the Crawford Road. That fall he built 
this road as far as Libert>- Falls, and then re- 
turned to Oswego, remaining there until Septem- 
ber, 1 87 2. when he returned to Middletown and 
ran a passenger train from EUenville to Jersey 
City, over the new Jersey Midland Road. He re- 
mained there until the road was given up by the 
Ontario & Western, and then returned to Middle- 
town and ran mail trains No. i and No. 2 from 
Middletown to Norwich, on the Midland Division. 
In 1S74 he took leave of absence and accepted a 
position on the Canada Southern Railroad, run- 
ning fix>m Buffalo to St. Thomas, but remained 
there only four months, when he returned and 
took the same train on the Ontario & Western 
that he had given up. Soon afterwards, how- 
ever, he took charge of a train between EUenville 
and Middletown, and later had charge of a milk 
train between Delhi and Middletown. In iSSS. 
he took charge of the yard engine at Middletown. 
which position he yet holds, his engine being 
known as No. 49. He has never been injured, al- 
though he has had some narrow escapes. 

Mr. McNiff was married, in Mountain Dale. 
N. Y.. to Miss Henrietta Cox. who was bom in 
that place, and who is a daughter of Mitchell 
Cox. a tanner by trade. They have one child, 
Elizabeth. The family residence is on East Main 
Street. Mr. McNiff and wife are members of 
Grace Eniscor»al Church, oi which he is a \'estr\-- 



r 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



M35 



:iian. In politics he is a Democn\t, but in local 
.itf.iirs is quite liberal. He is a charter member 
of Osw^o Lodge No. 15::, B. of L- E., and is a 
member and Chief Engineer ofDi\-ision No. 292. 
in Middletown. He is Chairman of the Board of 
Adjustment of the Ontario & Western System for 
the B(Xird of Locomotive Eng^ineers. 



;:.LI-\M REID THO-MAS, D. D.. was 
..yipoiuted Archdeacon of Orange County, 
diocese of New York, in 1SS7, which of- 
fice he still holds. He was also elected Bishop of 
Northern Michigan at the general convention of 
iS92. Our subject was bom at Schenectady. 
N. Y.. and when a child removed with his par- 
ents. Rev. William B. and Jane P. • Li\"ingston 
Thomas, to Poughkeepsie. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in 
Dutchess Count\- Academy at Poughkeepsie. St. 
Stephen's College at Annaudale. and the General 
Theological Seminary of New York Cit\-. He 
was graduated from coUege with the Class of "69, 
and tix»m the seminary in 1S72. He was or- 
dained Deacon by Rt.-Rev. Horatio Potter, Bish- 
op of New York. June 30, 1S72. and Priest No- 
vember 14 of that year. 

Rev. William R. Thomas received the degree 
of Bachelor of Arts in 1S69, Master of Arts in 
1S72. Bachelor of Divinity in 1SS4. and Doctor of 
Di\'init\- in 1S&9, and has been Rector of the 
Chnrch of the Holy Innocents at Highland Falls 
since his ordination. Dr. Thomas is President of 
the Morgan Library and Reading Room, and 
takes a warm interest in all local movements 
tending toward good government and the im- 
provement of the village. 

REV. AME VENNEMA. pastor of the Re- 
formed ChuTx:h of Deerpark at Port Jer\-is. 
is a native of Holland. Ottawa County-, 
Mich., his birth occurring May 25. 1S57. His 
parents were Ame and Elizabeth M. v^^uder- 
thaar • Vennema. the former of whom is a native 



of Holland. He crossed the Atlantic in 1S47. 
making his way westward to Holland, Mich. 
When a lad of fifteen years our subject began 
working in a furniture factory- in Grand Rapids, 
but was employed there only a few months how- 
ever. He afterward spent two years as a student 
in Hojie College, and alter completing his educa- 
tion returnea to Grand Rapids, where he lived 
;or a time, and then was engaged in teaching 
school for two years in Ottawa County. WTien 
eighteen years of age he again entered college, 
graduating with the Class of "79. with the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the 
college conterred ujvon him the degree of Master 
of Arts. 

Desirous of following the ministr>-. Mr. \'en- 
nema went to New Brunswick, N. J. . where he en- 
tered the theological seminar\- of the Reformed 
Church, completing the course in 1SS2. He was 
then licensed to preach, and received a call from 
a church in Ulster County. In July of that year 
he was ordained, remaining at that place for over 
three years. Later our subject went to Kalama- 
zoo. Mich., where for three years he was pastor 
of the new Reformed Church of that city, preach- 
ing in the English language. Pre\-ious to this 
time he had used the Dutch dialect. While there 
he was instrumental in securing the erection of a 
new building, which was paid for before he left. 
From- Michigan Mr. Vennema returned to New 
York and accepted a call to Rochester, which was 
the center of his pastoral work for the following 
two years. From there he came to Port Jervis, 
entering upon his duties here in January, 1S92. 
The church numbers about four hundred and 
fifty members, about one hundred and fifty of 
whom have joined during the past three years. 
There was an indebtedness of $6,000 on the 
building when he came here, but this has since 
been paid off. and the congregation is now free to 
sjjend its means in making additions and im- 
provements on the premises. 

Rev. Mr. Vennema is interested iu the work of 
the Riverside Mission, and is correspondent from 
this section for the Cinsfian Intelligencer, the 
church organ, and also edits the Church Life, a 
local paper. He is connected with W. G. Baas 



1436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECX)RD. 



in tran^dng and publishing the \nitings of Rev. 
Dr. TheodcHe Cuylo-. a noted divine of Brook- 
lyn, distnbnting them among the Dntch-^veak- 
ing pe<qde of the state. Onr snbgect is a memba- 
c^the Board of Edncaticm of his chnrcfa. which 
has a genefal oversight of the edncaticMial irork 
in the United States, and which nombeis abont 
eighteen members. While at Xew Paltz be re- 
ceived a call to the Reformed Church at New 
Dniham. X. J., and while at Kalamazoo was so- 
licited to take charge of the work of the First: 
ReK>nned Chnrcfa at Xew Brownsville. X. J. 

Rev Mr. Vennema was married. Jnne 7, 1882. 
to Miss Henriette LeFebre. of Holland. Mich., 
a ladr whom he had known tor many years. To 
them have been bcnn three children: Edith May. 
bom .Angnst 29. 1S83: Angnstns Whitoo. May 
13. 1SS7: and Floimce Elizabeth. December 

3- i^I- 



T\\f W -SMAV," 



fi record oi 
r rejecting 



ki:; . - - -:: 

of ^ .; -- - - . 1 ; 

nHtHcm . - - , - . r 

cnltivati - e 

Forthrt-; - - - r Hi. Skiavv - - 

upom hi* , ~. T b-5 de-r:: 

his time and .i" - . ; Xew 

York market .rir^re. 

His success is - r 

tect is taken -. 

fbl years he . - , ^ _ 

livelihood, hi~ . ; - _ e ^ 

gin life's stmggies -: 

In the town of W .. _ - 

this notice was bom to the uuiou 04 Ajexander W. 
and AdSine Welch; Shaw. His fsther whL-« 
was a native of C«Minecticat, leamec : ^ 

trade in the place where he was bo- ^ 

to Orange County in early manhood . 

that occupation. Itxming a partnei^l. > 

brother WiDiam. Subsequently he purchased a 
Urm near Middletown, and there he ^>ei3t the r^ 



mainder of his life, passing away in 1852. He 
served his fdlow-citiz)»is creditaldy in the capac- 
ity of Assessor of the town, and hdd other local 
oSces. He was also a Trustee crf'WaUkillAcad- 
ony. and asasted in drawing to the grounds die 
material for the constractian<rf the building. His 
wife, who was a native of this county. pQ<aQpd 
away ten years after his demise. 

In the academy of whidi his tatber was a Trus- 
tee, the subject of this sketdi received excdlent 
educational advantages, attending that instrtation 
for some terms. F<» twdve years he was ex- 
press agent at Middletown, but with that excep- 
tion hehas6dlowed agricultural pursuits through 
all hb active life. His &ther died when he was 
sixteen, and since that time he has struggled for 
hims^. with what success his valuable &rm at- 
tests. June 17, 1S57. he married Miss Aiminda 
H., dai^hter <^ Dr. Cyri^itts Cra^y , a {diTsicsan 
oi the town of Crawford. His taitfaer. Dr. In- 
crease Cro^y, was a vesy jNToaiinent physician in 
his day. He was an early settls* in the town ot 
Crawford, and the second practicing p h vtjd a n in 
Orange County. The ouly child bMn of the imioa 
of onr sul]ject and wife was Charles A., who was 
caDed from earth at the age of axteen. fab death 
b^ng a deep boeavement to his devoted parents, 
who had dienshed the brightest hopes Sm' his th- 
ture. In rcfigioas connections Mr. Sfaaw is iden- 
lined with the First Pre^iy^rian Church of Mid- 
clctown. to wliicfa fais wife also beloogs. Socially 
he is idoitified with the Masonic ordar. 

When the tocsin of war was sounded. Mr. Shaw 
donned tfae blue and went in answer to fais cone- 
try's call for volnnteos.. He saved for three 
months in the Seventy-fir^ Xew York State Mil- 
itia, retumir^ home at the end of his period of 
service. Like all old soldiers., he is interested in 
the Grand Army, his member'^iip being in Capt. 
WiDiam A. Jai^csoo Post. In politics he ma^ 
always be dqiended upon to gi\>e his vote and in- 
fluence to the Demooatic party, and upon that 
tif^et he has been chosai to serve in impixtant 
capacities. For tinee years he was a member of 
the Board of Supervisors of Tioga County. He 
has also saved as CiKastabie. Justice of the Peace 
and Trustee of the Fourth Ward of Middletown. 




MARTIN C. EVERITT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



H39 



He at one time made the race for Assemblyman 
in Tioga County, which stood one thousand ma- 
jority for the Republican party, but he succeeded 
in reducing this majority to four hundred and 
twenty-nine, a fact which shows the confiderce 
reposed in him by those of the opposite party. 
He has ser^-ed efficiently as President of the Agri- 
cultural Society of this county, and in whatever 
position to which he has been called he has dis- 
played sound common-sense and excellent judg- 
ment. 



^#= 



ARTIN COLE EVERITT, President of 
the First National Bank of Port Jer\ns, has 
the reputation of being a strictly first-class 
business man, reliable and energetic, and is a 
citizen of whom Orange County may be justl\- 
proud. He was bom in Montague. Sussex 
County, X. J., on the 4th of Febniary. 182S, 
and is a son of John D. and Roanna ■ Decker > 
Everitt. His grandfather. Isaac Everitt. who 
was a farmer, was a son of Dr. Everitt, the 
founder of the family in America. The latter 
was a native of Germany, and located in Hunter- 
don County, X. J., prior to the Revolutionary- 
War. He was the author of a medical work used 
by the professors in his native land. On his 
grandmother's side Mr. Everitt is descended 
from Holland-Dutch ancestors. The father of 
our subject was a teacher by profession, but in 
later life followed merchandising and farming. 
He ser\-ed as Justice of the Peace for many years, 
and also as Associate Judge. In jwlitics he was 
an old-line Whig. His death occurred at the 
age of seventy-nine, while his wite. who was a 
daughter of Daniel Decker, died at the age of 
sixty years. In their family of six children our 
subject is the fourth in order of birth: his youngest 
brother died in 1851, at the age of twenty-one 
years: Daniel D. is a resident of Montague. X. J.; 
and Robert lives in Centreville. X. J. 

M. C. Everitt remained on the home farm 
until reaching the age of sixteen years, when he 
began clerking in a country- store. In connec- 



tion with a brother-in-law, he later embarked in 
merchandising in Centreville. X. J., near the 
old home, starting with a capital of only $300. 
and they contiiuied to conduct that store for two 
years and a-half. when, in 1S51. Mr. Everitt sold 
out to his partner and came to Port Jervis. For a 
year he was employed by St. John & Birdsall. and 
then for a year by Charles St. John, when he 
purchased a half-interest in the business, the firm 
name becoming St. John & Everitt. For ten 
years they engaged in general merchandising 
near where Famum's store now stands. Al- 
though Mr. Everitt had to borrow money to 
start, a successfiil and lucrative business was 
carried on. In 1S61 the firm sold out, and in 
connection with Henr\- Xooney our subject 
started a general store, which was carried on for 
two years and a-half with first-class results. 

On his retirement from that firm in 1864. Mr. 
Everitt took the contract for supplying the Erie 
Railroad with wood, and furnished from eight to 
ten thousand cords of wood annuallv. He 
bought lands covered with timber and hired men 
to cut the same, which business he followed for 
five years, and during that time made his home 
at Port Jervis. At the same time he converted 
the land into farms, and still owns one in Broome 
County of four hundred and fift\- acres, and an- 
other one of two hundred and forty -four acres. In 
1868 he formed a partnership with John T. \'an 
Etten in general merchandising, but later John 
Rightmeyer took thelatter's place, and they con- 
tinued business for two or three \ears. when our 
subject retired from the firm. 

In 1870 a stock company was formed to pur- 
chase the First Xational Bank of Delhi, and by 
a special permit from Congress it was removed to 
this place and the name changed. It became the 
First Xational Bank of Port Jer\-is. with a capital 
of $100,000, and Mr. Everitt became its first 
Vice-President, while Jacob Hornbeck was Pres- 
ident, and George A. Guernse>- Cashier. In 
January-, 187 1. our subject was elected- Cashier, 
and took charge of its afiairs, but in 1S74 he was 
elected President, which office he has since filled: 
and at the same time C. F. Van Inwegen was 
made Cashier, which position he still continues 



I440 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to fill. Eli Van Inwegen is Vice-President. 

Mr. Everitt devotes his time and energy to the 
interests of the bank, which does a strictly le- 
gitimate banking business. The capital stock has 
remained the same, and their present location is 
at the corner of Ball and Sussex Streets. 

On the 9th of October, i860, Mr. Everitt was 
married to Miss Louisa Armstrong, of Montague, 
X. J. At her death, in 1865, she left a family 
of three children: John E., a conductor on the 
Erie Railroad: Charles B., of Waterbury, Conn., 
superintendent of the blanking room in the 
Plume & Atwood Manufactory: and George, 
who was a railroad employe, but who died in 
April, 1892, at the age of twenty-seven years. 
Mr. Everitt has always been true to Ins fir.st love 
and has never married again. He is a man of 
pleasing address, slender build, clear-cut features 
and open expression. He is a stalwart supporter 
of the Republican party, and takes an active in- 
terest in its welfare. He attends the Presbyte- 
rian Church, though not a member of the same, 
but gives liberally to its support. Socially he 
belongs to Port Jervfs Lodge No. 328, F. & 
A. M., serving as Secretary of the Blue Lodge 
many years, and is a member of Neversink Chap- 
ter, R. A. M. He is held in the highest respect 
throughout Orange County, and has the con- 
fidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in 
contact. 



^EORGE \V. WEST, Superintendent of Mo- 
l_ tive Power of the New York, Ontario & 
\J( Western Railway, was born in Troy, N, Y., 
April 3, 1847. His father, Capt. James D. West, 
was born in Exeter, N. H., but came of a Mass- 
achusetts family. As a boy he ran on sloops, 
and later was owner and captain of sloops before 
steamers were placed on the river. After the dis- 
covery of steam power and the manufacture of 
steamboats, he became the owner and captain of 
several boats. He had two steamers, "A. A. 
Watkins No. i" and "A. A. Watkins No. 2," 
both of which he sold to the Government. The 
first was a verj- fast boat, and was used by the 



Government between Washington and Alexan- 
dria during the war. Soon after the disposal of 
the.se boats he was taken sick, and died at the 
age of .sixty-eight years. In the forty years that 
he ran upon the Hudson River, he never lost 
but one trip. He ran between Troy and New 
York City, and also to Boston in early days, and 
for many years he acted as pilot on the river. At 
Troy he married Electa Wager, who was born in 
Keene, N. H., and who died at the age of about 
sixty-eight years. Of their eight children, six 
grew to maturity, but onh' two are now living. 
One son, Chester, was on the Hudson River as 
pilot and_ captain, and fell from the mast of a 
barge. After that event he quit the business, 
and is now located in West Newburgh, in the 
employ of the Erie Railway. 

The subject of this sketch was the seventh in 
the parental family, and grew to manhood in his 
native city, receiving his education in the public 
schools. From early childhood he was on his 
father's boat, and went with his father and broth- 
ers to Washington on the steamer "A. A. Wat- 
kins" at the beginning of the war. He did not 
remain there, however, but returned to the Hud- 
son and ran on the river between Troy and 
New York until 1862, when he accepted a posi- 
tion as wiper on the Troy & Greenbush, now the 
New York Central, Railroad. Soon after he was 
made fireman, and ran between Troy and Green- 
bush. Two years later he went to Baldwinsville, 
N. Y., and entered a machine-shop as an appren- 
tice, in which an elder brother. Mason West, was 
general foreman. After being there about two and 
a-half years the works were shut down and he went 
to Schenectady, and in the New York Central Car- 
shops completed his trade. He continued work 
there until that shop was abandoned, when he 
was transferred to Syracuse, remaining there un- 
til 1872, when he was made Master Mechanic of 
the Chenango \'alley Railroad, with headquarters 
at Syracuse. In 1883 this road was absorbed by 
the \^'est Shore Railroad, and the shops were 
abandoned. 

Mr. West was general foreman of the West 
Shore Railroad Shops at East Buffalo for one 
year, when he was appointed Master Mechanic of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1441 



the Buffalo Division of the West Shore, with 
which he remained until 1886. He then became 
Master Mechanic of the Mahoning Division of 
the Erie Railroad, with headquarters at Cleve- 
land, but after holding that position about nine 
months he was transferred to their main shops at 
Meadville, Pa., as Master Mechanic. In Febru- 
ary, 1888, he was transferred to the Eastern Divi- 
sion at Jersey City as Master Mechanic. Up to 
this time there had been two departments, the 
car department and the locomotive department, 
but these were now consolidated and Mr. West 
was made Master Mechanic of the consolidation, 
holding the position until February, 1890, when 
he resigned to accept the Superintendency of 
Motive Power of the New York, Ontario & West- 
ern, with headquarters at Middletown. In 1893, 
on the completion of the new depot, he was 
among the first to occupy offices in the building. 
He has now entire charge of the motive power on 
the main line from Oswego to New York, and 
also on the Scranton, Utica, New Berlin, Delhi 
and Rome Divisions, in all four hundred and 
twenty-four miles. Since beginning railroad 
service he has never been a day out of employ- 
ment, his positions being changed by transfer- 
ring from one department or place to another. 
He has been a very successful man in everj- posi- 
tion occupied, and his success is due to the fact 
that he thoroughly understands his business and 
has acquired his knowledge by actual work in 
every department. 

Mr. West was united in marriage in Schenec- 
tady, N. Y., with Miss Jennie Van Slyck, a na- 
tive of that place and daughter of Jacob and Ann 
A'an Slyck, the former being engaged in mer- 
chandising in that place. They have one child, 
Arthur Conklin. Fraternally Mr. West is a 
member of Central City Lodge, F. & A. M., at 
Syracuse, and of Union Consistory at Middle- 
town. He is also a member of the American 
Railway Master Mechanics' Association; of the 
Master Car Builders' Association, with which he 
meets every year; and is President of the New 
York Railway Club, with headquarters at New 
York City. Politically he is a true Republican. 
Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- 



copal Church, and of the Railroad Young Men's 
Christian Association at Middletown. He is also 
President of the Ontario & Western branch of the 
Western Savings and Loan A.ssociation. 



Gr 



e7- 






z^ 



^ 



SEORGE KETCHAM, a miller at Middle- 
town, is a native of the town of Mt. Hope, 
born in 1837, and there both his father and 
grandfather were also born. Amos Ketcham, the 
father, was a miller by trade, and for many years 
ran a mil! which was erected by Isaac Ketcham, 
the grandfather. In 1848 the father repaired the 
old mill, operating the same until he retired, 
and it is now carried on bj- his son Isaac Edward. 
The father was an old-line Whig, and died in 
1888, at the age of seventy-five. He was twice 
married, first to Sallie Eliza Seybolt, who was 
born near Otisville, and who was a daughter of 
George Seybolt, a farmer at that place. She 
died in 1870, leaving .four children: Lamira, 
now Mrs. Sweezy, of Unionville; George, the sub- 
ject of this sketch; C. C.'B , formerly a grain 
dealer in Middletown, who died here some years 
ago; and Isaac E., who has charge of the old 
mill. The second marriage of Amos Ketcham 
was with Miss Margaret Seyoolt. 

The subject of this sketch was reared near the 
old mill, and had the advantages of a common- 
school education. He learned the trade of a 
miller with his father, and remained with him 
until twenty-two years of age, when he located 
on a farm near Otisville. After operating that 
eighteen months, he opened a butcher-shop in 
Otisville, which he continued some three or four 
years. His next business enterprise was in New 
York City, where he purchased a milk route, 
and engaged in the milk business for several 
years. 

Closing out that industry, he came to Orange 
County, and for eleven years conducted the Salis- 
bur3- Mills, doing custom work. In 1881 he 
took charge of the Wickham Mill, which is con- 
nected with the Erie Road bv a side track. This 



1442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mill he superintended for sixteen months, when 
it was sold to Drake & Dewitt, and for the suc- 
ceeding eighteen months he superintended it for 
that firm. He then leased it, and has continued 
to operate it since that time, making a specialty 
of the manufacture of buckwheat flour, and doing 
custom work exclusively. The mill is an old 
structure, with four floors and an elevator, and 
is run by a fifty horse-power engine. In addi- 
tion to milling, he does a wholesale and retail 
business in feed and grain. 

Mr. Ketcham was married in the town of Mt. 
Hope to Miss Minnie A. Harding, who was born 
there, and who is a daughter of J. Columbus 
Harding, a farmer in that locality. Four chil- 
dren have been born unto them: Georgianna, a 
dressmaker of Middletown; Ida M., a trained 
nurse, and graduate of Mt. Sinai Hospital: Mel- 
vin H., a printer, residing in Brooklyn: and Ira 
B., at home. In politics Mr. Ketcham is a 
Democrat. The family resides at No. 147 Acad- 
emy Avenue. 



(lOHN L. HART, Justice of the Peace of 
I Walden, was born in Shawangunk, Ulster 
O County, on the 26th of August, 1815, and 
is a son of Thomas and Susan (^Colden ) Hart, 
the latter being a widow at the time of her mar- 
riage with Mr. Hart. The father was also a na- 
tive of the Empire State, and resided in one 
neighborhood all his life. He died at the age of 
fifty-nine. There were six children in the fam- 
ily, of whom our subject is the only one now liv- 
ing. A brother of Thomas, Cad wallader C. Hart, 
was for many years captain of a Hudson River 
steamboat of the Caledonia & Susquehanna Line, 
and resided at Newburgh. He died at Orange, 
N. J., at the age of seventy- four. 

The subject of this sketch remained on his fa- 
ther's farm until 1840, when he removed to Wall- 
kill. Ulster County, where for five years he was 
engaged in the hotel business. In 1850 he came 
to Walden, and first engaged in running an oys- 
ter saloon, and was also in the meat business for 
fourteen years in connection with Mr. Hepper. 



In 1 86 1 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and 
with the exception of about one year has serv'ed 
in that office ever since, his terms being each of 
four years. Politically he is a Republican, but 
has ever been popular with both parties. 

On the 2 1st of October, 1840, Mr. Hart was 
united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Ostrander, 
who resided in the same neighborhood near the 
old home farm. Three children were born unto 
them, but they all died in childhood. Mrs. Hart 
is a member of the Reformed Church. 



••^«^^s>^»<l- 



r~RED R. WILLIAMS, of Newburgh, was 
r^ born in Glens Falls, N. Y., in 1858, and is 
I the son of Stephen I. and Jane A. ( Ray i 
Williams, natives, respectively, of Glens Falls and 
\'irgil, N. Y. His father, who was for some 
years a merchant tailor in Glens Falls, and also 
served as Postmaster of the place, removed from 
there at the time of the burning of the town, in 
1865, and settled in Chestertown, this state. In 
1880 he came to Newburgh, where he remained 
until his death. His widow at present makes 
her home in Jersey City. 

The subject of this sketch passed the first 
twelve years of his life in the city were he was 
bom, and there and in Chestertown his educa- 
tion was conducted in the public schools. In 
1876 he came to Newburgh, where he served an 
apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the com- 
posnig-room of the Daily Mail, of which his 
brother was one of the owners. On the consoli- 
dation of that paper with the Telegraph, and the 
subsequent change of the name to the Register. 
he remained with the different proprietors, being 
a compositor there for twelve years. 

Afterward, for one year, Mr. Williams was 
employed as bookkeeper and advertising agent, 
and later for two years he was local editor for 
the Newburgh Daily A^ews. His next position 
was that of solicitor for the Calcium-light Ad- 
vertising Company of Newburgh, in which ca- 
pacity he remained for three years. In Septem- 




THEODORE D. MILLS, JI. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1445 



ber, 1893, he aided in the organization of the 
Lime light Advertising Company, of which he 
is manager and part-owner. This enterprise has 
been successfnl, and has been introduced into 
eight states. 

The marriage of Mr. WilUams united him with 
Miss Lettie Johnson, daughter of John D. John- 
son, who was formerly proprietor of the City 
Hotel of Newburgh. They are the parents of 
three children, Clifford, Rav and Grace. 



^^HEODORE D. MILLS, M. D., one of the 
( C leading physicians in Middletown, is a na- 
Vy tive of Bloomingburg, X. Y., born June 
9, 1852, a son of Rev. S. W. Mills, D. D., a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 
The family remained in Bloomingburg until our 
subject was six years of age, when they removed 
to Port Jervis, where Theodore received his pri- 
mary education in the public school, prepar- 
ing for college in the select school of Professor 
Wilbur. In 1870 he entered Rutgers College at 
New Brunswick, X. J., where he pursued the 
classical course, and was graduated in 1874 with 
the degree of A. B. At the expiration of three 
years he received the degree of A. M. from the 
same college. He was elected a member of the 
Phi Beta Kappa and D. K. E. fraternities. Soon 
after his graduation he began to read medicine in 
the office of Dr. H. R. Baldwin, of Xew Bruns- 
wick, and in 1874 entered the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of Xew York City, from 
which he was graduated in 1876. He then 
passed acompetitive examination at Bellevue Hos- 
pital in New York, and was made house surgeon 
in that institution. 

After completing his hospital service Dr. Mills 
returned to Port Jervis and opened an office in 
connection with Dr. Henry Hardenbergh, and 
there he continued in practice from October, 1877, 
to January 28, 1881, when he removed to Mid- 
dletown, his office now being located at Xo. 60 
West Main Street. Since locating here the Doc- 
tor has built up a very extensive practice, and as 
a skilled physician and surgeon has a reputation 



second to none in Orange County. He has been 
called into consultation by leading physicians in 
his section of the country, and his merits have 
been recognized by various bodies. For about 
twelve \ears he has been surgeon for the New 
York, Ontario tt Western Railway, and is also 
attending surgeon at Thrall Hospital. 

While Dr. Mills is engaged in general practice 
he pays special attention to general surgery and 
the treatment of the eye and ear. He is Secretary 
of the Orange County Medical Society, of which 
he was formerly President, and has always taken 
an active interest in its proceedings, at times con- 
tributing papers that have received marked atten- 
tion. In the State Association of Railway Sur- 
geons, of which he is a member, he takes an active 
interest. He is also a member of the National 
Association of Railway Surgeons, and attended its 
sessions in Omaha in 1893, and in Galveston, 
Tex., in 1894. The Tri-State Medical Society 
and the New York .State Medical Society, in 
both of which he is a member, also require a 
share of his attention. The Doctor is a very close 
student and is ever abreast of the times in all 
medical research. In 1887 he took a post-grad- 
uate course in the New York Post-Graduate Col- 
lege, thus preparing himself for greater u.seful- 
ness. He is examiner for the Royal Arcanum 
and the Legion of Honor, in both of which he 
holds membership, as well as numerous old-line 
companies. 

October 20, 1887, Dr. Mills was united in mar- 
riage in Middletown with Miss Christina S. Sti- 
vers, who is a native of Middletown and daugh- 
ter of Hon. M. D. Stivers. Three children were 
born unto them, two of whom are living: Samuel 
Wickham, Jr., and Elizabeth Stivers. Theodore 
D., Jr., died at the age of nine weeks. 

While Dr. Mills is an active man in his pro- 
fession, he yet finds time to devote to social and 
business intercourse, and ever takes an active in- 
tere.st in all things tending to advance his adopted 
city. He is one of the Trustees of the Orange 
County Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and is 
a Director of the Orange County Telephone Com- 
pany, of which he was one of the incorporators. 
He is a membv^rof the Middletown Club and also 



1446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the Board of Trade. Religiouslj- he holds 
membership with the Presbj-terian Church, in 
which body he is active and influential. Politi- 
cally he is independent. 

Dr. Mills is yet in the prime of life, and with 
his studious habits and careful attention to all de- 
tails of his business and profession, has a bright 
future before him. Not only in the practice of his 
profession has success attended him, but in a bus- 
iness way as well. As a citizen he stands high in 
the estimation of his fellow men . 



""VANDER M. HAMILTON, City Clerk 
'3 and Collector of Middletown, was one of the 
^ Union defenders during the late war. He 
was born near Auburn, N. Y., December lo, 1842, 
and is a son of James W. and Elizabeth Cather- 
ine (Taylor) Hamilton, the former a native of 
Scotland, and the latter of Orange County. Will- 
iam Hamilton, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a machinist by trade. He came to this coun- 
try at an early date, first locating in Philadelphia, 
and subsequentl}' lived for a time in Brandy wine, 
Md. ;Walden. N. Y., and New York City, at 
which latter place he died man}- years ago. 

James W. Hamilton, the father, was a mill- 
wright by trade, learning the .same in Orange and 
Dutchess Counties, N. Y. Later he settled at 
Auburn, from which place he went to St. Paul, 
Minn., there building the first flourmill ever 
erected in Minnesota, on the falls of St. Anthony. 
His family followed him to St. Paul, and he there 
resided for some years, engaged in the erection of 
mills, and subsequently located at Toledo, Ohio, 
where he still followed his trade. From Toledo he 
went South, spending some years in the erection 
of cotton-mills, and was in .\labama when the 
war broke out. Returning to Toledo, Ohio, he 
ran the Toledo Novelty Works for a time, and 
then engaged in the oil-refining business. In 
1864 he located at Middletown, where for ten 
years he carried on the latter business, but was 
then forced out of business by the Standard Oil 
Company. From that time he lived a retired life 
until his death, in February, 1892. In politics 



he was a Republican, and religiously a Presbyte- 
rian. His wife, Elizabeth' C. Taylor, was a 
daughter of William Taylor, who was a native of 
Ireland, but who came to this country prior to 
the Revolutionary War, and served his adopted 
country in the struggle for independence until 
the close of the war. He located near Montgom- 
ery, where he engaged in farming, and \^'here his 
last days were spent. He was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Ham- 
ilton died Maj' 30, 1893. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of four 
children, and remained on the farm near Auburn, 
N. Y., until fourteen years of age. He then re- 
moved with the family to St. Paul, and subse- 
quently to Toledo, Ohio. His education was re- 
ceived in a common school near Auburn, and in 
the high schools of St. Paul and Toledo. In May, 
1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred 
and Thirtieth Ohio Infantr}', and was mustered 
in as Second Sergeant at Johnson's Island, where 
for a time the regiment was stationed guarding 
prisoners, and from there was sent to Petersburg, 
Va. Mr. Hamilton continued with the regiment 
in active duty until he was mustered out and 
honorabh- discharged, in September, 1864. In 
November following he came to Middletown and 
engaged with his father in the oil-refining busi- 
ness, under the firm name of J. W. Hamilton & 
Son. Their business was the first one established 
on Genung Street, and wa.-i continued until 1874, 
when, as already stated, the firm was forced out 
of business by the Standard Oil Company. 

Soon after retiring from the oil business, Mr. 
Hamilton went to New York City, and for four 
years was engaged in the manufacture and sale of 
tobacco and cigars. He next removed to Shef- 
field, Pa., where he remained one 3'ear, and the 
succeeding eighteen months he was in the em- 
ploy of Wells, Fargo & Co. Returning to Mid- 
dletown, he was made inspector for the city in 
the construction of the Highland Lake Reservoir, 
and also the principal sewers of the city. He 
continued in this occupation until 1892, when he 
was made Superintendent of Streets. In March, 
1893, he was appointed City Clerk and Collector 
bv the Common Council, and has been twice re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1447 



appointed. From June, 1S86, until June, 1893, 
he was Chief Engineer of the fire department in 
Middletown. Before leaving the place for New 
York City, he had had experience in the fire de- 
partment, being a member of Excelsior Hook and 
Ladder Company No. i, of which he was foreman 
three and a-half years, resigning the position on 
his removal from the city. He still retains his 
interest in the fire department, and has been Pres- 
ident of Hamilton Council No. 14, Order of 
American Firemen. He assisted in the organi- 
zation of the council and has been its President 
ever since. In politics he is a Republican, and 
has served his part>- in various conventions. 



"LLSWORTH A. WHEELER, a horse-shoer 
^ in Middletown, was born inShoemakersville, 
_ in Berks County, Pa., September 16, 1864. 
His grandfather, Henry Wheeler, was also a na- 
tive of that county, and was by occupation a 
farmer. Isaac and Lovina (Adams) Wheeler, the 
parents of our subject, were likewise natives of 
Berks County. There the former grew to man- 
hood and learned the trade of a mason, which oc- 
cupation he followed for many years, and finally 
located on the farm on which he still resides. He 
is an old Jacksonian Democrat, and is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is of 
English ance.str}', although for man}- generations 
the family have lived in Pennsj-lvania. Of the 
.seven children in the parental family, six grew to 
maturity, and five are yet living. 

The subject of this sketch is second in order of 
birth of the children born to Isaac and Lovina 
Wheeler. Until the age of .seventeen he was 
reared on the home farm, receiving the advant- 
ages of the common school only. In 1881 he left 
the parental roof and went to Gardiner, Ulster 
County, being employed b\' his uncle, Peter 
Adams, who was then engaged in farming. Two 
years later he left his uncle and commenced to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith at New Paltz, 
where he remained one vear, and then went to 



Gardiner and finished his trade under Mike Du- 
gan. After remaining in the latter village for 
three years, he went to Florida, Orange County, 
as a journeyman blacksmith, remaining there two 
years and seven months. In November, 1890, 
he came to Middletown and entered into partner- 
ship with John Boland, under the firm name of 
Poland & Wheeler. This partnership continued 
two years and ten months, when Irving Barr pur- 
chased the interest of Mr. Boland, and the busi- 
ness was contiiuied by Wheeler & Barr, who are 
at present engaged in general blacksmithing, al- 
though they make a specialty of horse-shoeing. 
They have a good reputation in this section of 
the country, and shoe the fastest horses in Mid- 
dletown, Including "Nora L.," Robert Lemon's 
mare. They also shoe the horses of Messrs. Tyn- 
dale, Donovan, Wilkinson, Hansford, Clenison 
and Sweager. 

Mr. Wheeler was married, in Florida, Orange 
County, to Miss Jennie Chambers, a native of 
that place, and they have one child, Jennie. The 
family resides at No. 14 Watkins Avenue, in a 
neat residence which Mr. Wheeler has erected 
since coming to Middletown. His business loca- 
tion is at No. 96 North Street. In politics he is 
a Democrat. 



ROBERT I. CRAWFORD, a farmer residing 
in the town of Crawford, was born Augu.st 
23, 1822, in this town. (See .sketch of The- 
ron Crawford for family record. ) His early life 
was spent on the home farm, and his education 
was received in the district schools of his native 
town and in the academy of Montgomery. When 
he attained his majority, his father gave him part 
of the old homestead, where he now lives, and 
where he has since made his home. He married 
Miss Nancy J. Thompson, who was a daughter 
of James R. Thompson, and who died in March, 
1887, leaving seven children: Elmer, a prosper- 
ous farmer of the town of Crawford; Emily J., who 
married C. B. Martin, a farmer in Ulster County; 
Robert, Jr., now residing in this town on his 
great-grandfather's old place; Leander, a farmer 



I44S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iust across the line in Sullivan County; Deborah, 
who married William Decker, a farmer of the 
town of Crawford: Agues, the wife of Watson 
Elliv}-, of Ulster County: and James, who runs 
the old home farm in connection with his father. 
The subject of this sketch is a stanch Republi- 
can in his political views, and is an active worker 
in local political affairs. He has been a member 
of the Hopewell Presbyterian Chr.rch for forty 
j-ears, and has been an Elder in the same for 
thirty years. His wife was also a member of that 
body, as are all the children. Mr. Crawford has 
been quite successful in life, has given his chil- 
dren all the advantages possible, and has lived to 
see each well settled in life. 



mEORGE A. ELSTOX. the genial and pop- 
l__ ular Postmaster of Port Jervis, assumed the 
V_J duties of that position January- i. 1894. and 
is proving that the best interests of the public 
are very near to his heart by giving them prompt 
and faithful attention. His appointment to this 
position was secured by the earnest efforts of his 
many friends in Democratic circles, and previous- 
ly, in 1890 and 1891, he filled the position of 
Secretary ot the County Democratic Committee. 
At various times he has been a delegate to coun- 
ty and district conventions, and for years he has 
been very active and influential in political af- 
fairs. 

The Elston family was represented among the 
early settlers of Orange County. Capt. David 
Elston, our subject's grandfather, was born here, 
and by occupation was a farmer. For many 
years he was active in the Greenville Baptist 
Church, and assisted in the organization of the 
first Baptist Church in Port Jer\-is. Though his 
home was about seven miles east of this place, 
he often walked the distance when well along in 
years. His mental vigor and physical strength, 
which he retained to an advanced age, were due 
largely to his regular and temperate habits. A 
man of patriotic spirit and loyal devotion to his 



native country-, he ever upheld those interests 
which tended to the advancement of his com- 
munity and fellow-citizens. He won his title in 
the militia service, and his old Queen Anne 
musket is now in possession of his only male 
descendant, our subject. His last years were 
spent in Unionville, X. Y., where he died at the 
age of seventy -seven. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Lydia Schoonover. died at the 
age of eighty- nine Their son Abraham de- 
parted this life leaving no children. 

The parents of our subject. George and Deb- 
orah Jane ( Hawkins 1 Elston. were natives of the 
towns of Greenville and Mt. Hope, Orange Coun- 
ty, respectively, the latter being a daughter of 
Eliab Hawkins, a farmer. When a young man, 
George Elston started in the dry-goods business in 
Port Jervis, being one of the first merchants of 
the village. After a time he became a member of 
the firm of Elston & Green, but in 1876 retired 
from that concern and embarked in business in 
Middletown. In early years he was a Democrat, 
but after 1872 he affiliated with the Republican 
party. His death occurred March 5, 1887, and 
his wife passed away December 17, 1888. Their 
eldest son, David, died when eighteen years ot 
age, and their daughter, Ida J., is the wife of 
Floyd W. Cole, junior member of the firm of 
Farnum & Cole, of Port Jervis. 

In Port Jer\-is. where he was born September 
24. 1859, the subject of this notice has spent his 
entire life. At the age of sixteen he entered the 
general store of Xearpass & Bro., with whom he 
remained for six years, learning all branches of 
the business. For some nine years afterward, 
or until 1890, he was employed as bookkeeper 
and manager of the Port Jervis Flint Glass Works, 
having charge of the greater part of the business. 
Upon leaving that firm, he took a place as book- 
keeper in the office of Swift's branch of the 
Chicago Beef Company in Port Jervis. 

As assistant to Charles M. Preston, Superin- 
tendent of the Banking Department of the State 
of Xew York, Mr. Elston held a very responsible 
position, and during his two years of labor as an 
examiner he acquitted himself creditably in 
every way, the books of banks and building and 




ISAAC BANKER. 




* ff^ 



^- 




MRS. ISAAC BANKER. 



ii 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1453 



loan associations coming constantly under his no- 
tice. That position he resigned that he might 
enter npon his present work, to which he de- 
votes his earnest attention. Though often urged 
to accept nomination for local offices, he has in- 
variably declined, the only exception to this be- 
ing when he served one year as Clerk to the 
Board of Education. Socially he is identified 
with the Order of United Friends and the Ameri- 
can Legion of Honor, and for several years was 
District Deputj' of the former organization. 

September 29, 1881, Mr. Elston was united in 
marriage with Miss Jennie Caskey, adopted 
daughter of John Caskey. They are members 
of the Presbyterian Church and have the friend- 
ship of a large circle of acquaintances. There is 
no citizen of Port Jervis more interested in its 
progress than Mr. Elston, nor one who has dis- 
played a more commendable degree of public 
spirit. By fostering progressive enterprises, he 
has done not a little to promote the interests of 
the place, and justly ranks among its most influ- 
ential citizens and prominent men. 



*ySAAC BANKER, one of the mo.st prominent 
I and highly respected agriculturists of Orange 
X County, is the owner of one hundred and 
forty-one acres in the town of Go.shen. His ca- 
reer has been upright, and his neighbors and 
friends may hold him up as an example of what 
may be accomplished by zeal and energy. 

Our subject was born in Washingtonville, in 
1829, and was the youngest .son born to Isaac 
and Sallie (Denton) Banker, natives of Orange 
County. Here the father was identified with 
farm pursuits, in which he was more than ordi- 
narily successful. Heowned the farm upon which 
his son Isaac is now living, and which has de- 
scended from father to son for three generations. 
The father was a man who attended strictly to 
his own affairs, and was well and favorably 
known throughout the county. In politics he 
was a Whig until the formation of the Repulo- 



lican party, when he joined its ranks. He closed 
his eyes to the scenes of this life in 1870. His 
wife had died five years previously, in 1865. 

Isaac, of this life sketch, gained his first knowl- 
edge of theco'mmon branches in the .schools taught 
in his district. He was later sent to the Chester 
Acadeni)-, and after finishing his education re- 
turned to the old home farm, where he has .since 
made his home, and to which he has devoted his 
attention up to the present time, each year gar- 
nering abundant harvests. Dairying, however, 
forms his principal industry, and on his place he 
has a large herd of fine cattle of tlie best breeds. 
His residence, which is of a modern style of archi- 
tecture, is one of the most attractive in the coun- 
ty, and is presided over by his estimable wife, 
to whom he was married in 1870. She was for- 
merly Miss Martha L. Hovvell, and is the daugh- 
ter of Joseph B. and Elizabeth Jane (Weeden) 
Howell, both of whom are deceased, as are all of 
their family, with the exception of Mrs. Banker. 
The parents were natives of this state, and the 
former was a prominent man in what is now the 
town of Chester, having served as Justice of the 
Peace for many years. 

Mrs. Banker is a member in excellent stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch, and is 
one of its most influential workers. Her husband 
always takes a great interest in the same church, 
and is one of its liberal supporters. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Banker are always foremost in every 
good work, and give liberally of theirmeans toward 
the spread of the Gospel. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and therefore gives his support to the 
success of its chosen leaders. 



(TJAMUEL S. TOOKER, one of the oldest and 
7\ mo.st highly respected citizens of Orange 
ijy County, was born in what was formerly the 
old town of Minisink, but what is now the town 
ofWawayanda, near Slate Hill, September 8, 
1824. His grandfather, Samuel Tooker, was 
born on Long Island, and located near Slate Hill 
at a very early day. There Charles P. Tooker, 
the father of our subject, was born. By profes- 



'454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sion the grandfather was a sur\'e}or, and also en- 
gaged in teaching and farming. On locating 
here, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land, which he improved, and which is now 
owned by a grandson, Prof. James H. Tooker. 

Charles P. Tooker. the father of our subject, 
was a farmer on the old Tooker place. By his 
marriage with Hannah Neeley, who was also a 
native of the old town of Minisink, five children 
were born: Prof James H., now residing on the 
old homestead: Samuel S., our subject; Charles 
L., who died on the old place in 1845; Catherine 
J., who married Albert Wickham, and died in 
1850; and Julia A., the widow of Fletcher \'ail, 
of Middletown. The father died March 15. 1865, 
at the age of sixty-six years. He w'asa successful 
farmer, and a ver\- popular man in the commu- 
nity. Originally he was a Democrat, with which 
party he affiliated until the organization of the 
Republican party, with which he united because 
of his hatred of slavery-. The mother died Au- 
gust 10, 1873, 3t the age of seventy-six years. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on 
the old homestead, and in his youth attended the 
subscription schools of his neighborhood. There 
he learned geography, grammar, spelling, read- 
ing and arithmetic, going in the last-named study 
as far as the ' 'double rule of three. ' ' From a boy he 
turned his attention to farming, which occupation 
he followed until his retirement in 1867. He was 
married, February 21, 1850, in the town of \Va- 
wayanda, to Miss Emeline R. Stanton, who was 
born in the town of Deerpark, and who was the 
daughter of Samuel Stanton, the latter of whom 
engaged in farming in that town. At the time of 
her marriage her father had moved to Wawayanda, 
which was subsequently divided into three towns, 
Minisink. Greenville and Wawayanda. After the 
division our subject's house was in Wawayanda. 
He continued to farm there for two years after 
his marriage, and in 1853 removed to the town of 
Wallkill, two and a-half miles west of Middle- 
town, where he also carried on farming. His first 
purchase there was of eighty-nine acres, to which 
by subsequent purchase he added twenty -two 
acres from the Everett Farm and engaged in gen- 
eral farming and the dairy business for about four- 



teen years, when he removed to Middletown, and 
has since virtually lived a retired life. However, 
he is a stockholder in the Merchants and Manu 
facturers' Bank, and is interested in other finan- 
cial operations. He "has a fine place at No. 10 
Highland Avenue, where he keeps open house, 
and where he has entertained many friends in 
past years. His wife died December 15, 1890. 
In politics he is an old Jacksonian Democrat, and 
has voted the ticket for fifty years. He is a liberal 
and public-spirited man, whom it is a pleasure to 
meet. 

"" DW.\RD E. COXKLIXG is the oldest real- 
's estate and insurance agent in Middletown. 
__ The agency was started in 185 1 by Selah 
R. Corwin, and in the mean time has undergone 
many changes. Our subject is a native of Mid- 
dletown, born August 20, i860. His grand- 
father, William Conkling, was for many years a 
resident of Pennsylvania, where he was engaged 
in merchandising, and later removed to West- 
town, X. v., where he engaged in farming. He 
died in Middletown many years ago. The noted 
Roscoe Conkling came from the same family as 
did he. 

Stephen S. Conkling, the father of our subject, 
was born in Westtown, and in early manhood re- 
moved to Middletown, where for many years he 
was engaged in the lumber trade. He was also 
engaged in building and in the real-estate busi- 
ness, and laid out many lots and additions to the 
city. Among the streets and avenues that he 
laid out were Everett Street, Genung Street, 
Liberty Street, Lake Avenue and Academy Ave- 
nue. His lumber-yard was located near the Erie 
depot. He is now living a retired life in his 
beautiful residence located on Wickham Avenue. 
In politics he is a strong Democrat. Relig- 
iously he is a member of the Congregational 
Church, in which body he has always taken an 
active interest, is a member of the Official Board, 
and served on the Building Committee when the 
present church building was erected. His wife, 
Phoebe J. Lathrop, was born in the town of 
Wawayanda, aud is a daughter of David Lath- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1455 



rop, a farmer of that town. Nine children were 
born unto them, seven of whom are now living. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
his native city, and received his education in the 
academy here. When seventeen he entered the 
employ of his brother-in-law, C. J. Boyd, with 
whom he remained until January 12, 1880, when 
he commenced clerking for Boyd & Corwin, who 
were in the insurance and real-estate business. 
Here he remained through all the changes ot the 
firm, including Boyd & Douglas, who soon suc- 
ceeded Boyd & Corwin. In April, 1881, Mr. 
Boyd sold out to Mr. Dolson, and the firm be- 
came Douglas & Dolson. In 1885 Mr. Conk- 
ling bought a one-fourth interest and the firm be- 
came Douglas, DoLson & Co. This lasted until 
1891, when Mr. Douglas sold his interest to Mr. 
Conkling, and the firm became Dolson & Conk- 
Hug, continuing thus until December 28, 1893, 
when Mr. Conkling purchased the entire busi- 
ness, and has since conducted it alone. The fol- 
lowing old reliable companies are represented in 
the insurance department; Continental; German- 
American; Niagara and Williamsburg Cit}-, of 
New York; Franklin, of Philadelphia; Sun and 
Phoenix, of London; Hartford and .Etna, of Hart- 
ford: Queen, of New York; Springfield, of Spring- 
field. Mass.: Dutchess County Mutual, of Pough- 
keepsie: and the Imperial, of London; also the 
Inter-.state Casualt>- Company, an accident-in- 
surance company: and the Mutual Life, of New 
York. 

In the real-estate business, Mr. Conkling 
handles the new addition of Vail & Foote, be- 
sides much other west-end property. He has on 
his list farms all over the country, including New 
York and the Southern States. He has made 
many improvements in the city, including two 
neat residences erected for himself one on East 
Avenue, which he sold, and the other at No. 103 
Highland Avenue, in which he resides. In all 
matters pertaining to the bu.siness interest of 
Middletown. he takes a lively interest. He is a 
member of the Orange County Telephone Com- 
pany, and is interested in the Driving Park and 
Building Bank. 

Mr. Conkling was married, in .Scotchtown, to 



Miss Florence Sutherland, who was born in 
Orange County, and who is a daughter of Abra- 
ham Sutlierland, a wholesale merchant of New 
York City. They have two children, Lawrence 
S. and Anna L. Mr. and Mrs. Conkling are 
members of the Congregational Church of Mid- 
dletown, in the work of which they take an act- 
ive interest. Our subject is a member of the 
Orange County I'nderwriters' A.ssociation, and 
of the Middletown Board of I'nderwriters. In 
the latter he serves as Treasurer, and in both or- 
ganizations is a member of the rating committee. 
He is an active member of Excelsior Hook and 
Ladder Company No. i. As a citizen he enjoys 
the respect and confidence of his fellow-men, and 
is ever ready to give of his means and time to 
the advancement of the material interests of his 
native citw 



-f- 



HOMAS S. HUTCHISON, Superintend- 
ent of the Columbia Dye and Print Works, 
isat the head of the silk-printing in America. 
He is a native of Lanaikshire, Scotland, and was 
born August 24, 1854, a son of George and Chris- 
tine (Stodhard ) Hutchison, both of whom were 
also natives of Scotland. George Hutchison was 
a fancy weaver, a trade which he learned in 
youth, and which he followed until his retirement 
on account of age. He worked at his trade in 
his native country until 1873, when he located at 
South Manchester, Conn., and there continued in 
the same line. Now, however, he is living a re- 
tired life, at the age of sixty-eight. In religious 
belief he is a Presbyterian, and comes of an old 
Scotch family of the Highlands. His wife, Chris- 
tine Stodhard, is a daughter of Thomas Stodhard, 
who served in the English army as a private in 
the Ninety-second Highlanders. He was in the 
war again.st Napoleon, and also in Egypt. The 
Stodhards came from the Lowlands, where they 
had long been established. To George and 
Christine Hutchison were born twelve children, 
ten of whom grew to maturity, and nine of whom 



1456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



are yet li\ ing, and all residing in America. Three 
brothers are with our subject; two reside in South 
Manchester: one. James, is superintendent of 
Cheney Brothers' weaving establishment; and 
three daughters are in South Manchester. 

Thomas S. Hutchison was the third-born in 
the family His educational advantages were 
\erA- limited, but, by reading and obser\'ation. he 
is now a well informed man. When nine years 
of age, he commenced to learn the weaver's trade 
under his father, with whom he continued until 
he was past sixteen, when, in company with his 
brother James, he came to America. He left 
Glasgow in May, 1871, on the steamer "Austra- 
lia," bound for New York City. After his arrival 
he at once proceeded to South Manchester, where 
he worked at weaving about one year, when, on 
account of failing health, he was compelled to 
seek outdoor employment. For six months he 
was fireman of an engine on the railroad, and later 
apprenticed himself to learn the trade of silk 
printing with Cheney Brothers, that industry 
then being in its infancy in this country. Com- 
mencing at the bottom, he worked his way up 
through every department until he had mastered 
the business in all its parts, and to-day is credited 
with being the most experienced silk-printer in 
America. When he began, the printing was all 
done by hand, but at the present time it is prin- 
cipally done by machinery. 

Our subject learned the business under Robert 
Melville, who was from an old family of printers 
in Scotland, and who has .since returned to his 
native land. On the return of Mr. Melville to 
Scotland. Mr. Hutchison was made foreman of 
the printing department. He subsequently re- 
signed his position, however, and went to Pater- 
son, N. J., with the Hawthorne Works, or Ames 
I)>eing, Finishing and Printing Company, as 
superintendent. He remained there but six 
months, when he was offered his present position. 
For some time he had been flooded with letters 
offering him po.sitions, but on account of his wife's 
ill-health he decided to come to Middletown, and 
ill April, 1891, took charge of the Columbia Dye 
and Print Works as superintendent and manager. 
The works have since been enlarged bv the addi- 



tion of two printing-machines, and now have a 
capacity of thirteen thousand yards of silk per 
ciay. • They are located on the corner of Railroad 
and Grove Streets, the main building being 
100 X 150 feet, five stories in height. All of the 
building is occupied and used in the business, and 
five engines are required. The .success of the 
mills has been unprecedented, and the proprie- 
tors are branching out into other lines, now print- 
ing flannels and woolens. Kmploynient is given 
to about one hundred and ten hands, and the pay- 
roll amounts to over $1,000 per week. 

Mr. Hutchison was married in South Man- 
chester, Conn., to Miss Hattie Stebbins, a native 
of Hadley, Mass., and of old Puritan stock. She 
died in Manchester, leaving one child, George E.. 
who is a practical color-maker. Mr. Hutchison 
subsequently married Matilda Christine Nelson, 
a native of Sweden, but who came to this country 
in early childhood, and was here reared and 
educated. They have four children living: Jo- 
seph Nelson, Thomas C, Carrie Agnes and 
Marjorie A 

Mrs. Hutchi.son is a lady of superior ability, 
and is well educated. Her father was a professor 
in the schools of Sweden, having been educated 
at Guttenberg. Her mother, Caisa Peterson, is 
also a native of Sweden. The parents still reside 
in their native country, but their four children 
reside in America. 

Fraternally Mr. Hutchison is a member of 
Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F., and 
religiously is identified with the First Presby- 
terian Church of Middletown, of which body his 
wife is also a member, although she was reared 
a Lutheran. Wliile in South Manchester, Mr. 
Hutchi.son was a member of the Congregational 
Church. Since coming to Middletown he has 
been active in religious work, and for one year 
was superintendent of the Sunday -.school. He is 
an active worker and director of the Young Men's 
Christian Association of this place. In politics 
he is a Republican. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison reside in a beautiful 
home on Ridge Street, which has a frontage of 
two hundred and forty feet, and a depth of twt) 
hundred and fift\ feet. Coming to this country 




HON. D. H. BAILEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1459 



a poor boy, by industn- and faithful discharge of 
all duties devolving upon him he has worked his 
way up to his present enviable position. In 
handling men he has been very successful, and 
has never had a strikeamong those in his employ. 
As a testimonial of their regard, the emploxes of 
the print works pre.'iented him with a handsome 
cane, and his wife a handsome chair. In this 
country there are at present but three .silk-print- 
ing works, the Hawthorne, Cheney Brothers' and 
the Columbia Dye and Print Works, of which our 
subject is the manager. The latter leads them 
all, and its success is largely due to the enterprise 
of the subject of this sketch. 



HON. DANIEL H. BAILEY, Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Middletowu Savings Bank, 
was born near the village of Mechanicstown , 
Orange County, in June, 1834, and is a son of 
Deacon Nathaniel and Mahala i Dunning) Bailey. 
The former was born in the town ofWallkill, and 
the latter near Middletowu, this county. They 
were of Revolutionarv stock, the grandfather of 



Harriet E. became the first wife of Theodore J. 
Denton: and Delia married Dr. Henry W. Har- 
denbergh. 

Daniel H. Bailey received his primary educa- 
cation in the public schools, later attended Wall- 
kill Academy, and subsequently studied under the 
direction of Mr. Freeman. His first business ex- 
perience was in the capacity of clerk in the employ 
of T. J. Denton, with whom he remained only a 
few months, however, when, in 1856, he engaged 
with Bull & Van Fleet, then doing business in 
Middletowu. In 1858 he accepted a situation 
with the dry-goods firm of Lord & Taylor in New 
York City, remaining with them two years, and 
at the expiration of that time he entered into part- 
nership with T. J. Denton. His father dying 
about a year afterward, he sold out to his partner 
and came to Middletowu. Home affairs occupied 
his attention for several years, after which for one 
year he was in the employ of the American Ex- 
press Company as agent and messenger. On the 
I, St of December, 1873, he entered the Middletowu 
Savings Bank, and in July, 1885, he was elected 
Secretary and Treasurer of the same, which posi- 
tion he has since continued to hold. The bank 
our .subject having served in the War for Inde- is recognized as one of the solid institutions of 
pendence as a Captain. By occupation Deacon Orange County, and under the management of 
Bailey was a farmer, spending the greater part of Mr. Bailey it has gradually increased its business 



his life in agricultural pursuits, but his later 
years were spent in Middletowu. He purchased 
a tract of land on High Street, on which he 
erected a comfortable home, and there spent his 
declining days. His death occurred some years 
ago, and his wife has since passed away. They 
were both members of the Presbyterian Church, 
in which body he was fir.st a Deacon, and sub.se- 
quently an Elder for many years. In politics he 
was originally a Whig, but on the organization of 
the Republican party allied himself with it, and 
was a strong advocate of its principles. Deacon 
Bailey was twice married, and by his first wife 
had one child. His .second wife was a daughter 
of Jacob Dunning, who was a farmer living north 
of Middletowu, on the plank road. 63- this mar- 
riage there were four children, three of whom 
were daughters, our subject being the only son. 
Ahneda J. was the fir.st wife of Dr. S. W. Mills: 



from a ver>- small beginning, until now it has de- 
posits aggregating $1,500,000. It has occupied 
its present location since 1S74. 

The life of Mr. Bailey has been a most active 
one. Notwithstanding the arduous duties devolv- 
ing upon him as Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Savings Bank, he has yet found time to devote to 
public intere.sts and social intercourse. In poli- 
tics he has always been a Republican, and cast 
his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, 
the first candidate of the party for President. In 
1868 he was elected President of the \'illage 
Board, was re-elected to that po.sition in 1869, the 
term of office being for one year, and in 18S0 he 
was elected for a term of two years. During 
his term of office there was much to make 
the position a bu.sy one. The first sewer was 
built during his administration: it is called the 
Trunk Sewer, and extends from John Street to 



14.60 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Monhagen Brook, being a very expensive piece 
of work. Main and High Streets were widened, 
a drinking fountain erected. North Street was 
paved with Belgian block, and other improvements 
were made. In 1S93 Mr. Bailey was elected 
Mayor of the cit>-. and during his term the trolley 
was built and completed. Reserved from March. 
1S92, until March. 1S94. and refused are-nomi- 
nation. In his election to oflSce he was always a 
candidate on the Republican ticket. 

Personally Mr. Bailey is a man of ver\- quiet 
tastes and habits. He is possessed of excellent 
judgment and is one not likely to be led astray by 
a boom in stocks or any investmeut not particu- 
larly substantial. He ever has the interests of 
his city at heart, being willing to make many 
sacrifices in building it up. and at the time of the 
location of the asylum here he took an active 
part. He has been a member of the First Pies- 
byterian Church for over forty years, and has 
been Trustee and Chairman of its board sev- 
eral times. Since 1863 he has been a member of 
Phoenix Engrine Company No. 4. and travels 
with the company ever>- fall. He ser\-ed as first 
President of the company, and continued to hold 
this position until elected Mayor, when he re- 
signed. During the war he was a member of the' 
'Union League and ser\-ed as Trustee. Mr. Bai- 
ley was married, in Januar\-. 1862. to Sarah E.. 
daughter of John H. Robertson. 



••v>k:s 



j:^^i. 



EHARLES DOWNING. While it is impos- 
sible, within the limits of this volume, to 
re\"iew in detail the life of the illustrious 
gentleman above named, it is fitting that some 
mention be made of his honorable and useful 
career. A life-long resident of Newburgh. he 
was here boni July 9. 1S02. and died Januar\- 18. 
1 885. His parents, Samuel and Eunice Downing, 
were natives ol Lexington, Mass., and upon their 
marriage removed from Cambridge to Newburgh, 
but later went to Montgomery-, where the father 
intended to follow his trade of carriage-maker. 



IB-health, however, caused him to return to New- 
burgh. where, about the beginning of the present 
centur\-. he established a shop for the manufact- 
ure of wagons, on the northeast comer of Broad 
and Liberty Streets. Within a few years he aban- 
doned his trade to become a nurser\"man. in which 
he was the first in the county to successfuUy 
engage. He died November i. 1S22. and his wife 
passed away October 29. 183S. 

The four children of Samuel and Eunice Down- 
ing were: Emily, born in 1801. married Sylvester 
Fern.-, and died in 1S64: Charles, of this sketch; 
George W.. bom in 1804. and died in 1846: and 
Andrew J., whose biography is presented on an- 
other page of this volume. The early years of 
our subject were passed under the carefiil training 
of his father in the nurser\- business and in at- 
tendance upon the common schools of his day. 
Before he had attained his majority his father 
died, and the responsibilitv- of conducting the 
business, and the support of the family, to a large 
degree devolved upon him. 

Forming a partnership with his brother, under 
the firm name of C. & A. J. Downing, our sub- 
ject embarked in the nursery business, but a few 
years later the connection was dissolved, and in 
1837 he removed to the outskirts of the cit\-. He 
continued iii the nursen.- business for thirty years 
and became the most promiuent pomologist of the 
United States. His was a penetrating and in- 
quiring mind, that led him to study carefully tlie 
forms, varieties and qualities of the different fruits 
that came under his observation, and by experi- 
menting and pro\-ing he was enabled to improve 
many varieties of fruits and originate others, some 
of which bear his name to this day. His last 
years were passed at his home on the comer of 
Chambers and South Streets, where, free from 
business cares, he was at liberty to pursue his 
pomological investigations and literarj- work with 
greater assiduity than in former years. 

In his earlier years Mr. Downing devoted his 
attention principally to the cultivation of fruits, 
but in later life he became a regular contributor 
to periodicals, and twice revised ""The Fruits and 
Fruit Trees of America."" written by his brother, 
and after the last revision he added two app)en- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



.461 



dices, containing: new fruits, corrections, etc., 
making the work twice its original size. It has 
become a classic, and is regarded as the highest 
authority on the subjects of which it treats. In- 
creasing honors came to Mr. Downing with his 
advancing years. In his choseji field he gained 
high renown. Pe^iple from all parts of the countn.- 
sought his ad\-ice and deferred to his judgment, 
and he was conceded to be the authorit}.- on 
pomolog\-. Largely through his influence Xew- 
burgh became the center of a great fruit-growing 
district, and thus he was instrumental in promot- 
ing the prosperit>- of the locality. 

September 20. 1S30. Mr. Downing married Miss 
Mar>". daughter of Samuel Wait, of Montgomery-. 
X. Y. For fifty years they lived happily to- 
gether, sharing their joys and sorrows, until they 
were separated by her death, October 18, 1S80. 



0A. KETCHUM. a lumber and coal dealer 
at Middletown. was bom in the town of 
Mamakating. near Wurt^boro. in Sullivan 
County. January 24, 1S31. His father, James 
Ketchum, was bom in Putnam Countj" about 
iSoo. His grandfather, Daniel Ketchum, who 
was of Welsh descent, was long a resident of 
that county, but removed with his family to Sul- 
livan Countv". where he died. In early life the 
father learned the trade of a millwright, and 
erected and equipp>ed many mills throughout Put- 
nam and Sullivan Counties. Later he engaged in 
the manulacture of cart felloes and wheelbarrows 
at Oakland, N. Y. About 1S45 ^^ purchased a 
farm near Oakland, which he improved, and on 
which he passed the remainder of his life, dying 
at the age of seventy -six years. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, was Miss Harriet C. 
Fields. She was bom in Putnam Count}, near 
where the Ketchums lived. Her grandfather. Jo- 
seph Coles Fields, was also a resident of Putnam 
County, in the town of Southeast, where his 
death occurred. Mrs. Harriet C. Ketchum died 
in 187S, at the age of seven t\-- seven years. 

In the parental family were ten children who 
•:rew to maturitv. and eight of the number are 



now living. Hiram was a member of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Infan- 
tr\-. and was wounded in the thigh at the battle 
of ChanccUorsville. He now resides in Middle- 
town. The subject of this sketch was fifth in 
the family, and was reared on the farm, receiving 
his education in the district school. Later he 
took charge of the home farm- and opierated it 
until 1S57, ^^'hen he engaged in business in Oak- 
land, manufacturing lumber and wheelbarrows. 
For a time the business was run under the firm 
name of Ketchum Brothers and later by our sub- 
ject alone. He operated two sawmills in Oakland, 
and largely engaged in the manufacture of wheel- 
barrows, tray, coal and garden barrows. Thou- 
sands of them were carted to Otisville. then sent 
to New York City, and from there were shipped 
all over the countn.-. After operating the two 
branches of business for a number of years. Mr. 
Ketchum gave up manufacturing and engaged 
in the lumber business exclusively. Much of 
the lumber was supplied to the Erie Railroad, 
being used in car-manufacturing, and he ran the 
mill until he came to Middletown in 18S6. In 
carT>-!ng on the business, he found it necessary to 
purchase a great deal of timber-land, and he is to- 
day the owner of over seventeen hundred acres on 
the Neversink. 

Since locating in Middletown Mr. Ketchum 
has been engaged in the lumber and coal business 
at No. 245 North Street. He has a frontage of 
one hundred and fift:y feet running back to the 
Ontario & Western Railroad, where he has a 
coal-pocket and siding, the jxKket being 144x18 
feet. He carries from three hundred to six hun- 
dred tons of coal, and is the largest dealer in coal 
in the city. He has a fine arrangement with drop- 
screen in the wagon. His main shed is 100x20 
feet, with an addition adjoining of 50x18 feet. 
Everything is well and conveniently arranged, 
and Mr. Ketchum dots a large wholesale and re- 
tail business both in lumber and coal. He was 
one of the first to locate on North Street. 

In 1S58 Mr. Ketchum was united in marriage 
with Miss Susan J. Williams, who was born in 
Forestburg, Sullivan County. To them five chil- 
dren have been bom: A. F.. residing in Middle- 



1462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



town: John A., with his father in the office; 
Charles H., in the insurance business at Cleve- 
land. Ohio: and Clara C. and D. Albert, at 
home. The family resides in a neat and com- 
fortable house at No. 202 North Street, whicli 
was erected by Mr. Ketchum on coming to this 
city. Politically he is a Republican. 



^yiARCUS S. HAYNE. M. I). During the 
y I long period of his residence in Unionville. 
(g| no one accomplished more in behalf of its 
progress, or Became more thoroughly identified 
with its best interests, thau did the late Dr. 
Ha\nie. He was known throughout this locality 
as one of the most honorable and straightforward 
of men. upright in everj- respect. For some 
time prior to his demise, failing health prevented 
him from actively participating in public affairs, 
and he lived retired, rejoicing in the good-will of 
his acquaintances , and fiUing up the measure of 
his days with good works. Laying down the 
burdens of life at length, he entered into rest 
April S, 1S91, and his body was buried in the 
cemetery which his efforts had secured for the 
village nearly twenty-five years before. 

The Hayne family is of German origin. The 
first representative in this couutr\- was our sub- 
ject's great-grandfather, who emigrated from 
Germany, and settled in Wantage, N. J., in 
1775. The Doctor was bom near Deckertown, 
that state, January 23, 1S16, and was the son of 
Benjamiu and Millie ^Whittaker ■ Hayne, of the 
town of Minisink. After canning on the studies 
of the district school at Unionville, he attended 
the well known school of William Rankin at Deck- 
ertown, N. J., where he was later a teacher. In 
1S3S he commenced to study medicine with Dr. 
Lynn, of Deckertown, and afterward entered the 
oflBce of Dr. Sylvester Austin, in Ontario County, 
N. Y. Later he became a student in the Geneva 
Medical College, from which he was graduated 
in 1S41. 

Opening an ofiice in Westtowu. the Doctor 
began the practice of his profession, remaining 
thereuntil 1S44. when he nioveil to Mt. Salem. 



Sussex County, N. J. In 1846 he came to 
Unionville. where he resided until his death. 
Until 1S70 he gave his attention assiduously to 
his profession, and had a large practice among 
the p>eople of the towu and of the country round 
about. In 1S70 he relinquished general practice, 
though still retaining professional work in con- 
sultations, and he then turned his attention to 
business matters. In 1S65 he had become inter- 
ested, with his father-in-law, in the L'niouville 
Creanierv-. and later in the creamery at Wantage. 
Both of these enterprises he managed until 
shortly before his death, when he transferreti 
them to his son. S. Christie, who runs them suc- 
cessfully, and in addition to the regular work 
manufactures sugar of milk in the Unionville 
Cream er>-. 

In 1S43 Dr. Hayne married Amelia VanFleet. 
who died Januarj- 30. 1S4S. Their two children 
died in infancy. In 1S49 he was united with 
Jane Decker, who died July 16. 1856. The 
children by that marriage were Albert B.. who 
died October 12. 1S76. aged twent\--six: Annie 
M., deceased; and Marcus P.. an attorney of 
Minneapolis. The third marriage of the Doctor 
took place in January, 1858, when Eliza A., 
daughter of Samuel and Jane Christie, of Wan- 
tage, became his wife. Mrs. Hayne, with one 
sou, S. Christie, an enterprising and capable busi- 
ness man, survives. 

The brothers and sisters of Dr. Hayne were 
as follows: Peter, who lives in Goshen: Millie, 
wife of Henry B. Lee, of Waverly, N, Y. 
Frances, Mrs. A. W. Van Fleet, of Unionville 
Caroline, Mrs. O. W. Cooke, of New York City- 
Jacob, who lives in Goshen: Martha, wife of J. 
B. Hendershot. of Newton, N. J.: and Lewis and 
Henry, decea.<ed. Interested in ever>thing per- 
taining to his profession. Dr. Hayne identified 
himself with the Orange County Medical Society 
in 1 84 1 and remained a member of it until his 
death. In 1S6S he was instrumental in laying 
out the l"nionville Cemeter\-, and this he managed 
as a private enterprise for some years, but after- 
ward transferred it to a Board of Trustees, by 
whom it was incorporated. 

In early life a Whig, Dr. Hayne joined the 




ELTIXG CUDDEBACK. 



i 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1465 



Republican party at its organization, and was 
always true to its principles. In April, 1879, he 
was appointed Postmaster at I'nionville, and 
served efficiently in that capacity until removed 
by the Cleveland administration. Ujion settling 
in Unionville, he joined the Presbyterian Church, 
and of it he remained a consistent member until 
his death. In addition -to his residence in the 
village, he owned another dwelling here and a 
valuable fann over the Jersey line. 

In all his enterprises he was assisted by his de- 
voted wife, who survives him, and who occupies 
a high place in the regard of the people of this 
community. Her husband's energy and excellent 
judgment secured a comfortable property, and she 
is surrounded b}- ever)- comfort which enhances 
the pleasure of living. The estate is in charge 
of her sou, S. C, a young man of superior abil- 
ity, who looks after affairs in a most praiseworthy 
manner. 



3^- 



~ LTING CUDDEBACK, one of the reliable 
^ aud representative agriculturists of the town 
^ of Deerpark, was born October 10, 1816, on 
the farm where he now resides, although at the 
present time it is within the corporation limits of 
Port Jervis. His parents, Benjamin and Blan- 
dina (Van Ettenj Cuddeback, were well known 
people of this conimunit)-, and the former was a 
son of Benjamin and Catherine (Van FleetJ Cud- 
deback. The grandfather of our subject lived 
about two miles from Huguenot, in an old stone 
house, which is still used as a residence. There 
his death occurred when his son Benjamin was 
only eight years old. He had three sons, Ben- 
jamin, Henry and William, and two daughters, 
Synche and Jemima. William, of the town of 
Deerpark, who wedded Miss Van Inwegen, had 
a large family, none of whom now live in this 
county, and his death occurred on the old home- 
stead when he had reached the age of nniety 
years. Henry, also of this town, married Esther 
Gumaer, and bought a farm on the east side of 
the Neversink, where his grandson, Henry G., 
now lives; he also reached the age of ninety years. 
Synche married Simon Westfall, of Port Jervis: 



and Jemima became the wife of Anthony \'an Et- 
ten, of the town of Owasco, Cayuga County. 

Benjamin Cuddeback, the father of our subject, 
was united in marriage with Blandina\'an Etten, 
a daughter of Levi and Jane (Westbrook) \'an 
Etten. who lived where Levi Van Etten. his 
grandson, now resides, on the east bank of the 
Neversink. The farm purchased by his father is 
the one on which Elting now makes his home, 
and there he carried on agricultural pursuits un- 
til his death. Politically he gave his support to 
the Democracy, and was a public-spirited, enter- 
prising man. In early da3-s he had engaged in 
teaching, but later learned the weaver's trade, 
which he followed for many years. Each house 
then had a loom of its own, but employed some 
skilled workman to do the weaving. He served 
as Town Supervisor, and was Justice of the Peace 
for a number of years, holding that office at the 
time of the building of the canal. The Irish 
workmen would often get into a pitched battle, 
and on Monday morning they would be brought 
before him, and he would send them to jail at 
Goshen by the wagon-load. He had more power 
as a Justice of the Peace than those in that office 
to-day. He was quite an active politician, being 
one of the leaders of his party in Orange County. 
His death occurred on the 25th of July, 1870, at 
the age of ninety-one years, and his wife, who 
was two years his junior, passed away in 1868. 
He was a stout, strong, robust man, an able .suc- 
cessor and a noble ancestor. For forty years he 
was Elder in the Reformed Church, of which he 
was a stanch supporter. 

Of the present family we make the following 
mention: Catherine married James Cuddeback, 
who, though of the same name, was not a relative, 
and she died at the age of seventy-eight years. 
Jane, who wedded Alex Johnson, a teacher and 
farmer, lives in Port Jervis. Asenath became 
the wife of Samuel B. Farnum, of Port Jervis. 
(See sketch elsewhere.) Elting is the next in 
order of birth. Hannah, who married Peter P. 
Swartwout, father of Dr. Henry Swartwout, 
makes her home in Huguenot, Orange County. 
Thomas, a doctor, practiced here for a time, but 
later removed to Big F"lats, Chemung County, 



1466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he died at the age of seventj-four years. 

Jemima became the wife of Lemuel S. Chapin, 
now of Crete. Xeb. Lydia married Wallace Tits- 
worth, a farmer residing near Deckertown. X. J. 
All but two of the family are still living. 

Elting Cuddeback was named in honor of Rev. 
Cornelius C. Elting. who had recently arrived in 
Port Jer\-is at the time of his birth, but preached 
in this place for twenty-five years. His boyhood 
was passed upon the home farm, and when he 
was ten years of age the canal was cut through 
his father's land, and he became familiar with 
ever\- detail of canal-building. All his life has 
been devoted to the labors of an agriculturist, and 
he now keeps on hand about fiftj- cows for dair\- 
purposes. Besides the Delaware & Hudson Can- 
al, the Monticello Railroad also crossed his prop- 
ertv, about ten acres of which he has platted and 
built upon, and it now forms an addition to Port 
Jervis. He uses his right of franchise in support 
of the Democratic party, but takes no active part 
in political matters. He is a man of remarkably 
good judgment, sound common-sense and ability, 
which traits have made him prosperous and influ- 
ential: and the respect in which he is held is due 
to his high moral character and his disintere.sted 
benevolence. 

On the iSth of September, 1S44. Mr. Cudde- 
back was united in marriage with Miss Ann B. 
Elting, who was born April 29. 1S20, in Xew 
Jersey, and was a daughter of Rev. C. C. and 
Anna Maria < Bevier > Elting, the latter a native 
of Rochester. Ulster County, X. Y. Mrs. Cud- 
deback was called to her final rest Januar>- 20. 
1S62. and she left four children. Cornelius Elting 
is an attorney of Port Jer\ns. of whom see sketch 
elsewhere in this volume: Benjamin, who died 
June 17, 1S92. at the age of fort>--two years, was 
engaged in farming on the old home place, and 
he left a widow and four children, who are now 
living in Port Jer\is: William L. is a physician 
and surgeon of the same place: aud Blaudina 
Maria is the w4fe of Rev. John L. Stilwell. pastor 
of the Reformed Church of Bloomingburg, Sulli- 
van County, X. Y. Mr. Cuddeback was again 
married, on the loth of August. 1S71. this union 
being with Margaret Cuddeback. who was bom 



April 10, 18 18, and was a daughter of William 
and Mar\- ' Westbrook ' Cuddeback, of Cudde- 
backville. Her death occurred on the 21st of Oc- 
tober. 1SS4. Her sister Sarah, the widow of 
Martin Wheeler, who was a carpenter of Cudde- 
backville and died in Xewburgh in 1862, has for 
ten years been housekeeper for our subject. She 
has two sous. Frank W. and William H. Wheeler, 
printers of Waterbur\-, Conn., where she made 
her home for some vears. 



3 AMES A. BEAKES was one of Uie brave 
Kiys in blue in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth Xew York Infantr\-. which 
was principally made up of men fi-om Orange 
and Sullivan Counties. He was bom at Middle- 
town, on the Xorth Plank Road. February- 5. 1S41 , 
and is a son of Mahlon Stacey and Emeline 'Car- 
penter"' Beakes, both of whom were natives of 
the town of Wallkill. They were the parents of 
eleven children, ten of whom are yet living: 
James A., our subject: George E. : Charles H. 
C of Cornwall: and Mar>" F., William B., Joseph 
E.. Albert S. . Abbie J.. Annie M. aud Sarah E. 
Spencer M. died at the age of two years. 

James A. Beakes was reared on the home farm, 
where he remained until his enhstment in the 
United States ser\nce during the War of the Re- 
bellion. He received his primary education in 
the district school, and completed it in Wall- 
kill Academ\ . On the 5th of August. 1S62, 
he enlisted in Company E. One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth Xew York Infantrv". aud as a pri- 
vate was mustered into ser\-ice at Goshen. Among 
the engagements in which he participated were 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg. In the last-mentioned engagement, in 
which they were engaged three days, all the of- 
ficers of his company were either killed or 
wounded, and he was left in command of the 
company. After the battle, with nine others of 
his regiment, he was on detached sen-ice. and 
was sent to Harts Island to forward troops, 
where he remained until the close of the war. 




HON. CHARLKS ST. JOHN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1469 



He was mustered out and honorably discharged 
at the latter place, June 15. 1865, at which time 
he was a sergeant in the company-. 

Returning home, he engaged in farm labor on 
his father's place until his marriage, in 1867, 
near Mt. Hope, with Miss Mary Augusta Mapes. 
Her birth occurred near that place, and she was 
a daughter of Stephen S. Mapes, who was also 
born in the same locality. Her grandfather, 
Seth Mapes, was a farmer by occupation, and 
served in the War of 181 2. Her greatgrandfa- 
ther, Erastus Mapes, lived to be nearly one 
hundred years of age. Mrs. Beakes grew to 
womanhood in her native town, where she re- 
ceiv'ed her primary education, completing her 
course in the Wallkill Academy. .Six children 
were born unto them: Fred M., employed by C. 
H. C. Beakes, of New York City; Janet, at home; 
Laura, who died in 1893, at the age of seventeen 
years, in the year of her graduation from Wall- 
kill Academy; Albert L. and Mary Augusta, at 
home; and Harry, w^ho died in infancy. 

In 1867 Mr. Beakes purchased his father's 
farm of one hundred acres, continuing in farm 
work and in the dairy business at that place for 
four j^ears, when he removed to New York City, 
and engaged in the retail milk business. Three 
years later he sold out and returned to his farm, 
where he remained two years, and then leased a 
creamery at Dwaar Kill, lUster County, which 
he operated for nine years. After closing out the 
same he went to Merrickville, Delaware County, 
and purchased a creamery, which he has since 
continued to operate. In 1894 he purchased a 
creamery at Franklin, that county, which he also 
operates. He is engaged in shipping milk and 
cream to New York City, and also engages in 
the manufacture of butter and cheese. His 
creameries have a capacity- of about three hun- 
dred and fifty cans per day. Mr. Beakes is inter- 
ested in the raising of blooded cattle, especially 
Jerseys, and has upon his place a herd of twentx- 
five head. 

In the spring of 1890 Mr. Beakes removed 
his family to Middletown, and purchased his 
present residence at No. 27 Washington Street. 
In politics he is a Republican, and while residing 



in Ulster County was Commissioner of the town 
of Shawaiigunk. Religiou.sly he is a member ol 
the First Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife. 
He is a member of the Board of Trade at Mid- 
dletown, taking an active interest in its proceed- 
ings, and fraternally is a member of Hoffman 
Lodge No. 412, F. cSc A. M., and ofCapt. \V. A. 
Jackson Post No. 203, G. A. R. 



HON. CHARLES ST. JOHN. Treasured in 
the hearts of the men and women of Orange 
County is the memory of the honored dead, 
those who once lived and labored among us, but 
who now have gone away. By the remembrance 
of their progressive spirit and noble deeds, the 
young are stimulated to action and the old are 
cheered and .soothed. From the life of Hon. 
Charles St. John there ma}- be gleaned may les- 
sons of honor, truth and lofty principle. For 
many \ ears a resident of Port Jervis, he was 
known and honored by all the citizens of this 
place, and by them he will be remembered with 
affection through the years to come. 

A volume of this character would be incom- 
plete were no mention made of Mr. St. John, for 
at one time he was more widely known than any 
other citizen of the county. His public .service 
was of a useful and important nature, and he 
contributed effectively to the development of the 
resources of this .section. It is fitting, therefore, 
that we should perpetuate, through these pages, 
the record of his honorable career. A life-long 
resident of this county, his birth occurred in the 
town of Mt. Hope, Octobers, 18 18. He was the 
.son of Stephen and Abigail ( Horton ) St. John, 
whose family consisted of eight children. His sis- 
ter, Mrs. Amelia Marvin, who died in 1894, was 
for many years one of the most cultured ladies 
and prominent social leaders of Port Jervis. 

The boyhood years of Mr. St. John were pa.ssed 
in the village of Port Jervis, whither his parents 
removed when he was about two years of age, 
and he early identified himself with public aflTairs, 
ever maintaining an interest in matters relating 
to the public welfare. Politically he espoused 



I470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the principles of the Republican part}-, and to its 
tenets he was ever loyal and true. He became 
one of the leaders of his part>-. and his superior 
ability led to his selection to serve in important 
official positions. It is unnecessary to state that 
in every office to which he was called he served 
with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of 
his fellow-citizens. In 1870 he was elected Rep- 
resentative to Congress, and was re-elected in 
1S72. As a member of that honorable body, he 
was enabled to present and support many meas- 
ures helpful to his constituents, and having in 
view the advancement of the general welfare of 
the people. He was a stockholder in the National 
Bank of Port Jervis, being Vice-President at the 
time that Henry H. Farnum was President. After 
that gentleman's death, Mr. St. John became 
President, and held the office until his death. He 
was engaged in many business enterprises, and 
in the early days was greatly interested in the lum- 
ber business, floating large rafts of lumber down 
both the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers to 
the markets of Baltimore and Philadelphia. For 
man}- years he was a prominent merchant in Port 
Jervis, and was also interested in a foundrv. 

Mr. St. John owne.^ a farm in every state in 
the Union at one time and several in some states. 
These he rented on shares, refusing to rent for 
money, but aiding every- man who needed as.sist- 
ance. In some places he owned a number of 
farms, and in South Dakota he owned a half-in- 
terest in a farm of twenty-five hundred acres. 
He also owned an orange grove and valuable real 
estate at Palatka, Fla., and much of his time was 
spent in that place, superintending his important 
interests there, as well as gaining needed recu- 
peration. For a time he was engaged in business 
in New York City, but, preferring a country life, 
he sold out his interest there and returned to Port 
Jervis. 

Mr. St. John's first wife was Ellen S. Thomp- 
son, who at the time of her death left three sons 
and three daughters-: Ellen; Elizabeth, wife of 
Alonzo Striker; Stephen,a druggist in Port Jervis: 
Charles, proprietor of the Port Jervis Union and 
the Orange County Farmer: George; and Amelia, 
wife of Lewis Goldsmith. Two children died in 



infancy. For his second wife Mr. St. John mar- 
ried Frances Reed, who died leaving no children. 
His third wife. Ada Hortense, was a daughter of 
Cornelius Caskey, a life-long friend of Mr. St. 
John, and of whom mention is made on another 
page. They were united in marriage October 
10, 1888, three years prior to his decease. He 
was taken ill June 6, 1891, and on the 6th of the 
next month he died at his home in Port Jervis. 
He was mourned by hundreds of men and wo- 
men, who numbered him among their friends, and 
his death was regarded as a public loss. 

Mr. St. John never held membership with any 
fraternal organizations, nor was he a church 
member, though in early life he attended the 
Dutch Reformed Church and sang in the choir, 
but later, becoming dissatisfied, he withdrew. His 
family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church, and he was one of the most liberal sup- 
porters of and contributors to that organization. 
He was a man of the greatest generosity; in fact, 
his constant benevolences prevented him from 
ever gaining wealth, though he was in comforta- 
ble circumstances. His friends, when in need, 
he assisted to the extent of his ability, and no 
needy person ever appealed in vain to him for 
help. His benevolence was well known, and he 
was often impo.sed upon. Generosity may be 
said to be his leading characteristic, and there are 
scores of poor persons who remember him with 
the greatest reverence as their friend in time of 
trouble. 



<X:'M'4~i"M"M"5"5"!'4-^-5^-f+-!"5"{"i-++++:» 



DWARD R. RUSSELL, proprietor of the 
'y Oriental Hotel at Middletown, was bom in 
^ Honesdale, Pa., November 25, T850, and is 
of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather coming 
from Scotland and locating in New York at a 
very early day. His father, Albert H. Russell, 
was born in Fredonia, N. Y., grew to manhood 
in his native state, and subsequently removed to 
Honesdale, Pa., where he engaged in the mer- 
cantile trade with his brother, Zenos H. Russell. 
The latter was also President of the Honesdale 




W iCKHAM C. McNISH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1473 



National Bank. From Houesdale Albert H. 
Russell removed to New York City, and at No. 
99 Barclay Street was engaged iu the wholesale 
provision trade. He later removed to Narrows- 
burg, and became proprietor of Murray's Hotel. 

In 1S63 Mr. Russell came to Middletown and 
purchased the Ogden House, which he continued 
three years, and then engaged in the retail lum- 
ber business, the firm being Eaton & Russell. 
They remained on the comer of Main and Canal 
Streets until TS79. when Mr. Russell sold out 
and again engaged in the hotel business, taking 
charge of the old Taylor House. In iSSi he 
rebuilt the old Grand Central, and changed the 
name to the Russell House, which he continued 
to operate until his death, in 1885. He was 
quite prominent in local affairs, and was Super- 
visor of the town of Wallkill. when the town and 
village of Middletown comprised one district. 
He was a member of the Board of Education for 
nine years, and was for some years Trustee of 
the Middletown Savings Bank. In politics he 
was a Republican, and religiously he was a Bap- 
tist. His wife. Harriet Babcock. who was born 
near Westerly. R. I. . and died in 1 868, came of an 
old Eastern family. The parental family com- 
prised the following children: Edward R. . our 
subject; Albert H.. of the McOuaid Iron Com- 
pany, of Brooklyn. N. Y.: and Sarah B.. Mrs. 
Lucky, of Middletown. 

For the most part the childhootl days of our 
subject were si>ent in Middletown. and his educa- 
tion was received in Wallkill and Monticello 
Academies. He began his business life as a clerk 
in the lumber-yard of Eaton & Russell, remain- 
ing with them as bookkeeper for eight or nine 
years, then accepting a clerkship in the Middle- 
town Water Works Company, and later with 
Denton & Barker, clothiers. He was next pri- 
vate secretan.- to C. W. Douglass. General Su- 
perintendent of the New York & Oswego Mid- 
land Railroad, and in 1878 he became conductor 
on the New York. Ontario & Western Railroad, 
running between Middletown and Norwich. He 
remained with that company until 1S93. and then 
bought the Monopvole Hotel, remodeled it and 
changed its name to the Oriental Hotel. It is now 



a first class house, located on East Main Street, 
near the Main Street Depot, and has a frontage 
of one hundred and two feet. 

Mr. Russell was married, in Bloomingburg, to 
Miss Ella N. Hennion. a native of New York 
City, and a daughter of David Hennion. one of 
the first to engage in the creamen.- business, and 
the first to take Orange County milk to New York 
City. One child has been born unto them. 
Henry Z. Mr. Russell is an active member of 
Millard Division of the Order of Railway Conduc- 
tors, and takes great interest in its proceedings, 
although he is not at present on the road. He is 
a member of Grace Episcopal Church of Middle- 
town, and in politics is a Republican. 



=+*** ^^^ ****':^ 



IICKHAM C. McNISH. one of the oldest 
and best known residents of Middletown, 
is a descendant in the fifth generation 
from Rev. George McNish, a native of Scotland, 
who came to America in 1705. upon the solicita- 
tion of Rev. Francis Mackenzie, who was after- 
ward styled "the father of the Presbyterian 
Chiirch in America." Rev. George McNish was 
licensed to preach here by Rev. Mr. Seymore, of 
Maryland, in 1706. He was one of the members 
of the first PTesbyterx- tormed in America, and 
upon the first vacancy in the pulpit after the. 
formation of the Philadelphia Presbytery, he was 
called to the Presbyterian Church at Jamaica, 
L. I., in 1 7 10. He begau to preach there in 
171 1, and is called ""the father of the Presbyte- 
rian Church on Long Island," being among the 
first Presbyterians in the province of New York. 
He was a man of much Christian zeal, and was 
well prepared to meet with determined resistance 
the aggression of the English Church on the 
island. When the latter finally succeeded in tak- 
ing from the Presbyterians their church propertv, 
Mr. McNish preached to his congregation in pri- 
vate places. He owned one thousand acres of 
land in the town of Wallkill. which after his 
death became the property of his only child. 
Rev. George McNish. He died March 10, 1722. 
Rev. George McNish. tlie son of the above. 



'474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married a daughter of Joseph Smith, of Jamaica, 
and settled in New Jersey, preaching at New- 
town, now Newton, between 17-^4 and 1746. 
He subsequently preached in Goshen, and spent 
his life in the ministry. He died in Wallkill in 
1779, aged sixt3'-five. His children were; An- 
drew Clark, who served in the Revolutionary 
War, and fortunately escaped from Ft. Mont- 
gomery when taken b)- the British; Peggy; and 
Polly, wife of George Conkling. of Goshen. 

Andrew Clark McNish, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born August 17, 1752, and died 
February 12, 1805. He owned one hundred 
acres of land within what is now the corporation 
limits of Middletown, where he built a log house 
and barn and where he resided until his death. 
His wife was Elizabeth Davis, of Long Island. 
Their eldest child, Joshua, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born September i, 1779, aud served in 
the War of 1812. For fifteen months he was 
stationed on Long Island. As he was the eldest 
child, upon the death of his parents he succeeded 
to the homestead, and gave, as requested in his 
father's will, each of his brothers and sister $75 
each, and a trade if they chose to learn one. He 
resided upon the homestead during his entire life. 
His marriage united him with Mary M. Reeve, a 
(laughter of Deacon James Reeve, one of the found- 
ers and the first Deacon of the Congregational 
Church in Middletown. He came from Long 
Island and settled in the town of Wawayanda. 
where he reared a family of thirteen children. 
The parental family comprised six children, 
three of whom are now living. George C. died 
at the age of twenty-one; Andrew C. died at the 
age of thirty-seven; Elizabeth resides in Middle- 
town; Wickham C. is our subject; Sarah married 
James B. Crawford, of Middletown, and died at 
the age of sixty-two; PhebeJ. is now Mrs. Ol- 
iver B. Carpenter, of W'awajanda. After the 
death of her husband, Mrs. McNish managed 
the homestead farm with superior ability and judg- 
ment, and reared her children with all the care 
and devotion of a Christian mother until her 
death, in December, 1863. 

Wickham C. McNish was born on the old 
homestead, August 25, 1823, aud grew to man- 



hood on the farm. His education was received 
in the Wallkill Academy, from which he was 
graduated, and he then taught school for six years 
during the winter months and assisted on the 
farm in the summer. In 1850 he took a steamer 
for California, via Panama, where he waited six 
weeks, and then took passage on the propellor 
"Columbus" for San Francisco, but before ar- 
riving there was taken sick with Panama fever, 
from which he did not recover for six months. 
He finally arrived in San Francisco, and in the 
fall began clerking in a boot and shoe store. 
Later, in company with J. B. Roberts, he en- 
gaged in the same line of business under the firm 
name of Roberts & McNish. He returned home 
after he had been gone from New York City 
just three years to a day. Subsequently he locat- 
ed in Boston as buyer for the business in Cali- 
ifornia, forwarding the merchandise by ve.s.sel 
to California around Cape Horn, afterwards 
across the Isthmus, and thence by steamer to San 
Francisco. This partnership continued until 
1869, when it was dissolved b}- mutual con.sent, 
Mr. McNish returning to California by rail to 
make the final settlement. Mr. Roberts still re- 
sides there. Mr. McNish and his partner began 
a small retail business but soon entered a jobbing 
trade, their sales being over half a million a year. 

About 1866 our subject became interested in 
the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and took stock 
in a company formed the previous year at Bos- 
ton, known as the Phoenix Oil and Land Com- 
pany. He held the controlling interest and be- 
came manager, removing to Titusville, Pa., 
where he remained until 1873, when the company 
sold out. He has, however, been interested in 
the oil business almost ever since. Many wells 
were sunk by his company, and a great deal ol 
land was bought and sold. Of late years his in- 
terest has been chiefly in the Bradford fields. 

Mr. McNish was married in Middletown, Jan- 
uary 14, 1857, to Miss Mary Etta Reeve, who 
WIS born near Middletown. Her parents were 
William Wickham and Jane (Ayers) Reeve, the 
former of whom was born here in April, 1802. 
Her father was an engineer and surveyor, being 
one of the oldest surveyors in the country, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1475 



laid out the Erie Plank Road, the grounds on 
which the water works of this cit\- are located, 
and the asylum grounds. His farm comprised 
the land now occupied by the asylum He sold 
this, however, and removed to the city, building 
a neat and comfortable residence at No. 150 East 
Main Street. For many years he was Supervisor 
of Wallkill, and for several years was a Member 
of the Legislature. He was a well known and pop- 
ular Democrat, and a Trustee and member of the 
Congregational Church. He died here in 1876. 
His wife, Jane Avers, was born in the town of 
Wallkill, and was a daughter of David and Martha 
(Crawford) Avers. She died in 1892, in her 
eighty -seventh year. Mrs. McNish received her 
education in Middletown and New York City. 
Mr. and Mrs. McNish were the parents of two 
children, one of whom died in infancy. Mary J., 
the surviving one, resides with her parents. 

Mr. McNish and family are members of the 
Congregational Church, and he has ever been 
active in the Master's work. For .several years 
he has filled the office of Deacon, and has al.so 
been President of the Board of Trustees. He 
was Chairman of the Building Committee during 
the erection of the present church edifice in 1873, 
and was the largest contributor to the building 
fund. Politically he is a Republican. With his 
family he resides in a fine residence at No. 146 
liast Main Street, which was erected in 1892. 



SEORGE SMITH, Roadmaster of the New 
York, Su.squehanna <& Western Railroad, is 
one of the olde.st railroad men in Middle- 
town, having commenced work with the Erie 
Railroad in 1849. He was born in Sullivan 
County, near Bloomingburg, December 16, 1834, 
and his father, Melancthon, and his grandfather, 
George, were also natives of that county. His 
paternal great-grandfather came from the North 
of Ireland and settled in vSullivan County, where 
he was one of the pioneer farmers. Melancthon 
Smith, the father, was a farmer in Mamakating, 



Sullivan County, and later removed to Oxford, 
Chenango County, where he remained for a tiine, 
and then located at Middletown, where he died at 
the age of seventy -five years. His wife was 
Amanda Harding, a native of Sullivan Count}-, 
and a daughter of Charles Harding, who was an 
old settler of that county, and a farmer by occu- 
pation. For many years she was a member of the 
Old-school Baptist Church, and died in Goshen 
at the age of .seventy-five years. The parental 
family comprised the following children: Charles 
H., a graduate of the Albany Medical School, 
who died soon after his graduation; Augustus B., 
a saw maker by trade, who now resides in the 
far West; George, our subject; Mary A., Mrs. 
Mapes, of Goshen; and Helen M., Mrs. Oakley, 
of Newark. 

The subject of this sketch was but two years 
old when his parents moved to Chenango Coun- 
ty, where they remained some years and then re- 
moved back to Sullivan County. He had only 
the advantages of a common-school education 
and in 1849 entered the employ of the Erie Rail- 
road at Middletown. At that time the road had 
but a single track, the rails being laid on hard- 
wood stringers, and the longest rail was sixteen 
feet. After three months' service he was made 
foreman of a .section of four miles, one mile from 
Middletown, and was thus engaged for twelve 
years; afterward he was made Supervisor over 
thirty-one miles of road through New Jersey, 
from Suffern to Jersey City. This position he 
held for six years, and was then made track fore- 
man of the Eastern Division and branches of the 
Erie Railroad, covering about six hundred miles, 
including Newburgh, Newark, Pine Island and 
Montgomery Branches. During this time he had 
charge of laying the third rail from Port Jervis to 
Jersey City, and of narrowing the track from 
a .six-foot to a four-foot eight and a-half inch 
gauge. March 20, 1883, he resigned in order to 
accept the position of Roadmaster of the New 
York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad, which 
position he still holds. His territory includes one 
hundred and fifty-six miles on the main line, and 
fifteen miles known as the Winton Branch, and 
covers twentv- eight sections. 



1476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Smith was married, at Howells Depot, to 
Miss Abbie J. Horton, boru in the towu of Wall- 
kill, and a daughter of A. J. Horton, a merchant 
at Howells Depot. Seven children were born unto 
them: Emma, Mrs. Mills, of Middletown: Charles 
H., Cit)- Engineer; M. Ada, a successful artist 
in oils: Jennie, deceased: Alfred K., a graduate 
of the medical department of Columbia College 
and the College of Pharmacy: Cora G., a success- 
ful school teacher: and George A., at home. 
Fraternally Mr. Smith is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, and in politics is a Republican. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Second Presby- 
terian Church. 



^>-^^-<P 



30HX F. JOHNSON. Assistant Roadmaster 
of the Hudson River Division of the West 
Shore Railroad, was born in Sweden, July 4, 
1858. His father, Olaf. also a native of Sweden, 
brought the family to America during the prog- 
ress of the Civil War, settling at Mont Clair, 
N. J., and removing thence to Hancock, Dela- 
ware County, N. Y.. where he still resides. His 
life occupation has been that of an agriculturist, 
and he is the owner of a well improved farm of 
two hundred and sixty acres. He is still in the 
prime of life, being fifty-six years of age. In 
religious belief he is actively identified with the 
Lutheran Church. 

By his marriage with Johanna Oleson. also a 
native of Sweden. Olaf Johnson had five children, 
namely: John F., Charles, Frank, August and 
Lottie, all of whom are with their parents except- 
ing the eldest. Upon the home farm in Delaware 
County the childhood years of our subject were 
passed, his education being such as the neigh- 
boring schools afforded. From boyhood he 
evinced a preference for railroading, and at the 
age of sixteen he entered the employ of the Os- 
wego & Midland Railroad as section hand. When 
twenty he became foreman of the same section, 
remaining at Hancock for one year, after which 
he had charge of a "floating" gang on the road 
for over three years. His next position was 



that of superintendent in the laying of the new- 
track on the Oswego & Midland between Mid- 
land and Cornwall. 

Upon completing that job, Mr. Johnson went 
to Haverstraw, and in the fall of 1882 became an 
employe of what is now the West Shore Road, 
his duty being to ballast the track between 
Haverstraw and Ft. Montgomery. While thus 
engaged, he had more than a hundred men un- 
der him. From Haverstraw he went to Wee- 
hawkeu, N. J., to ballast the yards there and 
put in the tracks. On the completion of that 
work, the majority of the employes were dis- 
charged, but he was retained as foreman of the 
Weehawken yards for three years, being gener- 
al foreman the last year. May i, 1886. he was 
made Assistant Roadmaster between Weehawken 
and Kingston, his headquarters the first year 
being at Weehawken and the second year at 
Cornwall. In 1888 he was transferred to New- 
burgh, where he has since held the position of 
Assistant Roadmaster between Newburgh and 
Weehawken, also of the Thirty-fifth Street yards 
in New York City, and the New Jersey Branch 
of the West Shore, his route extending over fifty- 
eight miles of the main line, five miles of the 
branch road, and all the yards. He travels over 
the road ever\- day. sometimes twice a day. Un- 
der his supervision are thirteen sections on the 
main line, one on the branch, and a floating and 
two tunnel gangs. 

September 21, 1892, at Newburgh, occurred 
the marriage of John F. Johnson and Miss Emma 
Bennett, a native of this city. Her father, George 
Bennett, was born near London, England, whence 
he accompanied his grandfather, William Bennett, 
to America. The latter engaged in farm work in 
Orange County for some time, but later went to 
Colorado, where he died. Her father was in the 
United States navy during the Civil War. For some 
years he was a machinist in the western part of 
Colorado, but after his return to Newburgh he 
entered the Whitehall Engine Works, where he 
is now the oldest employe. His wife, Mary, was 
born in Poughkeepsie, being a daughter of Aaron 
\'an Vlack, a farmer, who died in Dutchess 
Countj-. They were the parents of six children, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1479 



of whom four survive, Mrs. Johnson being next to 
the youngest. Socially our subject is connected 
with the Good Templars and the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Railroad Men. While 
taking no active part in politics, he has decided 
opinions regarding national questions, and ad- 
vocates Republican principles. His wife is a 
member of St. John's Methodist Episcopal 
Church, to the support of which he is a liberal 
contributor. 



^-- 



=+ 



©AMUEL RITCHIE, .senior member of the 
2\ firm of Ritchie & Hull, editors of the/ounia/ 
\~J at Newburgh, was born in Larne, Ireland, 
July 3, 1836, being the second son of Robert I,, 
and Sarah E. Ritchie. At the age of three years 
he was brought by his parents to this country, 
and has made his home in Newburgh since then, 
with the exception of the year 1867. His con- 
nection with the /our?ia/ began March i, 1865, 
and he has been its editor and one of its proprie- 
tors since March i, 1877. He was united in mar- 
riage, in May, 1869, with KateL., daughter of 
the late James F. Kelly. 



[""rank S. hull, who is associated with 
j^ Samuel Ritchie in the publication of the 
I /oil ma/ at Newburgh, was born in this cit\' 
June 6, 1853. His education was received in the 
public schools of this place, and he also attended 
a number of private .schools. He is the eldest 
son of Dr. Duane and Sarah S. Hull, the former at 
one time a well known dentist of Newburgh, but 
known principally through several important in- 
\entions. The most valuable of these was the 
facing of the iron guards on the mowing-machines 
with cast steel to affiird a keen and durable cut 
ting-edge for the knives to operate across. This 
invention proved to be so great an improvement 
over the cutting apparatus previou.sly used, that 

64 



it was universally adopted, though, through some 
defect in his formal application, Dr. Hull did not 
secure a patent for his invention. 

From boyhood Mr. Hull displayed a predilec- 
tion for journalism, and when only thirteen years 
of age he began to publish the American Eagle. 
This he published with little interruption until 
1868, the paper being enlarged several times dur- 
ing that period. The place of publication was 
changed from Newburgh to Millerton and 'West 
New Brighton, N. Y., respectively, as his resi- 
dence was removed thereto. In 1870 he returned 
to Newburgh and accepted a position in \.\\e Jour- 
nal office. In 1876 he was foreman of the office 
of the Middletown Press, but resigned that posi- 
tion, and March i, 1877. formed a partnership 
with Samuel Ritchie and Lawrence C. Bodine, 
purchasing the/i7«;-;/rt/establishment from Cyrus 
B. Martin. In December following he and Mr. 
Ritchie purchased Mr. Bodine's interest, and have 
since carried on the publishing, printing and 
book-binding bu.sine.ss. 

Mr. Hull has served as President of the Young 
Men's Christian A.ssociation, and in religious con- 
nections is identified with the Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, oi which he is a Steward. He 
is one of the five Newburgh representatives in 
the Advisory Board of the Orange County Agri- 
cultural Society. In 1882 he married Miss Ida, 
daughter of the late James Weygant, and they 
have two children, Marjorie W. and Stanley W. 

• ^ P . 



I^JEORGE W. decker, of Newburgh, Su- 
Vj, perintendent and Cashier of the Pennsyl- 
\J( vania Coal Company, is a native of Orange 
Ccmnty, born in Minisink, June 16, 1846, and is 
a son of De'WMtt and Jane (Duryeaj Decker, both 
of whom are also natives of Orange County. The 
Deckers were early settlers of this county, the 
first of the name being Jacob, the grandfather of 
our subject. Mrs. Decker was a daughter of 
Henry Dnryea, who was well known as an ex- 
tensive farmer of this county. She was born 
nearCraigsville, Blooming Grove Township, and 
died in 1872, at the age of sixty-four vears. The 



1480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father died in his eighty-sixth year. They were 
the parents of six children, fi\e of whom are 
now living, George W. being the eldest. One 
brother resides on the old farm, two in New York 
City, and a sister on a farm near the old home- 
stead. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
farm and remained at home until March, 1864, 
when he came to Newburgh and engaged as a 
clerk in the store of Isaac Wood, Jr. He con- 
tinued in the employ of Mr. Wood until Ma}', 
1867, when he entered the eniploj' of the Penn- 
sylvania Coal Company, with which he has ever 
since been connected. He was elected Cashier 
of the company on entering its employ, and has 
continued to hold that office until the present 
time. In February, 1894, he was also elected 
Superintendent of the company at this place. 

The Pennsylvania Coal Company is an incor- 
porated institution and one of the oldest and 
strongest in this state, with shipping points at 
Buffalo, Cleveland, Duluth, Milwaukee and New- 
burgh. Its mines are located at Dunmore, Pa., 
and the Wyoming region, near Scranton. It has 
a great many collieries and employs about three 
thousand men. At Newburgh the company's 
docks are very large, and about one-half of the 
product of the mines, or nine hundred and .seven- 
ty-five thousand tons, is handled each year at this 
point. The business was first begun here in 1 864, 
when the docks were built. The storage capacity 
at Newburgh is about seventy-five thousand tons, 
and about three hundred men are employed in 
different capacities in the yards. The river and 
canal boats owned and used by the company are 
about two hundred in number. About twenty 
acres of ground are required at this point. The 
office is located on South Water Street, and is a 
large, roomy structure, well adapted for its use. 
The main office of the company is located at No. 
I Broadway, New York, and is connected by 
telephone with the one at Newburgh. 

Mr. Decker was married, in Newburgh, to Miss 
Sarah Allard, born in New York Cit}-, and a 
daughter of Noham Allard, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, but who lived and did business in New 
York City, afterward coming to Newburgh, where 



he died. Two children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Decker, Henry P. and Elizabeth. 

George W. Decker is recognized as one of the 
best business men in Newburgh; begiiming life 
here, as already stated, as a clerk, he has worked 
his way up until he is now the manager of one of 
the largest institutions in this section. In busi- 
ness he is very methodical and pmictual in all his 
appointments. His office is always neatl}- kept, 
and the surroundings are also in the best of order. 
His residence is at No. 154 Grand Street, and 
his home life is a most pleasant one. 



(^ 



^^ 1 



'?^| 



I t^rf. 



-^^ 



^ 



yyiOSES M. CLARK, of the town of Wood- 
Y bury, was born at Croton -on- Hudson, West- 
(S Chester County, N. Y., August 4, 1815. 
He remained in the place of his birth until he 
was sixteen, when he went to New York and 
served an apprenticeship of four years to the 
trade of a carriage-maker. After having worked 
in the employ of others for a number of years, he 
embarked in bu.siness for himself, and was suc- 
cessfully engaged in that way for some time. 
About 1853 he brought his family to his present 
home, in order that his wife might take care of 
her parents, whose farm it was. For ten years 
afterward he continued his business, going home 
about once a week, as his trade permitted. In 
1863. however, he retired from business, and 
since then has made this his permanent home. 

The father of our subject, John Clark, Jr., was 
born at Dikeman's Place, N. Y., August 12, 
1775, and died in February, 1852, at the age of 
Siventy-seven. He was twice married, his first 
wife being Sarah Clark, who was born at Dike- 
man's Place shortly after the Revolution. Their 
union resulted in the birth often children, one of 
whom died unnamed in infancy. The others 
were William, Elizabeth, Thomas, States, Sam- 
uel, Mo.ses, Rebecca, Maria and Sarah Matilda. 
By his second marriage, one son and one daugh- 
ter were born. 

The Clark family originated in Scotland, from 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which country our subject's grandfather, John 
Clark, Sr., emigrated to America. At the age 
of eleven j'ears he secured work as a cabin-boy 
on an ocean steamer, and at various times re- 
ceived promotions, until finally he was a captain. 
During his voyages he visited almost every port 
in the world. He married Maria Dikeman, a 
member of one of the oldest families of New 
York, whose ancestors in 1663 purchased five 
hundred acres near Kingsbridge, the patent for 
which was signed by the Duke of York, and aft- 
erward again signed by George IV. and the 
Governor of New York. 

Soon after his marriage, John Clark, Sr., pur- 
chased a tract of five hundred acres near Croton- 
on-Hudson, and upon that place he built a large 
stone house. During the Revolutionary War, in 
which he took part, the Hessians took possession 
of the house, and some of them .slept in his gar- 
ret. Some years after the close of the war, Mr. 
Clark .sold his farm and bought another tract of 
five hundred acres farther up in the lumber dis- 
tricts. The deed for this property was registered 
at White Plains, on the 4th of July, over a hun- 
dred years ago. His wife, Maria, was a daugh- 
ter of Hans Dikeman, a native of Holland, who 
emigrated to this country and settled on the Har- 
lem River. 

The mother of our subject was born in 1785, 
and died in 1825. Her father, Thomas Clark, 
was a farmer by occupation, and a son of Capt. 
William Clark, a native of Virginia, and a Cap- 
tain in a company in Washington's army. Thom- 
as, then a lad of .sixteen, was mail-carrier dur- 
ing the war. The Clark family first .settled near 
Jamestown, Va., but finding the countrj' there 
thickly .settled, moved to the vicinity of Mt. Ver- 
non, General Washington's home, where the 
Captain engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
was of Engli.sh birth, but a loyal patriot, and de- 
voted to the welfare of the Colonies. 

In the city of New York, July 4, 1837, the 
subject of this notice married Mi.ss Mahitable, 
ilaughterofElam and Eunice (Clark) Earl. She 
was born July 16, 181 7, in a house that stood on 
the site of her present home. Her father was a 
.son of Peter and Elizabeth (Bull ) Earl, the form- 



er of whom was one of three brothers, who came 
from England and settled in this country. One 
brother located in New England, John went to 
New Jersey, while Peter came to Orange County, 
and settled near Highland Mills, taking under 
patent over fifteen hundred acres, all the land ly- 
ing between the present homestead and Highland 
Mills. He and his wife were the parents of nine 
daughters and three sons. 

IClam Earl was born on a farm adjoining the 
present homestead, and spent his entire life in this 
vicinity, following agriculture for his occupation. 
In his youth he attended the district schools at 
Bakertown and Highland Mills, but his educa- 
tional advantages were very meager, and his 
knowledge was mainly acquired by self-culture. 
Unto his marriage seven children were born, 
namely: Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob Blaheney, de- 
ceased, formerly of New York City, and who had 
four sons in the war; Mahitable; Mary, deceased, 
wife of Simeon Howell, of Blooming Grove; 
Rachel, who married Charles Mapes, of Monroe; 
Nathaniel, who resides on a farm lying between 
Highland Mills and Central Valley; Matilda, 
whose first luLsband was Charles Peters, and her 
second Henry Mapes; and Peter, who married 
Hannah Conklin, and is now deceased. 

The union of our subject and his wife resulted 
in the birth of eight children. Moses E., the eld- 
est, was born May 29, 1838, makes his home in 
Jersey City, N. J., and is engaged in business in 
New York; he married Emma Tanner, and their 
children are; Albert; P'rancis Herman, of Jersey 
City; PCmily Jessica, who married Oscar Whit- 
ney; Moses P>n est, Jr.; and Henr\- Holmes, de- 
ceased. Albert, the eldest son of Moses E., Sr., 
married Louise Fronk, May 21, 1885, and they 
have three children, Louise, Emma Maude and 
Gladys Earl. 

The second .son of our subject, Isaac A., re- 
sides at Suffern, Rockland County, and is con- 
ductor on the elevated railroad in New York City ; 
he is married and has one child. Mary E., the 
elde.st daughter, is the deceased wife of George 
W. Green, of Highland Mills. Charles A. and 
Sarah E. are deceased. Matilda Julia married 
James Hall, of Roslyn, L. I., and they have two 



1482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children. Simeon H. is a car- painter of New 
York. Ida A. married William vS. Andrews, a 
confectioner of New York. 

It is a remarkable fact that in the honse where 
onr subject now resides four generations are liv- 
ing under the same roof, and the land has been in 
possession of the family for two generations pre- 
vious, making six generations that have resided 
here. In their younger years, Mr. and Mrs. 
Clark were acti\e workers in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, but they are prevented now, by 
the infirmities of age, from taking the active part 
in religious affairs they formerly maintained. 
Mrs. Clark has had a number of remarkable vis- 
ions during her life, one of which was four nights 
before the assassination of President Lincoln, 
when she .saw him fall, and also saw the assassin 
trip, fall and injure himself. 

During the existence of the Whig party, Mr. 
Clark gave it his allegiance, and he also advo- 
cated the principles of the "Know-Nothings." 
Since the organization of the Republican party he 
has upheld its principles. Notwithstanding their 
advanced years, he and his good wife are hale 
and hearty, retaining to a large extent the pos- 
session of their mental and physical faculties. 
They are an honored and worthy couple, and 
their memory will be held in love and affectionate 
esteem by their descendants long after they shall 
have been called to their rest. 



~ DGAR SMITH. The attention of the trav- 
^ eler passing through Orange County is in- 
^ variabh' attracted to the many pleasant 
country homes which have been built up through 
the perseverance and industry of a more than or- 
dinarily intelligent class of men. A number of 
these farms have been in the possession of the 
same family, descending from father to son, for 
several generations. This is true of the farm 
where Mr. Smith resides. Bequeathed to him 
by his father, it consists of ninety acres of fertile 
land, which he devotes to general farming and 
dairying, and upon which he has placed a num- 
ber of valuable improvements. 



The elder of the two children of Alonzo and 
Rachel (Baker) Smith, the .subject of this bi- 
ography was born in the village of Montgomery, 
this coiuity, August 28, 1856. His father was 
born in a log house situated on the farm now 
owned by our subject. On this place he was 
reared to manhood, but then removed to Mont- 
gomery, and for a number of years .successfully 
engaged in the manufacture of cigars and the 
tobacco business. Accumulating a comfortable 
competence, his last years were spent in retire- 
ment from bu.siness, and he remained a resident 
of the village until his death, at the age of sixty- 
seven. His parents were born in this county, 
whither his grandparents had emigrated from 
Holland. Our subject's mother was born in 
Ulster County, N. Y., and her parents were also 
natives of this state, though of English extrac- 
tion. 

In the public schools of Montgomer}- our sub- 
ject was the recipient of excellent educational ad- 
vantages. Upon attaining his majority he began 
the management of the old homestead, which he 
has since conducted. January 17, 1878, he 
married Miss Mary L. Kidd, a native of the town 
of Montgomery, and the eldest daughter of Her- 
man Edgar and Susan (Leeds) Kidd. She has 
two .sisters, namely: Emma W., wife of Edward 
L. Andenson, of Montgomery ; and Frances, who 
married Frank V. Leeds, a commission merchant 
of New York City. 

Born near the village of Walden, Herman E. 
Kidd .spent his entire life upon a farm, his vent- 
ures as an agriculturist being quite successful. 
He was prominent in local affairs, and filled the 
majority of the town offices. His death occurred 
when he was about sixty years old. It is worthy 
of note that his father and grandfather were born 
in the same house, on the old homestead near 
Walden. The family history in America dates 
back to Alexander Kidd, who came to this coun- 
try from the North of Ireland in 1732, and set- 
tled near Walden, being one of the first settlers 
of that part of Orange County. The mother of 
Mrs. Smith was also born near Walden, being a 
daughter of Silas and Susan Weed Leeds, who 
settled in this town about 1815. She spent her 




AMOS F. HOLDEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL R^:CORD. 



i4«; 



entire life in this locality, and died at the age of 
fifty-eight. Grandfather Kidd was one of the 
heroes of the War of 1812, and his father, Alex- 
ander, rendered valiant service in the Revolution. 
Two daughters comprise the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith, namely, Alta L. and Mary L., who 
are receiving excellent advantages and are being 
prepared for positions of honor in .social circles. 
Socially Mr. Smith is connected with Freeman 
Lodge No. 120, I. O. O. F., at Walden. With 
his wife he holds membership in the German Re- 
formed Church, and his contributions to religious 
and benevolent enterprises are as generous as his 
means permit. Politically he upholds the policy 
of the Democratic party, and maintains the in- 
telligent interest in public affairs which every 
citizen should feel. 



fl' 



l^ — «-=^- 

MOS F. HOLDEN is one of tlie proprietors 
and is sole manager of The Little Falls Pa- 
per-mills, situated on the Quassaick Creek, 
Newburgh. This is one of the leading industries 
of Orange County. The mill has a capacity of 
five tons per day, the product of which is used 
almost exclusively by the Albany Paper Com- 
pany, of Albany. 

In Little Falls, N. V., Mr. Holden and his 
partner also operate a paper-mill, which has a ca- 
pacity of about half the extent of the former, and 
this mill is also managed by our subject.- An- 
other mill, situated a few miles from Syracuse, 
has recently been leased by The Little Falls Pa- 
per Company, as the demands for their product 
were beyond what could be supplied b\- the two 
former mills. The capacity of these three mills is 
about ten tons per day. All the mills are fur- 
nished with the finest machinery and equipment 
for the manufacture of the various grades of tis- 
sue and manilla paper for toilet use. 

Abel Holden, father of our subject, was l)orn 
in the Bay State, and in mature life operated a 
farm in Rutland County, \'t. He is now in his 
eighty-fourth year, and is living retired, his 
home being in Charleston, N. H. His wife, who 
was before their marriage a Miss Marv Sterns, 



was also a native of Massachusetts, and at the 
time of her demise was eighty years old. They 
were the parents of eight children. The birth of 
A. F. Holden occurred in Mt. Holly, Vt., in 
April, 1848, he being the youngest in his father's 
family. He was educated in the district schools, 
and remained on the old homestead until shortly 
before reaching his majority, when his father sold 
the farm. For a few years after this, Mr. Hol- 
den clerked in a boot, shoe and clothing store at 
Springfield, \'t. Subsequently he purchased one- 
half interest in the business, but sold out within 
a year. Then, locating at Bellows Falls, he op- 
erated a retail boot and shoe and men's furnish- 
ing-goods store for ten years. 

About this time Mr. Holden became desirous 
of engaging in business as a manufacturer, and 
in February, 1885, in association with H. W. 
Church and O. M. George, a company was formed. 
An old mill was purcha,sed at Livingston, Colum- 
bia County, N. Y., fitted with new machinery, 
and they engaged in the manufacture of paper. 
After running between three and four years, they 
purchased the Little Falls Mills, on the Mohawk 
River, the latter having greater advantages in 
water-power. This is an extensive mill, built 
substantially of .stone, and completely- fitted up 
with the most approved machinery. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Holden and his partners purchased 
the Orange County Mills of Newburgh, to which 
were built new additions;, new machinery was 
put in, besides the best of the machinery from the 
Livingston Mills, and other extensive alterations 
made. A switch from the Erie Railroad has re- 
cently been placed, thereby greatly facilitating 
the .shipping, and the mills are kept running night 
and day. In November, 1891, Mr. Church died, 
and Mr. Holden and his surviving partner, Mr. 
George, bought out the interests of their deceased 
partner's heirs. The whole interest in the mills 
now belongs to Mr. Holden and Mr. George. 

In 1872 Mr. Holden was married in Springfield, 
Vt. , to Miss Sarah Spencer, who was born in that 
locality, and whose father was a well-to-do farm- 
er. In 1892 Mr. Holden built a comfortable resi- 
dence at No. 80 First Street, Newburgh. He is 
a member of the Bellows Falls Lodge No. 41, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



F. & A. M., and politically is an ardent Repub- 
lican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holden are members 
of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. 



EORNELIUS MACARDELL, President of 
the First National Bank of Middletown^ 
Treasurer of the Middletown State Homeo- 
pathic Hospital, and proprietor of the Daily Af- 
gus and the Set?ii- Wcrkly Mercury, was born in 
Darien, Ga., October 24, 1836. He is the son of 
Cornelius Macardell, a native of Dublin, Ireland, 
who, after having graduated from Trinity College, 
came to America, and after a brief sojourn in 
New York City went to Georgia, settling in 
Darien, where he published the Darien Telegraph, 
and afterwards the Savaimah Daily Telegraph. 
In 1841 he returned North, making his home in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., and following journalistic work. 
He was a writer of marked ability, but his career 
was cut short by death in early manhood. 

The marriage of Cornelius Macardell, Sr. , united 
him with Rebecca Campbell, who was born in 
Ireland, and who died in Orange Countj'. Their 
only son, the subject of this sketch, was a child 
of five yefars when in 1841 the family came North. 
"Educated in the public schools of Brooklyn, be- 
fore attaining his majority Mr. Macardell en- 
gaged in journalism. In 1859 he became inter- 
ested in a business newspaper venture in New 
Orleans, an enterpri.se which proved most profit- 
able, but which came to a sudden termination 
through the outbreak of the Civil War. Returning 
North in 1861, he became interested in Wall Street 
activities and in 1866 was elected to membership 
in the New York Stock Exchange, and his name 
is still upon its roll-book. 

Retiring from business in New York in 1871, 
Mr. Macardell came to Middletown. In 1876 he 
founded the Daily Argi/s; two years later the 
Argus and the Middletoicn Mercury, a weekly 
publication, joined fortunes and were for several 
years published by Thompson & Macardell. By 
purchase of Mr. Thompson's interest Mr. Mac- 
ardell some years since became sole owner of 
both papers. The Argus first appeared as a folio. 



but it has been enlarged several times and is now 
a six-column quarto. The Mercury was founded 
in 1858. Both papers are strongly Democratic. 

In 1877 Mr. Macardell resumed active work in 
the New York Stock Exchange, but after eleven 
years in the business retired. In 1891 he became 
interested in the First National Bank as a Di- 
rector, and the following year he was made Presi- 
dent. 

The marriage of Mr. Macardell, in Orange 
County, united him with Esther, daughter of 
Oliver and Penelope Crawford. Of their numer- 
ous offspring seven are living. Their eldest son, 
Cornelius, Jr., is business manager of his father's 
newspaper properties. 

Mr. Macardell has had his share of adversities; 
several times he has had to begin the fight anew, 
but always with good name untarnished and 
with debts paid in full. 



3 AMES P. CHAMBERS, a contractor and 
builder residing in Middletown, was born in 
the town of Blooming Grove, near Washing- 
tonville, January 5, 1845. His parents, James 
H. and Aim (Redner) Chambers, were natives, 
respectively, of Succasninia Plains, N. J., and the 
town of Monroe, Orange County, N. Y., the for- 
mer being of English descent. For some years 
the father followed the blacksmith's trade, after 
which he engaged in farming in the towns of 
Blooming Grove and Monroe. He now resides 
in the town of Goshen, and is about eighty years 
of age. During the late war he enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York In- 
fantry, and after serving one year was honorably 
discharged, having contracted rheumatism, that 
rendered him unfit for service. 

The mother of our subject was a daughter of 
Peter Redner, and was descended from English 
progenitors. She died when thirty- eight years 
of age, having been the mother of seven chil- 
dren, five of whom are living. Cornelius, one of 
her sons, served first in the Nineteenth New York 
Infantry, and on the expiration of his term of serv- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1487 



ice enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy- 
sixth New York Infantry, in which he ser\-ed 
one year. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in the 
towns of Monroe and Cornwall, and was educated 
in the public schools. In 1864 he commenced to 
learn the carpenter's trade at Ramapo, Rockland j 
County, where he remained one year; he then 
went to Hohokns, N. J., where he likewise re- 
mained one year, and then to vSloatsburg, N. Y., 
where he remained one year. In 1867 he located 
in Middletown and began working at his trade | 
for Theodore Wilkes, and continued with him ! 
and others until 1872, when he began contracting 
and building for himself. He was at first in 
partnership with John H. Little, and then with 
Martin B. Van Fleet. Since the dissolution of 
the partnership with the latter, he has been alone. 
While a journeyman he assisted in the erection of 
the Methodist Episcopal and Congregational 
Churches. Among the buildings erected b)' i 
himself was one for George Bartle. He also built 
a two-story dwelling for John E. Iseman, on Lib- 
erty Street; Mrs. Smith, Knapp Avenue; Frank 
Tanney, Lake Avenue; Thomas A. Mapes, Ben- 
nett Street; Jonathan C. Duryea, Grand Avenue; 
Carl A. Iseman, corner of Prince Street and Grand 
Avenue; F. M. Barnes (two), Beattie Avenue; 
Allan Ridgeway (threej; John J. Silk (three); 
Miss Bennett, Albert Street; Dr. E. R. Varcoe, 
of Goshen; James H. Wallace, of Pine Bush; 
and Eli Mapes. He has erected scores of other I 
buildings, including his own residence at No. 36 
Knapp Avenue, and one at Nos. 37 and 37 ' j 
Knapp Avenue, which he owns and leases. In 
the pro.secution of his work he frequently em- 
ploys ten or twelve men. 

Mr. Chambers was married in 1866, at Pater- 
son, N. J., to Miss Margaret J. Barbarow, a na- 
tive of Bergen County, N. J., and daughter of ■ 
John J. Barbarow, a retired .shoe manufacturer of 
Sloatsburg. She died in 1892, at the age of ^ 
forty-six years, leaving five children who grew '. 
to maturity: John J., in the drug busine.ss at 
No. 57 North Street; William H., engaged in 
carpentering with his father; Samuel B., a car- 
penter of Middletown; Frank T., a drug clerk 



of Monroe; and Ida M., at home. Freddie died 
at the age of seven years. Mr. Chambers' sec- 
ond marriage was with Charlotte Talmadge, a 
native of the town of Monroe, and daughter of 
Nathaniel Talmadge, who died in Monroe. 

Socially Mr. Chambers is a member of Hoff- 
man Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., of which he 
has been a member over twenty years. He is 
aLso a member of the Knights of' Pythias, and of 
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he has been a member since 1866. In politics he 
is a Prohibitionist, liut was originally a Repub- 
lican. 



~DWIN S. MERRILL, A. B., B. L., is one 
^ of the rising young attorney's of Middle- 
^ town. He is a native of Maine, born in 
Pownal in 1863, and is a son of Horace P. and 
Adelia A. P. (Wait) Merrill, both of whom are 
natives of Freeport, Me. His father was a sea- 
captain, in charge of a merchant vessel engaged 
in the coasting trade, and during the late war en- 
listed in Company B, Twenty-fifth Maine Vol- 
unteer Infantry, continuing in the service until 
the expiration of his time. He still resides at 
his Maine home, and is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, of which he is Past Com- 
mander. In politics he is a Republican. Adelia 
A. P. Wait, the mother of our subject, was a 
daughter of Capt. Charles Wait, who was en- 
gaged in the coasting trade and resided at Free- 
port, Me. .She was of English descent, and died 
in 1876. Moses Merrill, the grandfather of our 
subject, was of English de.scent, and lived and 
died in Maine. To Horace P. and Adelia A. P. 
Merrill were born si.x children, four .sons and two 
daughters. 

The subject of this sketch was fourth in the 
family and grew to manhood in his native state. 
Before attaining his majority he taught school at 
Milan, N. H. Subsequently he entered Maine 
Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, from which 
he went to Williams College, at Williamstown, 
Mass. He entered college in 1885, and gradu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ated in 1889, with the degree of A. B., making a 

special stud}- of history and political science, in 
which he won first prize. After his graduation 
he entered the law department of Columbia Uni- 
versit}-, at Washington, D. C, from which he 
graduated in 1892, with the degree of B. L. The 
law lectures being conducted in evening session 
gave opportunity for employment during the day, 
and during his course he was employed in the 
United States Census Bureau, and was later stock 
clerk in the equipment division of the Postoffice 
Department, under the vSecond Assistant Post- 
master-General. 

In October, 1892, Mr. Merrill located in Mid- 
dletown and entered the oifice of Judge T. N. 
Little, where he remained one year, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1894, was admitted at the Brooklyn Gen- 
eral Term to practice in the courts of New York. 
He now has a law office in the Winter's Building, 
No. 16 East Main Street, Middletown, where he 
has built up a good practice. 

Mr. Merrill is a member of Metropolis Lodge 
No. 16, I. O. O. P., of Washington, D. C, and 
is Secretary of Monhagen Hose Company No. i. 
In 1892 he organized Gen. D. P. DeWitt Camp 
No. 57, Sons of Veterans, and was its first Cap- 
tain, holding the position for two years. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and is taking an active 
interest in political affairs. Religiously he is a 
member of the Congregational Church. In Sep- 
tember, 1895, Mr. Merrill was married to Estella 
May, daughter of Merritt H. Parsons, of Middle- 
town. 

^j=^m c^ — • 

30HN M. GARDNER, an attorney of New- 
burgh, was born in the town of Warwick, 
Orange County, N. Y., in 1858. His fa- 
ther, W. H. Gardner, as was also his grandfather, 
W. H. Gardner, Sr., was a native of Columbia 
County, N. Y. The latter was a prominent and 
successful woolen manufacturer, and also a lay 
minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Originally the Gardners were from Scotland, and 
first settled at Nantucket, whence they removed 
to Columbia County. 

The father was a teacher in that countv, and 



while still a young man came to Orange County 
and engaged as Principal of the Warwick public 
schools, where he remained until he retired from 
the profession of teaching. He married Caroline 
Flagler, who was born in Bellvale, Orange County. 
Her father was Hiram Flagler, and her mother 
was originally Miss Wiley. The Wiley family 
are the oldest, and were the original, settlers of 
the town of Cornwall, and until a few years ago 
they contituied to occupy the old homestead, where 
the military academy now stands. The grand- 
father of Mrs. Gardner was a well known and 
prominent Judge in his day. The parents of our 
subject are yet living and reside in fronton, N. J. 
John M. Gardner is the .second in a family of 
four children. His primary education was ob- 
tained in the public schools of Warwick, and his 
law studies were commenced in Goshen, but con- 
cluded at Fulton County, N. Y. He was admitted 
to the Bar in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1881, and at once 
I commenced the practice of his profession in Ful- 
1 ton County, where he remained until 1887, when 
[ he removed to Newburgh, opened an office, and 
I began practice. While still a resident of Fulton 
County he married Miss Eugenia Northrup, a 
I daughter of Leonard Northrup, at one time one of 
the best known and successful manufacturers of 
that county. 

On his arrival in Newburgh, Mr. Gardner at 
once secured a fine practice, which has constantlx- 
increased up to the present time. His office is 
now located in the Townsend Building. In 1891 
he established an office in the Bennett Building, 
at the corner of Nassau and F'ulton Streets in 
New York City, in partnership with Mr. Linehan, 
under the firm name of Gardner & Linehan. His 
business has increased so rapidly in New York, that 
he now spends about three-fourths of his time in 
that city. During the past few years his practice 
has consisted, to a great extent, of damage ca.ses 
against railroads and other corporations, and in 
the prosecution of claims he has been verj' suc- 
cessful. From others the biographer has learned 
many facts in connection with the business of Mr. 
Gardner. It is said of him that he has prosecuted 
to a succe.ssful termination more damage and 
per.sonal-injury cases than any other attorney in 




DR. EDWIN R. VARCOE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1491 



Orange County. Among the many cases was 
that of Mowett :.n\ Mowett. which was ven- 
closely contested, but he succeeded in recovering 
over $6,000. In the Cookedale :,*. Brown case, 
one in which the former had been defrauded out 
of about $40,000 real estate, Mr. Gardner suc- 
ceeded in recovering nearly every dollar of the 
amount. 

It will be seen from what has already been 
written, that Mr. Gardner has become one of the 
most successful attorneys in the Hudson Valley. 
In the prosecution of a case he knows no such 
word as "fail." Every case is touched carefully 
from ever}.- point of view, and his conclusions 
almost invariably prove correct. Beginning at 
the lowest round of the ladder he has worked his 
way up step by step, until he has gained a most 
enviable reputation and a practice which he well 
desenes. 

0R. EDWIN R. VARCOE. one of the leading 
dentists of Orange County, located at Go- 
shen, was born near Honesdale, Pa., No- 
vember 4, 1850. His parents. Francis and Mary 
• Hocken ) Varcoe, were natives of England and 
descendants of a long line of substantial English 
ancestry-. Both were educated near Liskeard, in 
the county of Cornwall, where they grew to ma- 
turity and were married, in 1S46. They came to 
America on their wedding tour and were so well 
pleased with the appearance of the country that 
they decided to remain. Settling near Hones- 
dale. Pa., they engaged in faiming pursuits, and 
remained there until their death, the father dying 
in 1895, and the mother in- 1865. Both were 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Their eight children, three sons and 
five daughters, are all living. 

The father of Francis Varcoe. Samuel \'arcoe, 
was an English gentleman and a landed pro- 
prietor in the county of Cornwall. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of Francis Varcoe was Rev. 
Charles Hicks, of the Church of England. One of 
Samuel's sons. Rev. R. Varcoe, came to this 
country and filled .several important charges 



in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pennsyl- 
vania, where he died. The father of Mrs. Var- 
coe was Rev. Edward Hocken, a minister of the 
Church of England and a man of learning and 
eloquence. For fifty years he filled important 
pulpits in his native land, dying at an advanced 
age, revered for his many acts ol kindness and 
his piety and benevolence. He reared a family 
of seven children, of whom Edward, Jr.. became 
a clergyman under the celebrated John Wesley 
in the Methodist Church, during the pioneer era 
of that organization. 

The great-grandfather of our subject on the 
maternal side was Rev. William Geake. of the 
Church of England, a learned man who ably filled 
parishes for many years in the county of Corn- 
wall. It is a notable fact that the progenitors 
of the family were scholarly men, of sterling char- 
acter and upright lives. Refinement and culture 
have always been characteristic of the race. The 
children of Francis and Mary Varcoe are as fol- 
lows: Lavenia. wife of Isaiah Scudder. of Middle- 
town. N. v.: Sophia, widow of Ira S. Baxter and 
a resident of Jersey City: Edwin R.: Elizabeth, 
wife of Frank Sagendorph, of Jersey City: Selina, 
Mrs. T. Edson Harding, of Jersey City: William 
F., a practicing physician in New York City: 
Carrie, who married Herman GroflFell, of Jersey 
City: and Charles W.. a dentist of Walden, N, Y. 

In 1875 Francis Varcoe married for his second 
wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Ongeri Glenn, and they 
had one daughter, Kittie, now the wife of Charles 
Webb, of Bethany. Pa. Politically Mr. \"arcoe 
was an old-line Whig originally, subsequently 
became a Republican, and was a stanch Union 
man during the Civil War. In religious beliei 
he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and held membership in that denomina- 
tion until his death, which took place at the old 
homestead near Honesdale, Pa., September 6, 
1895, aged eighty years. 

The subject of this sketch. Dr. E. R. \'arcoe, 
received his literar\- education in the schools of 
Wayne County and Wyoming Seminary at King- 
ston, Pa. At the age of twenty -one he began the 
study of his profession under Dr. J. W. Kesler, 
of Honesdale. Pa., with whom he remained for 



1492 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RbCORD. 



two years. He then practiced at different places 
in Orange County for five years. In 1880 he was 
graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College, 
carrying of the highest honors of his class and 
receiving the prize awarded, an S. S. White Den- 
tal Engine. In June, 1880, he established him- 
self in practice in Goshen, where for the last fif- 
teen years he has enjoyed an extensive and lu- 
crative patronage. In all modern improvements 
and appliances pertaining to his profession he has 
kept abreast of the times, and is recognized as 
most skillful and succes.sful. He is public spirited 
and has ever been zealous in the promotion of 
the progressive interests of the town. 

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of Goshen. He is also a member of the 
Second Di-strict Dental A.ssociation, the order of 
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Encamp- 
ment of Patriarchs. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. He has made a success not only in a pro- 
fessional way, but has also accumulated a com- 
fortable competency and has found time during 
his vacations to make several trips to Europe, 
visiting Scotland, Ireland, England, France, 
Switzerland and Italy, besides traveling exten- 
sively through this country, Mexico, Cuba and 
the Sandwich Lslands. For the benefit of the 
church and charitable interests he has frequently 
lectured on his travels in a most entertaining and 
eloquent manner. 



^.-v ••>*^®^P®J+C;»- 



r\ p. MANDIGO. Among the active business 
I men of West Point is Mr. Mandigo, who is 
O the proprietor of one of the finest livery sta- 
bles in the county. He is successful in carrying 
on the .same, and deserves honorable mention 
among the substantial and representative citizens 
of Orange County. 

Mr. Mandigo was born at Highland Falls, 
April 16, 1846. For services rendered during 
the Revolutionary War, his paternal great-grand- 
father received a grant of land from the Govern- 



ment, lying between Highland Falls and Ft. 

Montgomery. In the last-named place Grandfa- 
ther Luke Mandigo and also Campbell, father of 
our subject, were born. For many years the latter 
followed farming with signal success: he is now 
eighty-two years of age and lives retired from 
work in Highland Falls. In religious affairs he 
is a devout Methodist. Our subject traces his 
ancestry back to the sunny land of Italy, where 
the name was .spelled Mantahne. 

Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Jane Cox, was born in the North of Ire- 
land, and came to America when a young lady. 
She was a member of the Episcopal Church, in the 
faith of which she died in 1885. Her two chil- 
dren were Charles, a builder of Highland, and 
J. P., of this sketch. The latter was reared in 
Highland Falls, and when a lad of sixteen years 
went to Cold Springs, where he was apprenticed 
to a horse-shoer and blacksmith, in order that he 
might learn the trade. He remained there for 
three years and on his return to Highland Falls 
followed his trade for two years as an apprentice, 
when he established in bu.siness for himself 
He was successful in this industry and built up 
a large and paying bu.siness on the corner of 
Main Street and Park Avenue. This he aban- 
doned in 1890, and, renting his shop, purchased 
the liverj- owned by Mr. Denton, since whicli 
time he has enlarged the buildings and made 
many valuable improvements. The stable is lo- 
cated on Government ground and is the onh' one 
in the place. Mr. Mandigo carries nothing but 
the fastest horses and finest turnouts, and has in 
his stables buggies, closed carriages, coupes, 
carts, etc. He runs four busses and derives a 
handsome income from his boarding stable. Al- 
though his business is located at West Point, his 
residence and family are at Highland Falls, 

Mr. Mandigo was married in Cold Springs, in 
1867, to Miss Sarah M. Smith, who was born in 
Hyde Park, Dutchess County, this state, and was 
the daughter of Stephen Smith, a grocer of that 
place and a well-to-do business man. The lady 
is now deceased, passing away in 1886. She be- 
came the mother of a daughter, Delia, whose de- 
mise occurred when ten years of age. Mrs. Man- 




ELI VAN INWEGEX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1495 



digo was a believer in the doctrines advocated by 
the Presbyterian Church, to which she belonged. 
Our subject has always been greatly interested 
in school matters, and for nine years was Trustee 
of the Board and three years .served efficiently as 
its President. He was Collector of Highland 
for one year. In politics he is an influential 
supporter of Democratic principles, and has been 
Chairman of committees at the town, county and 
state conventions. He is a very pleasant gentle- 
man and commands the respect and esteem of all 
all who know him. 



~" I.I VAN INWEGEN, Vice-President of the 
'S First National Bank of Port Jervis, is a 
__ worthy representative of one of the old 
families of this state. He is a native of Orange 
County, born at Huguenot, April 23, 18 16, and 
is a son of Benjamin and Charity (Cole) Van In- 
vvegen. The family dates back to the first Hol- 
land emigration to this country. Gerardus Van 
Inwegen and his wife, Jane De Witt, were the 
first of the family to settle in New York. It is 
understood that they were married in this coun- 
try, and their eldest son, Hermann Van Inwegen, 
wedded Margaret Cole. Hermann was Justice of 
the Peace for many years, and was the father of 
the following children: Gerardus, David, Corne- 
lius, Jacob, Samuel, Jacob, Josias, Charlotte and 
Hannah. 

The father of our subject was born at Hugue- 
not, and removed across the line into Matamoras, 
Pa., on a farm opposite Port Jervis, where he 
died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife was 
but twenty-four j'ears of age at the time of her 
deatli, which occurred in 18 16. Eli is the young- 
est of their three sous, the others being Lewis, a 
resident of Hastings, Minn.; and George, who 
died at the age of sixt)- years. The father was 
again married, his second union being with 
Phcebe Van Auken, and they had six children, 
four of whom are still living. Andrew J. lives 
at Matamoras, Pa. ; Margaret is the wife of Luke 
S. Rosencrans, of Port Jervis; Hannah is the 



wife of Webb Cartwright, of Matamoras ; and 
Ann, who is unmarried, lives in the .same place. 

On the death of his mother, Eli Van Inwegen, 
who was but a few weeks old, was sent to live 
with his maternal grandfather, Cornelius W. Cole, 
who was a son of Wilhehnus Cole. The latter's 
father, William Cole, or Cool, as the name was 
sometimes spelled, wedded Catherine Du Bois, 
and located at Machachemech, now the southern 
part of Port Jervis. His son Josias married 
Maria Kimmell about 1740, and their child was 
baptized in the Machachemech Church in 1743, 
as the records show. Our subject well remem- 
bers Wilhelmus Cole, who died at the age of 
about ninety years. His grandfather owned a 
large farm, and his house .stood opposite to where 
Mr. Van Inwegeu's now stands, and the church 
stood on the main street near that place. Cor- 
nelius Cole died at the age of eighty-eight years, 
and his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah 
Gumaer, passed away four years previous. He 
spent his last years at the home of our subject, 
where his death occurred. His daughter, Mar- 
gery, married Wilhehnus Westfall, and died at 
the age of sixty. 

Mr. Van Inwegen remained upon his grand- 
father's farm until after he was married, when it 
was divided between him and his two brothers, 
but Lewis sold his share and removed to Minne- 
sota. Eli received for his share one hundred 
acres, lying between the Delaware and Neversink 
Rivers, on which farm he has since made his 
home. He platted and laid out an addition to 
the village, which is now largely improved with 
first-class residences, and there he built his own 
home. When the Port Jervis Savings Bank was 
organized he became its Treasurer, and had full 
charge of the business for ten years, or during its 
entire existence. It was a success financially, 
but it was decided to close out, and all depositors 
and creditors were paid in full. He was one of 
the incorporators of the First National Bank in 
1870, and has ever been one of its Directors, 
while he is now serving as Vice-President. He 
is an able financier, and the people have the ut- 
nio.st confidence in him. 

On the 30th of December, 1841, Mr. Van In- 



1496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wegen married Miss Elizabeth M. Bull, a daugh- 
ter of Crissy and Catherine (Rosencrans) Bull, 
the former a grandson of William Bull, the first 
settler by that name in Orange County, who lo- 
cated near Goshen. Mr. Bull subsequentlj- moved 
three miles below Matamoras, where he lived at 
the time Mr. and Mrs. Van Inwegen were married. 
By her union with our subject, Mrs. \'an Inwe- 
gen became the mother of three children: Julia, 
who died in childhood; Corneliu,s, who studied 
civil-engineering in Union College at Schenectady, 
N. Y., and died at the age of twenty years; and 
Charles F., Cashier of the First National Bank of 
Port Jervis. Mrs. Van Inwegen is a member of 
the Reformed Church, and of it her husband is a 
liberal supporter. In political sentiment he is a 
Democrat, as was also his grandfather and most 
of his ancestors. He has held the oflRces of 
Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, and has 
ever been a prominent and leading citizen of 
Orange County. 

30HX FRANCIS DICKS, a Roadniaster on 
the Southern Division of the Ontario & West- 
ern Railroad, has had a very successful rail- 
road .career, having been Roadmaster since he was 
seventeen \-ears of age. He was born at Howells 
Depot, January 21, 1S58, and is a son of Lewis 
and Susan (Nichols) Dicks, both of whom were 
natives of the town of Wallkill, the latter being a 
daughter of J. D. Nichols, a teamster and farmer, 
and one of the earliest settlers of that locality. 
Lewis Dicks is of Scotch descent, and entered the 
employ of the Erie Railroad Company as foreman, 
and then became foreman of building on the old 
New York & Oswego Midland Railroad. He 
served as foreman of the Erie Railroad a period of 
twenty-seven j-ears, since which time he has been 
with the Ontario & Western Railroad, being now 
employed as watchman. A present he resides in 
Middletown, at the age of sixty-seven years. 

The subject of this sketch is second in the fam- 
ily of five children born to Lewis and Susan Dicks. 
The other members of the family are: Robert, in 
the employ of the Ontario & Western Railroad, 



with headquarters at Middletown; William, an 
engineer on the Ontario & Western between Wal- 
ton and Corning; Joseph, a section foreman; and 
Fannie, now Mrs. Hulslande, residing near Bloom- 
ingburg. 

The childhood days of our subject were spent 
at Howells Depot, and his education was re- 
ceived in a district school. In 1868, w-hen but 
ten years of age, he was employed as water-boy 
in the construction of the old Midland Railroad, 
his duties being the carrying of tools and water 
to tlie men employed. He continued in this work 
until the age of fourteen, when he was made a 
full hand on the section, and when sixteen was 
made section foreman. From October i, 1875, 
to July I, 1876, he was section foreman at Mid- 
dletown. He was then made Roadmaster of the 
western district on the Middle Division of the On- 
tario & Western Railroad, which position he held 
until 1882, when he was put in charge of con- 
struction on the We.st Shore Railroad from Mid- 
dletown to New York. In this work he had over 
three thousand men under him at different times, 
without having a man killed on his account. 
After the opening of the West Shore Railroad he 
returned as Roadmaster to Middletown, in the old 
Middle Division, and served there until 1885, 
when he was made Roadmaster of the Southern 
Division of the Ontario & Western between Mid- 
dletown and New York. On the con.solidation 
of the West Shore and New York Central Rail- 
ways, he was made Division Roadma.ster of the 
West Shore between Cornwall and New York. 
He continued there until 1887, when he returned 
to the Ontario & Western in his old position as 
Roadmaster of the Middle Division. In 1890 he 
had charge of the construction of the Scranton 
Division of the Ontario & Western Railroad, into 
the coal fields of Pennsylvania, in connection with 
his duties of Roadmaster at this point. He still 
has charge of the Middle Division as Roadmaster, 
and has under his supervision about one hundred 
miles, divided into eighteen regular sections. 

On the 27th of November, 1878, Mr. Dicks was 
united in marriage, at Walton, Delaware Countj-, 
with Miss Thirza D. Booth, who was born at Ox- 
ford Depot, Orange County. Her father. Nelson 




FRAN'CIS GOULDY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAIv RECORD. 



1499 



Booth, who was a native of Canada, and a ship 
carpenter by trade, was engaged in building in 
New York City, and later at Oxford, where he 
was accidentally killed by falling through a tres- 
tle. Her mother, Mary Miller, who was born 
near Utica, and was of Scotch descent, died in 
early life. In religious belief .she was a Quaker. 
In their family were two children: Thirza D., the 
wife of our subject, and David, a farmer at Ox- 
ford Depot. Mrs. Dicks was reared and educated 
in New York City and in Walton Academy. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Dicks were born two children, 
Mary B. and Douglas. 

In politics Mr. Dicks is a Democrat, and is a 
very active worker for the success of his party. 
While not an office-seeker, he has yet been hon- 
ored bj' his fellow-citizens with local office. In 
1890 he was elected Councilman from the First 
Ward, and served two years, during which time 
he was Chairman of the Street Committee. In 
1893 he was elected Supervisor from the First 
Ward, and .served a term of one year. While a 
member of this Board he was Chairman of the 
Coroner's Committee, and was a member of sev- 
eral other committees. Fraternally he is a member 
of Hoffman Lodge No.4i2,F. &A. M.,andof the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also 
a member of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany No. I . 

Mr. Dicks is yet in the prime of life. Success 
has attended him in everything undertaken, and 
his long railroad service is proof of the fidelity 
with which he discharges every duty de\-olving 
upon him. 



-^^HJH^i 



r" R ANCIS GOULDY, one of the old and mo.st 
1^ honored citizens of Newburgh, has made his 
I home here for some thirtj'-three years, prior 
to which time he spent his summers here for sev- 
eral years. His birth occurred in London, Eng- 
land, April 19, 1812, and he was reared under 
the instruction of a devoted Christian mother. 
From boyhood he was trained in high and noble 
precepts, and in 1830 he became a member of the 
first Methodist Episcopal Church in New York 



City, this being known as the John's Street 
church. He also attended the first Sunday-school 
of that denomination ever held in the metropolis, 
which a.ssembled on Tryon Row. For several 
decades Mr. Gouldy has been one of the main- 
stays of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church 
of this city, and has been ver}' liberal in his con- 
tributions to its maintenance. While in New 
York he was a member of the Board of Trustees, 
and when he transferred his membership to' old 
Trinity he was given a like position on its board, 
and was soon made President, which office he 
.still holds. He has always taken a great inter- 
est in educational and missionary work, and has 
done what was in his power to advance the same. 

The father of the above gentleman, David 
Gouldy, was born in Edinburgh, .Scotland, receiv- 
ing a good education in the celebrated university 
of the city, and early became a local minister in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, laboring in con- 
junction with John Wesley. F'or several years 
he was pastor of a London church, but in 18 19 
he decided to remove to New York, where his 
death occurred soon afterward. His wife, who 
was formerly Miss Marj- Nichols, was born in 
England, and was a daughter of a prosperous 
farmer. After her husband's death she assumed 
the entire re.sponsibility of rearing her children, 
and well did she perform her task. Our subject 
is the onl}^ survivor of the family, the others, 
David, Mary, Rachel and Elizabeth, all having 
died in New York City, where the mother was 
summoned to her final rest in 1840. 

The first few years in the life of Francis 
Gouldy were passed in the city of his birth, while 
his education was mainly obtained in private 
schools in New York City. In his youth he took 
a position in a dry-goods store on Canal Street, 
running the business in partnership with his 
mother. Later he embarked in the lumber trade 
on the corner of West and LeRoy Streets, con- 
ducting a retail business for about a quarter of a 
century. From time to time he invested in real 
estate, which he bought and sold, and in 1855 he 
gave up his interest in the lumber business. In 
1858 he met with a great misfortune in a para- 
lytic stroke, but altera time partially recovered. 



I500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and ultimately concluded to settle in Newburgh, 
where he could enjoy fresh air and an abundance 
of exercise. 

In 1837, i" New York City, occurred the first 
marriage of Mr. Gouldy, the lady of his choice 
being Eliza, daughter of William Mead, who was 
from Connecticut. Mrs. Gouldy was a native of 
New York, and died at the age of twenty-eight 
years, leaving three children, one of whom was 
summoned to the home beyond at the age of 
nineteen; the others are Mary E. and Nathaniel 
E. The daughter graduated from Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary, and was the first lady missionary in 
Japan. Becoming proficient in the language, she 
labored earnestly for the cause of Christianity for 
ten years, when she returned home. Nathaniel 
graduated from the Columbia Law School and is 
now living retired in New York City. 

April 30, 1849, Mr. Gouldy married the lady 
who now bears his name. She was Miss Jane 
Disosway, a native of Staten Lsland, and daughter 
of Gabriel and granddaughter of Cornelius Disos- 
way, both natives of the same island and the lat- 
ter owner of large landed estates thereon. The 
family were originally French-Huguenots, who 
were obliged to flee to Holland on account of re- 
ligious persecution, and, coming to New York 
about 1657, settled on Staten Island. The pro- 
genitor of one branch of the family in America 
was Marcus DuSanchy, who came from Picardy, 
France, by way of Holland, to this country, 
in company with two brothers. Mrs. Gouldy' s 
father was a sea-captain and owner of a schooner 
engaged in trade along the Atlantic Coast. He 
died while in the prime of life, being but fifty-two 
years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, likewise a na- 
tive of Staten Island, was a daughter of Capt. 
Barnett Sleight, who was born on the island, and 
who was also a captain on the high seas, being 
the proprietor of a fine .schooner, which was en- 
gaged in the coasting trade. He was of the old 
Holland-Dutch Knickerbocker stock, and died 
when about fifty years of age. His wife died in 
1849, aged fifty-six years. 

Of the nine children born to Francis and Jane 
Gouldy, but three grew to maturity. Charles 
died in earlv manhood, and the others are vSarah 



E., wife of George A. Sanford, of Warwick; and 
Jennie A. The latter graduated from \'assar 
College and is living with her parents. She is 
very active in the Young Woman's Christian 
A.ssociation and is one of the Board of Managers 
for the Home of the Friendless. She has been 
Chairman of the Finance Committee of the latter 
organization, and is a most effective worker. In 
questions of political moment Mr. Gouldy is a 
true-blue Republican, and has made a special 
.study of government and the great issues of the 
dav. 



1^^ 






■^~) 



-\1.' 



^EORGE W. McELROY. The beautiful 
I— I village of Warwick, Orange County, is the 
^_J home of many prominent professional gentle- 
men, who have won for themselves both fame and 
fortune, but none merit more praise or are more 
highly esteemed than he whose history now claims 
attention, and who is one of the leading attorneys 
of the city. 

Our subject is a native of this place, having 
been born February 22, 1859, to Henry and Julia 
A. (Lockwood) McElroy, and is the youngest in 
their family of five children. The parents were 
both natives of this state, spending their entire 
lives here. Henry McElroy was a carpenter by 
trade, and during the years which he followed 
this vocation was enabled to provide well for 
his family. He was well and favorably known 
throughout the county, and during his lifetime 
was the incumbent of several positions of honor 
and trust. In his death, which occurred July 6, 
1 88 1, the community lost one of its best citizens. 
His good wife survived him ten years, passing 
away January 4, 1891. 

George W., of this sketch, graduated from the 
high school at Warwick, after which, in October, 
1878, he began reading law with Hon. M. N. 
Kane, a noted attorney of Warwick. He contin- 
ued under the latter's instruction vnitil December, 
1881 , when he was admitted to the Bar as an attor- 
ney, and some six months later was admitted as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1501 



a counselor. He at once opened an office for the 
practice of his profession, which he has success- 
fully followed ever since. 

Mr. McElroj' was married, May 27, 18S5, to 
Mi.ss Agnes, daughter of William W. and Susan 
( McBride) Walling, natives, respectively, of the 
town of Warwick and Jersey City, N. J. Mrs. 
McElroy was born in Warwick in 1862, and by 
her union with our subject has become the moth- 
er of a .son and daughter, G. Walling and Julia A. 
Although not members of any religious body, both 
attend services at the Pre.sbyterian Church. 

In politics Mr. McElroj' is a true-blue Repub- 
lican. He has .served his fellow-townsmen in 
the capacity of Justice of the Peace and Police 
Magistrate, and at the present time is filling out 
his second term as Special Surrogate of Orange 
County. He is the efficient President of the Board 
of Education of Warwick, and through his influ- 
ence the standard of scholarship has been greatly 
elevated. He is deservedly considered one of the 
substantial residents of the village, and to such 
men is Warwick indebted for its rapid growth and 
wonderful prosperity, which distinguish it as a 
desirable place of residence. 



HIRAM L. LEONARD, of Central Valley, 
Orange County, was born in Piscataquis 
County, Me., June 23, 1831. The family 
have long been residents of this country, three 
brothers coming from England in the "Mayflow- 
er,'' and locating in Ma.ssachusetts. To the one 
who settled in Boston our subject traces his an- 
cestry. Lewis Leonard, the father of Hiram L-, 
was born in Roxbury, a suburb of Boston, Mass., 
and received his education in a school of the lat- 
ter place. From Boston he went to Maine, then 
a new country, to raise sheep. About the close 
of the War of 1812, the sheep industry became 
unprofitable, and he began manufacturing oars. 
In this he became .so proficient that his fame 
spread first throughout this country, and then 
across the water. He was considered the best 
oar-maker in the world, and shipped his products 
to England and many other foreign countries. 



He first began to manufacture oars at Bangor, but 
moved about wherever he could find ash, from 
which the best oars are made. In 1835 he went 
to Ellenville, Ulster County, N. Y., where he 
found timber for his product. This he used up 
in about three years, and then removed to Hones- 
dale, Wayne County, Pa., where he plied his vo- 
cation until his death, which occurred shortly aft- 
erward. He was married in the town of Knox, 
Me., to Miss Hannah Blood, who is supposed to 
have been a native of New Hampshire. 

When the subject of this sketch was four years 
old, the family removed to Ellenville, N. Y., 
where he first attended school. When nine years 
of age they moved to Pennsylvania, where he at- 
tended a district school until he was fifteen years 
of age. After that he studied civil-engineering 
without a teacher, becoming quite an expert en- 
gineer. For a time he had charge of the machin- 
ery department of the Peiuisylvania Coal Com- 
pany, but the work proving too hard, he went to 
Maine to recuperate. At Bangor he engaged in 
dealing in sporting goods, making trips to the 
north woods, supplying trappers and hunters 
with their supplies, and buying and trading in 
furs. He traveled over the north of Maine to 
Quebec. About this time, while in the region of 
Moosehead Lake, he met Thoreau, who .speaks 
of Mr. Leonard in one of his books, though he 
does not use his name. 

Mr. Leonard was married, September 28, 1858, 
at Bangor, Me., to Miss Elizabeth S. Head, a 
native of that city, and a daughter of Henry A. 
and Abbie (Harriman) Head, both of whom are 
also natives of Bangor. One child. Anna Cora, 
has been born to them. 

vShorth' after his marriage, Mr. Leonard suf- 
fered an illness which brought on lung trouble, 
and which threatened his life. He then again 
went to the woods, and for the next four years 
engaged in trapping and dealing in furs. He 
employed some twenty-seven men as trappers, 
covering territory of a hundred and fifty miles in 
length. Having again thoroughly regained his 
health, he returned to the city, but in two years 
again broke down. Again returning to the woods, 
he contiiuied there until 1870. He was always 



I502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



quite expert with tools, and used to make his own 
guns and traps. Having seen a very fine fishing- 
rod, he concluded he would make one for him- 
self, improving on the original. The Fish Com- 
missioner of Maine, Mr. Stillman, seeing his rod, 
wanted one for himself, while Mr. Carlowe, a 
druggist of Bangor, also wanted one. He com- 
plied with their request, and those were the first 
rods made b}- him. A friend a.sked permission 
to send one to Boston to the largest dealer of 
shooting goods in that city. The firm was so 
well pleased with the rod, they at once sent an 
order for a large number, and from this begin- 
ning the business developed until Mr. Leonard is 
now the manufacturer of the finest rods in exi.st- 
ance. The Boston firm asked if he could not 
make rods from bamboo, the rods at that time be- 
ing made in four pieces. Mr. Leonard, thinking 
more pieces would be better, made them from six 
pieces, and sometimes from twelve pieces. The 
weight of rods, at that time, was ten to eleven 
ounces, but Mr. Leonard makes them as light as 
five ounces for a ten-foot rod. and two ounces for 
an eight-foot rod. 

In 1881 Mr. Leonard left Bangor and came to 
Central Valley, where his factory is now lo- 
cated. He makes all the metal trimmings and 
everything used in the manufacture of rods. The 
Leonard rods are shipped to all parts of the 
world where fly-fishing is pursued. One of his 
rods he sent as a present to the King of Sweden, 
and two to English ofiicers in India. He has al- 
ways taken a first prize wherever his rod has been 
exhibited. He took the first prize at Berlin, at 
London, and at the Centennial Exposition at Phil- 
adelphia. 

Mr. Leonard has devoted a good part of his 
time to studying the habits offish. He succeed- 
ed in probating salmon, something that up to 
that time had never been accomplished. He 
built a hatchway at Lubeck Lake, but could get 
only few eggs. Under his management, however, 
eighty-five per cent, of the eggs were hatched. 
He afterward took eggs from the spawning ground 
and hatched all of them, something that had not 
been successfully done before. 

Mrs. Leonard is a ladv of more than ordinarv 



ability, and has received a verj- thorough classi- 
cal education, having a knowledge of Latin, He- 
brew and French. She is of a poetical turn of 
mind, and manj- of her poems have appeared in 
the large city journals. She is a member of the 
Congregational Church of Bangor. Politically 
Mr. Leonard is a Republican, and socially he is 
a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and 
a Red Man. He was first made a Mason in 
1858, and is a charter member of Central Valley 
Lodge No. 502, I. O. O. F., and a member of 
Schunnemunk Lodge No. 276, K. of P., in which 
he has filled all the chairs. He is aLso a charter 
member of Wawa Lodge of Central \'alley, a 
member of the Central Valley Literary Society, 
and of the Mechanics' Cornet Band. 

I^RANK S. McCOV, one of the enterprising 
1^ young farmers of Orange County, was born 
I on the homestead which he now operates, 
in the town of Goshen, in 1861. He devotes the 
greater part of his time and attention to dairy 
farming, although he does not neglect the raising 
of the various cereals. The growing of onions is 
a great industry in this section, and Mr. McCoy 
is not behind other farmers in this respect, and 
has eight acres planted in this vegetable. 

In the family granted to William A. and Cath- 
erine B. (Case) McCoy, Frank S. was the third- 
born. The parents were both natives of this 
town, the father's birth occurring on the estate 
which is now owned by our subject. William 
A. worked for two \ears at his trade of a wagon- 
maker, but thereafter spent the active years of his " 
life in agricultural pursuits, and became well 
known in this community for his progressive 
ideas and the success which invariably attended 
his efforts. He is now living retired from busi- 
ness of any kind in Goshen. His good wife de- 
parted this life in 1879, honored and re.spected by 
all who knew her. 

After acquiring a good fund of useful informa- 
tion in the di.strict school, Frank .S. McCoy be- 
gan working on the homestead, and has ever since 
made farming his occupation in life. His estate 




JOHN W. SLAUSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1505 



is over one hundred acres in extent, and yields 
its owner a handsome income. As stated above, 
Mr. McCoy makes a specialty of dairy farming, 
having a number of the best breed of milch cows. 
His place is improved with all the buildings 
necessary in his business, and the residence is 
commodious and attractive in appearance. Al- 
though a comparatively young man, he is well 
known in the county and numbers his friends by 
the score. 

The lady to whom our subject was married, in 
1884, was Miss Ida, daughter ot Jacob and Marx- 
Moore, natives of Sullivan County, this state, 
which locality was also the birthplace of their 
daughter. 

Our subject and his wife are not connected 
by membership with anj' denomination, although 
they attend services at the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The former is a Democrat in politics, 
as the principles set forth by that party coincide 
with his views on almost all questions. Both 
himself and wife have a host of sincere friends, 
whom they have won by their upright and con- 
.scientious lives and by their genial and open- 
hearted hospitalit}-. 



Tliis sketcll was prepared by \V. T. Uoty, editor of the Orange 
inuHly Farm,) . a loug-time friend of Mr. Slausoii, and who at va- 
rions times has been connected with the Press editorial staff. 

(lOHN W. SLAUSON, now and for several 
I years the .senior editor of the Orange County 
(*J Press and Middletown Daily Press, was born 
vSeptember 18, 1846, in the town of Greenville, on 
the family homestead, the farm which remained 
in the Slauson family for almost a century. He 
was the elde.st of eight children, five of whom are 
still living (October i, 1895). His father was 
David Slauson, the fifth of his name in an hon- 
ored ancestry that came from Scotland and set- 
tled in Fairfield County, Conn., before removing 
to Orange County. His great-grandfather, Da\id 
Slauson, second, who was a soldier in the War of 
the Re\'olution, was taken prisoner just after the 
burning of Danbury by General Tryon, in 1777, 
and with three others was taken to New York 

6.S 



and confined in an old coffee-house. After being 
impri.soned about three months he and one of his 
comrades made their escape, and after swimming 
the East River made their way home by circuit- 
ous routes. His mother was Antoinette Whiting, 
whose father, John Whiting, a member of a large 
and prominent Connecticut family, was the onlv 
one of the name who came to Orange County to 
make his home, the others settling in New York 
City and in parts of New England, where the 
name is a common one. The maternal grand- 
mother of the subject of this sketch was Maria 
Penney, one of the noblest and best of women. 

Mr. Slauson passed the early part of his life in 
the family of his maternal grandfather, John 
Whiting, in whose honor he was named, and who 
was one of the noted schoolteachers of his day in 
this section of the state. Many of the older resi- 
dents of the town of Mt. Hope and of Middletown 
were his pupils. Mr. Whiting was a man of 
sturdy common-sense, with a well stored, culti- 
vated mind, which was improved by almost con- 
stant reading and study. His stern sense of jus- 
tice in the days of slavery agitation made him 
what was known as an Abolitionist, and he re- 
peatedly voted for Gerritt Smith for President, 
though there was no organized Abolition party, 
and he had to write his ballot with a pen. The 
grandfather took charge of the grandson's in- 
struction and laid the foundation of an education 
broad and thorough, as was characteristic of the 
man. This home instruction was supplemented 
by attendance at the Westtown Academy, at the 
Dolbear School for Young Men in New York 
City, and also by private instruction. 

The time for leaving off systematic study found 
Mr. Slauson ready for grappling alone with the 
affairs of life, and he began teaching in the pub- 
lic schools at the age of twenty. In this work he 
met with pronounced success and was ranked 
among the foremost teachers of the county. In 
the autumn of 1870, while still at the teach- 
er's work, Mr. Slauson was made candidate of 
his party for the office of School Commissioner 
in the Second A.ssembly District of Orange Coun- 
ty, to fill the two-years vacancy occasioned by 
the death of the lamented Benjamin F. Hill. Al- 



1506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



though the district was then strongly Demo- 
cratic, he was chosen to the office by a majority 
of four hundred and seventy -seven, the first Re- 
publican Commissioner ever elected in the dis- 
trict. During his term of office he adopted and 
extended the method of work inaugurated by Mr. 
Hill, of requiring written and uniform examina- 
tions for teachers, similar to the present admirable 
system, which was afterward introduced and 
made obligatory throughout the state by State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction Andrew S. 
Draper. 

It was during the latter part of his term of of- 
fice that Mr. Slauson purchased an interest in the 
/"/w.s- establishment at Middletown, and the duties 
thus assumed prevented his accepting a renomin- 
ation for School Commissioner, a fact regretted 
throughout the district. While this change ter- 
minated his active, or rather direct, connection 
with schoolroom work, Mr. Slauson was after- 
ward for many years a member of the Middletown 
Board of Education and has always retained his 
interest in the noble profession of teaching, as 
well as in all educational matters. 

In 1875 Mr. Slau.son married Miss Olivia, 
daughter of Horatio R. Wilcox, Esq., of Middle- 
town, and this union was one of "heart, of mind, 
and of interest." His wife and two sons, Harold 
Whiting and Kinsley Wilcox, aged twelve and 
ten years, respectively, constitute the family. 
Their first child, Horatio Wilcox, died in 1881, 
when but a year old. 

Mr. Slauson is a member of Hoffman Lodge 
No. 412, F. & A. M., and was formerly a mem- 
ber of Neversink Chapter, R. A. M., and of Del- 
aware Commandery, K. T., both of the latter of 
Port Jervis. He is also a member of Excelsior 
Hook and Ladder Company, and of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Middletown. For twenty 
years he has been a member of the New York 
State Press Association, having always taken an 
active part in its meetings, and was one of its 
\'ice- Presidents in 1894. He is also an active 
member of the Republican Editorial Association 
of the state. 

In politics Mr. Slauson has always been a Re- 
publican. His part\- allegiance is so strong, in 



fact, that he may be styled a partisan. This, how- 
ever, has not prevented him from striving to be 
fair toward his political opponents. Indeed his 
love of justice, of fairness, of man's inalienable 
right to libertj' and conscience, has ever made 
him most tolerant, liberal-minded and just in his 
treatment of others on all subjects. This reputa- 
tion for fair dealing and steady adherence to the 
principles of the Golden Rule in all relations 
of life has earned him the merited esteem of his 
townsmen generally and the highest regard of 
those who know him best, a plea.sure falling to 
the writer many years ago, and he cherishes the 
friendship thus formed as one of the pleasantest 
incidents in his life. 

Mr. Slauson has been actively and continu- 
ously connected with the Press since his purchase 
of an interest in the concern in 1872, and with his 
pen and personality has done much to bring that 
able journal up to its present high standard. His 
aim, and that of his partners, has been to make 
it a clean, high-toned newspaper, one that could 
offend no elevated taste; while bright, readable 
and newsy, to make it honest, truthful and whole- 
some in its influence. This high aim has been 
attained in a degree rarely equalled in journalism. 

Mr. Slauson is conceded to be one of Middle- 
town's foremost and reliable business men, and 
he is identified with the business interests of the 
city in various ways. For several years past he 
has been the Vice-President of the Middletown 
Board of Trade. He never loses an opportunitx 
to advocate and champion Middletown's interests, 
and he has done his part toward making the city 
the prosperous, attractive place that it is. 



E KM MET CRAWFORD has undoubtedly 
the largest stock of furniture, carpets and 
crockery in his five stores, located respect- 
ively at Middletown, Newburgh, Matteawan, 
Port Jervis and Goshen, of any one in the state 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1507 



of New York. He began at the foot of the lad- 
der and has risen rapidlj-, now taking his place 
among the foremost merchants of the country. 
His fine establishment at No. 102 Water Street, 
Newburgh, was erected at a cost of $15,000 and 
is conducted under the title of the New York 
Furniture Company. It is four stories in height, 
well equipped with elevators and modern appli- 
ances, and is coiniected with a five-story building 
on Front Street. 

Oliver Crawford, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in the northern part of Ireland and 
was of Scotch ancestry. He was of strong Chris- 
tian character and a devoted Presbyterian. At 
an early period in his history he came to Amer- 
ica and settled on the farm near Goshen, later 
moving to the town of Wallkill. The old home- 
stead, which bears his name, is situated two 
miles south of Middletown, and there his death 
occurred at the good old age of eighty-six years. 
He reared a family of eleven children, James B., 
the father of our subject, being the eldest. He 
was born in Goshen and received district-school 
advantages. Until 1855 he resided on a farm 
near Middletown, at that time moving to the_ 
farm of one hundred acres adjoining that city, 
now owned and occupied by C. E. Crawford. 
The latter's mother, Sarah M., was born in Mid- 
dletown, being a daughter of Joshua McNish, of 
Scotch descent. She died about 1888, leaving 
three children. Her second .son. Rev. O. C, is 
a minister in the Congregational Church of Syra- 
cuse; and J. W. is in bu.sine.ss with our subject 
in Middletown. Tiie father, now .seventy-two 
years of age, is still an active man, and takes 
great interest in the prosperity of the Congrega- 
tional Church, with which he has long been iden- 
tified. 

C. E. Crawford was born December 16, 1849, 
in Middletown, and received his higher education 
in Wallkill Academy, afterward preparing him- 
self for his counnercial career by a course of study 
at Eastman's Business College in Foughkeepsie. 
In 1870 he obtained a clerkship in a dry-goods 
store in Middletown, and two years later bought 
out the old furniture house of Hiram Brink. A 
year or two later he purchased the long-estab- 



lished crockery house of I. O. Beatty and com- 
bined the two concerns, which had occupied ad- 
joining buildings at Nos. 44 and 46 North Street. 
It is now the largest business house in Middle- 
town, and comprises twenty-five thousand .square 
feet of storeroom. The building has a frontage 
of fifty feet, and is four stories in height and one 
hundred feet in depth. With the exception of 
stoves, everything in the line of house furnish- 
ings can be found in this immense establishment. 
For seven years Mr. Crawford conducted the 
business alone and then took in as a partner his 
brother, O. C. Crawford, who retired from the 
firm seven years later to devote himself to the 
ministry 

In 1 88 1 the brothers o))ened the Newburgh 
store, and in 1890 our subject started a branch 
in Matteawan, this also being known as the New 
York Furniture Company. The .same year he 
sold a half-interest in the Middletown .store to 
E. D. B. France, J. W^ Crawford and Charles H. 
Mapes, the firm being known as the C. E. Craw- 
ford Furniture Companw In 1891 another store 
was started at Port Jervis, in connection with the 
Middletown partners, and in 1894 the one at 
Goshen, known as the C. E. Crawford Furniture 
Company, was also organized. Our subject is 
virtually the head of these various establish- 
ments, which have an immense trade. In con- 
nection with the Newburgh plant they have a 
factory on Front Street, where are manufactured 
parlor suites, lounges and mattresses. General 
upholstery work is also done here. The store at 
Matteawan is 25x75 feet, three stories in height; 
the one at Goshen 25x100 feet, four stories; and 
that at Port Jervis, 25x85 feet, also four stories, 
with a wing 20x60 feet. 

Mr. Crawford owns the old homestead of one 
hundred and ten acres, a portion of which lies 
within the city limits of Middletown, and his res- 
idence is on Cottage vStreet. He makes a speci- 
alty of raising standard-bred horses. He is a 
member of the Newburgh Board of Trade, and 
also of the Middletown Board of Trade. .Socially 
he belongs to the Newburgh and Matteawan City 
Clubs. In 1870 he married Alice, daughter of Rev. 
Dr. C. A. Harvey, now deceased, but fornierlv a 



i5o8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



minister of the Congregational Church of Mid- 
dletowii. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have two chil- 
dren: A. H., who is in charge of the .store at 
Goshen, and Mildred M. The faniih- are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and are lib- 
eral in their donations to religious activities. In 
his political faith Mr. Crawford is identified with 
the Republican partw 

gEORGE HENRY DECKER, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in the town of Jerusa- 
lem, Yates County, N. Y., on the 23d of 
April, 1842. After attending the di.strict school 
of the neighborhood he prepared for college 
at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y. 
He entered Genesee College, and at the expira- 
tion of the freshman j-ear he entered Hamilton 
College at Clinton, N. Y., wdiere he graduated in 
1866, with the degree of A. B., and three years 
later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon 
him. With the following school year he began 
teaching as assistant in Wallkill Academy at 
Middletown. At the expiration of the year he 
returned to his native county aiid entered upon 
a Course of law in the ofEce of Franklin & Morris 
in Penn Yan. At the expiration of the year he 
was elected Principal of Wallkill Academy, where 
he had taught after leaving college, which posi- 
tion he accepted and retained for two \-ears, when 
he resigned it to practice law, having been admit- 
ted to the Bar at the Poughkeepsie General Term, 
held in May, 1870. 

Mr. Decker is a de.scendant in the fifth genera- 
tion of his family in this country, the first having 
come hither from Holland and made .settlement 
in Columbia County, N. Y. There the great- 
grandfather, the grandfather, Lawrence, and the 
father of our subject, William H., were born. 
The second of these removed in middle life to 
Yates County and settled on a farm near Branch- 
port, where his remaining years were spent. He 
enlisted for service in the War of 181 2 and held 
the rank ot Lieutenant in a New York regiment. 

At the time the family removed to Yates County, 
William H. Decker accompanied them, and the 



remaining years of his life were spent on the 
home farm, where he died at the age of seventy- 
three. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which was the religions belief of 
his ancestors for several generations. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Lucy C. Durham, was 
born in Yates County, and is .still living at 
Branchport, being quite well and vigorous, not- 
withstanding her seventy-six years. She is a 
daughter of Benjamin Durham, a native of Eng- 
land, who came to the United States with several 
brothers, he settling in Yates County, where he 
took up a large tract of land, and was employed 
as a millwright. He erected the first gristmill 
built at Niagara Falls. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted, besides himself, of two children, namely: 
Ann Eliza, who died in 1865; and Charles D., 
who resides on the old homestead. For a time, 
after his admission to the Bar, Mr. Decker was 
alone: then he was in partnership with Henry 
M. McQuoid until the death of that gentleman, 
under the firm name of McQuoid & Decker. 
Later he was with T. N. Little for three years, 
the name of that firm being Decker & Little. 
Since that time he has practiced alone. 

In addition to his professional labors, Mr. 
Decker has at various times held important local 
offices, and in these varied positions he has ren- 
dered efficient service in the interest of the people. 
He held the office of City Clerk of Middletown 
for three years, and he has also served at different 
times as City Attorney. For sixteen years he 
was a member of the Board of Education, a por- 
tion of the time serving as President. During 
that period several ward schoolhouses were built, 
the academy remodeled, and the free library 
founded. He introduced and secured the passage 
of the resolution that founded the library, now 
one of the best in the state. 

At Middletown, December 31, 1872, Mr. Decker 
married Miss Frances Emily Horton, daughter of 
Charles Horton, a retired tanner, formerly of 
Callicoon, N. Y. Mrs. Decker was born in that 
village, and w-as the recipient of excellent educa- 
tional advantages, being a graduate of Yassar 
College. They are the parents of four children, 




HERBERT GEDNEV. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



iiainely: William Grant, who is a member of the 
Class of '96 of Wallkill Academy, preparing for 
college; Florence Louise, Clements Durham and 
Lucy Hortense. The family occupy an elegant 
residence on Highland Avenue, which was de- 
signed and built by Mr. Decker. He is a mem- 
l)erofthe Second Presbyterian Church. For a 
time he was President of Excelsior Hook and 
Ladder Company No. i , and is now an honorary 
member of the organization. Socially he is iden- 
tified with the Paughcaughmaughsinque Lodge 
of Red Men in this city. He is also a member 
of Clinton Lodge No. 169, F. & A. ^L, at Clin- 
ton; Midland Chapter No. 240. R. A. .M.; Dela- 
ware Commander}' No. 44, at Port Jervis, and of 
the Psi Chapter of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity. 



HERBERT GEDNEY, attorney andcoun.selor- 
at-law at Middletown, was born in Goshen, 
June 22, 1S52. The Gedney family were 
originally from Kent, England, and the name, 
which is an old Saxon one, was originally spelled 
Gednaia. The first members of the family, who 
came from Pike Island, were of the landed gen- 
try. The father of our subject, the late Judge 
David F. Gedney, was a son of Dr. Gedney, a 
prominent physician of Newburgh. His mother 
is the great-granddaughter of Lord Stirling, the 
famous Revolutionary General, whose daughter. 
Lady Katherine Alexander, married William 
Duer, Esq. The grandfather of the Doctor was 
the first of the family in America, and located in 
Newburgh. The father of our subject, D. F. 
Gedney, a native of Newburgh, was District .\t- 
torney of Orange Count}' two terms, and County 
Judge the same length of time. After graduat- 
ing from Union College, he studied law and was 
admitted to the Bar. Later he formed a partner- 
ship with Nathan Westcott, under the firm name 
of Gedney & We.stcott, at Go.shen, N. Y., this 
partner.ship continuing until the retirement of 
Mr. Westcott. Mr. Gedney continued alone until 
1875, when he took his son Herbert into part- 
nership, the firm becoming D. F. & H. Gednej-. 
During the war the Judge was instrumental in 



recruiting the One Hundred and Twenty- fourth 
New York Infantry. He was a man of good lit- 
erary- taste, a great linguist, and a musician of 
more than ordinary ability. He wrote a great 
deal of church music, and in church matters he 
always took a deep interest, for many years 
serving as Warden of St. James Episcopal Church 
at Goshen. As an attorney and jurist he was 
well known, and carried on an extensive practice. 
In politics he was a Republican, and for years 
was quite active in the councils of that party. He 
died in Goshen, July 9, 1888. His wife, Harriet 
Duer, was born in Goshen, and was a daughter 
of Alexander Duer, Jr. , a prominent attorney in 
that place, whose brothers, John and William, 
were both Judges in the Superior Court of New 
York. Mrs. Harriet Gedney is still living at 
Goshen, N. Y. One of her .sons, Alexander 
Duer Gedney, was lost at sea. He was in the 
United States navy, and when on a cruise off 
Cape Horn was accidentally drowned. One 
daughter, Henrietta, yet remains at home. 

The .subject of this sketch was admitted to the 
Bar in February, 1875, and practiced law in 
Goshen until the death of his father in 1888. 
He opened an office in Middletown in 1893, and 
has since been connected with the Bar at this 
place. In many intere,sting and important cases 
he has acted as counsel, and has been very suc- 
cessful in the prosecution of cases in the various 
courts. In politics he is a Republican, and was 
a candidate for the office of District Attorney in 
1882, but was defeated by Hon. Russell Headley, 
of Newburgh. He has decided literary taste, is 
well read in church history, and is greatly inter- 
ested in church literature. He is a member of 
Grace Episcopal Church, and at present is con- 
nected with the choir. 

Mr. Gedney was married, in Goshen, to Miss 
Eleanor B. Blauvelt, a native of Rockland County, 
and a daughter of Cornelius Blauvelt, now of 
Jer.sey City, who is interested in the Milk Ex- 
change at that place. The Blauvelts were origi- 
nally from Holland, and were old .settlers in 
Rockland County. To Mr. and Mrs. Gedney 
have been born two children, Katharine and 
Minnie. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gVAN STEENBERGH is known not only in 
Goshen, where he resides, but throughout 
Orange County and the Hudson Valley, as a 
gentleman of large inventive skill, keen insight 
into affairs, and shrewd judgment. He was the 
builder, and is now the proprietor, of the New 
Paltz & Highland Electric Railroad, which is ten 
miles long, and was erected at a costot $235,000. 
His office is at No. 53 Broadway, and he has an 
elegant residence on Golden Hill Avenue, where 
he and his family are surrounded by all the lux- 
uries of life. 

The history of the \'an Steenbergh family in 
America extends back to an early period in the 
settlement of this country. Two brothers emi- 
grated from Stefenhoffen, in Holland, and set- 
tled, one in Kingston, N. V., and the other in 
the city of New York. The former, Abrani Van 
Stefenhoffen (for in that way the family name 
was originally spelled), served on the Colonial side 
during the Revolution, and was a stanch patriot. 
His son, Thomas G., was born in Kingston, and 
was a carpenter, contractor and builder. He 
died in Kingston at the age of seventy-six. 

The father of our subject, James E., a son of 
Thomas G. , was born in Kingston, and was for a 
time teller in the Quassaick Bank, but later be- 
came Cashier of a bank in Fishkill. He had 
charge of the gas vi'orks at Fishkill and Cold 
Springs. At the age of forty-four he was killed 
in a train accident. For some time he was Super- 
intendent of the Sunday-.school and Deacon in the 
Dutch Reformed Church at Fi.shkill, where the 
congregation worshiped in a building that had 
been erected during the Revolution, and had been, 
during that conflict, temporarily converted into a 
hospital for the wounded soldiers. 

The marriage of James E. \'an Steenbergh 
united him with Miss Abigail Halstead, a native 
of Newburgh, and now a resident of New York 
City. Her father was one of the prominent Hud- 
son River captains, and at different times had 
charge of a sloop, schooner and barge. Our sub- 
ject is the eldest of four children, and was born 
in Newburgh, August 23, 1849. He was reared 
in Fishkill, where he attended the academy. 
Later he was a student in the Dutchess County 



Academy at Poughkeepsie, and at the age of 
nineteen years completed a course at Warring' s 
Military School at Poughkeepsie, in which he 
was Lieutenant. In 1868 he was employed in 
building the gas works at Fishkill, which he 
afterward owned. On selling the plant, he pro- 
jected the Fishkill Landing gas works, which he 
sold upon completion. Later he built the gas 
works at Rhinebeck, N. Y., Coshocton and 
Barnesville, Ohio, and organized the gas works 
at London, Ohio, all of which he sold. 

Coming to Goshen in 1880, Mr. \'an Steen- 
bergh organized the Gas-light Company and 
built the works, of which he later disposed. His 
next step was the organization of the Goshen 
Foundry and Gas-machinery Company, for which 
he built a plant, and of which he was President 
and general manager. \\'hile thus engaged he 
invented the water-gas process, for which he built 
the necessary machinery and procured patents. 
Subsequently he was given other letters-patent. 
His original and valuable ideas on the subject 
brought him into prominence throughout the 
country, and he was called to other cities to in- 
troduce the gas plant. He built the works at 
Somerville, N. J., and introduced the machinery 
for this process. Later he put in the plant for 
the Singer Manufacturing Company of Elizabeth, 
N. J., and afterward built the gas works at Del- 
hi, Waterville, Herkimer and Onoville, N. Y.; 
Austin and Consicana, Tex.; Macon, Ga. ; and 
Rutherford, N.J. On his return to New York 
he erected the water works and the electric-light 
plant at New Paltz. He aided in the incorpora- 
tion of the New Paltz & Highland Electric Rail- 
road Company, which has a capital stock of 
$235,000. He owns the works at this place, and 
has been inseparably connected with the progress 
of this most important enterprise. 

It is scarcely necessary to state to any one ac- 
quainted with Mr. Van Steenbergh, that he is a 
firm Republican, actively interested in the success 
of the party. In all public matters he takes a 
connnendable interest, and he is both progressive 
and public-spirited. Since coming to Goshen he 
has established domestic ties, having been united 
with Miss Ida, daughter of John Decker, a. stock- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI, RECORD. 



1513 



raiser of this place. Three children bless the 
union, Edward S., Marguerite and Henrj- P. 
Mrs. Van Steenbergh is identified with the Epis- 
copal Church, and with her husband is a member 
of the best society of the place. 

<x; »»»^»»-5"{- ♦♦♦♦ ^ 4"i"t"i- ♦♦♦♦♦¥'»» X> 

(3TEELE HARRISON, one of the reliable 
^\ and successful contractors and builders of 
\~/ Xewburgh, has constructed upwards of a 
dozen residences on his own account and dis- 
posed of them to good advantage. During the 
twentj- years of his employment in this line of 
work in the city he has been constantly employed 
in building residences, stores and public struct- 
ures, and has given general satisfaction to those 
with whom he has had bu.siness dealings. At 
present he is the owner of three residences at the 
corner of Third and Dubois Streets and four oth- 
ers on Liberty Street, Washington Heights. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
born in England. His father, Steele Harrison, 
Sr., was born in Count)' Antrim, Ireland, and 
was the owner of a valuable farm. He was a 
member of the Church of England, and at the 
time of his death, which occurred in 1890, was 
over eight)- years of age. His wife, Jane, was a 
Miss Bamford before their marriage, and like- 
wise a native of County Antrim. Her death oc- 
curred in the Emerald Isle in iSgi, at the ripe 
old age of sevent3'-five years. They were the 
parents of five children, two of whom are de- 
ceased, and three of the number are now in 
America. 

The birth of Steele Harrison, of this sketch, oc- 
curred near Ballymena, County Antrim, June i, 
1840. He was the eldest in the family, and was 
given a good education in the national schools of 
Ireland. In 1863 he went to Londonderry, 
where he took passage in the steamer "Nova 
Scotia," bound for America. After a fourteen - 
days voyage the vessel arrived in Portland, from 
which city Mr. Harrison proceeded direct to 
Newburgh. Here for a time he was employed in 
a foundry at the corner of Washington and High- 
land Streets, and two years later connnenced serv- 



ing an apprenticeship to the ma.son's trade under 
a Mr. Dobbins. Afterwards he was employed 
by John and Robert Kernahan, and then worked 
as a journeyman both here and in New York 
City for a few years. About 1874 he .started in 
business in partnership with John McNeal. This 
connection existed for about five or six years, 
when it was dissolved by mutual consent, since 
which time Mr. Harrison has been alone. He 
built two residences for Colonel Dickey on the 
Heights, two for Mr. Chadborn, one for Mrs. 
Ross, another for Mrs. Ford, two residences for 
Frank Estabrook; the home of Mrs. Cavanagh, 
at the corner of Third and Lander Streets; the 
homes of Messrs. Jones and Steward, and scores 
of others. He erected Ryan's Building on Broad- 
way, St. James' Catholic Church at Middletown, 
four buildings in Warwick, besides others. He 
is financially interested in the Palatine Hotel 
Company, and is a charter member of the Board 
of Trade. 

In 1 86 1 Mr. Harrison was married, in Ireland, 
to Mary J. Leech. She was born in the same 
locality as her husband, and, like him, received a 
good education. They are both members of the 
Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are active 
in all good works of benefit to the public. Po- 
litically Mr. Harrison is a Republican of the most 
loyal type, and is respected by all who have any 
dealings with him, whether in a business or .social 
wav . 



I'-a. 



L- 






=^ 



^HOMAS FULTON. Both in Washington- 
f C ville and the town of Blooming Grove the 
v2/ firm of Fulton & Co. is known as a reliable 
business concern, entirel}- worthy of the confi- 
dence of the people. Its prosperous condition is 
largely due to the energy and perseverance of 
Thomas Fulton, who gained a thorough knowl- 
edge of the business under his father's guidance. 
For a time he filled the position of bookkeeper, 
but on the ist of January, 1892, he succeeded his 
father in the business, which he has since con- 
ducted judiciously and with success. In his store 



I5'4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he carries a full line of lumber, together with 
coal, feed and building supplies generally. 

The father of our subject, who was also named 
Thomas, was a native of Orange County, and was 
born at Bethlehem. In early life he removed to 
Ulster, and for a time resided at Wallkill, where 
he owned and operated a mill. About eighteen 
years ago he came to Washingtonville and em- 
barked in the feed business, which he carried on 
continuously until 1892. In many respects he 
was a remarkable man, and it is safe to say that 
no one in the town of Blooming Grove was more 
highly esteemed than he. His death, which oc- 
curred September 3, 1892, at the age of eighty- 
three years, was mourned as a public loss. His 
political affiliations were with the Democratic 
party, and he was one of the most faithful and 
influential "wheel-horses" of that organization. 
For two terms he represented his town upon the 
County Board of Supervisors, and he was also a 
member of the Assembly from Orange County. 
His advice was often sought in party councils, 
and the greatest reliance was placed on his sagac- 
ity and judgment. 

Thomas Fulton, Sr. , was twice married, his 
first wife dj'ing at the age of fifty-five. After- 
ward he was united with Miss Jennie McClung, 
of Newburgh, who passed away in April, 1892, 
shortly before his death. Their four children 
were Annie, widow of John O. Birdsall, of Brook- 
lyn; Maggie, a trained nurse living in Newark, 
N. J.; Thomas and Carrie. The only son, our 
subject, was born in Wallkill, Ulster County, 
N. Y. , June 5, 1871. At the age of six \-ears he 
was brought by his parents to Washingtonville, 
where he has since resided. Attending the com- 
mon schools, he laid the foundation of the ex- 
tensive knowledge which he has since gained by 
observation and systematic reading. From an 
early age he has been active and ambitious, and 
his natural talents seemed to fit him for a busi- 
ness life. After keeping the books for his father, 
he succeeded to the business January i, 1S92. 
Since that time he has purchased the lumber and 
coal business of Charles Cooper, which has doub- 
led his trade. He is qualified to do an extensive 
business, and his transactions are of such an hon- 



orable nature that the people repose the greatest 
confidence in his ability. By his marriage with 
Miss Mamie C. Winans, of Brooklyn, he has one 
cliild, Miriam, 

Following in the footsteps of his father, our 
subject t'lkes a warm interest in political matters, 
and gives his support to the Democratic party. 
At present he is a member of the Democratic Cen- 
tral Committee, and without doubt his executive 
ability and good judgment will be recognized to 
an ever increa.sing extent by the members of his 
party. All public-spirited and progressive meas- 
ures receive his cordial support, and Washing- 
tonville has in him one of its most stirring citi- 
zens. In religious belief he is a member of the 
Presbvterian Church. 



(lOHN SMITH, one of the honored and re- 
I spected citizens of Orange County, is now 
Q) living retired in the city of Newburgh. He 
is a native of England, born in Manchester, Feb- 
ruary 9, 1853. and is a son of William and Lou- 
isa ( Drinkwater) Smith, The father was also 
born in that cit\', where for man}- years he was 
engaged as a bleacher and dyer of cotton goods, 
in connection with his brother John. 

John Smith, whose name heads this sketch, is 
the sixth in a family of eight children, three sons 
and five daughters. His early life was passed in 
Manchester, where he attended the grammar 
school, one of the largest and best schools in the 
north of England, and on completing the course 
was graduated therefrom. At the age of sixteen 
he obtained a position as salesman in a wholesale 
dry-goods house of Manchester, remaining with 
that firm until coming to America in 187 1 , when he 
entered the Boiling Springs Bleaching establish- 
ment of Chadwick Brothers, near Passaic, N. J., 
later becoming superintendent of their works. 
He held that position until 1878, when the busi- 
ness was consolidated and he became superintend- 
ent of the Newburgh Bleaching Works, where he 
remained until June, 1893, when he resigned and 




h' 



i 



FRANCIS A. WILLARI). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1517 



has since lived retired at his pleasant home on 
Montgomery Street. His long retention in that 
position indicates his faithfulness to his employers' 
interests, and the high regard in which he was 
held by them. 

In Newburgh, in 1886, Mr. Smith married Miss 
Anna L. Quackenbush, who is a native of that 
city, and a daughter of T. S. Quaqkenbush, who 
was born in Albany Count)-, N. Y. They have 
become the parents of three sons: Geoffrey y., 
William Alfred and John Roland. In 1877 Mr. 
Smith visited his old home in England, and dur- 
ing his absence traveled some on the Continent, 
while in 1893 he made another trip across the 
Atlantic with his family, remaining three months, 
and visiting man}' places of interest. 

In March, 1894, Mr. vSmith was nominated on 
the Republican ticket as a member of the Board 
of Education, and on his election was made Chair- 
man of the Committee on Laws and Conference 
with the Common Council, and a member of the 
C(jmmittees on Finance and Textbooks and Sup- 
plies. As he is deeply interested in educational 
affairs, he makes an efficient and active member of 
the board. He is a member of the Countj' Re- 
publican Central Committee from the Fourth 
Ward, and from the second di.strict of the same 
ward was elected a member of the Republican 
City Committee. Socially he belongs to the Citj' 
Club of Newburgh, and is a Director and Treas- 
urer of the Powelton Club, in which organiza- 
tions he takes an active part. Him.self and ex- 
cellent wife hold membership with St. George's 
Episcopal Church. 



r~RANCIS A. WILLARD, editor and proprie- 
r^ tor of the Register, was born in Midway, 
I Ky., August 23, 1856. His education was 
obtained in the public schools and academy at 
Boonville, and in the Whitestown Seminary. In 
1878-79 he was clerk of the village of Boonville. 
In 1880 he was telegraph editor of the Watertown 
MoDiing Dispatch , and the following year served 
as its managing editor. In September, 1882, he 
became a member nf the firm of Willard tS: Sons, 



editors of the Boonville Herald. During the first 
year of the publication of the Utica Daily Press. 
in the campaign of 1882, he had charge of its 
editorial columns. 

In 1884 Mr. Willard was elected Supervisor of 
the town of Boonville, and it is worthy of note 
that he was the first Democrat elected to that 
office on the regular party ticket since the war. 
In the .session of 1885, though one of the young- 
est members of the Board, he was leader of the 
Democratic minority. In 1885 his party nomin- 
ated him for Member of Assembly, representing 
the Third Oneida District, but he positiveh- de- 
clined to accept. In August, 1886, he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster at Boonville, being the 
unanimous choice of the people of that place. 
Had he so de.sired, he would have been tendered 
the nomination for Congress in 1888 and 1890 
from the Twenty-third Congressional District. 

In 1891 Mr. Willard disposed of his interest in 
the Boonville Herald to his brother, and then 
set about finding a plant located nearer the 
metropolis. The Newburgh Register was in the 
market; it belonged to John A. Mason, who had 
been absent from the city as Deputy Collector 
connected with the United States Custom House 
at New York City for several years, leaving the 
paper in the hands of others to conduct. The 
result was that the influence and value of the 
sheet, both as a newspaper and an advertising 
medium, had greatly deteriorated. Mr. Willard, 
recognizing that the task of bringing the Register 
to the front rank (the only place he would be 
content to have it) meant arduous and unceas- 
ing labor, hesitated about making the effort. 
Finally, May 9, 1891, he closed the contract, 
the Daily and Weekly Register passed into his 
hands, and since that time the improvements 
have been so numerous as to entirely change its 
position, as well as appearance, in the ranks of 
newspaperdom. The W^'ckly became a semi- 
weekly, the .system of newsgathering was mod- 
ernized by the employment of a city editor to 
manage the local department and a corps of re- 
porters to gather the facts. Correspondents were 
secured in all neighboring towns and villages, in 
order that every happening of importance might 



I5i8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



be chronicled on the day of its occurrence. A 
soliciting agent was employed to keep the adver- 
tising standard at the top notch — being the first 
publisher on the Hudson River who considered 
this important feature worthy of consideration. To 
the editorial department he gave, and still gives, 
his personal attention, in addition to a general 
supervision of every branch and department of 
the vast establishment. The editorial utterances 
in behalf of the cause of Democracy have so much 
of snap in them that they are con.sidered worthy 
of reproduction in the columns of the foremost 
party papers of the Empire State. 

From an inconvenient and antiquated structure 
the Register was moved into a commodious, 
modern, four-story and basement building on the 
main thoroughfare of the city, greatly to the sur- 
prise of the old-time-idea newspaper men, who 
predicted that only ruin and disaster could follow 
such a radical change, owing to the e.xpense at- 
tending the occupancy of such a model edifice. 
The wisdom of his choice lias been evident from 
the outset, and No. 30 Water Street is visited 
weekly by hundreds of merchants, manufacturers 
and citizens who had never before crossed its 
threshhold. 

Finally, as a crowning endeavor to bring the 
Register a trifle ahead of all its competitors, Mr. 
Willard added improved machinery to his plant, 
reduced the price of the paper to one cent, 
changed it from a nine-column 28x44 ]2 folio to 
six pages, 23)2x40, and made it the best local and 
general newspaper on the Hud.son River. The 
change proved a popular one, and in two months 
time the bona fide circulation had more than 
doubled, and on October i more than three times 
as many papers were being printed as when he 
first took control; its advertising columns were 
crowded so they encroached on the reading mat- 
ter, and the rates for advertising had been made 
to correspond with its increased value. The 
Register is all that is claimed for it, Mr. Willard 
considering this to be one of the secrets of suc- 
cess: "Always deal fair with patrons and never 
misrepresent anything. 

Since coming to Newburgh Mr. Willard has 
become one of the leading citizens. When here 



less than two years he was selected, in one of the 
longest and hardest contested conventions ever 
known in the city, as Chairman of the Demo- 
cratic City Committee, a position that was cov- 
eted by life-long citizens. For two years he has 
held the position of Statistician in the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics at Albany. He is powerful in 
the councils of his party, and his views are re- 
spected and advice sought for. Mr. Willard has 
a strong love for home, and when office duties 
are over he may be found at his fireside, enjoy- 
ing the companionship of his wife and daughter, 
and doing all that he can to make their lives 
happy and his home a pleasant one. 



•••>K'='(I 



s^K<l- 



^EORGE CRAWFORD, for many years one 
I— I of the influential and enterprising business 
\J( men of Middletown, is now living retired at 
his beautiful home in this city. He has shown 
marked ability as a business man, and has been 
very successful in all that he has undertaken. 

Our subject was born September 10, 1816, in 
the town of Crawford, which was named in honor 
of his grandfather, who located here many years 
ago. The parental family included eleven chil- 
dren, of whom we make the following mention: 
Emeline, who never married, died when eighl\- 
years of age; Leander at the time of his death was 
in his seventy-third year; Millicent was .sixty-five 
years at the time of her death; John A. lived to 
be eighty-one; Albert was sixty-three years old 
when he died; George, of this sketch, was the 
next-born; Sarah E. is deceased, as is also Esther; 
Theron is one of the most prominent agriculturists 
of this section, and occupies the old home farm; 
Robert is a substantial farmer of the town of Craw- 
ford; and Angeline is also living in the town ot 
Crawford. 

The father of our subject, Robert I. Crawford, 
was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., and when 
young was taken to the town of Crawford, where 
he was reared to mature years, and where he led 
an honorable and u.seful life. He was a very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1519 



prominent man in the affairs of his UicaHt\-, and 
in settling up estates there was none better. 
Honorable and upright in all his dealings, he 
won man)- friends, who held him in high esteem. 

The mother of our .subject, Deborah (Dicker.son) 
Crawford, was a native of the town of Crawford, 
and was the daughter of Benjamin and Esther 
( Ogden ) Dickerson, who were born in Dutchess 
County. She belonged to the Hopewell Presby- 
terian Church, with which denomination her 
husband was also connected, and of which he was 
an Elder for many years. 

Our subject passed the first thirty years of his 
life on the old homestead, in the meantnne ac- 
quiring a good education. On .starting out for 
him.self, he purchased a farm in the town of 
Montgomery, which he operated with success for 
ten years. At the end of that time he rented his 
estate, and, moving into Middletown, engaged in 
the crockery and woodenware business. Several 
>ears later he opened up a grocer)' store, and for 
four years conducted a thriving trade among the 
best people of the locality. He is now living re- 
tired, giving his attention to looking after his 
real -estate interests. 

November 5, 1846, Mr. Crawford married Miss 
Mary E. Crawford, a native of Orange County, 
and to them have been born two children: Emma, 
at home; and Frank, a merchant of Middletown. 
Mr. Crawford owns three residences in this place, 
which he rents, and in this way derives a good 
income. He is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and is actively interested in the success of his 
party. Like the other members of his family, he 
belongs to the Presbyterian Church. 



^^— =— ?-#^#-r 



«^ 



goL. DANIEL C. DUSENBERRY, who is 
the oldest merchant by many years in Mid- 
dletown, came to this place in 1838, and pur- 
chased the first jewelry store established here. 
He was born near Amity, town of Warwick, 
March 3, 1818, and is a son of Isaac and Anna 
( Knapp) Dnsenberry, also natives of that town. 
The paternal grandfather, a native of Holland, 
emigrated to the United States, and after a short 



sojourn on Long Island made settlement in Or- 
ange County. The maternal grandfather, Will- 
iam Knapp, was born at Pine I.sland, and spent 
his life principall)- in the town of Warwick. 
Isaac Dusenberry, who was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, resided near the village of Amity ville, where 
he died at the age of seventy; his wife passed 
away when eighty two years old. 

Of the family of five children born to Isaac and 
Anna Dusenberry, Daniel C. is the sole .survivor. 
He remained at home until .sixteen years of age. 
When he was twelve, the family moved to Goshen, 
and there he attended Farmer School. At the 
age of .sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the 
watchmaker's trade, under Jonah K. Payne, of 
Goshen, with whom he remained for two years, 
completing the trade with Daniel Warden. He 
then came to Middletown, which at that time had 
less than three hundred inhabitants. As stated, 
he purchased the first jewelry store in the village, 
it being situated on the corner of North and Main 
Streets. After two years spent there, he removed 
to West Main Street, and two )-ears later opened 
a store on East Main Street. 

At the expiration of two years, Mr. Dusenber- 
ry purchased his pre.sent .site and erected a build- 
ing which he occupied many years. It was after- 
ward replaced by the three-story brick structure 
at No. 14 North Street. In 1893 he admitted 
his .son D. W. into the firm, and the business is 
continued under the firm name of D. C. Dusen- 
berry & Son. They make a .specialty of dia- 
monds, sterling-.silver tableware and fancy articles 
of every description suitable to the jewelry trade. 
Their a.ssortment of diamonds and silverware is 
the largest in the county. 

In 1862 Mr. Dusenberry was commissioned 
Colonel in the New York National Guards by 
Governor Seymour, and recruited the Ninety- 
first Regiment, composed of one thousand men. 
taken from the different towns in Sulli\an and 
Orange Counties. After holding the commission 
a short time he resigned. During the '40s he 
assisted in the organization of a military company 
in Middletown, which was known as the Middle- 
town Light Guards, of which he was commis- 
sioned First Lieutenant, 



I520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Colonel Dusenberrj' has been an active man in all 
the business relations of life. In 1869 he assisted 
in the organization of the Middletown Savings 
Bank, and was a member of the Finance Commit- 
tee, then Trustee, and subsequent!}- Vice-Presi- 
dent, which position he held until his resigna- 
tion, some years ago. He was instrumental in 
building the North Plank Road, the charter of 
which is still in exi.stence. It is now, however, 
a turnpike. He also assisted in the building of 
the South Plank Road, which is now given up as 
a public road. In the location of the Middletown 
Stale Ho.spital he took an active part, contribut- 
ing towards the purchase of the site, and was 
one of the committee to work for its location in 
Middletown. The cause of education has had in 
him a friend, and he contributed liberallj- to the 
Wallkill Academy, and has done everj'thing in 
his power to make it a success. He was instru- 
mental in building the railroad from Goshen to 
Middletown, after the Erie had partially graded 
it between the two places, and was one of a 
committee to raise the sum of $80,000 for its 
completion, with the understanding that the Erie 
Company should pay the money back, which was 
subsequently done. Stacey Beakes was Chair- 
man of the committee. 

In 1850 Colonel Dusenberry married, in this 
city. Miss Mary Bennett, a native of the town of 
Wallkill, and a daughter of Bedford Bennett, a 
farmer and representative of an old famih- who 
settled on the site of Middletown. She was edu- 
cated at Goshen Academy. Of their family of 
four children, three are now living. Emma, a 
graduate of Port Jervis Academy, married a Mr. 
Thomp.son, and died in Middletown; Hattie mar- 
ried a Mr Towner, a graduate of Monticello 
Academy and a merchant of Middletown; Clara, 
who was educated at Wallkill Academj-, is yet at 
home; D. W.,whoisa graduate of Siglar's Prepar- 
atory Academ\- of Newburgh, is now engaged 
with his father in business. The mother of these 
children died in 1893. 

Colonel Dusenberry was one of the charter 
members of both Hoffman and Goshen Lodges, 
F. & A. M. At Port Jervis he was made a Ma- 
son, but withdrew from the lodge there to assist 



in starting HoiFman Lodge No. 412 at Mid- 
dletown. He later withdrew from the latter to 
start Goshen Lodge, and then returned to Hoff- 
man Lodge. He was also one of the organizers 
of the old Pioneer Fire Company, which was the 
first in Middletown. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat, and has served on both the City and County 
Central Committees. He was Chairman of the 
County Central Committee several years, and 
has often represented his district in state conven- 
tions. He was a member of the state conven- 
tion which nominated Seymour for Governor, and 
also oftho.se which nominated Hoffman and Til- 
den, the latter of whom was a personal friend. 
Of late years he has not taken as active a part as 
formerly. In local politics he was very active in 
former years, and was one of the first Trustees on 
the incorporation of the village. He is a member 
of the Board of Trade, and was its President for 
several vears. 



(lOSEPH A. STEWART, storekeeper for the 
I New York, Ontario & Western Railroad at 
G/ the main distributing point, Middletown, 
was born in New York City, August 31, 1866. 
He was brought to Middletown when but two 
years of age, and has here continued to reside. 
His primary education was received at the pub- 
lic schools and was finished in the academy. 
When si.xteen years of age he entered the employ 
of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway in 
the paint-.shops, where he continued for about 
three >ears. The business not agreeing with his 
health, he was compelled to resign, and was ap- 
pointed .storekeeper for the company at this place, 
to which he devotes his entire time. 

Mr. Stewart was united in marriage at New- 
ark, N. J., with Miss Tillie Lemon, who was 
born in Circleville, and who is the daughter 
of Henry A Lemon, a farmer residing in that 
vicinity. They have one child, Selden H., and 
the family resides at Nos. 40 and 42 Hanford 
Street. Fraternally Mr. Stewart is a member of 




HAMILTON" MORRISON AND SONS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1523 



HoflFinan Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M. ; Midland 
Chapter Xo. 123, R. A. M.; and the Union Con- 
siston." of Middletowii. Politically he is a Re- 
publican. 

• — ' ^:m (^ — - . 

HAMILTON MORRISON was bom August 
24. 1804. on the old homestead which is now- 
occupied by his sons. George H. and John 
G. This property has been handed down in the 
family from father to son for over one hundred 
and fiftv- years. It contains two hundred and 
.sixty acres, and is one of the best improved es- 
tates in the town of Montgomery. The .parental 
family included eight children, of whom our sub- 
ject was the youngest but one. His parents were 
Hamilton and Lydia (Beemen Morrison, the 
former of whom was a native of Ireland, whence 
he crossed the Atlantic and landed on American 
shores when a lad of sixteen years, being accom- 
panied by his father, John. The latter, who took 
up the land which is still held in the Morrison fam- 
ily, was then advanced in years, and only lived a 
short time after reaching his new home. 

The parental family included the following 
children: Bathsheba, whose birth occurred Au- 
gust 20, 1790; Lydia', December 10, 1791: Pru- 
dence, who died in childhood: John Adam, who 
was born February 23, 1797; Elizabeth, who was 
bom September 9, 1799, and died in childhood: 
Prudence, who was born November i, 1802: 
Hamilton, August 24, 1804: Eliza, September 21, 
1807, Hamilton pa.ssed his entire life on the 
home farm in the town of Montgomen,-, and died 
October 25, 1881. He was veni" successful in all 
his undertakings, and was highly regarded by all 
who knew him. The progress and de\-elopment 
of the material re.sources of this section were due 
in a measure to his untiring efforts, and to him 
was given the credit of founding the Orange Coun- 
ty Agricultural Society. 

The father of our subject, Hamilton Morrison, 
was a tanner by trade. He was born in Ballyna- 
hinch, in the North of Ireland, but was of Scotch 
extraction. He was married, some years after 
coming to America, to Miss Beenier, who was 
born in New Jersey, on the banks of the Delaware 



River, and who was a daughter of Adam and 

Deborah Beemer. She li\-ed to the remarkable 
age of one hundred and three years, passing away 
January 24, 1868. She was twice married, and 
after the death of Mr. Morrison married George 
Morrow, by whom she had a son, George, Jr., 
whose sketch the reader will find elsewhere in 
this book. The Beemers were of Holland extrac- 
tion, and Mrs. Morrison's father participated in 
the Revolutionary War. 

The lady to whom our subject was married, 
Januani- 15, 1827, was Miss Maria, daughter of 
Jonathan and Elizabeth (Mould) Mould. Her 
death occuired March 26, 1868. To our subject 
and his wife seven children were born, namelv: 
Jonathan M., who is a resident of Montgomery . 
and who married Margaret Winfield: David A., 
whose sketch will be found on another page in 
this volume: George H.: Mary J., the widow of 
Elijah C. Thayer, of Hamptonburgh: John G. : 
William H. H.. a farmer of this locality, who 
married Agnes Horton: and Elizabeth, the wife 
of William Hart, of Walden. George H. and 
John G. are unmarried and reside on the home- 
stead, which they personally superintend. Thej- 
earn.- on general farming, but make a specialty 
of dairying, selling the product to the creameries, 
there being quite a number in this county. The 
sons are progres-sive and influential citizens, and, 
with the exception of David A., none would ever 
accept office, finding they had all they could do 
to look after their property. They are Demo- 
cratic in politics, as was also their father. Both 
our subject and wife were members of the Re- 
formed Church, and were honored citizens of the 
countv. 



0AVID A. MORRISON belongs to one of the 
old and representative families of Orange 
County, where his entire life has been passed. 
He is of Scotch-Irish and Dutch ancestry. 

His paternal ancestors emigrated from Scot- 
land to the North of Ireland during the seven- 
teenth century. His great-great-grandfather, 



'524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John Morrison, was born near "Belfast, Ireland, 
in the year 1700, and came to this country prior 
to the Revolutionary War. He died in 17S3. 
His son John, the founder of the family in Amer- 
ica, had preceded him several years, and settled 
on what is now known as the Morrison Home- 
stead in the town of Montgomery. He married 
Elizabeth Scott and had nine children: John, 
Joseph, Jane, James, Hamilton, William, Rob- 
ert, Gwyn and Prudence, all born in Ireland ex- 
cept Prudence. 

Hamilton, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born near Belfast, Ireland, Novem- 
ber 4, 1759, and accompanied his father to the 
New World. Arriving at manhood, he married 
Lydia Beeraer, whose ancestors were of Dutch 
descent and came from Beemerville, N. J. He 
occupied the homestead farm and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits and tanning. He was one 
of the projectors of the Newburgh & Cochecton 
Turnpike, and was Justice of the Peace for sev- 
eral years. Diligent in business, he accumulated 
property rapidly, and, although he died in the 
prime of life, owned several farms at the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1808. His widow 
lived to the advanced age of one hundred and 
three years. They had eight children: Bath- 
sheba,' who died unmarried; Lydia, who married 
William Stewart, of Newburgh: Prudence, who 
died in infancy; John A., who became a promi- 
nent physician and large land-holder of Wurts- 
boro, N. Y.; Prudence, who married Hon. Ste- 
phen Rapalje, of Walden, N Y. : Elizabeth, who 
died young; Hamilton: and Eliza, the wife of the 
late Dr. Andrew King. 

Hamilton Morrison, tlie father of David, was 
l)orn August 24, 1804, and inherited the old 
homestead, on which he was reared. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the Montgomer}- Academy, 
after which lie taught .school for some time, but 
later gave his entire attention to the management 
of his farm, which comprised nearly three hun- 
dred acres. He was a prominent man and a 
leading agriculturist, and one of the original 
founders of the Orange County Agricultural So- 
ciety, of which he was ever an active member. 
For many years he was a member of the Board 



of Directors, twice served as President, and for 
a quarter of a century was Vice-President. With 
the Reformed (Dutch) Church he held member- 
ship. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a 
supporter of the Democratic part}-. Prudent in 
investments, he amassed a large fortune, and 
died in 1881, at the age of .seventy-seven. In 
1827 he married Maria Mould, the mother of our 
.subject, and a most estimable woman, who de- 
parted this life in 1868, at the age of sixty-two 
3-ears. She was the daughter of Jonathan Mould, 
an influential farmer of the town of Montgomery, 
and a pillar in the Dutch Reformed Church. 
His father, Johannes, and grandfather, Christo- 
pher Mould, were both born in Orange County, 
where they followed the occupation of farming. 
The latter was a son of ChristofTel Mould, one of 
the earliest Dutch settlers in the Wallkill Valley. 

David A. Morrison is the second in a family of 
seven children. Jonathan M., who married Mar- 
garet Winfield, is engaged in the insurance busi- 
ness, and is also a civil engineer in the village 
of Montgomery; he is an amateur florist, and 
takes an active interest in church work. David 
A. is the next; George H., who is a prominent 
farmer, resides on the old homestead: Mary J. is 
the widow of Elijah C. Thayer, and is a resident 
of the town of Hamptonburgh; John G., an intel- 
ligent agriculturist, is part owner of the home 
farm, on which he resides: William H. H., who 
is a successful and progre-s.sive farmer, married 
Miss Agnes Horton, and lives on a farm adjoin- 
ing the old homestead; and Elizabeth M. is the 
wife of William C. Hart, who resides near Wal- 
den, this county. 

On leaving the district schools Mr. Morrison 
entered the Montgomery Academy, and at the 
age of seventeen began teacliing, being thus em- 
ployed during the winter, while in the .summer 
months he assi.sted his father in the labors of the 
farm. For about thirty terms he followed the 
profession of teaching, being Principal of the 
schools in Walden and Montgomery; also taught 
in district schools in the towns of Montgomer\-, 
Hamptonburgh and Blooming Grove. 

Mr. Morrison has ever taken an active part in 
educational aifairs, being elected School Commis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1525 



sioner for the First District of Orange County in 
1867, and re-elected in 1881, 1884, 1887 and 
1890, serving until 1894, in all five terms, or fif- 
teen years, an event without parallel in the state. 
The last four times the election was in a district 
where the Republicans usually had a majority of 
from eight hundred to one thousand, but each 
time he was elected on the Democratic ticket with 
an increasing majority, thus showing his popu- 
larity. During his term of office educational 
progress was marked. He resurrected .several 
school districts and placed them in a good condi- 
tion. The following shows the advancement in 
the schools in his di.strict between the first and last 
terms: Increase in number of teachers emploj'ed, 
sixty-eight per cent.; in average length of school 
terms, thirteen per cent. ; number of children of 
school age, twelve per cent. ; average daily at- 
tendance, fifty-three per cent. ; aggregate number 
of days' attendance, fifty-seven per cent.; value of 
schoolhouses and sites, three hundred and sixteen 
per cent.; a.ssessed valuation of districts, forty-five 
per cent.; amount of public money received, one 
hundred and twenty-two per cent. ; and amount 
of teachers' wages, one hundred and fifteen per 
cent. In his reports Mr. Morrison made many 
useful suggestions, which have been embodied 
ill the school laws of the state. 

In 1880 Mr. Morrison was married to Miss 
Mary R. Lipsett, who was born in the town of 
Montgomery, and is a daughter of Robert Lip- 
.sett, who was one of its leading farmers, and a 
great-granddaughter of Col. William Faulkner, 
of Revolutionary fame. For many years Mr. 
Morrison continued to live on the old homestead, 
but in 1893 located in Newburgh, where he now 
makes his home. 

Since 1858 he has been Secretary of the Orange 
County Agricultural vSociety. He has attended 
every fair held by the society since its organiza- 
tion in 1841, and is one of its mainstays. He is 
a painstaking and tireless worker, gentle yet firm, 
and a man of education and ability. His long 
continuance in the office of School Connnissioner 
and Secretary of the Agricultural Society is suf- 
ficient evidence of his qualifications therefor. 
In politics, originally a Whig, he joined the Re- 



publican partj' at its organization in 1856, and 
was an active .supporter of the Union cause, but 
during Grant's .second term he became identified 
with the Democratic party, of which he has since 
been an honored member. 






30HN E. SMITH GARDNER, now de- 
ceased, was born July 16, 1815, in Florida, 
Orange County N. Y. His father was Ira 
Gardner, after whom the village of Gardnerville 
was named, and who died many years ago. Our 
subject was the eldest of nine children, five of 
whom are now living, namely; Ann, wife of Gab- 
riel Seeley, of the town of Chester; Virginia, wife 
of Benjamin Noyes, of New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. 
Sarah Coleman, proprietress of the Coleman 
House of Asbury Park; Harriet, who is unmar- 
ried; and Floyd, formerly a merchant of New 
Hampton, but who now lives in New York City. 
Three of the sisters who died a number of years 
ago in Middletown were Frances, widow of Capt. 
John M. Cash, and who afterwards was the wife 
of Herman B. Young; Caroline, wife of John S. 
Conkling; and Antoinette, wife of Menson Finch. 
Mr. Gardner married Phoebe Millicent Cash, who 
died in 1875, and who was the youngest daughter 
of Reuben Cash, and granddaughter of Daniel 
Cash, who narrowly escaped a massacre at Wj'- 
oming by the Indians under Brandt. Mrs. Gard- 
ner was a sister of Dr. Merritt H. Cash, a wealthy 
resident of Wawayanda, who died a immber of 
years ago. At his death Dr. Cash left the use 
of his farm, known as the Rutger's Place, to Mr.s. 
Gardner until her son Merritt should reach 
twenty-one, when the title pa.ssed to him. Mr. 
Gardner was a good citizen and a kind and ac- 
commodating neighbor. He lived for many 
years on the farm five miles north of Middletown, 
on the Bloomingburg Plank Road, for which he 
helped to secure the charter and donated the 
right of way through his farm, a distance of 
three-quarters of a mile. While a young man he 
united with the Westtown Presbyterian Church, of 
which he was a member at the time of his death. 
Daniel Cash was born in New England, but 



IS 26 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the date of his death is not known exactly. He ' 
and his wife, Mary Tracy, joined the Baptist 
Church in the year 1776. They were members of 
the Baptist Church at Pittston, Pa., to which 
place they went during the troublesome times in 
the Wyoming \' alley, when the settlers were often 
threatened with destruction by the Indians. Pre- 
vious to one of their incursions, the officers in 
command of the fort, which probably numbered 
forty, sent out a scout for information and to get 
reinforcements, but he was cut off by the Indians 
and never returned. A second one was sent out 
and met with the same fate. The commander of the 
fort then called for a volunteer to make the perilous 
trip to Connecticut for help and reinforcements. 
Daniel Cash stepped forward and volunteered 
to go. During his absence the massacre of Wy- 
oming occurred, one of the most terrible in our 
history. He reached Connecticut safely, and on 
his return on horseback, after crossing the Dela- 
ware River, he met the fleeing fugitives from the 
valley returning to their old homes in Orange 
and adjoining counties. Among them were his 
wife and children, whom he met in the woods, 
each of the little ones carrying a little bundle of 
goods. He turned back with them, realizing for 
the first time that his lonely, perilous journey to 
Connecticut was the means of saving his life. 
He settled again in Orange County, in the town 
of Minisink, and occupied the farm now owned 
bv Dorothea Brown, near Millsburg. He and his 
wife died in 1789, and were buried on the old 
burying-ground on the farm of David Slaison, a 
few rods distant from the present Cash Ceme- 
tery. There were but ten days between their 
deaths. Several of the Cash family were inhu- 
manly butchered by the Mexicans during the 
Mexican War. George W. Cash was living in 
Texas during the struggle, and he joined the 
command under Colonel Fannim, who, after being 
closely besieged, surrendered to General Santa 
Anna, under the solemn assurances of quarter. 
The pledges were instantly violated, and uearly 
the whole command was inhumanh- butchered. 
John S. Cash, a brother, hearing of the fate of 
George, enlisted to avenge his brother's death. 
He joined the expedition under command of T. J. 



Green, known in history as the Meir Expedition. 
The^- captured the city of Meir, but under 
the fal.se representation of the Mexican officers 
that they were besieged and surrounded by an 
overwhelming force, thev were induced to sur- 
render the city to the Mexicans. They were then 
marched off as prisoners toward the city of Mex- 
ico, and on the waj- were met by an order from 
Santa Anna to shoot everj- tenth man. They 
were marched up to a pot containing white and 
black beans. Those who drew black beans were 
to be .shot. John drew a black one, and with the 
other ill-fated ones was massacred at nightfall. 
Dr. Merritt H. Cash was born in the town of 
Wawayanda, July 20, 1802. He was the eldest 
son of Reuben Cash, who came to the town the 
latter part of the last century, and there made 
his home until the time of his death, experiencing 
many of the hard.ships incident to the life of pio- 
neer settlers. Although quite young during our 
country's struggle for independence, he was an 
eye-witness of some of the exciting revolutionary 
scenes. He was one of the number allowed by 
the Indian leader Brandt to escape the Wyom- 
ing Ma.ssacre, and was often wont to speak of the 
white rag on his hatband that saved him from 
the upifted tomahawk and glittering scalping 
knife of the savages. He lived for over fifty 
vears on his father's homestead and in a house 
that was built during the second year of the War 
for Independence. He was reared on a farm, and 
what little education he received was obtained in 
the district school for a few months during the 
winter season. But with these advantages 
and self-instruction he acquired a fair elementary 
education, at least enough to qualify him for 
teaching. On leaving the farm he turned his 
attention to teaching, in which occupation he 
was very successful. It was not until he had 
reached his majoritj' that he fully decided to 
enter the medical profession. .\s .soon as he 
formed this determination he relinquished his 
school and entered a neighboring academy, where 
he finished all the regular schooling that he ever 
had, with the exception of a few months' attend- 
ance at a select school kept by a man preparing 
for the ministry. It was while with him that he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1527 



received his first religious awakening, and laid 
the foundation on which was built his pure, Chris- 
tian character. He studied medicine in the of- 
fice of Dr. James P. Youngs, of Edenville, one 
year, and in the office of Dr. James Huron, of 
Warwick, one year. His next preceptors were 
Dr. Thomas Royce and Dr. Benjamin B. New- 
kirk, all eminent practitioners of Orange County. 
In the fall and winter of 1824 25 he attended a 
course of lectures at the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York. At the close of the 
lectures he passed an examination and obtained a 
diploma to practice medicine. This diploma bears 
the honored signature of Prof. David Hasack, 
President of the County Medical Society. The 
Doctor now turned his attention to a suitable 
field in which to practice his profession. After 
casting about for a time, he concluded to .settle in 
the neighborhood where he was born and reared. 
He was not long without patients, and they be- 
gan to multiply far beyond his ability to answer 
their requirements. He was honorably esteemed 
by neighboring physicians as a sound counselor, 
in which capacity he chiefly acted during the 
closing years of his practice. He was several 
times President of the County Medical Society, 
twice a delegate to the State Medical .Society, 
and once or twice its delegate to the American 
Medical Association. He was elected a perma- 
nent member of the State Medical Society in 
1859, on the recommendation of the society. 
The Regents of the University conferred on him 
the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine. He 
was widely known as a politician as well as a 
physician, filling important offices at various 
times. He represented his town as Supervis- 
or for several terms, and his assembly district 
three terms in the Legislature. He was in the 
House during the pendency of the bills incorpora- 
ting the Albany Medical College and the Young 
Men's As.sociation for the Mutual Improvement 
of the City of Albany, in both of which he took a 
great interest. 

Dr. Cash did not marry until he reached his 
fortieth year, when he was united with Hannah 
Davis, a daughter of Hon. Jo.seph Davis. The 
marriage was a happy one, but of short duration, 

66 



as Mrs. Cash was soon called to that upper and 
better world. .She left no children. The later 
years of the Doctor's life were devoted to his 
farm rather than to medicine. He owned at the 
time of his death several tracts of valuable 
land, principally in the western part of Orange 
County. Rutger's Place, his residence, so called 
by him after a tribe of Indians, is where Dr. 
Gardner now lives. At the time of his death he 
was the possessor of a handsome fortune. He 
bequeathed $4,000 to the Supervisors of Orange 
County to be expended in the erection of a monu- 
ment to the memory of the patriots who fell in 
the battle of Minisink, the bones of whom were 
collected on the battleground and buried at Go- 
shen. 

-l=fl)^ P • 

(lAMES FREDERICK SMITH, pilot on the 
I steamer "William F. Hart," was born in 
Q) Rhinebeck, Dutche.ss County, N. Y., July 
23, 1861. His father, Frederick .Smith, is a na- 
tive of Germany, born in LUm, Wurteniberg, and 
when a mere boy came to America and located at 
Rhinebeck, where he engaged as a teamster. He 
there married Catherine M. Dittes, also a native 
of Germany. She had been previously married, 
and has two living children by her first husband. 
In 1865 the family removed to Rondout, where 
the father engaged in the truck and ex press- trans- 
fer business, where he still continues, being su- 
perintendent of the compaii)'. He is a member 
of the Lutheran Church, and is greatly esteemed 
in the city where he has so long resided. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
Rondout, and was educated in the private schools 
of that city, taking a course in both English and 
German. When twelve years of age he com- 
menced his river life as a cabin-boy on the 
schooner "Minnie C. Post," where he was em- 
plo>ed for two seasons. During his last season 
he had his right arm split from the elbow down 
to the wrist, being hit by a boat while coming 
around Hell Gate. On his recovery from this 
wound he commenced work for George B. Hib- 
bard, a coal dealer, and was engaged with him as 
clerk for two seasons. He then .served as deck 



I52fc 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hand on the "Mary Powell" for four seasons, be- 
tween Kingston and New York City. For the 
.six seasons following he was mate on the "Jacob 
Tremper," assisting Capt. Ezra Hunter. In 
1887 he was licensed as a finst-class pilot on the 
Hudson River, and continued on the "Tremper" 
until April i, 1892. He was then made pilot on 
the "William F. Hart, ' where he has since re- 
mained. 

Mr. Smith was united in marriage at Rondout, 
N. Y., to Annie Myer, a daughter of William 
Myer, and a native of Hyde Park, N. Y. Three 
children have blessed their union, Tillie M., 
J. Frederick and J. Oliver. The family resides at 
No. 97 Smith vStreet. The parents are members 
of the German Lutheran Church. Socially he is 
a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. 
Mr. Smith is yet a young man, but understands 
the river throughout its entire length, and since 
serving as pilot has never yet met witli an acci- 
dent. 



1 1 1, LI AM B. BEAKES is numbered among 
the successful and well-to-do citizens of 
Newburgh, where he has made his home 
for the past nine years. Formerly he owned a 
stock and dairy farm at Cornwall, Orange Coun- 
ty, the place comprising some three hundred 
acres. For six years he made a business of sup- 
plying dairy products to customers in New York 
City, and on the Cornwall Stock Farm, as his 
homestead was termed, he usually kept from .sixty 
to eighty cows. In 1886 he sold out his business 
to his brother, C. H. C. Beakes, and since then 
has been enga.ged in the retail trade in New- 
burgh, his headquarters being on the corner of 
North vStreet and Gidney Avenue. His supplies 
are obtained from his brother's farm, and his two 
delivery wagons are kept in constant .service. 

Our subject was born in Middletown, Novem- 
ber 8, 1850, in which place .his father and grand- 
father, Joseph, had also been born. The latter 
was a farmer by occupation and a son of Stacey 
Beakes, a native of Wallkill Town. The latter's 



father, who bore the same Christian name, was 
the first of the family to settle in Orange County, 
and from that time till the present his descendants 
have been closely associated with the progress of 
this region. Stacey, Jr., father of our subject, 
was reared in Middletown, and owned a farm ad- 
joining that place. This homestead, comprising 
one hundred and sixty acres, he continued to con- 
duct until he retired from active cares. His last 
years were passed at the home of his son, C. H. 
C, near Cornwall, his death occurring when in his 
.seventy -fifth year. He was a member of the old- 
school Bapti.st Church, and possessed the respect 
and high regard of all with whom he was ac- 
quainted. After the organization oftheRepuls- 
lican party he became one of its loyal adherents. 
His wife, Emeline, was a daughter of William 
Carpenter, a farmer of Wallkill. She died in 
Middletown, lea\ing a family of ten children, 
one having previously died. 

William B. Beakes is the fifth in his parents' 
family, and is one of six sons. Two of his broth- 
ers were soldiers in the Civil War. He was 
brought up to farm life, and his primary educa- 
tion was such as was afforded by the district 
schools. Subsequenth- it was his privilege to at- 
tend Wallkill Academy at Middletown for one 
term. He continued under the parental roof un- 
til eighteen years of age, when he went to New 
York City and, entering the employ of Brown & 
Bailey, delivered milk to their customers until his 
brother, C. H. C, bought them out. He was in 
his employ for six years, thus making a total of 
twelve years in the same occupation. He was 
thrifty as well as industrious, and each year man- 
aged to lay aside a goodly sum. With this 
capital he bought the farm in Cornwall, pre- 
viously mentioned, in 1880. Owing to his good 
business methods and perseverance in his under- 
takings, he is now in the enjo3"ment of a substan- 
tial income and is on the high road to success. 

November 15. 1877, Mr. Beakes was married, 
in New York City, to Clara Embler, who was born 
in Monticello, Sullivan County, N. Y.. and is the 
daughter of W. T. Embler. This wortliy couple 
have six children, two sous and four daughters, 
who in order of their birth are named as follows: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'529 



Clara, William, Florence, Sadie, Henry and 
Katie. Our subject follows his father's ex- 
ample in the matter of politics and is an ardent 
Republican. 

3OHX FERGl'SOX, a very successful real- 
estate and insurance broker of Middletown, 
has his office in the Central Building, on 
North Street. He is a native of Mt. Salem, Sus- 
sex County, N. J., born November 11, 1859, and 
is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, James Fer- 
guson, having been born in Scotland. With two 
brothers, he was a refugee from Scotland to the 
North of Ireland, where they remained for a 
short time, and then came to America, the grand- 
father locating in the town of Minisink, where 
he purchased a tract of land and was engaged in 
farming until his death. In early life John Fer- 
guson, the father of our subject, learned the trade 
of a .shoemaker, and first engaged in business on 
his father's farm. Later he located in Mt. Salem, 
from which place he moved to Greenville, and 
later to Port Jervis, continuing to work at his 
trade until old age compelled him to retire. In 
1887 he came to Middletown with our subject, 
and here died June 21, 1892, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. His wife, Eliza Young, the mother 
of our subject, was born in Mt. Hope, and was a 
daughter of Samuel Young, a native of Scotland, 
and a large farmer in the town of Mt. Hope. She 
died here December i, 1893, in the faith of the 
Baptist Church, of which .she had been a mem- 
ber for many years. Of their twelve children, 
.seven grew to maturity, and six are now living. 
John Ferguson, our subject, was tenth in the 
parental family. In childhood he removed with 
his parents to Port Jervis, where he grew to man- 
hood and received his education in the public 
.schools. When fourteen years of age he began 
work on a farm in the town of Deerpark, and for 
three .sea.sons continued to work as a farm hand 
in that town and also in Minisink. He then re- 
turned to his father's hou.se in Port Jervis, and 
soon afterward entered the employ of the Erie 
Railway, remaining as a locomotive fireman on a 



freight train between Port Jervis and Jer.sey City 
for two years. ,, Later he was transferred to a 
passenger train, where he remained three years. 

In 1882 our subject left the employ of the rail- 
road company and engaged as traveling salesman 
for the Scottford Manufacturing Compan\-, of 
New York City, manufacturers of stamps and 
stencils. He traveled through New England and 
New York, and subsequently went west to the 
Mi.ssouri River. For nearly three years he was 
in the West, traveling through Missouri, Ne- 
braska, Kansas, Minnesota and Kentucky. In 
this business he was very successful, but as he 
did not care to remain away from home, in Sep- 
tember, 1886. he located in Middletown, where 
he engaged in the real-estate and insurance busi- 
ness, under the firm name of Ferguson & Corey. 
For two years they were located over Bull & 
Youngblood's, and then took Edward M. Mad- 
den in partnership, he remaining with them one 
year, during which time business was conduct- 
ed under the firm name of Ferguson, Corev & 
Madden. On the retirement of Mr. Madden, the 
name of Ferguson & Corey was resumed, and 
the business was continued until 1890, when our 
subject withdrew from the firm. 

With Mr. Corey our subject conducted an art 
and music store for one year, when the firm was 
dissolved, Mr. Ferguson again engaging in the 
real-estate and insurance business. In 1893 he 
organized the Central Building Association, and 
erected the Central Building at a cost of $30,000, 
he being one of the general overseers. The Cen- 
tral is one of the finest buildings in this city, and 
Mr. Ferguson was the first man to erect a busi- 
ness building north of the Erie Railroad. Recently 
he organized a stock company, entitled The Me- 
chanics' Building Association, and they are erect- 
ing the Mechanics' Building, a magnificent struct- 
ure on North Street. Man\- of the buildings in 
the north end were erected by them, nearly all 
the real estate .sold was through their agency , and 
the Senator Low Tract was handled by them ex- 
clusively. With F. G. Kain, he is interested in 
fifty lots between Highland and Linden Avenues, 
near Wisner A\'enue. These are among the 
finest building lots in the city, and are rapidly 



I530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



being disposed of. In addition to his real-estate 
business, Mr. Ferguson also acts as a loan and 
stock broker, and is appraiser of the New York 
Building Bank at this place. 

In 1887 Mr. Ferguson was married, in Middle- 
town, to Miss Mina C. Brooks, a native of Orange 
County, born near Tuxedo Park, where her father 
was engaged in merchandising. They have one 
child, Clinton B. In politics Mr. Ferguson is a 
Prohibitioni.st, and has been an advocate of the 
principles of that party tor many years. He has 
been a candidate of his partj- for Assemblyman, 
running far ahead of his ticket, and has been a 
delegate to the state and national conventions, 
attending the convention at Pittsburg which nomi- 
nated John P. St. John for President. For many 
years he has been an active member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Good Templars, and is now Past 
Worthy Chief Templar of Middletown Lodge, and 
is the County Chief Templar. He was Lodge 
Deputy for several years, and has been a repre- 
sentative to the grand lodge of the state. He is 
a member of the Middletown Board of Trade, and 
religiously is a pronounced Methodist. 



(lOSEPH \V. CONKLIN resides in the towi; of 
I Tuxedo, and owns a farm lying on the banks 
(2/ of Little Long Pond, near the Rockland Coun- 
ty line. The greater portion of his life has been 
spent in the forests of the Highland Mountains, 
and few are better judges of the land in this lo- 
cality than is he. A native of the adjoining 
county of Rockland, his birth occurred in the 
town of Johnsontown, March 14, 1828. He was 
reared to maturity there, remaining with his fa- 
ther until the age of twenty-one. For a number 
of years he worked as a laborer in the mountains, 
and in the spring of 1867 purchased one hundred 
and eighty acres in the town of Tuxedo, to which 
he has since added from time to time. He spent 
a short time in Virginia, near Fairfax and Bull 
Run, getting out timber for shipbuilding, and has 
always given prominent attention to wood prod- 
ucts. 

The first marriage of Mr. Conklin was to Miss 



Irene Hill, a native of this county, and daughter 
of Andrew Hill, who was a cooper by trade. 
Five children were born unto this union, of whom 
we note the following: Margaret married Peter 
Bush, of Albany, N. Y.; David E., who married 
Louisa Conklin, makes his home with his father, 
and for seven years has been in the employ of 
Pierre Lorillard at Tuxedo Park: Georgiana 
married Isaac Wanamaker, of Rahway, N. J.: 
Ella is the wife of Jacob Taylor, of Spring Valley, 
Rockland County; and Irene is deceased. 

The present wife of Mr. Conklin was Miss 
Elizabeth McKee, who was born near Warwick. 
and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Conklin) 
McKee. Her father, who was a hatter and mer- 
chant by occupation, went to New York on busi- 
ness and was never heard of afterward, but it was 
supposed that he was murdered for the money he 
carried with him. By his second marriage Mr. 
Conklin is the father of five children, namely: 
Albert, w-ho married Isabel Odell, and lives at 
Haverstraw: James L., who for six years has 
been employed as a gardener at Tuxedo Park ; 
Reuben B. and Aaron, who assist their father in 
the management of the home farm: and Bertha 
Mary, who re.sides with her parents. 

The father of our subject, Walter, was a son of 
Jo.seph and Sarah Conklin. and the mother, whose 
maiden name was Adeline Jones, was a daughter 
of Abraham and Nancy (Pitt ) Jones. Nancy 
Pitt was a daughter of Richard, brother of the 
illustrious William Pitt, of England. The former 
came to America and e.spoused the cause of the 
Revolution, remaining a loyal citizen of our 
Government until his death, which occurred on 
land now owned by our subject. Joseph Conklin 
was a soldier in the War of 18 12, and his wife. 
Sarah, from the mountain-top saw the capture of 
Stony Point by the British fleet. 

Since the division of the old town of Monroe, 
our subject has been one of the Assessors of 
Tuxedo. He has also served as School Trustee 
and Collector, and has been elected to other local 
offices. By principle he is a Republican, but is 
liberal in his views, and gives to others the free- 
dom of thought and opinion which he demands as 
his own due. With his wife he holds member- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I Sit 



ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Johii- 
sontowii. He is a man of sound judgment and 
great perseverance, and deserves all the prosperity- 
he has attained. 



(7 AMES J. McXALLV, editor and publisher 
I of the Goshen .YciCS and T/ic Mottror Herald. 
Q) served his apprentice.ship in the office of the 
S/^ns of the Times, published by Elder Gilbert 
Beebe, at Xew Vernon, Orange County. In 

1845, having finished his apprenticeship, he went 
to Xew York City and worked for several months 
in J. \V. Oliver's job- printing office, at that time 
located in the second story of The Sun building, 
corner of Fulton and Xassau Streets. Then, at the 
desire of Mr. and Mrs. Beebe, he returned to Xew 
\'ernon and took charge of the office of the Sig)is 
of the 7/'w« until after his marriage, in February, 

1846, to Phebe Adaline. youngest daughter of 
Elder Thomas P. and Charlotte Terry, of Xew 
\'ernon. By this marriage there were three chil- 
dren: Willie, the present owner and publisher of 
the EUenville /"/r^-f; Mrs. Mallett, of Xew York 
City; and Victor Irving, decea.sed. 

Soon after his marria.ge Mr. McXally moved 
to Xewton, X. J., and became foreman in the of- 
fice of the .\'(T<' Jersey Herald, then published by 
V. M. Drake, his brother-in-law, they having 
married sisters. He remained in this position 
until 1849, when he left for Milford. Pa., and es- 
tablished the Pike County Demoerat (afterwards 
changed to the Milford Herald ). This he published 
for several years and then sold out to John M. 
Heller, then of Milford, afterwards a prominent 
citizen of Port Jervis. 

Mr. McXally then purchased the Independent 
Repiibliean at Goshen and took possession in 
May, 1853. He was unacquainted with the 
political leaders of his party at that time, and as 
he had not consulted any of them nor asked their 
advice as to the purchase of the Repiibliean office, 
they determined that he should not obtain pos- 
session, and the then Congressman from this dis- 



trict, Hon. William Murray, sent special word to 

him from Washington that he .should never have 
possession of the office; and to prevent his get- 
ting it Mr. Murray and his friends, among whom 
were included Hon. Charles H. Wiufield, Dis- 
trict Attorney; Hon. John G. Wilkin. County 
Judge: Walker Fowler, Surrogate: E. M. Mad- 
den, and others throughout the county equally 
influential, induced John S. Clark, one of the 
owners of the office, to refuse to .sell or to accept him 
as a partner in place of I. V. Montanye, who.se 
interest he had purchased. 

Mr. McXally at once connnenced procetdingij 
to secure his right, which finally led to a sur- 
render by Mr. Clark and the purchase of his half 
of the office by Mr. McXally, but at an increased 
price. He had hardly become accustomed to his 
new position, when the Democratic party was di- 
vided into two parts, between the "Hunkers" and 
the "Soft-shells," and the fight was very bitter. 
A day or two after the state nominations had been 
made, \\'ilkin, Winfield, Madden and Fowler, 
as a committee of the "Soft-shells," sent word to 
Mr. McXally that they de.sired to .see him at the 
Surrogate's office. He there met them, and it 
transpired that their purpose was to dictate as to 
the course he was to pursue in the campaign. 
"Which ticket do you intend to place at the head 
of your editorial columns?" was demanded. 
"While I publish it. the Repiibliean will be a 
Democratic paper, and nothing else," was Mr. 
McXally's reply, and Judge Wilkin responded, 
threateningly: 'If you do not raise our ticket 
(the Soft-shell ), we will bury you and your paper 
so deep that the hand of resurrection will never 
reach either you or your paper." "Thank j-ou, 
gentlemen, for your courtesy." said Mr. Mc- 
Xally, and then added, "If the ticket I .shall 
rai.se at the head of my columns does not suit 
you, then go on with your funeral, and we will 
see who furnishes the corpse. 

Mr. McXally then left, and the fight went 
on, for he rai.sed the "Hunker" (or Hard-shell) 
ticket, and this led to the starting of the Denio- 
eratie Recorder, Soft-shell, in opposition to the 
Republican, with C. H. Winfield, one of the 
ablest writers in the state, as editor. It was. 



1532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RbCORD. 



however, short-lived. Mr. McNally kept pour- 
ing into their ranks broadside upon broadside, 
and at the end of a ^-ear or so a truce was asked 
for and granted, which resulted in the transfer of 
the Recorder to Mr. McXally, and it was discon- 
tinued. 

Then caeie the Anti-Leconipton (or Anti- 
Slavery ) issue, and the introduction in Congress 
by Mr. Douglas of a bill for the repeal of the 
Missouri Compromise. These measures again 
disrupted the Democratic party (which had be- 
come united), and the fight here, as elsewhere, 
was very bitter, resulting in many of the local 
Democratic leaders going over to the Republi- 
cans. Among these were Murray. Wilkin, Mad- 
den, Fowler and many others. Winfield at one 
time was at the edge of the precipice, but he did 
not take the final step, and remained with the 
Democratic party. 

In these contests, Mr. McXally kept the Re- 
publican up to the highest standard of journal- 
ism, and under his guidance it can truthfully 
be said it was a political power in the land. 
During all these political differences the social 
relations between the leaders and Mr. McNally 
were not strained: in fact, with some of them he 
was especially friendly, and they were daily as- 
sociates. He came to be regarded by Ihem as a 
safe and conservative politician, though positive 
in his ideas and always ready to maintain the 
right, as he regarded it, without fear or favor. 
For several years he was Chairman of the Demo- 
cratic County Committee and served his part\- 
satisfactorily in that position. 

When Mr. McNally first purchased the Republi- 
can office, the paper was printed on an old Tuft 
Platen Press, similar to the Adams Book Press, 
which was driven by horse-power, on an endless- 
chain threshing-machine, located in the rear of the 
ofiice building. This necessitated the keeping of 
a horse, and on this machine Mr. McNally first 
indicated his liking for trotting- horses, as he pur- 
chased and used a trotter as motive-power for 
running the pres^, and would frequently go out 
with the boys and have a brush on the road. 

From this Mr. McNally became more deeply 
interested, and eventuallv came to be widelv 



known as the owner and driver of some of the 
best trotters in Orange County in those days. 
He was one of the original six gentlemen who 
e.stablished the Goshen trotting- track on the 
"Elliott Meadow," now included within the 
grounds of the Goshen Driving Park. The track 
was first started on the sod, and by constant 
driving and trotting it eventually became quite 
good, and required comparatively little work in 
grading and draining by outside ditches to make 
it noted, as it afterward became. 

On this track the then popular "Orange Coun- 
ty Society for the Improvement of Horses" gave 
its annual exhibitions, which were known and 
attended by horsemen from almost all sections of 
the Union, who came not only to see and enjoy 
the sport, but also to purchase the ven- promis- 
ing young trotting stock, which they were sure 
to find here contending in the speed classes for 
supremacy, and also in the show classes for su- 
periority, as all-round road and family horses. 
In this way much of the very best trotting stock 
of the Hambletonian, Star and Clay .strains was 
taken from Orange County to Kentucky, Cali- 
fornia and other states, and served as the starters 
for the growth of the trotting interests there that 
have since become so prominent: in fact, have even 
overshadowed Orange County. 

For fourteen years Mr. McNally acted as Sec- 
retary of this society, and was the active worker in 
making up the programs for meetings, arranging 
purses, speed and show classes, etc.. etc. The 
society lasted only one year after he left Goshen 
and became a resident of Newburgh. 

In 1S58 Mr. McNally went to Newton, N. J., 
and became editor and publisher of the Xeic Jer- 
sey Herald. Here he .made the fight against 
Martin Ryerson on the Lecompton issue, which 
carried that great leader into the Republican 
party. He conducted the Herald until the fall of 
1 86 1, and in July, 1862. returned to Goshen and 
repurchased the Independent Republican. In 
1869 he purchased the Daily Press office at New- 
burgh from A. A. Beusel, and published it from 
i86q to 1874 as theZ?(7//)' and Weekly Telegraph. 
He sold the plant to Dr. Cooper, of Warwick, 
for Sio, 500. and after living at Middletowii for a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



short time be purchased the Carniel Courier, 
of Putnam County, X. Y., and conducted that 
paper for several years. He then returned to 
Orange County, and for the past thirteen years 
has published the Monroe Herald and for eight 
years the Goshen AVr.',?. 

Mr. McXally was boru in Paterson. X. J., 
in 1S24, and is the sou of James McXally and 
Elizabeth Bushforth. He is the youngest in a 
family of four children, and the only son. His 
father was the pioneer in a stage line which he 
established to run between Jersey City and Pater- 
son, and at one time employed more than a hun- 
dred horses in the business. This was before 
there was railroad communications between the 
two places. He was also the owner of the larg- 
est hotel prof)erty in Paterson, which included 
the property now known as Congress Hall. In 
1S24, General La Fayette whileou his visit to the 
United States, was a guest at Mr. McXally's 
liostelrx-. 

For his secoud wife James J. McXally married 
Phebe Ann. the youngest daughter of Gilbert 
and Phebe Ann Beebe, of Middletown. They 
have uo children. 



3i^= 



<^HOMAS DOUGHERTY, one of the most 
I C successful business men of Xewburgh, and 
^2/ one of her best citizens, is engaged in the 
wholesale manufacture of cider and cider vinegar, 
having the largest trade of the kind, not only in 
this immediate locality, but perhaps anywhere in 
the state. He embarked in this occupation in 
1876, in a small way, and year by year has had 
to increase his facilities for meeting the demand. 
While his sales are principally in Xewburgh. 
he has large orders from Xew York City, many 
points along the Hud.son and inland, and has also 
sent consignments to Leadville. Colo., in the 
West: to Georgia in the South, and has even had 
sales in China. 

Some seven generations ago, our subject's sur- 
name was spelled McDarrah, and the lineage has 
been faithfully kept. Members of the family 
emigrated from Scotland two or more centuries 



ago, settling in County Antrim. Ireland, where 
our subject's grandfather, Harvey, was boni. 
He was superintendent of a facton,- at Killwater. 
where flax was extensively manufactured. At an 
early day he etuigrated to America, settling in 
Sullivan County, near the town of Pike Pond. 
He lived to reach the extreme old age of nearly 
ninety years, while his wife. Susannah, was in 
her eighty-sixth year at the time of her death. 
Our subject's father. Wi Ham. was born in Kill- 
water, County Antrim, Ireland, and learned the 
carpenter's trade. He was brought up as a Prot- 
estant and has long inclined toward the Presby- 
terian faith. He is now nearly seventy-two years 
of age, and resides on a small place near Monti- 
cello. X. Y. His wife. Elizabeth, was a daughter 
of Thomas Logan, and both were born in County 
Antrim. Mr. Logan was a farmer, and was also 
a fancy weaver, operating four looms. !Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Dougherty died in Monticello. in August. 
1 866. Of her ten children, all but two lived to 
manhood and womanhood, and these are still \\\- 
ing. Thomas, the eldest, and his sisters, Mrs. 
Swan and Mrs. Burgher, reside in Xewburgh; an- 
other sister resides in Yonkers, N. Y.: Harvey 
lives iu Paterson. X. J.: William is a farmer of 
Schuyler County. X. Y.: and John and Samuel 
are engaged in cigar manufacturing in Bingham- 
ton, X. Y. 

The birth of Thomas Dougherty occurred in 
the village of Broughshane. County Antrim, 
October 28, 1846. From the time he was nine 
years of age he attended the district schools of 
Monticello. and December i, 1866. came to Xew- 
burgh with George Bennett, in whose employ he 
remained until the latter's death iu 1876. The 
same year Mr. Dougherty embarked in his pres- 
ent business, and in 18SS rented the building 
which he now occupies, and which has a capacity 
of thirty thousand gallons in barrels. Two de- 
livery wagons are kept iu constant use. and the 
proprietor attends to every department and detail 
of the work. Such cider as he does not di.spose 
of he converts into vinegar by nature's process. 
It is therefore in great demand by lovers of the 
pure article, and by housewifes who have a just 
regard for the health and welfare of their families. 



1534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



For two years he was engaged in the wholesale 
grocery business on South Street, but now gives 
his entire time to his present occupation. He 
erected the fine three- story and basement brick 
building at No. 233 Dubois Street, on the corner 
of Gidney Avenue. 

Our subject was first married, in this city, to 
Catherine J. Kennedy, who was born in County 
Roscommon, Ireland, but who is now deceased. 
The only child of this marriage, Mary E. , gradu- 
ated from the Newburgh Academy, and is now en- 
gaged in teaching school. The lady who now 
bears our subject's name was formerly Miss Marj- 
J. Ray, and .she too is a native of Ireland, having 
been born in County Donegal. Mrs. Dougherty 
and her daughter Mary are members of St. 
John's Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically 
our subject is a loyal supporter of the Republican 
■party, and takes great interest not only in national 
affairs, but in everything tending toward the up- 
building and beautifying of Newburgh. 



NENRY YOUNGS. Farming and dairying 
have formed the chief occupation of this 
prominent young citizen of Orange County, 
and the progressive manner in which he has taken 
advantage of everj- method and idea tending 
toward enhancing the value of his propertj- has 
had considerable to do with his succe.ss in life. 
Through thrift and enterprise he has succeeded in 
making the old homestead farm, which he inher- 
ited upon the death of his father in 1885, one of 
the best dairy farms in the township. A visitor to 
the estate can here see the work of three genera- 
tions of men distinctly marked out and added one 
to the other, the work of the three last Henry 
Youngses, while the modern machinen,- and the 
finishing touches are plainly the handiwork of 
the last, our subject. 

Mr. Youngs was born in Brooklyn, X. Y., in 
1866, and was the eldest member and only son of 
the family of Henry and Annie (Jackson ) Youngs. 
He is the sixth Henry Youngs to own the farm 
on which he at present resides, and represents 
the ninth veneration of Youngses in America. 



His father, who was the fifth of the name, was 
born in New York Citj-, where he passed the 
greater portion of his life. In i86g, upon the 
death of his uncle, Henry Youngs ( fourth ) , he 
came to Orange County, where he lived until 
called from earth. While a resident of the me- 
tropolis he was engaged in the produce business, 
and was one of the founders, and up to the time 
of his death a member, of the Produce Exchange 
of that city. After coming to Orange Count}- he 
lived retired from business of any kind, and died 
September 9, 1885, at the age of sixty-four years. 
His wife, who was a native of Brookh-n, has just 
died, October 4, 1895. Their family consisted of 
four daughters and one son, all of whom are liv- 
ing at the pre.sent writing. 

The original of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. 
He has resided on his present beautiful fann for 
the past ten years, and in the carr\'ing on of his 
labors is meeting with untold success. His place, 
besides being one of the largest in the township, 
ranks among the best in point of improvement. 
Mr. Youngs is one of the progressive and ener- 
getic young business men of the county, and his 
.succe.ss is well deserved. He is a member of St. 
James' Episcopal Church, in which he is a Ves- 
tryman. In politics he is an ardent Republican, 
and takes great interest in the success of his party. 
Honorable and upright in his dealings with all, 
he has many warm friends throughout ihe coun- 
ty who hold him in high esteem. 

The Youngs family is an old and time-honored 
one in this section. The founder of the family in 
America was Rev. John Youngs, a Puritan min- 
ister, who, with thirteen of his congregation emi- 
grated from Hingham, England, and in 1637 
landed on the shores of Connecticut at the then 
village of New Haven. He was the son of Rev. 
Christopher Youngs, the vicar of Southwold, Suf- 
folk County, England. After a short sta\- there 
they crossed over to Long Island and settled the 
village of Southold. He built the first church 
there, which is still standing, and was the first 
pastor there, holding the office for manj- years. 
Here the family dwelt for many years, and is still 
well represented. 












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